COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 12 November

1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 52.1 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 1.28 million.

The United Kingdom has passed the milestone of 50,000 deaths from COVID-19.

Turkey has banned smoking in crowded public places in an attempt to slow a recent surge in cases. "In order to ensure that masks are worn at all times and properly, as of November 12, 2020, a smoking ban will be imposed in areas and regions such as streets and avenues where citizens are or can be crowded together,” the Interior Ministry said.

Moderna said yesterday it has enough data for an interim analysis of the late-stage trial of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus earlier this week.

The United States reported another record rise in daily COVID-19 cases - 142,279 - according to a Reuters tally. Hospitalizations are also at an all-time high - 64,939.

The Gates Foundation has added another $70 million in funding to help global efforts to develop and distribute vaccines and treatments against COVID-19.

2. WHO warns about surging cases in the Americas

COVID-19 cases continue to surge in the Americas, the World Health Organization's regional office warned yesterday.

Daily case increases have averaged 150,000 in the last week. Record increases have been reported in the United States, while spikes are being seen in parts of Canada and some Mexican states, the organization said.

Other countries are faring better though. Argentina, Costa Rica and Jamaica have curbed the outbreak with effective contact tracing, while most Caribbean nations have avoided spikes by acting fast, Pan-American Health Organization Assistant Director Jarbas Barbosa said.

3. France overtakes Russia

Confirmed cases in France have risen to more than 1.9 million, overtaking Russia, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

It makes France the world's fourth-worst affected country, after the United States, India and Brazil. The country is nearly two weeks into a new national lockdown. New daily cases have fallen in recent days, from record highs over the weekend.

Confirmed cases in Italy have also risen above 1 million. More than 300,000 people have died of the virus across Europe, according to a Reuters tally. With just 10% of the world's population, it accounts for nearly a quarter of global deaths.