Coronavirus pandemic: Key Updates
Global cases top 6m
The novel coronavirus has killed at least 369,086 people since the outbreak first emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT yesterday. At least 6,075,070 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. The United States remains the worst-hit country with 103,781 deaths from 1,770,384 cases. After the US, the hardest-hit countries are Britain with 38,376 deaths from 272,826 cases, Italy with 33,340 deaths from 232,664 cases, Brazil with 28,834 deaths and 498,444 cases and France with 28,771 deaths and 188,625 cases.
Vaccine by year-end!
A Chinese-made coronavirus vaccine could be ready for market as early as the end of this year, China's State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC) said in a social media post. In trials, more than 2,000 people have received vaccines developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and the Beijing Institute of Biological Products. A vaccine could be ready for the market as early as the end of this year or early 2021, according to the May 29 post on Chinese social media platform WeChat.
Al-Aqsa mosque reopens
Jerusalem's Al-Aqsa mosque compound, Islam's third holiest site, reopened yesterday after being closed for over two months because of the coronavirus pandemic. Muslims believe the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) ascended to heaven there, and it is Islam's third holiest site, after Makkah and Medina.
Russia infections pass 400,000
Russia yesterday reported 9,268 new cases of the novel coronavirus, raising the national tally to 405,843. Officials said 138 people had died of COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, in the last 24 hours, pushing to nationwide toll up to 4,693.
Saudi Arabia reopens mosques
Saudi Arabia's mosques yesterday opened their doors to worshippers for the first time in more than two months. Worshippers headed to mosques for dawn prayers amid strict regulations requiring use of face masks and personal prayer mats, avoiding handshakes and standing at least 2 metres apart. The elderly, children under 15 and people with chronic diseases are not permitted.
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