Worldwide Coronavirus Cases Cross 17.61 Million

World

August 1st, 10:35am

Asharq Al-Awsat

People wearing face masks walk at the Tiananmen Gate, as the country is hit by an outbreak of the new coronavirus, in Beijing, China January 27, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Garcia Rawlins

More than 17.61 million COVID-19 cases have been reported globally, while up to 679,094​ have died because of the pandemic, according to a Reuters tally. Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. However, China reported more than 50% drop in virus cases in a possible sign that its latest major outbreak in the northwestern region of Xinjiang may have run its course. Officials on Saturday said there were 45 new cases over the previous 24 hours, with 31 of them in Xinjiang, where the outbreak has been focused on the regional capital and largest city of Urumqi. That is down from 127 cases nationally and 112 in Xinjiang reported Friday. No new deaths reported, leaving China’s total at 4,634, among confirmed 84,337 cases, The Associated Press reported. In China's Hong Kong, infections continue to surge, with more than 100 new cases reported Saturday. That put its total at 2,273 for the pandemic.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2423576/worldwide-coronavirus-cases-cross-1761-million