Worldwide coronavirus infection toll hits 200,000 after doubling in less than two weeks

The coronavirus pandemic has now infected more than 200,000 people around the globe after doubling in less than two weeks.

Cases of the highly contagious virus now stand at 201,436, according to data compiled by the John Hopkins University. 

The global toll reached six figures on March 7, more than two months after the outbreak first began in Wuhan, China, in late December.  

But another 100,000 people were infected in just 11 days since then, largely due to a surge in cases in Europe.  

Italy and Italy have recorded huge spikes in infections over the past fortnight, raising fears the escalating crisis will only continue to worsen.  

The John Hopkins University also recorded 8,006 deaths, suggesting around 4 per cent of patients who catch the virus die from it. 

But experts say the death rate is probably lower than that because of under-reporting of cases. 

Many countries – including the UK – are only testing people who are hospitalised due to the virus.

Thousands of people will make a full recovery without ever knowing they had the illness. 

China, Italy, Iran, Spain and Germany have suffered the highest number of infections, according to John Hopkins.