ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia

The number of COVID-19 cases in Africa has passed 150,000 after more than 5,300 people tested positive over the past 24 hours, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said in an update on Tuesday.

According to the latest data, 5,343 new cases raised the total to 152,442, while the death toll increased by 116 to reach 4,344.

Recoveries rose by 1,853 to 63,661, bringing the total active cases on the continent to 84,437, the Africa CDC said.

With 34,400, South Africa has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases on the continent, but it has started easing restrictions by opening businesses and allowing other activities.

It is followed by Egypt, which has 26,400 cases and the highest death toll of 1,000, ahead of South Africa’s 705.

North Africa continues to be the continent’s hardest-hit region with 45,500 cases, followed by Southern Africa with 36,700, West Africa 36,000, East Africa 17,700, and Central Africa with 16,500.

At least 1,900 deaths have been reported in North Africa, 731 in West Africa, 730 in Southern Africa, 532 in East Africa, and 401 in Central Africa.

The pandemic has killed over 375,500 people worldwide, with more than 6.28 million cases in 188 countries and regions, while recoveries are now nearing 2.7 million, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.