Global confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus causing Covid-19 have now passed one million, although experts anticipate the actual number of cases to be far higher.
As of the health secretary's briefing yesterday -- where he set out a "five-pillar strategy" to "ramp up" testing in Britain -- there were over 33,000 confirmed cases in the UK, with 2,921 deaths.
Amid concerns that the UK has not yet reached the "peak" of the virus' spread, it appears the situation in the US is getting close. The country has recorded a new record daily death toll, with more than 1,100 passing away because of the virus in the past 24 hours.
The World Health Organisation has also "urged" Middle Eastern countries to "do more" to contain the virus, just hours after Saudi Arabia announced it would be initiating a 24-hour curfew in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
And there have been concerns that the EU is struggling amid reports of videos of the union's flag burning on Italian social media. There has been a perceived lack of unity and cohesion across European countries, and despite calls from European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen for member states to "co-operate", some feel left behind by the EU.
The next Leaders Council update will follow this evening.
