Washington: The total number of global coronavirus cases has topped 67.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.54 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.
In its latest update on Tuesday, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 67,535,605 and 1,543,237, respectively.
The US is the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 14,933,847 and 283,631, respectively, according to the CSSE.
India comes in second place in terms of cases at 9,677,203, while the country's death toll soared to 140,573.
The other countries with more than a million confirmed cases are Brazil (6,623,911), Russia (2,466,961), France (2,349,059), Italy (1,742,557), the UK (1,742,524), Spain (1,702,328), Argentina (1,466,309), Colombia (1,377,101), Germany (1,200,006), Mexico (1,175,850), Poland (1,067,870) and Iran (1,051,374), the CSSE figures showed.
Brazil currently accounts for the second highest number of fatalities at 177,317.
The countries with a death toll above 20,000 are Mexico (109,717), the UK (61,531), Italy (60,606), France (55,613), Iran (50,594), Spain (46,646), Russia (43,122), Argentina (39,888), Colombia (37,995), Peru (36,274), South Africa (22,249) and Poland (20,181).
UK reports another 14,718 coronavirus cases, 189 deaths
Another 14,718 people in Britain have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 1,737,960, according to official figures.
The coronavirus-related deaths in Britain rose by 189 to 61,434, the data released on Monday showed, Xinhua news agency reported.
The latest figures were revealed as Wales is considering new restrictions amid a rapid rise in coronavirus infections.
There are now more than 1,800 people in Welsh hospitals with confirmed or suspected coronavirus, the highest number recorded and 400 more than the previous peak in April, the Guardian newspaper reported.
Greece extends Covid-19 restrictions until January 7
Greece will extend some of the current nationwide lockdown restrictions to January 7, 2021, in order to control the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, it was announced here.
The new lockdown in Greece started on November 7 and was initially scheduled to end on November 30, but in light of the surging case numbers, it was first extended to December 7 and then to December 14.
Shops selling seasonal decorations opened on Monday and hairdressers and retail shops will gradually reopen in the coming days, government spokesperson Stelios Petsas told a regular press briefing outlining a roadmap to a "safe return to normality", Xinhua news agency reported on Monday.
Citizens will still have to inform the authorities via SMS or in writing when leaving their homes.
Schools, courts, sports venues, hospitality and entertainment venues will remain closed until Jan. 7.
(With Agency Inputs)