The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide has surpassed 500 million, with over 6.1 million deaths, the latest data from Johns Hopkins University shows.

Here is the latest:

The Chinese mainland recorded 3,486 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, with 3,472 linked to local transmissions and 14 from overseas, according to data from the National Health Commission on Friday.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization on Thursday for the country's first COVID-19 diagnostic test that detects chemical compounds in breath samples associated with a SARS-CoV-2 infection.

South Korea said on Friday it will drop most COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions next week, including a midnight curfew on eateries, as the Omicron surge in cases shows signs of waning.