(Reuters) – Reported cases of the coronavirus crossed 2 million globally and more than 131,100 people have died, according to a Reuters tally as of 1400 GMT on Wednesday.
A healthcare worker is seen at the emergency center at Maimonides Medical Center during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., April 14, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid
DEATHS AND INFECTIONS
– For an interactive graphic tracking the global spread, open tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser.
– For a U.S.-focused tracker with state-by-state and county map, open tmsnrt.rs/2w7hX9T in an external browser.
AMERICAS
– U.S. President Donald Trump’s move to halt funding to the WHO over its handling of the pandemic prompted condemnation from world leaders.
– Governors of about 20 U.S. states where the pandemic has had a low impact believe they may be ready to start reopening their economies by Trump’s May 1 target date.
– Brazilian health minister told his team that President Jair Bolsonaro is likely to fire him this week, sources said, raising the prospect of turmoil in the middle of the outbreak.
– Mexican president said the United Nations had been slow in ensuring fair prices and equal access to medical equipment during the pandemic.
EUROPE
– WHO said countries that ease restrictions should wait at least two weeks to evaluate the impact, as some European countries including Spain and Austria have begun small-scale steps to reduce severe lockdowns.
– Spain’s prime minister promised more testing to try to build on a decline in daily deaths.
– Germany will consider relaxing restrictions next week on shops but extend limits on movement until May 3, participants in talks between regional and central government sai