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Survey results from countries around the world show that significant shares of people living in the United States, Russia, and Australia believed the media had overblown the coronavirus pandemic. In India, almost three-quarters of respondents said the media had exaggerated the extent of the outbreak.

Cases surge in the United States

At the time of the survey in mid-March 2020, the United States had confirmed around 1,700 COVID-19 cases, leading many respondents to agree that the media had exaggerated the extent of the virus. By the end of April, the U.S. was one of the most severely affected countries worldwide, with more than one million cases. The coronavirus has spread rapidly from coast to coast, and New York and California – two of the most populous states in the country – have recorded the highest number of cases.

India provides vaccine hope

When the media survey was conducted, fewer than 100 coronavirus cases had been confirmed in India, but a sharp increase in numbers soon led to the country’s Prime Minister imposing a nationwide lockdown. As the global race to develop a safe treatment for COVID-19 intensifies, many experts are looking to India. The country has emerged as a major vaccine manufacturer in recent years, developing treatments that are used against leprosy and polio. Several Indian firms have started work on a potential vaccine, but there are many obstacles to overcome, and millions of doses will be needed worldwide.