Countries could see an “immediate second peak” of coronavirus if they reopen too quickly, warned a top World Health Organization official who said the world is still battling the first wave of the disease.

Noting how epidemics often come in waves, Ryan said outbreaks could pop up later this year in places where the first wave has subsided.

“When we speak about a second wave, classically what we often mean is there will be a first wave of the disease by itself, and then it recurs months later,” he said.

The WHO warned leaders in Brazil, now the second-most affected country next to the US with 375,000 confirmed coronavirus cases, to avoid reopening its economy before it can perform enough testing to get the rapid spread under control.

Meanwhile, India reported a record single-day jump in new coronavirus cases for the seventh straight day.

Worldwide, more than 5.5 million coronavirus cases have been reported.

The US has seen the greatest number of cases, with more than 1.6 million reported?

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