The World Health Organisation has declared the COVID-19 outbreak is now a pandemic, and various countries are taking steps to curb the spread of the virus.
For instance, the US has banned all flights to Europe while Italy has imposed a total lockdown in the country with schools, restaurants, bars, and all social gathering places shut. The European Union leaders have promised that they are doing whatever it takes to curb the virus.
WHO indicates that, so far, there have been over 126,000 confirmed cases across the globe. John Hopkins University, which is tracking the coronavirus, has reported that more than 68,000 people have so far recovered.
Confirmed cases in Iran reach over 10,000
In Iran, there have been more than 10,000 cases of infection with the ministry of health, indicating that there have been 1,075 new cases. Ministry Health spokesman Kianush Jahanpur stated that there have been 75 new deaths bringing the toll to around 429. Iran is the third country to report over 10,000 coronavirus cases after China and Italy.
There are reports that people have been drinking illegally home-made alcohol following rumors that liquor can suppress the virus. Iran’s Central Bank has requested for $5 billion emergency loan from IMF to help in combating the spread of the virus amid hard economic times following US sanctions.
Sporting activities affected globally
In Europe, various countries have suspended sporting activities as they move to curb the spread of COVID-19. In Spain, the football association suspended La Liga for two weeks following reports that Real Madrid has put its players in quarantine for two weeks on concerns of the virus. This comes after the death toll in the country rose to 84 on Thursday from 47 the previous day. So far, there are almost 3,000 confirmed cases of infection in Spain.
There we also concern regarding the Australian Grand Prix after McLaren Racing team withdrew from this weekend’s round after a member of its team tested positive for COVID-19. McLaren indicated that a member of the team tested positive, and they were quarantined immediately and will continue receiving treatment from local authorities.