1.5 million cases in South America
Today it is one of the continents that worries the most. South America, hit hard by Covid-19, has become the new epicenter of the pandemic. The number of contaminations noted has just exceeded the 1.5 million mark. Adding up the Caribbean, we deplore more than 73,000 dead, more than half of them in Brazil.
A supporter of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, whose handling of the crisis has been severely criticized. REUTERS / Amanda Perobelli / File Photo
Brazil alone, populated by 212 million inhabitants, has crossed the threshold of 40,000 dead and 800,000 confirmed cases, ranking second in the world for contamination. Despite the strong progression of the epidemic, shopping centers have reopened in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Read also: Jair Bolsonaro, the waterfalls of the man from Rio
Acceleration of the pandemic in Africa
The pandemic is also accelerating in Africa. It took 98 days to reach the 100,000 mark and only 18 to cross the 200,000 mark on Tuesday. Even if these cases recorded in Africa represent less than 3% of the world total, the disease is progressing on the continent.
In the township of Soweto, in South Africa, schools are reopening. REUTERS / Siyabonga Sishi
Ten of the 54 African countries record 80% of the cases, and South Africa alone 25% of them. Over 70% of deaths are recorded in just five countries: South Africa, Algeria, Nigeria, Egypt and Sudan.
The milestone of 2 million patients crossed in the United States
The United States is the most affected country. The milestone of 2 million infected people has been crossed and the country continues to register around 20,000 new cases every day.
The country has 113,209 deaths. This is followed by the United Kingdom with 41,279 deaths, Brazil (40,919), Italy (34,167) and France (29,346).
Worldwide, Covid-19 has killed more than 417,000 people and infected more than 7.4 million people. Official figures probably far below reality, according to the scientific community.
Towards a reopening of borders in Europe
In Europe, where new hospitalizations and death figures are plummeting, Brussels advocated the lifting of all travel restrictions within the European Union and the Schengen area from June 15, and the reopening of EU external borders from 1 July to travelers from the Western Balkans.
Map to monitor the reopening of borders around the world. Le Figaro
Read also: Discover the countries that are reopening their borders
The Commission also called for a “partial and gradual” reopening of the EU's external borders and the Schengen area after June 30. The final word on borders, however, belongs to the states.
Read also: Coronavirus: 27 deaths in France in 24 hours, "the virus continues to circulate"
Coronavirus clause at Trump meetings
Donald Trump's campaign team said on Thursday it would require people wishing to attend the June 19 election rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to sign a document attesting that they will not prosecute if they came to contract the coronavirus at the rally.
The Trump team has planned campaign masks. REUTERS / Brian Snyder
The Republican president, who aims to be re-elected next November, announced Wednesday the resumption of his campaign meetings, after three months of forced interruption because of the health crisis.
Read also: Biden suspects Trump of wanting to hang on to president in case of defeat