Italy is currently the worst-affected nation, with 6,820 now reported dead from coronavirus, according to the latest figures.

But the rate of infection has seemingly slowed there in the last few days, raising hopes that strict social-distancing measures are having an effect.

On Tuesday, Italian officials said the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had jumped by 3,612 to 69,176, which is about a 1% decrease in new cases on the previous day.

BBC Rome correspondent Mark Lowen said the continued slowing of new cases in Italy is “starting to look like a trend”.