Coronavirus cases in Belgium near 50,000

BRUSSELS

The number of coronavirus cases in Belgium neared 50,000 on Sunday, with nearly 8,000 deaths.

Seventy-nine people died over the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 7,844, according to the country's crisis center.

A total of 389 more people in Belgium tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, bringing total infections to date to 49,906.

Also, the number in intensive care fell 15 to 674.

After originating in China last December, COVID-19 has spread to at least 187 countries and regions. Europe and the US are currently the worst-hit regions.

The pandemic has killed some 244,000 worldwide, with total infections over 3.44 million, while more than 1.1 million people have recovered, according to figures compiled by the US’ Johns Hopkins University.