213 countries and territories recorded 25,614,898 cases of infection and 854,036 deaths due to nCoV, an increase of 238,756 and 3,792 cases respectively after 24 hours, while 17,915,732 people have recovered, according to statistics from the update page.

The US, the largest epidemic region in the world, recorded 6,208,875 cases of infection and 187,677 deaths, an increase of 36,825 and 465 cases respectively compared to the previous day.

At least 33 states in the US refuse to implement new guidance on Covid-19 testing issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which recommends that people without symptoms do not need to be tested.

Stephen Hahn, head of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced on August 30 that he was preparing to grant emergency use authorization for the Covid-19 vaccine before completing Phase 3 trials in the market.

In Brazil, the second largest epidemic area in the world, the number of deaths increased to 121,381 after recording 485 more cases.

Joao Doria, governor of Sao Paulo state, where a potential Chinese vaccine is being tested, said the state will vaccinate people even if the federal government refuses to help.

Despite many criticisms about how to respond to Covid-19, President Jair Bolsonaro suddenly received a record high level of support since the beginning of his term.

Volunteers distribute food to people in areas under Covid-19 restrictions in Kathmandu, Nepal on August 31.

Mexico, another major epidemic area in Latin America, reported 595,841 cases and 64,158 deaths after recording 4,129 and 339 additional cases, respectively.

Mexican officials said they are planning to participate in clinical trials of an Italian Covid-19 vaccine.

South Africa, the world’s sixth largest epidemic area and the country most heavily affected by the pandemic in Africa, recorded 627,041 infections and 14,149 deaths, an increase of 1,985 and 121 cases, respectively.

Although infections and deaths due to nCoV are trending down, South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said he is still worried about the risk of a second wave of Covid-19 like other countries.

Russia, the world’s fourth largest epidemic region, reported 83 more deaths, bringing the total number of deaths to 17,176.

Sputnik V was registered by Russia on August 11, becoming the first Covid-19 vaccine approved by the government in the world.

Spain, the largest epidemic area in Europe and the ninth largest in the world, recorded an increase in infections again after a `peaceful` period.

Many local governments have taken strong measures to prevent nCoV from spreading.

The Balearic Islands, including popular holiday destinations Ibiza and Mallorca, also announced that beaches will close at night.

France recorded 3,082 new infections, bringing the total number of infections to 281,025.

French Prime Minister Jean Castex on August 27 asked people to wear masks mandatory throughout Paris.

Previously, the French government required people nationwide to wear masks on public transport and in most crowded closed spaces, including workplaces.

The French Ministry of Health said `the Covid-19 pandemic is progressing exponentially` and this is `very worrying`.

Iran reports 21,571 deaths after recording 109 more cases.

The government has ordered the wearing of masks in closed public spaces, and provinces have also been empowered to consider re-imposing restrictions and blockades.

India, the third largest epidemic region in the world and the largest in Asia, reported an additional 68,770 cases of infection and 818 deaths, bringing the total to 3,687,939 and 68,770 respectively.

Epidemiologist Giridhar Babu at the Public Health Foundation, an Indian NGO, said it would not be surprising if the country’s figures surpassed those of Brazil and the US, but also emphasized India’s population.

Indian officials on August 29 relaxed restrictive measures to prevent nCoV even as infections and deaths increased across the country.

The Ministry of Interior announced that gatherings of up to 100 people for cultural, entertainment, sports and political events will be allowed next month, but must wear masks and social distancing.

China has not yet reported new data.

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines is the largest epidemic area in the region with 220,819 cases and 3,558 deaths, an increase of 3,446 and 38 cases respectively.

President Rodrigo Duterte has relaxed strict measures to prevent Covid-19 in the capital Manila and surrounding areas, in the context of small and medium-sized businesses being on the brink of dissolution.

Indonesia, the second largest epidemic area in the region, recorded 174,796 cases of infection, an increase of 2.73 cases compared to the previous day, of which 7,417 people died, an increase of 74 cases.

The capital Jakarta from August 27 extended social restrictions for another two weeks, restaurants and places of worship must continue to operate with limited capacity.

Deputy director of the Indonesian Institute of Molecular Biology Herawati Sudoyo the D614G mutation of the `fast spreading but less severe` virus was found in genome sequencing data from samples collected by the institute.

Singapore is the third largest epidemic area in the region with 56,812 infected people, an increase of 41 cases, of which 27 died.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO epidemic expert, recommends that countries test people who have been in close contact with nCoV infections, even if they do not have symptoms, if resources allow.