Europe is now the "epicentre" of the global coronavirus pandemic as several countries reported a spike in infections and deaths.
Head of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus urged countries to use aggressive measures to save lives.
Italy recorded its highest daily toll yet, taking the total to 1,266, with 17,660 infections.
Spain, which also reported a 50 per cent jump in fatalities, will be placed under a state of alert for two weeks.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency to help tackle the coronavirus outbreak. There are 1,701 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 40 deaths.


Bangladesh's ousted PM Hasina sentenced to death for students crackdown
Thousands in Philippine capital hold second day of anti-graft protests
Landslide kills 6 bus passengers in central Vietnam
Landslides in Indonesia's Central Java kill at least 18; dozens missing
US Border Patrol arrests 81 on first day of Charlotte immigration crackdown