A volunteer receives an injection from a medical worker during the country's first human clinical trial for a potential vaccine against the COVID-19, at the Baragwanath hospital in Soweto, South Africa, on June 24, 2020. (File photo: Agencies)

The rate of new confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa has been decreasing significantly in the past one month, raising hopes that the continent is on the path toward winning the battle against the virus.

According to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over the past four weeks, the continent recorded an average of 14 percent drop in the number of new cases each week.

The central Africa region recorded the highest rate of decrease at 31 percent, followed by the southern region at 26 percent, western region 18 percent and eastern region 2.9 percent.

South Africa, the most affected country in the continent, continues to lead in the rate of new cases, having recorded 17,578 cases between Aug 27 and Sept 3.

However, nationally, the country is recording declining rates of new infections compared to the previous weeks, with the rate standing at 11 percent by Sept 4, according to the Ministry of Health.

On July 12, which corresponded with the peak of the pandemic in South Africa, the country recorded the highest rate of new infections at 30 percent.

Dr Zwelini Mkhize, the minister of health, said the number of active cases in the country had dropped from 90,103 on Aug 20 to 62,582 on Sept 4, translating to a 31 percent decrease.

In the world ranking of total number of cases per country, South Africa has fallen from fifth to seventh position. In terms of cumulative number of coronavirus related deaths, the country ranks 13.

Dr Mkhize said unnatural deaths in the country had increased, following the easing of alcohol restrictions. Basically, South Africa has eased most of the restrictions.

"We have been very concerned to see videos on social media of people hosting large parties and going to shebeens, taverns and bars beyond the curfew. We urge our people to continue observing health protocols such as social distancing, wearing of masks, sanitizing and washing of hands," he said.

Dr Mkhize cautioned the public members against sharing of drinks, cigarettes, cigars and shisha pipes.

"Be aware that if you do this you have directly put yourself at risk. While socializing and having fun, do not let your guard down and put your life and the lives of your loved ones at risk. The threat of a second wave remains very real," he said.

According to the Africa CDC, Africa accounts for 5 percent of the cases and 4 percent of deaths reported globally.

So far, the continent has recorded almost 1.3 million infected cases and over 31,000 deaths. Globally, the number of confirmed cases stands at over 26 million and 883,000 deaths.

Additionally, the continent has recorded over 1 million recoveries, accounting for 80 percent of the total cases reported.

Meanwhile, all the African countries have expressed interest in COVAX, a global initiative that seeks to ensure coronavirus vaccine access to all.

The initiative aims to secure at least 220 million doses of the vaccine for the continent, once licensed and approved.

Through the Gavi-coordinated COVAX Facility, the initiative seeks to ensure access for all: both higher and middle-income countries which will self-finance their own participation, and lower-middle income and low-income countries which will have their participation supported by the COVAX Advance Market Commitment.

Eight African countries have agreed to self-finance their vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility. This expression of interest will turn into binding commitments to join the initiative by Sept 18, with upfront payments to follow no later than Oct 9.

Additionally, 46 countries in the continent are eligible for support from the financing instrument, the COVAX Advance Market Commitment which has raised approximately $700 million against an initial target of securing $2 billion seed funding from high-income donor countries, as well as private sector and philanthropists by the end of 2020.

The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations is leading COVAX vaccine research and aims to develop up to three safe and effective vaccines which will be made available to countries participating in the COVAX Facility. The foundation is already supporting nine candidate vaccines; two are currently being tested in South Africa, in addition to other regions around the world.