US records nearly 600 new coronavirus deaths as Minneapolis killing intensifies violence across country

The country worst-hit from novel coronavirus, the United States recorded 598 new deaths on Sunday, taking the overall toll to 104,356, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 1,788,762, far more than any other country. as per the tally at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Monday).

Also read | Curfew imposed in 40 cities including Washington DC as protests spread across US

The US is far from recovering from the virus and protests, violence in the last few days over the killing of a black man allegedly by a police officer has rocked the country.

Also read | Tanker truck drives into George Floyd protests in Minneapolis; driver handed over to police

Major cities in the country were put under curfew as violence escalated across the country, with several reports of arson, looting, vandalism, and clashes between police and protesters. 

The protests erupted after last Monday a shocking video surfaced which showed an unarmed black man George Floyd getting killed in Minneapolis by a police officer who knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. 

Initially, the demonstrations were limited to Minneapolis, but afterward, it reached across the country, where protesters demanded justice for the black man.

However, large-scale incidents of violence, looting, and building set on fire were also reported, which led to the imposition of curfew in many areas. 

Meanwhile, after cutting off ties with World Health Organization, US President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he will skip the G7 meeting scheduled for June, saying that it's an "outdated group of countries".

Trump said he would invite Russia, South Korea, Australia, and India to attend the G7 Summit in the fall. 

(With inputs from AFP)