Geneva, August 3 (RHC)-- The world-wide death toll from the coronavirus is approaching 700,000, with nearly 18 million confirmed cases, as the pandemic continues to accelerate. 

During the month of July, more than 8 million people tested positive — almost as many as in the first six months of the pandemic combined.  The World Health Organization reports cases are now doubling every six weeks.

In India, the death toll has topped 38,000 — the fifth highest in the world, surpassing Italy. One of India’s top officials, Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, has been hospitalized after testing positive.

The Philippines reported over 5,000 new coronavirus infections Sunday, its largest single-day increase on record, bringing its total confirmed cases to over 100,000.  President Rodrigo Duterte announced he is reimposing a stricter lockdown around the capital Manila, as medical workers around the country warned the healthcare system could collapse.

In Australia, a state of disaster has been declared in Victoria, which has instituted a nightly curfew to fight the outbreak.

The coronavirus is still surging in South Africa, where over 500,000 have now tested positive for the virus.  Medical workers say the surge in cases has brought South Africa’s healthcare system close to collapse.