BEIJING, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The world is now in battle against the common threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, a disease caused by a previously unknown coronavirus that has spread to over 180 countries and regions around the world.
The following are the updates on the contagious illness.
- - - -
ADDIS ABABA -- The death toll from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic in the African continent has reached 58 as confirmed positives cases surpassed 1,788 as of Tuesday, the Africa Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) disclosed on Tuesday.
The Africa CDC, specialized agency of the 55-member African Union (AU), in its latest situation update issued on Tuesday revealed that some 13 African countries have so far reported 58 deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- - - -
BUCHAREST -- Romanian President Klaus Iohannis on Tuesday announced a nationwide lockdown from Wednesday morning with only a few exceptions, in a latest move to contain the COVID-19 epidemic.
The head of state made the televised announcement after a meeting with the prime minister and several other relevant ministers.
- - - -
KABUL -- Four service members of the NATO-led Resolute Support have tested positive for COVID-19, the military confirmed on Tuesday.
"We are closely monitoring and adjusting so we can protect our force while protecting the national interests of NATO Allies and partners here in Afghanistan," Resolute Support (RS) forces tweeted.
- - - -
TOKYO -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach have agreed to postpone the Tokyo Olympics until no later than the summer of 2021, Abe said Tuesday.
Summer 2021 is the latest that these Olympics could be held, Abe said.
- - - -
SEOUL -- South Korea reported 76 more cases of COVID-19 compared to 24 hours ago as of midnight Tuesday local time, raising the total number of infections to 9,037.
Of the new cases, 20 were imported from abroad.
- - - -
CANBERRA -- Australians were told to stay at home unless it is necessary to go out by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday night.
He said at the press conference that people should only go out for the "basics".
- - - -
ISTANBUL -- Turkish banks are consecutively announcing financial support measures for both individuals and institutions in a move to overcome the limitations of the outbreak of COVID-19 with minimum damage.
Three big state banks, namely Ziraat Bank, Halkbank, and Vakifbank, declared several measures on Monday torestrain the sharp deterioration in cash flows in the market during the crisis period.
