• April 16, 2020
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Worldwide COVID-19 cases surpass 2 million

The world has reached a bleak milestone yesterday, 15 April, when global coronavirus cases exceeded two million among different tallies. Over 130,000 deaths have been recorded so far as well.

Many experts underscore the possibility that these figures may be understating the true extent of the contagion’s spread, as the numbers roughly doubled in 13 days and continues to follow an upward trend. The actual number, experts argue, is much higher than the official figures, as countries vary in testing capacity and approach.

Over a million of these COVID-19 cases are in Europe, while the United States has recorded over 600,000. In Europe, Spain and Italy lead the count in total infections, followed by France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Despite this sombre development, some European countries – Germany included – are hopeful that the worst has passed, prompting them to plan or begin easing restrictions previously imposed to stem the virus’s spread.

However, outbreaks in other parts of the world remain far from over – and this is something governments do notice. In the Philippines, the enhanced community quarantine in the major island of Luzon has been extended until the end of April. India, meanwhile, has extended its nationwide lockdown by almost three more weeks.