The number of COVID-19 infections in Africa reached surpassed the 4.37 million mark on Wednesday as the continent continues its struggle to contain a third wave of the virus.

According to the latest figured published by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the continent has now registered 4,373,321 confirmed cases with 116,421 deaths.

South Africa remains to be the hardest country on the continent, having recorded 1,559,960 infections with 53,423 deaths.

Morocco's 502,961 infections make its caseload the only other on the continent to top the 500,000mark.

Further on, Tunisia (274,604), Ethiopia (232,512) and Egypt (212,130) are the only other countries in Africa whose virus loads have surpassed the 200,000 mark.

A total of 14 countries in Africa have registered more than 1,000 deaths.

The figures by Africa CDC also show that 3,926,523 patients successfully recovered from the disease.

Africa, like the rest of the world, is currently engaged in mass vaccination exercises in efforts to contain the virus.

Many countries have also maintained various containment measures including lockdowns, bans on public gatherings and mandatory wearing of face masks.