With the total number of cases crossing the 2 million mark in the US and 7.5 million globally, the world has been witnessing some fast-paced developments related to COVID-19.
Here are the top 10 global developments this Friday morning-
1. The total number of COVID-19 cases across the world now stands at 7,502,278 while the death toll stands at 421,032, according to the data provided by the Johns Hopkins University. On a more positive end, 3,532,690 have already recovered from the deadly virus.
2. The US case tally crossed the 2 million mark as it now stands at 2,023,385 with a death toll of 113,818.
3. the number of coronavirus hospitalizations have spiked in certain US States- Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Utah.
While 22 states are trending downward, nine others are holding steady.
4. Global stocks drop on rising fears of second coronavirus wave.
The sell-off across Asian markets came after US and European stocks suffered their worst one-day falls since March.
Wall Street’s S&P 500 plunged 5.9% in New York, its worst day since March 16, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite fell 5.3%, retreating from its all-time high.
5. A vaccine against COVID-19 developed by US biotech firm Moderna will enter the third and final stage of its clinical trial in July with 30,000 participants.
6. Brazil tops 40,000 coronavirus deaths with a total of 802,828 confirmed cases and 40,919 deaths.
7. Russia surpassed 500,000 cases after 8,779 new infections were reported by health officials. The death toll stands at 6,532- a number the World Health Organization has cast doubt over.
8. France reports less than 30 new coronavirus deaths for second consecutive day.
The coronavirus death toll rose by 27 on Thursday, versus an average daily increase of 50 over the last 15 days, to 29,346, the fifth-highest total in the world.
On Wednesday, 23 COVID-19 deaths were reported.
9. Pakistan’s economy to contract for first time in 68 years. It said its economy will contract in the fiscal year ending June 30, for the first time in 68 years, as a result of the global pandemic.
Prime Minister Imran Khan’s adviser on finance, Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, said on Thursday, that GDP in the outgoing fiscal year will shrink 0.4%, instead of an initially projected 2.4% growth. The new fiscal year starts July 1.
10. Egypt will reopen select tourist destinations to international charter flights starting July 1, the cabinet has said, allowing travelers from around the world to return to parts of the country less hard-hit by the coronavirus.
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