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.