KATHMANDU: The overall number of global COVID-19 cases has surged to over 12.4 million, while the deaths have increased to more than 559,000, according to Johns Hopkins University.

As of Saturday morning, the total number of cases stood at 12,461,962, while the fatalities rose to 559,481, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

The US accounted for the world”s highest number of infections and fatalities at 3,182,385 and 134,073, respectively, according to the CSSE.

Brazil came in second place with 1,800,827 infections and 70,398 deaths.

In terms of cases, India ranks third (793,802), and is followed by Russia (712,863), Peru (319,646), Chile (309,274), the UK (289,678), Mexico (289,174), Spain (253,908), Iran (252,720), South Africa (250,687), Pakistan (243,599), Italy (242,639), Saudi Arabia (226,486), Turkey (210,965), France (208,015), Germany (199,332), Bangladesh (178,443), Colombia (133,973), Canada (108,959) and Qatar (102,630), the CSSE figures showed.

The other countries with over 10,000 deaths are the UK (44,735), Italy (34,938), Mexico (34,191), France (30,007), Spain (28,403), India (21,604), Iran (12,447), Peru (11,500) and Russia (11,000).

(With inputs from agencies)