US overtakes Italy and China and the country with the most number of coronavirus cases

AMERICA has now become the country with the most cases of coronavirus in the world as the number of its affected citizens have surpassed those in China and Italy rising to a total of 85,612 people.

Affecting a total of 537,331 in 199 countries, the coronavirus pandemic started off in China but after a few weeks, Italy became its epicentre. As of today, however, the US has taken the lead with  85,612 affected people, compared with 81,340 in China and 80,589 in Italy, although the Italians still top the list when it comes to fatalities.

So far, there have been 8,215 fatalities in Italy, while there have only been 3,292 deaths in China and 1,301 in the US. With about 40% of Americans under lockdown orders, President Trump urged citizens to do their part by practicing social distancing, urging them to just stay home and relax.

As the pandemic sweeps across the globe, forcing an economic slowdown, it is expected to lead to a record surge in unemployment. As a result, world leaders have drawn up plans for a $5trn revival package to stave off global economic collapse.

Among other this, this pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems even in wealthy nations and triggered an avalanche of government-ordered lockdowns that have disrupted life for billions of people. Among the countries with high casualty rates are Spain (4,365), Iran (2,234), France (1,696), United Kingdom (578) and the Netherlands (434).