Italy on Wednesday reported 475 new deaths from COVID-19, the highest one-day official toll of any nation since the first case was detected in China late last year.
Total deaths in Italy have reached 2,978, more than half of all the cases recorded outside China, while the number of infections stood at 35,713.
The previous record high of 368 deaths was also recorded in Italy, on Sunday.
The nation of 60 million has now recorded 34 per cent of all the deaths officially attributed to COVID-19 across the world.
With the death rate still climbing despite the Mediterranean country entering a second week under effective lockdown, officials urged Italians to have faith and to stay strong.
A worker disinfects the street at Quartieri Spagnoli, Naples, Italy, 18 March 2020. Source: ANSA
"The main thing is, do not give up," Italian National Institute of Health chief Silvio Brusaferro said in a nationally televised press conference.
"It will take a few days before we see the benefits" of containment measures, said Mr Brusaferro.
"We must maintain these measures to see their effect, and above all to protect the most vulnerable."
The head of the World Health Organization described the coronavirus was an "enemy against humanity", as the number of people infected in the pandemic soared past 200,000.
"This coronavirus is presenting us with an unprecedented threat," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told journalists in a virtual news conference, stressing that it was "an unprecedented opportunity to come together as one against a common enemy: an enemy against humanity."
Worldwide fatalities topped 8,000 and more deaths have now been recorded in Europe, the new virus epicentre, than in Asia since the outbreak first emerged in China in December.
Germany prepares for biggest challenge since World War Two
Germany is facing its biggest challenge "since the Second World War" in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a television address urging citizens to heed sweeping confinement measures.
In her dramatic appeal, Ms Merkel urged everyone to play a part in slowing down a virus that has raced across the globe and triggered unprecedented peace-time lockdowns.
"The situation is serious. Take it seriously. Not since German reunification, no, not since the Second World War has our country faced a challenge that depends so much on our collective solidarity," she said.
The veteran leader has never taken to the airwaves to address citizens directly outside of traditional New Year's greetings.
"I truly believe we can succeed in this task, if all citizens truly understand their own tasks," Ms Merkel said.
Ms Merkel, who hails from Germany's former communist East, said she understood how hard it was to give up "hard-fought rights" like freedom of movement and travel.
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Such decisions were never taken lightly in a democracy, she said, and could only be temporary.
"They are necessary right now to save lives."
Germany is among the countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with latest figures showing 12 deaths and 8,198 confirmed cases on Wednesday, a jump of 1,042 from the previous day.
First death in Sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa on Wednesday recorded its first coronavirus death, a high-ranking politician in Burkina Faso, as the head of the World Health Organisation urged the continent to "prepare for the worst".
"Africa should wake up," Director General Tedros told a press conference in Geneva.
"In other countries we have seen how the virus actually accelerates after a certain tipping point."
Africa has lagged behind the global curve for coronavirus infections and deaths, but in the past few days has seen a significant rise in cases.
Experts have repeatedly warned about the perils for the continent, given its weak health infrastructure, poverty, conflicts, poor sanitation and urban crowding.
Hawkers wear face masks in Yaounde, Cameroon 18 March 2020. Source: EPA
Medical authorities in Burkina Faso announced Wednesday that the number of infections there had risen by seven to 27, and that one of them a 62-year-old diabetic woman, had died overnight.
The country's main opposition party, the Union for Progress and Change (UPC), said in a statement that the victim was its lawmaker Rose-Marie Compaore, the first-vice president of the parliament.
South Africa, the continent's most industrialised economy, meanwhile reported a more than one-third jump in cases, with 31 new infections bringing its tally to 116.
As of Tuesday afternoon, only people who have recently travelled from overseas or have been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case and experienced symptoms within 14 days are advised to be tested.
If you believe you may have contracted the virus, call your doctor, don’t visit, or contact the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
If you are struggling to breathe or experiencing a medical emergency, call 000.
