Global cases top 700,000

35,004 fatalities reported in 183 countries and territories | Death toll shoots in Belgium, Netherlands

Paris, March 30

More than 7,00,000 cases of the novel coronavirus have been officially declared around the world since the start of the pandemic, according to a tally on Monday based on official sources.

There have been at least 7,38,235 cases including 35,004 fatalities in 183 countries and territories.

These are notably in the US, which has reported 1,43,025 cases and 2,514 deaths and Italy with 97,689 cases and the world’s highest death toll of 10,779, according to the AFP tally.

China, where the outbreak first emerged in December, has registered 81,470 cases and 3,304 deaths.

The pandemic has killed more than 25,000 persons in Europe. With a total of 25,037 deaths out of 399,381 officially declared cases, Europe is now the continent with the highest toll from COVID-19. Italy has 10,779 deaths and Spain 7,340, making them the two most affected countries globally with more than three quarters of the deaths in Europe.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who is self-isolating after testing positive, took to social media once again to post a video message to update the public on his health, in which he also said that 20,000 former NHS staff have returned to help contain the virus. The country accounts for 19,522 cases.

On the other hand, Belgium’s death toll passed the 500 mark, with almost 12,000 cases detected since the start of the epidemic. Coming to the Asian countries, Thailand reported 136 new coronavirus cases and two new deaths, raising the total number of infections to 1,524 and fatalities to nine. Indonesia confirmed 130 new infections, taking the total count to 1,285.

The figures represent only a fraction of the number of infections as many countries only carry out tests on suspected cases if they are hospitalised or with severe symptoms.

In a major step, the Australian government announced a six-month wage subsidy package worth $80 billion to support the economy amid the pandemic, taking the total value of economic stimulus measures beyond A$200 billion ($123 billion). The country accounts for 4,245 cases. Agencies

Boxes

Netanyahu self-isolates after aide tests positive

Jerusalem: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was self-isolating on Monday after a parliamentary aide tested positive for coronavirus, though an initial investigation determined the 70-year-old was unlikely to have been infected. Netanyahu was scheduled to undergo a coronavirus test by Tuesday, the officials said. A previous test, on March 15, found the premier to be negative. Israel’s Health Ministry regulations generally require 14-day self-isolation for anyone deemed to have been in proximity with a carrier, with the duration reduced for the number of days that have passed since the suspected exposure.

Israeli media said the infected aide had been present at a parliament session last week attended by Netanyahu as well as opposition lawmakers with whom he is trying to build an emergency coalition government to help address the coronavirus crisis.

Malaria drug Hydroxychloroquine administered to 1,100 patients in NY

Washington: Malaria medicine Hydroxychloroquine is being administered to 1,100 coronavirus patients in New York, President Donald Trump said, exuding confidence that the drug, touted as a “game-changer” by him, might give some incredible results in the fight against the disease that has infected over 1,40,000 persons in the country. An inexpensive drug widely used since 1955 to treat malaria, Hydroxychloroquine is considered to have relatively harmless side effects. It is being tested out on the COVID-19 patients in New York on an experimental basis, hoping that this will give a solution in the treatment against the novel coronavirus.

Celebrity victims

Japanese comedian dies

Tokyo: Popular Japanese comedian Ken Shimura, who drew inspiration from the American comedic icon Jerry Lewis, has died from the coronavirus, becoming Japan’s first known celebrity victim of the disease. He was 70.

Songwriter Alan Merrill another victim

Los Angeles: Musician-songwriter Alan Merrill has passed away due to complications from the coronavirus. He was 69. Merrill wrote the hit number ‘I love rock n roll’, which released in 1975,