MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Hopkins University reports over two million coronavirus confirmed cases and 120.000 deaths

The US is the country with the largest number of coronavirus cases by far, with over 680,000 cases as of Monday. It has recorded 23,529 deaths

The number of coronavirus cases globally spiked to two million on Monday evening. According to Johns Hopkins University, which has been keeping a tally of the number of coronavirus cases around the world, the number of confirmed cases jumped to 2,019,320

The number of coronavirus deaths stands at 119,483.

The US is the country with the largest number of coronavirus cases by far, with over 680,000 cases as of Monday. It has recorded 23,529 deaths, with a majority of deaths taking place in New York state.

China, the former epicenter of the disease, has recorded 83,213 cases and 3,345 deaths. The country has begun to slowly reopen its industries after weeks of reporting no new domestic cases. But on Sunday, the country's National Health Commission reported 108 new cases, which authorities say mainly originated abroad, prompting concerns of a second wave of infection.

Italy has also emerged as a hotbed for infection, and its cases per capita infection rate has consistently been higher than others. As of Monday evening, the country recorded 159,516 cases and over 20,000 deaths.

Experts say that the high rate of infection in Italy may be due to its aging population who are more susceptible to severe cases of COVID-19. The country has one of the world's oldest populations, with 60% of people aged over age 40. Italian doctors treating coronavirus have also reportedly considered prioritizing younger, healthier patients who have a higher survival rate, leaving the elderly more at risk.

Spain has the second-highest number of coronavirus cases globally, with 170,099 cases confirmed as of Monday evening. Over 17,700 people have died from the disease. Despite the mounting case count, the country is beginning to ease its strict lockdown measures in order to restart its economy. On Monday, the government lifted some restrictions and allowed some businesses whose employees cannot work remotely to return to work, according to the BBC.

Denmark and Austria have also said they are aiming to begin lifting their lockdowns, should the number of coronavirus cases within their borders continue to decline.

But despite renewed confidence about stopping the disease spread, experts have warned that lifting restrictions too early may lead to a “second wave of infections” in countries that gained an upper hand on the disease.

“There are huge and complex tradeoffs between health and the economy,” said Nick Wilson, a professor at the Department of Public Health at the University of Otago in New Zealand. “And some business people possibly think that it is better to keep the economy functioning at a higher level — even if it might mean a large death toll.”