Global death toll from coronavirus rises to 5839

The global death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has risen to 5,839 and the global number of people infected with the fast-spreading virus now stands at 156,730.

The lethal virus has already affected 151 countries and territories across the world.

Around 75,932 coronavirus patients have so far recovered after receiving treatment suggested for the virus and been discharged from hospitals.

Chinese authorities reported 10 more new deaths related to the global coronavirus pandemic on Sunday (March 15), bringing the total death toll to 3,199.

Mainland China has now confirmed 80,844 coronavirus patients, 66,912 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 high in Italy.

Italian government authorities say the country now has 21,157 confirmed cases. The national death total in the virus rose to 1,441. Of those originally infected, 1,966 patients recovered.

Iran reported a total number of 12,729 coronavirus cases. Among those, 611 have died. A total of 4,339 patients have recovered among those affected by the virus.

In South Korea, the death toll from coronavirus has risen to 75. The virus has already infected over 8,162 in the country. Of those originally infected, 834 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Among the other countries affected by the virus, Spain reported 196 deaths, France 91, the United States 60, Japan 22, the United Kingdom 21, Iraq 10, Netherlands 12, Switzerland 13, Germany 9, San Marino 5, Philippines 8, Hong Kong 4, Belgium 4, Australia 3, 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