England to register COVID-19 as ‘notifiable disease’: BBC
(This March 4 story corrects headline, paragraph 1 to say “notifiable” designation to be implemented in England, and clarifies other British regions have already classified it as “notifiable”)
Coronavirus infects more than 100,000 worldwide, wreaking financial havoc
Twenty-one people aboard a cruise ship that was barred from docking in San Francisco have tested positive for coronavirus, U.S. officials said on Friday, as the fast-spreading respiratory disease was reported in half a dozen new U.S. states.
Saudi Arabia suspends public attendance at sports events until further notice
The Saudi ministry of sports announced on Friday it will suspend public attendance at all sports events starting Saturday, a statement from the ministry reported.
Colombia has confirmed first case of coronavirus: health ministry
Colombia confirmed its first case of coronavirus on Friday, joining other South American countries already reporting cases of the fast-spreading disease.
Irish hospital staff self-isolate over coronavirus
More than 60 staff at a hospital in the southern Irish city of Cork were asked on Friday to self-isolate after the country’s first community transmission of coronavirus was found there, a health official was quoted as saying.
Austria introducing ‘spot’ health checks at Italian border
Austria is introducing “spot” health checks at its border with Italy for two weeks as of next week in response to the coronavirus outbreak, in which Italy is the hardest-hit country in Europe, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Friday.
Canada’s tourism industry ‘deeply affected’ by virus outbreak: minister
The outbreak of the new coronavirus is hammering Canada’s tourism industry, a senior government official said on Friday, as the number of visitors from China plummeted and after the cancellation of a major technology convention.
In Canada, doctors broadened coronavirus testing, and made an unlikely save
Canada’s official guidance on the novel coronavirus has been to test patients who recently traveled to affected areas, but some doctors and hospitals have expanded testing on their own, finding the first in a series of patients linked to Iran before th…
France to close schools in areas worst hit by coronavirus for 15 days
France will close nurseries and schools for 15 days from Monday in the two areas most hit by coronavirus infections, one north of Paris and the other in the northeastern part of the country, its prime minister said on Friday.
Iraq reports eight new coronavirus cases: state news agency
Iraq reported eight new coronavirus cases on Friday, 5 in Baghdad, 2 in Sulaimaniya and one case in Karbala, state news agency reported quoting health ministry.
