Global spread of coronavirus raises pandemic fears

SEOUL/SHANGHAI - Fears grew on Monday that the coronavirus outbreak in China will grow into a pandemic with disruptive and deadly consequences for countries around the world, after sharp rises in infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran.

French Health Minister Olivier Veran said he would talk with his European counterparts soon to discuss how best to cope with a possible epidemic in Europe, after a third person died from the flu-like virus in Italy and the number of cases there jumped to more than 150 from just three before Friday. Almost a dozen towns in Lombardy and Veneto with a combined population of some 50,000 have effectively been placed under quarantine as authorities struggled to find out how the outbreak started.

European Union Economic Affairs Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni said Brussels had confidence in the measures Italian authorities were taking and there was"no need to panic". "We're closely monitoring markets in particular, and will take necessary steps if speculative trading leads to herd-like behaviours," he added.

Story continuesThe outbreak has spread to some 28 other countries and territories, with a death toll of around two dozen, according to a Reuters tally.

Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Concern over coronavirus spread grows with cases jumping in South Korea, Italy and Iran'If the situation gets worse, I think we'll need to take more measures.'
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »

Concern over coronavirus spread as cases jump in South Korea, Italy and IranSEOUL/SHANGHAI — International concern about the spread of coronavirus outside China grew on Sunday (Feb 23) with sharp rises in infections in South Korea, Italy and Iran. But Singapore has many many times more chinamen.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Samsung Electronics confirms one coronavirus case at phone factory complex in South KoreaSamsung Electronics said on Saturday that one coronavirus case had been confirmed at its mobile device factory complex in the southeastern city ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »

South Korea reports 142 more virus cases, bringing tally to 346Read more at The Business Times.
Source: BusinessTimes - 🏆 15. / 51 Read more »

South Korea reports 142 more coronavirus cases, total 346South Korea reported 142 more coronavirus cases Saturday morning, bringing the nationwide total to 346.
Source: TODAYonline - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

South Korea reports second COVID-19 death, 229 new casesSEOUL: South Korea reported its second death on Saturday (Feb 22) from the novel coronavirus as the number of new cases rose by 229, bringing the ...
Source: ChannelNewsAsia - 🏆 6. / 66 Read more »