THE number of confirmed COVID-19 cases worldwide surpassed 2.3 million this morning.

According to data from Johns Hopkins University, USA, the death toll reached 159,510 while the total number of people recovered was 592,319.

A total of 2,300,874 positive cases were recorded worldwide with the US remaining the worst affected country with 726,645 cases and 38,664 deaths.

Italy had the second-highest death rate of 23,227 while Spain had the second-highest number of cases at 191,726.

China reported 4,636 deaths and over 83,787 positive cases.

The SARS-CoV-2 virus COVID-19 has spread to 185 countries since it was first detected in China in December last year.