Coronavirus tally: Global cases of COVID-19 near 129 million and U.S. death toll tops 552,000 – MarketWatch

The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness rose above 128.9 million on Thursday, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, with the U.S. accounting for a quarter of that number at more than 30.4 million. The death toll rose above 2.8 million with the U.S. accounting for about a fifth, or 552,073. The U.S. added at least 68,162 new cases on Wednesday, according to a New York Times tracker, and at least 1,138 people died. The U.S. has averaged 64,396 cases a day for the last week, up 17% from the average two weeks ago, as cases continue to rise despite the vaccination program, a trend experts say is due to states reopening and dropping restrictions on movement and overall pandemic fatigue. Johnson & Johnson Inc. JNJ, -0.40% on Wednesday acknowledged a batch of its COVID-19 vaccine produced by one of its manufacturing partners did not meet quality standards, and said it will provide more experts to oversee production.Outside of the U.S., Brazil is second globally in cases at 12.7 million and also second with a death toll at 321,515. India is third worldwide in cases with 12.2 million and fourth in deaths at 162,927. Mexico is third by deaths at 203,210 and 13th highest by cases at 2.2 million. The U.K. has 4.4 million cases and 126,955 deaths, the highest in Europe and fifth highest in the world.

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Coronavirus tally: Global cases of COVID-19 near 129 million and U.S. death toll tops 552,000 - MarketWatch