(Paris) The pandemic of the new coronavirus has caused at least 556 879 dead in the world since the WHO office in China reported the onset of the disease in late December, according to a report by AFP from official sources on Monday in 13 h.
Published on 12 July 2020 at 8 a.m. 08 Updated to 13 h 24
France Media Agency
More than 11 992 640 cases of infection were officially diagnosed in 196 countries and territories since beginning of the epidemic, of which at least 6 943 800 are today considered cured.
This number of diagnosed cases, however, only reflects a fraction of the actual number of infections. Some countries only test severe cases, others use testing as a priority for tracing, and many poor countries have only limited screening capabilities.
Since the count made on Sunday at 13 h, 3469 new deaths and 191 744 new cases have been reported worldwide. The countries with the most new deaths are Brazil with 631 new dead, India (500) and the United States (334).
The United States, which recorded its first coronavirus-related death in early February, is the country most affected in terms of number of deaths and cases, with 108 400 death for 3 336 154 case. At least 1 000 326 people have been declared cured.
After the United States, the most affected countries are Brazil with 72 84 dead for 1 864 681 case, the United Kingdom with 44 830 dead (290 108 case), Mexico with 35 000 Dead (299 750 case), and Italy with 34 967 dead (243 230 case).
Among the countries hardest hit, Belgium is the one that deplores the greatest number of deaths compared to its population, with 83 death for 100 00 inhabitants, followed by the United Kingdom (61), Spain (58), Italy (55), and Sweden (44).
China (excluding the territories of Hong Kong and Macao) has officially counted a total of 83 602 case (8 new between Sunday and Monday), including 4634 death and 72 648 healings.
Europe totaled Monday at 13 h 202 780 death for 2 849 335 case, l '' Latin America and the Caribbean 144 846 death (3 379 778 case), the United States and Canada 144 221 death (3 443 961 case), Asia 41 958 death (1 779 712 case), the Middle East 20 655 death (931 951 case), Africa 12 250 death (596 353 case), and Oceania 137 death (09 556 case).
This assessment was carried out using data collected by AFP offices from the competent national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO). Due to corrections by the authorities or late publication of the data, the increase figures on 20 hours may not correspond exactly to those published the day before.
Update on the pandemic
No quick return to normal
WHO boss Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the world will not return to “old normal for the foreseeable future” as the number of infections reaches record levels (221 00 new cases identified in 20 hours).
“The virus remains the number one public enemy, but the actions of many governments and people do not reflect this,” he said, adding that “too many countries are going in the wrong direction.”
Limited immunity
Immunity acquired after curing COVID – 15, would disappear most of the time within a few months, according to a study by King's College London, which may complicate the development of an effective vaccine in the long term.
“The vaccines under development should either generate stronger and more durable protection against natural infections, or be administered regularly,” commented an independent British doctor, Dr. Stephen Griffin (University of Leeds).
Catalan imbroglio
The reconfiguration of an area in Catalonia to curb the spread of the coronavirus is the subject of a standoff, the regional authorities being resolved to apply it despite the suspension of the measure by the courts.
Faced with the increase in the number of COVID cases – 16, the regional government of Catalonia had decided to confine the inhabitants of Lleida and the surrounding municipalities. But the Higher Court of Catalonia opposed it, considering the measure “against the law”.
Restrictions in Hong Kong
Faced with the resurgence of cases in Hong Kong, the territorial authorities have decided to impose new measures, including the ban on gatherings of more than four people and the obligation to wear a mask on public transport .
Bars, gyms and karaoke rooms, beauty salons and nightclubs, among other businesses, will have to close.
Mandatory masks in Quebec
Canadian province most affected by coronavirus, Quebec will make it mandatory, starting on Saturday, to wear a mask in all closed public places.
Quebec, which has more than half of the some 108 00 cases recorded in Canada and near two thirds of 8800 deaths, thus becomes the first province in the country to impose such a measure.
Debates on a reconstitution in the United States
The mayors of several major cities in the United States are planning or demanding a reconstitution to stem the wave of new cases, but political disagreements between the different jurisdictions prevent a coherent response.
Officials in the metropolitan area of the largest city in Texas, Houston, have called for a new containment after the detection of 1600 New cases in 24 hours. But Texas Governor Republican Gregg Abbott refuses to do so.
Tangier and Manila are reconfigured
In Morocco, the city of Tangier, populated by around one million inhabitants, has been reconfigured since Monday noon (7 a.m.ET) after the outbreak of epidemic foci.
In Manila, the 250 00 inhabitants of Navotas, one of the 15 cities that make up the sprawling capital of the Philippines, will again be homebound for two weeks in the coming days.
