The United States now has more than 13,000 people who tested positive of the novel coronavirus (SARS-COV-2), according to media reports. News platfrom CNN connected to a wider availability of testing.
India tally
India's tally of positive jumped to 206 on March 20 morning, according to Indian Council of Medical Research. A total of 14,376 samples from 13,486 people have been tested for the SARS-COV-2 virus, it said in a release.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which usually updates the media on the novel coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) situation within India, was yet to confirm the numbers.
2 new cases in Mumbai, 1 in Pune
Maharashtra reported three new cases of the virus on March 20, taking its total to 52 --highest in the country.
Italy overtakes China
Italy overtook China in deaths due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic with a toll of 3,405 as of March 19, 2020 compared with 3,245 in China, where the SARS-COV-2 virus was reported first.
The European country’s fatality ratio, however, is greater at a little over 41,000 cases — nearly half of China’s 80,928. The World Health Organisation's emergency programme director Mike Ryan blamed this on a relatively higher proportion of elderly population in Italy. Since the country’s health system was working beyond capacity, the rate is bound to be high, he added.
Recession fears
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said a global economic recession was due to the outbreak was almost certain, news agency Reuters reported.
No new local coronavirus cases In China for second day
China on March 20 said no new local infections were recorded in the country for the second consecutive day. Out of 39 infections confirmed on Thursday, all were foreign nationals, Chinese officials said.
