The numbers: More than 860,000 novel coronavirus cases have been reported around the world, according to Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking figures from the World Health Organization and additional sources.
Greatest test: The coronavirus pandemic is the “greatest test” the world has faced since the United Nations was formed in the wake of World War II, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
The US: At least 80% of the US population is under a stay-at-home or shelter-in-place order, according to a CNN count. There are at least 185,499 cases of coronavirus in the country and at least 3,834 people have died. Some 830 fatalities were reported on Tuesday alone. Even with stringent mitigation efforts, between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans could die in the coming weeks, according to US government modeling.
UK field hospital: Britain is planning to open a 4,000-bed field hospital, in what could be the biggest intensive care unit in the country, as cases continue to rise. The hospital is being built inside the ExCel Center convention hall in London’s East End.
Count criteria changes: China is now including asymptomatic cases in its official count starting Wednesday. The move comes amid growing public concern over asymptomatic cases, of which 1,367 were under medical observation in China by the end of Tuesday.
Latest from around Asia: Japan remains on the brink of an emergency as the numbers of coronavirus infections continues to increase, the country’s chief cabinet secretary said. Tokyo reported 78 new cases on Tuesday in the capital’s highest single-day increase. Taiwan’s economic stimulus plan to tackle the coronavirus outbreak could reach as much as $35 billion, President Tsai Ing-wen announced. Taiwan will be donating 10 million face masks to countries most in need.
Companies step up: Hyundai Motor Group has provided two of its training institutes as treatment centers for coronavirus patients with mild symptoms. And Samsung, the world’s largest maker of smartphones, TVs and memory chips, has sent its manufacturing experts to mask-producing firms to increase output without adding new equipment.