• May 21, 2020
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WHO reports highest daily increase in cases

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Wednesday, 20 May recorded the highest number of confirmed coronavirus cases in a single day. The United Nations agency logged 106,662 cases globally in its coronavirus disease dashboard on Tuesday, 19 May. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called it “the most in a single day since the outbreak began” in December 2019.

Countries around the world have expanded and intensified their testing programmes in recent weeks to further grasp the extent of the pandemic, which continues to unfold.

Global tallies are quickly approaching 5 million confirmed infections – something that WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan called a “tragic milestone.” At least 325,000 have died from the viral disease.

More than 4.9 million cases have been registered since the disease first emerged, yet the UN agency says there is still quite a long journey ahead of the world in the fight against COVID-19.

“We still have a long way to go in this pandemic,” the WHO chief reiterated in a virtual press conference.

Tedros also drew attention to the rising figures in poorer countries. “We’re very concerned about the rising numbers of cases in low- and middle-income countries,” he said.