Coronavirus in Africa: Cases on rise to over 644,000

The number of people who have tested positive for the coronavirus in the African continent has reached 644,205 on Thursday, said the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

At least 14,044 people died of virus-related complications across 54 countries in the continent, according to the latest figures.

The recoveries hit 334,547, the Africa CDC update showed.

Some 322,000 infections were recorded in Southern Africa, North Africa registered 130,200 cases, West Africa 100,800, East Africa 50,100 and Central Africa 41,100.

In terms of death toll, North Africa suffered 5,600 fatalities, Southern Africa 4,700, West Africa 1,600, East Africa 1,300, and Central Africa 839.

According to the update, 164,700 patients have recovered in Southern Africa, 61,300 in West Africa, 57,700 in North Africa, 26,300 in East Africa, and 23,600 in Central Africa.

Since first appearing in China last December, the novel coronavirus has spread to at least 188 countries and regions. The US, Brazil, India, and Russia are currently the countries hardest hit in the world.

The pandemic has killed over 584,000 people worldwide, with more than 13.57 million confirmed cases, according to figures compiled by the US' Johns Hopkins University.

More than half of the people infected with the virus have recovered.