Global death toll surpasses China’s
The number of deaths from the novel coronavirus in other countries has surpassed those inside China for the first time.
China, where the first cluster of coronavirus patients was discovered late last year, has reported 3,226 deaths. Globally, the number of deaths stands at 3,837 outside of China.
Infection cases reported by countries outside China reached 99,215, overtaking the 80,881 in China. Italy accounts for the most deaths and new cases among countries outside China, with 2,158 and 27,980, respectively.
Iran and Spain, the worst-hit countries after Italy, have reported 853 and 309 deaths, respectively, and more than 23,000 cases combined, according to a tally compiled by AFP from official sources.
WHO regional office for Europe yesterday said there is a need for bold measures in all European countries, calling the continent the "epicentre" of the new coronavirus pandemic.
"Every country, with no exceptions, needs to take their boldest actions to stop or slow down the virus threat," Hans Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, told a press conference.
Italy on Monday reported 349 new deaths from the novel coronavirus. The number of official fatalities has more than doubled since Thursday, when Italy's toll topped 1,000 for the first time.
It has reported more than 700 deaths in two days. Among specific regions, the overwhelming majority of the fatalities remained largely confined to northern regions, where the virus first started spreading around cities such as Milan.
The Italian financial capital's Lombardy region recorded 1,420 deaths, of 66 percent of Italy's total -- about the same share it has had throughout the crisis.
But the neighbouring Piedmont region around Turin, which is home to the Italian auto industry, has seen its number of deaths and infections nearly double in two days.
WE ARE AT WAR
In a sombre address to the nation, French President Emmanuel Macron ordered the French to stay at home for 15 days from midday yesterday, following similar measures by other European countries.
"We are at war, a public health war certainly. We are fighting not against an army or another nation. But the enemy is there, invisible and elusive and on the move," he said.
Most shops, restaurants and tourist sites in the world's most visited country are already shuttered, but in some areas desperate shoppers crowded supermarkets before the new rules took effect.
About 1,00,000 police and gendarmes will be out on the streets to enforce the measures, after Macron warned violations would be punished.
Germany banned gatherings in churches, mosques and synagogues and said playgrounds and non-essential shops would close.
Russia's President Vladimir Putin yesterday said the situation with the spreading coronavirus is "under control" in the country, after infections were "contained."
Britain ramped up its response to the escalating outbreak after the government imposed unprecedented peacetime measures prompted by scientific advice that infections and deaths would spiral without drastic action.
More firms in the country sent staff to work from home and public transport emptied after the government called for an end to "non-essential" social contact and unnecessary travel as confirmed COVID-19 cases climbed to more than 1,500 and deaths rose to 55.
India closed the Taj Mahal, its principal tourist site, and the financial hub of Mumbai ordered offices providing non-essential services to keep half their staff at home in increased measures to curb the coronavirus in South Asia.
Mumbai, a metropolis of 18 million people, also authorised hospital and airport authorities to stamp wrists of those ordered to self-isolate with indelible ink reading "Home Quarantined" and displaying the date the quarantine ends.
A patient there died after contracting the virus yesterday, Praveen Pardeshi, who heads Mumbai's civic body, told Reuters. It was the third death in India.
Pakistan reported the number of confirmed cases had more than doubled for a second consecutive day, reaching 195.
Officials said the jump was largely due to errors in testing and quarantine of travellers who recently returned from Iran through a border crossing in Balochistan province.
The US so far has reported 4,600 cases and more than 80 deaths. While New York state accounts for the majority of the cases, Washington state has the most number of reported deaths.
BORDERS CLOSED
The outer borders of the 27-nation European Union and its Schengen passport free zone are closed for 30 days.
Elsewhere, Canada closes its frontiers to foreigners except for Americans and Chile and Colombia close all their land, maritime and air crossings.
Switzerland, Armenia and Kazakhstan declare states of emergency after reporting of more coronavirus cases.
Israel takes an emergency measure mandating its internal security agency to collect information about citizens to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
Egypt closes its airports from Thursday while Algeria suspends all air links with European countries.
In Ukraine, metro and interregional transport and interurban car, train and plane travel will be halted from today.
Greece yesterday said it was placing migrant camps nationwide on a two-week shutdown to visitors to ward off the new coronavirus.
Tanzania and Somalia on Monday became the latest East Africa countries to confirm their first cases of coronavirus, as neighbouring countries shuttered borders and schools as fears of contagion rose.
As the global pandemic takes root in Africa, Chinese billionaire Jack Ma announced he was donating 20,000 testing kits, 1,00,000 masks and 1,000 protective suits to each of the continent's 54 countries.
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