There have been over 1,923,390 reported infections since the outbreak of the virus in China in December.
The United States has the most deaths of any country with a record of 23,649 fatalities and 582,594 infections.
Italy follows suit with 20,465 deaths, Spain with 18,056, France 14,967 and Britain 11,329.
Britain’s economy could shrink by a historic 13 percent in 2020 in the case of a three-month coronavirus lockdown, according to a scenario by the fiscal watchdog the Office for Budget Responsibility.
The French government says its economy is expected to contract eight percent this year, reflecting the impact of an extended lockdown. Its budget deficit was forecasted to go up to nine percent of GDP and its debt pile to soar to 115 percent of GDP.
India’s extends its nationwide lockdown, the biggest in the world covering 1.3 billion people, until May 3.
India’s official toll of over 10,363 cases and 339 deaths is considered to be an underestimate due to a lack of testing.
President Emmanuel Macron announces that France’s lockdown will be extended to May 11, after which schools and businesses are set to gradually reopen.
He says in an address to the nation the epidemic is “beginning to steady… (and) hope is returning”.
In Italy, where a strict lockdown has been extended to May 3, some businesses, such as bookshops and laundrettes, are allowed to reopen in some regions.
Austria on Tuesday also reopens small shops and public gardens.
Spain has restarted construction and factory work, but lockdown restrictions in place since March 14 remain for much of the nation’s 47 million people.
New York State becomes the worst hit, where the virus has killed over 10,000 people, governor Andrew Cuomo says the “worst is over.”
President Donald Trump says: “It looks like we’re plateauing” and that he is “very close” to having a detailed plan for reopening the US economy.
Vaccine needed to end virus–WHO
The novel coronavirus is 10 times more deadly than swine flu and only a safe and effective vaccine will fully halt its spread, according to the World Health Organisation.
“Ultimately, the development and delivery of a safe and effective vaccine will be needed to fully interrupt transmission,” WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says.
Help for poor countries
The International Monetary Fund announces immediate debt relief for 25 poor countries to help them free up funds to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The annual theatre festival in the southern French city of Avignon, the world’s most famous celebration of drama, set for July 3-23, is cancelled.
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