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A doctor collects a sample for a coronavirus test from a baby in Subang on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday. Photo: AP

Global coronavirus cases rise by single-day record of half a million

  • Most Western countries and parts of Latin America have reported their highest single-day surges in the past few weeks
  • Many governments, with the notable exception of the US, have started taking stronger measures to bring the spread of the virus under control

Global coronavirus cases rose by more than 500,000 for the first time on Wednesday, a record one-day increase as countries across the Northern Hemisphere reported daily spikes.

Global daily Covid-19 cases have risen by nearly 25 per cent in less than two weeks as the world witnessed 400,000 daily reported cases for the first time last Friday.

Most Western countries and parts of Latin America have reported their highest single-day surges in the past few weeks. Many governments, with the notable exception of the United States, have started taking stronger measures to bring the spread of the virus under control.

The global coronavirus tally stands at 44.8 million cases and about 1.18 million deaths.

Europe, North America and Latin America account for over 66 per cent of global cases and over 76 per cent of global deaths.

Europe’s new daily infections have doubled over the past two weeks as it reported more than 250,000 cases for the first time on Wednesday.

The region has so far reported about 9.5 million cases and about 261,000 deaths, according to a Reuters tally. The WHO, which includes Russia and some central Asian countries like Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan in the Europe region, put the case count at over 10 million.

France reported a record daily total of more than 50,000 infections for the first time on Sunday.

Europe passes 10 million virus cases, is ‘back to being pandemic epicentre’

Euro-zone economic activity has slipped back into decline this month as renewed restrictions to control the coronavirus pandemic forced many businesses in the bloc’s dominant service industry to limit operations, a survey showed last Friday.

The United States continues to lead the worldwide coronavirus tally with about 8.9 million infections and about 228,000 fatalities since the pandemic started.

The United States broke its daily record for new coronavirus infections on Friday as it reported 84,169 new cases due to outbreaks in virtually every part of the country shortly before its presidential election on Tuesday.

02:04

India’s Durga Puja festival kicks off amid coronavirus restrictions

India’s Durga Puja festival kicks off amid coronavirus restrictions

The United States is reporting about 75,000 cases a day on an average, and its death toll from Covid-19 could surpass 500,000 by February unless nearly all Americans wear face masks, researchers said.

Asia surpassed 10 million infections on Saturday, the second-heaviest regional toll in the world, as cases continue to mount in India despite a slowdown and sharp declines elsewhere.

India, the world’s second most populous country as well as the second worst affected country, is reporting about 48,000 cases a day on an average with a total of about 8 million cases.

As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to provide any successful vaccine to each of India’s 1.3 billion people. The country is preparing a database of all government and private health personnel to speed up vaccinations once they become available.

In the Middle East, Iran – the most affected country – is reporting one death every three minutes, according to state television.

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