Worldwide coronavirus cases cross 23.65 million, death toll over 811,500

At least 23,653,503 people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 811,895 people have died, a Reuters tally showed. 

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019. 

The World Health Organization referred to the outbreak as a pandemic on March 11. 

DEATHS AND INFECTIONS

At least 5,756,661 cases of the highly contagious novel coronavirus have been reported in the United States and its territories while at least 177,296 people have died, according to a Reuters tally of state and local government sources as of August 25, 2020, 7:54 am. The US diagnosed its first COVID-19 case in Washington state on January 20.  

Likewise, Brazil follows the US with a total of 3,622,861 coronavirus cases with 115,309 death, according to Reuters’ interactive graphic tracking the global spread 

Likewise, India has the third-highest 3,106,348 coronavirus cases while 57,542 people have died. 

Meanwhile, a Hong Kong man who recovered from COVID-19 has been reported to be infected again four-and-a-half months later in the first documented instance of human re-infection, researchers at the University of Hong Kong said on Monday.

EUROPE

— Poland on Monday insisted it would reopen schools next week for the first time since mid-March despite reaching a record high number of daily registered infections late last week.

— French authorities will in coming days reciprocate Britain's decision to impose a 14-day quarantine on all arrivals from France.

AMERICAS — Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his running mate, Kamala Harris, will be tested regularly for COVID-19, as the campaign prepares for the possibility of more public events in the run-up to November's election.

— Brazil reported 17,078 new cases and 565 deaths.

— Mexico registered 3,541 new infections and 320 additional fatalities, and health authorities will begin this week to use a broader definition to identify possible coronavirus cases.

— Argentina confirmed a record 8,713 new cases on Monday and 381 resulting deaths.

— World-record sprinter and eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and is self-isolating at his home in Jamaica after last week celebrating his 34th birthday with a big bash mask-free.

ASIA-PACIFIC

— China reported its ninth consecutive day with no new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases, as a major university in the city of Wuhan opened for face-to-face classes on Tuesday for the first time in eight months.

— South Korea ordered most schools in Seoul and surrounding areas to close and move classes back online.

— India reported more than 60,000 new coronavirus cases for a seventh straight day, taking the total to 3.17 million. Deaths rose by 848 to 58,390.

— The Australian state at the centre of the country's coronavirus second wave reported 148 new cases, more than the previous day but well down from peak levels, and eight deaths.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

— Some Israelis, fearing a quarantine order after unwittingly being near a coronavirus carrier, are rendering themselves untraceable while in public by switching their cellphones to "airplane mode" or using prepaid "burner" SIM cards instead.

MEDICAL DEVELOPMENTS

— Some 172 countries are engaging with the WHO-led COVAX plan designed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization said, but added more funding is urgently needed.

— The US FDA on Sunday said it authorized the use of blood plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 as a treatment for the disease.

— Italy kicked off human trials of a potential vaccine on Monday, joining a global effort to develop a response to the virus.

ECONOMIC IMPACT

— Asia's stock markets were mostly higher on Tuesday as investors cheered signs of progress in US-China trade negotiations and following a fresh Wall Street rally.

— Nigeria's economy contracted by 6.1% in the second quarter of 2020, with lockdowns in its two main cities and low oil prices taking their toll.

— Irish consumer sentiment slipped in August after local lockdowns and stricter nationwide restrictions that the survey's authors said may cause some to re-assess how long the disruption will last.