COVID-19: Outbreak has infected more than 80,000 globally

A viral outbreak of coronavirus, that began in China in December, has infected more than 80,000 people globally, according to the WHO's most recent figures.

The vast majority of cases have been reported in mainland China, followed by Japan, where 691 cases have been confirmed on the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Yokohama, and South Korea, which raised its tally to 977 confirmed cases on Tuesday.

hina reported 508 new cases and 71 news deaths on Tuesday in an outbreak of the coronavirus that has spread to other parts of Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North America and Europe, infecting more than 80,000 globally.

The updates bring mainland China's totals to 77,658 cases and 2,663 deaths.

Clusters continue to grow in South Korea, which reported 144 more cases of the new virus, bringing its total to 977 with ten deaths. Meanwhile, Iran's death toll has risen to 15 among 64 reported cases.