The number of COVID-19 infections in Africa reached 4,560,728 on Saturday as the continent continued calls for vaccine equity to ensure a universal fight against the pandemic.

The latest figures from the Africa CDC also showed that the number of virus-related deaths on the continent had hit 121,828.

Various African countries have rolled out mass vaccination programs in efforts to contain the pandemic that has killed more than 3.18 million people globally.

South Africa remains to be the hardest hit African country by the pandemic, having registered 1,581,210 infections with 54,350 deaths.

The figures represent 34.67 percent of the continent's caseload and 44.62 percent of its death toll.

Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa reiterated calls for a landmark waiver on intellectual property (IP) to enable countries to produce COVID-19 vaccines and drugs on a larger scale, at lower prices.

He called out developed countries that were hoarding vaccines, making it difficult for other countries to obtain the vital doses.

"None of us are safe until all of us are safe," said Ramaphosa.

The waiver would apply to certain IP on COVID-19 medical tools and technologies until herd immunity is reached.

The Africa CDC data shows that some nine countries on the continent – South Africa included – have reported more than 100,000 COVID-19 infections.

A total of 15 have recorded more than 1,000 virus-related deaths.

(With input from agencies)