Africa: Coronavirus cases top 1.62M, deaths over 39,500

Africa's coronavirus cases to date now total over 1.62 million, according to Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) figures released Saturday.

At least 39,584 people have died across the continent, according to the Africa CDC, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

However, the figures also showed that nearly 1.34 million people have recovered from the deadly virus.

By region, Southern Africa to date has had 771,345 confirmed cases, and North Africa 416,553 cases, East Africa 191,277, West Africa 184,068, and Central Africa 59,212.

South Africa is the hardest-hit country on the continent, with a total of 700,203 cases to date and 18,370 deaths.

''We extend our condolences to the loved ones of the departed and thank the healthcare workers that treated the deceased patients,'' South Africa’s Health Minister Zwelini Mkhize said in an update late Friday.

''Our recoveries now stand at 629 260 which translates to a recovery rate of 90%,'' he added.