The last places on earth without coronavirus

The last places on earth without coronavirus

Countries with imported cases, local transmission cases and those under investigation

Despite infecting more than 3 million people around the world, there are still countries and territories that are yet to report a single case of coronavirus.

As of April 30, 2020, countries and terrorities of the 247 recognised by the United Nations have seen at least one case of COVID-19. Of these, have also experienced local transmission — where the virus is spread amongst the local community.

From the places that have cases, at least have also confirmed at least one fatality.

Number of countries and territories with fatalities

However, just because a nation has not reported an infection, it does not necessarily mean there have been no cases. For example, North Korea has not reported any cases but it is bordered by China, Russia, and South Korea, all dealing with a high number of cases, meaning the virus may well have made it into the secretive state.

Countries and territories without any cases of COVID-19

All countries in North America and the Middle East have had at least one case of COVID-19.

Most of the places yet to report a case of the virus are small, hard-to-reach island nations, many in the Pacific. Several such as Nauru, Tuvalu, Pitcairn, Tokelau and Niue are some of the least-populated places in the world.

Only eight of the 29 countries and territories in Oceania have reported cases.

When looking at the countries by region, it becomes clear how the virus spread around the world. The first countries to deal with the virus were in Asia. Here, there seemed to be two waves of expansion across borders. In Europe, many countries started to report cases in the week from late February to early March. Latin America and Africa looked to be virus-free for January and February before the coronavirus spread rapidly through both continents.

Number of countries and territories by region

Eleven countries and territories have reduced infections to zero after reporting cases earlier. Of these, four have reported deaths.

Countries and territories where all reported cases have recovered

  • Anguilla
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Belize
  • Falkland Islands
  • Faroe Islands
  • Greenland
  • Mauritius
  • New Caledonia
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Saint-Barthélemy
  • Suriname

As the contagion closes in and outbreaks grow in surrounding nations, the remote nations yet to report cases will hope to keep it that way. Some have closed borders and taken preventative measures in order to remain virus free as long as possible.

Additional editing by Simon Scarr, Karishma Singh and Robert Birsel

Sources: World Heath Organization, United Nations, Reuters research.