Countries from the US to South Africa to Australia were struggling to hold down rising rates of the novel coronavirus, with the number of cases for a 24-hour period hitting a new record on Saturday, with 2,59,848 new infections, according to the World Health Organisation.

The US led with 71,484 new cases, followed by Brazil with 45,403. South Africa reported fourth highest daily count at 13,373, and is the fifth worst hit nation with total 3,50,879 cases.