THE number of COVID-19 victims worldwide has increased with almost 4,000 cases within the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll from the outbreak now surpassing 343,700 cases.

According to statistics from Johns Hopkins University, three countries have now surpassed 30,000 fatalities.

The United States (US) remains the country that topped the death toll with 97,000 cases.

The United Kingdom (UK) and Italy were ranked second and third respectively, with more than 36,000 and 32,000 casualties, respectively.

This was followed in fourth and fifth by Spain and France with 28,000 deaths each.