FACTBOX-Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus


Reuters | Updated: 26-05-2020 21:33 IST | Created: 26-05-2020 21:33 IST
FACTBOX-Latest on the worldwide spread of the coronavirus

South America is becoming the new epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic and countries such as Brazil should not ease restrictions, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.

DEATHS AND INFECTIONS * More than 5.54 million people have been reported infected with the novel coronavirus globally and 346,663 have died, according to a Reuters tally as of 1540 GMT on Tuesday.

* For an interactive graphic tracking the global spread, open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser. * For a U.S.-focused tracker with state-by-state and county map, open https://tmsnrt.rs/2w7hX9T in an external browser.

* For Eikon users, click on MacroVitals cpurl://apps.cp./cms/?navid=1592404098 for a case tracker and a summary of developments. EUROPE

* The European Union ended its controls on the export of coronavirus protective equipment after concluding that supplies for European medical and other workers were now adequate. * Germany plans to ease social distancing steps from June 29, a week earlier than previously planned, and aims to lift a travel warning for 31 European countries from mid-June.

* Spain urged its European Union partners to set up common rules to open borders and re-establish the freedom of travel in the Schengen Area as national lockdowns are phased out. * A global campaign to fund the development of vaccines and therapies against COVID-19 has so far raised 9.5 billion euros ($10.4 billion), the head of the European Commission said.

* The United Kingdom's death toll surpassed 47,000 on Tuesday, a dire human cost that could define the premiership of Boris Johnson, already under fire for his handling of the pandemic. AMERICAS

* Brazilian federal police raided the residences of Rio de Janeiro's governor as part of a COVID-19 corruption probe, targeting one of President Jair Bolsonaro's political foes. * Norway's Equinor ASA and Anglo-French firm Perenco are among at least five oil producers that have registered cases at facilities off the coast of Brazil, according to industry and regulatory sources.

* The White House brought forward by two days restrictions on travel to the United States from Brazil as the number of deaths recorded there over 24 hours surpassed the U.S. daily toll. * Three dozen inmates in Salvadoran prisons have tested positive, health authorities said on Monday, adding that strict health and isolation protocols would be implemented.

ASIA-PACIFIC * Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co Ltd said it planned to start clinical studies to test its experimental COVID-19 antibodies by the second quarter of the year in the United States and China.

* President Xi Jinping said China would step up its preparedness for armed combat and improve its ability to carry out military tasks as the pandemic is having a profound impact on national security, state television reported. * Indian states witnessing millions of migrant labourers returning from the big cities are recording rising infections, officials said, fearing that the pandemic could spread through villages where medical care is basic at best.

* Indonesia's military ordered the deployment of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and police to enforce rules on wearing masks and safe distancing. * Australia will not open its borders "anytime soon", the prime minister said, but added the country will continue discussions with neighbouring New Zealand for a trans-Tasman safe travel zone.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA * Saudi Arabia will begin easing restrictions on movement and travel this week, with an aim to lift the curfew completely — with the exception of the holy city of Mecca — from June 21.

* Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity reopened to worshippers and tourists on Tuesday as Palestinian authorities eased restrictions in the occupied West Bank. * About 80 African migrants packed aboard two fishing boats landed on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, adding to the hundreds of new arrivals now stuck there while the lockdown prevents transfers to the mainland.

ECONOMIC FALLOUT * World shares forged ahead and commodity markets drove higher as well, as investors shrugged off Sino-U.S. tensions to focus on more stimulus in China and a reopening world economy.

* Europe's coronavirus pandemic has amplified financial vulnerabilities, raising the spectre of further crises ahead as debt levels soar and banks struggle, the European Central Bank said. * Spain will seek the highest amount possible in transfers from the European Union's coronavirus emergency funds, government spokeswoman said.

* About 30,000 more pensioners dropped off Spain's state system in the first four months of this year than in the previous year, the Labour Ministry said. * Chile's LATAM Airlines Group SA filed for U.S. bankruptcy protection, becoming the world's largest carrier so far to seek an emergency reorganization amid the pandemic.

* British supercar manufacturer McLaren Group, which includes the Formula One team, said it would cut 1,200 jobs under a proposed restructuring programme amid pandemic. * U.N. officials said they will meet on Thursday with over a dozen world leaders to discuss shoring up financial support for emerging economies, hit hard by the pandemic.

(Compiled by Anita Kobylinska and Milla Nissi; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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