Worldwide Coronavirus Deaths Pass 100,000 With Over 1.6 Million Confirmed Cases

Much of the world is in lockdown in an effort to halt the spread of the disease which has so far infected more than 1.6 million people. However, more than 360,000 people have recovered from the virus

More than 100,000 lives have been claimed in the Covid-19 pandemic according to newly collated worldwide figures.

It is believed more than 1.6 million people have been infected with the potentially fatal virus with almost 370,000 patients recovering from their illness.

The data, which is based on daily figures released by governments across the world has been collated by Worldometers.

In Britain, a further 980 deaths were announced today bringing the total to 8,958. The death rate in Britain is currently higher than Spain and Italy which have been the worst-hit countries in Europe.

Italy recorded a high of 969 deaths on March 27 and Spain 950 deaths on April 2.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild to moderate symptoms such as fever and cough. But for some, especially older adults and the infirm, it can cause pneumonia and in some cases death.

U.K. authorities say restrictions on business and public activity imposed March 23 to try to slow the spread of the virus are likely to last at least several more weeks. While the number of new cases and hospitalisations appears to have plateaued, deaths are still rising.

‘It’s still too early to really be confident that we are turning the corner,’ said Stephen Powis, medical director of the National Health Service in England.

Some British officials have been accused of flouting their own rules, which bar most travel outside the home except for essential shopping and exercise.

Scotland’s chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, was forced to resign earlier this week after twice traveling to her second home.

And Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick was criticized for traveling from London to his house in central England, then making another 40-mile (60-kilometer) journey to visit his parents.

Opposition Labour Party lawmaker Nick Thomas-Symonds said ‘it’s very important for public confidence that Robert Jenrick explains himself and why exactly that journey was necessary.’

Jenrick said he went to his parents’ house to deliver ‘essentials -including medicines’ to his parents, who are self-isolating. Delivering medicines to vulnerable people is permitted under the U.K. lockdown rules.

SOURCE: Daily Mail, Darren Boyle