COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 21 October

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 40.7 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at over 1.12 million.

New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have urged residents not to travel between the three states. California has also said major theme parks – including Disneyland – would not reopen any time soon.

India's total confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 7.65 million, after recording 54,044 new infections.

The Czech Republic has reported its highest daily tally of new infections on record – 11,984.

United Airlines is set to test a digital health pass as part of a global pilot programme. CommonPass, backed by the World Economic Forum and Swiss-based foundation The Commons Project, seeks to establish an international standard for COVID-19 test results and eventually vaccine records.

New Zealand has reported two new community cases, alongside 23 imported cases.

Spain is considering new restrictions to tackle the spread of the virus, Health Minister Salvador Illa said yesterday. “We have very tough weeks ahead, winter is coming,” Illa told reporters. “The second wave is no longer a threat, it is a reality in all of Europe.”

Pope Francis has worn a mask for the first time at a public event, during a prayer service for world peace with other religious leaders.

France and the UK have both recorded more than 20,000 new COVID-19 cases.

2. World trade rebounding slowly

The value of global trade is set to fall by 7-9% this year, compared to last year, according to a United Nations report.

The fall comes despite signs of a fragile recovery, led by China. At the height of global lockdowns and restrictions, trade fell an estimated 19% year-on-year in the second quarter. In the third quarter, it was estimated to be 4.5% down.

“Trade in home office equipment and medical supplies has increased in Q3, while it further weakened in the automotive and energy sectors,” the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said.

Chinese exports have rebounded strongly in the third quarter, the report found. “Overall, the level of Chinese exports for the first nine months of 2020 was comparable to that of 2019 over the same period,” it said.

3. Chinese city to offer experimental COVID-19 vaccine

The Chinese city of Shaoxing will offer experimental coronavirus vaccines to its residents.

Those aged 18-59, who are not in priority groups, will be able to apply online, the city's health commission said on its WeChat account.

The commission hasn't said which vaccine is being offered, or when the inoculation will start. The use of vaccines that are still under study has raised concern among experts, but hundreds of thousands of people have received shots in China since the launch of an emergency-use programme in July. The programme is aimed at essential workers and other groups at higher risk of infection.