COVID-19 Cases: WHO Records Largest Single-Day Rise Worldwide

Months after the novel coronavirus broke out, the largest single-day rise in COVID-19 positive cases was reported on Wednesday, according to the World Health Organization. The WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that around 1,06,662 positive cases of novel coronavirus have been reported in the last 24 hours. With this, the world has crossed the 'tragic milestone' of five million reported COVID-19 infections worldwide. In India, the total number of reported coronavirus cases stands at more than 1,10,000.

Key Takeaways:

• WHO recorded around 1,06,662 cases of novel coronavirus worldwide on Wednesday, which is the highest one day spike in COVID-19 cases. 
• With this, the total number of reported cases across the world has crossed the tragic milestone of five million, with the USA being the worst affected. 
• Meanwhile, WHO has also received a letter from US President Donald Trump, giving the organization a 30-days ultimatum to investigate the matter.
•  In India, the total number of reported coronavirus cases has crossed 1,10,000 and the total number of reported deaths has crossed in 3,400. With this, more than 45,000 people have also recovered across India. 

From 41 Cases  To A Million Cases Of Coronavirus

Wuhan, China reportedly witnessed the outbreak of novel coronavirus in December and reported 41 cases on January 10. However, for the world to reach one million cases of novel coronavirus, it took just three months. It crossed the one million mark on April 1. As compared to the severe flu cases, the virus has infected more people in a time duration of fewer than six months. The number of active cases and the number of deaths due to novel coronavirus are still dubious, as many countries are reportedly not carrying out proper testing, and many countries do not include fatalities outside the hospital, CGTN reported.

Also Read: Italian Researchers Claim A Breakthrough In Coronavirus Vaccine

Currently, No Approved Vaccines Or Treatments For COVID-19

Within five months of spreading globally, the coronavirus has engulfed more than five million people across the world. However, the situation is only getting worse with every passing day as there's yet no approved vaccine or treatments for COVID-19. In fact, with around 100 vaccine programmes running across the world, the experts are of the view that a safe and effective vaccine can take anywhere from 12 months to 18 months.

Hydroxychloroquine was supposed to be an effective treatment, but with it comes medical warnings of serious side effects, which questions its effectiveness. The drug, hence, is not yet FDA approved to treat COVID-19, but the US government has requested for its availability, according to the Hindustan Times. 

Antibody Rich Plasma Therapy A Hope?

Antibody-rich plasma therapy has also appeared as a possible treatment. The plasma therapy helped a critically ill-patient in Telangana recover, the use of which was approved by the Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR). The patient was receiving the treatment for the last 10 days while another patient is still receiving the plasma treatment. With this, the Telangana State Health Department has sought permission from ICMR to provide the therapy to 10 more people, TOI reported.

However, if plasma therapy is not used in a proper manner under proper guidelines, then it can also cause life-threatening complications, The Hindu reported. Plasma treatment is done by taking blood plasma from a cured COVID-19 patient to treat positive cases to effectively strengthen the immune system.

Picture Credit- Slash Gear

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