The global tally of coronavirus infections surpassed 5 million Thursday, according to a running tally by US-based Johns Hopkins University.

The university's data showed worldwide deaths reached 328,172 while the number of people who recovered stands at 1,899,350.

The US is the hardest-hit country by the pandemic with over 1.5 million confirmed cases and over 93,400 fatalities.

The UK has the second-highest death toll with 35,786, followed closely by Italy with 32,330.

Overall, the virus has spread to 188 countries since it first emerged in China in December.