Paris - The number of confirmed coronavirus cases around the world has passed 100 million since the start of the pandemic, according to an AFP tally.

As of 11o0 GMT on Wednesday, a total of 100,236,603 infections had been reported, according to AFP's count, compiled from figures provided by national health agencies.

Worldwide, at least 2,159,155 people have lost their lives to Covid-19.

The vast majority of people infected with the virus recover, but some patients suffer from symptoms for weeks or even months.

The official number of cases registered since the pandemic first broke out in China, in late 2019, represents just a fraction of the real number of infections around the world.

Global spread of Covid-19

Many countries were late to implement systematic testing, and some continue to test only the most seriously ill.

The poorest nations meanwhile only have the capacity for limited testing.

The United States, which passed 25 million confirmed cases last weekend, remains the country with the largest outbreak.

India is second with 10.7 million cases, and Brazil third with 8.9 million cases.

Covid-19: global deaths and infections