UPDATE 2 - Turkey delivers medical aid to Spanish authorities

UPDATES WITH DELIVERY OF TURKISH MEDICAL AID, REVISES TITLE, DECK, LEDE, EDITS THROUGHOUT

By Erdogan Cagatay Zontur, Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak and Burak Dag

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey delivered Wednesday medical supplies to Spanish authorities, one of the countries in Europe worst hit by the novel coronavirus.

"Our delegation and aircraft carrying health supplies to combat #COVID19 were welcomed by the Representative of the Spanish Ministry of Defence Major General Figuero, our Madrid Ambassador and our Military Attaché. The health supplies were delivered to the Spanish officials," the Turkish Defense Ministry said on Twitter.

Earlier on Wednesday, a Turkish military aircraft departed from the capital Ankara to carry aid to Spain and Italy to assist them in their fight against the coronavirus.

The Defense Ministry said domestically produced health supplies consisting of masks, overalls, and anti-bacterial fluids would be sent to the aforementioned countries upon the instructions of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

After originating in Wuhan last December, the virus has spread to at least 180 countries and regions across the world, with its epicenter shifting to Europe, while China has largely come out of the crisis.

Italy confirmed 12,428 fatalities on Tuesday, the highest globally. Spain has recorded 9,053 fatalities so far.

The virus has killed more than 44,100 people and infected over 883,200 globally, while above 185,300 people recovered from the disease, according to figures collated by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.