Africa exceeds one million of confirmed Coronavirus cases

Saudi labs can conduct 53,000 COVID-19 tests daily
Saudi labs can conduct 53,000 COVID-19 tests daily

Africa's confirmed coronavirus cases have surpassed 1 million, but global health experts say the true toll is likely several times higher, reflecting the gaping lack of testing for the continent's 1.3 billion people.

While experts say infection tolls in richer nations can be significant undercounts, large numbers of undetected cases are a greater danger for Africa, with many of the world's weakest health systems. More than 21,000 people have died of COVID-19.

The World Health Organization calls the milestone a "pivotal point" for Africa as infections in several countries are surging. The virus has spread beyond major cities "into distant hinterlands" where few health resources exist and reaching care could take days.

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