Global coronavirus cases reach over 8 million

Global cases of the novel coronavirus reached more than 8 million on Monday, as infections rise with fresh outbreaks in Latin America and the United States and China, Reuters reports.

With the highest number of infections, the United States still leads the world, about 2 million or 25 percent of all reported cases. However, the outbreak in Latin America is rising fastest, now accounting for 21 per cent.

Brazil’s COVID-19 cases and deaths have surged to make it the No.2 hot spot in the world.

The first case was reported in China in early January and it took until early May to reach 4 million cases. It has taken just five weeks to double to 8 million cases, according to a Reuters tally.

Global deaths stand at over 434,000 and have doubled in seven weeks.

Although Brazil’s official death toll from the pandemic has risen to nearly 44,000, the true impact is likely far greater than the data show, health experts said, citing a lack of widespread testing in Latin America’s largest country.

In the United States, which has over 116,000 deaths, testing is still ramping up months after the start of the outbreak.

After cases declined in much of the United States for weeks, many areas are now reporting record new cases and hospitalizations. Fears of a second wave in hard-hit states - or a failure to get a grip on the first wave in some others - have led health experts to plead with the public to wear masks, avoid large gatherings and maintain social distance.

China is also struggling with a virus resurgence, just as its economy is attempting to recover from shutdowns earlier this year. After almost two months without any new infections, Beijing 's capital has seen a spike in cases linked to Asia's largest wholesale food market.