Latest COVID-19 developments around the world

The World Health Organization (WHO) Monday said the coronavirus is closer to being a pandemic but outbreaks in countries can still be controlled through a combination of containment and mitigation measures.

"Now that the virus has a foothold in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, told a news conference. 

In its latest daily report, the WHO said 104 countries and regions have reported confirmed cases with 109,577 cases globally and 3,809 deaths.

Confirmed cases outside China have surged, reaching 28,673 as of 10 a.m. CET (0900 GMT) on March 9.

Europe:

Italy extends quarantine to entire country, all public gatherings including all sports and schools to be halted till April 3. Over 9,000 people have been infected in the country, and 463 have died so far.

Germany reported its first two deaths as confirmed infections in the country reached 1,151. 

The UK said a fifth patient has died, who was in his/her 70s and had underlying health conditions. The number of cases has jumped to 321.

In France, there're 30 deaths and 1,412 confirmed cases. Franck Riester, the French culture minister, has been infected, local media said.

North America:

Canada reported its first coronavirus-related death after a male patient passed away Sunday night in British Columbia. Canada now has 77 total cases.

The U.S. has detected over 580 cases and 22 deaths. Also the Grand Princess cruise ship has docked at the port in Oakland, California, to unload passengers, which might take two to three days. Twenty-one people on board have already infected with the virus.

Middle East:

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has canceled the Persian New Year speech, initially scheduled on March 20, due to the virus outbreak. 

Iraq reported six more cases, lifting the country's total to 67. Seven people have died and nine recovered.