Though health workers represent less than 3% of the population in many countries, they account for around 14% of the coronavirus cases reported to the World Health Organization, WHO announced Thursday.

Why it matters: The WHO called on governments and health care leaders to address threats facing the health and safety of these workers, adding that the pandemic has highlighted how protecting them is needed to ensure a functioning health care system.

By the numbers: Globally, more than 943,500 people have died from COVID-19 and almost 6,669,322 have tested positive, Johns Hopkins data shows.

The U.S. has reported the highest death toll and case count from the novel coronavirus, with more than 197,500 fatalities and over 6.6 million infections.

Brazil has reported the second-highest number of deaths from COVID-19 — more than 134,900. India has the second-highest number of cases — over 5.1 million.

What's happening:

South Africa's health minister said around 12 million people in the country have “probably” been infected with the coronavirus, though the number has not caused a high death rate, AP reports.

India is on track, within weeks, to surpass the U.S. as the country worst affected by the coronavirus in the world, according to NPR.

The WHO warned that coronavirus cases are surging in Europe, as a "very serious situation" unfolds across the continent, CNN reports.

Ontario, Canada, intends to crack down on social gatherings to prevent “reckless careless people” from spreading the coronavirus at illegal parties, per Reuters.

Between the lines: Policy responses to the crisis have been every-country-for-itself and — in the case of the U.S. and China — tinged with geopolitical rivalry. But the scientific work to understand the virus and develop a vaccine has been globalized on an unprecedented scale.

Coronavirus symptoms include: Fever, cough, shortness of breath, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headaches, sore throat and a loss of taste or smell.

Editors note: The graphic includes "probable deaths" that New York City began reporting on April 14. This article has been updated with new details throughout. Check back for the latest.

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