The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 229 million, with more than 4.7 million deaths, according to the latest data from Johns Hopkins University.

Here is the latest:

The Chinese mainland recorded 43 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, including 28 cases of local transmission of the virus.

The United States on Wednesday authorized the use of booster shots of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for people aged over 65 or adults at high-risk of severe disease as well as those in high-exposure jobs.

Almost 40 million people in Russia have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the head of the consumer watchdog Rospotrebnadzor, said on Wednesday.