The UK has tested hundreds more people for coronavirus amid fears of a global pandemic. Authorities said no new cases had been detected in Britain – but warned that the figure did not include four people flown back from Japan at the weekend.
A seventh victim died in Italy, where an outbreak has gripped the north of the country in the biggest such incident outside Asia. South Korea is battling an even larger outbreak, with more than 800 infected, while at least a dozen people have died in Iran.
One expert warned that if those outbreaks could not be controlled a “pandemic” situation would be likely, precipitating further infections in “many other countries”.
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'Tipping point'
The world is nearing the “tipping point” at which the coronavirus outbreak will become an uncontrollable pandemic, experts have warned, writes Jon Sharman.
Some 80,000 people have now been infected globally and more than 2,600 have died, mostly in China, according to a tracking database run by Johns Hopkins University.
At the weekend England’s chief medical officer confirmed that four people brought back to the UK from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive, bringing the British total to 13 cases. The quartet, along with 28 others, are now in quarantine on Merseyside.
The world is nearing the “tipping point” at which the coronavirus outbreak will become an uncontrollable pandemic, experts have warned, writes Jon Sharman.
Some 80,000 people have now been infected globally and more than 2,600 have died, mostly in China, according to a tracking database run by Johns Hopkins University.
At the weekend England’s chief medical officer confirmed that four people brought back to the UK from the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive, bringing the British total to 13 cases. The quartet, along with 28 others, are now in quarantine on Merseyside.
Coronavirus outbreak nearing pandemic 'tipping point', say experts
‘Window of opportunity’ to contain spread is closing, global community warned
Middle East infections
Kuwait and Bahrain have announced their first cases of covid-19, with three and one infections respectively.
All those infected had travelled from Iran.
Kuwait and Bahrain have announced their first cases of covid-19, with three and one infections respectively.
All those infected had travelled from Iran.
Daegu
The number of cases in South Korea has rocketed by 161 to a new total of 763, officials have said.
Most new infections were in and around the city of Daegu.
While officials in South Korea have expressed hope they could contain the outbreak to the region surrounding Daegu, some experts noted signs of the virus circulating nationwide, including a number of cases in the capital Seoul.
The number of cases in South Korea has rocketed by 161 to a new total of 763, officials have said.
Most new infections were in and around the city of Daegu.
While officials in South Korea have expressed hope they could contain the outbreak to the region surrounding Daegu, some experts noted signs of the virus circulating nationwide, including a number of cases in the capital Seoul.
Racist attack
A woman was beaten unconscious after defending a Chinese friend from abuse, amid an apparent spike in racist attacks since the coronavirus outbreak began, writes Andy Gregory.
Meera Solanki, 29, was attacked in a Birmingham bar after confronting a man who told Mandy Huang, 28, to “take your f**king coronavirus and take it back home”.
West Midlands Police have launched an investigation into the assault, one of a string of reported racist attacks across in the country linked to coronavirus.
A woman was beaten unconscious after defending a Chinese friend from abuse, amid an apparent spike in racist attacks since the coronavirus outbreak began, writes Andy Gregory.
Meera Solanki, 29, was attacked in a Birmingham bar after confronting a man who told Mandy Huang, 28, to “take your f**king coronavirus and take it back home”.
West Midlands Police have launched an investigation into the assault, one of a string of reported racist attacks across in the country linked to coronavirus.
Woman attacked after confronting man over racist coronavirus abuse
Meera Solanki was attacked in Birmingham bar after standing up for Chinese friend told by man to ‘take your f**king coronavirus and take it back home’
Backtracking
Wuhan, where covid-19 originated, has rescinded a directive easing some travel restrictions.
The announcement had been made without authorisation, the local government said on Monday.
It said it had reprimanded the people responsible for the earlier announcement that healthy people would be allowed to leave if they had vital business.
Wuhan, where covid-19 originated, has rescinded a directive easing some travel restrictions.
The announcement had been made without authorisation, the local government said on Monday.
It said it had reprimanded the people responsible for the earlier announcement that healthy people would be allowed to leave if they had vital business.
First Afghan case
Afghanistan has detected its first case of coronavirus.
It took place in the western province of Herat, which borders Iran - where dozens of cases have been confirmed and 12 people have now died.
Afghanistan has detected its first case of coronavirus.
It took place in the western province of Herat, which borders Iran - where dozens of cases have been confirmed and 12 people have now died.
No border closure
There is no need to close the French-Italian border after a rise in coronavirus infections in the latter country, France's health minister has said.
"Closing down the borders would make no sense, as the circulation of the virus is not just limited to administrative borders," Jean-Baptiste Djebbari told BFM Business.
Infections in Italy, the worst-affected country in Europe, climbed to more than 150 on Saturday, with three deaths.
The government closed off epicentres in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
There is no need to close the French-Italian border after a rise in coronavirus infections in the latter country, France's health minister has said.
"Closing down the borders would make no sense, as the circulation of the virus is not just limited to administrative borders," Jean-Baptiste Djebbari told BFM Business.
Infections in Italy, the worst-affected country in Europe, climbed to more than 150 on Saturday, with three deaths.
The government closed off epicentres in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
UK travel fears
Almost one-third of Britons will consider stopping overseas travel if the coronavirus outbreak persists, new research suggests, writes Rory Sullivan.
Some 31 per of 2,000 people polled in the UK said they would consider suspending any trips abroad if the epidemic was not brought under control.
The consultancy firm Retail Economics, which conducted the survey, calculated that £17bn of holiday spending may be put on hold as a result.
Almost one-third of Britons will consider stopping overseas travel if the coronavirus outbreak persists, new research suggests, writes Rory Sullivan.
Some 31 per of 2,000 people polled in the UK said they would consider suspending any trips abroad if the epidemic was not brought under control.
The consultancy firm Retail Economics, which conducted the survey, calculated that £17bn of holiday spending may be put on hold as a result.
New South Korea cases
South Korea has just reported 70 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the country's total to 833, news agency Yonhap reports.
South Korea has just reported 70 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the country's total to 833, news agency Yonhap reports.
Russia 'disinformation'
US officials say thousands of social media accounts linked to Russia are part of a coordinated effort to spread disinformation about the new coronavirus. writes Kate Ng.
The campaign allegedly aims to damage the US’s image and spread unfounded conspiracy theories that it is behind the outbreak which has infected nearly 78,000 globally and killed over 2,500 people.
US State Department officials told AFP fake accounts were created and used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram so the campaign could reach as many people as possible in multiple languages.
US officials say thousands of social media accounts linked to Russia are part of a coordinated effort to spread disinformation about the new coronavirus. writes Kate Ng.
The campaign allegedly aims to damage the US’s image and spread unfounded conspiracy theories that it is behind the outbreak which has infected nearly 78,000 globally and killed over 2,500 people.
US State Department officials told AFP fake accounts were created and used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram so the campaign could reach as many people as possible in multiple languages.
Primark warning
The owner of Primark has said some clothing lines could face supply shortages later in 2019-20, if coronavirus disrupts factories in China.
Associated British Foods, which also owns major sugar, grocery and agriculture arms, nonetheless forecast first-half sales growth and operating profit ahead of the previous year.
It said it did not expect any short-term impact on Primark, having stockpiled inventory ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
Shared dipped 2.3 per cent on the announcement.
The owner of Primark has said some clothing lines could face supply shortages later in 2019-20, if coronavirus disrupts factories in China.
Associated British Foods, which also owns major sugar, grocery and agriculture arms, nonetheless forecast first-half sales growth and operating profit ahead of the previous year.
It said it did not expect any short-term impact on Primark, having stockpiled inventory ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.
Shared dipped 2.3 per cent on the announcement.
Fourth Italy death
A fourth person has died in Italy's coronavirus outbreak, according to local media.
A fourth person has died in Italy's coronavirus outbreak, according to local media.
Vietnam restrictions
Bamboo Airways, the Vietnamese airline, has said it will suspend all flights to and from South Korea from Wednesday, because of concerns over coronavirus.
Bamboo Airways, the Vietnamese airline, has said it will suspend all flights to and from South Korea from Wednesday, because of concerns over coronavirus.
Iran figures
Iranian officials have blamed people travelling illegally from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan for spreading coronavirus to the country.
Fifty people have now died in the city of Qom, according to the semi-official ILNA news agency.
Earlier in the day, the figure had been reported at 12, and this number was repeated by Iran's deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi during a news conference on state TV on Monday.
Infections have also spread to four other cities including Tehran.
Iranian officials have blamed people travelling illegally from Pakistan, China and Afghanistan for spreading coronavirus to the country.
Fifty people have now died in the city of Qom, according to the semi-official ILNA news agency.
Earlier in the day, the figure had been reported at 12, and this number was repeated by Iran's deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi during a news conference on state TV on Monday.
Infections have also spread to four other cities including Tehran.
Italy lockdown
Italy has placed a dozen towns in quarantine, closed schools and shut down the Venice Carnival following the deaths of three people from coronavirus, writes Peter Stubley.
Authorities in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto announced the measures as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose above 130.
Luca Zaia, governor of Veneto, said that coronavirus was “the absolutely worst problem” the region has faced during his career.
Italy has placed a dozen towns in quarantine, closed schools and shut down the Venice Carnival following the deaths of three people from coronavirus, writes Peter Stubley.
Authorities in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto announced the measures as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose above 130.
Luca Zaia, governor of Veneto, said that coronavirus was “the absolutely worst problem” the region has faced during his career.
Italy quarantines 12 towns and cancels Venice Carnival to halt spread of deadly coronavirus
‘This is the absolutely worst problem that Veneto has faced,’ says governor
Qatar restrictions
Qatar has said it will quarantine passengers arriving from either Iran or South Korea for 14 days.
Qatar Airways made the announcement after a spike in the number of cases in both countries.
Kuwait and Bahrain have both detected coronavirus in people arriving from Iran, while Afghanistan has found one case in a person in its Herat province, which borders Iran.
Qatar has said it will quarantine passengers arriving from either Iran or South Korea for 14 days.
Qatar Airways made the announcement after a spike in the number of cases in both countries.
Kuwait and Bahrain have both detected coronavirus in people arriving from Iran, while Afghanistan has found one case in a person in its Herat province, which borders Iran.
Legislative session on hold
China has postponed the annual meeting of parliament that had been due to begin on 5 March. State media said a new date for the 10-day session would be set at a later time - but not too much later, a report said, without giving details.
China has postponed the annual meeting of parliament that had been due to begin on 5 March. State media said a new date for the 10-day session would be set at a later time - but not too much later, a report said, without giving details.
EU travel restrictions
Any travel restrictions in the Schengen zone must be proportionate and coordinated among EU governments, the bloc's health commissioner has said, amid a growing outbreak of coronavirus in Italy.
"For the moment WHO has not advised imposing restrictions on either travel or trade," Stella Kyriakides told reporters on Monday.
A World Health Organisation mission will go to Italy on Tuesday to assess the situation there.
Any travel restrictions in the Schengen zone must be proportionate and coordinated among EU governments, the bloc's health commissioner has said, amid a growing outbreak of coronavirus in Italy.
"For the moment WHO has not advised imposing restrictions on either travel or trade," Stella Kyriakides told reporters on Monday.
A World Health Organisation mission will go to Italy on Tuesday to assess the situation there.
Iraq closes border
More from the Middle East.
Iraq is to close its border crossing with Kuwait, where officials have detected three cases of coronavirus.
More from the Middle East.
Iraq is to close its border crossing with Kuwait, where officials have detected three cases of coronavirus.
The health ministry identified them as a 53-year-old Kuwaiti man, a 61-year-old Saudi man and a 21-year-old whose nationality was unclear. It said the Kuwaiti and Saudi had been asymptomatic while the third person showed initial symptoms.
In neighbouring Bahrain, the health ministry said a Bahraini citizen who arrived from Iran had been diagnosed with the disease and that "all necessary measures have been taken with individuals in contact with the patient".
In neighbouring Bahrain, the health ministry said a Bahraini citizen who arrived from Iran had been diagnosed with the disease and that "all necessary measures have been taken with individuals in contact with the patient".
Video: Four new UK cases
