World faces new wave of COVID-19 as 70% of countries report rise

Nations restrict mobility but avoid broad lockdowns

Countries around the world are struggling to contain the virus while reopening their economies. (Source photos from Reuters and AP)

ANNA NISHINO and FUMI MATSUMOTO, Nikkei staff writers

August 2, 2020 04:20 JST

TOKYO/SYDNEY -- COVID-19 infections are increasing around the world, with 126 countries and regions -- about 70% of the globe -- reporting growing cases as of Friday, marking the highest percentage since the beginning of April.

Nikkei examined data from Johns Hopkins University and calculated the number of countries and regions that have recorded new daily highs or upticks in the past week.