The number of COVID-19 infections in Africa reached 8,459,555 on Saturday even as some countries on the continent continue to see a decline in new daily cases.

According to the latest data from the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the confirmed cases have been drawn from a total of 75,498,543 tests conducted since the onset of the pandemic.

The agency notes that the number of virus-related deaths stood at 216,682.

South Africa remains to be the hardest-hit country by the pandemic on the continent, having recorded 2,918,883 infections with 88,891 fatalities.

The figures account for 34.50 per cent of Africa's total caseload and 41.02 per cent of its fatalities.

Besides South Africa, two other countries on the continent have reported more than half a million COVID-19 infections; Morocco (944,076) and Tunisia (711,397).

Various countries on the continent have however begun seeing a decline in new infections, a positive statistic in a continent that has largely lagged behind other regions in vaccinations.

The Kenyan government earlier this week eased containment measures, ending a nationwide nighttime curfew and allowing controlled fan attendance in sporting events.

The Africa CDC also noted that Africa has registered 7,842,357 successful recoveries.