Global death toll from coronavirus hits 7,989

The global death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has risen to 7,989 and the global number of people infected with the fast-spreading virus now stands at 198,728.

The lethal virus has already affected 165 countries and territories across the world and 1 international conveyance (the Diamond Princess cruise ship harbored in Yokohama, Japan).

Around 82,779 coronavirus patients have so far recovered after receiving treatment suggested for the virus and been discharged from hospitals.

Chinese authorities reported 11 more new deaths related to the global coronavirus pandemic on Wednesday (March 18), bringing the total death toll to 3,237.

Mainland China has now confirmed 80,894 coronavirus patients, 69,614 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 31,506 confirmed cases. The national death total in the virus rose to 2,503. Of those originally infected, 2,941 patients recovered.

Iran reported a total number of 16,169 coronavirus cases. Among those, 988 have died. A total of 5,389 patients have recovered among those affected by the virus.

Spain has now confirmed 11,826 coronavirus cases. Among those, 533 have died. A total of 1,028 patients have recovered among those affected by the virus.

In South Korea, nine new deaths were reported in the virus, raising the current death toll from coronavirus to 84. The virus has already infected over 8,813 in the country. Of those originally infected, 1,540 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Among the other countries affected by the virus, France reported 175 deaths with 27 new deaths, the United States 112 with 26e new deaths, Japan 29, the United Kingdom 71, Iraq 11, Netherlands 43, Switzerland 27, Germany 26, San Marino 11, Philippines 14, Belgium 10, Australia 5, Indonesia 7, Hong Kong 4, Algeria 5, Canada 8, Sweden 8, Egypt 6, Lebanon 4, Bulgaria 2, Argentina 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1, Ireland 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