New York: The total number of global coronavirus cases was nearing the 6 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 364,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University.
As of Saturday morning, the overall number of cases stood at 5,923,432, while the death toll increased to 364,849, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.
Currently, the US has 1,745,930 confirmed cases and 102,808 deaths, both tallies account for the highest in the world, according to the CSSE.
Meanwhile in terms of cases, Brazil comes in the second place with 465,166 infections.
This was followed by Russia (387,623), the UK (272,607), Spain (238,564), Italy (232,248), France (186,923), Germany (182,922), India (173,491), Turkey (162,120), Iran (146,668), and Peru (141,779), the CSSE figures showed.
Regarding fatalities, the UK continues in the second position after the US with 38,243 COVID-19 deaths, which also accounts for the highest fatalities in Europe.
The other countries with over 10,000 deaths are Italy (33,229), France (28,717), Brazil (27,878) and Spain (27,121).
Meanwhile, Tokyo authorities announced on Friday that the Japanese capital would enter the second phase of a plan to gradually ease restrictions to contain the coronavirus from next week, as the number of cases has been decreasing over time.
Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike made the announcement in a press conference, five days after the state of emergency, imposed on April 7, was lifted across Japan, reports Efe news.
After Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government lifted the emergency, local authorities have modified their guidelines to gradually return to normalcy.
In Tokyo, the phase 1 of the reopening from May 25 led to bars and restaurants being allowed to function until 10 p.m., although cinema halls and theatres continued to be closed and business activities faced some restrictions.
Under phase 2 from Monday, private academies for extra-curricular activities will start functioning again and cinemas and theatres will also be able to open their doors, while businesses would be allowed to open without any restrictions.
Further steps under a third phase, the date for which is yet to be determined, will allow bars and restaurants to function till midnight and allow the reopening of the popular video game arcades.