Coronavirus Pandemic: Latest updates

US deaths top 20,000

At least 20,608 people in the United States have died, making the US the hardest-hit country. It also has the highest number of reported infections (530,006), according to the latest figures from Johns Hopkins University.

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75,000 dead in Europe

At least 109,300 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus in 193 countries and territories, according to an AFP tally around 1000 GMT yesterday based on official sources. There have been more than 1,780,640 million reported infections. With 75,011 deaths out of 909,700 diagnosed cases, Europe is the hardest-hit continent. Italy has 19,468 deaths, Spain 16,972, France 13,832 and Britain 9,875.

Spectre of recession

The World Bank warns South Asia is on course for its worst economic performance in 40 years, with decades of progress in the battle against poverty at risk. It slashes its growth forecast for the region this year to 1.8-2.8 percent from its pre-pandemic projection of 6.3 percent, with at least half the countries falling into "deep recession".

'Easter of solitude'

Pope Francis livestreams Easter Sunday mass to the world's 1.3 billion Catholics, from an empty Saint Paul's Cathedral at the Vatican. "For many, this is an Easter of solitude lived amid the sorrow and hardship that the pandemic is causing, from physical suffering to economic difficulties," the pope says. He calls for a reduction or forgiveness of poor nation's debts and an "immediate" ceasefire in global conflicts.

Confinement goes on

Lebanon extends its lockdown until April 26. Syria extends the closure of schools and universities until May 2. Argentina extends its obligatory confinement until April 26 in big cities, but considers relaxing the measures in rural areas.

UK PM out of hospital

Britain's virus-stricken Prime Minister Boris Johnson is discharged from hospital after spending three days in intensive care. Downing Street says that on the advice of his medical team, he will not immediately return to work.

Saudi Arabia extends curfew

Saudi Arabia's King Salman extended a nationwide curfew until further notice due to the spread of the new coronavirus after the kingdom reported more than 300 new infections on each of the last four days.