Global COVID-19 cases top 2.56 million: Johns Hopkins University

(ECNS) -- The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases across the world has surpassed 2.56 million as of Tuesday, with fatalities exceeding 176,000, according to the latest tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The cases in the United States reached 804,194 with a death toll of 43,200 by 2:30 p.m. (1830 GMT).

President Donald Trump said he was suspending immigration for green-card seekers for 60 days, arguing the controversial move would protect U.S. jobs. 

Europe has registered 1,073,947 confirmed cases and 103,989 deaths as of 10:00 a.m. CET (0800 GMT) on Tuesday, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

Many European nations have decided to tentatively relax restrictions with various requirements being introduced to the public.

The Chinese mainland reported 30 more cases (23 imported) on Tuesday, and the seven domestic cases are from Heilongjiang Province, according to the National Health Commission.

By April 21, there have been 82,788 cumulative infections, 77,151 recoveries, 4,632 deaths and 1,003 remaining infections in the Chinese mainland. Another 1,029 cumulative cases in Hong Kong, 45 in Macao and 425 in Taiwan have been reported.