Coronavirus world live updates: COVID-19 infection tally surpasses 500,000

The world has been warned it's fighting a losing battle against COVID-19, as the infection toll surpasses 500,000.

The head of the United Nations has told leaders of the world's 20 major industrialised nations during an emergency virtual summit that "we are at war with a virus – and not winning it".

The unusual video call in lieu of a physical gathering comes as governments around the world stress the importance of social distancing to curb the spread of the highly infectious virus, which has prompted closures, curfews and lockdowns globally.

The Group of 20 nations (G20), which includes Australia, has vowed to work together. 

It comes as the global tally of coronavirus infections has now surpassed 500,000 people after Italy reported another spike in cases.

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The virus is now present in 175 countries and more than 22000 people have died.

Follow our live, rolling coverage of the global pandemic below.