Worldwide COVID-19 Death Toll Surpasses 150,000

US Reports 680,000 Cases... Texas and Vermont Ease Social Distancing Measures

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The global death toll from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has surpassed 150,000.

On the 17th (local time), Johns Hopkins University in the United States reported that as of 3:40 PM that day, the global COVID-19 death toll reached 151,106.

The COVID-19 death toll reached 150,000 in just 99 days, less than 100 days, since the first case was reported in Wuhan, China on January 9.

By country, the numbers are as follows: United States 34,575, Italy 22,745, Spain 19,613, France 18,703, and the United Kingdom 14,607.

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide was recorded at 2,216,228. The number of cases in the United States increased by 30,000 to 680,000, and deaths rose to 34,614. In New York State, where COVID-19 is most severe, the number of new deaths was 630, up from 606 the previous day.

Following President Donald Trump's announcement of a three-phase plan to resume economic activities the day before, Texas and Vermont allowed partial business reopenings and decided to reopen park gates on this day. President Trump urged the resumption of economic activities in Michigan, Virginia, and Minnesota via Twitter on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.