COVID-19: World's Richest Countries Announce Largest Aid Package Ever

(Patria) – The world's richest countries will provide the largest aid package ever to the global economy, severely shaken by the coronavirus pandemic centered in Europe.

More than 245,000 people worldwide have been infected with the virus, and more than 10,028 have died. The number of deaths in Italy has surpassed that in China.

In the last 24 hours, 427 deaths have been registered in Italy, bringing the total in that country to 3,405.

Spain records a one-third increase in deaths to 767, while the total number of infected is 17,149.

In France, 108 people died on Thursday alone, bringing the total number to 372.

The Greek government has approved 10 billion euros to rescue its economy, destabilized by the huge number of migrants and the epidemic. The number of infections in that country has risen to 464.

Restrictions at EU borders, although necessary, have led to disruptions in food supply.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that mass testing for coronavirus and social distancing measures could lead the country to 'normalization' by the summer, but that there is still a possibility of stricter measures such as city lockdowns.

The Swiss canton of Ticino, bordering Italy, is overwhelmed with infections.

An Italian cruise ship that docked in the French port of Marseille has also been affected by the virus. Around 1,400 passengers remain on board pending test results.

Northern Ireland, Russia, and Croatia reported their first deaths on Thursday.

AMERICA

More than 13,000 Americans have been infected with the coronavirus, and 200 have died from the disease, with the highest numbers in the states of Washington, New York, and California.

The border between the USA and Canada will likely close on Friday.

Panama records 137 cases, and Honduras 24. The number of cases in Mexico has risen to 164. Border crossings with the USA will likely be restricted to prevent the spread of the disease.

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, has declared a state of emergency, closed its borders, and imposed a curfew immediately after the first two cases of infection were confirmed.

The Brazilian government has announced aid of 2 billion dollars for 11 million of its minimum wage workers. Rio de Janeiro recorded its first two deaths on Thursday, out of a total of 6 in the country, Reuters reports.