COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 29 April

1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have passed 149.6 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 3.15 million. More than 1.06 billion vaccination doses have been administered globally, according to Our World in Data.

The United States is set to send $100 million worth of supplies to India to help the country fight surging COVID-19 cases.

It comes as India reports record rises in both confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths, 379,257 and 3,645 respectively.

The UK government has ordered an extra 60 million doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine as part of plans for an autumn booster programme.

Brazil is nearing 400,000 COVID-19 deaths, with a further 3,163 announced yesterday bringing the country's official death toll to 398,185.

The Philippines has extended restrictions on movement and gatherings in its capital region and four other nearby provinces. The extension will last at least another two weeks and is aimed at curbing a rise in COVID-19 infections.

Moderna has announced it's boosting its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing capacity and hopes to make as many as 3 billion doses next year - more than double its previous estimate.

2. Warning on rising cases, hospitalizations and deaths in the Americas

Hospitals in South and Central America are struggling to cope with rising numbers of COVID-19 patients, the director of the Pan American Health Organization warned yesterday.

Cases and hospitalizations both continue to rise, said Carissa F. Etienne, with 1.4 million new COVID-19 cases reported in the Americas in the past week. "In fact, one in four COVID deaths reported worldwide last week took place right here in the Americas," she said.

She also urged countries with "extra [vaccine] doses to consider donating a significant portion of these to the Americas, where these life-saving doses are desperately needed and will be promptly used."

3. Olympics organizers release new guidelines for Games

The organizers of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games have announced an updated 'Playbook' to ensure the games can be held safely. New details include:

- All participants will be required to take two COVID-19 tests before departing for Japan.

- Athletes and close contacts will be tested daily.

- Participants will not be allowed to use public transport or eat in restaurants. They'll need to use dedicated Games' vehicles and eat at catering facilities at Games' venues, their accommodation or in their rooms, using room service or delivery services.

A decision on domestic spectator attendance will be made in June, the statement said.