Content is automatically generated by Microsoft Azure Translator Text API. CGTN is not responsible for any of the translations.
Editor's note: This is the seventh article in the COVID-19 Global Roundup series. It contains the latest figures as of 3 p.m. BJT (0700 GMT) on March 9, 2020. Here is the last one.
The number of countries outside of China reporting confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus topped 100 on Sunday, according to the latest situation report released by the World Health Organization (WHO), with 3,610 cases reported outside of China in just one day. The sense of crisis has further deepened in numerous countries and regions as the total number of cases exceed 105,000 globally.
Italy: Millions are locked down
Italy has ordered a virtual lockdown across much of its wealthy north, including the financial capital Milan. The unprecedented restrictions will impact some 16 million people and stay in force until April 3. They were signed into law overnight by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.
The new measures say people should not enter or leave Lombardy, Italy's richest region, as well as 14 provinces in four other regions, including the cities of Venice, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini. Only people with proven, work-related reasons or health problems will be able to move in and out of the exclusion zones. Leave has been canceled for health workers.
The crisis has hit Italy harder than anywhere else in Europe so far, and Sunday's latest figures showed that starkly. The number of coronavirus cases jumped 25 percent in 24 hours to 7,375, while deaths climbed 57 percent to 366 deaths. It was the largest daily increase for both readings since the contagion came to light on February 21.
Families face disruption as Italy closes schools over COVID-19
People wearing protective masks walk through Florence as Italy battles the coronavirus outbreak, in Florence, Italy, March 7, 2020. /Reuters
Iran: 49 new deaths reported within 24 hours
Iran's health ministry on Sunday reported 49 new deaths from the COVID-19 disease, the highest toll within 24 hours since the start of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country, bringing the death toll to 194. The ministry added that 743 new infections were also confirmed within the past 24 hours, bringing the number of cases to 6,566 across all of Iran's 31 provinces.
Iran has imposed travel restrictions on 15 provinces, said Sayah. Schools and universities have been closed until the end of Nowruz, the Persian New Year, celebrations in early April. Nowruz is the biggest and most popular national holiday for Iranians to get together and socialize with family and friends. It's not going to happen the way it usually does, another hit to the country that has seen so many crises over the past couple of years.
As COVID-19 quickly spread, the surging demand for respiratory masks and contamination suits, symptom relief medication, and immunity-boosting vitamins, as well as disinfectants, detergents, and related hygiene equipment have strained supplies.
Further compounding Iran's difficulties in containing the coronavirus is the sanction from the U.S. Although Iran produces many of these products domestically, limiting the initial impact of sanctions on the availability of medicine and equipment, the country is dependent on imported ingredients and materials.
U.S. sanctions are constraining the supply of raw materials and imported goods in two ways. Because of this, it will be very difficult for Iran to effectively contain and treat COVID-19 if manufacturers in the country run out of needed raw materials.
Iran's FM labels U.S. sanctions 'medical terrorism' amid COVID-19
Revolutionary Guard members take part in disinfecting the city to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in Tehran, Iran. /AP
United States: Panic-buying reaches the ammo industry
The number of confirmed U.S. coronavirus cases soared past 500 on Sunday as the virus reaches some 30 U.S. states, with Oregon the latest to declare an emergency and 60 million people in California and New York are under crisis measures. Two more deaths were reported in Washington state – both linked to a virus-hit care home near Seattle – bringing the nationwide toll to at least 21.
Affected by the coronavirus, it's not just hand sanitizer and flu medications that are flying off the shelves. The rush to be prepared has also reached the ammunition industry. Recent analysis shows that online ammunition retailer, Ammo.com, has seen a 68 percent increase in the company's transactions between February 23 to March 4, which matches the time frame of panic and public concern from COVID-19.
The company says sales varied among calibers and brands, and also varied by state, with North Carolina and Georgia coming in with the largest increases of 179 percent and 169 percent respectively. A marketing manager at the company told reporters that certain things like political events and economic instability impact ammo sales, suggesting that people feel their rights may end up infringed during the epidemic outbreak.
According to The Trace, an American gun-related news outlet, many of the gun buyers are Asian-Americans who worried about racist attacks stemming from fears about the virus. The Asian group, according to U.S. officials has historically low rates of gun ownership and can be easy victims of racist attacks in the event of mass panic, as Asian-Americans have experienced intensifying venom, including bullying, racist comments, and harassment since the first novel coronavirus outbreaks in the United States.
Traveling in the U.S. state of Michigan during the time of COVID-19
U.S. online ammunition retailer, Ammo.com, saw a 68 percent increase in the company's transactions between February 23 to March 4. /Reuters
United Kingdom: Biggest daily rise of confirmed cases reported
The Department of Health and Social Care said the number of confirmed cases in the UK rose to 278 from 209 on Saturday, the biggest one-day increase so far. The largest concentration of cases is in London, which has had 51.
The prime minister will chair an emergency Cobra meeting on Monday to decide whether to bring in measures to delay the spread of coronavirus in the UK. These could include banning of big events, closing schools and encouraging home working. It comes after a man in his 60s became the UK's third death linked to the COVID-19 virus. Ministers will also meet with sports bodies and UK supermarkets to discuss their response to the outbreak.
So Far, British nationals are still able to depart Italy without restriction, but the Foreign Office has warned Britons to avoid large parts of northern Italy under a coronavirus quarantine, unless their journey is essential. Those traveling from locked-down areas have also been advised to self-isolate if they returned to the UK in the last 14 days, even if they have shown no symptoms.
UK reports 30% rise of coronavirus cases to 273, third death
France: Gatherings of over 1,000 people banned
France on Sunday banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus as the death toll from the outbreak increased to 19 with 1,126 cases confirmed nationwide.
The ban follows an emergency meeting led by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee presidential palace, Health Minister Olivier Veran said the country's coronavirus alert level remained at Stage 2, adding protests, exams and public transportation could be exempt from the ban on large gatherings because they are "useful to the life of the country."
The minister reiterated the necessity to respect barrier gestures, including frequent hand washing, use of single-use tissues, to cough or sneeze into the elbow and avoid handshakes and hugs. He also recommended to limit visits to elderly people, who are most vulnerable to coronavirus infection.
French authorities had earlier banned gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined venues. Schools have also been closed to hinder the spread of coronavirus. The minister also announced new measures to make telemedicine more flexible and available to the public by enabling patients to connect online or via video-link to doctors.
Ahead of the new order, two members of the French National Assembly have tested positive for the virus so far.
Medical workers in protective gear walk into a hospital facility to treat coronavirus patients in Daegu, South Korea, March 8, 2020. /Reuters
Spain: Thousands march despite the coronavirus
Thousands of women across Spain marched on Sunday against gender inequality to mark International Women's Day, despite concerns that gathering could help the spread of coronavirus.
Several events have been called off or postponed in Spain to minimize the possibility of the coronavirus spreading, but health emergency coordinator Fernando Simon said Saturday the Health Ministry did not consider the marches a risk.
According to the latest official figures, Spain has 589 confirmed cases of the virus, 202 of them in Madrid, and 10 seniors have died due to COVID-19.
South Korea: Smallest daily rise in cases reported
South Korea, which has one of the world's largest coronavirus totals outside of China, on Monday reported its smallest daily rise in cases for two weeks. A total of 248 cases were confirmed on Sunday, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bringing the total confirmed cases to 7,382, with 51 dead.
Each morning, the country announces how many cases were diagnosed the previous day and gives an update every afternoon with the current day's figures so far. Sunday's figure fell for the fourth day in a row and was the lowest since late February.
Copyright © 2020 CGTN. Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3
Copyright © 2020 CGTN. Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3
Copyright © 2020 CGTN. Beijing ICP prepared NO.16065310-3