The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has called for churches to pray that God will "intervene" in the cornoavirus outbreak. 

China reported 143 more deaths from coronavirus on Saturday but a dip in new cases, while the government announced new anti-disease measures.

Mainland China's death toll was at 1,523 on Friday night.

Meanwhile, French health officials confirmed the first coronavirus death outside Asia on Saturday.

WEA Secretary General Bishop Efraim Tendero said: "We are expressing our condolences for those who have lost loved ones and pray for speedy and full recovering for those still suffering of the disease.

 "We are also conscious of the very challenging situation of the millions who have been under quarantine for weeks in affected Chinese cities, and the increasing worry about the economic situation that will affect many individuals and families even when the health crisis will be long gone."

The WEA said Christians could specifically pray for: 

• The wisdom of governments as they respond to the immediate crisis, first and foremost the authorities in China where the situation is most severe
• The virus to be contained and new infections to rapidly decline
• The speedy development of an effective vaccine
• Strength and hope for those most affected in Hubei province to persevere despite the ongoing lock-down of their cities
• Those who already are or soon will be affected by the emerging economic consequences of the health crisis, especially those whose livelihoods may be threatened because of losing their jobs.

Bishop Efraim added: "[We] … pray with urgent heart for a fast turn-around of the situation, but we also hold onto hope in our loving God who intervenes in visible and invisible ways in times of tragedy.

"We are thankful for a much speedier response to the current virus than what had been seen in the past; we are grateful that the vast majority of infected people are experiencing full recovery; and we pray that God's presence and his all-surpassing peace and comfort would be with those who have lost loved ones."

The total number of confirmed cases of cornonavius globally now stands at more than 67,000.