Rome, March 19 (RHC)-- The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe is nearing 9,000, with over 221,000 confirmed cases, as governments around the world increasingly shut down economies and locked down cities to slow the spread of the disease. 

In a positive sign, Hubei province in central China, where the virus first struck, for the first time reported no new local infections Wednesday. 

In contrast, in Italy, there have been a record 475 deaths over the last day.  In the city of Bergamo, soldiers were called in to transport away dozens of coffins as the city’s crematorium failed to keep up with the pace of deaths.  At least 91 people have died in Bergamo, and the city’s hospital has run out of beds in its intensive care unit.