The dreaded day has come.

Over 1 million people around the globe have been confirmed with COVID-19.

According to the Coronavirus Research Centre and John Hopkins University and Medicine, the current figure stands at 1,016,401 confirmed cases (as of 12pm, 3 April).

The countries topping the list for COVID-19 positive cases are the United States (245,540), Italy (115,242) and Spain (112,065).

A total of 53,146 people have died from the disease.

While the numbers seem grim, the data also shows that a total of 211,775 people have recovered after being infected, which is fantastic news.

Topping the list of countries with the highest number of recoveries are China with 76,724 people, Spain with 26,743 people and Germany with 22,440 people.

As for the figures in Malaysia, we have recorded a total of 3,116 confirmed infections and 50 people have died from COVID-19.

Our recovery numbers stand at 767 people.

As our health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said on Thursday, the next two weeks is going to be crucial for us / Malaysia.

To flatten the curve and beat COVID-19, we have to continue to stay at home, wash our hands regularly, practice good sneeze and cough etiquette, practice social distancing and if we suspect that we have any of the symptoms, alert the authorities immediately.

The only way to fight this thing is to do it together.