COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 19 August

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now reached more than 22 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths now stands at nearly 781,000.

Japanese exports fell 19.2% in July compared to a year earlier. The coronavirus pandemic has taken a particularly heavy toll on auto shipments to the US, reports Reuters.

New Zealand has announced 5 new COVID-19 cases in the community. It said it would increase defence personnel at quarantine facilities and at the border, in an effort to prevent further spread of the virus.

A more infectious, but less deadly D614G mutation of the virus seen in some parts of the world might be "a good thing", according to the president-elect of the International Society of Infectious Diseases, Paul Tambyah.

Mexico has reported more than 5,500 new confirmed coronavirus cases. It brings its case total to more than 531,000, with nearly 58,000 deaths. The government says the number of infected people is likely much higher.

The head of Germany's vaccines regulator says some groups could start being vaccinated by early next year.

Some Japanese firms are reconsidering traditional office use, according to a Reuters poll. Fujitsu has already announced a plan to halve office space in 3 years and increased flexible working for around 80,000 workers.

Brazil reported 47,784 new cases in the previous 24 hours, the health ministry said yesterday. More than 3.4 million cases have been confirmed in the country in total, with nearly 110,000 deaths.

2. No vaccine nationalism, says WHO

The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has called on countries to work together to share resources, knowledge and access to any future vaccines.

"Sharing finite supplies strategically and globally is actually in each country's national interest," he told a media briefing. "We need to prevent vaccine nationalism."

The WHO has been working to ensure fair and equitable access, he explained.

"Since May, WHO has been in extensive consultations to develop a new framework to guide fair and equitable access to diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines, for COVID-19 across all countries.

"These cross-cutting principles are key to the promotion of equitable access and fair allocation of these essential health products for the greatest impact globally."

3. South Korea reports highest daily rise since March

South Korea reported 297 new infections today - the highest since early March, and the sixth straight day of triple-digit increases. The country had previously successfully tackled several outbreaks.

90% of these new cases were in Seoul and the surrounding areas.

“We’re in a desperately dangerous crisis where infections are spreading in the Seoul metropolitan area and threatening to lead to a massive nationwide transmission,” Vice Health Minister Kim Gang-lip told a briefing.

If the number of infections rises or continues at the current rate, the highest level of social distancing rules will be imposed, authorities said. Schools would be closed, businesses advised to work from home and gatherings limited to just 10 people.