Rome, Mar 9 (AFP) The death toll in Europe from the coronavirus topped 500 on Monday, after Italy recorded a sharp rise.

Italy's civil protection agency reported 97 new deaths, bringing the country's toll to 463, as the country takes a series of stringent measure to battle the spread of the virus.

The number of Europeans felled by the virus now stands at 511, according to an AFP toll. (AFP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)