The last places on earth without COVID-19

Despite infecting more than 3 million people around the world, there are still 33 countries and territories that are yet to report a single case of coronavirus.

As of April 20, 2020, 214 countries and terrorities of the 247 recognized by the United Nations have seen at least one case of the COVID-19. Of these, 190 have also experienced local transmission — where the virus is spread amongst the local community.

The last places on earth without coronavirus: A look at the 33 countries and territories that are yet to report a single case of coronavirus https://t.co/LwXmyD0Y03 pic.twitter.com/qhl7iqGxnX

— Reuters (@Reuters) April 29, 2020

From the 214 countries that have cases, at least 166 have also confirmed at least one fatality.

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:

• Europe - Aland Islands, Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
• Latin America - Bouvet Island, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• Asia - North Korea, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
• Africa - British Indian Ocean Territory, Comoros, French Southern Territories, Lesotho, Saint Helena
• Oceania - American Samoa, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cook Islands, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of)Nauru, Niue, Norfolk Island, Palau, Pitcairn, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna Islands

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.

Five countries and territories have managed to rid themselves of the virus after reporting cases. None has reported deaths or state any currently active infections, with previous cases fully recovered.

Countries and territories where all reported cases have recovered: Anguilla, Greenland, Saint-Barthélemy, Saint Lucia, Yemen

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. -- Reuters