COVID-19: Africa’s death toll exceeds 6000 as cases hit 230,454

A total of 6,218 people have been killed by COVID-19 disease in Africa as of June 14, the latest figures released by the World Health Organisation has shown.

The organisation also said 230,454 cases had also been confirmed.

“There are over 230,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases on the African continent – with more than 105,000 recoveries and 6,200 deaths,” WHO said.

South Africa was reported to have the highest case on the continent; 65,736 cases and 1,423 deaths, followed by Egypt with 41,303 confirmed cases and 1,322 deaths.

Nigeria ranks third with 15,181 confirmed cases and 399 deaths.

Ghana has recorded 11,118 cases and 48 deaths while Algeria has confirmed 10,810 confirmed cases and 760 deaths.

Lesotho, Seychelles and Gambia were reported with the countries with the lowest confirmed cases so far.

“Lesotho has only four confirmed cases with zero death, Seychelles has 11 reported cases and zero death, while Gambia has 28 confirmed cases with one death,” WHO said.

With 106,236 recoveries, South Africa also has the highest recovery numbering 36,850, followed by Algeria with 7,420 recoveries and Nigeria with 4,891.

In a related development, the organisation, in commemoration of the World Blood Donor Day, urged people to donate blood to save lives.

“Today, we celebrate World Blood Donor Day because blood donors give the gift of life,” it said.

“Safe blood is critical to saving millions of lives and more lives will be saved if more people volunteer to donate blood on a regular basis.

“Give blood and make the world a healthier place; your blood type could be more precious than you realise.

“It only takes between 10-15 minutes to donate blood. Just one donation could save up to 3 lives; give blood and make the world a healthier place.”

WBDD is celebrated annually on June 14 to raise awareness on the need for safe blood and to thank blood donors for their life-saving gifts.