Worldwide coronavirus cases top five million

21 May 2020, 07:28

There are now more than 5 million worldwide cases
There are now more than 5 million worldwide cases. Picture: PA
EJ Ward

By EJ Ward

Coronavirus has infected more than five million people across the world and killed over 328,000, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.

Both the number of coronavirus deaths and infections are believed to be far higher as testing capacity is scattered and many countries do not include fatalities which occur outside of hospitals.

The United States remains the worst affected country with more than 1.5 million cases and 93,000 deaths.

The most recent million cases were added in just 11 days after the worldwide total hit 4 million, which itself came less than two weeks after the three-million mark.

Read more: Trials of anti-malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine start in UK

The World Health Organization said Wednesday that over 106,000 new cases were recorded in the past 24 hours — the most in a single day since the outbreak began.

"We still have a long way to go in this pandemic," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news
conference.

"We are very concerned about rising cases in low and middle-income countries."

Listen & subscribe: Global Player | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify

In China, where the worldwide pandemic is believed to have originated, there were no deaths reported on Wednesday and the country has jus 87 people in hospital being treated.

China has recorded a total of 4,634 deaths from the virus among 82,965 cases.

Read more: Trump claims US topping world number of virus cases is 'badge of honour'

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Torrents of water have hit the streets of Portugal's Algarve region

Five minute downpour submerges streets of Algarve as flash flooding continues to devastate Europe

Recent flooding in Spain has been blamed by many on climate change

UN climate summit 'no longer fit for purpose', activists say after Cop29 host says oil is 'gift from God'

From the world's richest man to a 'vaccine sceptic': Trump picks his radical right-wing cabinet.

From the world's richest man to a 'vaccine sceptic': Trump picks his radical right-wing cabinet

Footage of the turbulence onboard the flight has been posted online

Horror moment screaming air passengers lifted out of seats in extreme turbulence as plane forced to turn back

Residents are moved out of the nursing home where least 10 people have died in a fire in Zaragoza, Spain, Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Ferran Mallol )

At least ten dead and more injured in fire at Spanish nursing home

Trump continues to name his cabinet

Trump’s controversial Cabinet - Anti-vax RFK Jr nominated as health chief as defence figures ‘alarmed’ by Gabbard

Portrait Of Shel Talmy

Music producer Shel Talmy, who worked with The Who and David Bowie, dies aged 87

France and Israel fans clash with police in Paris despite ramped up police presence following Amsterdam unrest

France and Israel fans clash amid ramped up police presence in Paris for UEFA Nations League game

Basem Naim, a Hamas leader

Hamas prepared for 'immediate' ceasefire in Gaza but claims Israel has not offered any 'serious proposals' in months

Donald Trump with Matt Gaetz

Trump's pick for US attorney-general faced sex-trafficking investigation by department he's now set to lead

TOPSHOT-PALESTINIAN-ISRAEL-CONFLICT-DISPLACED

Ukraine-style visa scheme for Gaza families proposed by Labour MP

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office

Donald Trump names ‘reckless’ Matt Gaetz attorney general as president-elect holds historic meeting with Joe Biden

President Joe Biden meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Trump and Biden 'both really enjoyed seeing each other', claims President-elect after historic meeting at White House

President Trump Speaks at America First Agenda Summit

Who has Trump picked to be in his cabinet so far and who is in the running?

Two women - who were part of a global monkey torture network - have been jailed

Two women jailed after being part of 'sickening and sadistic' monkey torture network

US President Joe Biden shakes hands with US President-elect Donald Trump during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in

'Welcome back': Donald Trump returns to the White House to meet Joe Biden and begin transfer of power