The number of cases and deaths from COVID-19 is rising sharply in Africa as new variants of the more contagious virus spread to other countries.

According to the World Health Organisation Africa Bureau, more than 175,000 new cases of COVID-19 and more than 6,200 deaths have been recorded in Africa in the past week.

It also said the number of infections on the continent increased by 50% between December 29, 2020 and January 25, 2021, compared to the previous four weeks. 

Last week, South Africa saw a slight drop in the number of cases, but 22 countries continue to see a sharp increase in the number of cases.

Sankulleh Janko reports.

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