- UK PM Boris Johnson has also defended the testing system, saying there has been a "colossal spike" in demand for tests
- Johnson tells MPs that a second national lockdown "would be disastrous for UK economy"
- There are ongoing reports of people struggling to get tests and results being delayed around the UK
- The UK government will announce plans to prioritise the NHS and care homes for testing in the next few days
- India passes 5m coronavirus cases amid a spike in infections as the government continues to lift restrictions
- The virus appears to be spreading much faster in India than any other country, with more than 90,000 new cases a day
- US President Donald Trump has denied that he downplayed the seriousness of Covid-19, despite admitting in a recorded interview having done that
- Trump repeated his claims that a vaccine could be ready "within weeks" despite scepticism from US health experts
A very warm welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. We'll be bringing you updates on the latest developments around the world and in the UK.
More than 29 million cases have been confirmed worldwide and more than 934,000 deaths have been linked to the virus, according to data collated by Johns Hopkins University in the US.
Here are the headlines from around the globe today:
- Melbourne’s 14-day daily case average has fallen to below 50. According to the Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews, there are less than 1,000 active infections in the state
- US President Donald Trump has denied downplaying the serious of the virus, despite admitting in a recorded interview that he had done just that
- Mr Trump also claimed during a televised event on Tuesday that a vaccine could be three or four weeks away, despite caution from public health officials in the US about the accelerated timeline
- India has surpassed 5m cases, the second highest in the world after the US. More than 80,000 people have died
- The Netherlands recorded a record 1,379 cases on Tuesday. The previous daily record, back in April, was 1,335
What's happening in the UK?
Here's what you need to know in the UK this morning:- The UK's inflation rate fell sharply to 0.2% in August from 1% in July as the effect of the Eat Out to Help Out scheme pushed down restaurant prices, figures show
- Ministers are to publish details in the coming days of plans to prioritise coronavirus tests, with NHS staff and patients and those in care homes set to be at the top of the list
- The Archbishop of Canterbury has encouraged ministers not to direct coronavirus efforts purely from Westminster, allowing local authorities to have a greater role in fighting the pandemic
- The Unite union has called on the government to say it will extend its furlough scheme or face "redundancy floodgates" opening in the UK
- With young people bearing the brunt of rising unemployment, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat has spoken to some young people about losing their jobs during lockdown
- And a protective device to help ear, nose and throat doctors reduce their exposure to coronavirus is to be provided free to the NHS
India surpasses five million cases
The number of confirmed cases in India has surpassed five million, according to officials.India has the second highest number of cases in the world after the US.
More than 80,000 people have died.
The death rate is lower than in many countries with a high caseload.
India’s rise in infections comes as the government continues to lift restrictions to try and boost the economy.
Gyms are the latest to reopen, while schools, colleges and cinema halls remain shut.
Read more here.
Melbourne records 14-day average case total of less than 50
Melbourne was placed under a second lockdown in July after a steep rise in cases
The Australian city of Melbourne has recorded a 14-day case average total of less than 50. That's for its entire population of nearly 5m.
The current total means the city has met the benchmark set by authorities to begin a phased reopening. However this figure will need to stay under 50 on 28 September for the easing to be given the go-ahead.
Melbourne was placed under lockdown for a second time in July after a steep rise in cases.
If the average daily case total remains under 50, construction sites, manufacturing plants, warehouses and childcare facilities will be able to reopen.
However a curfew will remain in place and people will only be allowed to move in a 5km (3 mile) radius around their home.
Victoria state, where Melbourne is located, currently has less than 1,000 active cases. The state has recorded 737 deaths since the pandemic began.
Restrictions on Irish cabinet lifted after health minister tests negative
Restrictions on the Irish cabinet have now been lifted after Health Minister Stephen Donnelly tested negative for the virus.He reported feeling unwell on Tuesday and other members of the Irish cabinet were told to restrict their movements.
Initially it was announced that the cabinet would need to self-isolate and the Dáil (Irish parliament) would be adjourned indefinitely.
However the Dáil resumed business on Tuesday evening.
Read more here.
What is the current situation in Latin America?
Coronavirus cases have risen sharply in Latin America although there are signs that the numbers may be beginning to stabilise in some countries.With more than 4m cases, Brazil has the third highest tally of confirmed cases in the world after India and the US.
Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Peru have also had major outbreaks and are in the top 10 countries with the most confirmed cases.
So how big is the pandemic currently in Latin America?
Read more from our fact check team on the latest figures
UK government working 'night and day' to improve testing
BBC BreakfastUK ministers are working "night and day" to improve and increase testing capacity and turn around, the country's justice secretary has said.
Robert Buckland told BBC Breakfast testing laboratories were dealing with a "huge demand", but insisted the government was "opening more labs across the country".
"We know where the pressure points are," he said.
Buckland added that there was a "big determination" within government to improve the testing system and "minimise disruption for people and families".
He said the UK's health secretary, Matt Hancock, would set out details for prioritising testing in the coming days.
"NHS workers have to be at the top of the list, and then the social care sector," he said.
"And bearing in mind the importance of education and schools, I think schools and the welfare of staff and children is also very important."