New Delhi: India, the world’s new Covid-19 epicenter, surpassed Brazil as the second-worst hit country. The country’s virus curve is showing no signs of flattening out, with infections rising by more than 90,000 a day.
The U.S., India and Brazil account for more than half the world’s coronavirus cases, which have now topped 27 million. Australia warned of mounting economic pain as Victoria state announced only a gradual easing of its lockdown. South Korea reported the fewest new infections in three weeks.
European hot spots are spiking again, with infections in the U.K. increasing by the most in more than three months. While U.S. cases steadied, governors across the country urged citizens to be cautious during the Labor Day holiday weekend.
India Becomes Second-Worst Hit Country
India, the world’s new Covid-19 epicenter, surpassed Brazil as the second-worst hit country. The country’s virus curve is showing no signs of flattening out, reporting more than 90,000 cases for a second day, as the pandemic threatens to overwhelm an already-overworked health-care system.
India has fast become the world’s new virus epicenter, and experts predict it will ultimately surpass the U.S. as the worst outbreak globally.
Unlike the U.S. and Brazil, India’s case growth is still accelerating seven months after the reporting of its first infection on Jan. 30. The pathogen has only just penetrated the vast rural hinterland where the bulk of its 1.3 billion population lives, after racing through its dense mega-cities.
South Korea Sees Fewest Cases in Three Weeks
South Korea added 119 more cases in 24 hours, down from 167 a day earlier, according to data from the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. The new cases are the fewest in three weeks, as infections remained below 200 for a fifth day.
The pace of new cases is slowing, helped by social-distancing steps, Yoon Tae-ho, health ministry official, said in a briefing. Authorities are not yet considering a travel ban over the Chuseok holidays that begin later this month.
Singapore Finds Three New Clusters in Worker Dorms
Singapore identified three new clusters of foreign-worker dormitories that are linked to earlier Covid-19 cases, the Ministry of Health said in a statement. That brings to 12 the number of clusters found in the last week in dormitories previously declared clear of the virus, the Straits Times reported. Dorms housing the low-paid foreign workers that underpin Singapore’s construction and services sectors have made up the vast majority of the Southeast Asian country’s cases.
Australia Warns Economic Recovery Will Be Slow
Australia’s government warned of mounting economic pain as Victoria state announced only a gradual easing of its coronavirus lockdown that will see retail, hospitality, tourism and entertainment under tight controls across Melbourne until at least the end of October.
The 5 million residents of the state capital will face restrictions on when they can leave home until Oct. 26, or until there are fewer than 5 new Covid-19 cases a day. Office staff will be told to work from home until at least Nov. 23, under the roadmap announced by state Premier Daniel Andrews.
Brazil Cases, Deaths Slow
Brazil reported 14,521 new cases, fewer than the 31,199 reported the previous day, for a total of 4,137,521. Another 447 people died, down from 701 the day before. Total deaths are 126,650, in the nation with the worst outbreak after the U.S., though India is on track to overtake Brazil in total cases soon.-Bloomberg
Also read: Health ministry to upgrade Covid war room with Rs 18.31 cr from Asian Development Bank