The novel coronavirus has now infected 93,090 people worldwide according to the latest situation report from the World Health Organization. Of that total number, 2223 are new cases reported as of March 4.
All countries, except China, accounted for 12,668 of the confirmed cases and 2,103 of the new cases. There are now 76 countries with infections with a total of 214 deaths. The recent fatalities are 48.
WHO said governments should boost their containment effort. The organization said containment should be the priority since there remained to be 119 countries without infections and that of the 76 countries with cases, 47 have only 10 cases and below.
Morocco became one of the newest countries to have reported its first case. The patient is a national but is residing in Italy and came home to Morocco for a short visit. A Moroccan health official said the patient is in stable condition and is undergoing quarantine.
The first reported case in Andorra is a 20-year-old man who has visited Milan, Italy. The local government said all family members, friends and other social circles will be strictly monitored for possible infection.
In Argentina, a 43-year-old man who had been on a two-week trip in Italy became South America's first confirmed case.
A 33-year-old man who also has a recent travel history in Italy became the first confirmed case in Chile. At the same time, a 43-year-old man with travel history to Italy was also the first COVID-19 patient in Argentina. In Ukraine, a man who traveled to Italy is now in quarantine for testing positive for the virus.
In Armenia, a 29-year-old man who visited Iran became the first confirmed case in the country. The country was among the earliest to close borders with Iran. The local government hopes that with its immediate action the young man's case will only be isolated.
Poland, meanwhile, said its first COVID-19 patient visited Germany. The man is in stable condition. The country is still testing about 70 people for the virus while 500 more are already placed in quarantine.
Iraq, meanwhile, has confirmed its second death due to the virus. The country said the patient has a history of chronic diseases before contracting the virus.
Saudi Arabia has just confirmed its second case. The cases happened as the Kingdom was compelled to cancel religious gatherings to prevent a large crowd.
Last week, Saudi Arabia bans all pilgrimage, stopping all foreign travelers from reaching Mecca and the Kaaba, as well as Prophet Muhammad's mosque in Medina.
Iran, which is among the countries outside China with the largest number of infected people, has also canceled Friday prayers.
Singapore, on the other hand, asked all worshippers in mosques to bring their mats and avoid shaking hands with each other.
With how people are scared about the outbreak, opportunists are on the prowl for victims. WHO is warning people against scams of individuals who disguised themselves as bonafide members of the organization. Criminals are posing as WHO employees to ask donations from people. The scammers contact victims via phones, cellphones, and emails. WHO said they don't contact random people to gather donations and advised anyone who knows of a COVID-19 related scam to contact its office.
