Global COVID-19 cases cross 1 million, death toll nears 54,500

Reuters: Over 1 million people have been reported infected by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) across the world and 54,494 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 200 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

The US, with a record 244,348 cases, had 6,098 deaths, followed by Spain overtaking Italy in terms of cases to 117,710 with 10,935 dead. Italy had the highest death toll of 13,915 with 115,242 cases.

Origin of the virus, China recorded 3,322 deaths with 81,620 cases. France confirmed 5,387 deaths with 59,105 cases and Iran, 3,294 deaths. The United Kingdom recorded 2,921 deaths. Germany reported a higher number of cases (85,903) due to aggressive testing but its death toll was only 1,122.