Treating the coronavirus
Treating the coronavirusiStock

The World Health Organization on Sunday reported the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases by its count, at more than 183,000 new cases in the latest 24 hours, reported The Associated Press.

The UN health agency said Brazil led the way with 54,771 cases tallied, with the US next at 36,617. Over 15,400 came in in India.

Experts said rising case counts can reflect multiple factors including more widespread testing as well as broader infection.

Overall in the pandemic, WHO reported 8,708,008 cases — 183,020 in the last 24 hours — with 461,715 deaths worldwide, with a daily increase of 4,743.

More than two-thirds of those new deaths were reported in the Americas.

The US has the world’s highest number of reported infections, over 2.2 million, and the highest death toll, at about 120,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. Health officials say robust testing is vital for tracking outbreaks and keeping the virus in check.

On Friday, the WHO said that the new coronavirus pandemic is now in a "new and dangerous phase".