The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa surpassed the 810,000 mark on Saturday as the continent continues to see an upsurge in infections.

Data from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention on Saturday afternoon showed that the continent had reported 810,008 cases and 17,088 deaths.

Having seen a slow rise in infections in the initial stages of the outbreak, Africa has recently experienced a sharp spike in new daily cases.

South Africa remains the worst-hit country on the continent, having registered 421,996 cases and 6,343 deaths.

The figures represent 51.8 percent of the continent's infections and 37 percent of its deaths.

Other than South Africa, only three other countries in Africa have recorded more than 30,000 COVID-19 infections; Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana.

Eleven countries on the continent have reported more than 10,000 cases.

Besides South Africa, only Egypt (4,518) and Algeria (1,136) have reported more than 1,000 COVID-19 related fatalities.