Worldwide COVID-19 Cases Surpass 500,000

Italy and US Near Surpassing China
Death Toll Also in 20,000s

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] The number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) worldwide has surpassed 500,000.

According to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University in the U.S., as of the afternoon of the 26th (local time), the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide is 511,163.

Although the spread of infection in China, the initial outbreak site, has stopped, Italy has recorded 80,509 infections, rapidly approaching the top spot for infections worldwide. The U.S. also has 79,785 confirmed cases, with entry into the 80,000 range imminent. In the U.S., New York State accounts for nearly half of all infections, with 37,769 cases.

Italy and the U.S. are currently expected to surpass China, the country with the highest number of infections.

Following the U.S. are Spain (56,197 cases), Germany (43,646 cases), Iran (29,406 cases), France (25,624 cases), Switzerland (11,712 cases), the United Kingdom (9,962 cases), and Switzerland (7,459 cases). South Korea ranks tenth worldwide with 9,241 confirmed cases.

The global death toll has also reached 23,568. Italy has the highest number of deaths, with 8,215 fatalities. Spain's death toll has also reached 4,145. The number of deaths in the U.S. has increased to 1,124.