Global coronavirus deaths pass 150,000

The global death tally due to the coronavirus pandemic have passed 150,000, data compiled by Johns Hopkins University showed on Friday, just one week after crossing the 100,000 benchmark.

The U.S. leads the world in deaths, reporting at least 34,575. Coming in the second place, Italy continues to see high mortality rates, reporting more than 22,000 deaths.

The death tallies in Spain and France are each approaching 20,000.

The pandemic has contracted more than 2.2 million worldwide after nearly four months since it first emerged in China in late 2019.