COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 8 December

1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 67.6 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 1.54 million.

Greece has said it will not re-open schools, restaurants or courts until 7 January. A nationwide lockdown was first introduced in November, and extended twice since.

Canada is set to receive its first does of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine before the end of the year.

Japan's household spending rose in October for the first time in over a year. The news came as the government announced a fresh $708 billion economic stimulus package.

Western Australia has begun to allow travellers from Victoria and New South Wales to enter without quarantining for the first time in 8 months.

Hong Kong is set to impose further restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19, including a ban on dining in restaurants after 6pm.

The United Nations General Assembly has declared that 27 December will be the 'International Day of Epidemic Preparedness' in a bid to ensure lessons are learned for future health crisis.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that studies show us "most of the world's population remains susceptible to infection with the COVID-19 virus."

2. Merkel warns of tougher restrictions

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned that existing restrictions are not enough to get the virus under control.

She told party colleagues "the situation is getting very serious: these measures will not be enough to get us through winter".

Bars and restaurants are currently closed, with shops admitting limited numbers. Bavarian leader Markus Soeder said he was certain tighter restrictions would be agreed before Christmas.

Some states - including Bavaria - have already introduced their own, heightened, restrictions.

3. California introduces new restrictions

Restaurants in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area and the San Joaquin Valley have been forced to close, except for takeaway and delivery, as part of new measures introduced by California state governor, Gavin Newsom.

Playgrounds have also been closed, stores operating at reduced capacity and hair salons and barbershops closed.

The rules apply to places where fewer than 15% of intensive-care hospital beds remain available, so far affecting Southern California and the San Joaquin Valley. Localities in the San Francisco Bay Area imposed similar orders.

Some schools remain open, but Los Angeles Unified School District closed campuses that had been partially open to offer in-person services and tutoring.