Coronavirus tally: Global cases of COVID-19 top 165.5 million as India case tally tops 26 million

The global tally for the coronavirus-borne illness climbed above 165.5 million on Friday, according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University, while the death toll rose above 3.43 million. The U.S. continues to lead the world in total cases with 33.1 million and deaths with 588,539, although cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all falling as more Americans become vaccinated. With the vaccination program now slowing, more state governors are offering incentives to persuade people to get vaccinated. The latest is Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, who is offering dozens of $40,000 cash prizes to vaccinated residents, as well as a single grand prize of $400,000. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced a $5 million “vax and scratch” lottery that will give vaccinated New Yorkers a $20 lottery ticket to enter a lottery with a $5 million prize.
India is second worldwide with 26 million cases, and third with 291,331 deaths, although those numbers are understood to be greatly undercounted, given a shortage of tests. India recorded 4,209 deaths on Friday, below the global record of 4,529 deaths set in a single day on Wednesday, according to its official numbers. Brazil is third in cases with 15.9 million and second in deaths with 444,094. Mexico is fourth by fatalities with 221,080 and 2.4 million cases. The U.K. has 4.5 million cases and 127,963 deaths, the fifth-highest in the world and most of any country in Europe.