More than 3.9 billion people, or half of the world's population, are now being called on to remain in their homes to combat COVID-19, according to an AFP tally on Thursday.

The forensic worker was infected in Bangkok in what is thought to be the first such case anywhere in the world, scientists wrote in the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine (file photo).

Footage from the Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo, on the outskirts of Bangkok, shows the chimp swerving around on the bike as disinfectant sprays out of the tank at the back.

The Chinese Grand Prix has become the latest sporting event to fall victim to the coronavirus after Formula One confirmed that it has been postponed. 

F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel said the drivers are prepared to pull out of this weekend's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne - effectively cancelling the event - due to coronavirus fears.

With the first weekend of elite sport suspended as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic upon us, it is not just the regular-going fans who are seeking alternative ways to spend their weekend.

Hamilton met the pair at an event in London on March 4 before flying out to Melbourne for the first race of the Formula One season, which was called off last Friday morning.

Red Bull racing chief Helmut Marko has revealed his unusual plan to arrange a 'Corona Camp' in a bid to ensure that the Formula One season is not blighted by the coronavirus outbreak.

EXCLUSIVE BY JONATHAN McEVOY: F1 giants McLaren became the sport's first team to place staff on furlough, with their drivers volunteering to take pay cuts themselves.

During his weekly audience at the Vatican, Pope Francis showed his solidarity with those suffering from the global outbreak of the coronavirus as he kissed people in the crowds.

Pope Francis, who cancelled a series of engagements last week after falling ill, has tested negative for coronavirus - amid an outbreak of the disease in Italy that has sickened 2,000 people.

Pope Francis (pictured today) prayed that clergymen would 'have the courage to go out and go to the sick people' as he celebrated Mass by himself at the Vatican this morning.

The footprints mark where people should stand to avoid close contact under the one-yard rule - which Italians were taking to heart by carrying rulers into bars and shops today.

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis has today issued a new decree, stating that some of Rome's churches will stay open, despite his initial order to close all of the religious sites just a day ago.

Speaking to daily Italian publication La Repubblica on Wednesday, the Pope said he had asked God to stop the epidemic in Italy 'with his hand'.

Pope Francis was seen delivering his weekly Angelus prayer to an empty Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican City this morning, as Italians stay home to combat the spread of coronavirus .

Some 5,476 people have died after testing positive for coronavirus across Italy, with more than 59,000 cases of the deadly virus confirmed.

Giuseppe Berardelli, 72, from Casigno in Italy's hardest-hit Lombardy region, died from coronavirus last week - but locals say he did not give up his respirator as was first reported.

Pope Francis was swabbed along with those who surround him yesterday, it has been reported. They all tested negative for coronavirus. The pope had a cold last month.

Pilgrims have been barred from retracing Jesus's steps in the Holy Land, with flights grounded and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre closed for the first time since 1349.

During Mass today the pope said the coronavirus recovery could not leave anyone behind. He spoke at the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia in Rome, Italy, to mark Divine Mercy Sunday.

Eliezer Grynfeld (pictured) died in Israel last week, leaving two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A man (pictured) wearing a yellow face mask and a sign on his back reading, 'Caution, I have the Coronavirus,' walked into a Walmart store in Illinois (inset) and sprayed Lysol on merchandise.

Walmart is the latest in a line of major grocery store chains forced to reduce its hours on Saturday amid the coronavirus pandemic as panic shopping continues.  

Donald Trump insisted Sunday that people stop panic buying and hoarding food and goods as the coronavirus death toll in the U.S. hit 63 and cases neared 3,500. 

Mike Pence has promised that Americans will get thousands of coronavirus tests per day from now on after the government switched to a faster method, amid widespread criticism of efforts so far.

Stop & Shop welcomed seniors to its first seniors-only shopping hour on Thursday morning as Walmart added its name to the list of stores offering designated shopping hours to people over 60.

Amazon, Walmart and other retailers have all experienced a huge increase in online orders as the coronavirus continues to spread across the US.

President Donald Trump has expressed his gratitude for companies like Walmart and FedEx that have been 'working nonstop' to help Americans amid the coronavirus outbreak.

South Carolina mother Courtney Watts Doster has shared her baby Emmett's battle against coronavirus in a desperate Facebook appeal where she warned COVID-19 can strike even the very young.

Justin Rhodes, 31, told viewers in the Facebook Live stream he was largely asymptomatic, except for a 'tickly throat', while walking around the Walmart in Albermarle, North Carolina, last week.

The estate of Wando Evans filed the suit in Illinois on Monday, saying the Walmart store south of Chicago was not properly cleaned and employees were not given masks.

State Health officials shutdown a Walmart Supercenter in Aurora, Colorado, after two employees and spouse linked to the store died of coronavirus this month

The Walmart Supercenter, located in the city of Worcester, was issued a cease and desist order by the city after suffering a 'cluster' of COVID-19 cases over the last three weeks.

Sandra Kunz, 72, who worked at the Walmart Supercenter in Aurora, Colorado, passed away from complications related to the coronavirus on April 20.

A greenhouse where workers pack strawberries, cucumbers and tomatoes to be sold in grocery stores including Walmart has become the latest COVID-19 hotspot in New York.

TfL has implemented the stringent cleaning measures across the Underground and bus network in the Capital in a bid to cope with the increasing threat posed by coronavirus.

The former Love Island star, 26, was seen making her way out of the terminal at the English capital's Heathrow Airport as she sported the blue protective item on Thursday.

The £18 billion Crossrail project, which is already three years behind schedule, has been delayed again to help stop the spread of coronavirus, according to Transport for London.

Transport for London will place 7,000 staff on furlough from Monday to save an estimated £15.8million every four weeks, as a result of a huge reduction in passenger numbers.

Mick McCarthy's future as Republic of Ireland manager is uncertain amid the impact of coronavirus on the fixture calendar. The 61-year-old's contract runs until the end of the Euro 2020 campaign.

Terrified Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has been made to go into full isolation after his close neighbours tested positive for coronavirus.

The 93-year-old's decision to cover her hands came as the Government warned the death rate for  people infected is 'significantly ramped up' among the elderly.

Buckingham Palace announced that the 93-year-old head of state will decamp to the Berkshire royal residence on Thursday - a week earlier than she usually does for Easter Court.

Officials at Buckingham Palace revealed this afternoon that a 'number of other options are being considered, in line with relevant guidance' ahead of the event on June 13.

The Queen has recorded a special televised broadcast about the coronavirus outbreak from Windsor Castle, which will air this Sunday at 8pm.

Shortages previously limited to anti-bacterial hand gel and hand soap have spread to cupboard items such as rice, pasta, couscous, Pot Noodles, bottled water, toilet roll and pet food.

One disgusted customer at the Sainsbury's store in Mansfield, photographed the display containing toilet rolls, crisps, water, and pasta as well as 'mega packs' of detergents and disinfectant.

Retail expert Bruno Monteyne said a major UK outbreak of the virus would result in 'panic buying, empty shelves and food riots' but that at this stage retailers would revert to 'feed the nation' status.

In a forum for Tesco employees in the UK the drivers questioned whether or not it was a fair request to be asked to take food shopping into the homes of those who could have the virus.