The entries and exits of a vast area in the north of Italy, going from Milan, economic capital of the country, to Venice, high place of the world tourism, are from now on strictly limited, according to a decree published on the site of the government. This draconian measure, taken in the European country hardest hit by the epidemic, is similar to that implemented in the Chinese province of Hubei from which the coronavirus epidemic started in December (56 million 'residents in quarantine). Another symbolic measure: Pope Francis will do his Sunday prayer on video, not in public, the Vatican said.
>> READ ALSO - LIVE - Coronavirus: follow the evolution of the situation Sunday March 8
The accelerated spread of the virus is considered "very worrying" by the World Health Organization (WHO): in total, 94 countries are now affected by Covid-19, which has killed more than 3,500 people worldwide. Latin America deplores his first death, a 64-year-old man who died in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The island of Malta and Paraguay have announced the first contamination. The Maldives archipelago has detected its first two cases among the staff of a luxury hotel on an island 150 km from the capital Male, and Bulgaria has also identified two first cases.
In Italy, 1,247 cases have been recorded in the last 24 hours as well as 36 new deaths, bringing the number of deaths to 233. The Italian government has decided to send 20,000 people as reinforcements to its hospitals, which will allow to bring from 5,000 to 7,500 the number of intensive care beds.
A real-time map to see the evolution of the coronavirus
Developed by researchers at the Johns-Hopkins University in the United States, a map lists all the confirmed cases of Covid-19 around the world, as well as those suspected, in real time. But it is also accompanied by several counters which provide information on the number of victims ... and people healed.
Export collapse from China
Fifth most affected country, France has sixteen dead and 949 cases. China announced 27 new deaths on Sunday, bringing the total death toll to 3,097 in the country. With more than 7,000 deaths, South Korea is the most affected country outside of China. Iran follows, where 21 new deaths and 1,076 infections have been recorded in the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 145 dead and 5,823 cases of contamination. On the East Coast of the United States, the state of New York declared a state of emergency, to accelerate the fight against the disease.
In China, the collapse of a hotel requisitioned as a quarantine site against the coronavirus in the east of the country has killed at least four people, according to the authorities. Concerns about the economic impact of the epidemic in China, where activity remains largely paralyzed, were heightened on Saturday by the announcement of a 17.2% collapse over one year in the country's exports in January and in February. What fuels concerns about global growth, of which the Asian giant is a crucial engine.
Several events postponed or canceled
Reflection of the authorities' concern, sporting events and rallies continue to be canceled or postponed: the Barcelona marathon scheduled for March 15 will finally be held October 25. Hungary has canceled the celebration of the national holiday on March 15 in Budapest. In Canada, the Women's World Ice Hockey Championships, scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 10, have been canceled. In Saudi Arabia, on the contrary, Ryad decided to reopen the esplanade surrounding the Kaaba, the holiest place in Islam, located in the heart of the Great Mosque of Mecca.
In addition, thirteen countries have closed their schools: 300 million students worldwide are out of school for several weeks. Many countries are taking inadmissibility or quarantine measures for travelers from affected countries. At least 36 countries have already imposed a total entry ban on people arriving from South Korea, according to Seoul, and 22 others have taken quarantine measures.