Robert O'Brien, the National Security Advisor (NSA) to US President Donald Trump, tested positive for COVID-19. Reports on July 27 confirmed that O'Brien has contracted the lethal infection and was diagnosed with mild symptoms. 54-year-old O'Brien is the highest-ranking official in the Trump administration to be infected with coronavirus. Trump and his V-P Mike Pence are, however, regularly tested for COVID-19 to ensure that the disease is not diagnosed at a later stage. On July 27, The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared COVID-19 as the "most severe" global health emergency. The announcement came shortly after the worldwide coronavirus tally crossed the 16 million-mark, with an addition of over 10,00,000 infections in the past four days. WHO chief warned people across the world against lowering their guards against the deadly virus. Globally, coronavirus has infected more than 16 million people, with the disease peaking in over 40 countries. A vaccine, which is being considered as the safest bet to inculcate herd immunity, is expected to be released by end of the current year.
