The Johns Hopkins University, which tracks COVID-19 rates, said 40 million people have had the virus and 1.1 million people have died due to COVID-19.
The 40 million milestone was likely reached earlier, according to researchers, as they expect COVID-19 infections are undercounted.
The U.S. continues to lead the world as far as being the country with the most COVID-19 infections - 8.2 million - and deaths - 219,676.
Brazil has the next highest rates for COVID-19 infections in the world with 7.5 million patients since the start of the outbreak. There have been 114,610 deaths.
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