Coronavirus Death Toll Crosses 400,000 Mark Globally; Brazil, Peru Most Devastated Countries In Latin America

The globe coronavirus death toll continues to surge in epic proportions, and Latin America’s steady climb in the fatalities has a significant part to play. The distressing numbers overtook Europe’s death count, evoking bouts of panic among Latin American experts and residents alike.

“Your presence in the square is a sign that in Italy the acute phase of the epidemic is over,” said Pope Francis on Sunday, as he addressed a group of Catholics in Saint Peter’s Square for the first time since the outbreak. “Unfortunately, in other countries -- I am thinking of some of them -- the virus continues to claim many victims,” he added, expressing his dismay for countries like Brazil, Latin America, and the United States.

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro continues to urge people to go out and work, despite the alarming number of cases in Brazil. Bolsonaro has repeatedly thumbed his nose at lockdown measures and stay-home orders suggested by the World Health Organization despite the country reaching the world’s third-highest toll. Brazil logged in 36,000 deaths since the outbreak, and by the looks of it, there’s a long way to go before the curve is flattened.

The speech came soon after it was confirmed that there were no fresh COVID-19 cases in Vatican City. Mexico, Peru, Chile and Ecuador are some of the other countries, where the virus seems to be picking up. Chile’s death toll crossed the 2,000 mark this week.

The stress surrounding the rise was compounded by a statement released by Chilean health minister Jaime Manalich. Manalich asserted that the miscounting as pointed out by the World Health Organization in March and April was corrected, pushing the numbers from 1,541 to 2,290 on Saturday.

Saudi Arabia has also witnessed a recent spike in the cases tested positive. The number of cases crossed the 100,000 mark on Sunday.

Over seven million people have been tested positive worldwide, with the global death toll crossing 400,000 ever since the viral outbreak that finds its origin in a wet market in Wuhan late last year. The United States of America continues to occupy the top spot with over 110,000 deaths, followed by Britain, whose toll crossed the 40,500 mark.