US overtakes Italy with highest coronavirus deaths

Cindy Ord / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The United States has overtaken Italy to become the country with the highest number of coronavirus deaths, with more than 20,000 fatalities.

The country, which has more than 500,000 positive cases, has been reporting roughly 2,000 deaths a day over the last four days.

Health experts have warned that the death toll could hit 200,000 over the next couple of months if lockdown measures are ignored.

Italy has the second most reported deaths at 19,468, while Spain is in third place with 16,606. 

Globally, there are more than 1.7 million positive cases and over 108,000 deaths.

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