By Sophia Waterfield

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The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected more than 3 million people across the globe, with the highest number of infections in the U.S.

According to Johns Hopkins University's latest figures, Spain, Italy, France and Germany are also in the top five countries with the most confirmed cases. The United Kingdom has surpassed the 150,000 cases mark.

With nearly a third of the world's confirmed cases in the U.S., the country is moving towards the 1 million confirmed cases. The State to have the highest number of cases is New York, with 288,045 confirmed, followed by New Jersey with 109,038 confirmed cases.

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The below graphic from Statista shows the number of confirmed cases per U.S. state.

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However, while the curve for the U.S. is starting to make movements to flattening, many health experts have warned that the country should not relax restrictions on social distancing until 20 million tests have been conducted every week.

Some states have decided to relax restrictions despite this advice. Georgia allowed small businesses such as hair salons, gyms and tattoo parlors to open on April 24. In a public address on April 20, Governor Brian P. Kemp said that favorable data meant that certain parts of the economy could be opened.

"Given the favorable data, enhanced testing and approval of our healthcare professionals, we will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, body art studios, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, their respective schools and massage therapists to reopen their doors," he said in a statement.

"Unlike other businesses, these entities have been unable to manage inventory, deal with payroll, and take care of administrative items while we shelter in place. This measure allows them to undertake baseline operations that most other businesses in the state have maintained since I issued the shelter-in-place order."

However, many State politicians did not agree with the relaxing of rules and worries that it was "too early" for such a move. Former Democratic state representative Stacey Abrams spoke to The View about the potential wider impact on others as well as small business owners: "The mayors of our largest cities have all expressed deep concern. As have our scientists. Georgia is not flattening the curve. We have one of the highest rates of infection and one of the lowest rates of testing, but what's even more concerning is that he tends to treat this as an issue of small business owners.

"What I know, as a former small business owner, is people are going to be sent to the front lines and they're the least resilient," she said. "They likely don't have health insurance and they won't have protective equipment. Most importantly, they can't afford to say no if they're told to go back to work."

At the time of writing, Georgia had conducted 123,223 tests for the coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University. Other states to have relaxed rules include Oklahoma—which has conducted 53,144 tests—which has allowed salons, spas, and barbershops to be reopened.

In Europe, Italy and Spain have announced plans to relax coronavirus restrictions, as Spain recorded its lowest daily death toll on April 27.

According to La Repubblica, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced that the country's manufacturing industry will start reopening on May 4, but schools will remain closed until September. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that family walks and individual physical activity will be permitted from May 2, according to El Pais.

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The virus, which originated in Wuhan, China, has now spread to 185 countries, according to data produced by Johns Hopkins University. At the time of reporting, at least 208,000 people had died from the disease, while more than 878,000 had recovered worldwide.

The below graphic from Statista shows the countries with the most confirmed cases.

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All data for confirmed cases are from Johns Hopkins University unless stated otherwise.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advice on Using Face Coverings to Slow Spread of COVID-19

• CDC recommends wearing a cloth face covering in public where social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
• A simple cloth face covering can help slow the spread of the virus by those infected and by those who do not exhibit symptoms.
• Cloth face coverings can be fashioned from household items. Guides are offered by the CDC. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html)
• Cloth face coverings should be washed regularly. A washing machine will suffice.
• Practice safe removal of face coverings by not touching eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash hands immediately after removing the covering.

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.

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