1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have risen to 16.2 million around the world, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine. The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths now stands at more than 648,000.

Latin America is the worst-affected region, with almost 27% of worldwide cases, according to Reuters. It surpassed combined infections in the US and Canada for the first time on 26 July.

Morocco has locked down cities including Casablanca, Tangier and Marrakech following a spike in daily cases.

Florida now has more cases of coronavirus than New York, which was an early epicentre of infection in the US. It has more than 423,000, compared to 416,000 in New York.

The first global pandemic in more than 100 years, COVID-19 has spread throughout the world at an unprecedented speed. At the time of writing, 4.5 million cases have been confirmed and more than 300,000 people have died due to the virus.

As countries seek to recover, some of the more long-term economic, business, environmental, societal and technological challenges and opportunities are just beginning to become visible.

To help all stakeholders communities, governments, businesses and individuals understand the emerging risks and follow-on effects generated by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Marsh and McLennan and Zurich Insurance Group, has launched its COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and its Implications - a companion for decision-makers, building on the Forums annual Global Risks Report.

The report reveals that the economic impact of COVID-19 is dominating companies risks perceptions.

Companies are invited to join the Forums work to help manage the identified emerging risks of COVID-19 across industries to shape a better future. Read the full COVID-19 Risks Outlook: A Preliminary Mapping and its Implications report here, and our impact story with further information.

2. Asia-Pacific returns to lockdown amid second wave of infections

Lockdown measures are coming back into place around Asia, as authorities try to contain a second wave of cases.

In Vietnam, the city of Da Nang has been closed to tourists after four new cases were confirmed - the country's first since April. It is evacuating 80,000 visitors from the city.

From Wednesday 29 July, Hong Kong will make mask-wearing outdoors mandatory, restrict gatherings to no more than two people and ban dining in restaurants. It expects to record another daily total of more than 100 cases, according to the South China Morning Post.

Professor Brett Sutton, Victoria's chief health officer, said: Were at a very challenging stage with this wave. Theres probably not a country in the world that has gone through a second wave that hasnt found it particularly challenging."

Indonesia is expected to pass 100,000 confirmed cases on 27 July, having overtaken China as the country with the highest number of cases in East Asia.

Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases worldwide as of 26 July 2020, by region.

Image: WHO

3. WHO chief: We're all making life and death decisions

Treat the decisions about where you go, what you do and who you meet as a matter of life and death, the Director-General of the World Health Organization has urged.

Speaking at a media briefing, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the pandemic has changed the way we live our lives for good, and finding ways to live them safely will depend on making "good choices".

"It may not be your life, but your choices could be the difference between life and death for someone you love, or for a complete stranger."

Recent outbreaks have been associated with nightclubs and other social gatherings, even in places where transmission had been suppressed, he said, calling on people to not let down their guard against the virus.

"We must remember that most people are still susceptible to this virus. As long as its circulating, everyone is at risk.

"Dont expect someone else to keep you safe. We all have a part to play in protecting ourselves and one another."

Dr Tedros said people needed to understand their situation and how to minimize their exposure.

He urged everyone to ask themselves: Do you know how many cases were reported where you live yesterday? Do you know where to find that information? Are you being careful to keep at least one metre away from others? Are you still cleaning your hands regularly? Are you following the advice of your local authorities?

Catch up with the latest COVID-19 news and interviews via our World Vs Virus podcast:

Original post:

What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 27 July - World Economic Forum