The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed above 238.7 million on Wednesday, while the death toll edged above 4.86 million, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. continues to lead the world with a total of 44.6 million cases and 716,479 deaths. The U.S. is averaging more than 1,900 deaths a day, according to a New York Times tracker, , although new cases and hospitalizations are declining. The U.S. will reopen its land borders to nonessential travel next month, ending a 19-month freeze due to the COVID-19 pandemic as the country moves to require all international visitors to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, the Associated Press reported. Vehicle, rail and ferry travel between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico has been largely restricted to essential travel, such as trade, since the earliest days of the pandemic.
India is second by cases after the U.S. at 34 million and has suffered 451,189 deaths. Brazil has second highest death toll at 601,398 and 21.6 million cases. In Europe, Russia has most fatalities at 215,438, followed by the U.K. at 138,351.

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