The global COVID-19 total topped six million cases, as Brazil's cases hit new daily highs and as large numbers continue to be reported in other large countries such as the United States, Russia, and India.
It took only nine days for illnesses to rise from five million to six million, which is three days less than it took for totals to rise from three million to four million, and from four million to five million. The global total is at 6,189,560, and 372,469 people have died from their infections, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
Brazil reported 26,928 cases yesterday, a daily record daily, while adding 1,124 deaths, lifting its fatality count above Spain's to fifth highest in the world, reported. Brazil, with the second most cases in the world, now has 465,166 cases as of yesterday.
Elsewhere, India today reported a record high of 7,964 cases, boosting its total to 173,763, the ninth highest total in the world. Mumbai is one of the country's hot spots, and its lockdown has been extended to Jun 30 in high-risk areas, but some restrictions will be relaxed in some situations beginning on Jun 8, Reuters reported. They include opening of restaurants, malls, and religious buildings.
Russia reported 8,952 more cases, and though Moscow is the country's main hot spot, an outbreak in villages in Dagestan region, about 1,000 miles south of Moscow, has prompted crisis meetings that resulted in an order for medical reinforcements, Reuters reported.
The region has the highest number of deaths outside of Moscow, which, according to central government figures, is 201, though regional officials say the total is more than three times higher.
Global reaction to President Trump's announcement that the United States will cut ties to the World Health Organization (WHO) continue to reverberate across the globe.
European Union (EU) officials issued a statement in response that said the EU continues to support the WHO and has already provided additional funding. "As the world continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the main task for everyone is to save lives and contain and mitigate this pandemic," they said, adding that a resolution led by the EU to investigate the international response to the pandemic at the earliest appropriate moment was adopted earlier this month by the World Health Assembly.
Actions that weaken the international response must be avoided, they said. "In this context, we urge the US to reconsider its announced decision."
Members of a UK advisory group warned that England could lose control of its COVID-19 outbreak if it eases its lockdown, which is in its early stages, Reuters reported. Four members of its Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies said easing restrictions is premature and that the newly launched track-and-trace system hasn't been tested and probably won't be able to handle an infection rate of about 8,000 new cases a day.
Paris parks and gardens reopened, ahead of a move to phase 2 of eased lockdown restrictions in France, Reuters reported. Visitors must observe social distancing, are urged to wear masks, and are limited to gatherings of 10 or fewer people.
Through tracking efforts, a person who attended the crowded Memorial Day celebration at Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri, has been diagnosed as having COVID-19, CNN reported, citing Camden County public health officials. The patient's symptoms began on May 24, and he or she visited multiple bars on that and the following day. Officials urged people who were at the event to monitor for symptoms. Following the gathering, St Louis health officials called the crowded party attendance reckless and urged partygoers to isolate for 14 days before returning to their jobs.
The US COVID-19 total grew to 1,791,163 cases today, and 104,399 people have died from their infections, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.
