US death toll from COVID-19 now higher than China's

The United States’ death toll from coronavirus is now higher than that of China’s, according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

BBC News reports the US has reported 3,415 deaths, while in China, where the virus originated, the number stands at 3,309.

It comes as the country’s leading infectious disease expert says there is a “reasonably good chance” the US will face a second wave of coronavirus later this year.

Dr Anthony Fauci, from the National Institutes of Health, said a second wave was likely “given the pervasiveness of this infection and its transmissibility”.

He added that if a second wave does happen, the US "will be much, much better prepared".

The US would have better medical equipment and anti-viral drugs and a vaccine may be available by the time a second outbreak occurs, Dr Fauci said in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

Dr Fauci predicted the coronavirus pandemic could kill up to 200,000 Americans.

The US has 165,874 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the highest number in the world, figures from Johns Hopkins University showed.

[Source: BBC News]

Source: World Health Organization