Fears Rise As COVID-19 Cases, Deaths Hit New High

Number of infections in Italy rises by 40% to 1,576 in 24 hours

- 

The number of countries hit by the COVID-19 outbreak climbed past 60 on Sunday, as infections and deaths continued to mount around the globe, emptying streets of tourists and workers, shaking economies and rewriting the realities of daily life.

Panic-buying of daily necessities emerged in Japan, tourist sites across Asia, Europe and West Asia were deserted, and governments closed schools and banned big gatherings.

Australia and Thailand reported their first deaths, while the Dominican Republic and the Czech Republic recorded their first cases.