Global death toll from coronavirus rises to 5436

The global death toll from novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has risen to 5,436 and the global number of people infected with the fast-spreading virus now stands at 145,632.

The lethal virus has already affected 145 countries and territories across the world.

Around 72,528 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 Friday (March 13), bringing the total death toll to 3,189.

Mainland China has now confirmed 80,824 coronavirus patients, 65,544 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 17,660 confirmed cases with over 2,547 new ones. The country reported more than 250 new deaths, bringing the national total to 1,266. Of those originally infected, 1,439 patients recovered.

Iran reported a total number of 11,364 coronavirus cases with over 1,289 new cases. Among those, 514 have died with 85 new deaths. A total of 3,529 have recovered among those affected by the virus.

In South Korea, the death toll from coronavirus has risen to 72. The virus has already infected over 8,086 in the country. Of those originally infected, 714 have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Among the other countries affected by the virus, Spain reported 133 deaths, France 79, the United States 50, Japan 21, the United Kingdom 11, Iraq 9, Netherlands 10, Switzerland 11, Germany 8, San Marino 5, Philippines 6, Hong Kong 4, Belgium 3, Australia 3, Lebanon 3, Egypt 2, Taiwan 1, Thailand 1, Argentina 2, Ireland 1, Indonesia 4, Sweden 1, Albania 2, Canada 1, Panama 1, Bulgaria 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