Coronavirus cases in Africa near 750,000

The number of coronavirus cases in Africa is now just short of 750,000, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday.

According to the daily update, 749,492 COVID-19 cases have been recorded in 54 African countries, with fatalities now at 15,726 and 409,568 recoveries.

With 396,600 cases, Southern Africa remains the continent’s worst-hit region, followed by North Africa with 139,900 infections, West Africa 111,000, East Africa 58,400, and Central Africa with 43,600 cases.

South Africa has the highest number of cases among countries – 381,800 – and is trailed by Egypt with 89,100, Nigeria 37,800, Cameroon 16,200 and Kenya with 14,200.

In terms of death toll, North Africa leads with more than 6,000 fatalities, ahead of Southern Africa with 5,700, West Africa 1,700, East Africa 1,400, and Central Africa with 861.

Across the world, COVID-19 has claimed nearly 617,000 lives in 188 countries and regions since emerging in China last December.

Almost 15 million cases have been reported worldwide, with the US, Brazil, India, and Russia currently the worst-hit countries, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

The data shows more than half of all patients worldwide – over 8.48 million – have recovered so far.