COVID-19 Updates From Around The Globe Today

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought countries around the world to a standstill. Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis from around the globe on Sunday.

Global COVID-19 cases over 5.3 mn: Johns Hopkins

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The overall number of global coronavirus cases has increased to over 5.3 million, while the death toll surged past 342,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

As of Sunday morning, the total number of cases stood at 5,309,698, while the death toll increased to 342,078, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

The US has the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,622,605 and 97,087, respectively.

In terms of cases, Brazil accounted for the second highest number of infections at 347,398.

This was followed by Russia (335,882), the UK (258,504), Spain (235,290), Italy (229,327), France (182,036), Germany (179,986), Turkey (155,686), Iran (133,521), India (131,423) and Peru (115,754), the CSSE figures showed.

Meanwhile, the UK came in second after the US with 36,757 COVID-19 deaths, the highest fatalities in Europe.

The other countries with over 10,000 deaths are Italy (32,735), Spain (28,678), France (28,218), and Brazil (22,013).

South America becomes new epicentre of Covid-19: WHO

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South America has become the new epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

With a total of 330,098 COVID-19 cases, Brazil has since surpassed Russia as the country with the second-highest number of infections after the US.

The rest of the continent has not fared much better. Peru has 108,769 cases, Chile 61,857, Ecuador 35,828 and Colombia 18,330 positive cases.

The rest of the continent is suffering in smaller numbers, but the rates of increase are not showing signs of flattening just yet.

"We've seen many South American countries with increasing numbers of cases and clearly there's a concern across many of those countries, but certainly the most affected is Brazil at this point," Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO's emergencies programme, said at a news briefing on Friday.

"In a sense, South America has become the new epicentre for the disease," he added

France sees further drop in COVID-19 hospitalizations

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France has reported a further decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, nearly two weeks after the government eased lockdown measures to return to normalcy.

As of Saturday, 17,178 people are being hospitalized for COVID-19 infection, 1,665 of them in intensive care units. The figures are down from 17,383 and 1,701 respectively a day before, according to data released by the Health Ministry, Xinhua reported.

The country's last COVID-19 death toll, released on Friday, stood at 28,215. An updated tally will be unveiled on Monday, said the ministry.

The French government has eased a two-month lockdown in the wake of decelerating positive cases and improved situations in hospitals. Since May 11, people have been allowed to move freely without justification; schools and shops have reopened.

The Ministry of Interior on Saturday announced further easing in restrictive measures, allowing religious ceremonies and gatherings. But it recommended worshippers to wear masks, respect one-meter distance and wash their hands.

Spain sees falls in new COVID-19 deaths, cases

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The Spanish Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare on Saturday confirmed falls in the number of new deaths and cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.

The ministry reported that 48 people lost their lives to COVID-19 in the 24 hours until midnight on Friday, down from 56 confirmed a day earlier, taking the death toll in Spain to 28,678, Xinhua reported.

The same period also saw a fall in the number of new cases detected by PCR tests, which discover if the coronavirus is active in the body. The ministry reported 361 new infections, down from 446 a day earlier, bringing the total cases to 235,290.

In a televised speech to the nation on Saturday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez declared ten days of national mourning for the victims of COVID-19.

He also announced that from the start of July, Spain would "reopen for the arrival of foreign tourists in conditions that guarantee safety."

Italy's COVID-19 death toll rises to 32,735

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A further 119 COVID-19 patients had died in the past 24 hours in Italy, bringing the country's death toll to 32,735 out of total infection cases of 229,327, according to the latest figures on Saturday.

The number of recoveries rose to 138,840, an increase of 2,120 compared to Friday. Nationwide, the number of active infections fell by 1,570 to 57,752, according to the Civil Protection Department, Xinhua reported.

Of those who tested positive for the coronavirus, 572 are being treated in intensive care, a decrease of 23 compared to Friday, and 8,695 people are hospitalized with symptoms, a decrease of 262 over the past 24 hours.

The remaining 48,485 people -- or 84 per cent of those who have tested positive -- are in isolation at home without or with only mild symptoms.

No change to two-meter social distancing rule in Ireland: PM Varadkar

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Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said on Saturday that there is no change to the two-meter social distancing rule that has been adopted in the country following the COVID-19 outbreak.

His remarks came after several cabinet ministers and opposition parties called for the adoption of the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidance, which recommends keeping at least one-meter social distancing, according to Irish national radio and television broadcaster RTE, Xinhua reported.

Advocates of halving the current two-meter social distancing rule in the country believe that by doing so, it will have a positive impact for both small businesses and schools, said the report.

The report quoted Labour Party leader Alan Kelly as saying: "We now need a clear explanation from the government on why we are specifically using the two-meter rule and if the WHO is recommending that distance."

According to the report, the suggestion to shorten the two-meter social distancing rule will be discussed between public health experts and officials at a cabinet meeting scheduled next week.

To date, Ireland has reported a total of 24,582 COVID-19 cases and 1,604 deaths, according to the Irish Department of Health.

South Korea reports 25 more COVID-19 cases, 11,190 in total

South Korea reported 25 more cases of the COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of 12 a.m. on Sunday, raising the total number of infections to 11,190.

The daily caseload stayed above 20 for the third straight day. Of the new cases, eight were imported from overseas, lifting the combined figure to 1,212, Xinhua reported.

No more death was confirmed, leaving the death toll at 266. The total fatality rate stood at 2.38 per cent.

A total of 19 more patients were discharged from quarantine after making full recovery, pulling up the combined number to 10,213. The total recovery rate was 91.3 per cent.

Since January 3, the country has tested more than 820,000 people, among whom 788,766 tested negative for the virus and 20,333 are being checked.

(With Agency Inputs)

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