COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Hit Record Numbers Across The Globe

New COVID-19 cases and deaths on Thursday hit record numbers across the globe as countries ramp up efforts to distribute coronavirus vaccines.

Health officials in Brazil reported a 24-hour tally of 4,195 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday. It was the first time the country had exceeded the 4,000-death per day threshold. Brazil is now the third country to go above the daily threshold, following the U.S. and Peru.

The surge of coronavirus-related deaths has forced authorities in São Paulo, Brazil’s most populous city, to empty old graves to make room for more bodies. Authorities said many cities in the country are receiving reports of people dying at home due to lack of access to medical treatment.

India on Wednesday recorded 115,736 new cases as the government faces growing pressure to expand its vaccination efforts. The country, home to 1.4 billion people, has only fully vaccinated 11 million people.

The Indian government urged states to decide on local restrictions to curb the spread of the virus, but has refused to impose a nationwide lockdown.

"The pandemic isn't over and there is no scope for complacency," Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted.

South Korea Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun on Thursday renewed calls for new social distancing rules after the country reported 700 new COVID-19 infections, its highest daily tally since Jan. 5.

South Korean officials and health authorities are expected to meet Friday to discuss a new round of restrictions and measures to strengthen social distancing.

In Japan, Gov. Hirofumi Yoshimura of the country's western region of Osaka canceled the Olympic torch relay event as the number of coronavirus cases climbs. The relay will now be held at the Expo '70 Commemorative Park in Suita April 13 and 14.

"The number of daily new cases increased four times faster this week than before. The medical system is at a very severe level," Yoshimura said in a news conference.

On Wednesday, NIAID director and infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci warned that the U.S. is now on the verge of a new surge after recording 61,000 daily cases.

"It's almost a race between getting people vaccinated and this surge that seems to want to increase," Fauci said, noting that the spike in the U.S resembles the surge in Europe.