Peru's COVID-19 cases overtake Italy's

Undertakers carry a coffin during the funeral proceedings for a COVID-19 victim in Cape Town. File pic/AFP

The number of novel Coronavirus infections in Peru surpassed that of Italy, one of worst affected countries in the world, reported Reuters on Thursday. Peru has recorded a total of 2,40,908 COVID-19 cases with 3,752 new infections on Wednesday, while Italy's stands at 2,37,828. In Latin America, Peru has the second highest number of cases after Brazil, which has logged 9,60,309 cases so far. It now has the seventh highest infections worldwide.

Even though Peru's government imposed strict lockdown measures early in March, the cases rose exponentially in May, when the daily day cases peaked at over 8,000, reported Reuters. As many as 7,257 Peruvians have died of COVID-19. With cases still on the rise, Peru has extended the lockdown until June 30. The Americas have reported nearly half of the global infections at 4,171,041. Globally, the respiratory disease has infected 8,467,178 and killed 4,51,954.

SA to reopen theatres, hotels

Meanwhile, South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday announced further easing of the lockdown by allowing casinos, theatres, cinemas, salons, hotels and non-contact sports to reopen soon. The country has so far reported 80,412 COVID-19 infections and 1,674 deaths. Ramaphosa said the government has considered the huge economic impact and joblessness the prohibition is causing, especially to women employed in the personal care sector and those employed in the entertainment and hospitality industries.

He said the lifting of restrictions would include restaurants for sit down meals.

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