COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 4 August

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now reached more than 18.2 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University of Medicine. The number of confirmed coronavirus deaths now stands at more than 693,000.

The Australian state of Victoria will deploy more military personnel to impose strict new COVID-19 lockdown measures. People breaking isolation orders could face a A$20,000 ($14,140) fine.

Oil prices have fallen as concerns about a recovery in fuel demand persist in the face of new COVID-19 infections around the world.

Asian shares have risen this morning as strong US manufacturing data and tech stock gains gave some reassurance to investors.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the US government's top infectious disease expert, has said states with high coronavirus case numbers should reconsider imposing lockdown measures, highlighting the need to get infections under control before flu season starts.

An Italian survey suggests coronavirus is much more prevalent in the country than previously thought. The survey, by statistics agency Istat and the health ministry, suggests that around 1.5 million people in the country have developed coronavirus antibodies - six times more than official figures reported.

Tens of millions of people in the Philippines have returned to lockdown after a rise in infections.

Mexican schools will not open for the beginning of the new academic year at the end of the month, the country's education minister has said.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organization Director-General, has issued a stark warning about the challenges we still face.

In a press conference, he said while progress was being made towards a number of effective vaccines, there might never be a silver bullet in fighting the disease.

"For now, stopping outbreaks comes down to the basics of public health and disease control," he said. "Testing, isolating and treating patients, and tracing and quarantining their contacts. Do it all. Inform, empower and listen to communities. Do it all."

He also called on individuals to play their part by wearing masks, social distancing and maintaining personal hygiene.

And countries must "keep going" even if they have the virus under control by improving health systems and surveillance, keeping safeguards in place and engaging with communities. "If we act together today, we can save lives, we can save livelihoods if we do it all together."

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has warned about the impact of coronavirus on education.

"We face a generational catastrophe that could waste untold human potential, undermine decades of progress, and exacerbate entrenched inequalities,” he said.

The new campaign and policy brief calls for action in four key areas - starting with the reopening of schools once it's safe to do so. The Secretary-General also called for greater investment in education to plug funding gaps.

“We must take bold steps now, to create inclusive, resilient, quality education systems fit for the future,” he said.