Coronavirus Pandemic: Latest updates

Death toll nears 230,000

The new coronavirus has killed at least 227,482 people since the outbreak first emerged in China in December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP at 1100 GMT yesterday. More than 3,180,800 cases were registered in 193 countries and territories Of these cases, at least 908,500 are now considered recovered. The United States has the highest number of total deaths with 60,999 out of 1,040,488 cases. Italy has the second highest toll with 27,682 deaths, followed by Britain (26,097 deaths), Spain (24,543 deaths) and France (24,087 deaths).

Japan to extend emergency        

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is likely to extend a nationwide state of emergency imposed over the coronavirus, possibly by another month, local media reported. Japan has so far seen a relatively limited outbreak compared to parts of Europe and the United States, with around 14,000 infections recorded and 415 deaths.

Russia cases cross 100,000

Coronavirus cases in Russia surged past 100,000 yesterday, the government said, with an increase of 7,099 confirmed infections in the last 24 hours. Russia has so far recorded 106,498 cases and 1,073 deaths from the virus, the government's coronavirus information site said in a daily update.

Thunberg donates $100,000

Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has donated a $100,000 prize she won from a Danish foundation to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for use against the COVID-19 pandemic. "Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child rights crisis," Thunberg, 17, was quoted as saying in the UNICEF statement.

Vaccinations warning

WHO's European office warned that to keep other infectious diseases in check, vaccination programmes must remain a priority even during the coronavirus pandemic. WHO's European branch was particularly concerned about a resurgence of measles, which affected 6,000 people on the continent in the first two months of this year.

Maldives reports first death

The Maldives reported its first coronavirus fatality with the death of an 83-year-old woman, as the Indian Ocean holiday hotspot extended a nationwide lockdown. There have now been 280 confirmed cases since the virus was first detected on March 7.

Australia's capital 'virus-free'

Health officials declared Australia's capital free of the virus while the country's Northern Territory announced the most comprehensive easing of restrictions in the nation. Canberra and its surrounding areas were said to be rid of the disease after two patients recovered overnight.