The number of people infected and dying from global nCoV increased by 218,389 and 8,937, respectively, and the number of deaths in Europe is higher than in Asia.

Covid-19 continued to spread in 173 countries and territories. The number of new infections has risen sharply in Iran and European countries.

Italy, the largest epidemic region in Europe and the second largest in the world, detected 4,207 cases and 475 deaths, bringing the number of cases and deaths nationwide to 35,713 and 2,978. The death rate is 8.3%, double the global average of 4.1%.

Spain and Germany, the second and third largest epidemic areas in Europe, reported more than 2,900 positive cases, bringing the number of cases up to 14,769 and 13,327 respectively. While Germany recorded only 28 deaths, the index in Spain was 638. France also discovered an additional 1,404 cases.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that Germany was facing the biggest challenge "since World War II". German authorities have closed schools, businesses and public places but they have not asked people to stay home, as opposed to France, Belgium, Italy and Spain.

Iran continues to be Asia's second largest epidemic region, after mainland China, with 1,192 new cases and 147 more deaths. Iranian Deputy Health Minister Alireza Raisi said many residents have not followed the government's anti-epidemic instructions, such as banning "unnecessary" travel. He warned the epidemic could last more than two months if the public refuses to cooperate.

China and South Korea have not released figures today. These two regions have cooled down in recent weeks.

In the US, the number of infections increased to 9,197 after an additional 2,776 cases were reported. The United States also recorded 41 more deaths, bringing the number of deaths to 150. Trump activated the National Defense Production Law to speed up production of necessary supplies and equipment such as breathing apparatus, masks and personal protective gear. Medical tablets. Trump likens himself to a "wartime president".

Epidemic has begun to spread strongly in Southeast Asia. Indonesia recorded 55 new infections, the largest increase in the day. A total of 227 people were infected and 19 died in Indonesia. Malaysia is the largest epidemic in Southeast Asia with 790 people infected, two deaths.

However, thousands of Muslim pilgrims across Asia still flock to Gowa, South Sulawesi province, Indonesia to attend the event on March 19-22. Earlier, similar events in Malaysia led to more than 500 people infected with nCoV.

In total, the world recorded an additional 959 deaths, mostly in European countries, bringing the number of deaths due to nCoV to 8,937, mostly elderly and underlying diseases. 84,383 people, or 38.6% of the infections, recovered. Kyrgyzstan, Montenegro, Djibouti and Gambia are the latest countries to report outbreaks.

Covid-19 map of the world. Click on image to see details.