Global coronavirus death toll passes 200,000 with almost 3million people infected as world races for a vaccine
MORE than 200,000 people worldwide have now died from coronavirus as the number of people infected nears three million.
The grim milestone was reached today as scientists from across the world rush to develop a vaccine to beat the pandemic.
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John Hopkins University - which is tracking the global figures for the pandemic - have the current death toll at 200,698 with 2,865,938 confirmed cases.
Cases are expected to top three million this weekend.
It took little under month for the global tally to hit 50,000 after the World Health Organisation declared the coronavirus a pandemic on March 12 - passing the first milestone on April 2.
And then the death toll to doubled in size by April 10, before adding another 50,000 seven days on April 17 later as the outbreak spiralled.
Now eight days on it has passed the horrifying figure of 200,000.
However it is likely the true toll is much higher - with many nations under-reporting due to a lack of testing.
And the World Health Organisation (WHO) today warned there is "no proof" of coronavirus immunity if you have already had Covid-19.
The US remains the the worst impacted nation in the world, with almost one million cases and more than 53,000 deaths.
Italy has the second highest death toll with over 26,000, followed by Spain with almost 23,000 and France with more than 22,000.
Britain hit its own dark milestone today as the national death toll surpassed 20,000 - becoming the fifth nation in the world to reach the figure.
It comes as countries are considering whether to begin to relax their national lockdowns, with particular pressure mounting in the US as protests break out in some states.
Scientists however believe the world may not be able to return to normal until a vaccine has been developed.
In March, Britain's health bosses said we would be doing "very well" in a pandemic if the death toll stayed under 20,000.
Ministers are fearing Britain is beginning to crack under lockdown, with reports of increases in traffic and footfall during the hot weather.
Government officials are reportedly looking at easing strict “stay at home” rules in favour of creating groups of people known as “clusters” or “bubbles”.
Home Secretary Priti Patel warned today that if people continue to flout lockdown measures, rules will be made stricter.
Britain entered the coronavirus lockdown on March 24, and some European nations are beginning to ease measures.
International teams of scientists are working to develop a vaccine, with many believing one may not be widely available until 2021.
British scientists have begun human trials of their own inoculation - the first of its kind in Europe.
More than 800 people have been recruited for the study of the shot which was developed by the Oxford University.
Brits however will not get first access to vaccines developed by taxpayer-funded UK universities due to a deal with WHO announced by foreign secretary Dominic Raab, reports the .
The deal with WHO however means Britain will have to share its results and work with 20 other countries including France, Germany and Italy.
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US pharmaceutical company Inovio Pharmaceuticals, the University of Pennsylvania’s research facility, has also begun its own human trial.
It comes US President Donald Trump has come under fire after he suggested disinfectant could be injected into victims to help cure Covid-19.
Trump cut short his daily briefing yesterday amid the backlash, with reports he is considering stopping the news conferences as early as next week.
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