The World Health Organization reported on Saturday over 260,000 new COVID-19 infections in just 24 hours across the globe. 

WHO
(Photo : Reutersconnect)

The number of new COVID-19 infections across the globe has accelerated. On Saturday, the WHO reported that around fresh and new 260,000 COVID-19 infections were recorded. This is the largest single-day increase since the pandemic began, according to a published article in BBC News. 

The biggest increase of COVID-19 infections were from the United States, Brazil, India, and South Africa. The health agency added that the global death toll has increased to 7,360 and this is the largest daily increase across the globe so far since May 10.

According to the Johns Hopkins University Coronavirus Resource Center, the number of COVID-19 infections worldwide has already reached 14 million on Saturday while the death toll has reached over 600,000. This means that it is not only the infections that increase but including the death toll as well.

In a published article by Outlook, South Africa now ranks as the fifth worst-hit country around the globe. South Africa is just below the U.S., Brazil, and India in terms of the number of new infections. They surpassed Peru after health authorities in South Africa reported that 13,285 new cases.

Moreover, the United States still leads the world in terms of the number of deaths. The U.S. has recorded over 140,000 deaths and they are followed by Brazil with more than 78,000, the United Kingdon with over 45,000, and Mexico which recorded around 38,888.

However, despite these large numbers of infections and death tolls, experts believed that the true numbers around the world are higher. One of the factors seen is due to the lack or shortages of testing and data collection issues in some countries. 

The United States being the country with the highest number of infections and deaths is experiencing a resurgence after the country lifted lockdown in June. Following it, an increase of new infections was recorded in almost all states most especially in California, Florida, Texas, and Arizona. 

In fact, teams of military medics are now helping hospitals in Texas and California to deal with patients who are suffering from COVID-19. The surge or increase of new infections in some states in the country has forced nurses and doctors to work an extra shift.

Health authorities also said that patients who are struggling to breathe are now being placed in emergency wards while on ventilators. Authorities said that this is because the Intensive Care Units are now full and at full capacity. 

Dr. Alison Haddock of the Baylor College of Medicine in the state of Texas said that patients are waiting hours just to get admitted. On Friday, they have recorded more than 10,000 new cases for the fourth consecutive day while 80 infants got infected.

Meanwhile, Police authorities are now limiting access to some of the country's beaches because of the resurgence of the virus. Authorities said that sunbathers are ignoring the regulations amid the increasing number of cases in the country.  

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