More infections in Europe

A US Navy sailor stationed in Naples, Italy, has tested positive for the coronavirus, marking the first positive case for a US service member stationed in Europe, according to a statement from US European Command and US Naval Forces Europe-Africa.

Italy announced a sweeping quarantine early on Sunday. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte signed a decree affecting about 16 million people in the country's prosperous north, including the Lombardy region and at least 14 provinces in neighboring regions. The extraordinary measures will be in place until April 3.

Italy on Saturday reported 1,247 new coronavirus cases in the previous 24 hours, the country's biggest daily increase in infections since the outbreak began there last Month.

Italy's civil protection agency also reported 36 new deaths, raising the virus's death toll there to 233. In total, 5,883 people have tested positive for the virus, the agency said.

The number of confirmed cases in Germany rose by more than 100 on Saturday, reaching 795 by mid-afternoon.

The number of confirmed cases in the United Kingdom has risen to 209, health officials said on Saturday.

So far in Britain, two patients who had confirmed positive for the virus have died, the health ministry and the Public Health England agency said.

France confirmed on Saturday a total of 949 cases of infections, up 336 from the previous day, and 16 deaths, Health General Director Jerome Salomon said.

Of the fatalities, including 11 men and five women, 12 were over the age of 70 with other illnesses.

Spanish health authorities have confirmed the deaths of two coronavirus patients, taking the total number of deaths across the country to 10.

And Greek authorities confirmed 21 new cases on Saturday, taking the country's total to 66.

Out of the 23 who are in hospital, one person is in serious condition and the rest are in home isolation, said Greek health authorities.

Separately, the Dutch health authorities have confirmed 60 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total number of cases across the Netherlands to 188, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment said on Saturday.

Xinhua - Agencies