This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
Published on June 21, 2020, by XINHUA
ADDIS ABABA
The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has reported a significant surge in Covid-19 cases across the African continent, with the number of confirmed cases reaching 297,352.
According to the Africa CDC's latest situation update, the number of confirmed cases rose from 275,323 on Friday afternoon, while the death toll from the pandemic increased from 7,395 on Friday to 7,925 by Sunday.
Some 142,745 people who were infected with Covid-19 across the continent have recovered, the Africa CDC noted, adding that the virus had spread into 54 African countries.
South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Ghana, and Algeria are among the most highly affected countries, with Djibouti, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, Cape Verde, and Equatorial Guinea reporting the most cumulative Covid-19 cases per 100,000 persons when population is taken into consideration.
The southern Africa region is now the most affected area across the continent in terms of positive Covid-19 cases, overtaking northern Africa, while Western Africa is the third-most affected.
During the past week, some 55,612 new Covid-19 cases have been reported across the continent, a 27 per cent increase in new cases compared to what was reported the previous week, with five countries accounting for 63 per cent of the new cases reported over the past week.
