Global focus turned to Italy overnight as it claimed the coronavirus medal no-one wants - highest COVID-19 death toll.
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Another 427 people died overnight, taking the country's official toll to 3405, surpassing China where the virus originated last year.
The Italian lockdown, imposed on March 12, has been extended beyond the original March 25 end date. Nearly all Italians have been told to stay at home.
Bars, restaurants and most shops have closed, as have schools and universities.
The news from China was substantially brighter as, for the first time since the outbreak began, no new locally transmitted cases were reported overnight. Of course, there is some skepticism around this claim.
The UK is bracing for the virtual shut down of London as underground stations across the capital closed as Prime Minister Boris Johnson considered even tougher measures to tackle the crisis.
The UK can, he said, "turn the tide", but only if people follow official advice. The Queen added her two bobs worth in his daily briefing.
Overnight also NATO began scaling down military exercises, sporting cancellations continued across Europe and Croatia, Northern Ireland and Russia reported their first deaths.
India stepped up its COVID-19 provisions on Thursday, banning incoming international flights, restricting public gatherings and blocking roads to Kashmir after the region reported its first infection.
The US State Department this morning warned Americans not to travel internationally and advised all Americans who are abroad to return to the United States or make preparations to shelter in place.
President Trump also said on Thursday the US was considering tapping the military to help stranded travellers, including hundreds of Americans in Peru, though he did not offer specifics.
And with Australia's borders closing to all non-residents this evening, we're just about to witness the world shrinking for ourselves.
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