World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the number of coronavirus cases throughout the world could reach 10 million next week, a sharp increase from the 9.3 million cases currently reported.
Latin America has emerged as the world’s newest epicenter for COVID-19 with the regional death toll surpassing 100,000 with more than half in Brazil – nearly 54,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.
The United States, however, continues to lead the world in infections with more than 2.3 million, about one-fourth of all cases worldwide. The U.S. also continues to be the leader in COVID-19 fatalities, with more than 121,000.
WHO emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan said Wednesday the pandemic for many countries in the Americas still has not peaked, and that the outbreak in the region was "still intense," particularly in Central and South America.
Ryan said many countries in the Americas have seen increases in cases in the last week ranging between 25 percent and 50 percent.
Tedros said the 10 million milestone projected for next week is “a sober reminder that even as we continue our research into vaccines and therapeutics, we have an urgent responsibility to do with the tools we have now to suppress transmission and save lives.”
In the United States, there are new signs of a resurgence of coronavirus infections, even as states continue to ease restrictions.
Infections are approaching their peak level of two months ago and coronavirus hospitalizations and caseloads have reached record highs in over a half-dozen U.S. states.
According to The Washington Post, seven states – Arizona, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas – have reported their highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the start of the pandemic in March.
Democratic Party officials say the August convention in which Joe Biden will be nominated for president will be a nearly all-virtual affair.
The in-person convention was to have been held in Milwaukee and Biden’s campaign manager, Jen O’Malley, said Wednesday the candidate still plans to be in the Wisconsin city. But the details on exactly where Biden will be to accept the nomination or how the delegates will meet have yet to be worked out.
The Republican convention is still set to be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. But President Donald Trump plans to make his nominating speech from Jacksonville, Florida. He is upset North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper was unable to guarantee a safe full convention because of coronavirus restrictions.
In France, with the world’s fifth-highest COVID death toll, the number of new cases dropped below 100 for the first time since March 4. Only 81 new cases were reported Wednesday.
In Mexico, doctors are trying to solve the mystery of how a set of prematurely born triplets came down with the coronavirus when both parents test negative.
It’s “unheard of” the doctors say, and a team of experts is investigating.
Two of the babies are said to be in good condition. The third has pneumonia but is in stable condition.
Caesar’s casinos says it wants you to gamble with your money, but not with your health.
Caesar's announced Wednesday that all visitors to its gambling palaces, hotels, and other properties must wear masks. Anyone who refuses will be told to leave.
Until now, masks were required only at gaming tables without special protective barriers.
