Coronavirus fears have forced schools to shut down after pupils returning from ski trips in northern Italy experienced flu-like symptoms.
More than 14 schools either closed off sites or sent home students to self quarantine over concerns the virus may be spread among students
It came as the World Health Organisation (WHO) warned the virus was “literally knocking at the door” of countries around the globe, and urged governments to bolster their defences against the disease and suggested some may choose to activate pre-prepared “pandemic plans”.
Meanwhile, Iran‘s deputy health minister has reportedly tested positive, and South Korea is planning mass testing of 200,000 churchgoers. Hong Kong has extended the closure of its schools until 20 April and investment banks Citigroup, Credit Suisse and Nomura Holdings have reportedly curbed employees’ trips to Italy for fear the disease will spread. Eleven people have died of the illness in Italy.
In response the UK foreign office updated its guidance for the region, urging all but essential travel to the 10 small towns affected in the north of Italy be cancelled.
Here are the day's events as they happened.
Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of coronavirus for Tuesday, 25 February.
'Disease X'
Here is our story from overnight, if you want to catch up on the state of play.
Coronavirus is “rapidly becoming” the world’s first true pandemic challenge, fitting the category of “disease X”, an advisor for the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned, writes Samuel Lovett.
Covid-19 has killed nearly 2,600 people in mainland China, where the virus emerged last year, and infected more than 77,000.
Here is our story from overnight, if you want to catch up on the state of play.
Coronavirus is “rapidly becoming” the world’s first true pandemic challenge, fitting the category of “disease X”, an advisor for the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned, writes Samuel Lovett.
Covid-19 has killed nearly 2,600 people in mainland China, where the virus emerged last year, and infected more than 77,000.
Coronavirus ‘rapidly becoming’ disease X we have long feared, says WHO official
Rising concerns among scientists that outbreak reaching pandemic scale
New UK advice
Anyone returning to the UK from northern Italy should self-isolate in the same way as people coming back from China have been told to do, the health secretary has said.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Matt Hancock said: "The official advice which will be formally updated at eight o'clock this morning is going to change so that those who have been to northern Italy - north of Pisa - if they have flu-like symptoms should self-isolate.
"If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms."
Anyone returning to the UK from northern Italy should self-isolate in the same way as people coming back from China have been told to do, the health secretary has said.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Matt Hancock said: "The official advice which will be formally updated at eight o'clock this morning is going to change so that those who have been to northern Italy - north of Pisa - if they have flu-like symptoms should self-isolate.
"If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms."
New infections
Reports of new infections are coming in from around the world.
Kuwait says it has now detected eight cases of coronavirus - all in people travelling from Iran.
Iran has confirmed two more deaths, bringing the official total there to 14. Yesterday, media reports and one politician claimed the true toll was 50.
Dubai International Airport has cut all flights to and from the Islamic republic, except the capital Tehran. Bahrain has now detected two cases of coronavirus and suspended flights to Dubai.
Reports of new infections are coming in from around the world.
Kuwait says it has now detected eight cases of coronavirus - all in people travelling from Iran.
Iran has confirmed two more deaths, bringing the official total there to 14. Yesterday, media reports and one politician claimed the true toll was 50.
Dubai International Airport has cut all flights to and from the Islamic republic, except the capital Tehran. Bahrain has now detected two cases of coronavirus and suspended flights to Dubai.
Church testing
In South Korea, authorities have launched mass coronavirus testing following the biggest outbreak of the disease outside China.
They plan to screen more than 200,000 members of the church at the centre of the outbreak. The leader of the Shincheonji Church said it had agreed to provide authorities with the names of all its members in South Korea.
In South Korea, authorities have launched mass coronavirus testing following the biggest outbreak of the disease outside China.
They plan to screen more than 200,000 members of the church at the centre of the outbreak. The leader of the Shincheonji Church said it had agreed to provide authorities with the names of all its members in South Korea.
Vice health minister Kim Kang-lip said the priority was to test about 1,300 of the 9,200 members of the Daegu church who are showing symptoms, which he said would be completed by Wednesday. Authorities hoped to stabilise the situation in Daegu within four weeks, he added.
Americans have been advised not to travel to South Korea, and the US military is considering scaling back training with one of its key regional allies.
Americans have been advised not to travel to South Korea, and the US military is considering scaling back training with one of its key regional allies.
Mask ban
NHS hospitals have been banned from stockpiling masks used to protect staff from the coronavirus infection amid fears of a shortage in supply, it has emerged, writes Shaun Lintern.
As stock markets around the world plunged and parts of Italy remained in lockdown, NHS bosses confirmed on Monday that they have barred trusts from over-ordering respirator masks after some hospitals were said to be panic buying.
Hospitals have been warned that local stockpiling is unnecessary and, from Thursday last week, hospitals were only able to order their normal amount of masks.
NHS hospitals have been banned from stockpiling masks used to protect staff from the coronavirus infection amid fears of a shortage in supply, it has emerged, writes Shaun Lintern.
As stock markets around the world plunged and parts of Italy remained in lockdown, NHS bosses confirmed on Monday that they have barred trusts from over-ordering respirator masks after some hospitals were said to be panic buying.
Hospitals have been warned that local stockpiling is unnecessary and, from Thursday last week, hospitals were only able to order their normal amount of masks.
Collaboration
China says it will beef up its cooperation with Japan and South Korea in responding to coronavirus.
South Korea has the most virus cases in Asia outside China and reported its ninth death and 84 new cases on Tuesday, for a total of 977 cases. Japan has had four deaths and 850 cases mostly on a cruise ship docked near Tokyo.
China says it will beef up its cooperation with Japan and South Korea in responding to coronavirus.
South Korea has the most virus cases in Asia outside China and reported its ninth death and 84 new cases on Tuesday, for a total of 977 cases. Japan has had four deaths and 850 cases mostly on a cruise ship docked near Tokyo.
China business
A state planning official in China has said that regions deemed to be at low risk from coronavirus should "full resume normal activities" and bring an end to restrictions on citizens' movements.
It follows urging by Xi Jinping for the Chinese economy to get back up and running after it took a big hit from the virus.
A state planning official in China has said that regions deemed to be at low risk from coronavirus should "full resume normal activities" and bring an end to restrictions on citizens' movements.
It follows urging by Xi Jinping for the Chinese economy to get back up and running after it took a big hit from the virus.
Rising fears
Reactions to the spread of the coronavirus are becoming more extreme, with a British Airways flight returning to the gate at Heathrow airport because of fears of the coronavirus, or Covid-19 virus, writes Simon Calder.
The Airbus was operating flight BA564 destined for Milan.
Reactions to the spread of the coronavirus are becoming more extreme, with a British Airways flight returning to the gate at Heathrow airport because of fears of the coronavirus, or Covid-19 virus, writes Simon Calder.
The Airbus was operating flight BA564 destined for Milan.
OPEC warning
OPEC+ countries should avoid complacency in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, Saudi Arabia's energy minister has said.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told reporters that "everything serious requires attendance", after a number of Middle Eastern nations reported new cases of the disease.
An OPEC+ committee recommended earlier this month the group deepen its production curbs by an additional 600,000 barrels per day to counter the oil demand loss brought about by the new coronavirus outbreak.
OPEC+ countries should avoid complacency in the face of the coronavirus outbreak, Saudi Arabia's energy minister has said.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told reporters that "everything serious requires attendance", after a number of Middle Eastern nations reported new cases of the disease.
An OPEC+ committee recommended earlier this month the group deepen its production curbs by an additional 600,000 barrels per day to counter the oil demand loss brought about by the new coronavirus outbreak.
BTS warning
BTS has told fans to avoid their upcoming shows, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus, writes Ellie Harrison.
The K-pop band is scheduled to film several TV shows in the South Korean city Seoul this week to promote their latest album, Map Of The Soul: 7.
On Monday (24 February), BTS streamed a press conference with no studio audience present.
BTS has told fans to avoid their upcoming shows, in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus, writes Ellie Harrison.
The K-pop band is scheduled to film several TV shows in the South Korean city Seoul this week to promote their latest album, Map Of The Soul: 7.
On Monday (24 February), BTS streamed a press conference with no studio audience present.
Vaccine
There is unlikely to be a vaccine for coronavirus before the disease is brought under control, an expert has said.
Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't expect that there will be a vaccine available for millions of people who would need it before the end of the year.
"I am very sceptical that we will have a vaccine before this epidemic is brought under control.
"But it may be very useful to have one if this becomes seasonal and every year we have a wave of this."
There is unlikely to be a vaccine for coronavirus before the disease is brought under control, an expert has said.
Professor Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I don't expect that there will be a vaccine available for millions of people who would need it before the end of the year.
"I am very sceptical that we will have a vaccine before this epidemic is brought under control.
"But it may be very useful to have one if this becomes seasonal and every year we have a wave of this."
Italy update
7th Covid-19 death as fear spreads across Italy
7th Covid-19 death as fear spreads across Italy
New Iraq cases
Iraq has reported four new cases of coronavirus in the city of Kirkuk, according to the state news agency.
Iraq has reported four new cases of coronavirus in the city of Kirkuk, according to the state news agency.
Iran update
Two more coronavirus deaths and 34 new cases have been confirmed in Iran, the health ministry has said.
Two more coronavirus deaths and 34 new cases have been confirmed in Iran, the health ministry has said.
Tom Cruise filming halted
Tom Cruise and the cast and crew of Mission: Impossible 7 have been forced to stop filming in Italy after the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, writes Ellie Harrison.
The latest instalment of the blockbuster action franchise had been scheduled to film in Venice over the next three weeks, but Paramount Pictures took the decision to halt production over health and safety concerns.
Tom Cruise and the cast and crew of Mission: Impossible 7 have been forced to stop filming in Italy after the outbreak of coronavirus in the country, writes Ellie Harrison.
The latest instalment of the blockbuster action franchise had been scheduled to film in Venice over the next three weeks, but Paramount Pictures took the decision to halt production over health and safety concerns.
Tom Cruise forced to stop filming Mission Impossible in Italy amid coronavirus fears
Several Italian towns are on lockdown following sudden outbreak of disease in the country
Iran update - more details
Fifteen people have been killed by coronavirus in Iran and there are 95 confirmed cases, the country's health ministry has said.
Many cases have been linked to Qom, a major Shia religious center where other cases have emerged.
Iranians who have travelled to other countries have also been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Fifteen people have been killed by coronavirus in Iran and there are 95 confirmed cases, the country's health ministry has said.
Many cases have been linked to Qom, a major Shia religious center where other cases have emerged.
Iranians who have travelled to other countries have also been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Self-isolation
People returning to the UK from a string of regions around the world have been advised to self-isolate for two weeks even if they do not have coronavirus symptoms, the Department of Health has said.
Travellers coming back from Iran, lockdown areas of northern Italy, special care zones in South Korea, and Hubei province in China since February 19 should call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
People returning from Italy north of Pisa and Florence, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma from the same date - who develop symptoms - should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people and call NHS 111.
People returning to the UK from a string of regions around the world have been advised to self-isolate for two weeks even if they do not have coronavirus symptoms, the Department of Health has said.
Travellers coming back from Iran, lockdown areas of northern Italy, special care zones in South Korea, and Hubei province in China since February 19 should call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
People returning from Italy north of Pisa and Florence, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma from the same date - who develop symptoms - should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people and call NHS 111.
Japan infection
Dentsu, a Japanese communications and advertising firm, has confirmed a coronavirus infection in its ranks and instructed employees at its Tokyo headquarters to work from home.
Dentsu, a Japanese communications and advertising firm, has confirmed a coronavirus infection in its ranks and instructed employees at its Tokyo headquarters to work from home.
Canary Island hotel on lockdown
A hotel in Tenerife is on lockdown after one guest tested positive for coronavirus.
Hundreds of tourists are currently quarantined inside the Canary Island resort, where they are being tested for the virus by the Spanish authorities.
A hotel in Tenerife is on lockdown after one guest tested positive for coronavirus.
Hundreds of tourists are currently quarantined inside the Canary Island resort, where they are being tested for the virus by the Spanish authorities.
