The World Health Organization (WHO) has once again sounded the alarm over the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic in Africa, saying that the situation in South Africa could be a precursor to what lies ahead for the rest of the continent.

WHO's emergencies chief Michael Ryan expressed his concern during a virtual news conference on Monday, according to a report by news broadcaster Al Jazeera.

The novel coronavirus is steadily spreading across Africa and the continent has now breached the 700 000 mark in infections, rising to 740 026 as of Tuesday.

According to a WHO situation update, there has been a 27% rise in the number of infections in Africa in the past week.

A total of 15 465 people have died of Covid-19 on the continent, while 392 377 have fully recovered, according to Worldometer.

Until recently, Africa had remained relatively unscathed by the coronavirus pandemic, but that has changed rapidly over the past few weeks as countries continue to record high daily infections.

On July 19, South Africa recorded 13 449 infections in a 24-hour period and it remains the epicentre of the pandemic on the continent, with 373 628 cases.

Ryan warned that the situation in South Africa could be seen as "a warning" for what might be in store for the rest of Africa, reported Al Jazeera.

"While South Africa is experiencing a very, very severe event, I think it is really a marker of what the continent could face if urgent action is not taken to provide further support," he said.

"South Africa may, unfortunately, be a precursor, it may be a warning for what will happen in the rest of Africa," said Ryan.