Global covid-19 cases surge past 5.4 million, death toll over 3.4 lakh

The overall number of global coronavirus cases has surpassed the 5.4 million mark, while the deaths increased to 345,064.

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The total number of cases stood at 5,408,301, the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update. 

Currently, the US has the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 1,643,098 and 97,711, respectively.

In terms of cases, Brazil accounted for the second-highest number of infections at 363,211.

This was followed by Russia (344,481), the UK (260,916), Spain (235,772), Italy (229,858), France (182,709), Germany (180,328), Turkey (156,827), India (156,827), Iran (135,701), and Peru (119,959), the CSSE figures showed.

Meanwhile, China has reported 51 new coronavirus cases including 40 asymptomatic infections, majority of them in the contagion's first epicentre Wuhan, where over six million tests have been conducted in the last 10 days, health officials said on Monday.
 
The country's National Health Commission (NHC) said that 11 new imported cases were reported on Sunday.

(With inputs from agencies)