13 March
As the number of global coronavirus cases rise, countries are scrambling to enact measures that will stem the spread. In Italy, nearly 200 more deaths have raised the country's total death toll to over 1,000.
The government said on Thursday that most of the new fatalities occurred in northern Italy.
It has ordered all shops and restaurants to be closed, except for pharmacies, grocery stores, and those dealing in daily necessities.
In the neighboring country of France all schools and universities will be temporarily closed starting Monday.
French President Emmanuel Macron said, "the virus is continuing to spread around the world, including all countries in Europe. This is the most grave public health crisis that France has fought in a century."
Macron called on elderly people to stay home as much as possible. He said, however, municipal elections scheduled for this weekend would go ahead after taking measures to prevent infection.
More than 2,800 people in France have been infected, and 61 people have died.
In Iran, the country reported 400 additional deaths on Thursday.
Health authorities said the number of infections has topped 10,000.
Local media say at least 70 people have died of alcohol poisoning after drinking tainted liquor following online rumors that alcohol can kill the virus.
The Central Bank of Iran has asked for a 5 billion-dollar IMF emergency loan as the economy already hit hard by US sanctions reacts to the pandemic.
And in the US, Washington state remains one of the hot spots. The Japanese Consulate General in Seattle said on Thursday it will temporarily close its office after learning a visitor may have been infected.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday that he is in self-isolation after his wife developed "mild, flu-like symptoms" returning from a trip to London.
Other high-profile people impacted by the virus include Hollywood actor Tom Hanks, who confirmed he has it, while Brazil's president Jair Bolsonaro has undergone a test after his communications secretary tested positive.
The WHO has reported a bump of 6,729 cases in 121 countries and territories as of Thursday, bringing the total number to more than 125,000. The death toll has topped 4,600.
NHK
