LONDON — More than 42.28 million people have been reported to be infected by the novel coronavirus globally and 1,144,689 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 December 2019.

In latest developments, US Vice President Mike Pence's Chief of Staff Marc Short has tested positive for COVID-19, according to Pence’s press secretary.

"Today, Marc Short, Chief of Staff to the Vice President, tested positive for COVID-19, began quarantine and assisting in the contact tracing process," Devin O'Malley, Pence's press secretary, said in a statement on Saturday.

"Vice President Pence and Mrs. Pence both tested negative for COVID-19 today, and remain in good health. While Vice President Pence is considered a close contact with Short, in consultation with the White House Medical Unit, the Vice President will maintain his schedule in accordance with the (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines for essential personnel," O'Malley added.

In addition, Bloomberg News reported earlier on Saturday that one of Pence's closest political advisers, Marty Obst, contracted the virus on Oct. 21.

Despite not being a government employee, Obst has frequently been in contact with the vice president, the outlet said, adding that he has not been in proximity with Pence since about a week ago.

In Moscow, Russia announced Sunday recording 16,710 new coronavirus cases and 229 deaths in the past 24 hours. The new figures raised the total number of cases to 1,51,387 and deaths to 26,050 authorities said. The added that 7,704 people were discharged from hospitals, raising the number of recoveries to 1,138522.

Meanwhile, India has recorded another landmark achievement. The national Recovery Rate has touched 90% Sunday with 62,077 having recovered and discharged in the last 24 hours whereas the new confirmed cases stand at 50,129.

This achievement is matched by the downward spiral fall of the total active cases, which are maintained below the 7 lakh mark for the third successive day. Presently the active cases comprise merely 8.50% of the total positive cases of the country standing at 6,68,154.

Less than 1,000 deaths have been continuously reported since the last one week. The deaths are below the 1,100 mark since Oct. 2.

50,129 new confirmed cases were recorded in last 24 hours. 79% of the new cases are from 10 States and UTs. 578 case fatalities have been reported in the past 24 hours. Of these, nearly 80% are concentrated in ten States/UTs. Maharashtra has contributed the maximum to the new fatalities with 137 deaths.

In Paris, France on Saturday reported 45,422 new confirmed coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, a new record, after reporting 42,032 Friday, according to Reuters.

Health Ministry data also showed that 138 people had died from coronavirus infection in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 34,645. The total number of confirmed cases rose to 1,086,497, after breaking above the 1 million mark for the first time on Friday.

The ministry also said that 16% of all coronavirus tests were positive, a new high and more than double the level of a month ago.

In Rio De Janeiro, Brazil has registered 432 additional coronavirus deaths over the last 24 hours and 26,979 new cases, Reuters cited the Health Ministry as saying on Saturday. The South American nation has now registered 156,903 total coronavirus deaths and 4,817,898 total confirmed cases.

In Bogota, Colombia on Saturday became the third South American country to cross the 1-million mark of coronavirus cases. The 8,769 new cases of the novel coronavirus reported by the Colombian Health Ministry on Saturday brought the country's total to around 1.01 million, the eighth largest caseload globally.

The South American country also recorded 198 new deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to over 30,000 since the beginning of the pandemic. Brazil was the first country in South America to pass the 1-million mark of cases in June, followed by Argentina earlier this week. — Agencies