A total of 427 deaths were registered in Italy over the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,405.
By comparison, 3,245 people have died in China since the virus first emerged in the city of Wuhan late last year.
However, Italy has far fewer confirmed cases — 41,035 as of Thursday against 80,907 in China.
Italy’s outbreak did not come to light until it was first reported in the north of the country on February 21.
Hospitals in the country said they were being overwhelmed and the Government prepared to prolong emergency lockdown measures.
Also in this COVID-19 update:
0:27 – United Nations grab
0:45 – Queen Elizabeth has moved to Windsor Castle
1:07 – Prince Albert of Monaco has tested positive to coronavirus
1:21 – Europe correspondent Samantha Hawley
Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-20/coronavirus-update-iran-death-toll-royal-tests-positive/12073096
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