COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 30 September

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 33.6 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. While the number of confirmed deaths stands at just over 1 million.

Confirmed cases in India have risen to 6.23 million, after it reported 80,472 new infections. Deaths have risen by 1,179.

Ireland's finance minister has tweeted that his country's economic downtown is likely to be less severe than previously forecast.

Brazil has reported 32,058 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing its total to more than 4.7 million.

Canada's federal authorities and its two largest provinces are set to introduce new restrictions in an effort to combat rising infections.

Oil prices have fallen further amid concerns about demand as further restrictions are introduced through the northern winter, reports Reuters.

Cases have continued to decline in Victoria, Australia. The country has begun to ease internal border restrictions, while restrictions in Melbourne could be eased further from 19 October.

Residents or visitors in New York City could be fined up to $1,000 for refusing to wear a mask in public.

2. 'Never too late to turn things around'

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), has marked the milestone of 1 million confirmed deaths from coronavirus by reminding countries of the work that's needed - and offering a note of optimism.

"The key lesson is the same," he said. "No matter where a country is in an outbreak, it is never too late to turn things around."

He said there are four essential steps every country, community and individual should focus on in efforts to control the virus.

1. Prevent amplifying events.

2. Reduce deaths by protecting vulnerable groups.

3. Individuals must play their part by taking steps to protect themselves and others - e.g. regular hand washing.

4. Governments must work to find, isolate, test and care for cases, and trace and quarantine their contacts.

3. World Bank funding plan for coronavirus vaccine

World Bank President, David Malpass, said yesterday that he's seeking board approval for a $12 billion coronavirus vaccine funding plan, that will help poor and developing countries get access.

“Our goal is to alter the course of the pandemic for the low- and middle-income developing countries,” Malpass said in an exclusive interview with Reuters. “This is a market signal to the manufacturers that there will be financing available for the developing countries and there will be demand. We will begin asking the manufacturers to begin creating allocations for these countries.”

He said that he's working with wealthy countries to share resources and ensure there is an equitable distribution of any potential vaccines.