The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness rose above 124.8 million on Thursday, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, with the U.S. accounting for a quarter of that number at more than 30 million. The death toll rose above 2.74 million with the U.S. accounting for about a fifth, or 545,272. The U.S. added at least 79,144 new cases on Wednesday, according to a New York Times tracker, and at least 1,591 people died. The U.S. has averaged 57,276 cases a day for the last week, or about the same as the average two weeks ago. On the vaccine front, AstraZeneca PLC , which has been under fire for the accuracy of its data, on Wednesday night announced updated Phase 3 trial data of its coronavirus vaccine, saying it’s 76% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19. On Monday, the company said it was 79% effective, prompting pushback from a U.S. federal agency that said the data was outdated.
Outside of the U.S., Brazil is second globally in cases at 12.2 million and also second with a death toll at 300,685. India is third worldwide in cases with 11.7 million and fourth in deaths at 160,692. Mexico is third by deaths at 199,627and 13th highest by cases at 2.2 million. The U.K. has 4.3 million cases and 126,621 deaths, the highest in Europe and fifth highest in the world.
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