Global COVID-19 Cases Reach 19 Million... Japan Reports Over 1,000 New Cases for Three Consecutive Days (Summary)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eunbyeol] The global cumulative number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has surpassed 19 million.

According to the international statistics site Worldometer, as of 7 p.m. on the 6th, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide was 19,000,415, with deaths totaling 711,627.

It has been about seven months since COVID-19 was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31 of last year, and about half a year since WHO declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on January 30 of this year, when the number exceeded 19 million.

COVID-19 has recently been spreading at an even faster pace. The cumulative confirmed cases surged from 10 million on June 28 to 15 million on July 22, just 25 days later, and have since increased by 1 million every four days.

By country, the United States leads with the highest number of confirmed cases (4,973,741), followed by Brazil (2,862,761), India (1,967,700), Russia (871,894), and South Africa (529,877).

Resurgence is also occurring in Europe and Asia. Germany, which was considered successful in suppressing the spread, reported over 1,000 new cases for the first time in three months on this day.

In Japan, a state of emergency has been raised as daily new confirmed cases have recorded over 1,000 for three consecutive days. According to NHK, as of 6 p.m. on the 6th, local governments nationwide reported a total of 1,305 new cases, including 360 in Tokyo and 225 in Osaka. The number of new infections in Osaka on this day is the highest recorded in a single day. Since some local governments have yet to announce their numbers, the final total confirmed cases in Japan are expected to increase further.

Japan's daily confirmed cases first surpassed 1,000 on June 29 and maintained over 1,000 for five consecutive days, then dropped to the 960s on the 3rd, before returning to over 1,000 from the 4th onward. The cumulative confirmed cases so far stand at 44,827, with 1,043 deaths.

Tokyo's daily new confirmed cases increased by 97 from the previous day, exceeding 200 for ten consecutive days since June 28. This brings Tokyo's cumulative confirmed cases to 14,645. Yuriko Koike, Governor of Tokyo, said at a press conference on this day, "If the situation worsens further, we may have to consider declaring an independent state of emergency," and urged people to refrain from returning home or traveling during next week's 'Obon' holiday period.

Meanwhile, the Philippines' cumulative confirmed COVID-19 cases reached 119,460, approaching 120,000. It has surpassed Indonesia (118,753), which had the highest number of confirmed cases in Southeast Asia until now. On this day, 28 additional deaths were reported, bringing the total death toll to 2,150.