Turkey on Wednesday announced that it would extend the closure of schools in the country until April 30 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Axar.az reports citing Turkish media.

Education Minister Ziya Selcuk announced after a meeting of a science council that education would continue with online and broadcast lessons, adding that make-up classes would also be held.

Selcuk also said that high school and university entrance tests could be postponed in a future decision.

After first appearing in Wuhan, China last December, the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 has spread to at least 172 countries and territories. The World Health Organization has declared the outbreak a pandemic.

The number of confirmed cases worldwide has now surpassed 441,100 while the death toll is over 19,700 and more than 111,800 have recovered, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.

Despite the rising number of cases, most who contract the virus suffer only mild symptoms before making a recovery.