The World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 emergency committee is meeting today to review the latest pandemic developments and discuss extending the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC) under the International Health Regulations, amid a steady surge in hot spots and flare-ups elsewhere as restrictions are eased.Meanwhile, the world's pandemic total climbed to 17,421,013 cases, and 675,545 people have died from their infections, according to the Johns Hopkins online dashboard.4th meeting for emergency committee, WHO updates travel recommendationsThe meeting is the group's fourth concerning COVID-19, and comes about 6 months after the WHO first declared the PHEIC on January 30.