The first cases were identified in China in December 2019. File photo

More than 26.01 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 861,770 have died, according to a Reuters tally.

Infections have been reported in more than 210 countries and territories since the first cases were identified in China in December 2019.

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The top UN official for Libya says the coronavirus pandemic "appears to be spiraling out of control” in the conflict-torn north African country.

Acting special representative Stephanie Williams told the UN Security Council the number of confirmed coronavirus cases "has more than doubled in the last two weeks, with 15,156 cases and 250 recorded deaths as at Sept. 1.”

People wearing masks walk on a bridge crossing Melbourne's Yarra River.File/AFP

She says the country is at "a critical juncture” and community transmission has been reported in Libya’s main cities, including Tripoli and Sebha.

Williams says constraints in dealing with the coronavirus include a shortage of medical supplies, workers and funding.

Australia on Thursday reported the biggest one-day rise in COVID-19 cases in more than a week, denting optimism that a stringent lockdown of its second-largest city will soon be lifted.

Authorities said 127 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in the past 24 hours, up on the 109 cases recorded on Wednesday and the biggest one-day jump since Aug 28.

The bulk of the cases were detected in Victoria state which reported 113 new cases in the past 24 hours, despite the state capital, Melbourne, nearing the end of a six-week lockdown.

California State university at Chico also halted classes this week.

San Diego State University has halted in-person classes for a month after dozens of students were infected with the coronavirus.

The school announced Wednesday that about 200 course offerings, some of them lab classes, will move to virtual learning. On-campus housing will remain open.

San Diego County health officials say there have been 64 confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 among SDSU students since classes resumed last week. Some, but not all, of the infections were linked to other cases at the university. Some involve students who live off-campus.

California State university at Chico also halted classes this week.

Agencies