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The world is in the grip of the coronavirus pandemic.

Around the globe there are now more than 200,000 confirmed cases with the international death toll nearing 9,000.

Here in the UK the number of cases is feared to be as high as 55,000 with more than 2,000 confirmed.

Boris Johnson announced schools would be closing on Friday "until further notice" with provision made for the children of key workers to still be able to attend so their parents can work.

Supermarkets have been forced to introduced rationing and panic-buyers strip the shelves bare.

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Shelves have been cleared at Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda and Morrisons, as customers try to purchase essential items such as toilet roll, handwash and pasta.

Huge queues were seen outside many supermarkets as worried shoppers tried to stock up on provisions.

Meanwhile, 2,000 troops have been put on standby as 'super spreader' London could be put on lockdown to slow the spread of COVID-19.

People have been urged to socially distance themselves with others and avoid gatherings such as pubs, restaurants and the theatre.

Europe is now the epicentre of the flu-like bug.

(Image: Twitter)

China was the first country to be hit by coronavirus with tens of millions placed in lockdown while authorities worked to halt its spread.

And at one farm in the Yunan province, elephants too full advantage of the situation.

The herd of 14 majestic beasts broke into a village in a bid to find food.

However, they got a cheeky extra for their efforts when they came across a huge 30kg of corn wine.

After drinking the lot the elephants were somewhat the worse for wear.

Two males passed out, drunk, in one of the tea gardens nearby.

Bet there were some sore heads the morning after the night before.