The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surged past 5,000 with the total number of cases rising to more than 140,000.

The World Health Organization announced that Italy reported an additional 250 new deaths and Iran announced 85 new deaths also.

The death toll in the United Kingdom has soared to 11, while 800 others have been tested positive for the virus.

Also Read: Mother gives birth to youngest coronavirus victim

The fear of the infection has swept through the UK as train stations and public places present a deserted look during the rush hour.

On Mar 13, the World Health Organization had warned that Europe had become the “epicenter” of the global coronavirus pandemic, reporting more regular cases than China did at the height of its epidemic.

“Europe has now become the epicentre of the pandemic,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus had said in a virtual press conference.

President Donald Trump declared a US national emergency on Saturday over the rapidly spreading coronavirus that has infected more than 138,000 people around the world and left more than 5,000 dead.

The coronavirus’ effect on daily life has deepened across the globe. This was first observed in a number of countries, with the World Health Organization (WHO) naming Europe the new epicenter for the pandemic.

More schools and businesses were closed, the global sporting calendar was left in tatters, and people were confronted with greater restrictions on where to go.

“To unleash the full power of the federal government to this effort today, I am officially declaring a national emergency — two very big words,” Trump said in remarks at the White House Rose Garden, adding that the US situation could deteriorate and “the next eight weeks are critical.”