The latest: COVID-19 outbreak worldwide (Updated August 27)
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mexico.jpgA worker of the Xochimilco local government sprays disinfectant on a coworker after disinfecting a house as a preventive measure against the spread of the novel coronavirus, in the municipality of Xochimilco in Mexico City, on August 26, 2020. (Photo: AFP)

The total number of deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has increased to 824,230 with the global confirmed cases reaching 24,085,646 as of 10:30 am BJT on Thursday, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. 

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Current status (data as of 10:30 am BJT, August 27):

Urumqi in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region conducted nucleic acid testing again in key communities starting on Wednesday, and will adjust its prevention measures for COVID-19 to restore normal life.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has changed its COVID-19 testing guidelines, no longer recommending testing for most people without symptoms. The new guidelines, updated earlier this week, ask people to get tested if they have symptoms of COVID-19, or have had close contact (within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes) with someone with confirmed COVID-19, or have been asked or referred to get testing by their healthcare provider, local or state health department.

South Korea reported 441 more cases of COVID-19 as of 0:00 am Thursday local time compared to 24 hours ago, raising the total number of infections to 18,706. It marked the highest daily caseload in 173 days since March 7, keeping a triple-digit growth for two straight weeks.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday announced over 2 billion Canadian dollars (about 1.52 billion U.S. dollars) in funding to help provinces and territories in the country reopen their schools safely.

Phil Hogan on Wednesday night resigned as the European Union's (EU) Commissioner for Trade over his controversial attendance at a golf club event and possible violation of COVID-19 containment rules during his recent trip to Ireland.