Global cases of the novel coronavirus reached over 8 million on Monday, as infections surge in Latin America and the United States and China grapple with fresh outbreaks.

MIAMI _ Florida's Department of Health on Wednesday confirmed 2,610 additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the state's total to 82,719. There were also 25 new deaths announced, raising the statewide death toll to 3,018.

Maharashtra recorded 2,786 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total count to 110,744.Tamil Nadu registered the highest number of fatalities on Monday

Brazil recorded 1,269 additional COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, bringing its official death toll from the novel coronavirus to 46,510, the most in the world outside the United States.

New infections spiked in India, Iran and US states including Florida, Texas and Arizona as authorities struggled to balance restarting economic activity without accelerating the spread of the pandemic.

Beijing (AFP) - China's capital was facing an "extremely severe" coronavirus threat on Tuesday, as New Zealand reported its first new infections in almost a month and fears mounted that the deadly pandemic is still far from under control.