BFF-35 Coronavirus: latest global developments

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BFF-35

HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD FACTS

Coronavirus: latest global developments

PARIS, May 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis.

– More than 302,000 dead –

The coronavirus has killed at least 302,489 people worldwide since it
surfaced in China late last year, according to an AFP tally on Friday at 1100
GMT based on official sources.

There have been more than 4,454,090 officially recorded cases in 196
countries and territories.

The United States has recorded the most deaths at 85,906. It is followed by
Britain with 33,614, Italy with 31,368, Spain with 27,459 and France at
27,425.

More than 12,000 residents in care homes have died of the coronavirus in
two months in England and Wales.

– Recession –

Europe’s economic powerhouse Germany tipped into a recession in the first
quarter, with its economy shrinking by 2.2 percent due to the pandemic.

Portugal’s gross domestic product dropped 3.9 percent in the first quarter.

The British government is to pump up to 1.6 billion pounds ($1.9 billion)
into London’s public transport system to restore services and help prevent
overcrowding as people return to work.

– China reaches out to US –

China urges the United States to strengthen cooperation in the fight
against the pandemic after President Donald Trump threatened to sever
bilateral ties over its handling of the crisis.

– New cases in Russia –

Russia registers more than 10,000 new infections, as Moscow unveils mass
antibody testing and a national lockdown eases.

– Kazakhstan hotspot –

More than 400 people have tested positive at Kazakhstan’s top-producing
Tengiz oil field, in the Atyrau region, health officials say.

– Slovenia reopens borders –

Slovenia declares an end to its coronavirus epidemic and opens its borders,
despite new infections still being reported.

The three Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania lift restrictions
on movement and set up a free movement zone between themselves. Poland and
Finland could join the zone in the near future.

– Kawasaki disease –

A nine-year-old boy has died in France from a Kawasaki-like disease
believed to be linked to coronavirus, the first such death in the country as
similar child fatalities are investigated in New York and London.

– Record US package –

US Democrats will aim to pass a record $3 trillion coronavirus response
package through the House of Representatives on Friday. President Trump and
Republicans say it will be “dead on arrival” in the Senate.

BSS/AFP/MRU/1900hrs