The novel coronavirus that was first detected in December last year has now infected 6,166,946 people worldwide and killed 372,035 people.
The United States still has the highest number of cases with 1,790,172 patients. The country is also leading the total number of deaths with 104,381 fatalities.
Containing the spread of the virus in the US has become more difficult now that people are going out in the streets to protest the death of another African American man, George Floyd. The man is the latest in the string of unarmed black people dying due to police brutality motivated by racism.
Demonstrations are ongoing across the nation despite the country registering the highest number of cases. Protesters are setting fires, looting stores, and clashing with police. In Los Angeles, the situation compelled the officials to suspend coronavirus testing due to concerns about safety. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas said all COVID-19 testing centers throughout LA will be shut down until further notice.
It does not help that its own president has a questionable stand on the virus, dismissing science for naught on top of its unfounded accusations about the true origin of the virus. On Friday, President Donald Trump terminated the US' relationship with the World Health Organization. He maintained that the WHO is "China-centric." Trump's decision undermined the world's race to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.
Meanwhile, some countries are already lifting strict lockdown measures imposed in the past months. Many nations have opened businesses, started school again, and welcomed tourists again.
Greece has initially announced it is welcoming tourists from 29 countries that have effectively contained the spread of the virus. This week, it allows for more flights from these 29 countries that include Germany, Australia, and South Korea. Starting June 15 to June 30, flights will land in Athens and Thessaloniki and passengers will undergo random tests. Passengers from countries with a high risk of virus transmission will be required for testing.
Norway and Denmark, on the other hand, have only allowed travel between them. The two Nordic countries did not include Sweden in the arrangement. Sweden has high rates of COVID-19 transmissions believed to be because of its controversial herd immunity strategy.
Britain has opened more stores and groups can meet outdoors. The government has also allowed primary schools to operate and professional sports to resume under strict protocols. Still, the United Kingdom (276,156) is the world's third with the highest number of cases and second to the US with fatalities (38,571).
In Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is calling for a sixth and final extension of lockdown in Madrid, Barcelona, and some other parts of the country until June 21.
In the Asian region, South Korea continues to see minor spike in the number of new cases. The government was compelled to close schools again.
Japan, meanwhile, is doing its best to stop an imminent second wave of infections by conducting random antibody tests on 3,000 volunteer residents.
In China, there are 16 new cases on May 31 with the patients coming from overseas. Additionally, mass testing being conducted in the country detected 16 new asymptomatic cases.
In the Philippines, the administration of the controversial President Rodrigo Duterte maintained that widespread mass testing is not necessary at this point. The country has started to reopen some sectors of its economy with workers starting to come back to work starting Monday. Confusion among citizens remained rampant as public transportations continue to be limited, resulting to commuters stranded in the streets.
In Latin America, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Peru accounted for the largest number from the more than 50,000 cases reported in the region. Brazil is currently the hot spot in the region as it president continues with his questionable policies in addressing the pandemic.
