COVID-19 situation grim in Mideast, LatAm nations, while Europe plans economic recovery

"The infection data is clear, leaving us no choice. We must return to restrictions in order to flatten the curve," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Omani Minister of Health Ahmed Al-Saidi on Thursday urged stricter implementation of anti-pandemic measures, saying it is time "to increase the severity of punishment" and tighten control.

During the first four months of the virus presence in the country, the number of cases was only 7,700, while in the last month alone, 27,000 cases were reported, Al-Saidi said.

In Latin America, Brazil remains the worst-hit in the region and a country with the second worst outbreak in the world after the United States.

According to the latest data compiled by Johns Hopkins University, Brazil has registered 1,496,858 cases and 61,884 deaths.

The country has reported the largest number of daily deaths globally over the past week, and both the numbers of daily cases and deaths have shown no signs of abating.

Chile on Thursday reported a total of 284,541 COVID-19 cases, with 5,920 deaths. Its lockdown measures remain in place, including a nighttime curfew enforced by military troops and police officers, closed borders, suspended schools and closed non-essential businesses.