THE WORLD Health Organisation has reported the largest daily rise in global cases of coronavirus since the pandemic began as the virus continues to spread across the world.
More than 8.9 million cases of Covid-19 have been reported in countries across the globe, with over 182,000 new cases reported yin a 24-hour period.
Of the new figures, more than 116,000 relate to cases in North and South America, with Brazil fast becoming an epicentre of the disease.
Over half a million cases have been reported in Brazil, which is the second-worst hit country in the world after the United States, which has recorded 2.2 million cases.
461,000 people are confirmed to have died after contracting Covid-19 around the world, and the virus is beginning to make a comeback in some areas which have loosened lockdown restrictions.
There has been an increase in Covid-19 infections in areas where lockdown restrictions have been eased (Photo by PAUL FAITH/AFP via Getty Images)Germany has seen a massive jump in the reproduction rate of the virus, which went from below 1 to 1.79 and then 2.88 in a matter of days, with representatives from the WHO stating infections are rising above the level required to contain the disease.
Reintroducing lockdown measures to areas where restrictions have been eased has proven difficult: a tower block in Goettingen, Germany, was quarantined after more than 200 people tested positive for the virus, but riot police were called to enforce the lockdown after riots broke out within the building.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that "the world is in a new and dangerous place" as people grow tired of lockdown and become less vigilant in stopping the spread of the virus.
He told a virtual press conference where he told those present that "the pandemic is accelerating".
"Many people are understandably fed up with being at home. Countries are understandably eager to open up their societies and economies," he said.
"But the virus is still spreading fast, it's still deadly and most people are still susceptible."
In Ireland, no new deaths were recorded both North and South of the border yesterday, Sunday 21 June, with just ten new cases confirmed on the island.
The Republic is preparing to enter Phase 3 of easing lockdown restrictions this coming Monday, 29 June, where domestic travel restrictions will be lifted and businesses such as hotels, restaurants, hairdressers and some pubs will be allowed to reopen.
However, the Government have warned that some measures could be introduced should there be a spike in infections.
See More: Coronavirus, Lockdown, World Health Organisation
