Anadolu Agency's Morning Briefing - April 13, 2020

ANKARA (AA) - Here is Anadolu Agency’s rundown of the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic and other news in Turkey and around the world.

As the novel coronavirus continues spreading rapidly worldwide, total confirmed coronavirus cases around the world is now over 1.85 million, while more than 114,200 people died, with recoveries exceeding 430,600.

Turkey on Monday at midnight lifted the 48-hour curfew in 31 major cities.

Turkey’s interior minister announced he is stepping down from the post, citing recent incidents ahead of this weekend’s coronavirus curfew. But President Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected the resignation, the country’s communications directorate said in a statement.

On Saturday, the country was reported to be in compliance of the lockdown. Additional measures to stem the spread of the virus are ongoing in the country.

The country’s health minister said early Sunday that the number of patients under intensive care is on decline.

Turkey on Sunday confirmed 97 more deaths from the virus, bringing the death toll to 1,198 and the total number of cases to 56,956.

Turkey continues to aid other countries worst-hit by the virus, and will send medical aid to Israel and Palestine, country’s presidential spokesperson said on Sunday.

Turkey has also sent medical aid to Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Kosovo, as well as to Italy, Spain and the U.K.

Second batch of medical help to the U.K. departed Turkey on Sunday.

- Americas

Colombia has witnessed a most unusual Holy Week in a country where about 75% of the population is Catholic and attendance at religious services is one of the main activities this time of the year. But this year the country is celebrating Easter Sunday at home due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In the U.S., more than 22,100 people have died from the novel coronavirus. There are over 557,500 confirmed infections while nearly 42,000 recoveries.

- Arab countries

Palestine is struggling with an "unprecedented" economic crisis amid the novel coronavirus outbreak and Israeli occupation, while the cases continue to rise in the country.

Along with COVID-19, Libya is struggling with civil war. On Sunday, warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces targeted medical warehouse in Tripoli, which is a hospital treating COVID-19 patients.

Later same day, Haftar's forces killed one child, and one woman, targeting civilian areas in Tripoli.

- Europe on lockdown

Italy on Easter Sunday reported 431 new deaths from the novel coronavirus -- the lowest increase in over three weeks -- bringing the total number of fatalities to 19,899.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced the extension of the almost-total lockdown imposed nationwide until May 3.

Germany’s death toll reached 2,673, with 129 new deaths reported by the local health authorities Sunday morning. For the first time, country reported more fully recovered coronavirus patients than people still infected with the virus, according to the country’s disease control agency.

Spain’s death toll is 19,468, while virus claimed 13,851 people’s lives in France.

The World Health Organization chief praised Turkey for showing an “exemplary” solidarity with the coronavirus-hit countries, while his top aide said the country has a "huge history" of large-scale disaster management and of offering support to other countries.

- Other developments

Patients who recover from COVID-19 can help others do the same once they test negative for the virus by donating their plasma and antibodies for patients in critical condition.

The Turkish Red Crescent said doctors are having improvements in the treatment of COVID-19 patients.

Take a look at our infographic, showing the worldwide COVID-19 testing ratio per country.

Turkish football club Galatasaray’s former star Didier Drogba offers his hospital to the Ivory Coast government, to be used as a COVID-19 center, in fighting the virus.

African countries asked China to stop discrimination against African-American people in China, allegedly blaming them for the second wave COVID-19 outbreak in the country.