Britain crosses 1,000 COVID-19 deaths as global toll goes past 28,000
Britain has crossed 1,000 coronavirus deaths with 260 new fatalities while a rise in tolls from the worst affected European countries like Italy and Spain painted a grim picture of the continent. Latest figures show Europe is now the most affected continent with 20,059 deaths from a total of 337,632 cases.
Britain has crossed 1,000 coronavirus deaths with 260 new fatalities while a rise in tolls from the worst affected European countries like Italy and Spain painted a grim picture of the continent.
Latest figures show Europe is now the most affected continent with 20,059 deaths from a total of 337,632 cases. What’s worse is that it still has days or weeks from what experts hope will be the epidemic’s peak in the continent.
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The number of deaths in Britain stood at 1,019 at 1700 GMT on March 27, up from 759 at the same time on Thursday, according to official figures. As of 9 am (GMT) on Saturday, a total of 120,776 people in Britain had been tested, of whom 17,089 were confirmed positive.
Even British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and health minister Matt Hancock have tested positive of the infection. Their cabinet colleague, Alister Jack, said he too had developed mild symptoms and was self-isolating.
Meanwhile, among the two worst affected countries, Italy has recorded 9,134 deaths so far and Spain 5,690, accounting for three quarters of all fatalities in Europe.
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide topped 600,000 on Saturday. Latest figures showed the world now has over 615,000 cases and over 28,000 deaths.
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While the US now leads the world in reported infections — with more than 104,000 cases — five countries exceed its roughly 1,700 deaths: Italy, Spain, China, Iran and France.
The virus already has put health systems in Italy, Spain and France under extreme strain. Lockdowns of varying severity have been introduced across Europe, nearly emptying streets in normally bustling cities.
Spain, where stay-at-home restrictions have been in place for nearly two weeks, reported 832 more deaths Saturday, its highest daily count yet, bringing its total to 5,690. Another 8,000 confirmed infections pushed the count above 72,000.
As the epicentre has shifted westward, the situation has calmed in China, where some restrictions have been lifted. Six subway lines restored limited service in Wuhan, where the virus first emerged in December, after the city had its official coronavirus risk evaluation downgraded from high to medium on Friday.
(With inputs from agencies)