People walk in Times Square, Manhattan while some screens are seen illuminated in blue as part of the "Light It Blue" initiative to honor healthcare workers during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in New York City, New York, U.S., April
The number of confirmed infections of the novel coronavirus were reported to have exceeded 1.56 million globally and the death toll rose above 95,000, according to a Reuters tally
DEATHS AND INFECTIONS
EUROPE - Spain's prime minister warned that nationwide confinement would likely last until May even though the worst should soon be over. The death toll fell again on Friday with 605 fatalities registered over the past 24 hours.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was resting in hospital on Friday as he recovered from COVID-19 while Britons were told to avoid the temptation of spring during the Easter break with the outbreak approaching a peak.
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Germany rose by 5,323 in the past 24 hours to 113,525 on Friday, climbing for a fourth straight day after four previous days of declines, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed. Social distancing measures have helped Germany to slightly slow the spread of the coronavirus, Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
The Swiss death toll from coronavirus has reached 805, the country's public health ministry said on Friday, rising from 756 people on Thursday. The number of positive tests also increased to 24,308, up from 23,574
Hungary needs more ventilators and intensive care hospital beds, its prime minister said, as the government reported the single biggest daily increase in infections. Poland said it infections may peak in the coming days.
North African migrants rescued from a sinking boat came ashore in Malta early on Friday, hours after the government had said no further groups would be allowed in after it closed its ports.
Russia reported 1,786 more coronavirus cases on Friday, its largest daily rise so far, which took the national tally of confirmed infections to 11,917. The number of coronavirus-related deaths rose by 18 to 94, the Russian coronavirus crisis response center said in a statement.
AMERICAS - Americans must resist the impulse to ease social-separation measures at the first glimpse of progress now being seen in the coronavirus battle, state government and public health leaders warned.
Lockdowns in Brazil's largest cities are beginning to slip, according to new data this week seen and analysed by Reuters, with more people leaving their homes as President Jair Bolsonaro continues to criticize the measures.
Hundreds of Ecuadorean prisoners will begin making coffins to help cover a shortage emerging in Guayaquil, the epicenter of one of the worst outbreaks in Latin America.
Chile will start handing out certificates to people who have recovered that will exempt them from adhering to quarantines or other restrictions. Mexico has recorded its first two deaths of pregnant women from the coronavirus as the death toll reached 194, the health ministry said.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC - China's Wuhan, where the pandemic began, is still testing residents regularly despite relaxing its tough two-month lockdown, with the country wary of a rebound as it sets its sights on normalising the economy.
Suifenhe, on China's far northeastern border with Russia, has seen an influx of people returning home, many infected with the virus, travelling by road from Vladivostok.
Metropolitan Tokyo asked some businesses to close and Kyoto told tourists to stay away, amid fears the government's measures are too little and too late.
Malaysia extended movement and travel restrictions until April 28.
Early voting in South Korea's parliamentary election began on Friday with coronavirus patients casting ballots at disinfected polling stations.
Cambodia's parliament passed a law on Friday to prepare for a state of emergency. Kazakhstan will extend its state of emergency until the end of April.
Australia will deploy helicopters, set up police checkpoints and hand out hefty fines to deter people from breaking an Easter travel ban.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA - Days after Congo announced emergency restrictions, a police video started circulating online showing an officer in the capital beating a taxi driver for violating a one-passenger limit.
All Botswana's parliamentarians including the president will be quarantined for two weeks and tested, after a health worker screening lawmakers for the virus tested positive.
The epidemic has so far infected over 440 people in Burkina Faso, including six government ministers, and killed 24.
Yemen reported its first case on Friday, as aid groups try to prepare for an outbreak where war has shattered the health system and spread hunger and disease.
Iran's total death toll from coronavirus outbreak reaches 4,232 and total number of coronavirus contamination rises to 68,192 - health ministry
