The United States has surpassed China and Italy in the number of COVID-19 cases, becoming the country with the most reported novel coronavirus cases in the world. 

According to a tally kept by Worldometer, the U.S. had 85,612 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Friday morning. China had 81,340 and Italy had 80,589.

The news comes as the global infection count passed the half-a-million threshold according to the Worldometer.

Meanwhile, the US death toll has exceeded 1,000 whereas it climbed to 24,114 worldwide while 124,395 have recovered and been discharged from health care facilities. 

Nearly 3.3 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — almost five times the previous record set in 1982 — amid a widespread shutdown of businesses caused by the virus.

The surge in weekly applications is a stunning reflection of the damage the viral outbreak is inflicting on the economy. 

In the meantime, Rwanda has 50 confirmed cases after confirmation of nine new cases diagnosed by the Ministry of Health on March 26.

Signs show there is hope for containment of the virus after China, which reported the first cases, has maintained its 7th-day streak without any new reported cases. 

With the ongoing pandemic, WHO advises people to keep abreast of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, available on the WHO website and through the national and local public health authorities. 

"Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following: wash your hands frequently, maintain social distancing, avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth, practice respiratory hygiene, if you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early stay informed and follow advice given by your healthcare provider,” the message reads.