UPDATE - Coronavirus: Death toll in Italy jumps to 631

ADDS DETAILS, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Baris Seckin

ROME (AA) - The death toll in Italy from the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 surged Tuesday to 631 after 168 fatalities were confirmed in the last 24 hours, according to an official.

Civil protection chief Angelo Borelli said the deaths were the highest single-day toll to date, but he added that 1,004 people have recovered from the virus.

Borelli said the number of cases rose to 8,514 while the total number affected, including deaths and recoveries, reached 10,149.

Authorities said that as of Saturday, the number of patients in intensive care was 567.

The country suspended all schools and universities until mid-March due to the outbreak.

To prevent further spread of the virus, the government has discouraged handshaking as well as taking part in sporting events, with many large gatherings suspended and those older than 65 advised to stay at home.

The global death toll from the virus is more than 4,000, with nearly 114,000 confirmed cases.

The virus originated in China but has reached more than 100 countries, with the World Health Organization saying Monday the “threat of a pandemic has become very real.”

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, some governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with the worst-hit countries.