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Coronavirus crisis: Cases top 12 million, deaths exceed 548,000

Bloomberg
People wearing protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus sit in a metro station, in Tehran, Iran.
Camera IconPeople wearing protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus sit in a metro station, in Tehran, Iran. Credit: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

Global coronavirus cases have topped 12 million, with even places that have been relatively successful in containing infections facing flare-ups.

Beijing appeared to make headway in stamping out a recent outbreak, reporting no new local cases for a third day.

The US surpassed three million infections to account for more than a quarter of cases worldwide, as California and Texas recorded surging cases and deaths.

Coronavirus cases in the US rose 59,655 from a day earlier to 3.02 million, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University and Bloomberg News. The 2 per cent increase was higher than the average daily increase of 1.8 per cent over the past week. Deaths rose 0.8 per cent to 131,857.

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President Donald Trump intensified a pressure campaign to reopen schools, criticising US guidelines as too onerous.

A stadium staff stands guard wearing a face mask and a shield as part of the health protocol to halt the spread of COVID -19 during the match between Chivas and Tigres UANL as part of the friendly tournament Copa GNP por Mexico at Akron Stadium.
Camera IconA stadium staff stands guard wearing a face mask and a shield as part of the health protocol to halt the spread of COVID -19 during the match between Chivas and Tigres UANL as part of the friendly tournament Copa GNP por Mexico at Akron Stadium. Credit: Refugio Ruiz/Getty Images

Mexico had its biggest daily jump in infections, revealing a record daily rise of 6995 confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 275,003, according to data released by the Health Ministry Wednesday night. Deaths rose by 782, to 32,796.

Mexico has reported record daily rises in COVID-19 cases three times in the last week as the country has moved forward with reopening its economy. It has surpassed Spain and France to become the country with the fifth deadliest outbreak.

Iran has suffered its deadliest day with more than one-third of 200 fatalities reported in Tehran alone, authorities said during an emergency meeting of the country’s coronavirus taskforce. The country has recorded 12,000 fatalities from more than 248,000 known cases.

People wearing protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus sit inside a train in Tehran, Iran.
Camera IconPeople wearing protective face masks to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus sit inside a train in Tehran, Iran. Credit: Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s new outbreak has worsened.

The government found six additional locally-transmitted virus cases after the 4 p.m. cutoff time for the daily count on Wednesday, HK01 reported, citing unidentified people.

An almost three-week lull in local infections has come to an abrupt end, with 19 new community transmissions reported Wednesday and the government expressing fears that the city might be in the early days of a wider outbreak.

European Union health commissioner Stella Kyriakides has warned the 27-nation bloc must anticipate a second virus wave and prepare steps to control it.

“The situation remains very fragile and we see this in a number of member states,” Kyriakides told the European Parliament in Brussels.

A safe and effective vaccine likely remains the only permanent solution to this pandemic, but this is still some time away.

The EU is “fully engaged” in talks with pharmaceutical companies to ensure adequate supplies for the bloc of any vaccines, she said.

South Africa is facing a crisis in intensive care units, with beds likely to run within four weeks, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told parliament.

The scarcity of beds will come even as the number of infections, which are expected to hit a high point in August, are expected to be lower than initially projected, he said.

So far, 4,831 health workers have been infected.

A pupil’s temperature is checked on returning to school in Johannesburg.
Camera IconA pupil’s temperature is checked on returning to school in Johannesburg. Credit: Denis Farrell/AP

Tokyo’s government will subsidise bars and clubs that are forced to close because of the outbreak, a report said.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will offer subsidies to nightliffe establishments in stricken areas that close because of the coronavirus, Asahi reported, citing an unidentified official. Outlets that close for 10 days or more will receive 500,000 yen ($4,660), according to the report.

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