Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis as of 7 June 2020.
More than 400,000 deaths
The pandemic has killed 400,581 people worldwide since it surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally at 1900 GMT on Sunday, based on official sources. At least 6,949,890 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories.The United States is the worst-hit country with 110,037 deaths, followed by Britain with 40,542, Brazil with 35,930, Italy with 33,899 and France with 29,155 fatalities.
China foreign trade plunge
China’s exports and imports fell in May, official data shows. Imports saw their sharpest on-year fall in over four years at 16.7 percent, while exports fell by 3.3 percent. Analysts say a deeper downturn in exports is looming for the world’s manufacturing powerhouse.
Iran surge: more testing?
Iran’s health ministry says a surge in new reported infections is due to increased testing rather than a worsening outbreak.
France 24hr falloff
With a death toll over 24 hours of 13, France registered its lowest day rate since March 14, just predating the country’s confinement.
Saudi spike
The number of cases in Saudi Arabia passes 100,000, the health ministry says, amid a new surge in infections just weeks ahead of the start of the hajj. Authorities are yet to announce whether they will proceed with this year’s annual pilgrimage, scheduled for the end of July.
UK places of worship
The UK government announces it will reopen places of worship for individual prayer on June 15, but services and worship groups will remain banned for the time being.
Camp confinement
Greece extends for another two weeks a lockdown on its overcrowded migrant camps, affecting more than 33,000 asylum-seekers living in camps on the Aegean islands and some 70,000 living in other facilities on the mainland.
Israel plans ahead
Israel says it has opened a factory to make millions of the high-spec N95 masks as it prepares for a possible “second wave” of cases. The new masks are being made in Sderot, a southern town near the Gaza
Strip, using machines imported from China by the defence ministry.
Pope offers cautious hope
Pope Francis says the worst of the crisis is over in Italy, addressing the faithful for the first time in Saint Peter’s Square since the health emergency began. “Your presence in the square is a sign that in Italy the acute phase of the epidemic is over,” Francis tells those assembled for his weekly Angelus prayer. “But be careful… do not celebrate victory too soon”.
Peru battles oxygen shortage
Peru, with 5,000 deaths to date, says it has a shortage of oxygen in its hospitals which are struggling to treat 9,500 cases.
Algeria begins deconfinement
Algerian shops began reopening as confinement measures begin to be relaxed — the country will review where it stands on June 13.
Cuba says pandemic under control
Cuba’s president said the country appears to have the pandemic “under control” after an eighth straight day with zero coronavirus deaths as the country mulls a partial deconfinement from the coming week.
