Covid cases hit 100m globally with more than quarter of all cases in the US

The US accounts for 25 million cases and more than 423,000 deaths

The coronavirus has infected more than 100 million people worldwide about 13 months after the novel virus was first detected in Wuhan, China, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

Although the United States only makes up just over 4 per cent of the world’s population, the country accounts for more than 25 million of the confirmed cases. India has reported the second-highest number of Covid -19 cases with 10.6 confirmed infections. Brazil then follows with 8.8 million confirmed infections. 

The grim milestone comes at a time when the world surpassed two million deaths from Covid-19 on 15 January. In the US, more than 423,000 Americans have died from the novel virus. 

Experts warn the actual death toll from the novel virus was likely higher due to people dying without a firm diagnosis. Additionally, the the actual case count was likely higher because of how many people contracted the virus without receiving a positive test. 

But at least one in 76 people around the world have contracted Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins University. 

Now, with more than one year into the global pandemic, two new variants are spreading around the world: one from the United Kingdom and another from South Africa. 

These variants are causing concern among health experts because of their potential impact on community spread and the current coronavirus vaccines. 

UK officials announced last week that early evidence indicated its new variant could be deadlier than previous ones. "There is some evidence the new variant may be associated with a higher degree of mortality," Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday. 

Vaccine companies said there was no current data that showed their jabs would be ineffective against the UK variant, but the South African variant was causing problems. 

Moderna announced on Monday it was accelerating its work on a Covid-19 booster that would address the new variants, specifically the one from South Africa. This is because the company said its vaccine may be less effective on the new variant. 

Mass vaccination campaigns were taking place around the world as one way to respond to the novel virus. Pharmaceutical companies are working to develop different vaccines that can be distributed efficiently and equitably to residents, all while racing against virus mutations. 

The US alongside countries like Denmark, the UK, and Israel have led the world in vaccinating its residents. But in other countries, residents have yet to have access to any vaccines, forcing them to rely solely on measures like social distancing and masking. 

President Joe Biden set the goal for his administration to administer at least 100 million vaccines within his first 100 days in office, as the country aims to reach herd immunity by the fall. 

Governments around the world have also responded to the pandemic by shutting down businesses and travel in an effort to stop the spread of Covid-19. 

Now with modern medicine taking a forefront in responding to the pandemic, the public remains hopeful the world could see a stark decline in cases and deaths in the months to come.