COVID-19 gathers pace globally: 13,049 deaths; 307,280 affected

COLOMBO (News 1st): The death toll of Covid-19 worldwide has risen to 13,049, with 307,280 individuals being infected by the virus along with 92,375 people recovering thus far. Meanwhile, six new countries or territories have reported cases of COVID-19.

Italy 

Italy ordered all but the most essential businesses to close until the 3rd of April, tightening the lockdown against the coronavirus. 4,825 deaths have been reported so far from the country along with 793 deaths being reported yesterday (March 21) alone. The Russian military is due to send medical help to Italy in order to help it battle the new Coronavirus after receiving an order from President Vladimir Putin.

India

In addition, India started a 14-hour curfew as part of the efforts to contain the Coronavirus outbreak. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the curfew would help India prepare to fight the pandemic.

China

China’s aviation regulator said that all international flights due to arrive in Beijing would be diverted to other airports as their first port of entry beginning from Monday (March 23), as the country steps up measures to battle the Coronavirus. The Civil Aviation Administration of China said incoming international flights to Beijing would land at one of 12 other designated airports, where passengers would be screened. Passengers who were cleared would then be permitted to reboard the plane, which would take them into Beijing, it said.

Malaysia

Malaysia has deployed the army to enforce a two-week curb on travel in a country that has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Southeast Asia, most of them linked to a mass religious gathering. The country has so far reported nine deaths and 1,183 infections. Malaysia called in the army after some people continued to defy the restrictions that came into force on Wednesday (March 18). A 48-year-old doctor has died from Coronavirus in Malaysia, becoming the first medical worker to die from the disease. The man, who was being treated in the northern state of Perlis, had a history of travel to Turkey. He had not been involved in treating people with COVID-19.

Afghanistan

Meanwhile, Afghanistan has reported 10 new Coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours raising the total cases to 34.

Singapore 

Singapore has decided to close its borders to all short-term visitors given the "heightened risk" of the Coronavirus. The Ministry of Health says the measures are necessary because 80% of confirmed COVID-19 cases over the past three days have arrived from overseas.

Australia 

Australia has closed its beaches and is considering more 'draconian' measures to get people to follow social distancing guidelines. Another Australian state is effectively closing its borders by requiring all entrants to undergo 14 days quarantine. Exemptions will be made for freight, essential services, and 2,500 “critical” staff in the mining, oil and gas industries, who are based interstate but will be allowed to fly in.

Palestine

The Palestinian Health Authority has confirmed the first two cases of coronavirus in the occupied Gaza Strip. The two people had recently returned from Pakistan.

Ecuador 

Ecuador's health minister stepped down, just hours after authorities announced the number of confirmed cases had shot up to more than 500 along with seven deaths.

United States 

The office of US Vice President Mike Pence says he and his wife have tested negative for the Coronavirus. The couple took the test after one of Pence's staff was diagnosed with the virus. At least 38 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in New York City jails.

Turkey

Turkey's confirmed cases of Coronavirus rose to 947, and the number of deaths rose to 21, the Health Minister said. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said some 2,953 tests had been conducted in the previous 24 hours.

Philippines 

The Philippines has reported 73 new Coronavirus cases, bringing the total to 380.

Thailand 

Thailand reported 188 new Coronavirus infections, its largest daily increase, taking the total to 599 cases. The majority of the new infections are connected to a previous cluster of cases from a boxing stadium.

Japan

Two female nurses at a medical centre in Japan have contracted the virus. Japan has 1,055 domestically transmitted cases, up by 40 from the previous day.

Latin America 

Meanwhile, the outbreak is also gathering pace in Latin America. Colombia has recorded its first death late yesterday (March 21). The victim was a 58-year-old taxi driver from the coastal city of Cartagena.

South Korea 

South Korea reported 98 new Coronavirus cases on Sunday, bringing national infections up to 8,897.