Sat 04 July 2020:
Global coronavirus cases have exceeded 11 million, according to tallies by Reuters news agency and the Johns Hopkins University, marking another milestone in the spread of the disease that has killed more than half a million people in seven months.
The number of cases is more than double the figure for severe influenza illnesses recorded annually, according to the WHO.
The World Health Organization (WHO) urged countries hit by serious coronavirus outbreaks to “wake up” to the realities on the ground instead of bickering, and to “take control” of the pandemic.
Many hard-hit countries are easing lockdowns put in place to slow the spread of the coronavirus while making extensive alterations to work and social life that could last for a year or more until a vaccine is available.
Some countries are experiencing a resurgence in infections, leading authorities to partially reinstate lockdowns, in what experts say could be a recurring pattern into 2021.
Saudi Arabia passed a milestone of 200,000 confirmed novel coronavirus cases, the Ministry of Health said, weeks before an annual Hajj pilgrimage drastically cut back because of the pandemic.
Brazil surpasses 1.5 million coronavirus cases
Brazil reported 42,223 additional coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Health said, bringing the total tally to 1,539,081.
The number of coronavirus deaths rose by 1,290 to 63,174, according to the ministry.
US marks another new daily record for infections
The United States reported 57,683 COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, a tally by Johns Hopkins University showed, making Friday the third consecutive day the country logged more than 50,000 new cases.
The Baltimore-based university’s tracker showed the total number of cases since the pandemic reached the US at 2,793,022.
The university also recorded a further 728 fatalities, bringing the total US death toll to 129,405.
South Africa reports record daily infections
South Africa has announced another record daily number of confirmed coronavirus cases with 9,064, as Africa’s most developed country shows signs of strain in coping with the pandemic.
Thirty percent of South Africa’s more than 177,000 cases are now in Gauteng province, which contains Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria.
More than 2,900 people in the country have died. The African continent overall has more than 433,000 confirmed virus cases.
New highest daily jump in India with 22,772 virus cases
India reported its biggest single-day spike of 22,772 coronavirus cases and 442 deaths, according to the country’s health Ministry.
The coronavirus positive cases now stand at 648,315, while 18,655 people have died of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
-Al Jazeera News Agency
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