Worldwide coronavirus cases surge past 32 million as Britain and France see record infections
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The number of coronavirus infections passed the 32 million mark on Wednesday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, as countries including Britain and France reported record case numbers.
Britain saw the highest number of coronavirus cases in a single day at 6,632. Public Health England Medical Director Yvonne Doyle said the figure was a “stark warning’’ as infections rose across all age groups. She said citizens must follow the new restrictions announced by the government this week to control the spread of the virus.
Britain has the highest death toll in Europe, with nearly 42,000 confirmed dead. The rise in cases announced on Thursday reflects both the spread of the virus and increased testing, which has more than doubled since the peak of the first wave in April and May.
France also reported a new record for daily coronavirus infections on Thursday a day after the government announced new restrictions on bars and restaurants in major cities that provoked an outcry from local politicians and business owners.
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Figures from Public Health France showed that 16,096 people had tested positive for Covid-19 over the last 24 hours, a record – even though experts advise that testing during the first coronavirus wave in March-April captured only a fraction of cases.