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The global confirmed cases of COVID-19 have reached 542,788, according to the Coronavirus Resource Center at Johns Hopkins University as of 7 pm on Friday (BJT).

Current status (data as of 7:30 pm BJT, March 27):

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Friday that he is self-isolating after testing positive for COVID-19.

In New York hospitals, staff are working extra shifts and searching desperately for more bed space as they battle a surging toll of dead and infected at the US epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic.

The failure of EU leaders to come up with a joint economic response to the coronavirus crisis unleashed widespread criticism in Italy on Friday, with newspapers slamming Europe's foot dragging.

The death toll in Spain soared over 4,800 Friday after 769 people died in 24 hours, in what was a record one-day figure for fatalities, the government said. 

Iran's health ministry spokesman said on Friday Iran has 2,926 new cases of coronavirus and 144 new deaths during the past 24 hours.