Morocco on Thursday extended its health state of emergency until 10 January as it continues its fight against COVID-19.

The North African country has been under the state of emergency since March in efforts to curb further spread of the virus.

According to local media, the month-long extension is meant to cover the end of year festivities when a lot of people gather with their families and friends.

By Thursday, Morocco had reported 364,190 confirmed COVID-19 infections.

Its caseload is the second-highest in Africa, only shadowed by South Africa's 796,472 cases.

The country's virus-related death rate has however been relatively low, at around 1.7 percent, as it has registered 5,985 deaths.