Global COVID-19 cases surpass 10.3mn, 505K dead
The number of coronavirus infections worldwide has surpassed the 10.3 million mark, and 505,518 related deaths have occurred, according to the latest data tracked by John Hopkins University’s COVID-19 resource center.
The United States continues to lead the world in the number of infections and fatalities, currently standing at 2,590,582 and 126,141, respectively, according to the data.
Brazil and Russia are second and third in terms of caseload, with 1,368,195 and 640,246 reported cases each.
The following are the latest updates about the spread of the contagion across the globe:
UK’s fatalities near 55,000
The United Kingdom’s COVID-19 death toll has reportedly reached 54,852, according to a Reuters tally of official data sources that underline the country’s status as one of the worst-hit worldwide.
The tally includes fatalities in which COVID-19 was mentioned on death certificates in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland up to June 19, and up to June 21 in Scotland, as well as more recent hospital deaths.
Unlike the lower death toll published daily by the government, the death certificate figures include suspected cases, too.
Russia’s caseload approaches 650,000
Russia on Tuesday reported 6,693 new cases of COVID-19, which took the country’s overall tally to 647,849.
Russia’s coronavirus response center said 154 people had died of the virus in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 9,320.
Germany reports nearly 500 new cases
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Germany also climbed by 498, reaching 194,259, according to data released Tuesday by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.
The country’s COVID-19 death toll increased by 12 to 8,973, the figure showed.
Mexico registers 3,805 new infections, 473 deaths
Mexico’s Health Ministry on Monday confirmed 3,805 new cases of coronavirus infection and 473 additional fatalities, bringing the totals in the country to 220,657 cases and 27,121 fatalities.
The government has noted that the actual number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
Over 100 indigenous people infected in Brazil
More than 100 indigenous people in the Brazilian Amazon’s Javari Valley have contracted COVID-19, amid warnings by local experts and officials that the virus poses a significant threat to indigenous lives and culture.
The valley is part of a region bordering Peru and Colombia in the west of Brazil’s Amazonas State. It is home to the world’s largest number of isolated indigenous people and others who have had only limited contact with the outside world.
There are some 6,000 indigenous people living in remote areas of the valley who have been contacted. At least 16 other isolated groups remain unreachable.
Most of the 110 people who have been infected are from the already-contacted Kanamari tribe, which has about 1,400 members.
Brazil has so far confirmed more than 57,000 deaths from the new coronavirus — the second-highest death toll in the world.
India’s daily coronavirus cases rise by 20,000
Several Indian cities prepared to extend their lockdowns to combat the spread of the new coronavirus on Tuesday, as daily cases in the country remained close to 20,000.
India reported 18,522 new cases over the previous 24 hours, according to federal health data released on Tuesday, down slightly from Sunday’s record of 19,906.
With more than 550,000 total infections, India lags only behind the US, Brazil, and Russia in terms of caseload.
More than 16,000 people have died of COVID-19 in India — a low figure when compared with countries with similar numbers of cases — though experts fear its hospitals will be unable to cope with a steep rise in cases.
India on Wednesday enters what Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called “Unlock 2.0,” with many curbs on movement to be relaxed. Schools, cinemas, gyms, and bars will remain closed.
China reports 19 new COVID-19 cases, including 7 in Beijing
China on Tuesday reported 19 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for June 29, up from 12 a day earlier, the health authority said. There were no new deaths.
Of the new infections, seven were in Beijing, the National Health Commission said in a statement.
The capital city, which is battling a fresh outbreak, had also reported seven new infections for June 28.
As of June 29, mainland China had a total of 83,531 confirmed coronavirus cases, while the death toll stood at 4,634.
Uzbekistan imposes new restrictions as COVID-19 cases rise again
Uzbekistan has imposed an overnight curfew in some parts of the country, including the capital, Tashkent, as it seeks to curb a fresh rise in COVID-19 infections following the gradual lifting of a two-month lockdown.
The Central Asian country had been cautiously lifting a nationwide lockdown that had been in place in April and May. After a decline in COVID-19 cases between mid-April and mid-May, it has once again seen a steady rise.
The new restrictions will see residents of “red” and “yellow” areas deemed at higher risk barred from leaving their homes between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. except for medical emergencies, the government said on Tuesday.
The country of 34 million people has so far confirmed 8,298 COVID-19 cases, with 24 deaths.
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