THE number of COVID-19 positive cases worldwide now stands at 5.47 million, according to data from Johns Hopkins University, an increase of 100,000 cases within the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the number of fatalities worldwide has steadily increased with almost 1,000 cases within 24 hours, with the death toll from the outbreak now registering 344,731 cases.

From the positive cases, six countries recorded more than 200,000 cases, with the United States alone having more than 1 million cases, with a cumulative total of 1.66 million.

Five countries with more than 200,000 positive cases were Brazil, Russia, the United Kingdom, Spain and Italy while six countries with over 100,000 infections were France, Germany, Turkey, India, Peru and Iran.

Canada recorded an infection rate surpassing China with 86,000 and 84,000 cases, respectively.

Meanwhile, the death toll according to statistics from Johns Hopkins University had three countries surpassing 30,000 cases.

The United States remains in the lead with over 98,000 cases, followed by United Kingdom and Italy, with more than 36,000 and 32,000 cases, respectively.

The fourth and fifth countries are France and Spain, each with 28,000 and 26,000 cases.

On the other hand, a total of 2.196 million COVID-19 patients have recovered worldwide and allowed for discharge from the hospital.