The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infection with COVID-19 in the world has reached 2 million 995 thousand people, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 

The United States remains the leader in the number of cases in the world. The number of infections in the country has exceeded 1 million people, according to Johns Hopkins University.

“The only reason a million cases of coronavirus are recorded in the US is because we have the best testing system in the world. Other countries are significantly behind us in testing, and therefore they have fewer cases of infection! ” - wrote American President Donald Trump on his Twitter.

Despite the country's record figures for both the number of infected and the number of victims, in mid-April, Trump announced that the United States had passed the peak of the epidemic. In late April, the head of the White House recommended that state governors begin the gradual abolition of sanitary restrictive measures, but in a "safe manner."

  • Hospitalization of a coronavirus patient in New York.
  • Reuters
  • © Lucas Jackson

The Governor of Wyoming, Mark Gordon, has already announced that on May 1, gyms, hairdressers and nail salons will open in the region. In this case, no more than 10 people should be in the same room, and personnel must use protective equipment. Quarantine reliefs have also been introduced in the states of Tennessee, Colorado, Minnesota, Florida, Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi, Iowa, Alaska and Georgia.  

At the same time, sanitary restrictions were extended in states with high levels of infection. In New York - until May 15, in Wisconsin - until May 26. 

The situation on board American warships remains tense. According to the U.S. Navy, 64 crew members are infected on the Kidd destroyer, and 955 people are infected on the Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier. 

“With caution and determination”

In Europe, most countries are experiencing a gradual decline in the epidemic. In Spain, where the peak was reached at the end of March, the government announced the gradual introduction of a de-escalation plan for restrictive measures.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez explained that the relaxation of quarantine will take place in four stages, each of which will last at least two weeks. Moreover, the process itself, according to him, will be "gradual, asymmetric (vary in different regions. - RT ) and coordinated." If everything goes according to plan, Sanchez expects the country to return to normal by the end of June.

In Italy, where the maximum number of COVID-19 victims is recorded in Europe, a decrease in the growth rate of new infections has also been observed for several weeks. According to the Department of Civil Protection of the country, the number of patients in intensive care units for the first time in 40 days fell below 2 thousand.

Against this background, from May 4, it is planned to begin lifting quarantine restrictions. As explained by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, production and work on construction sites, as well as wholesale, will be resumed. By May 18, it is planned to open retail stores and museums. And finally, on June 1, Italy should open beauty salons, hairdressers, as well as bars and restaurants. Moreover, at all stages it will be necessary to provide security measures, such as maintaining a social distance of at least 1 m and wearing masks.

  • North Station in Paris, April 27, 2020.
  • Reuters
  • © Gonzalo Fuentes

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said that “it is necessary to carefully, but also decisively, withdraw the country from the regime of self-isolation,” emphasizing that there is a serious risk of a second wave of the epidemic. In this country, the peak was passed in mid-April.

Philip said that starting May 11, gradual easing of the quarantine regime will be introduced. To go out into the street, you will no longer need to issue special passes, not counting trips over distances of more than 100 km from the place of residence. Philip also noted that in public places it will be possible for companies to gather no more than 10 people, and the holding of mass sports, professional and cultural events is postponed until September.

Continues to gradually remove restrictions and China. On April 29, Beijing Deputy Government Secretary Chen Bei said that at midnight April 30 in the Chinese capital, the highest level of emergency response will be lowered from "I" to "II." Now, returning from business trips to the Chinese from regions of the country with a low level of infection will not have to comply with 14-day quarantine. But this measure is reserved for visitors from abroad.

Due to the fact that during the week in South Korea the daily increase in infected people does not exceed 10 people, the authorities extended the social distance mode in a weakened form until May 5. With some restrictions, sports, recreational and religious events are allowed, parks and places for outdoor recreation are open. 

At the same time, in the UK there is still a high daily increase in the number of infected (about 4 thousand) and deaths (more than 500). The country overtook Germany in the number of infected COVID-19. According to data from Johns Hopkins University, the total number of infected in the country exceeded 162 thousand. 

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who spent several days in the intensive care unit due to infection with the coronavirus, said it was too early to remove restrictions in the UK. In addition, he warned that premature measures can only do much harm, as the “risk of the second wave” of the pandemic remains.  

In Germany, where the first quarantine concessions were introduced on April 20, they nevertheless call not to rush to remove restrictions on movement between countries. 

"The European race for the first to allow tourist trips leads to unacceptable risks," said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, commenting on the words of Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurtz about the desire to open borders with Germany and the Czech Republic.