By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
A total 359 coronavirus deaths were recorded in the United Kingdom on June 3, a single day toll higher than the 332 counted in all 27 European Union (EU) countries.
Worldwide, there are now 388,573 (deaths), 6,607,516 (cases), and 3,193,305 (recovered), according to the latest live updates by worldometers.info
The UK has recorded a total 39,728 deaths and 279,856 cases, ranking second highest coronavirus fatality country after the United States, which has 109,176 deaths and 1,903,868 cases.
The U.S. also holds the world record of the daily death rate of 1,000.
Back in Europe, France accounted for 107 deaths on June 3, Oxford University data shows, with Sweden adding 65 and Italy 55.
It shows the extent of the outbreak in the UK compared to Europe as countries across the continent ease their lockdown.
The four nations of the UK – England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – are relaxing restrictions at different speeds but in England it is possible to meet six people outdoors, including in gardens, with non-essential shops to open in mid-June.
Lockdown ease spikes rise in infections
Yahoo News reports that EU countries are easing up but nations like Spain, another badly-hit country, reported no newly-recorded COVID deaths in a 24-hour period on June 1.
However, the Financial Times reports that there had been a discrepancy between what regions in the Spain recorded versus its health ministry’s statistics.
The 359 extra deaths in the UK, among its lowest daily tolls reported by the Department of Health, is still higher than Germany’s worst recorded day, which was 333 fatalities in early April.
Deaths in the UK are trending downward but as they remain so much higher than in other EU countries there are concerns about restrictions being eased up too quickly.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned of a global second wave of coronavirus on June 3.
He said it was a “very important thought that there could be a second wave across the world, as though the pandemic has its own kinetic force in itself.
“It’s possible there could be a second pulse of this disease.”
He also insisted he was “very proud” of his government’s response to the pandemic, despite the UK passing the 39,000 death mark and continuing to hold the worst toll of all European countries.
Only the U.S. has a worse official toll of 109,176.
Patrick Vallance, UK chief scientific adviser, warned some countries had seen a rise in new cases as restrictions were eased.
“It’s fantastic news numbers are coming down across Europe and have come down to low levels in Spain. It’s also the case, if you look in other countries, they are beginning to see outbreaks as measures are relaxed,” he said.
According to the BBC, chief medical officers stopped Johnson’s plan to reduce the epidemic alert level to three from four.
The alert level can serve as an indicator of how the coronavirus is transmitting and whether restrictions should be eased.
Jonathan Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, on May 31 said the UK remains in a “very dangerous moment”, and has urged the public to ensure they stick to the social distancing rules.