This archive report was first published on 29 June 2020.
COVID-19 Pandemic: Global Death Toll Hits 500,000 as US Struggles ¶
As of June 28, the global COVID-19 death toll has surpassed 500,000, with the United States being the hardest-hit country, accounting for over 125,000 deaths. The US has also seen a surge in new cases, with over 2.5 million reported infections.
According to an AFP tally, one million new infections were recorded in just six days, with the rate of contagion doubling since May 21. The United States, the hardest-hit country, has more than 2.5 million cases alone, and efforts to reopen the world's biggest economy have been set back by a jump in new infections in big states such as Florida and California.
President Donald Trump was under growing pressure to set an example by wearing a face mask as his health secretary warned the 'window is closing' for the country to gain control of the situation. The disease is also rampaging through Latin America, where Brazil alone has over 1.3 million cases.
Several other countries have also imposed new restrictions to counter fresh outbreaks. China imposed a strict lockdown on nearly half a million people in a province surrounding Beijing to contain a fresh cluster. Beijing official Xu Hejian described the situation as 'severe and complicated'. In Paris, police used tear gas to disperse crowds of young people who had gathered for an impromptu party on Saturday evening.
The tension between reopening battered economies and public health concerns is a source of debate in nearly every country. US deaths now exceed 125,000, about a quarter of the world total. 'This is a very, very serious situation and the window is closing for us to take action and get this under control,' Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on CNN.
