Hard-hit European nations began preparing for a slow reopening and the US epicentre New York reported headway in their battle against the deadly pandemic, AFP reported.

Europe saw encouraging signs with Italy, Spain, France and Britain showing drops in daily death tolls and slowing infection rates.

In the United States — the country with the highest number of deaths and infections — Governor Andrew Cuomo said the outbreak was “on the descent,” though he cautioned that it was “no time to get cocky.”