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 Deaths from the coronavirus pandemic topped 12 000 across the globe at 1710 GMT on Saturday, according to an AFP tally compiled from official figures.

A total of 12 592 people have died, most in Europe (7 199) and Asia (3 459). With 4 825 deaths, Italy has a higher toll than even China (3 255) where the outbreak began late last year.Italy on Saturday reported 793 new coronavirus deaths, a one-day record that saw its toll shoot up to 4,825 – 38.3 percent of the world’s total.

The number of COVID-19 infections rose by 6,557 to 53,578, another record.The total number of fatalities in the northern Lombardy regions around Milan surpassed 3,000.

It accounts for nearly two-thirds of Italy’s fatalities.Italy has reported 1,420 deaths since Friday, a grim figure that suggests the pandemic is breaking through the government’s various containment and social distancing measures.Stakeholders at the meeting were also given guidelines for the sale of liquor, which is only permitted between 09:00 and 18:00 on weekdays and Saturdays.

On Sundays and public holidays, the hours are 09:00 to 13:00.

According to the new regulations during the national state of disaster, restaurants, hotels and grocery stores with licences to sell liquor, may sell and/or serve food with absolutely no liquor beyond those hours.