Coronavirus: More than 373,000 global deaths in latest tally
By AFP
Published: Mon 1 Jun 2020, 11:51 PM
Last updated: Tue 2 Jun 2020, 1:56 AM
Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis.
- More than 373,000 deaths -
The pandemic has killed 373,439 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 11pm UAE time on Monday, based on official sources.
There have been 6,220,110 cases registered in 196 countries and territories.
The United States is the worst-hit country with 104,658 deaths. After the US, the hardest-hit countries are Britain with 39,045 deaths, Italy with 33,475 deaths, Brazil with 29,314 deaths and France with 28,833 deaths.
- Latin America tops 1 mn cases -
In a grim new landmark, infections in Latin America and the Caribbean surge past one million. Peru and Chile in particular register sharp increases.
- 'Myth!' -
In Brazil, the pandemic hotspot in Latin America, controversial President Jair Bolsonaro rallies his supporters in the capital Brasilia, appearing before a crowd chanting "myth! myth! myth!" in an echo of the leader's dismissal of the virus outbreak.
- Spike in Iran -
Iran announces almost 3,000 new infections, its highest daily count in two months, as it warns of another "dangerous peak" in the Middle East's deadliest outbreak.
- Europe eases measures -
Younger children in England return to classes as schools partially reopen amid concern the government is moving too fast in the world's second worst-hit country in the outbreak.
Shopping malls and parks reopen in Moscow, despite the still-high number of cases.
Greece opens some hotels, schools, pools and tattoo parlours, while in Slovenia a mandatory rule to wear masks is eased.
Rome's Colosseum opens to Italian nationals only, drawing sparse crowds.
- India gets moving -
Long queues stretch outside railway stations in major Indian cities as authorities ease a nationwide lockdown despite a record daily spike in cases.
At least 149,000 passengers are expected to board trains on Monday as Indian Railways ramp up the number of journeys from 30 to 200.
- Unproven drug -
The White House says the US has delivered two million doses of the antimalarial medicine hydroxychloroquine to Brazil, though the drug has not been proven effective against the virus.
- No Tiananmen vigil -
Hong Kong police ban the July 4 vigil marking the Tiananmen crackdown anniversary, citing the pandemic -- the first time the gathering has been halted in three decades.
Police reject permission for this year's rally, which usually attracts huge crowds, saying it would "constitute a major threat to the life and health of the general public", according to a letter of objection to organisers obtained by
AFP.
- Armenian PM tests positive -
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he and his family have tested positive for the virus. Speaking in a self-recorded video message on Facebook, he says he has no "visible symptoms" and will be working from home.
- Sports comeback -
Horse racing becomes the first major sport to return in Britain with a meeting behind closed doors at Newcastle. Pigeon racing and snooker also resume in the country after more than two months out of action.