Keeping you up to date on the latest novel coronavirus (Covid-19) news from around the world.

Global coronavirus death toll tops 375 000 - AFP tally

Paris – More than 375 000 people have died worldwide from the novel coronavirus, mainly in the United States and Europe, since it emerged in China last year, according to an AFP tally of official figures at 05:50 (GMT) on Tuesday.

A total of 375 070 deaths have been registered across the globe from 6 258 474 cases, including 179 051 in Europe from 2 167 233 infections.

The United States has recorded the most deaths of any country, with 105 160, ahead of Britain with 39 045, Italy with 33 475, Brazil with 29 937 and France at 28 833.

 - AFP

US records 743 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours

Washington – The United States on Monday recorded 743 new coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker, bringing its total to 105 099 since the global pandemic began.

The country has officially logged 1 809 109 cases of Covid-19, the tracker set up by the Baltimore-based university showed at 20:30 (00:30 GMT Tuesday).

The death toll and number of cases in the United States are by far the worst in the world. In the United States, states have begun relaxing confinement measures intended to slow the spread of the virus in varying degrees.

 - AFP

Mexico tops 10 000 Covid-19 deaths - government

Mexico City – Mexico's tally of confirmed Covid-19 deaths passed 10 000 on Monday, the health secretary said, following an increase of 237 on the previous day.

News of the updated toll – now 10 167 – came as Mexico announced it was gradually reopening its economy by reactivating its automotive, mining and construction sectors.

Mexico is second only to Brazil in Latin America for Covid-19 deaths, although the South American giant has had close to three times as many.

However, Mexico's death rate compared to cases is much higher. It recorded almost 2 800 new cases on Monday, taking its total over 93 000.

 - AFP

First Rohingya refugee dies from coronavirus in Bangladesh - official

Dhaka – A 71-year-old man has become the first Rohingya living in vast refugee camps in Bangladesh to die from the coronavirus, an official said on Tuesday.

Health experts have long warned that the deadly virus could race through the vast network of settlements housing almost a million refugees in the country's southeast.

"He died on May 31. But last night we got the confirmation that he died of Covid-19," said Toha Bhuiyan, a senior health official in the Cox's Bazar district.

The fatality was in Kutupalong, the largest of the camps, which is home to roughly 600 000 people. The man was among at least 29 Rohingya to have tested positive for the virus in the camps.

 - AFP

Wuhan doctor at whistleblower's hospital dies from coronavirus

Beijing – A Wuhan doctor who worked with coronavirus whistleblower Li Wenliang died of the virus last week, state media reported on Tuesday, becoming China's first Covid-19 fatality in weeks.

Hu Weifeng, a urologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, died on Friday after being treated for Covid-19 and allied issues for more than four months, state broadcaster CCTV said.

He is the sixth doctor from Wuhan Central Hospital to have died from the virus, which emerged in the central Chinese city late last year.

Cases have dwindled dramatically from the peak in mid-February as the country appears to have brought the outbreak largely under control.

The official death toll in the country of 1.4 billion people stands at 4 634 – well below the number of fatalities in less populous nations.

 - AFP

Back to school in masks as Singapore eases virus curbs

Singapore – Pupils wearing face masks returned to school in Singapore on Tuesday and some workplaces re-opened as coronavirus restrictions were eased in the hard-hit city-state.

Singapore initially kept infections low through a strict regime of testing and contact-tracing, only for major outbreaks to emerge from crowded dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers.

The country has recorded over 35 000 cases – the highest official tally in Southeast Asia – with the vast majority among workers from the dorms. The death toll stands at 24.

Authorities imposed a partial lockdown in early April, with schools and most workplaces told to close, and people only allowed to leave home for essential purposes.

But with new infections slowing and no major outbreaks outside dorms, the government began easing measures on Tuesday, with certain age groups allowed back to school and some workplaces re-opening. Pupils had their temperatures checked as they arrived at one pre-school following the lengthy break.

 - AFP

Stay healthy and entertained during the national lockdown. Sign up for our Lockdown Living newsletter. Sign up and manage your newsletters in the new News24 app by clicking on the Profile tab