Almost 4.74-million people have been reported to have been infected globally and 313,188 have died, according to a Reuters tally, as of 0936 GMT on Monday.

For an interactive graphic tracking the global spread, open https://tmsnrt.rs/3aIRuz7 in an external browser.

For a US-focused tracker with state-by-state and county map, open https://tmsnrt.rs/2w7hX9T in an external browser.

EUROPE

The head of the European Union's medicines agency, Guido Rasi, said an initial authorisation for US pharmaceutical company Gilead's remdesivir as a Covid-19 treatment could be granted in coming days.

Russia reported 8 926 new cases of the novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, with the daily rise in cases being for the third day in a row below 10 000, a threshold that it has been above for much of May.

Spain's daily death toll fell below 100 for the first time in two months, the health ministry said on Sunday, as some parts of the country prepared for a further loosening of lockdown measures.

Greeks flocked to the seaside when more than 500 beaches reopened and thousands returned to church on Sunday after weeks of staying away as a ban on mass gatherings was eased.

AMERICAS

The United States are likely to join the consensus for an independent evaluation during a virtual meeting of the World Health Assembly, the WHO's decision-making body, diplomats said.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said there will be negotiations on the new $3-trillion coronavirus relief legislation passed by the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

Wearing a face mask, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro posed for photographs with children plucked out of a crowd of supporters, disregarding public health advice aimed at containing one of the world's worst virus outbreaks.

Mexico on Sunday reported 49 219 cases of the coronavirus, 2 075 more than the previous day, as the country prepares to resume economic activities deemed essential.

Honduras on Sunday extended its blanket curfew for a week. The curfew, first imposed in mid-March, has been extended eight times as the government attempts to avoid overwhelming the health system.

ASIA-PACIFIC

China's foreign ministry said it was premature to immediately launch an investigation into the origins and spread of the coronavirus.

India extended a nationwide lockdown to May 31, as cases exceeded 90 000 and further clashes erupted between police and stranded migrants.

Singapore's health ministry confirmed 305 new coronavirus cases, the smallest increase in over a month.

The climbing season for Mount Fuji, Japan's highest peak, is cancelled for this year, after local officials announced that the mountain trails leading up to the summit will stay closed throughout the summer.

MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

Yemen's Saudi-backed government accused its Houthi foes of covering up a big outbreak of coronavirus in areas they hold and the United Nations warned that the country could suffer a "catastrophic" food security situation.

Egypt will bring forward the start of its curfew by four hours to 5 pm and halt public transport during the six-day Eid holiday from May 24, the prime minister said.

Zimbabwe will keep its lockdown for the time being, though businesses will be allowed to open for longer and the restrictions will be reviewed every two weeks, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said.

ECONOMIC FALLOUT

European stock markets rose on Monday and oil prices climbed to their highest in more than a month as a loosening of shutdowns boosted market sentiment, even as the deadly outbreak has yet to be fully contained.

Temporary unemployment schemes operating across Europe could struggle to save the jobs of leisure and travel sector workers facing drawn-out or partial recoveries from the pandemic, even if they help industries that rebound quickly.

China is likely to shrug off the pall hanging over its economy from the novel coronavirus and increase its defence budget again this year.

Austria's temporary ban on short-selling on the Vienna Stock Exchange, which was introduced in March to protect it from coronavirus-related volatility, will expire at midnight and will not be extended, the Financial Market Authority said.

Japan's economy slipped into recession for the first time in four-and-a-half years, putting the nation on course for its deepest post-war slump.