There are now more confirmed cases of coronavirus globally than there are in China.

At least 88,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed globally, compared with 81,000 in China, according to an updated count of cases by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

It comes as deaths related to the virus rose significantly in some European countries. Italy recorded 368 deaths in 24 hours due to coronavirus, bringing the total to 1,809.

In Spain, the death toll doubled in a day, rising to 292.

Western Europe has been slowing down activity significantly amidst the case increases, with many national media reports that France could join Spain and Italy soon with a full lockdown and curfew.

Germany, meanwhile, partially closed its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg and Denmark.

At a glance: key coronavirus developments

• Four US states close bars and restaurants over coronavirus outbreak.

• Portugal and Spain have agreed to halt tourism across their 1,200-kilometre shared border starting Monday.

• Serbia’s president has proclaimed a nationwide state of emergency and told foreigners wanting to enter the country “don’t come or you’ll be quarantined.”

• Montenegro has banned foreigners from entry and ordered the closure of cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, fitness centres and children’s playgrounds.

• In Greece, confirmed COVID-19 cases have risen to 331. That’s an increase of 103 in one day.

• UK coronavirus death toll hits 35, as further 14 patients who tested positive for the virus have died.

• The Vatican’s Holy Week ceremonies will go ahead but without public attendance.

• Poland restores checks on its land borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Slovakia on Sunday.

• Bosnia forces incoming residents to stay in tents for 14 days.

• Spain declared state of alarm and announced a partial lockdown after a sharp rise in cases.

• France closes all its bars, restaurants and other non-essential outlets.

• Denmark announces first death from the virus.

• Romania announces a state of emergency starting on Monday.

• Wuhan football team leaving Spain to escape coronavirus.

• WHO declares Europe the new ‘epicentre’ of the pandemic on Friday.

Italy records large increase in deaths and infections

An additional 3,590 cases of the coronavirus were also reported in Italy in a 24-hour period, nearly 100 more than the increase as the day before.

The infections reported on Sunday represent the country’s biggest day-to-day increase.

Italy’s Civil Protection chief Angelo Borrelli announced the latest number of cases, bringing the total number of people confirmed to 24,747. The number of deaths increased by 368 to 1,809.

Lombardy remains by far the most affected region with 1,218 deaths and 13,272 cases.

Local authorities are voicing their concern about the capacity of their hospital system, which is one of the most efficient in Europe, as it responds to the pandemic.

“Figures continue to rise. We will soon reach the point where we will no longer have any beds for intensive care,” warned Lombardy governor Attilio Fontana in an interview with Sky TG24 on Sunday before the publication of the latest report.

Lombardy’s top health official, Giulio Gallera, had already made similar remarks: “In Lombardy, we still have 15 to 20 intensive therapy beds. We are close to the point of no return.”

According to Fontana, the setup of a temporary hospital with 500 places for intensive therapy is being planned in two pavilions at the Milan Fair.

According to the World Health Organisation, the vast majority of people who get COVID-19 recover within weeks.

Italy’s national health institute chief Silvio Brusaferro said it is not known if Italy is reaching its peak and might start seeing the number of new cases decline.

Deaths in Spain double in a day to 288

Spanish health authorities said deaths from the coronavirus have more than doubled in 24 hours, while total infections approached 8,000 on Sunday.

The Health Ministry said Spain has recorded 288 deaths since the start of the pandemic, up from 136 on Saturday.

Spain currently has 7,753 confirmed infections, up from 5,700 on Saturday, with around half of them concentrated in the capital of Madrid.

The jump comes a day after Spain’s government declared a state of alarm and took extraordinary measures to limit movement to commuting to work and necessary errands.

It has also closed restaurants, bars, most retail shops and reduced public transport.

Partially closed borders

Germany will partially close its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, Luxembourg and Denmark as it steps up efforts to stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said the new checks will take effect at 8 a.m. Monday.

People who commute across the border to work will still be able to cross, as will goods. However, people “without a valid reason to travel will no longer be allowed to enter and leave” Germany, added Seehofer.

The minister stressed that German citizens in the neighbouring countries will be allowed back in.

Germany had confirmed nearly 4,000 infections with the virus by Saturday, and authorities have reported 11 deaths.

Germany’s northern neighbour, Denmark, and eastern neighbours Poland and the Czech Republic already closed their own frontiers in recent days.

Germany also has borders with the Netherlands and Belgium, which are not affected.

Austria limits people’s movement nationwide

Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told the Austria Press Agency on Sunday that there should be only three reasons for people to leave home: essential work, essential purchases such as food, and helping other people.

He said that people will be able to go out “only alone or with the people with whom (they) live in their apartment.”

Kurz’s comments came shortly after the governor of Tyrol province had announced a lockdown for his Alpine region.

Austria, a country of some 8 million people, has confirmed 800 infections with the new coronavirus.

People over 70 will be told to self-isolate in the UK

Elderly people in the UK will be told to self-isolate “within the coming weeks” the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told British channel Sky News on Sunday.

Hancock was speaking as he addressed growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

He said the government had set out the future restrictions, which include asking the vulnerable and those over 70 to self-isolate for up to four months, in its action plan to tackle the virus.

Hancock also called on manufacturers to help build more ventilators which he said were “critical” in the battle to help those who are ill.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, COVID-19 can cause severe illness, including pneumonia.

COVID-19 likely to affect more than half of French population

France’s Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said in an interview with radio station Franceinfo that the coronavirus epidemic will “probably” affect more than half of the French population.

The minister answered a question on the drastic containment measures announced the day before.

“As you know, from the beginning, the strategy has not been to prevent the virus from getting through – we know that it will probably pass through more than half of us – but it is to make sure that it passes and spreads over a longer period of time, ” Blanquer noted.

He added, “we consider […] that 50% to 70% of the population ends up being infected by the virus. This is what will put an end to the virus, since it creates a form of hive immunity, leading the virus to disappear on its own. “

With his statement, Blanquer joins UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had confirmed that the UK is trying to not just contain, but also delay the spread of the disease to limit the pressure on the healthcare system.

Earlier this week, German chancellor Angela Merkel had also said that up to 70% of Germany could become infected, meaning about 58 million people could contract COVID-19.

Australia introduces strict measures

Australia’s prime minister says all travellers arriving in the country will have to self-isolate for 14 days to try and stem the spread of the new coronavirus.

The measures will begin from midnight Monday Australian east coast time.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement Sunday after a phone hookup with the leaders of Australian states and territories leaders under a new national cabinet meeting.

Morrison told reporters in Sydney that the measures are indefinite and will be reviewed periodically.

Morrison also banned all cruise ships from docking in Australian ports for at least 30 days.

The measures are similar to what New Zealand announced on Saturday.

Trump tests negative for COVID-19

After days of resisting screening for the coronavirus, President Donald Trump tested negative for the virus, officials said Saturday night. Meanwhile, the White House began checking the temperature of anyone coming into close contact with the president and other officials.

Prior to his testing, Trump said his personal physician told him he didn’t show symptoms and didn’t need to take the test. But Trump decided to do it anyway after repeated questions from reporters about why he was hesitating to undergo screening when he had been exposed to at least three people who have tested positive for the virus.

“One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free,” Sean Conley, the president’s physician, said in a memo.

The president, according to two people close to the White House, had been reluctant to take the test for fear it would project weakness or worry. Trump wanted to appear in full control during the crisis and had expressed concerns that taking personal steps could undermine that appearance.

Trump, 73, is considered to be at higher risk of complications from the disease because of his age. He has long tried to minimize the threat posed by the virus and continued to engage in behaviours that health officials are warning the public against.