The World Health Organisation is urging world leaders to unite and fight the pandemic as cases hit nearly 9 million.
Meanwhile a survey of businesses from 132 countries reveals one in five small and medium size firms could close within three months.
This story was last updated at 4: 30am Tuesday.
Tuesday’s key moments:
- Virus could claim 20 per cent of small and medium size businesses
- NYC begins to reopen after three months
- ‘Not a joke’: Kyrgios unloads after more positives from Djokovic’s tournament
- Parties and infections lead to restrictions in Portugal
- Cricket doctor says tour is a ‘big risk’
Lack of global leadership in fighting virus biggest threat, WHO says as infections soar
World leaders must not politicise the coronavirus pandemic but unite to fight it, the head of the World Health Organization has warned on Monday as a grim milestone is reached amidst a large rise in infections in Brazil, Iraq, India and the southern and western US states.
Doctor Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who has faced criticism from US President Donald Trump, said the pandemic was still accelerating and producing record daily increases in infections.
It took over three months for the world to see 1 million virus infections, but the last 1 million cases have come in just eight days, Dr Tedros said during a videoconference for the Dubai-based World Government Summit.
However, he said the great threat was the politicising of the pandemic.
Nearly 9 million people have been infected by the virus worldwide and more than 468,000 have died, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
Experts say the actual numbers are much higher, due to limited testing and asymptomatic cases.
New York City streets feel brand new upon reopening
