The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has surpassed the 4.4 million mark as the continent continues its efforts to contain a third wave of the pandemic.

According to the latest figures from the Africa CDC, some 4,429,822 infections had been recorded in Africa, with a death toll of 117,913.

Various countries on the continent are battling a third wave of the pandemic, one described by experts as more deadly that the initial two.

The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes the hike in the infection and death rates to laxity in adherence to COVID-19 containment measures as well as government rushing to reopen too soon.

In Africa, South Africa remains the hardest hit country by the pandemic, having registered 1,566,769 cases with 53,736 deaths.

Morocco's 505,811 cases make it the only other country in Africa to have reported more than half a million infections.

A total of 14 countries on the continent have registered more than 1,000 virus-related deaths.

The Africa CDC data also shows that some 3,967,060 patients have successfully recovered from the disease.