The world's number of COVID-19 cases surged well past 500,000 today, led by thousands of new cases in several European hot spots and accelerating activity in many parts of the United States.Because of quickly evolving pandemic developments, the global total climbed from 400,000 to 500,000 in only 2 days.Italy and Spain cases surge; Russia closes borderThe 6,153 new cases reported by Italy today is its second highest daily total, lifting its overall number to 80,539.
Italy also reported 662 more deaths, raising its fatality count to 8,165. Several websites that track global cases had the United States accelerate into the hardest-hit country late this afternoon, with China close behind and Italy set to pass China.Spain's daily total was even