Coronavirus Pandemic: Latest updates

Infections near 3 million

The new coronavirus has claimed at least 202,994 lives since its outbreak in China in December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT yesterday. More than 2,902,450 cases were registered in 193 countries and territories. Of these cases, at least 791,700 are now considered recovered. The United States has the highest number of deaths with 53,934 out of 939,249 cases. Italy has the second highest toll with 26,384 deaths out of 195,351 cases, followed by Spain (23,190 deaths and 226,629 cases), France (22,614 deaths and 161,488 cases) and the United Kingdom (20,319 fatalities and 148,377 cases).

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US records 2,494 more deaths

The United States recorded 2,494 more coronavirus deaths in the past 24 hours, according to figures reported Saturday night by Johns Hopkins University.

Saudi relaxes lockdown except in Makkah

Saudi Arabia yesterday partially eased a 24-hour curfew in place to combat the coronavirus pandemic, except for in hotspots including the Muslim holy city of Makkah. The curfew will be relaxed between 9am and 5pm and malls and retailers will be allowed to reopen in all regions of the kingdom until May 13.

UK PM to return to work    

Boris Johnson will return to work at the start of the week as pressure increases on the UK government over its handling of the coronavirus crisis which has claimed more than 20,000 lives. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News that Johnson would be back in his Downing Street office today after recovering from the virus and was in "good spirits" and "raring to go".

China seizes over 89m shoddy face masks

China has confiscated over 89 million poor quality face masks, a government official said, as Beijing faces a slew of complaints about faulty protective gear exported worldwide. Demand for protective equipment has soared as nations across the globe battle the deadly coronavirus, which has infected around 2.9 million people.

Sri Lanka extends lockdown         

Sri Lanka has reversed plans to end its virus lockdown today, extending it for another week after a spike in coronavirus infections including at a naval base. Within hours of announcing that the nationwide restrictions imposed on March 20 would be lifted, the government revoked the order and extended them until May 4.