Coronavirus LIVE Updates: South Africa reports first virus case

Federal authorities announced an investigation of the Seattle-area nursing home at the center of an outbreak of the new Coronavirus as the US death toll climbed to 11, including the first fatality outside Washington state.

Officials in California's Placer County, near Sacramento, said Wednesday an elderly person who tested positive after returning from a San Francisco-to-Mexico cruise had died.

The victim had underlying health problems, authorities said.

South Africa on Thursday confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus, a 38-year-old male who travelled to Italy, health ministry announced.

"This morning,... the National Institute for Communicable Diseases confirmed that a suspected case of COVID-19 has tested positive," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said in a statement.

It is the first case in southern Africa, and the latest confirmed case in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and Senegal.

The case was detected in the country's eastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province.

The patient and his wife were part of a group of 10 people who arrived back in South Africa from Italy on March 1.

Italy has emerged as the European hotspot for the deadly virus with the national death toll at 107, the deadliest outbreak outside China.

World football governing body FIFA on Thursday proposed postponing all the upcoming 2022 World Cup and 2023 Asian Cup Cup qualifiers, including India's home game against Qatar, due to the rising coronavirus threat.

FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) met at the apex body's headquarters here to discuss football activities in Asia.

Already out of World Cup contention after failing to win a single game, India is scheduled to play 2022 tournament host Qatar in Bhubaneswar on March 26, followed by matches against Bangladesh and Afghanistan in June.

Ministry of Home Affairs: Truck drivers from Pakistan being scanned at Attari for Coronavirus The Government is ensuring constant vigilance and continuous monitoring to prevent the spread of Coronavirus

Seven persons from three families have been isolated at home at Seoni in Madhya Pradesh for suspected exposure to the coronavirus following their return from Italy last month, an official said on Thursday.

None of them exhibited symptoms of the infection, but the step was taken as a precaution as Italy is the worst- affected country in Europe from the coronavirus, the official added.

The three families -- three couples and a child -- were placed under "home isolation" after the administration got information that they had recently returned from Italy, said District Vaccination Officer Dr H P Pateria.

They will have to stay in isolation under medical observation for 14 days, he added.

One of the persons placed under isolation told PTI over phone that they were screened at the Mumbai airport upon return, but as none of them showed any symptoms of the virus infection, they were allowed to go.

They returned to the city on February 28, he added.

As many as 16,076 crew members and passengers onboard ships from China or having travelled to coronavirus-hit countries have been scanned and not allowed to disembark at Indian ports as a precautionary step, a shipping ministry official said on Thursday.

However, all possible assistance and help are being provided to them -- onboard 452 ships anchored at designated places -- as per WHO guidelines in case of any fever or symptoms.

"As many as 452 ships with EXIM cargo and 16,076 crew and passengers have arrived at Indian ports so far from China or a travel history to countries affected from coronavirus. As a precautionary measure to prevent any outbreak, we have not allowed the passengers and crew to disembark but ships were allowed to anchor at designated places. The cargo was brought with all precautions.

"No shore pass is being issued to the crew/seafarers having travel history from the infected countries," the official told PTI.

Iran announces 15 new Novel Coronavirus deaths, raising total to 107: AFP news agency

Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world on Thursday.

3:57 p.m.

Two people, who had a travel history to coronavirus-hit Italy and South Korea, fled from a Jammu-based government hospital's isolation ward, but were brought back, officials say.

3:32 p.m.

The Delhi government advises head of departments, autonomous bodies, and municipal corporations to suspend biometric attendance system amidst coronavirus outbreak.

3:24 p.m.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju warned country's athletes to be extra cautious amidst coronavirus outbreak, saying they should avoid close contact while mingling with people.

3:13 p.m.

One more case of coronavirus was reported in Ghaziabad in the national capital region, raising total number in India to 30 so far, officials say

3:07 p.m.

India has imposed additional visa restrictions on people travelling from or having visited Italy and South Korea, making it mandatory for them to submit certificate of having tested negative for coronavirus, the Union Health Ministry says.

2:54 p.m.

Health authorities in Kashmir have kept five persons with a recent history of travelling to coronavirus-affected countries at the SKIMS hospital after they showed symptoms, officials say.

2:31 p.m.

With cases of coronavirus being reported in the country, opposition members in Lok Sabha suggest that the government check black marketing of sanitisers and masks.

2:26 p.m.

Four of five people who have tested positive for coronavirus will get better on their own and there is no need for Indians to panic yet, says a leading Indian researcher.

2:22 p.m.

A 16-year-old Indian girl in UAE tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of confirmed infection cases in the country to 28, media reports say.

2:05 p.m.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan assuring that the government has the coronavirus crisis under control is like the Titanic captain telling passengers not to panic.

2:04 p.m.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani says no positive case of coronavirus has been found in the state so far and his government is alert and fully prepared to deal with any situation.

Delhi government has temporarily suspended bio-metric attendance in its offices in wake of Novel Corona threat.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia: From tomorrow, all such schools(upto class 5th) both government & private to remain shut till March 31, in view of Novel Coronavirus

Two people, who had a travel history to coronavirus-hit Italy and South Korea, fled from a Jammu-based government hospital's isolation ward, but were brought back, officials said on Thursday.

They were admitted to the hospital on Wednesday afternoon. Samples were taken and sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, they said.

There was adequate hospital security outside the isolation ward, but relatives of one of the persons "forcefully" took their patient with them after which the other also fled, a senior GMCH official said.

They "fled" on late Wednesday night, the official said.

The two persons were brought back and admitted to the GMCH on Thursday, Dr Shafqat Khan, who has been nominated by the government as the nodal officer for coronavirus prevention in Jammu and Kashmir, told PTI.

Japan to quarantine all arrivals from China, South Korea over virus, says Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Number of positive Novel coronavirus cases in India rises to 30 after a person in Ghaziabad,Uttar Pradesh tests positive

ITBP: All 24 members comprising 21 Italians & 3 Indians brought to the quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi yesterday, left this evening. Positive cases to be treated at designated hospitals and others to be kept under preventive isolation at a different location.

A first EU official working in the bloc's Brussels administration has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, European officials said Wednesday.

"We have confirmation of the case," EU Commission spokeswoman Dana Spinant told AFP.

A spokeswoman for the European Defence Agency confirmed that a male public servant of the agency had returned from Italy on February 23 and subsequently tested positive.

Meetings at the headquarters of the Brussels-based agency have been cancelled until March 13, Elisabeth Schoeffmann said.

Schools and universities will remain close till mid march in wake of Coronavirus, in Italy, reported BBC

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended Umrah pilgrimages to the two holy cities of Mecca and Medina for Saudi citizens and the kingdom’s other residents due to coronavirus concerns, reported Reuters.

President Ram Nath Kovind: With alertness and safeguards, we all can help contain the outbreak of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. In a precautionary measure, the Rashtrapati Bhavan will not hold the traditional Holi gatherings.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation: Delhi metro staff has been sensitized and guidelines have been circulated regarding Do’s and Dont’s to prevent the spread of Coronavirus Instructions are being issued to increase the frequency of cleaning within the metro premises.

Iran reports 15 new Coronavius deaths, death toll reaches 92, news agency AFP reported.

Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on reports of shortage of masks: Wearing masks is not the only solution and is not necessary for everyone. Other things are, keeping your hands clean, taking precautions in public places, and doing namaskar.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has observed that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads less efficiently than the influenza or flu virus. However, the WHO also noted that the illness caused by COVID-19 is more severe than that of the flu.

In a media release issued on Tuesday, WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted, "COVID-19 spreads less efficiently than flu, and transmission does not appear to be driven by people who are not sick, while in the case of influenza, people who are infected but not yet sick are major drivers of transmission."

The WHO is relying on data compiled on the virus to obtain a clearer picture of the situation as it unfolds. The WHO chief observed, "as we get more data, we are understanding this virus, and the disease it causes, more and more."

Maharashtra public health minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said the state government will use the prime-time television shows and cinema halls to spread awareness about COVID-19.

Tope laid out the plan during a special discussion on coronavirus in the state legislative council here.

"The state government is going to use prime-time television shows and cinema halls to spread awareness about the virus. Jingles and video messages will also be put out soon," he said.

A meeting was held with the police department's cyber crime branch to zero in on people who are spreading misinformation, the minister said.

Rajasthan Health Minister Raghu Sharma informed the House on Wednesday that at least 215 people came in contact with the COVID-19 affected group of Italian tourists that had visited various places in the state.

Replying to an adjournment motion in the state Assembly, Sharma said swab samples of 93 people have been taken.

A total of 51 suspected patients have been tested negative whereas reports of 41 others are still pending, he said.

Fifty-three people in Jhunjhunu, 14 each in Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, 44 in Bikaner, six in Udaipur and 76 people in Jaipur came in contact with the group.

The minister informed the members of the House that the 15 Italian tourists who had reached Delhi, via Jaipur and Agra, have been tested positive for COVID-19.

He said that though there is no prescribed medication or vaccine to treat the disease, the suspected patients in the state are being given swine flu medication as a precautionary measure.

Purchase orders have been given for 50,000 personal protective equipment kits and 5 lakh each of N95 and triple layer masks to deal with the problem, the minister said.

A state-level task force has been constituted to control the situation arising due to coronavirus. It will be chaired by me. It includes members from several agencies, departments & corporations. Each member has been assigned a role, says Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Iraq said a 70-year-old Muslim cleric died on Wednesday from the Novel Coronavirus, marking the first death from the outbreak in a country where 31 people have been infected.

The preacher had been quarantined in the northeastern city of Sulaimaniyah before his death, a spokesman for the northern Kurdish autonomous region's health authority said.

According to local sources, he had recently met with Iraqis returning from neighbouring Iran, which has recorded the deadliest outbreak outside China, the epidemic's epicentre.

The virus in the Islamic Republic has claimed 77 lives and infected more than 2,300 people.

Karnataka: At present, total 5 persons are admitted in the isolation wards of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases in Bengaluru. Samples have been collected. Reports will be received later today.

Hong Kong's business outlook hit a record low in February, according to data released on Wednesday, as the coronavirus outbreak added to the financial hub's troubles following months of political turmoil.

The Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) for the city's economy plunged to its lowest mark since the gauge began, worse than the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the global financial crisis in 2007-2008.

Hong Kong's economy is reeling from the US-China trade war, pro-democracy protests last year and now the coronavirus -- a triple whammy that has created a situation Financial Secretary Paul Chan described as "exceptionally austere" as he delivered his annual budget last week.

Chan said the economy is facing "enormous challenges this year", and predicted a range of 0.5 per cent growth to a 1.5 per cent contraction this year.

Gujarat Health Department on Wednesday said none of the 1,582 people kept under observation after returning from coronavirus-hit countries has so far been found to be infected by the potentially deadly virus.

Elaborate arrangements have been made to deal with any situation arising out of the outbreak of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, it said.

"A total of 1,582 people, who came from countries which are having the outbreak of coronavirus, have been kept under house observation in Gujarat but so far we do not have any positive case in the state," health commissioner Jai Prakash Shivhare told reporters here.

Out of the 1,582 people, 25 were tested for COVID-19 and all of them have tested negative, he said.

Of these people, 964came here from China, 147 from Thailand, 131 from Australia, while the remaining came from various other countries, he said.

Home Minister Amit Shah said on Wednesday the country was well prepared to contain the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus and that he would not participate in 'Holi Milan' function in the wake of the reports of outbreak of the virus in different places.

Amit Shah also appealed to everyone to take all important measures to check the spread of coronavirus.

"Holi is a very important festival for we Indians but in the wake of Coronavirus, I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan celebration this year. I also appeal everyone to avoid public gatherings and take a good care of yourself and your family (sic)," he tweeted.

Army Chief General MM Naravane says, "I hope we have a virus-free seminar", at the beginning of his speech at the Indian Army's International Seminar on the theme 'Changing characteristics of land warfare and its impact on the military', earlier today.

Adverts by two companies which made false claims about using face masks to prevent the spread of coronavirus have been banned.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) of Britain ruled the claims by Easy Shopping 4 Home Ltd and Novads OU were in breach of its code, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

The adverts were "misleading, irresponsible and likely to cause fear without justifiable reason", it said.

Officials have urged more hand-washing to delay the spread of the virus.

The rulings were made against adverts by Easy Shopping 4 Home Ltd, which appeared on the Amazon website, and adverts by Novads OU for its Oxybreath Pro mask, which appeared on the Scottish Sun website via the Taboola network and other sites.

One of the Oxybreath Pro adverts stated: "It would be an understatement to say that there is a growing sense of panic.

"The best advice I've heard is to stay calm and take practical measures to protect yourself.

"One of the best ways to protect yourself is to get a high-quality face mask that can protect you from: viruses, bacteria, and other air pollutants."

The ASA said the adverts were "misleading" because the claims went against official advice.

After a spurt of positive cases of Novel Coronavirus, the Rajasthan government on Wednesday issued directions to the collectors and chief medical health officers of Jhunjhunu, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaipur districts to take public health measures in the places visited by the group of Italian tourists.

1. The group, that include the couple that has tested positive for the virus, travelled in these districts from February 21 to 28 and the officials have been asked to disinfect the rooms and the bus in which the group travelled from the time they arrived at IGI airport in New Delhi to the hotels they had stayed in across the state.

The bus driver and cleaner will be home quarantined for 14 days.

“The officials have been asked to get detailed addresses of all who have stayed in these rooms and to do follow-up for health status and advice them for home quarantine for a total of 14 days,” Additional Chief Secretary, Medical and Health, Rohit Kumar Singh said.

Health Ministry officials: At least 25 people suspected of Coronavirus are admitted at Safdarjung hospital. 4 suspected cases of Coronavirus are kept in isolation at Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia hospital.

The Odisha government has in its list of dos and dont's asked people to avoid hugging, shaking hands while greeting and keep their workplace clean to ward off coronavirus infection.

The state government issued the workplace advisory based on the containment plan prepared by the Health Ministry to tackle the Covid-19 disease.

Asking the employers to ensure workplace cleanliness, it mentioned, "Surfaces (desks and tables) and objects (telephone, keyboards) need to be regularly wiped with disinfectant containing 70 per cent alcohol." Soaps or sanitizing hand rub should be provided near wash basins and water supply should be ensured as frequent hand washing kills the virus and prevents spread of Covid-19, it said.

Posters should be displayed promoting respiratory hygiene, and tissue papers or masks should be made available to the employees.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday said 28 positive cases of Novel Coronavirus have been detected so far in India and announced that all international flights and passengers will now have to undergo screening, and not just the 12 countries listed earlier.

Addressing the media, Vardhan said if the Iranian government lent its support, a testing facility could be set up there as well. This will help bring back Indian citizens from Iran after a thorough screening, he said.

Vardhan also said that he met the Delhi health minister and civic body officials, and urged them to augment facilities of isolation wards in city hospitals.

Giving a breakup of those who tested positive for the virus, the minister said out of the total 28 COVID-19 cases in India, one person was from Delhi, six of his relatives in Agra, 16 Italians and their Indian driver, one in Telangana and the three earlier cases in Kerala.

He also said that so far, 5,89,000 people have been screened at airports, over 10 lakh screened at borders with Nepal and around 27,000 were currently under community surveillance.

Here are the latest updates on the Coronavirus crisis in India and other parts of the world on Wednesday.

12.40 p.m.

Health Minister Harsh Vradhan says there are a total of 28 COVID-19 (Coronavirus) cases in India; 1 in Delhi, 6 in Agra, 16 Italian tourists and their Indian driver, 1 in Telangana and 3 in Kerala.

Harsh Vardhann says he met with Delhi's health minister, corporation officials and urged them to augment facilities of isolation wards in hospitals: Health Min on COVID-19.

Harsh Vadhan says the 6 novel Coronavirus cases in Agra are relatives of Delhi-based man who tested positive earlier Harsh Vardhan says all international passengers are to be screened for novel Coronavirus symptoms.

12.36 p.m

The Telangana government says it has decided to undertake various measures, including a campaign to promote cleanliness in public transport, to prevent the spread of novel Coronavirus.

12.28 p.m.

Odisha government issues dos and donts asking people to avoid hugging, shaking hands while greeting and keeping their workplace clean to ward off novel Coronavirus infection

12.25 pm.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's example, BJP president J P Nadda said he will not celebrate Holi or hold any Holi Milan function in view of the novel Coronavirus outbreak.

11.50 a.m.

Tech giant Intel says one of its employees in Bengaluru "potentially been exposed" to coronavirus and is currently under quarantine.

11.40 a.m.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi says he has decided not to participate in any 'Holi milan' programme as experts have advised that mass gatherings be reduced to avoid spread of the disease.

11.01 a.m.

Amazon confirms that an employee who works in the internet giant's home city of Seattle in the United States has been quarantined after testing positive for the novel Coronavirus.

10.00 a.m.

Karnataka Health Minister B Srirumulu appeals to people not to pay heed to rumours about novel Coronavirus.

9.30 a.m.

World Bank unveils USD 12 billion aid package to provide fast-track funds to help countries combat novel Coronavirus outbreak.

9.12 a.m.

Coronavirus infections show signs of receding in China with 38 new fatalities, taking total number of casualties to 2,981, say Chinese officials.

7.40 a.m.

Singapore minister warns of spikes in novel Coronavirus cases in his country with two two new cases of the fast spreading disease.

Delhi: A meeting of a group of Union Ministers on Coronavirus to be held today at Nirman Bhawan.

Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, PK Mishra to take a meeting at 12.30 pm today to review preparedness for dealing with Coronavirus situation in the country.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan: 14 out of 21 Italian nationals have found positive for coronavirus. They have been sent to at Indo-Tibetan Border Police's (ITBP) quarantine facility in Chhawla.

Total number of cases due to Novel Coronavirus rises to 28, says Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan: We have requested all hospitals in Delhi to develop good quality isolation wards, in order to stay prepared if more cases of Novel Coronavirus are suspected in the national capital.

Telangana: Hyderabad Metro Rail sprayed disinfectant at stations & inside metro coaches. The state government has also issued public advisories as part of an awareness campaign.

Government is seized of all the steps to be taken to contain the spread of coronavirus and is in touch with all concerned departments to take further measures, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday.

Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus. Hence, this year I have decided not to participate in any Holi Milan programme, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Acting on the Centre's instructions, the Gujarat government, with the help of Airport Authority of India (AAI) has set up special screening desks at the Ahmedabad and Surat international airports for the passengers arriving from abroad, in a move to prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the state.

The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has temporarily shut all its schools as a precaution owing to threat of coronavirus, officials said on Wednesday.

Tibetan Children's Village schools President Thupten Dorjee said the schools were closed as a precautionary measure against the prevailing public health crisis, a post on the CTA's official website said.

The decision was taken keeping in mind that the TCV schools are residential schools hosting over 8,000 students, which will adversely affect the schools' capacity to contain a crisis of this nature in the event of an outbreak at any one of the TCV schools.

15 of the 21 Italian tourists, at the ITBP quarantine centre in Delhi, have tested positive for coronavirus. They had been quarantined on arrival. This would take the total confirmed cases in India to 18.