Global surge in coronavirus cases raise fears about second wave

SOUTH KOREA, SINGAPORE

South Korea and Singapore, which drew attention for what was seen as success in containing the early stages of the outbreak, experienced fresh outbreaks in recent months, showing how easily the virus may return.

In early May, a cluster of new infections linked to nightclubs and bars in Seoul's Itaewon district raised concerns of a second wave, prompting the government to close some nightclubs and bars again and to delay the planned reopening of schools by a week.

New cases in the country have persisted in the mid-double digits daily, after a series of new clusters in the Seoul area. The government said on Friday it will indefinitely extend intensive prevention and sanitation guidelines until the daily number drops to single digits.

Singapore has the highest number of cases in Southeast Asia due to outbreaks in cramped dormitories housing thousands of migrant workers.

It reopened schools and some businesses in early June but has said it will ease other restrictions gradually as at least half of newly discovered cases are in people showing no symptoms.

UNITED STATES

About half a dozen states including Texas and Arizona are grappling with a rising number of coronavirus patients filling hospital beds and some are beginning to run short on intensive care unit beds. A recent surge in cases partially reflects increased testing.

COVID-19 deaths continue to increase in many U.S. states. Fears about a second wave grew late last month as Americans traveled to beaches and lakes to celebrate the Memorial Day long weekend.

Protests across the country over the death of African American George Floyd in Minneapolis have stoked those worries.

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RUSSIA

Russia, which has the third-largest number of confirmed cases globally, reported 8,779 new cases on Thursday. The country says it has a high number of cases due to its widespread and comprehensive testing regime.

It lifted a lockdown imposed on Moscow for more than two months on Tuesday even though the capital is still reporting over 1,000 cases daily.