Overview: Pandemic developments in Europe, Asia, Australia

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: Reuters Reuters

Cases surge in eastern Europe

Poland reported 8,361 daily COVID-19 cases and 133 deaths on Wednesday, with the number of new infections reaching the highest level since late April. read more

Bulgaria's tally of infections has risen by 6,813 in the last 24 hours, a record daily increase as the European Union's least vaccinated country grapples with a fourth wave of the pandemic. read more

The Czech Republic reported 6,274 new cases, almost doubling in a week. read more

Hungary reported a jump in daily cases to 3,125, its highest daily tally since April, as the government urged people to take up vaccines that are widely available.

China has reported nearly 250 locally transmitted cases of COVID-19 since the start of the current outbreak 10 days ago, with many infections in remote towns along porous international borders in the country's northwest.

China had 50 new local cases for Oct. 26, the highest daily count since Sept. 16, official data showed on Wednesday. read more

Australia to lift outbound travel ban for vaccinated residents. All fully-vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will be able to leave the country without a special exemption from Nov. 1, authorities said on Wednesday, as Australia eases coronavirus restrictions amid a rise in vaccination rates. ...

ALSO SEE: Russia, Ukraine see record daily deaths, low vaccinations

AND: Virus outlier Sweden passes grim COVID-19 milestone

AND: Millions of unused cloth masks remain in storage in Japan