Burkina Faso announced on Wednesday the first death from coronavirus in West Africa. The victim is a 62-year-old woman who had been suffering from diabetes.

The news came a day after The Gambia confirmed its first coronavirus case. Africa has lagged behind the global curve for coronavirus infections and deaths but in the past few days has seen a significant rise in cases.

As of Wednesday, a tally of reported cases, compiled by AFP, stood at 576 for all of Africa.

Senegal has the most confirmed cases in West Africa with 27, while in the east, 23 cases have been reported in six countries, including flight hubs Ethiopia and Kenya.

Experts have repeatedly warned about the perils for the continent, given its weak health infrastructure, poverty, conflicts and urban crowding.