As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of people who have died has risen to 10,000, according to an AFP tally based on official data at 1030 GMT Friday.
In total, 10,080 deaths have been reported, most of them in Europe (4,932) and Asia (3,431).
Italy is the worst affected country with 3,405 fatalities, followed by China with 3,248, the initial epicentre of the outbreak, and Iran with 1,433.
On Wednesday, March 18, President Donald Trump continued to blame China and doubled down on his use of the racist term “Chinese virus.”
Coronavirus infections spiral out of control, the U.S. and countries around the world have reported major shortages of ventilators, respirators, test kits, surgical masks, and other essential health equipment for dealing with the pandemic.
The situation in China appears to have stabilized, the country is positioning itself at the head of the global response to Covid-19, adopting a unique leadership position that may alter global power relations, despite the biggest shock to its industrial output and economy in recent history and its cover-up in Wuhan at the beginning of the crisis.
Meanwhile, 12 countries in Africa are now experiencing community transmission of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), says the World Health Organisation.
But it does not reveal the names of the countries.
WHO African Region, in a statement on Thursday, says more than 600 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 34 countries in Africa as of March 19, compared with 147 cases a week ago.
It emphasises that it is crucial that governments prevent local transmission from evolving into a worst-case scenario of widespread as such a scenario will present a major challenge to countries with weak health systems.
WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, says, “The rapid evolution of COVID-19 in Africa is deeply worrisome and a clear signal for action.”
(AFP)
