The UK Department of Health has reported 64 new positive tests for the coronavirus, the biggest one-day surge so far that takes the total number of cases to 273 as chancellor Rishi Sunak moves to reassure the NHS it will get “whatever it needs” in financial support to deal with the outbreak.
Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte has meanwhile signed a decree placing a quarter of the country’s population – 16 million people – under quarantine in the north as his administration seeks to contain the spread of the deadly contagion.
The UK government's Foreign and Commonwealth Office has since advised against "all but essential travel" into northern Italy in updated guidance.
It comes after UK officials confirmed the third death in Britain related to the virus. A man in his 60s passed away in hospital in Manchester after recently returning from a trip to Italy.
In Russia, Moscow has warned its citizens that they may be imprisoned to ensure the safety of the public at large if they refuse to self-isolate when advised to do so by medical experts.
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Italy orders lockdown of rich north to contain virus
Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte has signed a decree placing a quarter of the country’s population – 16 million people – under quarantine in the north as his administration seeks to contain the spread of the deadly contagion.
The measures will be in place until 3 April.
"For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces that I have listed there will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory," Conte said.
"Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs, exceptional cases and health issues."
Around the world, more and more countries are bracing for a surge in virus cases.
Western countries have been increasingly imitating China - where the virus first emerged late last year, and which has suffered the vast majority of infections - by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events.
On Saturday, Italy saw its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in the north of the country on 21 February.
In its daily update, Italy's civil protection agency said the number of people with the coronavirus rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 5,883. Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus, taking the total to 233.
There was chaos and confusion hours before Conte signed the decree, as word spread that the government was planning the quarantine.
Packed bars and restaurants emptied quickly as people rushed to the railway station in Padua's Veneto region. Travellers with suitcases, wearing face masks, gloves and carrying bottles of sanitising gel shoved their way on to trains.
Some regional politicians were also taken by surprise.
Stefano Bonaccini, president of the Emilia Romagna region, said parts of the decree were confusing, and asked the premier for more time to come up with "coherent" solutions.
The mayor of Asti, in the Piedmont region, posted an irate video on his Facebook page condemning Rome for not keeping regional leaders in the loop.
"Nobody told me," said Maurizio Rasero, adding that he had hundreds of messages on his mobile phone from alarmed citizens. "It's incredible that information that is so delicate and important would come out in the newspaper first, leaking everywhere even before local authorities learn about it."
Here's Vincent Wood's report.
Italy’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte has signed a decree placing a quarter of the country’s population – 16 million people – under quarantine in the north as his administration seeks to contain the spread of the deadly contagion.
The measures will be in place until 3 April.
"For Lombardy and for the other northern provinces that I have listed there will be a ban for everybody to move in and out of these territories and also within the same territory," Conte said.
"Exceptions will be allowed only for proven professional needs, exceptional cases and health issues."
Around the world, more and more countries are bracing for a surge in virus cases.
Western countries have been increasingly imitating China - where the virus first emerged late last year, and which has suffered the vast majority of infections - by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events.
On Saturday, Italy saw its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in the north of the country on 21 February.
In its daily update, Italy's civil protection agency said the number of people with the coronavirus rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 5,883. Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus, taking the total to 233.
There was chaos and confusion hours before Conte signed the decree, as word spread that the government was planning the quarantine.
Packed bars and restaurants emptied quickly as people rushed to the railway station in Padua's Veneto region. Travellers with suitcases, wearing face masks, gloves and carrying bottles of sanitising gel shoved their way on to trains.
Some regional politicians were also taken by surprise.
Stefano Bonaccini, president of the Emilia Romagna region, said parts of the decree were confusing, and asked the premier for more time to come up with "coherent" solutions.
The mayor of Asti, in the Piedmont region, posted an irate video on his Facebook page condemning Rome for not keeping regional leaders in the loop.
"Nobody told me," said Maurizio Rasero, adding that he had hundreds of messages on his mobile phone from alarmed citizens. "It's incredible that information that is so delicate and important would come out in the newspaper first, leaking everywhere even before local authorities learn about it."
Here's Vincent Wood's report.
UK chancellor pledges NHS will get 'whatever it needs'
In Britain, chancellor Rishi Sunak has moved to reassure the NHS it will get “whatever it needs” in financial support to deal with the outbreak, with the country still in the containment phase but the number of confirmed cases shooting up to 209 on Saturday evening.
Sunak told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I’m working hard with the team to make sure that we have the interventions required to help anyone through a difficult period first and foremost, supporting public services but also helping vulnerable people and also businesses to get through anything that might be coming our way.”
Asked whether this could include more money for the NHS, he replied: “Absolutely, we stand ready give the NHS whatever it needs.”
Also speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, the chancellor said he is ready to take "targeted" measures to help businesses get through the outbreak as he prepares to deliver his first Budget amid the crisis.
Sunak suggested his financial plan would now focus on the "economic security" of the country, as he warned that the economy could suffer a "supply shock" if lots of people fall ill.
Sunak, who has been in office for less than a month, said he was "not daunted" by the challenge of protecting the UK's finances in the event of a major Covid-19 outbreak.
Instead, he said the country is "well prepared" and would "emerge on the other side stronger".
"You have to look at the nature of what the economic impact might be, so that we can design an appropriate response," he said.
"The main issue is lots of people might be ill, and therefore not be able to be at work. And that impacts the productive capacity of your economy if you've got a manufacturing plant and they can't make their widgets."
He added: "We need to look at what are the interventions that we need to help bridge a difficult period. That's where we might look at some targeted options to help ease the strain on cash flows for a certain period to help them get through to the other side.
"Obviously, alongside the supply shock there will likely be an impact on demand if people are at home."
Here's Andrew Woodcock with the latest.
In Britain, chancellor Rishi Sunak has moved to reassure the NHS it will get “whatever it needs” in financial support to deal with the outbreak, with the country still in the containment phase but the number of confirmed cases shooting up to 209 on Saturday evening.
Sunak told Sky News’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday: “I’m working hard with the team to make sure that we have the interventions required to help anyone through a difficult period first and foremost, supporting public services but also helping vulnerable people and also businesses to get through anything that might be coming our way.”
Asked whether this could include more money for the NHS, he replied: “Absolutely, we stand ready give the NHS whatever it needs.”
Also speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, the chancellor said he is ready to take "targeted" measures to help businesses get through the outbreak as he prepares to deliver his first Budget amid the crisis.
Sunak suggested his financial plan would now focus on the "economic security" of the country, as he warned that the economy could suffer a "supply shock" if lots of people fall ill.
Sunak, who has been in office for less than a month, said he was "not daunted" by the challenge of protecting the UK's finances in the event of a major Covid-19 outbreak.
Instead, he said the country is "well prepared" and would "emerge on the other side stronger".
"You have to look at the nature of what the economic impact might be, so that we can design an appropriate response," he said.
"The main issue is lots of people might be ill, and therefore not be able to be at work. And that impacts the productive capacity of your economy if you've got a manufacturing plant and they can't make their widgets."
He added: "We need to look at what are the interventions that we need to help bridge a difficult period. That's where we might look at some targeted options to help ease the strain on cash flows for a certain period to help them get through to the other side.
"Obviously, alongside the supply shock there will likely be an impact on demand if people are at home."
Here's Andrew Woodcock with the latest.
Global number of cases 106,000 with 3,600 dead
The global total currently stands at 106,000 cases of coronavirus with 3,600 killed by the epidemic.
As those numbers continue to rise, more and more countries are bracing themselves for a surge. Western countries have been increasingly imitating China - where the virus first emerged late last year in Wuhan, and which has suffered the vast majority of infections - by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events.
On Saturday, Italy saw its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in the north of the country on 21 February - hence Giuseppe Conte's drastic action. In its daily update, Italy's civil protection agency said the number of people with the coronavirus rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 5,883. Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus, taking the total to 233.
The global total currently stands at 106,000 cases of coronavirus with 3,600 killed by the epidemic.
As those numbers continue to rise, more and more countries are bracing themselves for a surge. Western countries have been increasingly imitating China - where the virus first emerged late last year in Wuhan, and which has suffered the vast majority of infections - by imposing travel controls and shutting down public events.
On Saturday, Italy saw its biggest daily increase in coronavirus cases since the outbreak began in the north of the country on 21 February - hence Giuseppe Conte's drastic action. In its daily update, Italy's civil protection agency said the number of people with the coronavirus rose by 1,247 in the last 24 hours, taking the total to 5,883. Another 36 people also died as a result of the virus, taking the total to 233.
Other countries around are likewise limiting activities, with events and festivals called off, and travel restrictions and warnings issued.
A nosedive in tourist traffic and possible disruptions to supply chains sparked fears of a worldwide economic slowdown.
Saudi Arabia banned spectators at any sports competitions, and the NBA, as well as British and Japanese sports teams, are considering doing the same, as baseball and soccer seasons are starting.
The spread of the virus has also taken a psychological toll.
Authorities and manufacturers have been trying to assure panicking consumers they do not need to hoard toilet paper, which has vanished from store shelves in various nations, including Britain.
But on a more positive note, while the global death toll has continued to climb, more people have now recovered from the virus than are ill with it. As of Saturday, nearly 90,000 cases have been reported in Asia; more than 8,000 in Europe; 6,000 in the Middle East; about 450 in North America, Latin America and the Caribbean; and fewer than 50 cases reported so far in Africa.
While many scientists said the world is clearly in the grip of a pandemic - a serious global outbreak - the World Health Organisation (WHO) isn't calling it that yet, saying the word might spook the world further. The virus is still much less widespread than annual flu epidemics, which cause up to five million severe cases around the world and up to 650,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO.
In Iran, fears over the virus and the government's waning credibility has become a major challenge to leaders already reeling from American sanctions. More than 1,000 infections were confirmed overnight, taking the country's total to 5,823 cases, including 145 deaths.
South Korea, the hardest-hit country outside China, reported 93 new cases on Sunday morning, taking the total to 7,134, with 50 deaths overall.
China on Sunday morning reported 44 new cases over the past 24 hours, the lowest level since it began publishing nationwide figures on 20 January, and 27 new deaths.
In Europe, France reported a huge jump in cases from 336 to 949 yesterday, with the death toll at 16, and Moldova reported its first case.
In the United States, the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention urged older adults and people with severe medical conditions to "stay home as much as possible" and avoid crowds.
The number of deaths linked to coronavirus in Washington state reached 16, although that figure could be higher, based on figures released by the nursing home at the centre of the outbreak.
The Life Care Centre of Kirkland said on Saturday that, since 19 Februar, 26 of its residents have died. Typically, about three to seven residents die at the facility each month.
Even islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean have not been spared, with the tiny archipelago nation of the Maldives reporting its first cases. Health authorities there locked down two of its tourist resorts after two expatriate workers tested positive for the coronavirus.
Argentina records first Latin American death
A 64-year-old man died in Argentina as a result of the new coronavirus, the first such death in Latin America, health authorities announced Saturday.
The Ministry of Health said the patient lived in Buenos Aires and had been confirmed with Covid-19 after coming down with a cough, fever and sore throat following a recent trip to Europe.
The patient, who suffered kidney failure, had a history of diabetes, hypertension and bronchitis before being infected with the virus, a statement said. He had been in intensive care since being admitted to a public hospital on Wednesday.
Officials said the man was not one of the eight confirmed Covid-19 cases previously reported for Argentina, but his case was confirmed by tests on Saturday. Research is underway to determine who the patient had been in contact with, authorities said.
Elsewhere in the region, officials in Peru announced five new cases of Covid-19 infection on Saturday, raising the country's total to six. Paraguay reported its first case, and Chile said it now had seven confirmed cases, up from five.
Costa Rica's health ministry confirmed four new cases of coronavirus, in addition to that of a case involving an American woman announced Friday. Her husband was among the new cases.
Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia also have reported confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.
A 64-year-old man died in Argentina as a result of the new coronavirus, the first such death in Latin America, health authorities announced Saturday.
The Ministry of Health said the patient lived in Buenos Aires and had been confirmed with Covid-19 after coming down with a cough, fever and sore throat following a recent trip to Europe.
The patient, who suffered kidney failure, had a history of diabetes, hypertension and bronchitis before being infected with the virus, a statement said. He had been in intensive care since being admitted to a public hospital on Wednesday.
Officials said the man was not one of the eight confirmed Covid-19 cases previously reported for Argentina, but his case was confirmed by tests on Saturday. Research is underway to determine who the patient had been in contact with, authorities said.
Elsewhere in the region, officials in Peru announced five new cases of Covid-19 infection on Saturday, raising the country's total to six. Paraguay reported its first case, and Chile said it now had seven confirmed cases, up from five.
Costa Rica's health ministry confirmed four new cases of coronavirus, in addition to that of a case involving an American woman announced Friday. Her husband was among the new cases.
Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia also have reported confirmed cases of the new coronavirus.
Expert warns worst-case scenario for US is 96 million infected with up to 500,000 dead
In the US, Missouri, Kansas and the nation's capital Washington, DC, all reported their first positive tests on Saturday as the country's death toll rose to 19 and New York declared a state of emergency.
As anger continues to grow around the inadequate response of the Trump administration - with the president astonishingly blase about the seriousness of the situation - one expert, Dr James Lawler of the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, has been laying out his worst-case projections for the future, which make for dire reading.
Here's Shaun Lintern with more.
In the US, Missouri, Kansas and the nation's capital Washington, DC, all reported their first positive tests on Saturday as the country's death toll rose to 19 and New York declared a state of emergency.
As anger continues to grow around the inadequate response of the Trump administration - with the president astonishingly blase about the seriousness of the situation - one expert, Dr James Lawler of the University of Nebraska Medical Centre, has been laying out his worst-case projections for the future, which make for dire reading.
Here's Shaun Lintern with more.
Italian doctors warn Europe of coronavirus impact on hospitals
They said: “We are seeing a high percentage of positive cases being admitted to our intensive care units (ICUs), in the range of 10 per cent of all positive patients.
Doctors in Italy have warned medics across Europe to “get ready” for coronavirus in a letter revealing up to 10 per cent of all those infected with coronavirus need intensive care, with hospitals becoming overwhelmed.
The letter, seen by The Independent, reveals the scale of the impact on hospitals in Italy where 5,883 patients have been infected with the virus and 233 people have died as of 6pm on Saturday.
In the note, sent to the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine, critical care experts Professor Maurizio Cecconi, Professor Antonio Pesenti and Professor Giacomo Grasselli, from the University of Milan, revealed how difficult it had been to treat coronavirus patients.
They said: “We are seeing a high percentage of positive cases being admitted to our intensive care units (ICUs), in the range of 10 per cent of all positive patients.
“We wish to convey a strong message: Get ready!”
Here's our health correspondent, Shaun Lintern, with more.
Here's our health correspondent, Shaun Lintern, with more.
Hand sanitisers selling on eBay for 50 times their retail price as supermarkets begin food rationing
Hygenic hand gels are selling online for up to 50 times their recommended retail price as demand surges amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the UK’s competition watchdog warning anyone caught trying to inflate prices could be fined, analysis found the vast majority of the country’s biggest supermarkets’ and health retailers’ own brand products are being re-sold on eBay for astronomical prices.
Every store bar Superdrug has sold out of hand sanitisers, according to Liberty Marketing.
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reports this morning that UK supermarkets have already begun rationing supplies of staple food products.
Tesco has already begun witholding stocks of baked beans, dry pasta and UHT milk, the newspaper says, a response to the sort of madcap panic-buying social medias reported in branches of Costco on Saturday.
Here's Andy Gregory on the retail mania.
Hygenic hand gels are selling online for up to 50 times their recommended retail price as demand surges amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Despite the UK’s competition watchdog warning anyone caught trying to inflate prices could be fined, analysis found the vast majority of the country’s biggest supermarkets’ and health retailers’ own brand products are being re-sold on eBay for astronomical prices.
Every store bar Superdrug has sold out of hand sanitisers, according to Liberty Marketing.
Meanwhile, The Daily Telegraph reports this morning that UK supermarkets have already begun rationing supplies of staple food products.
Tesco has already begun witholding stocks of baked beans, dry pasta and UHT milk, the newspaper says, a response to the sort of madcap panic-buying social medias reported in branches of Costco on Saturday.
Here's Andy Gregory on the retail mania.
Bangladesh reports first three cases as crisis deepens dramatically in Iran
The Asian nation becomes the latest to add its name to a growing list.
Meanwhile, the situation has become even more grave in Iran, where 743 new cases have been recorded and 49 new deaths.
The Asian nation becomes the latest to add its name to a growing list.
Meanwhile, the situation has become even more grave in Iran, where 743 new cases have been recorded and 49 new deaths.
Oxford University student tests positive for disease
An unnamed student at Oxford has tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from travelling overseas.
Public Health England confirmed the case to the university yesterday and its vice-chancellor informed staff about the development in an internal email addressed to colleagues and students.
Professor Louise Richardson said she was "constrained as to what she could say" but was "glad to report" that the student self-isolated as soon as they developed symptoms and did not attend classes after falling ill.
An unnamed student at Oxford has tested positive for the coronavirus after returning from travelling overseas.
Public Health England confirmed the case to the university yesterday and its vice-chancellor informed staff about the development in an internal email addressed to colleagues and students.
Professor Louise Richardson said she was "constrained as to what she could say" but was "glad to report" that the student self-isolated as soon as they developed symptoms and did not attend classes after falling ill.
(iStock)
Two new cases detected in Wales, taking UK total to 211
Two further patients in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus after recently returning from northern Italy.
Dr Frank Atherton, the chief medical officer for Wales, said: "I can confirm that two additional individuals in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total number of positive cases in Wales to four.
"Both individuals are resident in the same household in the Pembrokeshire local authority area and have recently returned from northern Italy.
"They are being managed in a clinically appropriate setting. All appropriate measures to provide care for the individuals and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to assure the public that Wales and the whole of the UK is prepared for these types of incidents.
"Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public."
Two further patients in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus after recently returning from northern Italy.
Dr Frank Atherton, the chief medical officer for Wales, said: "I can confirm that two additional individuals in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total number of positive cases in Wales to four.
"Both individuals are resident in the same household in the Pembrokeshire local authority area and have recently returned from northern Italy.
"They are being managed in a clinically appropriate setting. All appropriate measures to provide care for the individuals and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken.
"I'd like to take this opportunity to assure the public that Wales and the whole of the UK is prepared for these types of incidents.
"Working with our partners in Wales and the UK, we have implemented our planned response, with robust infection control measures in place to protect the health of the public."
Government to establish virtual courts as part of plan to defeat coronavirus
We've heard of funerals being livestreamed and the Pope's sermons from the Vatican being televised to hinder the spread of the virus and now the British judicial system is followng suit.
Health secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce on Sunday the creation of "vrtual courts" to hear pending cases, part of the UK effort to fend off the coronavirus.
The action comes as Hancock insists the government will do "everything in its power" to delay and mitigate the threat.
"We will do all we can to contain coronavirus, but as we know, Covid-19 is spreading across the world, so I want to ensure government is doing everything in its power to be ready to delay and mitigate this threat," he said on Saturday.
"Public safety is my top priority. Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill, with the right measures to deal with the impacts of a widespread Covid-19 outbreak.
"We plan for the worst and work for the best, and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus. Calls to NHS 111 have increased by more than a third and we have already put in place 500 extra staff to help with this increase.
"Every person has a role to play in managing the spread of Covid-19 - whether that's washing your hands more often for 20 seconds or catching your sneezes."
We've heard of funerals being livestreamed and the Pope's sermons from the Vatican being televised to hinder the spread of the virus and now the British judicial system is followng suit.
Health secretary Matt Hancock is due to announce on Sunday the creation of "vrtual courts" to hear pending cases, part of the UK effort to fend off the coronavirus.
The action comes as Hancock insists the government will do "everything in its power" to delay and mitigate the threat.
"We will do all we can to contain coronavirus, but as we know, Covid-19 is spreading across the world, so I want to ensure government is doing everything in its power to be ready to delay and mitigate this threat," he said on Saturday.
"Public safety is my top priority. Responding to coronavirus is a massive national effort and I'm working with colleagues across government to ensure we have a proportionate emergency bill, with the right measures to deal with the impacts of a widespread Covid-19 outbreak.
"We plan for the worst and work for the best, and the NHS is working 24/7 to fight this virus. Calls to NHS 111 have increased by more than a third and we have already put in place 500 extra staff to help with this increase.
"Every person has a role to play in managing the spread of Covid-19 - whether that's washing your hands more often for 20 seconds or catching your sneezes."
Diamond Princess passengers released from NHS quarantine
The 32 people who had been held in isolation at an NHS service in the north west of England after travelling on the Diamond Princess cruise liner - still detained at the Port of Yokohama in Japan - have today left the facility after being given an all clear for the coronavirus.
The 32 people who had been held in isolation at an NHS service in the north west of England after travelling on the Diamond Princess cruise liner - still detained at the Port of Yokohama in Japan - have today left the facility after being given an all clear for the coronavirus.
The group, comprising 30 Britons and two Irish nationals, arrived at the Arrowe Park hospital in the Wirral in February and were isolated while virus tests were carried out.
National and local NHS leaders praised the staff on site as well as the individuals who had been required to isolate there, for showing “how to deal with this virus”.
All of the ship’s passengers at the NHS site have been able to leave and will now be able to get on with their lives.
(Danny Lawson/PA)
Matt Hancock commented: “Our NHS staff at Arrowe Park have done a fantastic job providing safe and comfortable care to the people in quarantine. No doubt the Diamond Princess passengers are very happy to return home to their friends and families now they have got the all clear, and I’d like to thank them for their cooperation in what could have been a stressful situation.
“Tackling coronavirus is a national effort, and they have set a good example for the rest of the public, as more people may need to self isolate themselves at home. Public safety is our top priority and we all have a part to play in containing the spread of the virus – the single most important thing we can all do is to regularly wash our hands for 20 seconds.”
GCSE and A-level exams could be delayed by coronavirus
British school pupils expecting to take their GCSE and A-Level exams this summer could see the process postponed as a result of the virus, The Sunday Times reports this morning.
Regulator Ofqual is reportedly drawing up emergency contingency plans with exam boards for use in the event of the outbreak worsening in the run-up to the exam season, which begins on 11 May and runs until mid-June.
“We recognise that students, parents, schools and colleges will be concerned about the possible impact of coronavirus on the 2020 summer exam series,” Ofqual says.
“Our advice is to continue to prepare for exams as normal. Our overriding priorities are fairness and keeping disruption to a minimum.”
Students who fail to achieve their expected grades and can prove the virus was to blame may be given "special consideration", according to the regulator, while others may be graded based on earler results.
Around 40 British schools with suspected victims have closed in recent weeks, despite the government advising against such closures.
British school pupils expecting to take their GCSE and A-Level exams this summer could see the process postponed as a result of the virus, The Sunday Times reports this morning.
Regulator Ofqual is reportedly drawing up emergency contingency plans with exam boards for use in the event of the outbreak worsening in the run-up to the exam season, which begins on 11 May and runs until mid-June.
“We recognise that students, parents, schools and colleges will be concerned about the possible impact of coronavirus on the 2020 summer exam series,” Ofqual says.
“Our advice is to continue to prepare for exams as normal. Our overriding priorities are fairness and keeping disruption to a minimum.”
(PA)
Students who fail to achieve their expected grades and can prove the virus was to blame may be given "special consideration", according to the regulator, while others may be graded based on earler results.
Around 40 British schools with suspected victims have closed in recent weeks, despite the government advising against such closures.
Trump administration ‘overruled health officials who said elderly should not fly’ during outbreak
In the US, the Trump administration reportedly overruled its own healthcare officials who wanted to warn elderly and physically fragile Americans not to fly on commercial airlines due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) submitted the plan as part of efforts to control the spread of the deadly virus, before White House officials ordered the recommendation to be removed, a federal official with direct knowledge of the plan told the Associated Press news agency.
Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not travelling over the outbreak, which has killed at least 19 people in the US, but stopped short of the guidance sought by the CDC.
Here's the president's latest pronouncement on the crisis as he again insists the US response is "perfectly coordinated and fine tuned".
Conrad Duncan has more on this.
In the US, the Trump administration reportedly overruled its own healthcare officials who wanted to warn elderly and physically fragile Americans not to fly on commercial airlines due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) submitted the plan as part of efforts to control the spread of the deadly virus, before White House officials ordered the recommendation to be removed, a federal official with direct knowledge of the plan told the Associated Press news agency.
Trump administration officials have since suggested certain people should consider not travelling over the outbreak, which has killed at least 19 people in the US, but stopped short of the guidance sought by the CDC.
Here's the president's latest pronouncement on the crisis as he again insists the US response is "perfectly coordinated and fine tuned".
Conrad Duncan has more on this.
Saudi Arabia announces temporary lockdown of Qatif region as confirmed cases rise to 11
Several Gulf Arab states recorded new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday including Saudi Arabia, which detected four more infections to take the total to 11 and have just announced that the Qatif region will, like Italy, be locked down, according to state media.
The Saudi health ministry said that the newly diagnosed individuals, three of whom are women, interacted with another case reported previously who had been in Iran but did not disclose that fact to the authorities.
The individual traveled from Iran via the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said in a Twitter post.
Iran has emerged as an epicentre for the disease in the Middle East. The Islamic republic has reported 194 deaths from the virus on Sunday, putting it on a par with Italy as the country with the highest death toll outside China.
Several Gulf Arab states recorded new cases of the coronavirus on Sunday including Saudi Arabia, which detected four more infections to take the total to 11 and have just announced that the Qatif region will, like Italy, be locked down, according to state media.
The Saudi health ministry said that the newly diagnosed individuals, three of whom are women, interacted with another case reported previously who had been in Iran but did not disclose that fact to the authorities.
The individual traveled from Iran via the United Arab Emirates, the ministry said in a Twitter post.
Iran has emerged as an epicentre for the disease in the Middle East. The Islamic republic has reported 194 deaths from the virus on Sunday, putting it on a par with Italy as the country with the highest death toll outside China.
Saudi Arabia banned travel to Iran and said legal actions will be taken against any Saudi national traveling there. Riyadh also called on Tehran to disclose the identity of Saudi citizens who visited Iran since 1 February.
The Saudi government on Saturday restricted land crossings with the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain to commercial trucks only and said passenger arrivals will be limited to three Saudi airports.
In neighbouring Kuwait, the health ministry reported two more infections, raising the total to 64. Qatari authorities announced three more cases to bring the total to 15.
Kuwait's central bank said on Sunday it was setting up a KWD10m (£25m) fund to support state efforts to fight the virus. Gulf states have cancelled or postponed conferences, sporting events and concerts due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Bahrain said on Sunday its Formula One Grand Prix will go ahead this month without spectators due to the coronavirus crisis, a blow to the island state's tourism sector.
In the UAE, a Wizz Air press conference in Abu Dhabi, planned on Tuesday, has been canceled, organisers said.
Oman has cancelled all events at the Royal Opera House in the capital Muscat that had been scheduled for March and April as well as tours of the site, state news agency ONA said on Sunday.
In Asia meanwhile, Hong Kong has just reported its third death.
The female patient, 76, had developed fever, shortness of breath, cough and abdominal pain on 28 February and was admitted to hospital on the same day.
Is it safe to visit Italy amid the coronavirus outbreak?
Our travel expert, Simon Calder, has an update on flights to Italy - which appear to be continuig for the moment despite Conte's quarantine - courtesy of easyJet.
“We have had confirmation that currently our operations to and from Milan-Malpensa, Milan-Linate and Venice airports are not affected and we plan to operate our flight schedule as normal,” he airline says.
Here's his guide for those with travel plans for Milan and Venice.
Russia threatens to imprison citizens who refuse to self-isolate
Moscow city authorities have threatened to imprison people for up to five years for failing to self-isolate in their homes for two weeks after visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
The city government had announced a "high alert regime" and imposed extra measures on Thursday to prevent a spread of the illness in the Russian capital.
Those who return from China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and other states showing possible "unfavourable" signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days, Moscow city hall has said.
Moscow city authorities have threatened to imprison people for up to five years for failing to self-isolate in their homes for two weeks after visiting countries hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak.
The city government had announced a "high alert regime" and imposed extra measures on Thursday to prevent a spread of the illness in the Russian capital.
Those who return from China, South Korea, Iran, France, Germany, Italy and Spain and other states showing possible "unfavourable" signs of coronavirus should self-isolate themselves at home for 14 days, Moscow city hall has said.
(Anton Novoderezhkin/Getty)
The Moscow healthcare department said on Sunday that those disregarding the regulation risked severe punishment including imprisonment of up to five years.
It said authorities would be checking self-isolation through use of closed circuit TV cameras.
In an information sheet, the department said it was OK for residents in self-isolation to walk their dog, but at a time when there are fewest people in the streets, and wearing a face mask.
There have been 15 cases of coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far.
Death toll rises to 10 after Chinese quarantine hotel collapses
Samuel Osborne has the latest on yesterday's tragedy in Quanzhou.
Samuel Osborne has the latest on yesterday's tragedy in Quanzhou.
'It's not Mad Max': Two women charged over toilet roll battle in Australian supermarket
Two women have been charged over the fight at an Australian supermarket over toilet paper that was widely shared online yesterday, police in New South Wales have said.
Officers were called to a store in Chullora, in the south west of Sydney, on Saturday morning following reports of an altercation.
Australia has been affected by panic buying of supplies - particularly toilet paper - due to fears over the spread of coronavirus.
State police acting inspector Andrew New said: "We just ask that people don't panic like this when they go out shopping. There is no need for it. It's not the Thunderdome, it's not Mad Max, we don't need to do that."
Two women, aged 23 and 60, from the Bankstown area of the city have been issued court attendance notices for affray and are due before Sydney's Bankstown Local Court on 28 April.
Two women have been charged over the fight at an Australian supermarket over toilet paper that was widely shared online yesterday, police in New South Wales have said.
Officers were called to a store in Chullora, in the south west of Sydney, on Saturday morning following reports of an altercation.
Australia has been affected by panic buying of supplies - particularly toilet paper - due to fears over the spread of coronavirus.
State police acting inspector Andrew New said: "We just ask that people don't panic like this when they go out shopping. There is no need for it. It's not the Thunderdome, it's not Mad Max, we don't need to do that."
Two women, aged 23 and 60, from the Bankstown area of the city have been issued court attendance notices for affray and are due before Sydney's Bankstown Local Court on 28 April.
