Confirmed Coronavirus Cases Worldwide Pass One Million After Doubling in Less Than a Week
The coronavirus has infected more than a million people around the world, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.
The virus, which was first reported in Wuhan, China, has spread to at least 181 countries and regions. The U.S. has more cases than any other country, with more than 234,000 confirmed infections to date, followed by Italy (115,000) and Spain (110,000). All three countries have overtaken the number of cases in China, which now has a confirmed infected population of 82,400 people.
While China has seen a rise in imported cases in recent days, the outbreak has been largely contained, with outbound travel restrictions now lifted in the Hubei province. Restrictions are also due to be lifted in Wuhan later this month.
But cases continue to soar outside China and the spread of the virus has been picking up pace in the U.S., the current global epicenter of the outbreak. New York continues to report the country's highest number of cases, with more than 83,700 confirmed infections to date, including 47,439 cases in New York City, the office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed as of Wednesday.
While the virus continues to devastate Italy and Spain, having killed thousands, both countries have also reported the two largest number of recoveries. Spain has seen more than 26,000 people recover from infection, while Italy has seen more than 18,000 recoveries.
Both European nations have also shown signs of the outbreak slowing down, with each reporting brief moments of a slight decline in new infections and deaths.
In the Middle East, Iran has seen more than 50,400 confirmed infections, including 3,160 deaths. Last week, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani claimed the country's death toll was declining, based on a reported drop in the number of hospital check-ins.
Rouhani said at a meeting with the National Task Force for Fighting the Coronavirus, "Among the topics discussed was a report according to which it was evident that hospital check-ins in provinces had declined and that the death toll was declining, both of which are important to us."
Elsewhere in Asia, South Korea also managed to contain the spread of the virus after seeing an explosion of around 500 or more new cases per day for a prolonged period. It now has nearly 9,900 cases, including 169 deaths so far.
Large parts of Africa have yet to report cases but the outbreak has spread to several nations including to South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, among others.
Latin America has also reportedly remained largely unaffected but cases have been confirmed in some countries including in Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Argentina, Panama, and Honduras, among a handful of others.
Top 10 countries with most confirmed cases
(as of April 2)
- U.S. — over 234,400
- Italy — over 115,200
- Spain — over 110,200
- Germany — over 84,200
- China — over 82,400
- France — over 59,900
- Iran — over 50,400
- U.K. — 34,100
- Switzerland — over 18,800
- Turkey — over 18,100
The graphic below, provided by Statista, illustrates the spread of COVID-19 across the globe.
Data on COVID-19 cases is from Johns Hopkins University unless otherwise stated.
World Health Organization advice for avoiding spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)
Hygiene advice
- Clean hands frequently with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand rub.
- Wash hands after coughing or sneezing; when caring for the sick; before, during and after food preparation; before eating; after using the toilet; when hands are visibly dirty; and after handling animals or waste.
- Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
- Avoid touching your hands, nose and mouth. Do not spit in public.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Discard the tissue immediately and clean your hands.
Medical advice
- Avoid close contact with others if you have any symptoms.
- Stay at home if you feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and runny nose, to avoid potential spread of the disease to medical facilities and other people.
- If you develop serious symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) seek medical care early and contact local health authorities in advance.
- Note any recent contact with others and travel details to provide to authorities who can trace and prevent spread of the disease.
- Stay up to date on COVID-19 developments issued by health authorities and follow their guidance.
Mask and glove usage
- Healthy individuals only need to wear a mask if taking care of a sick person.
- Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing.
- Masks are effective when used in combination with frequent hand cleaning.
- Do not touch the mask while wearing it. Clean hands if you touch the mask.
- Learn how to properly put on, remove and dispose of masks. Clean hands after disposing of the mask.
- Do not reuse single-use masks.
- Regularly washing bare hands is more effective against catching COVID-19 than wearing rubber gloves.
- The COVID-19 virus can still be picked up on rubber gloves and transmitted by touching your face.
