Updates on the novel coronavirus or COVID-19

The Department of Health reports 3,962 additional cases of COVID-19 infections. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 283,460. The Health department also announces 1,128 new recoveries and 100 new deaths.

Canada's conservative opposition leader Erin O'Toole tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office announces, one day after another federal party leader did, too. Both O'Toole and Bloc Quebecois leader Yves-Francois Blanchet were "feeling well" and were self-isolating, according to statements. Each had had close contact with staffers who tested positive for the COVID-19 illness. — AFP

Israel imposes a second nationwide lockdown to tackle one of the world's highest coronavirus infection rates, hours before the Jewish holiday season begins. The three-week shutdown from 2:00 pm (1100 GMT) started just hours before Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year, and will extend through other key religious holidays, including Yom Kippur and Sukkot. — AFP

Britain's government warns it could re-impose a national lockdown across England to counter the coronavirus pandemic, noting rates of hospitalisation are doubling every eight days. "We want to avoid a national lockdown, but we're prepared to do it if we need to," Health Secretary Matt Hancock tells BBC television. "We're prepared to do what it takes both to protect lives and to protect livelihoods," he says, warning of more local measures to come after restrictions were placed on swathes of northeast England from Friday. — AFP

The Department of Health registers 3,257 additional infections, bringing the national caseload to 279,526. There are 47 new deaths and 733 new recoveries.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 941,473 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Thursday. At least 29,914,290 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 20,131,400 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

India's total coronavirus cases passed five million on Wednesday, health ministry data showed, as the pandemic extends its grip on the vast country at an ever-faster rate. With its latest one million cases recorded in just 11 days, a world record, India now has 5.02 million infections. Only the United States has more, with 6.59 million. India has for some time been recording the world's biggest daily jumps in cases, and on Wednesday, the rise was just over 90,000 with a record 1,290 deaths. While India took 167 days to reach one million cases, the next million came in just 21 days, faster than the US and Brazil, according to the Times of India. Just 29 days later, India became only the third country after the US and Brazil to post four million infections. India passed Brazil earlier this month. — AFP

The World Health Organization expresses concern over shortening quarantine periods in Europe. — AFP

The Department of Health registers 3,375 additional cases of the coronavirus disease. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 276,289. 53 more succumbed to the illness while 317 more have recovered.

Wuhan pensioner Zhong Hanneng endured every parent's worst nightmare when coronavirus claimed her son in February, and — alongside other bereaved relatives — she wants to sue the local government she blames for his death. But they have had their lawsuits abruptly rejected, dozens of others face pressure from authorities not to file, and lawyers are being warned against helping them, according to people involved in the effort. The families accuse the Wuhan and Hubei provincial governments of concealing the outbreak when it first emerged there late last year, failing to alert the public, and bungling the response, allowing Covid-19 to explode out of control. It has killed nearly 3,900 in the city and over 900,000 globally so far. "They say the epidemic was a natural calamity. But these serious outcomes are man-made, and you need to find who's to blame," said Zhong, 67. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 936,095 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Wednesday. At least 29,633,590 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 19,787,400 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 936,095 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Wednesday. At least 29,633,590 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 19,787,400 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. Many countries are testing only symptomatic or the most serious cases. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,550 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national tally to 272,934. There are 69 new recoveries and 69 new deaths.

Health ministry data show India's total coronavirus cases passed five million as the pandemic extends its grip on the vast country at an ever-faster rate. With its latest one million cases recorded in just 11 days, a world record, India now has 5.02 million infections. Only the United States has more, with 6.59 million. India has for some time been recording the world's biggest daily jumps in cases, and on Wednesday, the rise was just over 90,000 with a record 1,290 deaths. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 929,391 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 29,329,390 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 19,536,900 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Hospital bosses in England warn that healthcare services are being jeopardized by lack of access to coronavirus testing, NHS Providers, which represents the heads of hospital trusts in the state-run National Health Service, says there were "current capacity problems with the testing regime". Its chief executive Chris Hopson says the government should prioritize health workers, as shortages of tests had caused a slew of staff absences in major cities. — AFP

New Zealand announces relaxed quarantine rules for the Wallabies rugby team Tuesday to ensure the All Blacks can host Bledisloe Cup Tests against Australia next month. Wallabies coach Dave Rennie had raised concerns that border controls preventing his squad training together while undergoing two weeks' quarantine would leave them under-prepared for a clash against the All Blacks. But New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said health authorities had agreed to amend the rules so the full squad could train together six days into the quarantine period. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 924,968 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 29,061,830 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 19,334,000 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. Many countries are testing only symptomatic or the most serious cases. — AFP

The Department of Health confirms 4,699 newly-reported cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, raising the national tally to 265,888. The DOH also reports 249 new recoveries, bringing the total reported recoveries to 207,504. The national death toll is now at 4,630 with 259 additional reported deaths. Active COVID-29 cases (net of deaths and recoveries) in the country now stand at 53,754.

A torrid row over Australia's state border closures has pushed the country's prime minister to tears, sparked bitter recriminations among rival regional leaders and even talk of secession. Travel between the nation's independent-minded states and territories has been mostly banned since Covid-19 hit Australia in March. But an unhappy federal government is ratcheting pressure on premiers to open up, sending the argument into overdrive. Campaigning media coverage has highlighted the plight of grieving families separated by the closures and targeted state officials they deem responsible. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 921,097 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 28,819,490 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 19,133,300 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,372 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, bringing the national caseload to 261,216. The DOH also announces 20,462 recoveries, raising the total number of recovered patients to 207,568.

Filipino travelers entering Nigeria would have to follow provisional quarantine protocols, including the presentation of a negative COVID-19 RT-PCR at country of departure pre-boarding. The DFA said the PCR test must be done within 56 hours before departure and preferably within 72 hours pre-boarding. "Furthermore, passengers/ travelers are required to register via an online national payment portal and pay for a repeat (second) PCR test upon arrival in Nigeria," the agency said in an advisory.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 916,372 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Saturday. At least 28,534,330 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 19,016,500 people are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health registers 4,935 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections to 257,863. 186 more patients succumbed to the illness while 619 additional survivors are recorded.

Brazil's death toll from Covid-19 surpass 130,000, amid cautious optimism over signs the virus is finally slowing in the hard-hit South American country. With the second-highest death toll in the pandemic after the United States, Brazil has been devastated by the new coronavirus, which has now claimed 130,396 lives in the country, according to the health ministry. Brazil, home to 212 million people, has registered nearly 4.3 million infections, behind only the US and India. — AFP

The Department of Health logs 4,040 additional COVID-19 infections, bringing the national tally to 252,964. 566 more have recovered while 42 more succumbed to the deadly illness.

Latin America and the Caribbean pass the milestone of eight million cases of COVID-19, days after logging more than 300,000 deaths from the virus, according to an AFP tally of official records. The region, which is the worst hit in the world, had 8,035,484 cases as of 2200 GMT on Thursday, out of a global total of 28.02 million people infected with the disease. The region made up of the United States and Canada has the second largest number of infections worldwide, with 6,504,734 cases. Europe is second to Latin America in the number of deaths, with 220,085 fatalities from the disease.

Canada's two most populous provinces, seeing an uptick in new Covid-19 cases, vowed Thursday to crack down, with Quebec announcing fines for not wearing masks indoors and Ontario's premier calling for stepped up enforcement of mandatory quarantines. "We cannot accept that a few irresponsible individuals are putting our entire society at risk. So I think it's time to crack down," Quebec Premier Francois Legault told a news conference. Wearing a mask has been compulsory since mid-July in all enclosed public places in Quebec, including shops, restaurants, bars, theaters and public transport. Children under 12 and people with health problems are exempt. — AFP

France on Thursday registered a record of almost 10,000 new Covid-19 cases over the last 24 hours ahead of a key meeting to decide a toughening of coronavirus measures. Officials are increasingly concerned about the high number of infections in France, even if the death toll and admissions to intensive care are way off the hights recorded in March and April. The health ministry said 9,843 new coronavirus infections had been recorded, the highest number since large scale testing began, with 71 new clusters confirmed. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 904,534 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Thursday. At least 27,915,770 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 18,580,400 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The World Health Organization says coronavirus cases in the wider Middle East from Morocco to Pakistan have topped two million. The caseload for the 21 countries has more than doubled since July 1, the UN agency says. Regional director Ahmed Mandhari warned that even countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia, which had kept their infection rates under control, were now facing significant upticks. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,821 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 248,947. 563 more individuals have recovered while 80 died from the deadly virus.

Indonesia's capital Jakarta plans to re-impose a partial lockdown as early as Monday over fears that surging coronavirus cases could "collapse" its under-pressure hospitals, the sprawling city's governor said. The megacity of some 30 million will see many office buildings and large mosques closed along with restaurants and other entertainment venues, while public transport hours will also be restricted. The announcement comes three months after an earlier lockdown was lifted, sending infection rates soaring. — AFP

The global toll from the coronavirus pandemic has topped 900,000 deaths since it first appeared in China late last year, according to an AFP tally late Wednesday. A total of 900,052 Covid-19 deaths have been registered worldwide, from 27,711,866 declared cases of the virus. Latin American and the Caribbean are the worst-hit region, accounting for 300,340 deaths, followed by Europe with 219,616 fatalities, according to the AFP tally based on official statistics. — AFP

The Department of Health logs 3,176 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national caseload to 245,143. There are 376 new recoveries and 70 more deaths.

Latin American and the Caribbean surpass 300,000 deaths from Covid-19, with hard-hit Peru alone adding more than 30,000 new virus deaths, according to an AFP count of official data. Brazil continues to be the most-affected country in the region. It also has the third-highest caseload in the world, with 4,162,073 reported cases, and the second-highest death toll, with 127,464. But Peru, with 93.28 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, has the highest mortality rate in the region, according to a ranking published by Johns Hopkins University. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 893,524 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 27,387,170 cases have been registered. Of these, at least 18,115,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The British government may have paid out billions of pounds in erroneous or fraudulent applications for its ongoing wages support scheme, aimed at safeguarding jobs in the coronavirus pandemic, a top official has revealed. The top civil servant at Britain's tax department, Jim Harra, told a parliamentary committee on Monday that between five and 10 percent of cash used for the government's furlough scheme — equivalent to £3.5 billion ($4.5 billion, 3.7 billion euros) — might have ended up in the wrong hands. — AFP

The Department of Health announces 3,281 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national caseload to 241,987. 26 more individuals succumbed to the deadly virus while 286 more have recovered.

China has passed "an extraordinary and historic test" with its handling of the coronavirus, Chinese President Xi Jinping said Tuesday at a triumphant awards ceremony for medical professionals decorated with bugle calls and applause. The nation's propaganda machine has churned out praise for China's Covid-19 response, reframing the public health crisis as an example of the agility and organization of the Communist leadership. Xi doled out gold medals to four "heroes" from the medical field in front of hundreds of applauding delegates on Tuesday, all wearing face masks and strikingly large red flower pins. "We have passed an extraordinary and historic test," Xi says, praising the country for a "heroic struggle" against the disease. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 889,498 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 27,172,460 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 17,892,800 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 880,396 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 26,947,550 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 17,709,800 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The government has sent 185,750 Overseas Filipino Workers back to their home regions, according to the latest government data. Of that number, 9,614 were sent back to their home regions in the first week of September. The government has been helping send home OFWs who have returned from abroad because of the COVID-19 pandemic since mid-May.

China is recasting Wuhan as a heroic coronavirus victim and trying to throw doubt on the pandemic's origin story as it aims to seize the narrative at a time of growing global distrust of Beijing. The PR blitz plays out daily in comments by Chinese officials and lavish state media coverage of a "reborn" Wuhan that trumpets China's epidemic-control efforts and economic recovery while the United States struggles. The drive peaked in the past week as Chinese primary schools welcomed back students with considerable fanfare and Wuhan hosted executives from dozens of multinationals, from Panasonic to Dow and Nokia, on a highly choreographed tour of the central Chinese city. "There are few places in the world today where you don't need a mask and can gather," a Chinese official, Lin Songtian, told the executives, implying that Wuhan was one of those places. — AFP

The Department of Health registers 2,529 new infections of coronavirus disease 2019, bringing the country’s total caseload to 234,570. 53 more deaths and 1,136 additional recoveries are registered.

The Department of Health reports 3,714 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 232,072. The Health department announces 1,088 more recoveries and 49 new deaths.

Health officials say New Zealand recorded its first coronavirus death in more than three months when a man in his 50s succumbed to the virus. "The man in his 50s was part of the August Auckland cluster and died earlier today at Middlemore (Hospital)," the health department says in a statement. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 863,679 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Thursday. At least 26,074,140 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 17,071,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 1,987 new cases of the coronavirus disease. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 228,403. 880 more people recovered from COVID-19 while 65 new fatalities are registered.

Half of all refugee children were already out of school before the coronavirus hit, and the UN cautioned Thursday the pandemic risked deepening a crisis robbing millions of future prospects. A new report from the UNHCR refugee agency warned that many refugee children, especially girls, who had attended school before the novel coronavirus swept the world would not be able to return. "After everything they have endured, we cannot rob them of their futures by denying them an education today," UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi said in a statement, calling for action to support refugees' right to an education. The report, using data from 12 countries that host more than half of the world's refugee children, found that more than 1.8 million of them — or a full 48% of all refugee children of school age — are out of school. — AFP

Bureau of Corrections spokesperson Gabriel Chaclag says convicted rapist and murderer Antonio Sanchez tested negative for the coronavirus disease. The former mayor underwent a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing for COVID-19 on Monday, which turned out to be negative. But his early rapid test produced a false positive result, Chaclag adds.

European experts say inflammatory and immune responses linked to obesity could help explain the likelihood of a more severe outcome among patients with COVID-19. As the new coronavirus has spread, killing more than 800,000 people globally, it has become increasingly clear that co-morbidities put patients at greater risk. In a presentation at European and International Congress on Obesity, researchers say that inflamation caused by a buildup of fat tissue in people with obesity, which is linked to other illnesses such as type two diabetes and cardiovascular disease, could play a role in patients' response to COVID-19. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 857,824 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Wednesday. At least 25,807,000 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 16,842,600 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

China is poised to resume direct international flights to Beijing from several countries with low rates of the deadly coronavirus, aviation authorities said Wednesday, after a freeze of more than five months. The new rules will apply from Thursday to flights from Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Sweden and Canada, all with low numbers of imported cases of the virus which has hammered global travel. But travellers would be subject to centralised quarantine on arrival for 14 days and have to take two Covid-19 tests, a Beijing city official told reporters. "Starting September 3, international passenger flights to Beijing, which previously had their entry points diverted, will gradually resume," said the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) in a statement, without specifying if passengers would have to be nationals of the eight countries. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,218 additional cases of COVID-19 infections, bringing the national tally to 226,440. 27 individuals succumbed to the deadly virus while 609 more have recovered.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 851,321 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 25,533,540 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 17,635,900 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The pandemic has killed at least 851,321 people worldwide since surfacing in China late last year, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT Tuesday. More than 25.5 million cases have been registered. The United States has recorded the highest number of deaths with 183,602, followed by Brazil with 121,381, India with 65,288, Mexico 64,414, and Britain 41,501 fatalities. Peru has taken over from Belgium as the country with the highest per capita death rate with 87 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants. — AFP

Russia surpassed the one million mark in total coronavirus cases on Tuesday as students throughout the country returned to classrooms on the first day of the new school year. Health officials reported 4,729 new confirmed infections, bringing the total to 1,000,048 — the world's fourth-largest caseload after the United States, Brazil and India. Russian President Vladimir Putin was expected to address some 17 million students and more than 1.5 million teachers in an online lesson on World War II. Schools across Europe are reopening despite the worries of many parents and teachers that the move could accelerate the spread of Covid-19 after leaders said their countries had beaten back the virus and eased restrictions. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 847,071 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 25,273,510 cases have been registered. Of these, at least 16,355,100 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Schools across Auckland reopened Monday as New Zealand's largest city emerged from lockdown, with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressing confidence a second-wave outbreak of coronavirus was under control. While Aucklanders were allowed out of their homes, the government limited non-school social gatherings in the city to 10 people and made masks compulsory on public transport nationwide. The Auckland lockdown began on August 12 after four cases were detected in the city of 1.5 million, ending 102 days free of community transmission when it appeared New Zealand had beaten the virus. The cluster of infections has since grown to 141, with four new cases of community transmission reported on Monday, making it the largest recorded in New Zealand. — AFP

The United States neared six million coronavirus cases on Sunday, nearly a quarter of the planet's total, as nations around the world battle to contain the raging pandemic. Global coronavirus infections soared past 25 million, as countries tightened restrictions to halt the health crisis that has upended life for most of humanity. A million additional cases have been detected globally roughly every four days since mid-July, according to an AFP tally, with India on Sunday setting the record for the highest single-day rise in cases with 78,761. The world's hardest hit country, the United States, had recorded 5.99 million cases of infection as of 0030 GMT Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University's tracker. And the death toll is just over 183,000. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 843,149 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 25,055,620 cases of coronavirus have been registered. Of these, at least 16,178,500 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

India on Sunday set a new virus record when it reported 78,761 new infections in 24 hours, according to health ministry figures, passing the United States for the world's highest single-day rise. India, home to 1.3 billion people, is already the world's third-most infected nation with more than 3.5 million cases, behind the US and Brazil. It has also reported more than 63,000 deaths. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,637 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national tally to 213,131. There are 655 new recoveries and 94 new deaths.

France says there had been an "exponential" rise in coronavirus cases with more than 7,000 new infections in 24 hours. "The dynamic of the progression of the epidemic is exponential," France's directorate general of health says, adding that there were 7,379 new infections in mainland France against 6,111 on Thursday and 5,429 on Wednesday. This was the highest figure recorded since testing was expanded in France. The 4,000-mark was breached a few days ago and the number of infections has been rising steadily. — AFP

Nearly 200 coronavirus survivors from a secretive South Korean sect blamed for the country's early outbreak donate blood plasma to help treatment research, as the group seeks to redeem itself. Scientists have pointed to the potential for treatment using blood plasma containing antibodies to the virus from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. By far the South's largest contingent of coronavirus survivors is from the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which is often condemned as a cult. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,999 new cases of the coronavirus disease, taking the national tally to 209,544. 91 additional fatalities are registered while 510 more have recovered.

According to Johns Hopkins University's real-time tracker, the United States passed the grim milestone of 180,000 coronavirus deaths Thursday, The US added 931 new virus deaths in 24 hours, the Baltimore-based university reported at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Friday), bringing the total death toll to 180,527. An additional 42,859 new cases brought the overall caseload to 5,860,397. The US is by far the hardest-hit country in the world in terms of both number of cases and deaths. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 826,512 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Thursday. At least 24,229,710 cases have been registered. Of these, at least 15,578,100 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

France's prime minister announces face masks will become compulsory throughout Paris, expressing concern over an "undeniable" trend of expanding coronavirus infection in the country. Jean Castex says 19 more departments have been added to a map with "red" zones of active virus circulation, meaning 21 of France's 94 departments are classified as such. Official figures released showed more than 5,400 confirmed new cases in just 24 hours, with admissions to hospital and intensive care units on the rise. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 813,733 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 23,689,860 cases have been registered. Of these, at least 15,098,600 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The German government says Wednesday it is extending a travel warning for countries outside the European Union until September 14 over ongoing concerns linked to the coronavirus pandemic. Government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said the decision to extend the advisory against "tourism trips" to so-called third countries — those outside the EU and the no-passport Schengen zone — had been taken in the face of rising infection numbers in Germany attributed to travellers. The current warning had been set to run out on August 31 but a foreign ministry spokeswoman said that the "very dynamic development" of the pandemic required continued vigilance. "We are seeing that many countries' infection numbers are continuing to rise or rising again," she says. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 5,277 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national tally to 202,000. 99 more people succumbed to the deadly virus while 1,131 more survivors are registered.

Lebanon says 12 people had died due to the coronavirus pandemic in the past 24 hours in the highest such tally since COVID-19 arrived in the country in February. The ministry of health also announced 532 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed infections to 13,687 including 138 deaths. Crisis-hit Lebanon entered a new lockdown on Friday following a string of record daily infection numbers in recent weeks in the aftermath of a massive port explosion in Beirut. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 813,733 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 23,689,860 cases have been registered. Of these, at least 15,098,600 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,965 additional infections, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 197,164. There are 368 new recoveries and 34 more deaths.

South Korea on Tuesday ordered all schools and kindergartens in the greater Seoul region to switch to online classes as authorities battle multiple coronavirus clusters. The country's "trace, test and treat" approach to curbing the virus has been held up as a global model, but it is now trying to contain several outbreaks, mostly linked to Protestant churches. South Korea reported 280 new infections on Tuesday, taking the country's total to 17,945. — AFP

South Korea orders all schools and kindergartens in the greater Seoul region -- home to half the country's 52 million population -- to switch to online classes as they battle multiple coronavirus clusters. The country's "trace, test and treat" approach to curbing the virus has been held up as a global model, but it is now trying to contain several outbreaks, mostly linked to Protestant churches. South Korea reported 280 new infections on Tuesday, taking the country's total to 17,945. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 809,255 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 23,463,870 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 14,867,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

A luxury resort in southern India has turned its swimming pool into a fish farm to stop the business sinking amid the economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Normally the 150-meter (500-feet) pool at the Aveda Resort in Kerala state is packed with European tourists. Now thousands of pearl spot fish are causing the splash. The complex was forced to shut in March when a nationwide coronavirus lockdown was ordered. Few hotels have been allowed to reopen since. Of those which are still shuttered, not many boast a pool with 7.5 million liters of water, which can be put to alternative use. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 805,470 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 23,263,670 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 14,686,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

India's confirmed coronavirus cases crossed the three million mark Sunday with nearly 70,000 new infections, as the disease continues to surge in the world's second most-populous nation. The health ministry said 69,239 cases were detected on Sunday, with 912 deaths taking the total number of fatalities to 56,706. Many experts say, however, that the real scale of the infection is much higher. Authorities in New Delhi said last week that an antibody study in the megacity suggested more than a quarter of the capital's population had contracted the infection. — AFP

The global death toll from the new coronavirus has surpassed 800,000, according to an AFP count on Saturday, with numerous countries ramping up restrictions in an effort to battle an eruption of new cases. Western Europe, particularly Spain, Italy Germany and France, has been hit with infection levels not seen in many months, sparking fears of a fully-fledged second wave. And in Asia, South Korea became the latest country to announce it would boost restrictions to try to stem a new outbreak, after largely bringing the virus under control. Across the world, the number of deaths has doubled to just over 800,000 since June 6, with 100,000 fatalities in the last 17 days alone, while more than 23 million cases have been reported. — AFP

Health authorities say the number of new coronavirus infections in Germany topped 2,000 in the past 24 hours, a high not seen since the end of April. The RKI disease control institute says it registered 2,034 new cases and seven more deaths, taking the total fatalities to 9,267 and confirmed cases to 232,082. Daily infection counts have increased sharply in recent days, with authorities suggesting large numbers of returning tourists -- some coming from regions with elevated risk of transmission -- may be bringing the virus with them. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 4,933 new COVID-19 infections. This brings the national tally to 187,249. There are 26 new deaths and 436 new recoveries.

New daily cases of the coronavirus have been dropping sharply in the United States for weeks -- but experts don't know if Americans will have the discipline to bring the epidemic truly under control. After exceeding 70,000 confirmed infections per day in July, the country recorded 43,000 cases on Thursday. Hospitalizations have fallen by a third, and the number of deaths, which has been more than thousand per day should logically follow. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 4,786 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, raising the national tally to 182,365. There are 616 additional survivors and 59 more patients succumbed to the deadly virus.

Global health authorities say European countries should be able to ride out a surge in coronavirus cases without reimposing full lockdowns, as the World Bank warned the crisis could push 100 million people into extreme poverty. Worrying spikes in cases reported Thursday in France, Italy, Spain and Germany showed the pandemic was rebounding across the continent -- often due to travel, summer holidays and parties. While Italy registered 845 new cases on Thursday, its highest daily tally since May, France reported 4,700 fresh infections -- a massive increase on the previous day. Spain's daily increases topped even those of France, and Germany was concerned about its own resurgence. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 4,339 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the totals of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 178,022. There are 727 new recoveries and 88 new deaths.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 781,194 people since it emerged in China late last year, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Wednesday. At least 22,187,780 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 13,874,900 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization, probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Bamboo rat farmer Liu Yanqun was just starting to make plump returns from the rodents in his farm in central China when the coronavirus broke out at the end of last year. The killer virus has since been linked to China's wildlife trade, with scientists saying it could have originated in bats and been transmitted to people via another mammal. In response, Chinese authorities imposed a national ban on the trade and consumption of various animals that are used in speciality regional dishes, including bamboo rats, cobras and civet cats. The ban has cost tens of thousands of jobs in rural China, where the relatively cheap form of farming of wildlife had once been promoted as a way to lift people out of poverty. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 774,832 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 21,936,820 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 13,623,700 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 4,000 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 169,213. There are 182 more recoveries and seven new deaths.

Marks and Spencer, the British retail chain selling clothing and food, is to cut around 7,000 jobs as the coronavirus pandemic keeps shoppers away from its stores, it announced Tuesday. The job cuts, to be carried out over the next three months, include losses from its central support centre, in regional management and in its UK stores, M&S said in statement. — AFP

Lebanon's health minister warns that hospitals are reaching maximum capacity to treat novel coronavirus patients after the deadly Beirut blast overwhelmed clinics and triggered a spike in COVID-19 cases. "Public and private hospitals in the capital in particular have a very limited capacity, whether in terms of beds in intensive care units or respirators," the minister, Hamad Hassan, tells a press conference. "We are on the brink, we don't have the luxury to take our time," he warns, urging authorities to take the "hard decision" to impose a new two-week lockdown to stem the spread of the virus. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 770,429 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 21,719,870 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 13,399,500 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Thousands of Protestant church members in Seoul have been asked to quarantine, South Korean authorities said Monday, as the country battles virus clusters linked to religious groups. The country's "trace, test and treat" approach has been held up as a global model in how to curb the virus. But over the weekend the capital and neighbouring Gyeonggi province — between them home to nearly half the population — banned all religious gatherings and urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel after a burst of new cases sparked fears of a major second wave. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 766,228 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 21,500,350 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 13,205,100 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

On the second week of modified enhanced community quarantine and the 152nd day since ECQ was first hoisted in March, health officials added 3,420 new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the total caseload in the Philippines to 161,253 patients. Accompanying the new cases are 40,397 new recoveries and 65 additional deaths, bringing their totals to 112,586 and 2,665 respectively.

When veteran Hollywood actor Gregg Daniel was offered an audition for a new movie in Los Angeles, he nearly didn't show up -- the pandemic was well under way, and "no one was shooting." "I almost hesitated even going to the audition," said Daniel. "I'm African-American, I'm over 50 and disproportionately black people were dying of COVID-19... but the script was so good, and I'm an actor at heart." Fast-forward to today, and Daniel has completed boxing drama "7th & Union," filmed in the streets of the eerily quiet California entertainment capital. Thanks to relentless testing, on-set "COVID officers," sanitation stations and enforced social distancing between takes, "everything went smoothly" and safely, said executive producer Jolene Rodriguez. Yet it is one of just a handful of film productions to resume in Hollywood since Governor Gavin Newsom gave the green light back in June. — AFP

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año announces he has tested positive for CVID-19. "On August 13, 2020, I began experiencing flu-like symptoms including a sore throat and body aches. I began my self-quarantine and got myself PCR tested on August 14. Last night, August 15, I received my test result informing me that I am once again positive for COVID-19. In the meantime, I am being closely monitored by my doctors while I am in isolation," he says in a statement. "I make this announcement to call the attention of all persons I had close contact with to go on self-quarantine, observe any symptoms in accordance with DOH guidelines, and take appropriate action."

British travelers returning home from parts of Europe and beyond began having to quarantine on Saturday under new restrictions. The UK opted to remove France, the Netherlands, Malta and three other countries from its list of places exempt from self-isolation rules, as a second wave of virus infections threatens more disruption and economic chaos on the continent. The move, announced late Thursday, sparked a 36-hour scramble for plane, train and ferry tickets among some Britons desperate to get back home before the 4:00 am (0300 GMT) rule change. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 4,351 additional cases of the coronavirus disease. This brings the total number of cases in the Philippines to 157,918. There are 885 new recoveries and 159 new deaths.

South Korea tightens coronavirus measures in Seoul and its surrounding areas as the country reported the highest number of new daily infections in more than five months. The stricter social distancing guidelines include restrictions on gatherings and activities including professional sports, which will be played behind closed doors in the capital area again. The move came as South Korea reported 166 new cases on Saturday, the highest daily figure since early March, bringing the country's total infections to 15,039 with 305 deaths. — AFP

The Philippines logs 6,216 new infections of the coronavirus disease, the Department of Health says. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections in the country to 153,660. 1,038 more COVID-19 survivors and 16 more coronavirus-related fatalities are recorded.

New Zealand extends a lockdown of its largest city Auckland by at least 12 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces, as authorities struggled with a growing new coronavirus outbreak. "Cabinet has agreed to maintain our current settings for an additional 12 days, bringing us to a full two weeks in total," Ardern says Since four people tested positive on Tuesday — the first cases in community transmission in 102 days — New Zealand has detected a cluster of 30 virus cases. — AFP

Health officials say New Zealand's resurgent coronavirus outbreak has spread beyond Auckland in a major blow to efforts to contain the disease. Health Minister Chris Hipkins says there were 12 more cases of community transmission, and one probable, following the shock re-emergence of the virus in Auckland this week. He says two of the infections were found in the North Island town of Tokoroa, around 210 kilometres (130 miles) south of Auckland. — AFP

Mexico surpasses half a million confirmed cases of COVID-19 after registering 7,371 new infections in 24 hours, authorities say. The country now has 505,293 cases overall, with 55,293 deaths, the Ministry of Health says. — AFP

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 750,000 people worldwide since it first emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources at 1210 GMT on Thursday. A total of 750,003 deaths have been recorded, out of 20,667,684 cases across the globe. Latin America and the Caribbean were the hardest hit region with 228,572 fatalities. — AFP

The Department of Health logs 4,002 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the national caseload to 147,526. There are 1,403 new recoveries and 23 new deaths,

New Zealand rushed to track the source of a sudden return of the coronavirus Thursday as the number of new cases in its biggest city rose to 17 and officials warned more infections were inevitable. National health chief Ashley Bloomfield said there were 13 new confirmed infections in Auckland, all linked to four family members found on Tuesday, ending the country's record of 102 days without community transmission. The surge in new cases raised the prospect that a three-day lockdown imposed in Auckland since midday Wednesday would be extended as teams of health workers hunted for the cluster's origin and ramped up testing in the city. — AFP

New Zealand health officials say a COVID-19 cluster in Auckland had grown, raising the prospect a lockdown imposed on the country's biggest city after the virus returned will be extended. National health director-general Ashley Bloomfield says a high school student in Auckland had tested positive, taking the number of confirmed infections to five, with another four probable cases. "This is someone who was a close contact with one of our existing confirmed cases," Bloomfield tells TVNZ. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 743,199 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Wednesday. At least 20,382,260 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 12,347,300 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health confirms 4,444 additional cases of the coronavirus disease. The Philippines now has a total of 143,749 COVID-19 infections. 636 more patients have recovered while 93 died from the deadly virus.

New Zealand locks down nursing homes nationwide after a 102-day streak without the coronavirus ended, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the outbreak could force her to postpone next month's general election. Ardern says authorities were scrambling to trace anyone who had been in contact with four Auckland residents who tested positive Tuesday, ending the dream run in which the virus had been contained at New Zealand's borders. A three-day stay-at-home order for Auckland, New Zealand's biggest city with a population of 1.5 million, was announced on Tuesday night and went into force at lunchtime on Wednesday. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 736,828 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 20,122,700 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 12,080,900 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

New Zealand records first community coronavirus infections in 102 days.

The Department of Health reports 2,987 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national tally to 139,538. 280 patients have recovered while 19 died from the deadly virus.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 731,518 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 19,884,260 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 11,879,100 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Face masks became compulsory in tourist hotspots in Paris on Monday amid warnings of a resurgence of coronavirus cases, as infections in the world's worst-hit country the United States topped five million. The requirement came as France along with much of Western Europe sweltered in a heatwave, with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius. The blistering heat sent crowds flocking to beaches at the weekend despite health warnings about the risk of infection. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 727,288 people since it emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 19,674,290 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 11,665,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Brazil on Saturday surpassed 100,000 coronavirus deaths and three million cases of infection, crossing the grim milestone after President Jair Bolsonaro said he had a "clear conscience" on his response to the outbreak. With 100,477 fatalities and 3,012,412 confirmed cases, the South American nation of 212 million people is the second hardest-hit country in the global pandemic, after the United States. The health ministry reported 905 new deaths in the past 24 hours, as well as 49,970 fresh cases. But the official figures are most likely an undercount, with experts estimating that the total number of infections could be up to six times higher due to insufficient testing. — AFP

Two new confirmed imported cases of COVID-19 in Taiwan had recently come from the Philippines, Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control says in an August 8 announcement. The two, identified as Cases 478 and 479, are a couple and are both 60 years old. They had been in the Philippines since earlier this year. "The male case developed a fever, a runny nose, and fatigue on July 23. The female case experienced an itchy throat and cough on August 3. Their symptoms were relieved after taking medications, but they didn't seek medical attention in the Philippines," Taiwan CDC says. They returned to Taiwan on August 6 and reported their symptoms to quarantine oficers when they arrived at the airport. They were brought to a quarantine facility and lab tests confirmed on August 8 that they had COVID-19.

The Department of Health reports 4,226 new cases of coronavirus disease 2019, bringing the national tally to 126,885. There are 287 additional survivors and 41 new deaths.

Reports say that former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim has been confined at an undisclosed hospital reportedly due to the coronavirus disease. Lim’s grandson, Manila 1st District Councilor Niño Dela Cruz, earlier requested for prayers for the healing of the former mayor. The post has been deleted. — The STAR/Rey Galupo

The Department of Health announces 3,379 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national caseload to 122,754 in the Philippines. There are 96 new recoveries and 24 new deaths.

The health ministry data show India's coronavirus cases passed two million after a daily jump of more than 60,000 and around 900 new deaths, India has now recorded 2.03 million infections and 41,585 deaths, according to the ministry's website. Many experts doubt the official figures, however, and say the true numbers may be much higher. — AFP

The number of coronavirus cases recorded worldwide has passed 19 million, according to an AFP tally from official sources at 2300 GMT Thursday. At least 19,000,553 cases and 712,315 deaths have now been registered. Forty percent of cases were in the United States and Brazil, the two worst-affected countries with 4,870,367 cases (159,864 deaths) and 2,912,212 infections (98,493 deaths) respectively. — AFP

The number of COVID-19 cases in Africa has risen to over one million, with more than half registered in South Africa, according to an AFP count late Thursday. The continent's worst-hit nation has registered 538,184 infections, including over 8,000 new cases on Thursday, and 9,604 deaths. Egypt has recorded around 95,000 COVID-19 cases while the figure in Nigeria is 45,000. South Africa's infection figures are the fifth-highest after the US, Brazil, India and Russia. — AFP

Germany will introduce mandatory coronavirus tests for travellers returning from designated risk zones from Saturday, the country's health minister said. Having announced the measure last week, minister Jens Spahn said it would take effect from this weekend, as fears grow over rising case numbers blamed on summer holidays and local outbreaks. "It is already the case that travellers from risk zones are obliged to either go into a two-week quarantine or provide an up-to-date negative test result," he said at a press conference Thursday. From Saturday, "travelers entering Germany will have to bring a test result with them or be tested on arrival", he added, confirming once again that the tests would be paid for by the government. — AFP

According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, the United States added 1,262 more deaths to its COVID-19 toll in the 24 hours ending at 8:30 pm Wednesday. The world's largest economy also added 53,158 new cases of the virus, the Baltimore-based institution's tracker shows. The US has now recorded 4,818,328 total cases, which have resulted in 157,930 deaths, making it by far the worst-hit country in the world. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,462 additional cases of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines, bringing the national tally to 115,980. 222 more people recovered while nine more patients succumbed to COVID-19.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 700,000 people worldwide since it first emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources at 0655 GMT on Wednesday. A total of 700,489 deaths have been recorded, out of 18,547,833 cases, of whom 10,889,745 have recovered. Almost half of the deaths reported worldwide were in the four worst hit countries: the United States (156,806), Brazil (95,819), Mexico (48,869) and Britain (46,299). The number of deaths from COVID-19 has doubled since May 26, and some 100,000 fatalities have been registered in just under three weeks. — AFP

The US adds 1,302 deaths from COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The world's largest economy also adds 53,847 new cases of the virus, the Baltimore-based institution's tracker showed at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Wednesday). The US has now recorded 4,765,170 total cases with 156,668 deaths, making it by far the worst-hit country in the world. — AFP

Global police body Interpol warned Monday of an "alarming" rate of cybercrime during the coronavirus pandemic, with criminals taking advantage of people working from home to target major institutions. An assessment by the Lyon-based organisation found a "significant target shift" by criminals from individuals and small businesses to major corporations, governments and critical infrastructure. "Cybercriminals are developing and boosting their attacks at an alarming pace, exploiting the fear and uncertainty caused by the unstable social and economic situation created by COVID-19," said Interpol Secretary General Juergen Stock. "The increased online dependency for people around the world is also creating new opportunities, with many businesses and individuals not ensuring their cyberdefences are up to date," he added. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 6,352 additional cases of the coronavirus disease. This raises the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 112,593. There are currently 44,429 active cases in the country. 240 patients have recovered and 11 more died from the deadly virus.

According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, the United States added 46,321 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours Monday. The world's largest economy also added 532 deaths, the Baltimore-based institution's tracker showed at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Tuesday). The US has now recorded 4,711,323 total cases, with 155,366 deaths, making it by far the worst-hit country in the world. — AFP

Latin American and the Caribbean on Monday surpassed five million coronavirus cases, according to an AFP tally, more than half of which have been registered in Brazil. Alongside the cases, there have been more than 200,000 deaths from COVID-19 in the region. Brazil, a country of 210 million, has recorded 2.75 million infections and more than 94,000 deaths. Only the United States with 4.8 million cases and almost 155,000 deaths has been worse affected than the South American giant. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,226 additional COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, pushing the country's total to 106,330. The DOH also announces 275 recoveries, bringing the total number of recoveries to 65,821. The national death toll is now at 2,104 with 46 new deaths. "With 3,226 additional cases reported today, 2,543 (79%) cases occurred within the recent 14 days (July 21 to August 3). The top regions with cases in the recent two weeks were NCR (1,267 or 50%), Region 4A (445 or 17%) and Region 7 (353 or 14%)," the DOH says.

The United States has entered a "new phase" of the pandemic, White House coronavirus advisor Deborah Birx warns, with rural areas just as threatened as major cities. Birx, who heads the White House coronavirus task force, toells CNN's "State of the Union" that local virus mitigation procedures were starting to work, but added that "what we are seeing today is different from March and April". "It is extraordinarily widespread. It's into the rural as equal urban areas," she adds. "To everybody who lives in a rural area, you are not immune or protected from this virus." "We are in a new phase," Birx says. — AFP

The number of coronavirus cases recorded worldwide has passed 18 million, according to an AFP tally from official sources at 2240 GMT Sunday. At least 18,011,763 cases have now been registered as the pandemic's rate of infection continues to accelerate. A million more cases have been detected in just the last four days. More than half of the world's cases have been recorded in the United States and in Latin America and the Caribbean region. — AFP

For Gabriel Gordon and his wife Lena, the small restaurant they opened 14 years ago in the coastal California town of Seal Beach was a dream project and the cornerstone of their future success. But this weekend, Beachwood BBQ, which had become a staple in the community, permanently shut down — yet another casualty of the carnage the coronavirus pandemic has unleashed on restaurants across the United States. "This restaurant launched everything for us and allowed us to have a nice life," said Gordon, 43, who is now concentrating his efforts on another restaurant and three breweries he owns. "This is what allowed us to have a nice life and it's heartbreaking to see it close." According to the National Restaurant Association, the restaurant industry — the second largest private sector employer in the US — is among the hardest hit by the pandemic, with losses projected to reach a staggering $240 billion by the end of the year. — AFP

The United States counted 61,262 new coronavirus cases in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm Saturday (0030 GMT Sunday), according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. It was the fifth consecutive day with more than 60,000 infections recorded, according to the Baltimore-based university. There were also 1,051 deaths in the 24-hour period. The US has now tallied more than 4.6 million cases and 154,319 deaths, making it the hardest-hit country in the world. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 4,963 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, pushing the national tally to 98,232. There are 93 additional survivors and 17 more who died from the deadly virus.

Hong Kong opens a temporary field hospital with 500 beds to house stable COVID-19 patients as the city battles a new wave of virus infections. The financial hub had been a poster child for tackling the coronavirus, with local transmissions all but ended by early summer. But since July the pathogen has returned, with some cases brought in by the tens of thousands of people who were exempted from a mandatory quarantine imposed on most arrivals. — AFP

Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman announces that he and his wife, Isabela Mayor Dadah, tested positive for the coronavirus disease. "Nitong nakaraang Huwebes, dahil sa inakala naming karaniwang ubo, nagpasya kami ng maybahay kong si Mayor Dadah na magpatest para sa COVID-19," says Hataman in a Facebook post. "Bumalik na ang resulta. Positive kami pareho," he adds.

According to a tally by Johns Hopkins University, the United States counted 1,442 new deaths from the coronavirus pandemic in the 24 hours leading up to 8:30 p.m. Friday. It was the fourth day in a row with more than 1,200 deaths, according to the Baltimore-based college. The US has now tallied a total of 153,268 deaths from COVID-19, making it the hardest-hit country in the world. — AFP

The Department of Health on Friday records 4,063 new coronavirus cases in the Philippines, pushing the national tally to 93,354. National death toll is now at 2,023 with 40 additional deaths. The DOH also reports 165 new recoveries, raising the total of recovered patients to 65,178.

Vietnam records its first coronavirus death Friday, state media reported, as the pandemic rebounds in a country previously praised for controlling the initial outbreak. "The first death... is a 70-year-old man who lives in Hoi An city," Vietnam News Agency reports, citing the Ministry of Health. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 667,361 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Thursday. At least 17,053,650 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 9,759,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

US President Donald Trump on Thursday suggested delaying the 2020 election, in which he is currently lagging badly in the polls, citing the coronavirus and what he says would be "fraudulent" voting. "Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???" Trump asked in a tweet. "With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA," the tweet said. Only Congress can change the election date, which is set by law on November 3. With Democrats ruling the lower House, that seems highly unlikely to happen. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 3,954 new COVID-19 infections, the biggest daily rise since the outbreak started in the Philippines. This brings the total number of COVID-19 cases to 89,374. The Health department registers 38,075 new recoveries and 23 more deaths.

More than 150,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the United States, according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University. The world's worst-hit country announced its first coronavirus-related death at the end of February, and has now recorded more than 4.38 million total cases, the Baltimore-based university reports. — AFP

Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla says they will soon launch the biggest COVID-19 testing laboratory in the Philippines. "The biggest TESTING laboratory in the country is about to open at DLSU Dasmariñas: 3,000 tests a day, 7 days a week," says Remulla in a Facebook post. "We are building 2 more laboratories to service the province," he adds.

More than 150,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the United States, according to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University. The world's worst-hit country announced its first coronavirus-related death at the end of February, and has now recorded more than 4.38 million total cases, the Baltimore-based university reported Wednesday. — AFP

A study shows one in five patients hospitalized in Germany over the coronavirus succumbed to the disease, with the fatality rate rising to 53 percent for those who received ventilation. Data of 10,000 patients admitted to 930 German hospitals between February 26 and April 19 were analyzed by the German Interdisciplinary Association of Critical Care and Emergency Medicine, the Technical University of Berlin and AOK health insurance group's research arm WIdO. Hospitalized male patients had a higher mortality rate than women, with 25% compared to 19%. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 1,874 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national tally in the Philippines to 85,486. 388 have recovered while 16 died from the deadly virus.

Pharma giants Sanofi and GSK say they have agreed to supply Britain with up to 60 million doses of a potential COVID-19 vaccine. The agreement covers a vaccine candidate developed by France's Sanofi in partnership with the UK's GSK and is subject to a "final contract". Amid a global race to find a vaccine to halt the pandemic, Sanofi announces "ongoing discussions with the European Commission, with France and Italy on the negotiation team, and other governments to ensure global access to a novel coronavirus vaccine." — AFP

Florida's coronavirus death toll surpasses 6,000 as the disease claims another 186 lives in its relentless march through the southeast US state, health officials say. The so-called Sunshine State is now second only to California in total number of COVID-19 cases with 441,997, an increase of 9,230 from the day before. The latest cases put it ahead of New York, an early epicenter of the global pandemic which has wreaked havoc in the United States. — AFP

Iran reports 235 new deaths from the novel coronavirus on Tuesday, a record toll for a single day in the Middle East's hardest-hit country. "We have lost 235 of our compatriots due to COVID-19 in the past 24 hours," taking the overall toll to 16,147, says health ministry spokeswoman Sima Sadat Lari. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 1,678 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total infection count in the Philippines to 83,673. There are 173 additional recoveries and four new deaths.

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri announces he tested negative for COVID-19 again. "What the infectious disease experts have told us is that the DOH result yesterday possibly detected remnants of dead virus cells which is a common occurrence with recovered patients," says the senator. "But just to be sure and safe, I will still continue my quarantine for the prescribed period," he adds.

Johns Hopkins University reports in its real-time tally that the United States on Monday recorded 57,039 new coronavirus cases in 24 hours, The US is the hardest-hit country in terms of both death toll and total caseload, which stood at 4,286,663 as of 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Tuesday), according to the Baltimore-based university. An additional 679 deaths brought the overall death toll to 147,588. — AFP

The global death toll from the coronavirus pandemic passed 650,000 on Monday, with nearly a third of that number in Europe, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources at 1600 GMT. Since emerging in China late last year, the virus has killed a total of 650,011 people and infected 16,323,558, of which 9,190,345 have been declared recovered. More than 100,000 new deaths have been recorded since July 9, and the global toll has doubled in just over two months. — AFP

The Department of Health announces 1,657 additional infections, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 82,040. 359 have recovered while 16 people succumbed to the deadly virus.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 645,715 people since emerging in China late last year, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 16,072,290 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 9,061,300 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

North Korea declared its first suspected coronavirus case on Sunday, becoming one of the last countries to do so as the number of people infected worldwide passed 16 million. The isolated, impoverished state had until now insisted it had not detected a single COVID-19 case — even as the pandemic swept the planet, overwhelming health systems and trashing the global economy. At least 645,000 people around the world have succumbed to the respiratory disease, with North Korean arch-rival the United States the worst-hit country by far. "The vicious virus could be said to have entered the country," leader Kim Jong Un said, according to the official KCNA news agency. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,019 additional cases of coronavirus disease 2019, bringing the total infection count in the Philippines to 78,412. There are 1,278 additional survivors and 20 more deaths.

Vietnam has detected its first locally-transmitted case of coronavirus in nearly 100 days, authorities say, in a country whose swift and full lockdown won praise for controlling the spread of the disease. "Patient 416" is a 57-year-old retired Vietnamese man in the southern city of Danang, and the first community transmission since April 16. Local health officials have tested 105 people who had been in close contact with him, the Ministry of Health says on its website. — AFP

According to a tally maintained by Johns Hopkins University, the United States on Friday recorded more than 70,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 1,000 deaths in a 24-hour period for the second day running. The world's hardest-hit country registered 73,795 new cases of COVID-19 with 1,157 additional deaths, the Baltimore-based university's real-time tracker indicated at 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Saturday). That brings the country to a total of 4.1 million infections, which have resulted in 145,324 fatalities. — AFP

The World Health Organization expresses concern over a coronavirus resurgence in Europe as Britain and Austria tightened restrictions and China stepped up testing. Europe accounts for a fifth of the world's more than 15 million cases and remains the hardest hit in terms of deaths, with 207,118 out of 633,711 worldwide, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT Friday. The WHO's European chapter pointed to rising cases on the continent over the past two weeks, stressing the need for tighter measures, if required. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,103 new cases of the coronavirus disease, which brings the total number of COVID-19 infections to 76,444. 144 patients have recovered and 15 more died from the deadly virus.

Official data show India's death toll from the novel coronavirus overtook France's with 30,601 fatalities and nearly 50,000 new cases overnight. The death toll is the sixth-biggest behind the US, Brazil, Britain, Mexico and Italy, according to an AFP tally. It has the third-highest caseload with almost 1.3 million infections. In the past 24 hours the country recorded 740 new deaths from the virus and 49,310 fresh infections, according to the health ministry. — AFP

The United States records over four million cases of coronavirus on Thursday, Johns Hopkins University reports in its real-time tally. With a total of 4,005,414 cases and more than 143,000 deaths, the United States is by far the hardest-hit country in the world, with Brazil and India trailing in second and third place for infection numbers. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,200 additional infections of the coronavirus disease, which brings the sum of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 74,390. The are 760 new recoveries and eight new deaths.

Johns Hopkins University reports that the United States recorded 63,967 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, That brought the total number of cases in the world's hardest-hit country to 3,955,860, the Baltimore-based university says. Another 1,059 deaths were reported, bringing the country's total fatalities to 142,942. — AFP

More than four million coronavirus cases have been recorded in Latin America and the Caribbean, half of them in Brazil, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The region is one of the hardest-hit in the world, with 4,040,925 recorded COVID-19 cases and 172,886 deaths. Brazil alone has registered 2.2 million cases, the second-highest number in the world after the United States. — AFP

Britain's trade unions have seen a resurgence during the coronavirus outbreak as more people worry about layoffs, working conditions and the knock-on effects of lockdown. But their growing strength could yet be weakened by a wave of job cuts sweeping the country, which is predicted to worsen in the coming months. Unions have seen an increase in membership during the health crisis, despite the tens of thousands of redundancies already announced. New members have especially come from those hardest hit by the outbreak, such as aviation, leisure and hospitality. Unite, Britain's biggest union, which has 1.4 million members, has been prominent in speaking out about job cuts. — AFP

Beijing accuses the United States of "slander" after two Chinese nationals were indicted for seeking to steal coronavirus vaccine research and hacking hundreds of companies. "The Chinese government is a staunch defender of cyber security, and has always opposed and cracked down on cyber attacks and cyber crime in all forms," says foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin. The US must "immediately stop its slander and smearing of China on cyber security issues," he tells a regular press briefing in Beijing. — AFP

Australia reports a record 502 new coronavirus infections, nearly four months after the epidemic initially peaked, with authorities warning the country was entering a critical new phase. Most of the new cases were reported in the southeastern state of Victoria, where authorities have struggled to bring an outbreak in Melbourne under control despite an almost two-week lockdown in Australia's second-biggest city. Australia's new coronavirus infections previously peaked on March 28 when 459 cases were reported, according to data compiled by AFP.

Johns Hopkins University reports in its real-time tally that the United States recorded 68,524 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, The country, which is the world's hardest-hit, has now registered a total of 3,891,893 infections, the Baltimore-based university says. Another 961 more deaths were recorded, bringing total fatalities to 141,883. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 610,604 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Tuesday. At least 14,736,130 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 8,150,900 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Health department registers more 1,951 patients of the coronavirus disease 2019, bringing the national tally to 70,764. It also reports two more deaths and 209 additional recoveries.

Officials say Brazil will begin advanced clinical testing of a Chinese-made vaccine against the new coronavirus, issuing the first doses to around 900 volunteers. The coronavirus vaccine, developed by private Chinese pharmaceutical firm Sinovac, is the third in the world to enter Phase 3 trials, or large-scale testing on humans -- the last step before regulatory approval. It will be administered to doctors and other health workers who volunteer for the program across six states in Brazil, one of the countries hit hardest by the pandemic. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 606,605 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Monday. At least 14,528,490 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 7,935,600 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The guardians of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London are facing job losses because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on tourism, the charity running the venue said Monday. Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) said it had "no choice" but to cut costs, as the crisis had slashed visitor numbers and revenues. The red-coated "Beefeaters" at the Tower and other employees at six sites managed by HRP could opt for voluntary redundancy as of last month. But as the full extent of COVID-19's impact on the UK economy becomes clear, they will likely now face compulsory layoffs. — AFP



At least 14 prisoners have died from likely COVID-19 complications in scantly-monitored outbreaks of the disease at Egyptian detention centres, Human Rights Watch says Monday. "At least 14 prisoners and detainees have died, most likely from COVID-19 complications, in 10 detention facilities as of July 15," the rights groups says in a statement. HRW based its report on witness accounts, leaked letters from prisons and reports by local rights groups. "Prisons had insufficient medical care and virtually no access to testing for the virus or symptom screening," it also says. — AFP

After months of working from home, stir-crazy Americans have finally reached the long, hot days of summer only to watch their vacation horizons dim, with travel options shrinking as the country's coronavirus cases soar. "All I've been doing this year is canceling trips," 61-year-old Keith Gibbons said with a sigh, a new reality that the government contractor called "very frustrating." Trips abroad are mostly out: The overwhelming majority of countries now bar American citizens amid a sharp US resurgence of COVID-19. The country's caseload has climb to over 3.7 million — more than one-fourth the world's total — and deaths have reached over 140,000. — AFP

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he will only impose another nationwide coronavirus lockdown as a last resort, comparing the tool to "a nuclear deterrent" in a Sunday newspaper interview. Johnson, who is hoping Britain can return to "normality" by Christmas despite fears of a second wave of cases over winter, insisted the country was getting better at tackling the virus. The UK has been among the worst-hit countries in the world by COVID-19, registering the highest death toll in Europe. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,357 new cases of the coronavirus disease. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections to 65,304. There are 321 new recoveries and 113 new deaths.

The Department of Health registers 1,841 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the national tally to 63,001. 311 recently recovered while 17 died from the deadly virus.

France's President Emmanuel Macron says that the European Union was facing a "moment of truth", as leaders gathered for a summit to negotiate a huge post-coronavirus recovery plan. "It's our European project that in play here," Macron says, as he arrived at the first face-to-face Brussels summit for five months, held under social distancing rules. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 585,750 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1900 GMT on Thursday. At least 13,660,780 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 7,442,700 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 2,498 new cases of the coronavirus disease. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 61,266. There are 467 new recoveries and 29 new deaths.

Latin America and the Caribbean top 150,000 deaths from the coronavirus pandemic Wednesday, almost half of which have been recorded in Brazil, a tally by AFP showed. The region, with 3,540,060 total cases and 151,022 fatalities, is the area second-hardest-hit after Europe, where a total of 203,793 people have died. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 1,392 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 58,850. 517 patients have recovered while 11 more died from the deadly virus.

Health Secretary Franciso Duque III says the Philippines has "successfully flattened the curve since April," ABS-CBN News reports. He says that the case doubling time and mortality doubling times have become longer, suggesting the disease is spreading at a slower rate.

The Department of Public Works and Highways chief Mark Villar announces that he tested positive for the coronavirus disease. "I regret to announce that today, July 15, I received my test result and it is positive for COVID-19," Villar says in a Facebook post.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 574,278 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1900 GMT on Tuesday. At least 13,178,180 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 7,096,000 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

State media reports that Chinese authorities have pressed criminal charges against 23 people for illegal building alterations that led to the collapse of a quarantine hotel in which 29 people died and 42 were injured in March. The 66-room Xinjia Hotel in southern China's Quanzhou city collapsed on March 7, burying dozens of people who had been made to quarantine there because of their recent travel to regions hard hit by COVID-19. An official investigation found that three floors had been added illegally to the hotel's original four-story structure, and safety assessors had colluded with the hotel's owner to produce false reports about the building, state broadcaster CCTV says. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 634 new cases, bringing the total number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines to 57,545. There are 88 new recoveries and six new deaths.

More than 13 million coronavirus infections have now been recorded across the world, with more than half in the United States and Latin America, according to an AFP tally of official sources at 2000 GMT on Monday. At least 13,000,166 cases and 569,990 deaths have been recorded and the United States is the worst-hit country with 3,341,838 cases and 135,425 deaths, the tally showed. The number of cases stood at 3,380,218 in Latin America and the Caribbean, including 144,847 fatalities. And in Europe, 2,849,335 infections have been recorded and 202,780 deaths. — AFP

Two US Marine bases in Japan's Okinawa have been put into lockdown after dozens of coronavirus infections, with local officials criticising the American military's containment efforts. There are tens of thousands of US servicemen stationed on the southern Japanese island, which has recorded roughly 150 civilian COVID-19 infections. Government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Monday that 62 cases have been detected in recent days in US forces, most of them at US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Camp Hansen. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 566,075 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1900 GMT Sunday. At least 12,798,410 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 6,811,600 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

The novel coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 20,000 people across the Middle East, half of them in Iran, according to an AFP tally at 1000 GMT Sunday based on official tolls. But despite having 907,736 reported infections and 20,005 deaths from the COVID-19 illness, the Middle East has been relatively lightly hit by the virus which has killed over half a million people across the globe. Iran, which has been struggling to contain the outbreak since announcing its first cases in February, has reported more than 12,829 deaths and 257,303 infections, according to Sunday's official figures. — AFP

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 565,363 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT on Sunday. At least 12,741,270 cases have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 6,792,900 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP



The United States, the country hardest hit by the coronavirus, on Saturday posted 66,528 new cases, a record for a 24-hour period, according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. The country has now recorded a total of 3,242,073 infections, the Baltimore-based university said in its latest data as of 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Sunday). The death toll stood at 134,729 with 760 additional deaths counted. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 1,387 additional cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 54,222. There are 807 new recoveries and 12 new deaths.

The United States records 63,643 new coronavirus cases, according to a tracker maintained by Johns Hopkins University. As of 8:30 pm (0030 GMT Saturday), 774 people died of COVID-19 in the country in the past 24 hours, the Baltimore-based university says. The worst-hit country in the world by the pandemic, the US has recorded a total of 133,969 deaths out of 3.18 million cases. — AFP

The US welcomes the World Health Organization's probe into the origins of the novel coronavirus in China, its ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva says. "We welcome the WHO's investigation. We view the scientific investigation as a necessary step to having a complete and transparent understanding of how this virus has spread throughout the world," ambassador Andrew Bremberg tells reporters. It was an unexpected endorsement, given that the WHO has faced fierce US criticism over its handling of the coronavirus crisis. — AFP

The Department of Health reports 1,233 new cases of the coronavirus disease, bringing the total infection count in the Philippines to 52,914. There are 286 new recoveries and 42 more deaths.

The Department of Foreign Affairs initiates coordination and exchanges of information with different jurisdictions across the Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Africa and Middle East about COVID-19 vaccine developments.



"Based on the gathered information by the Department, collaboration with Philippine subsidiaries of vaccine developers, engagement with those overseas for conduct of clinical trials, utilization of multilateral efforts to ensure vaccine access, and bilateral cooperation are key efforts that must be pursued to ensure that a viable vaccine can be made available and accessible for Filipinos," the DFA says in a statement.

The US posts 65,551 new coronavirus cases, a record for a 24-hour period, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. The country, the hardest-hit in the world by the pandemic, has a total caseload of more than 3.1 million, with 133,195 deaths. The previous daily record was Tuesday, with more than 60,200 cases in one day. — AFP

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez announced on Thursday that she has tested positive for coronavirus. "I've tested positive for COVID-19, I'm fine, I will work from isolation," she tweeted. The 53-year-old said in a video on Twitter that she would remain in quarantine for 14 days before taking another test. — AFP He dado positivo a Covid19, estoy bien, trabajaré desde mi aislamiento. Juntos, vamos a salir adelante. pic.twitter.com/oA4YVYlZFa — Jeanine Añez Chavez (@JeanineAnez) July 9, 2020

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 550,910 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1900 GMT on Thursday. At least 12,123,290 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 6,461,200 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Another 1.3 million US workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, as the slowdown in the pace of layoffs amid the coronavirus crisis continued, the government reported Thursday. The figure for the week ended July 4 was 99,000 lower than the prior week, showing a steady decline as the world's largest economy gradually reopens and workers are recalled to their jobs. But the level remains far higher than any pre-pandemic week. In the same week of 2019, only 211,000 people filed initial claims for jobless benefits. — AFP

More than 12 million coronavirus infections have now been recorded across the world, over half in the United States and Latin America, according to an AFP tally of official sources. At least 12,063,425 cases and 549,451 deaths have been recorded, with the number of infections doubling since May 31. About half of those who caught the virus have recovered. With 3,055,101 cases and 132,309 deaths, the United States is the worst-hit country, with Brazil second having registered 1,713,160 cases and 67,964 deaths. — AFP

The Department of Health announces 1,395 new cases of the coronavirus disease. This brings the total number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines to 51,754. 225 patients have recovered while no one died from the deadly virus based on the DOH tally update as of July 9.

The novel coronavirus has killed at least 545,414 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1900 GMT on Wednesday. At least 11,906,470 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 6,295,700 are now considered recovered. The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections. — AFP

Shoppers in Australia's second-biggest city stripped supermarket shelves Wednesday as millions in Melbourne prepared for a return to virus lockdown, with warnings the new restrictions could prompt a mental health crisis. Five million residents were ordered back into a six-week lockdown beginning midnight Wednesday into Thursday as soaring community transmission of the coronavirus brings more than 100 new cases daily. A further 134 infections were detected in the past 24 hours — small in comparison to the tens of thousands in hard-hit countries such as t