196 countries and territories reported on Tuesday, March 24, 279,862 active COVID-19 cases with 12,358 in serious or critical condition; bringing the total cases since the coronavirus spread to 401,098 cases of whom 103,756 have recovered and 17,480 have died.

Spain suffered the heaviest toll of new deaths overnight at 489 to bring the total mortal casualties of COVID-19 to 2,800; followed by Iran at 122 new deaths to a total of 1,934 since the start of the outbreak.

Italy has reported the highest number of casualties at 6,077 deaths, followed by China at 3,277. France follows at 860 and the USA’s death toll rose to 616.