At least 263,779 people have died of the novel coronavirus since the epidemic surfaced in China late last year, according to the latest AFP tally based on official sources.
There have been more than 3.76 million officially recorded cases spanning 195 countries and territories. The United States is the worst-hit country, with 73,431 deaths.
Britain follows with 30,076, then Italy with 29,684 deaths, Spain with 26,070 and France with 25,809. China slams 'barefaced lies' China has gone on the offensive against international criticism over its handling of the pandemic, accusing US politicians of "barefaced lies".
American politicians "have only one objective: shirk their responsibility for their own poor epidemic prevention and control