Global death toll from coronavirus crosses 6500

The global death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has risen to 6,518 and the global number of people infected with the fast-spreading virus now stands at 169,605.

The lethal virus has already affected 157 countries and territories across the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).

Around 77,772 coronavirus patients have so far recovered after receiving treatment suggested for the virus and been discharged from hospitals.

Chinese authorities reported 14 more new deaths related to the global coronavirus pandemic on Monday (March 16), bringing the total death toll to 3,213.

Mainland China has now confirmed 80,860 coronavirus patients, 67,758 of whom have recovered and been discharged from hospitals, according to China's National Health Commission (NHC).

Outside China, total number of COVID-19 cases is higher in Italy than other countries in the world.

Italian government authorities say the country now has 24,747 confirmed cases. The national death total in the virus rose to 1,809. Of those originally infected, 2,335 patients recovered.

Iran reported a total number of 13,938 coronavirus cases. Among those, 724 have died. A total of 4,590 patients have recovered among those affected by the virus.

In South Korea, the death toll from coronavirus remains stable (75). The virus has already infected over 8,236 in the country. Of those originally infected, 1,137 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Among the other countries affected by the virus, Spain reported 292 deaths, France 127, the United States 69, Japan 24, the United Kingdom 35, Iraq 10, Netherlands 20, Switzerland 14, Germany 13, San Marino 7, Philippines 12, Hong Kong 4, Belgium 4, Australia 5, Lebanon 3, Egypt 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1, Argentina 2, Ireland 2, Indonesia 5, Sweden 2, Albania 1, Canada 1, Panama 1, Bulgaria 2, Morocco 1 and Sudan 1.

Late last year, the outbreak of coronavirus began in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

The illness, whose symptoms are fever, cough and difficulty breathing, may cause lung lesions and pneumonia.

Dhaka/AI