The US now leads the world in confirmed cases of more than 100,000, followed by Italy with 86,500 cases and China with 81,400 cases.

Italy has the highest number of deaths of Covid-19 with 9,100. It has also registered its single-day record for most deaths with 969 victims in the past 24 hours. Spain came second with 5,100 deaths, followed by China with 3,300 deaths and Iran with 2,400 deaths.

The pandemic continues to ravage the world. Spain has reported over 65,700 Covid-19 sufferers.

The number of deaths has totaled 2,000 in France and 759 in the UK. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Health Secretary Matt Hancock have tested positive for the coronavirus. They have mild symptoms and are self-isolating.

Of the 47 African countries which are members of the World Health Organization, 39 nations are now affected, compared with only one a month ago.