Worldwide COVID Cases Reaches 40 Million

Worldwide COVID cases surpassed the 40 million mark on Monday, amid predictions that the colder months would pose a challenge by fueling the spread of the infectious pandemic disease. Leading health authorities believe that number could potentially be much higher due to a lack of standardized testing and under-reported cases in some nations.

In just the past 32 days alone, the global rise has gone from 30 million to 40 million cases. The onset of the pandemic in early January saw an initial rise to 10 million just three months after cases were first reported in Wuhan, China. According to statistics reported by Reuters, it took 44 days beyond the initial outbreak to reach 20 million worldwide infections, in comparison to taking 38 days to reach the 30 million worldwide case mark.

Globally, record one-day surges are reportedly surpassing 400,000 for the first time, with a daily average of about 347,000. Currently the US, Brazil and India still have the highest infection rates. In total, North, South and Central America represent slightly less than half of the total number of worldwide cases, with just over 47%. Increases in Europe are being reported at an average of more than 150,000 per day, accounting for 17% worldwide, with 22% of global deaths. The UK is currently reimposing lock-down restrictions in an effort to contain a second wave.