An additional 207 million people could be pushed into extreme poverty by severe long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total number to more than 1 billion by 2030, according to a new study from the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

Warning that there will be no return to “the old normal”, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged people everywhere to play a part in preventing further spread of Covid-19 as global cases have surpassed 15 million and nearly 620,000 deaths.

Governments must dramatically overhaul policies and invest in public health, economic stimulus, and social safety nets, to help countries recover faster from the COVID-19 pandemic, says a new report from the UN Development Programme.