Coronavirus infections in Africa near 260,000

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – Coronavirus cases in Africa has topped 259,000 in Africa on Wednesday, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

At least 6,999 patients have died so far across 54 countries, it said, adding recoveries stand at 118,472.

Southern Africa have recorded 80,100 cases, North Africa 71,600, West Africa 53,800, East Africa 28,100, and Central Africa 25,500.

Death toll has topped 2,900 in North Africa, 1,700 in Southern Africa, 1,000 in West Africa, 853 in East Africa, and 558 in Central Africa.

The worst hit country in terms of number of infections is South Africa with 76,300 cases, followed by Egypt in North Africa that has recorded 47,900.

Nigeria in West Africa has registered 17,100 cases, Sudan in East Africa 7,700, and Cameroon in Central Africa 10,100.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has spread to at least 188 countries and regions. The US, Brazil and Russia are currently the hardest-hit in the world.

The pandemic has killed nearly 444,000 people worldwide with more than 8.19 million confirmed cases, while recoveries have surpassed 3.97 million, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University of the US.