CNBC reports that Italy's health ministry said a total of 1,809 people have died as of 6 p.m. local time on March 15; the death toll jumped from the 1,441 fatalities reported a day earlier.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that it is urging organizers to cancel or postpone in-person events with 50 people or more in attendance throughout the United States.

China's National Health Commission said another 14 people have died, all of them in Hubei province where the infection was first detected.

Global cases: At least 153,648, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization

Global deaths: At least 5,746, according to the latest figures from the WHO