The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed above 163.6 million on Tuesday, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, while the death toll rose topped 3.39 million. The U.S. continues to lead the world in total cases with 32.9 million and deaths with 586,359, although cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all falling as more Americans become vaccinated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s vaccine tracker is showing that 37.3% of the nation is fully vaccinated and 47.5% have received at least one dose of a two-jab regimen. President Joe Biden said Monday the U.S. would send 80 million vaccine doses overseas by end-June, but experts say that is not enough. The Red Cross said Tuesday the world needs “extraordinary steps” to boost access to vaccines around the world and again called for accelerated talks on waiving vaccine patents.
India is second worldwide after passing more than 25 million cases, and third with 278,719 deaths, although those numbers are understood to be greatly undercounted, given a shortage of tests. Brazil is third in cases with 15.7 million and second in deaths with 436,537. Mexico is fourth by fatalities with 220,493 and 2.4 million cases. The U.K. has 4.5 million cases and 127,946 deaths, the fifth-highest in the world and most of any country in Europe.
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