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Coronavirus is continuing its spread across the world, with nearly four million confirmed cases in 187 countries. About 270,000 people have lost their lives.

The United States alone has more than 1.2 million confirmed cases - five times as many as any other country.

This series of maps and charts tracks the global outbreak of the virus since it emerged in China in December last year.

How many cases and deaths have there been?

The virus, which causes the respiratory infection Covid-19, was first detected in the city of Wuhan, China, in late 2019.

It is spreading rapidly in many countries and the number of deaths is still climbing.

Note: The map and table in this page use a different source for figures for France from that used by Johns Hopkins University, which results in a slightly lower overall total.

The US has by far the largest number of cases, according to figures collated by Johns Hopkins University. With more than 75,000 fatalities, it also has the world's highest death toll.

France, Italy, Spain and the UK - the worst-hit European countries - have all recorded more than 25,000 deaths.

In China, the official death toll is some 4,600 from about 84,000 confirmed cases. Numbers for deaths jumped on 17 April after what officials called "a statistical review" and critics have questioned whether the country's official numbers can be trusted.

On 11 March, the outbreak was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This is when an infectious disease is passing easily from person to person in many parts of the world at the same time.

Nearly four million people are known to have been infected worldwide, but the true figure is thought to be much higher as many of those with milder symptoms have not been tested and counted.

Globally, more than 4.5 billion people - half the world's population - have been living under social distancing measures, according to the AFP news agency's estimates.

Those restrictions have had a big impact on the global economy, with the International Monetary Fund saying the world faces the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

The United Nations World Food Programme has also warned that the pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger and the UN has appealed for $6.7bn (£5.4bn) in funding.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock said: "Unless we take action now, we should be prepared for a significant rise in conflict, hunger and poverty. The spectre of multiple famines looms."

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Where are coronavirus cases still rising?

While some regions are starting to see confirmed cases and deaths fall following the introduction of strict lockdown restrictions, others are only now seeing them rise.

Russia's latest official data shows it now has the fifth highest number of infections worldwide. The country has reported more than 10,000 new cases for five consecutive days and Moscow's mayor has suggested the number of cases in his city is far higher than the official figure.

These charts show four countries where deaths are on an upward trajectory as shown by the red lines which each follow a similar pattern.

Across Latin America, where many economies are already struggling and millions live on what they can earn day-to-day, there are concerns about the strain coronavirus could put on health care systems.

On Thursday, Brazil saw the daily total of coronavirus deaths exceed 600 for the second day in a row.

Ecuador has already seen its health system collapse - thousands have died from the virus and other conditions that could not be treated because of the crisis. The country's official number of coronavirus deaths is around 1,500 but the death toll is thought to be much higher.

The growing threat in South America and elsewhere comes as other regions are beginning to ease measures brought in to slow the spread of the virus.

Much of Europe, the US, New Zealand and Australia, among others, have started to relax some of their strict lockdown restrictions.

New Zealand says it has effectively eliminated the threat posed by the virus after fewer than 1,500 confirmed cases and just 20 deaths. Its authorities had brought in some of the toughest restrictions on travel and activity early in the pandemic.

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Europe beginning to ease lockdown measures

In Europe, the UK became the first country to record more than 30,000 coronavirus deaths earlier this week.

It surpassed Italy, which was the first country in the region to see a rapid increase in deaths in early March.

Spain and France have also recorded more than 25,000 deaths.

Differences in population size and how countries report their figures, with some including deaths in care homes, or deaths of those suspected but not confirmed of having the virus, means international comparisons are complicated.

However, all four countries appear to have passed through the peak of the virus and the number of new reported cases and deaths is falling.

Germany and Belgium have also recorded a relatively high number of deaths and are now seeing those numbers decrease, though as Belgium has a far smaller population than Germany the number of deaths per capita there has been higher.

How countries across Europe are planning to move out of lockdown varies, with the EU saying there is "no one-size-fits-all approach" to lifting containment measures.

Spain has announced a four-phase plan to lift its lockdown and return to a "new normality" by the end of June.

In Italy, some shops and factories have now reopened and bars and cafes are being allowed to offer takeaway services.

Germany has announced that all shops will be allowed to reopen, schools will begin to open again over the summer term and, in some regions, bars and restaurants could begin to reopen from this weekend.

In France, non-essential shops and markets are to open again from Monday, but not bars and restaurants. Schools will also be reopened gradually. However, stricter restrictions will remain in Paris and the neighbouring regions.

Other European countries easing restrictions include Austria, Denmark, Switzerland and the Czech Republic.

In the UK, lockdown measures are still in full effect. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has promised to reveal a "comprehensive plan" on Sunday for how the country will get moving again.

New York remains epicentre of US outbreak

With more than 1.2 million cases, the US has the highest number of confirmed infections in the world. It has also recorded more than 75,000 deaths.

The state of New York has been particularly badly affected, with more than 20,000 deaths in New York City alone.

At one point, more than 90% of the US population was under mandatory lockdown orders, but around half of the states have now begun to loosen their stay-at-home restrictions and allow some businesses to reopen.

Official unemployment figures show that more than 33 million Americans have lost their jobs since mid-March.

On Wednesday, President Trump said the government's coronavirus task force would shift its focus to reopening the economy. He acknowledged that lifting lockdowns could lead to an increase in deaths, but added: "Hopefully that won't be the case."

Public health authorities have warned that increasing human interaction and economic activity could spark a fresh surge of infections just as the number of new cases is beginning to ease off.