Spain toll rises by 514

Madrid: Another 514 people have died in Spain over the past 24 hours, raising the death toll to 2,696, as the number of infections surged towards 40,000. As the health authorities step up the number of tests, the number of people who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 rose by nearly 20 per cent to 39,673, the health ministry said. At the same time, the death toll showed an increase of 23.5 percent over the figures from Monday.

Iceland confirms first death

Reyjavik: Icelandic health authorities said Tuesday that a patient in her 60s had died from COVID-19, marking the country’s first confirmed death from the new coronavirus. According to a statement from The National University Hospital of Iceland, the Icelandic woman had also been suffering from a chronic illness. It is the first death from COVID-19 to be confirmed officially. According to Icelandic media reports, an Australian tourist who was confirmed to have the virus died early last week. AFP

Swiss cases rise to 9,000

Zurich: Switzerland has nearly 9,000 confirmed coronavirus infections and 90 deaths, the Federal Office of Public Health said on Tuesday, adding it was premature to say the number of new cases was flattening out. The number of new cases rose by fewer than 1,000 since Monday, the data indicated, slightly less steeply than increases in recent days.

SA announces 21-Day shutdown

Johannesburg: South Africa’s coronavirus cases leapt again to 554 on Tuesday, the most of any country in Africa, as its 57 million people rushed to prepare for a lockdown that begins on Thursday. Across Africa, 43 of its 54 countries now have cases, with the total at 1,788. Thirteen countries have reported 58 deaths. South Africa has not recorded one. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday night announced the 21-day lockdown. Rwanda and Tunisia earlier announced lockdowns.

Nepal goes INto week-long lockdown

Kathmandu: A week-long nationwide lockdown began in Nepal on Tuesday to stem the spread of fast-spreading coronavirus pandemic. On the first day of the restrictions, markets remained closed and roads wore a deserted look barring the vehicles of security personnel and medical facilities. Agencies