Africa's COVID-19 infections reach 4,843,874

A healthcare worker arrives to receive a China's Sinopharm vaccine during the mass COVID-19 vaccination process for healthcare workers at the Gynecology Hospital in Yaounde, Cameroon on April 12, 2021. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

The number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Africa rose to 4,843,874 on Tuesday as the continent continues its efforts against the pandemic.

According to the latest data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the continent has also recorded 130,814 virus-related deaths.

South Africa remains the hardest-hit country by the pandemic on the continent, having registered 1,665,617 cases with 56,506 fatalities.

Morocco's 519,216 cases are the second-highest virus infections in Africa, while the 15,096 deaths reported by Egypt are the second-highest virus toll on the continent.

A total of nine African countries have recorded more than 100,000 COVID-19 infections while only three have registered more than 10,000 deaths.

Mass vaccination drives have been rolled out across the continent, with priority given to healthcare workers, the elderly and people with underlying conditions.

In addition, some countries have also imposed various measures to contain the pandemic, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, lockdowns, night-time curfews and bans on public gatherings.