More than 1.47 million people have been reported infected by the novel coronavirus across the world and 87,760 have died as of 02:00 GMT.

Italy may start lifting some restrictions by the end of April provided the slowing trend continues, its prime minister told the BBC on Thursday, but the easing can only be gradual.

Spain’s number of daily coronavirus deaths slowed on Thursday after two days of increases as 683 people succumbed in 24 hours, taking the total to 15,238, the health ministry said.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spent a third night in intensive care but is improving as his government prepares to review its most stringent shut down in the peacetime history.

The fallout from the coronavirus could push around half a billion people into poverty, Oxfam said on Thursday.