Novel coronavirus claims 800,000 lives globally

Number of cases nears 23 million worldwide, over 14.76 million patients recovered, says Johns Hopkins University

The worldwide death toll from the novel coronavirus has reached 800,000 as of Saturday, according to a running tally by the US-based Johns Hopkins University.

Data showed the total number of cases worldwide had climbed to 22.98 million, with 14.76 million recoveries.

Brazil has the highest number of recoveries with more than 2.87 million, followed by India with over 2.22 million.

Meanwhile, the US -- the only country to cross the 5 million mark in infections with an excess of 5.62 million cases and over 175,429 deaths -- continues to be the worst-hit by the virus. Brazil has over 3.53 million cases and more than 113,350 fatalities.

Also, the US and Brazil are followed by Mexico with 59,610 deaths and India with 55,794 fatalities.

China, ground zero for the disease, has registered more than 89,642 cases and over 83,860 recoveries, while its death toll stood at 4,710.

Overall, the virus has spread to 188 countries since it first emerged in China in December.

Despite the rising number of cases, most who contract the virus suffer mild symptoms before making a recovery.