KABUL, June 5 (Xinhua) -- Afghanistan on Friday reported 915 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, taking the country's total to 18,969, the country's Ministry of Public Health said.

Within the past 24 hours, 1,570 tests were conducted, and 915 were positive cases, the ministry said in a statement.

Up to 309 deaths have been recorded since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in February, an increase of nine within the past 24 hours.

Out of total infected people, 1,763 have recovered, including 178 who showed improvement and were discharged from hospitals since early Thursday.

The Afghan health authorities have conducted 45,139 tests as of Friday morning across the country.