The World Health Organization said that its “best estimates” suggest one in 10 people worldwide may have been infected by the coronavirus. The figure represents more than 20 times the number of confirmed cases, which currently stands at more than 35 million.

“Our current best estimates tell us about 10% of the global population may have been infected by this virus. It varies depending on country, it varies from urban to rural, it varies depending on groups. But what it does mean is that the vast majority of the world remains at risk. We are now heading into a difficult period. The disease continues to spread”, - said Mike Ryan, the head of emergency operations at the WHO.

He made the comments as he addressed the WHO’s 34-member executive board focusing on COVID-19. Ryan told the board that outbreaks were surging in parts of southeast Asia and that infections were on the rise in parts of Europe and the eastern Mediterranean region.