Philippines situation becoming dire
Pandemic also surging in India, South Africa
NEW DELHI — Surges in the number of new COVID-19 cases continued Sunday in India and the Philippines, which recorded another daily high to surpass 100,000 total infections, as officials across the globe considered stricter measures to stymie the spread of the pandemic.
A curfew was imposed in Australia’s second-largest city, Melbourne, following a spike in infections.
Countries including the United States, India and South Africa are struggling to rein in their first wave of infections, while South Korea and others where the disease abated try to avert a second wave as curbs on travel and trade ease.
Governments worldwide have reported 684,075 deaths and
17.8 million cases, according to data gathered by Johns Hopkins University.
India’s 54,735 new cases were down from the previous day’s record 57,118 but raised the total to 1.75 million. The month of July accounted for more than 1.1 million of those cases.
The major cities of New Delhi and Mumbai might have passed their peaks, said a government expert, Randeep Guleria. Subways, cinemas and other public facilities are closed until Aug. 31.
The Philippines reported 5,032 new cases, raising its total to
103,185, with 2,059 deaths.
On Saturday, leaders of Philippine medical organizations appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to reimpose a lockdown in the capital, Manila. They said the health system was in danger as personnel fall ill or quit because of fear or fatigue.
In Japan, the government reported 1,540 new cases, close to Friday’s record of 1,579.
The spike in infections, most of them in their 20s and 30s, prompted warnings young people were letting their guard down. Gov. Yuriko Koike of Tokyo, which has about one-third of the new infections, says she might declare an emergency to contain the outbreak.
In Australia, Premier Daniel Andrews of the southern state of Victoria announced an 8 p.m.-to-5 a.m. curfew on Melbourne, a city of 5 million people. Schools statewide are to return to home-based teaching, and day care centers were closed.
Andrews said there were seven deaths and 671 new cases since Saturday.
“If we don’t make these changes, we’re not going to get through this,” Andrews said.
Also on Sunday, China and South Korea reported more infections, but spikes in both countries appeared to be tailing off.
Hong Kong reported 125 new infections as authorities tried to find the source of its latest outbreak.
On Saturday, South Africa reported 10,107 new cases, raising its total to 503,290.
That put the country fifth behind the United States, Brazil, Russia and India in total cases, though its population of 58 million is much smaller than theirs.
In Europe, the number of new cases reported in Italy dipped below 300 for the first time.