Global pandemic update (Saturday June 6)

New assessments, new measures, highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic on Saturday June 6, 2020.

- Over 397,000 dead -

The pandemic of the new coronavirus has killed at least 397,179 people worldwide since its appearance in December in China, according to a report established by AFP from official sources on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. GMT.

The spread of the virus has accelerated in Latin America where Brazil has become the third most bereaved country in the world with 35,026 deaths.

The United States remains the most affected country in terms of number of deaths and cases (109,497 deaths for 1,908,235 cases). Then come the United Kingdom with 40,465 dead, Brazil, Italy (33,846 dead) and France (29,111 dead).

- OPEC extends its cuts -

The members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have agreed to extend by one month the reduction in production to which they have been subject since early May.

While demand had plunged into a stalled global economy, OPEC had closed the tap forcefully, pledging to withdraw 9.7 million barrels per day.

- Events -

Several thousand people around the world have braved the risks of contagion to express their indignation on the street, after the death of the American black George Floyd asphyxiated by a white police officer during an arrest.

In France, several thousand people have flouted the ban by the authorities on rallies to denounce police violence and racism, especially in Paris and Lyon.

In Sydney, London, Berlin, Basel and even Tunis, the demonstrators marched under the same banners borrowing the gestures of the American marches, raised fists and black clothes.

- Bolsonaro threatens to leave WHO -

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has threatened to withdraw his country from the World Health Organization, like his American counterpart Donald Trump, to protest against the "ideological bias" of the UN organization.

- Iran: the virus for a long time -

Iranian President Hassan Rohani warned that the fight against Covid-19 disease was still far from being won and called on his compatriots to prepare to live "a long time" with the virus.

- Relaunch tourism -

The European Union is unable to coordinate for the reopening of its borders because the countries have entered a form of tourist competition, lamented the Belgian diplomacy chief Philippe Goffin.

If the majority of member states decided to open its borders from June 15, some countries like Italy (from June 3) or Cyprus (June 9), have taken the lead.

In South Africa, national parks that welcome some 6 million tourists each year reopen on Monday.

The Palace of Versailles, one of the most visited tourist spots in the world, as well as the Prado Museum in Madrid have reopened.

- Tokyo Olympics, in 2021 or not at all -

"The (Tokyo) Games will take place in 2021 or will not take place," said Belgian Pierre-Olivier Beckers, senior IOC official, who notably chairs the Coordination Commission for the JO-2024, in an interview with the newspaper. Belgian L'Avenir.

- Filming allowed in California -

Film and television filming will resume in California on June 12, the governor's office announced, stressing that they would remain subject to strict sanitary measures. (AFP)