The coronavirus has infected more than 3.5 million people worldwide, as the death toll approaches 250,000.

The number of people worldwide infected with coronavirus has exceeded 3.5 million, and global deaths are rapidly approaching a quarter of a million.

In just a few months, the pandemic has spread across the world, and families have been heartbroken as their loved ones die alone in ICUs and makeshift rooms.

Economies are on their knees with businesses closed and jobs on the rise, all while key workers continue to lose their lives on the front line.

The first death was reported Jan. 10 in Wuhan, China, after the virus emerged there in December, before spreading rapidly to Europe in February.

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The unprecedented death tolls mean dozens of dead bodies are stored in refrigerated trucks in New York, mass graves are dug in a London cemetery, and many around the world are prevented from attending funerals for the most beloved.

North American countries and Europe accounted for the majority of new cases reported in the past few days, but the numbers increased from smaller bases in Latin America, Africa, and Russia.

Globally, there have been 84,004 new cases in the past 24 hours, according to a Reuters count based on official government data.

Loosening of restrictions in countries, even in at least half of the US. The US has been controversial as experts debate the best strategy to ensure there is no major “second wave” outbreak.

Health officials have also expressed concern about the increasing number of cases in countries where there is a shortage of evidence and a lack of medical facilities.

While the number of new cases has jumped from a peak of 104,495 reported in a single day last week, it is still around 80,000 to 90,000 cases per day globally.

Below is a summary of the situation in five of the most affected countries, including tolls and the current position in terms of blocking and easing.

United States

In the United States, about half of the country’s state governors accelerated the reopening of their economies over the weekend, while others, including New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, declared the move to be premature.

Over the past fortnight, several states have already begun easing restrictions by opening stores, restaurants, and other public spaces, despite federal guidelines that require the number of cases to decrease for 14 consecutive days before relaxing the closure measures.

Texas began lifting the restrictions on Friday despite having reported maximum deaths in a single day.

Stores, restaurants, cinemas, shopping malls, museums and libraries were allowed to reopen, but with limited occupancy, only 25 percent of capacity.

The United States, with the third largest population in the world, has five times more cases than the following most affected countries.

So far it has registered 3,565,310 Covid-19 cases and 248,256 deaths.

Spain

During the weekend in Spain, many ventured outside for the first time since the country’s closure began on March 14, but social distancing rules were upheld and masks will be mandatory on public transport.

The Spaniards yesterday delighted in a second day of freedom, leaving in time bands for age groups.

Although the appalling outbreak of COVID-19 in Spain has engulfed the nation in mourning for more than 25,000 deaths, there was much-needed relief on a sunny spring day when people finally returned to the streets, hills, and sea.

The runners ruled the streets from the beginning, before it was the turn of the elderly and then the children, all under the order to remain two meters away under continuous guidelines of social distancing.

One of the most affected nations, the death toll in Spain increased by 164 in the last 24 hours to 25,264, while cases reached 217,466, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health on Sunday.

But the decreasing rate of deaths and infections has prompted Spain to begin undoing its order to stay home, as children have been able to leave under supervision since last weekend and adults are allowed to exercise outdoors from Saturday.

Italy

Italy is slated to ease its closure on Tuesday and open bars and restaurants again in June after seven weeks of closure to curb the coronavirus.

Seen as Britain’s project with an outbreak two weeks earlier than the United Kingdom, Italy will allow factories and construction sites to reopen one week today and allow limited family visits.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte laid out his plan to end the confinement last weekend, more than two months after the first COVID-19 case appeared in a small town outside Milan.

After weeks of confinement and more than 26,000 deaths, Italy is waiting for a second phase of the crisis in which it will try to restart the economy without triggering a new wave of infections.

Italy’s official case number is 210,717 and its death toll is 28,884.

United Kingdom

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who fought COVID-19 last month, said Sunday that the country was at the top but it was still too early to relax the blockade measures, which are likely to last until June.

Johnson is expected to reveal his roadmap to ease closing restrictions next Sunday, but he is not expected to set firm dates.

However, it is likely to confirm the “gradual” reopening of schools, while companies and unions have been sent guidelines on how to make workplaces safe for returning staff.

The current government advice is for those over 70, even without underlying health conditions that are “particularly strict” in complying with the blocking rules.

The prime minister also said the government is “observing” relaxing laws that restrict supermarket opening hours.

In yesterday’s briefing, Cabinet Minister Michael Gove confirmed that 28,446 people died of coronavirus in the UK, up from 315 the previous day, the smallest in weeks. The United Kingdom has 186,599 confirmed cases.

France

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said last week that the country must “learn to live” with the virus, while presenting plans to lift the closure and avoid economic collapse.

High schools will reopen on May 18 with mandatory masks for all students.

Stores will also be able to open their doors once again, but pubs and restaurants will remain closed.

However, football cannot be resumed this season and gatherings of more than 10 people indoors or outdoors will remain prohibited.

Confirmed cases in France add up to 168,693 and the death toll is 24,895.