As the numbers rise steadily, US records the highest number of positive cases followed by Spain and Italy
According to the data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, as of April 16, the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus globally has exceeded two million (2,076,015) with more than 1,35,000 deaths. Some countries have eased the lockdown despite the staggering statistics on the number of cases. The figures which continue to grow steadily, have approximately doubled in the last 13 days due to lack of rapid and rigorous testing according to experts. Currently, the highest number of confirmed cases has been recorded in the United States at 6,39,664 with 30,985 deaths, followed by Spain at 1,82,816 with 19,130 deaths, Italy at 1,65,155 with 21,645 deaths, Germany at 1,34,753 with 3,804 deaths and France at 1,34,582 with 17,188 deaths.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced the first few steps for lifting restrictions imposed to fight the outbreak as Germany and other European countries are hopeful that they have left the worst behind. However, in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended the nationwide lockdown for at least three more weeks and imposed severe restrictions as the number of confirmed cases in the country has climbed to 12,380, as of April 16.
Leaders from all around the world have condemned President Donald Trump’s decision on putting a halt on funding for the World Health Organisation (WHO). About 10% of the organisation’s budget is sustained by the United States who is contributing more than $400 million a year, making it the biggest donor of WHO. The director-general of WHO, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that he regrets President Trump decision, called for worldwide unity in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
Assessing the economic impact of the pandemic worldwide, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) stated that the global economy is expected to take a major hit and shrink by three per cent in the year 2020-2021, which will be the biggest contraction since the Great Depression of the 1930s.
