More than six million cases of the novel coronavirus were officially recorded worldwide as of Saturday, two-thirds of them in Europe and the United states, with some 370,000 deaths, the World Health Organization reported over the weekend.
Quoting WHO data, French news agency AFP, reported that Europe remains the continent hardest hit by the pandemic, with over 2 million cases and over 177,000 deaths. The United States is the worst-hit country, with over 1,760,000 cases and 103,000 deaths. But the virus is now spreading fastest in Latin America, with more than 45,000 cases in the last 24 hours, for a total of 945,000 cases and 49,000 deaths.
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Israel has recorded 17,012 coronavirus cases. Some 14,811 patients have recovered from the disease, 34 are in serious condition, and 284 have died from it.
In the US, President Donald Trump faced harsh criticism Saturday over his decision to sever ties with the UN's health agency during the pandemic. The EU urged Washington to reconsider its decision to permanently cut funding to the World Health Organization over its handling of the crisis
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice-President Josep Borrell issued a statement urging Trump to reconsider his decision.
"Global cooperation and solidarity through multilateral efforts are the only effective and viable means of winning this battle that the world is facing. WHO must continue to be able to lead the international response to pandemics, current and future. For this, the participation and support of all are necessary and essential.", the statement reads.
Trump initially suspended funding to the WHO last month, accusing it of not doing enough to curb the early spread of the virus and being too lenient with China, where COVID-19 emerged late last year.
On Friday he moved to make that decision permanent in a major blow to the agency. The US is WHO's biggest contributor, supplying $400 million last year.
"Actions that weaken international results should be avoided. In this context, we urge the United States to reconsider the decision it announced".
