Coronavirus Pandemic: Latest updates

More than 282,000 deaths

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The novel coronavirus has killed at least 282,447 people since the outbreak first emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 4,117,740 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 195 countries and territories. Of these, at least 1,388,600 are now considered recovered. The US has the highest number of total deaths with 79,528 out of 1,329,799 cases. Britain has the second highest toll with 31,855 deaths from 219,183 cases. It is followed by Italy with 30,560 deaths and 219,070 cases, Spain with 26,744 fatalities and 227,436 infections and France with 26,380 deaths and 176,970 cases.

France may reimpose curbs 

France could reverse the relaxation of its nationwide lockdown if there is a resurgence of the coronavirus outbreak, Health Minister Olivier Veran warned. "If the virus were to resume its wild race, we would again take lockdown measures," Veran told BFM television. France, with the world's fifth-highest death toll, has enforced an eight-week lockdown since March 17 to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. It is gradually lifting those restrictions.

Russia overtakes Italy, UK

Russia's coronavirus cases overtook Italian and British infections yesterday to become the third highest in the world after a record daily rise. The official tally surged to 221,344, meaning Russia now has more registered cases than Italy or Britain and only trails Spain and the United States, as the number of new cases of the novel coronavirus jumped by 11,656 in the past 24 hours.

New Zealand to ease 'all curbs'

New Zealand will allow restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and shopping centres to reopen, as well as travel within the country to resume from Thursday as it eases most of the restrictions put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said schools can open from May 18 and bars by May 21.

lockdown relics in museums

Museums are already gathering testimony and objects to remember life under the historic lockdown. The Museum of London has launched an appeal for people to donate items that reflect their lives during the outbreak, including face masks and slippers.

UK lockdown to last till June 1

Britain's coronavirus lockdown will stay in place until at least June 1, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Sunday, as he unveiled cautious plans to lift restrictions imposed seven weeks ago. "This is not the time simply to end the lockdown this week," he said in a televised address but added that some primary school children could return and shops re-open from June 1.