Several countries have announced the closure of universities, schools and childcare centers in a bid to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Bars, restaurants, cinemas, nightclubs and sports clubs also remain closed in many countries, as well as all stores except supermarkets and pharmacies.
Italy has recorded more fatalities in this outbreak than any other country: 8,165. As of Thursday, there are 62,013 active cases in the country, after an increase of 4,492 in 24 hours. Meanwhile, China registered 67 imported cases of COVID-19 and no cases of internal transmission within the past 24 hours.
The number of positive cases has surpassed 512,000 globally, while over 23,000 people have succumbed to the illness, according to the latest data provided by the WHO.
According to the most recent data from the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Centre, the number of coronavirus cases globally has surpassed 590,000, with an estimated 26, 000 deaths.
On 11 March, the WHO declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic.
