Geneva: A hasty lifting of restrictions imposed to control the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a fatal resurgence of the new coronavirus, the World Health Organisation warned on Friday.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said it was working with countries on ways in which lockdowns could be gradually eased, but said doing so too quickly could be dangerous.

"I know that some countries are already planning the transition out of stay-at-home restrictions. WHO wants to see restrictions lifted as much as anyone," he told a virtual press conference in Geneva.

"At the same time, lifting restrictions too quickly could lead to a deadly resurgence. The way down can be as dangerous as the way up if not managed properly.

"WHO is working with affected countries on strategies for gradually and safely easing restrictions." The global death toll is rapidly approaching 100,000.

More than 1.6 million infections have been recorded globally, according to an AFP tally, since the virus first emerged in China in December.

Tedros welcomed signs that the spread of the virus was slowing in some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe -- namely Spain, Italy, Germany and France.

But he also warned of an "alarming acceleration" of the virus in some countries, highlighting Africa, where he said the virus was beginning to spread to rural areas.

"We are now seeing clusters of cases and community spread in more than 16 countries" on the continent, he said.

"We anticipate severe hardship for already overstretched health systems, particularly in rural areas, which normally lack the resources of those in cities."

Tedros also sent his best wishes to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has been moved out of intensive care as he battles the coronavirus. 

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Hubli: The Hubbali-Dharwad Police Commissioner, Renuka Sukumar, has informed that the accused involved in the brutal murder of Anjali Ambigera has been arrested.

Vishwa alias Girish Sawant, the prime suspect in the Anjali Ambigera murder, was arrested in Davangere late Thursday night.

Sawant, attempting to flee from Mysuru via the Goa-Maharashtra train was struck by bad luck as he fell from the moving train at around 11:30 PM. He sustained grave injuries and was rushed to Chigateri Hospital in Davangere by Railway Police. Subsequently, Davangere police identified Sawant and notified the Hubbali police. The Hubbali police took custody of him at around 4:30 AM and admitted him to a hospital in the city.

Reports indicate Sawant faced assault from a fellow passenger allegedly for his misconduct during the journey, possibly contributing to his fall. However, official details regarding the circumstances leading to his fall remain undisclosed. Commissioner Sukumar mentioned Sawant's current inability to provide a statement due to severe head and facial injuries.

Anjali was brutally stabbed in Hubbali two days back while she was asleep allegedly for rejecting the love proposal of the accused man.