COVID-19 cases worldwide reach 1.46M, death toll exceed 86,000

The global outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Pasadena A health worker in protective gear waits to hand out self-testing kits in a parking lot of Rose Bowl Stadium during the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Pasadena, California, U.S., April 8, 2020. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Global death toll due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to rise with more than 86,000 reported on Wednesday with most cases coming from Europe.

Some countries extend lockdown, extreme measures in bid to curb spread of COVID-19. 

More than 86,000 dead

More than 1.46 million cases have been officially recorded and at least 86,289 have died in 192 countries since the virus emerged in China in December, according to an AFP tally on Wednesday based on official sources.

More than 60,000 have died in Europe, including 17,669 in Italy, 14,555 in Spain, 10,869 in France and 7,097 in Britain.

US: more than 400,000 cases

The United States passes the 400,000 case mark, according to Johns Hopkins University, with more than 13,800 having died in the country.

'Deepest recession' warning

The pandemic could provoke the deepest recession in living memory, World Trade Organization (WTO) chief Roberto Azevedo warns.

"COVID-19 has completely upended the global economy and with it international trade," he says, predicting it could plummet by up to a third this year.

France in recession

In its worst performance since 1945, France's economy shrinks around six percent in the first quarter of 2020, the Bank of France says, as the pandemic plunges the country into recession.

The German economy is expected to shrink by nearly 10 percent in the second quarter, leading research institutes warn.

France to extend lockdown

France is to further extend its lockdown beyond April 15, with President Emmanuel Macron to again address the nation next Monday.

State of emergency

Ethiopia and Liberia declare states of emergency, with the Liberian capital Monrovia and several other regions to go into lockdown.

Wuhan exodus

Tens of thousands stream out of the Chinese city of Wuhan after officials lift a nearly 11-week travel ban at the birthplace of the coronavirus.

British PM 'improving'

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's condition is "improving" the finance minister says, as he spends a third day in intensive care battling the coronavirus after being diagnosed late last month.

Switzerland: towards easing

Emergency Swiss measures will be extended by a week to April 26, but could be eased before May, President Simonetta Sommaruga announces.

'Don't politicize' coronavirus

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urges: "Please don't politicise this virus," following criticism of the body from US President Donald Trump, who accused it of being pro-Chinese and of badly handling the pandemic.

Airbus slashes production

European aircraft manufacturer Airbus says it has cut production of its planes by around a third, as global airlines scale back their plans. -- Agence France-Presse