Rise in Covid-19 cases a concern

AFRICA surpassed half a million novel coronavirus infections on Tuesday, and with almost 12 million people infected globally, the rise in cases is a concern for health bodies as experts predict that the worst is yet to come.

South Africa remains the epicentre of the pandemic on the continent, with 215 855 infections and 3 502 deaths. Real-time tracker Worldometer statistics show 102 299 people have recovered.

Egypt has 77 279 infections, 3 489 deaths and 21 718 recoveries.

Nigeria has 29 789 cases, including 12 108 recoveries and 669 deaths as of yesterday.

Ghana has recorded 21 968 infections, 17 156 recoveries and 129 deaths.

Algeria has 16 879 infections and 12 095 recoveries, leaving the country with 3 817 active cases.

Despite figures rising on the continent, a few nations seem to have averted large-scale contagion.

Western Sahara has 10 infections, with eight recoveries and one death, while in Burundi 191 people have been infected and 118 recovered.

Gambia has reported 62 cases, including 27 recoveries and three deaths.

The World Health Organization has urged African countries to implement strong Covid-19 safety precautions as they reopen their borders to air travel.