By Jerry Omondi
The number of COVID-19 in Africa has surpassed the 4.6 million mark as the continent continues efforts to contain the pandemic.
According to the latest figures by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 4,601,155 cases have been reported from 44,839,442 tests conducted.
The continent has also registered 123,977 virus-related deaths.
South Africa remains to be the hardest-hit country by the pandemic in Africa, having recorded 1,594,817 infections with 54,724 deaths.
The country’s caseload is more than three times the tally registered by Morocco, whose 513,628 cases are the second-highest in Africa.
Only three more countries on the continent have reported more than 200,000 COVID-19 cases; Tunisia (319,512), Ethiopia (262,217) and Egypt (236,272).
Besides South Africa, only Egypt (13,845 ) and Tunisia (11,350) have recorded more than 10,000 virus-related fatalities.
Most countries on the continent have already rolled out mass vaccination programs in efforts to contain the pandemic.
The vaccinations have largely targeted healthcare workers, the elderly, persons with underlying health conditions and those providing essential services.
Various countries have also imposed containment measures including lockdowns, nighttime curfews, bans on public gatherings and mandatory wearing of face masks.
