Global COVID-19 Cases Reach 6 Million...Concerns Rise Over Resurgence Amid Lockdown Easing

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The total number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) worldwide has surpassed 6 million. As governments around the world gradually lift lockdown measures, signs of resurgence are being observed in various places. In the absence of developed treatments or vaccines, the resumption of economic activities is leading to an increase in infections. Additionally, countries like India and Brazil, which lifted lockdown measures early despite the spread of COVID-19, are experiencing record-high numbers of confirmed cases daily.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the United States on the 31st, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide exceeded 6 million. As of 9:30 a.m. Korean time on that day, the total number of confirmed cases globally was 6,054,187. The country with the highest number of confirmed cases is the United States with 1,769,776 cases, followed by Brazil (498,440), Russia (396,575), the United Kingdom (274,219), and Spain (239,228). The cumulative death toll was 368,711.

The cumulative confirmed cases surpassing 6 million occurred 152 days after China reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31 last year about an unidentified pneumonia outbreak centered in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Since mid-March, the spread accelerated, increasing by 1 million every ten days. After surpassing 5 million on the 21st, it reached 6 million within ten days.

The reason the spread of COVID-19 is not slowing down is that the phased lifting of lockdown measures to resume economic activities has been actively underway this month. Damage caused by COVID-19 is increasing again in countries such as Japan, Italy, and Iran, and the situation is worsening further in countries like India and Brazil, which failed to contain the spread of COVID-19.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

According to Italian health authorities on the 30th (local time), as of 6 p.m., the daily number of COVID-19 deaths in Italy increased again to the 100s. The number of deaths increased by 111 in one day, bringing the cumulative total to 33,340. It is the first time in three days since the 27th (117 deaths) that the daily death toll reached the 100s. The cumulative number of confirmed cases increased by 416 in one day to 232,664.

In Japan, which lifted the state of emergency on the 25th, hospital-origin cluster infections have occurred, causing confirmed cases to rise again. As of the 30th, Japan's new COVID-19 cases numbered 45, with a cumulative total of 17,589. Recently, a cluster infection among medical staff occurred at a general hospital in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture, resulting in a total of 85 COVID-19 infections in Kitakyushu City over eight consecutive days up to that date.

On the previous day, the 29th, Iran's Ministry of Health reported that confirmed COVID-19 cases increased by 2,819 in one day, reaching 146,668. The number of new confirmed cases was the largest in eight weeks since the 2nd of last month. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani emphasized, "Lifting restrictions does not mean COVID-19 is over," adding, "We must always be very careful about hygiene and change our existing lifestyle habits."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The situation is even more serious in Latin American countries such as India and Brazil, where the spread began later but has now intensified. India recorded its highest daily number of new confirmed cases and deaths. On the 30th alone, confirmed cases increased by 7,964 and deaths by 265. The cumulative totals are 173,763 confirmed cases and 4,971 deaths. Although the Indian government implemented lockdown measures starting March 25, the economic impact became more severe than expected, leading to a gradual easing of restrictions before the spread was contained, which appears to have accelerated the spread.

In Brazil, the spread of COVID-19 has not been contained, with the number of confirmed cases approaching 500,000. According to Brazil's Ministry of Health, the number of new confirmed cases on the 30th was 33,274, the highest since the first case was reported on February 26. This brings Brazil's cumulative confirmed cases to 498,440, ranking second in the world after the United States. Additionally, COVID-19 is spreading in Latin American countries such as Mexico and Peru, which started later, raising concerns that the scale of damage will be even greater.

CNN reported, "The eye of the storm called the virus has settled in Latin America," warning that the situation could worsen as a new epicenter. CNN pointed out that Latin American countries did not take active government measures since the outbreak in February, worsening the situation, and predicted that the economic impact would also be more severe.

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