Global death toll from coronavirus crosses 7000

The global death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has risen to 7,174 and the global number of people infected with the fast-spreading virus now stands at 182,725.

The lethal virus has already affected 162 countries and territories across the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).

Around 79,883 coronavirus patients have so far recovered after receiving treatment suggested for the virus and been discharged from hospitals.

Chinese authorities reported 13 more new deaths related to the global coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday (March 17), bringing the total death toll to 3,226.

Mainland China has now confirmed 80,881 coronavirus patients, 68,688 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 27,980 confirmed cases. The national death total in the virus rose to 2,158. Of those originally infected, 2,749 patients recovered.

Iran reported a total number of 14,991 coronavirus cases. Among those, 853 have died. A total of 4,996 patients have recovered among those affected by the virus.

Spain has now confirmed 9,942 coronavirus cases. Among those, 342 have died. A total of 530 patients have recovered among those affected by the virus.

In South Korea, six new deaths were reported in the virus, raising the current death toll from coronavirus to 81. The virus has already infected over 8,320 in the country. Of those originally infected, 1,401 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Among the other countries affected by the virus, France reported 148 deaths, the United States 91 with five new deaths, Japan 28, the United Kingdom 55, Iraq 10, Netherlands 24, Switzerland 19, Germany 17, San Marino 7, Philippines 12, Belgium 10, Australia 5, Indonesia 5, Hong Kong 4, Algeria 4, Canada 4, Egypt 4, Lebanon 3, Bulgaria 2, Argentina 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1, Ireland 2, Sweden 2, Albania 1, Panama 1, 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