Summary

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 185 million, with more than 4 million deaths, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

Here is the latest:

The Chinese mainland recorded 17 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, two cases of local transmission of the virus in southwest China's Yunnan Province and 15 from overseas.

South Korea has confirmed 1,275 new COVID-19 cases, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Thursday, the highest number of daily cases since the pandemic hit.

The Japanese government is preparing to declare a fourth COVID-19 state of emergency for Tokyo lasting until August 22, local media reported on Wednesday.