At least 274,617 people have died of the novel Coronavirus since the epidemic surfaced in China late last year.
There have been more than 3,946,130 officially recorded cases across the globe.
The United States is the worst-hit country, with 77,180 deaths. Britain follows with 31,241, then Italy with 30,201 deaths, Spain with 26,478 and France with 26,230.
On the other hand, Russian President Vladimir Putin makes no mention of the virus during his latest speech outside the Kremlin, though Russia is now the fifth hardest-hit country and 10,000 new cases have been confirmed every day this week.
In neighboring Belarus, however, thousands of troops parade before crowds of spectators in Minsk to mark 75 years since the defeat of Nazi Germany.
President Alexander Lukashenko, who has been dismissive of the pandemic and the “psychosis” around the virus, watches in military uniform with top brass as some 4,000 troops march past and planes and helicopters fly overhead.
Officials say the number of confirmed infections has risen by another 10,817 to reach a total of 198,676, putting Russia behind only the US, Spain, Italy and Britain in total cases.
Russia says the increase is due in part to a huge testing campaign, while the country’s reported mortality rate is much lower than in many countries, with 1,827 dead.
“Never give up, never despair” was the message of Queen Elisabeth II to Britain in a televised address to the nation on Friday.
The country celebrates the end of WWII without the usual pomp and ceremony, as street parties and military parades are cancelled.
“And when I look at our country today and see what we are willing to do to protect and support one another, I see with pride that we are still a nation that those brave soldiers, sailors and airmen would recognize and admire”, says the 94-year-old monarch.
Air France will start checking passengers’ temperatures when France’s lockdown measures are eased on Monday.
The airline says it could bar anyone from boarding its flights if a temperature is deemed too high.
