UK minister tests positive as deaths outside China pass 1,000–as it happened
This blog is closed
12.20am GMT
We are turning off this blog now. Thanks for reading. All of the latest updates will be covered on our new live blog, which you can find here.
Related: Coronavirus live updates: UK health minister tests positive as stock markets wobble again
12.04am GMT
And before we leave that Australian press conference, one final word from the chief medical officer, professor Brendan Murphy, on the policy of not-testing for coronavirus people who are a) not symptomatic and b) haven't recently returned from overseas or been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case.
Murphy said:
We're not testing people without symptoms at the moment. There is no value in testing people without symptoms. Currently, our approach is testing - and that's the international approach - is testing people who have respiratory symptoms and who have been a returned traveller or who are a contact.
11.58pm GMT
The Australian government is expected to announce a stimulus package on Thursday to bolster an economy that has taken a battering over the coronavirus. It's expected to include details of financial support for casual and low-paid workers who may not have good sick leave provisions, to support people who are asked to go into self isolation.
The prime minister, Scott Morrison, was asked about comments from the NSW business council suggesting employers should not pay sick leave unless their employees are actually sick - so not if they are asked to go into precautionary isolation.
Where people are in a position where they have to isolate, either have an obligation to or otherwise, I'd be encouraging employees to take a flexibility and forward-leaning approach in supporting their employees during this process....
Businesses, particularly large businesses, you know, they will be watched closely, I think, through the months ahead. You know, businesses spend a lot of time talking about the value and integrity of their brands. Well, their brands will be defined in these months ahead.
11.51pm GMT
The Australian health minister, Greg Hunt, acknowledged that some comments he made on Sunday - reported without context - sparked confusion about the need for everyone in Australia with cold and/or flu like symptoms to get tested for coronavirus.
Hunt:
So it's a message to all of us to make sure that we're reporting carefully and fully, but equally for us, we've already begun our communications in terms of what we're providing online and the advice.
Related: Australia to unveil $2.4bn coronavirus health package including pop-up fever clinics
11.44pm GMT
That's all from me for now. My colleague, Calla Wahlquist, is now taking over the live blog.
11.41pm GMT
Australia's chief medical officer, professor Brendan Murphy, is urging people who have not recently been overseas not to seek testing for coronavirus, saying they are putting "a burden on the system."
Murphy says:
We have seen over recent days a number of people seeking testing who don't need it. It's clear that there is some anxiety in the community with over 100 cases, but I say - as I have said on many occasions - a couple of things: Most of these cases are related to imports from overseas. There is only one element of significant community transmission and that's small and controlled in Sydney.
There is no point being tested at the moment if you have not travelled or if you've not been in contact - even if you have flu-like illnesses. We are not saying to people who get acute respiratory symptoms, a cold or a flu, to go and get tested for COVID-19. We are saying that if you've come back from overseas, if you're a returned traveller or you've been in contact with someone who has been a confirmed case, then you should be tested.
11.35pm GMT
The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, has told reporters in Canberra that Australia has extended its travel ban to Italy, placing it under the same restrictions that remain in place against travellers from China, Iran, and South Korea. Those travel restrictions mean that citizens or permanent residents returning from those countries have to self-isolate for 14 days, and non-citizens or permanent residents can't enter Australia unless they've been somewere
Morrison also announced $2.4bn in additional health funding to respond to the coronavirus.
11.30pm GMT
Australia's market has fallen on open, defying the lead set by a rally on US markets inspired by president Donald Trump's promise of significant economic stimulus to combat the coronavirus crisis.
11.26pm GMT
Two major music festivals in the US have been postponed due to the Covid-19 outbreak, organisers have said.
Related: Coachella postponed until October over coronavirus fears
11.25pm GMT
In Australia, Victoria has stood up the state control centre - most recently used during the devastating bushfires - to manage its coronavirus response.
11.18pm GMT
Here's a little more reaction from Nadine Dorries to the news of her diagnosis:
Thanks for so many good wishes. It's been pretty rubbish but I hope I'm over the worst of it now. More worried about my 84yo mum who is staying with me and began with the cough today. She is being tested tomorrow. Keep safe and keep washing those hands, everyone.
11.02pm GMT
In the USA, recommendations aimed at stopping the virus's spread are due to be unveiled in the four hardest-hit states soon, the vice president Mike Pence has promised. He's told reporters:
In the next 24 hours, we will be working with not only Washington state, but California, with New York and Florida and unveiling our recommendations.
10.55pm GMT
Here's some more detail on the Dorries news from one of the journalists who broke the story:
Nadine Dorries first felt ill last Friday as she was signing a statutory instrument which made coronavirus a 'notifiable' disease
The full symptoms did not kick in until Saturday as she held a constituency surgery in Mid Bedfordshire
10.44pm GMT
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has tweeted this response to the news:
1/2: Really sorry to hear Nadine has tested positive for coronavirus. She has done the right thing by self isolating at home, and both NHS and PHE staff have been brilliant. We all wish her well as she recovers.
2/2: I understand why people are worried about this disease. We will do all we can to keep people safe, based on the best possible science.
Nadine Dorries statement in full pic.twitter.com/K0IyC9WsXi
10.41pm GMT
The Department of Health and Social Care has now confirmed that Nadine Dorries, the MP for Mid Bedfordshire and a junior health minister, has contracted coronavirus. A spokeswoman confirmed reports, first made in the Times, that Dorries was being treated for the illness and said a fuller statement would be released out soon.
10.32pm GMT
In the UK, a health minister is reportedly in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.
According to the Times, Nadine Dorries, a parliamentary under secretary of state at the Department of Health and Social Care, fell ill last Friday and her diagnosis was confirmed on Tuesday.
Health minister with virus had been in No10#TomorrowsPapersToday @hendopolis pic.twitter.com/dsDUXHTpCI
10.09pm GMT
Turkey has confirmed its first case, its health minister Fahrettin Koca has said. According to Reuters, he said the patient has been isolated and their relatives are under observation.
9.57pm GMT
Google is recommending that all of its North American staff work from home, according to Business Insider, which reports:
On Tuesday, the Silicon Valley-based search giant sent out a memo to its workforce informing that it was now changing its policies to recommend all workers who are able to work remotely do so until at least 10 April, sources familiar with the matter said. A Google spokesperson confirmed the order via email.
9.05pm GMT
Both Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have cancelled Tuesday campaign events in Ohio amid coronavirus concerns, the Associated Press (AP) is reporting.
Sanders had been planning to speak at a convention centre in Cleveland as results from six states voting in the Democratic presidential contests began rolling in. But he pulled the plug only about three hours before it was scheduled to start and his campaign announced that decisions on future events would be made on a case-by-case basis, according to AP. It quoted his campaign spokesman, Mike Casca, as saying:
Out of concern for public health and safety, we are canceling tonights rally in Cleveland. We are heeding the public warnings from Ohio state officials, who have communicated concern about holding large, indoor events during the coronavirus outbreak. All future Bernie 2020 events will be evaluated on a case by case basis.
8.59pm GMT
More on Hatch End High School in Harrow, which has remained open despite confirmation that a "person at the school", who was onsite as recently as last Friday, is being treated for Covid-19.
A source at the school, speaking on condition of anonymity, said news of the diagnosis was communicated to teachers in the morning - but parents were not informed until the end of the school day. They claimed staff were told they could catch the virus, but symptoms were likely to be mild.
8.46pm GMT
Dr Atherton has said:
I can confirm that nine additional individuals in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus (Covid-19), bringing the total number of positive cases in Wales to 15.
All of the individuals are being managed in clinically appropriate settings. All appropriate measures to provide care for the individuals and to reduce the risk of transmission to others are being taken.
8.45pm GMT
The chief medical officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton, has confirmed that nine further patients in Wales have tested positive for Covid-19, taking the UK total to 382 people.
Two of the patients have recently returned together from northern Italy and are resident in the Carmarthenshire area, a statement from the Welsh government said.
8.41pm GMT
The small German town of Gross-Gerau has created a drive-through for coronavirus testing, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency reports.
The drive-in facility at the local hospital is designed to minimise medical staff and patients' exposure. "Extraordinary times call for extraordinary solutions," Dr Roxana Sauer, a medical director at Gross-Gerau district hospital, told AFP.
8.36pm GMT
The New York auto show is set to be postponed until August because of the coronavirus outbreak, automakers and a spokesman for the show have said. The annual event, which draws thousands of reporters and hundreds of thousands of visitors, is now likely to be postponed.
According to Reuters, a spokesman for the show said organisers were "headed in the direction" of moving it to August and a final decision is expected by Wednesday.
8.27pm GMT
In their response to the coronavirus outbreak, public health experts and government officials have repeatedly referenced the importance of "flattening the curve". But what does this mean, exactly?
Related: Covid-19 outbreak: what do health experts mean by 'flattening the curve'?
8.23pm GMT
In the UK, Transport for London has confirmed one of its head office staff tested positive on Monday.
We are working closely with Public Health England and are following their advice after a member of staff tested positive for Covid-19. The safety of our staff and customers is our top priority, so we are taking all necessary precautions and a deep clean has taken place within the building used by the staff member.
8.10pm GMT
Here's a little more on those comments from Varadkar, who has said health ministers across the European Union will talk to each other every day to help tackle the spread of Covid-19.
To ensure a more coordinated approach at EU level, we agreed that health, and other relevant ministers, talk to each other every day.
We welcome the European Commission's announcements that would bring forward legislation to protect airline landing spots where flights are stopped from the most affected areas.
8.03pm GMT
Spain will guarantee the supply of medicines and open credit lines to small businesses as part of a program of measures aimed at alleviating the impact of coronavirus, its prime minister Pedro Sinchez has said.
Speaking after the meeting of EU leaders, he said he had also asked for EU fiscal rules to be relaxed to give the country more economic firepower to confront the virus.
8.01pm GMT
Speaking after the EU's funding announcement, the Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said:
We all agreed that our highest priority as EU leaders must be protecting public health and human life, preventing the spread of the virus and working to mitigate its impact on our people.
We agreed to funding research in Europe that will develop new tests, a treatment and a vaccine as rapidly as possible.
7.49pm GMT
Jersey has confirmed its first case, the local government's health and community services department has said. They said the person was tested at the end of last week and a positive result was confirmed on Tuesday.
The person is well and has been in self-isolation at home since returning from northern Italy. HCS is in daily telephone contact with the patient and will do further swabs after the patient has cleared symptoms to ensure they have also cleared the virus.
Officers from environmental health are in the process of contacting the necessary passengers asking them to self-isolate. It does not affect everybody on the flight. If the team do not contact you then there is no need to worry and you do not need to contact the department or the helpline. We have all the contact details of the people we need to speak to.
We recognise that with the presentation of the first case in Jersey that there may be some concern. However, it is essential that we are open with Islanders about this news, and to ensure that we give the best possible treatment and care to our patient whilst protecting their confidentiality.
7.43pm GMT
According to HuffPost UK, the first case in Jamaica has been confirmed in a woman who travelled there from the UK:
NEW: Jamaica today confirmed its first case of coronavirus in Kingston, govt officials told me. The patient is a Jamaican woman who had travelled from UK. She arrived back in Jamaica on March 4, presented to the public health system on March 9 & has been in isolation since then.
7.30pm GMT
The EU has agreed to fund researchers seeking a vaccine for the coronavirus, allow member states greater flexibility on providing subsidies to companies and invest a25bn (21.5bn) in parts of the European economy worst hit by the epidemic.
Following a two and a half hour teleconference, the first such summit in the EU's history, the European council president, Charles Michel, said the 27 heads of state and government would make a7.5bn of the funding immediately with the rest to follow.
We will bring forward, a corona response investment fund directed at the healthcare systems, directed at SMEs and at the labour market and other vulnerable parts of our economies. The instrument will be sizable and reach a25bn quickly.
To realise this, I will propose to council and parliament this week to release a7.5bn of investment liquidity.
7.21pm GMT
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has decided not to hold any gatherings of more than 100 people, in an early example of an organisation in the UK instigating "social distancing" measures to combat coronavirus.
The move is intended to protect members, staff and also patients who are being treated for mental ill-health from contracting the virus, the college explained. It comes ahead of Thursday's meeting of the government's Cobra committee, which may signal a shift from "contain" to "delay" tactics and trigger a ban on large-scale gatherings.
It is with deep regret that we have decided to take the unprecedented action and postpone large college events. The safety of our members, staff and patients is of paramount importance and we will do all we can to protect them from the coronavirus.
In light of public health concerns, we have decided to postpone the annual conference. Our first duty is to our patients, and it is likely that all of us will be operating under some additional strain in the coming months as we work together to control the spread of COVID-19. We also have a duty of care to you all, and it doesn't seem sensible to gather such a big group of us together at this time.
7.19pm GMT
7.07pm GMT
In the United States, senior Republican figures are facing backlash over an apparent effort to label Covid-19 as "Chinese coronavirus" - as China accused some US politicians of "disrespecting science" in order to "stigmatize" the country, Adam Gabbatt in New York reports.
Kevin McCarthy, the House minority leader, and Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, are among those to add a geographical marker to the coronavirus in recent days.
Related: Republicans face backlash over racist labeling of coronavirus
7.02pm GMT
Eight new cases of coronavirus have been reported in Georgia, bringing the total in the country to 23, local media report.
According to a report in the Georgian Journal, 126 people are under quarantine and 46 are currently under surveillance in hospitals.
Due to the worldwide spread of #COVID19, President @Zourabichvili_S, in coordination with other branches of government, canceled her planned visits to Bulgaria, Ukraine and Belgium.
Prior to the announcement, the President's decision was communicated to our partners.
6.51pm GMT
Back here in the UK, a school in north-west London has had a Covid-19 case confirmed but health officials have said there's no need for it to close, nor for any staff or pupils to be put into quarantine, Kevin Rawlinson reports.
Hatch End high school has published a letter from its headteacher confirming a person at the school has tested positive, though it did not say whether they are staff or a puil."
6.41pm GMT
Ireland has reported 10 new cases of Coronavirus, bringing its total to 34, Rory Carroll reports from Dublin.
The biggest day-on-day rise includes two health workers possibly infected at hospitals, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (NPHET) said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
6.37pm GMT
Thousands of passengers aboard a cruise ship struck by the coronavirus waited anxiously Tuesday for their turn to leave the vessel moored in the San Francisco Bay Area, even if it meant being shipped to military bases for weeks of quarantine.
After days of idling off the northern California coast because of evidence that it was the breeding ground for new coronavirus infections, the Grand Princess docked Monday at the port of Oakland with about 3,500 passengers and crew onboard, including 21 who had tested positive for the virus.
Related: Hundreds on coronavirus-hit Grand Princess anxiously wait to disembark
6.24pm GMT
Authorities in Cuba have implemented surveillance measures at all ports and airports to prevent the arrival and spread of coronavirus in the Caribbean country, the Cuban news agency Prensa Latina reports.
Public Health Minister Jose Angel Portal explained that all airports have the lists of passengers, as well as their state of health upon arrival in Cuba, if they come from a country where the disease has been reported, as well as the place where they will stay in Cuba for follow-up.
He assured that the diagnostic kits and the lab capacity are available to determine what kind of respiratory virus is affecting the country, including the COVID-19.
6.11pm GMT
People in Brazil are outraged that far-right president Jair Bolsonaro dismissed the coronavirus today as a "small crisis" and "much more fantasy" than what "the mainstream media propagates" at an investors event in Miami today, Sam Cowie reports.
Despite global economic turmoil, which has rocked Brazil's currency and stock market, Bolsonaro, who is in the United States on a visit, appears to be echoing the nonchalant response to the crisis of his political idol Donald Trump, with whom he dined at the US president's Mar-a-Largo Florida resort this weekend.
6.05pm GMT
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, has announced the launch of a new government visualisation tool showing the extent of the coronavirus outbreak here in the UK.
NEWS: Our new coronavirus information website gives visual updates of developments across the country: https://t.co/xZwmaS0qLK
5.56pm GMT
Antonia Wilson, on the Guardian travel desk, has been keeping an up to date list of which countries have coronavirus travel restrictions. If you're planning to travel it would be worth your taking a look.
Related: Which countries currently have coronavirus travel restrictions in place?
5.54pm GMT
New York's governor, Andrew Cuomo, has announced a "containment" plan for New Rochelle, the city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak in the New York metro area, Lauren Aratani reports from New York.
Also on Tuesday, New Jersey announced its first patient death.
Related: New York to impose 'containment' on New Rochelle to combat coronavirus
5.44pm GMT
Authorities in Berlin have announced the closure of all theatres, concert halls and its three opera houses to dampen the spread of coronavirus, until at least the end of the Easter holidays on April 19, Kate Connolly reports.
Berlin has also become the 7th of Germany's 16 states to ban gatherings of 1000 people or more. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor has said authorities should be strict about implementing the bans, insisting at a meeting of her CDU parliamentary group this afternoon that all non essential events should be cancelled with immediate effect.
5.39pm GMT
The 27 EU leaders are currently taking part in a teleconference summit on the coronavirus outbreak.
A press conference is due to take place at its conclusion, however it is not yet clear what time that will be. Watch this space.
5.35pm GMT
Here's some more analysis of those coronavirus infection figures released earlier by the Department of Health and Social Care, from my colleague Matthew Weaver, showing that it is now present in all but two of London's 32 boroughs.
There are now 91 confirmed cases in the capital spread over every borough with the exception of Bexley and Newham.
5.30pm GMT
Eleven inmates have died in Italy after a series of prison riots erupted over new restrictions imposed by the government to contain the outbreak of coronavirus, Lorenzo Tondo, a Guardian correspondent in Italy, reports.
Tensions have sparked on Sunday when detainees were informed that the new emergency decree banned visits from relatives to reduce infections.
5.26pm GMT
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has jumped by 168 to 631, an increase of 36%, the Civil Protection Agency said on Tuesday, the largest rise in absolute numbers since the contagion came to light on 21 February, Reuters reports.
The total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus in Europe, rose to 10,149 from a previous 9,172, an increase of 10.7%.
5.22pm GMT
Angry British tourists have accused British Airways of leaving them "stranded" in Italy after it suspended flights to and from the country because of Coronavirus with Ryanair due to follow suit on Saturday, Lisa O'Carroll reports.
One called the abrupt decision to axe all 60 BA routes as "disgraceful leaving tourists and business travellers scrambling for alternative flights and road transport after Italy imposed a nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.
5.20pm GMT
The coronavirus death toll outside China has now passed 1,000, Agence-France Presse reports on its Twitter feed. More soon.
#BREAKING Coronavirus death toll outside China passes 1,000: AFP pic.twitter.com/haiQougvMt
#BREAKING Italy records 168 new coronavirus deaths, highest one-day toll pic.twitter.com/YHMhFSly1e
5.02pm GMT
Media in the Democratic Republic of the Congo have reported the first case of coronavirus in the vast central African state, Jason Burke, the Guardian's Africa correspondent, reports.
A foreigner who flew into the capital, Kinshasa, from Belgium tested positive on arrival and has since been isolated. Officials say measures are being taken to identify and test anyone who had been in contact with the traveller, with potential quarantine if necessary. The male traveller had not shown any symptoms on leaving Europe, it was reported.
Related: African countries rush to reinforce 'fragile' defences against coronavirus
4.59pm GMT
The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has reported 31 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, making a total of 173.
UPDATE: There are an additional 31 confirmed cases of #Coronavirus in NYS, bringing total to 173.
Westchester: 108
NYC: 36
Nassau: 19
Rockland: 6
Saratoga: 2
Suffolk: 1
Ulster: 1
We continue to expect more positive cases as we test.
4.51pm GMT
North-east Texas has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the Longview News-Journal reports.
"The patient traveled within the continental United States, has mild illness and has continued self-isolation in their home," the paper reports.
4.43pm GMT
Cyprus has announced emergency measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, a day after two people on the island were revealed to have contracted coronavirus, Helena Smith, the Guardian's Athens correspondent, reports.
Following a cabinet meeting, the government announced that schools in Nicosia, the capital, would be temporarily closed and football matches - one of the former British colony's most popular team sports - held behind closed doors.
4.36pm GMT
Kensington and Chelsea in London is the UK local authority with the biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections, according to data just released by the Department of Health and Social Care.
DHSC just updated its breakdown of cases by local authority, which now shows the number of cases in each area as of 9am this morning. Five new cases were detected in Kensington and Chelsea, one of the UK's wealthiest areas, bringing the total in the borough to 13.
4.24pm GMT
The NHS's 111 online website appears not to have been updated to take account of the latest public health information on coronavirus stating that travellers returning to the UK from Italy should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, my colleague Ben Quinn reports.
In an indication of how public health systems are struggling to keep up with a fast-moving crisis, those who visit the online equivalent of the NHS telephone helpline and indicate that they have returned from Italy end up being advised that they do not need to speak to anybody as they have not been to a place that means they need to need to self-isolate.
4.22pm GMT
Parents in and around Madrid were urgently trying to arrange impromptu childcare on Tuesday following the regional government's decision to close all schools in the area for a fortnight in an effort to arrest the spread of the coronavirus, reports the Guardian's Madrid correspondent Sam Jones.
Spain has so far confirmed 1,646 cases of the virus - 782 of them in the Madrid region - and 35 deaths. On Monday evening, the regional government said that all nurseries, schools and universities would closed their doors on Wednesday and remain shut until 23 March.
4.18pm GMT
Andrew Cuomo, the New York governor, is giving his regular coronavirus update.
In Albany giving another update on #Coronavirus. WATCH: https://t.co/IDybwlF7JR
4.17pm GMT
The testing crisis in the United States continues, with the governor of North Carolina warning that his state has only enough supplies left to test 300 more people.
The comments by Roy Cooper came as the US Senate's top democrat warned that the country was "far behind" in testing people for the new coronavirus and said the Trump administration should make ramping up that capability its highest priority in fighting the outbreak.
. @NC_Governor -Right now, we have supplies to test 300 more people, and like other states, we are continuing to do everything possible to get more supplies and more tests to our state. #COVID19NC
3.57pm GMT
Transport for London, which controls much of the public transport in the UK capital, has announced an enhanced cleaning regime across the bus and tube networks.
Cleaning across both networks will now use "additional substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact". According to the announcement:
TfL began rolling out enhanced anti-viral fluid, which is used in hospitals, at tube trains and stations on Friday last week to provide added protection. Key interchanges will be cleaned more regularly than usual, including during the day.
We welcome this move from Transport for London and applaud them for taking practical steps to help keep transport workers and the travelling public safe. Such action is in stark contrast to the silence from the transport secretary.
Despite repeated calls for leadership from the Department for Transport on how the industry should best combat coronavirus, we are yet to hear back from Grant Shapps on this matter of huge public safety and our call for a public transport summit.
3.42pm GMT
Despite warnings over mass gatherings and the spread of the coronavirus, the mayor of a small town in France has defended a record-breaking rally of people dressed as Smurfs that went ahead in France over the weekend.
Just a day before French authorities banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people, in a bid to contain the virus, more than 3,500 painted their faces blue and donned the cartoon characters' liberty cap-style headgear for the gathering in Landerneau, western France.
We must not stop living " it was the chance to say that we are alive.
3.34pm GMT
In Greece, the government has just announced that all schools and universities in the whole country will shut down for the next 14 days.
All schools, universities, daycare centres and other educational establishments will close from tomorrow. Greece has so far reported 89 confirmed cases of coronavirus but no deaths.
Now is the time for all Greeks to show personal responsibility. All schools will be closed for 14 days to help reduce the spread of coronavirus in the community.
3.24pm GMT
With its limited social safety net, the US seems to outside observers to be particularly vulnerable to an outbreak of coronavirus. Sam Levin, one of the Guardian's US correspondents, has spoken to California's homeless organisations, which say they lack the resources and government support to stop the spread of infections.
The lack of a coordinated coronavirus strategy for homeless communities could be catastrophic for sick and older people already struggling to survive in tents and overcrowded shelters in California, advocates warned.
Homeless organizations in California, which now has the highest numbers of reported Covid-19 infections along with New York and Washington state, say they lack the resources and government support to effectively stop the virus' spread in encampments and shelters, and that the shortage of tests and beds could have devastating consequences. California is home to the largest homeless population in the US, with a housing crisis that is already a public health emergency in Los Angeles, the Bay Area and other regions.
Related: 'We're not prepared': coronavirus could devastate homeless communities
3.16pm GMT
Malta has confirmed its fifth case of Covid-19, the Times of Malta reports, after an existing patient's daughter tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 16-year-old was reported to be in good health. She and her father, 49, had been on a ski trip to Trentino Alto Adige in Italy between 23-27 February, returning via Treviso.
3.07pm GMT
This is Damien Gayle taking over the coronavirus live blog now for the next few hours, as Asia goes to sleep, Europe moves into the late afternoon and the Americas wake up.
As usual, I'll be aggregating the most important news about the developing outbreak from the Guardian's staff, the news wire agencies, social media and other sources.
3.03pm GMT
The UN is asking for urgent donations to prepare for the health needs of displaced people affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
UNHCR has said it is looking for an initial $33m "to boost the preparedness, prevention and response activities to address the immediate public health needs of refugees prompted by Covid-19".
To date and based on available evidence, there have been no reports of Covid-19 infections among refugees and asylum seekers. However, the virus can affect anyone and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that the global response includes all people
Allowing full access to health services, including for the most marginalised members of the community, is the best way to protect us all. Everyone on this planet - including refugees, asylum seekers and internally displaced people - should be able to access health facilities and services.
2.58pm GMT
Government figures on the geographical spread of the virus reveal new and increased cases in 24 council areas of England, according to analysis by the Guardian's data team.
The geographical figures, now released daily with a 24-hour delay to allow for verification, show eight areas where the virus has been detected for the first time.
They are: Dudley, Enfield, North Somerset, Suffolk, Sunderland, Sutton, Waltham Forrest, Wolverhampton and Havering where two new cases were confirmed.
Most of the areas report increases of one case, but in Camden and Oldham new cases doubled from two to four, and in Southwark and Nottinghamshire they increased from three to five.
The other areas reporting increases in cases were: Barnet, Bolton, Brighton, Cornwall, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Surrey, Torbay and Warwickshire.
2.56pm GMT
2.39pm GMT
EU countries are holding a conference call at 4pm today to decide on next steps in relation to coronavirus. They are considering a coordinated response in relation to managing the risk.
Among the subjects that are expected to be discussed are borders, health screening and the international effort to contain the virus. One source said the EU had to take the lead, given the response of Donald Trump.
2.33pm GMT
Despite the country having no recorded cases of Covid-19 so far, these bus passengers in Rwanda aren't taking any chances.
SEEN IN KIGALI: To prevent the risk of #Coronavirus outbreak, passengers at the Kigali Bus Park have to wash their hands before getting onto buses.#Rwanda has recorded NO case of the epidemic but the country has stepped up vigilance. pic.twitter.com/tb7cfUNj7K
2.31pm GMT
As British airlines axed flights to and from Italy, pressure is mounting for the UK to ramp up its strategy to combat the coronavirus.
Related: Pressure builds on UK to step up coronavirus measures
2.28pm GMT
St Peter's Square and St Peter's Basilica have been closed to tourists and guided groups because of coronavirus but individual members of the faithful can enter the basilica to pray, the Vatican said.
A statement said the Vatican would also be closing its post office in the square, which draws many tourists, as well as its bookstore and photo service. A cafeteria inside the Vatican for employees would also close. All measures will remain in effect until 3 April.
2.24pm GMT
A total of 373 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday, up by 54 from 319 at the same point on Monday, the Department of Health has said.
2.20pm GMT
Twenty-seven people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Scotland as of Tuesday morning, an increase of four from yesterday.
Scottish authorities have carried out 2,234 tests, of which 2,207 were confirmed negative.
2.17pm GMT
Sony is to delay the release of Peter Rabbit 2 until August amid coronavirus disruption, Variety reports.
Given the disruptions starting to emerge due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sony has moved to push back the sequel's launch in the UK and European markets until 7 August.
2.14pm GMT
President Emmanuel Macron of France has issued the following announcement, saying we each have an individual responsibility as we face Covid-19.
Face au Covid-19, nous avons chacune et chacun une responsabiliti(C) individuelle : pic.twitter.com/It7Ywr2QMj
2.12pm GMT
The number of Scots diagnosed with coronavirus has increased to 27, the Scottish government confirmed.
The total number of positive tests for the disease, known as Covid-19, has risen by four from Monday. So far, there have been 2,234 tests for the virus carried out in Scotland, of which 2,207 were negative.
2.11pm GMT
Four new cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number to 16, PA Media reports.
All four are adults. One case involved recent travel from northern Italy. Three can be traced to a previously reported case that involved recent travel to northern Italy.
1.57pm GMT
A staff member at Aintree University hospital in Liverpool has tested positive for coronavirus. The Liverpool Echo reported the staff member was a male consultant surgeon who had returned from Italy.
A spokesman for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust did not confirm or deny the report. He said: "A member of staff has been in self-isolation since being confirmed as positive for Covid-19.
1.47pm GMT
A sixth patient has died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England has confirmed.
A statement from West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: "Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at Watford General hospital, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.
.@CMO_England has confirmed a sixth patient in England who tested positive for coronavirus (#COVID19) has died.
The patient was being treated at West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust and had underlying health conditions.
For latest information:
a-i https://t.co/CZh5JdyN2Q pic.twitter.com/6twIMY8jqX
1.42pm GMT
Six people in Brunei have tested positive for the coronavirus after the tiny south-east Asian nation reported its first case a day ago, Reuters reports.
The first coronavirus patient in the sultanate was a 53-year-old Bruneian man who returned from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on 3 March and started showing symptoms four days later, Brunei's health ministry said.
1.38pm GMT
The Spanish parliament's lower house has suspended all activities for at least a week after lawmaker Javier Ortega Smith's party Vox disclosed he was diagnosed with coronavirus, El Pais newspaper reported.
Ortega Smith, who is also the far-right party's number two, participated in a large-scale political rally last weekend with the presence of many of the party's other legislators. He and his 51 fellow lawmakers from the Vox party will work from home.
"1/4i El dirigente de Vox Javier Ortega Smith da positivo en coronavirus. El partido ha reconocido el "error" de seguir adelante con el acto en Vistalegre el 8 de marzo, pero culpan al Gobierno por no haber paralizado los actos piblicos https://t.co/MhFqneORxT pic.twitter.com/5uYlGDhrfv
1.19pm GMT
Public Health England has published a breakdown of Covid-19 cases by local authority in England, which can be viewed here.
It comes a week after a U-turn over a controversial decision to withhold information about the spread of the coronavirus.
1.13pm GMT
Apple now says you can use alcohol wipes to clean your phone, after a decade of insisting it will damage the touchscreen if you use anything other than "a soft, lint-free cloth".
In an update to its support pages, published on Monday, the company has added a specific box-out to answer the question: "Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?" While the update is not specifically linked to coronavirus, it comes as experts around the world highlight the need for sanitation to prevent further spread of the virus.
1.09pm GMT
In Greece, calls are growing for the Greek Orthodox Church to listen to scientists on the issue of how best to deal with Covid-19 after it refused to suspend ecclesiastical services and sacred rites such as holy communion.
Debate over the church's stance intensified after its governing body objected to any suggestion that the novel coronavirus could be transmitted when worshippers participated in shared rituals such as communion.
1.05pm GMT
Harvard University has told students not to return to its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the end of spring break on 23 March, when all classes will be conducted online.
Larry Bacow, Harvard's president, told students and staff in a message this morning that the university is "transitioning to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes" and that non-essential gatherings will be limited to 25 people.
Harvard will begin transitioning to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes. Read President Bacow's message to the community. https://t.co/njh3ci1QEH
1.04pm GMT
Trinity College Dublin is closing its lecture halls and other buildings amid the coronavirus threat.
In a statement posted on the university's website, it said: "From tomorrow morning (Wednesday 11th), all lectures will be delivered online for the rest of the semester rather than physically in a lecture hall.
#COVIDaf1/419: From tomorrow Wednesday 11 March, all lectures will be delivered online for the rest of the semester rather than physically in a lecture hall. Please monitor emails and central social media channels for further updates. More information at https://t.co/dKeGDcTNmQ pic.twitter.com/NvisWykqxV
12.58pm GMT
Alitalia is continuing to operate two services between Rome and London Heathrow today, tomorrow and in the coming days, airline sources have said.
It is also offering change fee waivers to anyone holding tickets for future travel to and from the country. More information here.
12.55pm GMT
Austria is taking drastic measures in response to the nationwide lockdown in its southern neighbour Italy.
The chancellor, Sebastian Kurz, today announced an entry ban for people entering Austria from Italy by car, train or plane, unless they can provide a doctor's certificate. Controls will be imposed along the border between the two countries.
12.54pm GMT
Morocco has reported its first death from the coronavirus. The country's health ministry confirmed on Tuesday the death in Casablanca, as its overall number of new infections rose to three.
The patient, who entered Morocco from Italy's Bologna, is an 89-year-old Moroccan woman suffering from respiratory and heart diseases, the ministry said in a statement.
12.52pm GMT
Iran's health ministry spokesman today revealed record numbers of deaths and new confirmed cases. There have been 881 new infections in the past 24 hours, with 54 deaths. The number of confirmed cases has reached 8,042 and the total number of deaths 291.
Local hospitals, using different less stringent criteria, report higher numbers, and the government is still under criticism for failing to do more to quarantine the worst affected cities especially the spiritual city of Qom. Critics of the regime claim more than 150 have died in Tehran alone.
12.51pm GMT
Patrick Strzoda, Emmanuel Macron's office director, is working from home awaiting the results of a coronavirus test after reportedly he came into contact with a person confirmed as having the virus last week.
The ilysi(C)e said it was a "precautionary measure vis-i-vis the president", adding: "He will be tested today or tomorrow. His deputy will carry on his work."
12.41pm GMT
Ryanair has cancelled all international flights to and from Italy from Saturday until 9 April, the airline has announced.
Passengers needing to return home can switch to flights operating up to the end of Friday. A Ryanair spokesman said: "Ryanair apologises sincerely to all customers for these schedule disruptions, which are caused by national government restrictions and the latest decision of the Italian government to lock down the entire country to combat the Covid-19 virus."
12.31pm GMT
The Evening Standard, which will be hitting the newsstands in London this lunchtime, picks up on the warning earlier from the country's deputy chief medical officer that "many thousands of people" in the UK will contract coronavirus.
Today's splash with photograph by legendary Standard snapper @jeremyselwyn1 who always knows how to capture a major story. #Coronavirus pic.twitter.com/hl9I0x2BCR
12.23pm GMT
More from the Commons, where Labour's Jonathan Ashworth is quizzing the UK government on its response to the coronavirus outbreak. Asked about the government's advice to those with underlying health conditions and "what lessons the government has learned from the Italians on their handling of coronavirus to date and why we are taking a different approach", the health minister Jo Churchill said:
So our approach as we've laid out from the beginning will be science-led and it will be about putting the safety of everybody - that's why at some point in the future doctors will make decisions over clinical judgments and those with existing comorbidities or more serious ends of the illness will be triaged up into an appointment first.
And that may mean that some people have to wait a little longer during this period, but it will always be done on clinical advice and it will always be done with the safety of the patient at the heart."
12.19pm GMT
The latest from the European centre for disease prevention and control is that 14,890 cases have been reported in the EU/EEA and the UK: Italy (9,172), France (1,412), Spain (1,204), Germany (1,139), Netherlands (321), United Kingdom (321), Sweden (248), Belgium (239), Norway (192), Austria (131), Denmark (113), Greece (84), Iceland (65), Czech Republic (40), Finland (40), Portugal (39), Ireland (21), Poland (17), Romania (17), Slovenia (16), Croatia (12), Estonia (10), Hungary (9), Latvia (6), Luxembourg (5), Slovakia (5), Bulgaria (4), Malta (4), Cyprus (2), Liechtenstein (1) and Lithuania (1).
As of 10 March, 532 deaths have been reported in the EU/EEA and the UK: Italy (464), France (30), Spain (28), United Kingdom (5), Netherlands (3) and Germany (2).
12.06pm GMT
The protocol for people returning to the UK from Italy - which is on a country-wide lockdown, is still unclear.
At Heathrow, Italian nationals and others who cannot easily self-isolate are being asked if they want to self-quarantine in a large nearby hotel, No 10 said on Tuesday. This is thought to be the Holiday Inn that has been used for some Chinese and South Korean passengers in recent weeks.
12.04pm GMT
GPs could be exempted from some rules about NHS form-filling to give them more time to help fight the spread of coronavirus, MPs have been told.
Responding to a question from Jonathan Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, who asked if the government would suspend requirements for GPs to fill in forms relating to appraisals, and the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), during the crisis, the health minister Jo Churchill replied: "I'm currently having those discussions to make sure that we can lift, within the bounds of making sure patients stay safe, all appropriate bureaucracy."
11.59am GMT
In the UK, victims of race hate crimes linked to the coronavirus outbreak have been urged by police to come forward after a Chinese student's jaw was dislocated in a street attack.
The student, in his 20s, was racially taunted and attacked in Birmingham after being approached by three men, according to West Midlands police. The incident occurred in the Harborne area, in the city's south west, on 3 February.
We are aware of a small number of hate crime cases of a racially aggravated nature involving abuse connected to coronavirus. We are also aware that there may be incidents that are not being reported to us.
We take all reports of hate crime seriously and, in order to respond to this, we need to know about it."
11.44am GMT
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was at the Championship football team's home game on Friday alongside more than 27,000 fans, has reportedly contracted coronavirus.
The 52-year-old Greek businessman announced the news in an Instagram post, writing to his 49,000 followers: "The recent virus gas 'visited' me and I felt obliged to let the public know. I feel good as I take all the necessary measures and I discipline to the doctors' instructions. I strongly advise all my all my fellow citizens to do the same. I wish all a quick recovery."
#Marinakis #HealthStatement #Message
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis - who was at the home game on Friday - has announced that he has the Coronavirus.
From the official Instagram account of #nffc owner Evangelos Marinakis.
He was at the Forest-Millwall game on Friday night.#coronavirus pic.twitter.com/rKf5w9jN04
11.31am GMT
British Airways is contacting passengers whose upcoming trips to Italy fall within the quarantine period, telling them that, in light of the updated Foreign Office advice to avoid all but essential travel to Italy, flights are being cancelled and customers refunded, the Guardian understands.
11.26am GMT
Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, is inviting members of the public to submit questions on the coronavirus via his Instagram account.
I'm answering your questions - about coronavirus or anything else - here: https://t.co/WyJGFk3tWY pic.twitter.com/kikGTTWBCw
11.08am GMT
A very moving tweet from a presenter in Ireland, putting into perspective the human impact as the coronavirus outbreak unfolds - "Big stats, a million individual heartbreaks."
Italian friend in Dublin: her grandmother in Northern Italy died at the weekend (covid19 confirmed); her father is now in hospital; she's an 'only child'; she's not allowed to visit him. Big stats, a million individual heartbreaks #COVID2019 #CoronaVirusitaly #coronavirus
11.05am GMT
As the number of coronavirus patients in Germany rose to 1,295 this morning (up to date as of midday local time), and after the first two deaths in the country of a 78-year-old and an 89-year-old announced yesterday, Jens Spahn, the health minister, urged people to show solidarity towards each other despite the restrictions to their daily lives.
"We will conquer this situation, by helping each other, working together and having trust in each other even when we are in a state of stress," he wrote in a guest commentary for Germany's widest read newspaper, the tabloid Bild. "We can do it, and best of all is if we do it together," he added.
10.56am GMT
The start of the UK peak of the coronavirus epidemic is expected within the next fortnight, England's deputy chief medical officer has said.
Dr Jenny Harries defended the government's decision to delay closing schools and the introduction of other stringent tactics, saying experts are assessing new cases on an hourly basis to achieve a "balanced response".
10.53am GMT
Payments on mortgages are to be suspended in Italy, the Independent reports the country's government has announced.
The deputy economic minister, Laura Castelli, confirmed to Radio Anch'io that it would be the case for individuals and households.
10.48am GMT
New York University has become the latest US university to announce it will stop in-person teaching and switch to remote learning for all of its 50,000 students from tomorrow.
An important update on new coronavirus-related measures: For NYU in NYC, from 3/11-13, classes will move to remote instruction, and will continue that way for 3/23-27 (after spring break). https://t.co/b6ybuwniel
10.47am GMT
Hong Kong will quarantine all visitors from Italy and parts of France, Germany and Japan for two weeks from 13 March to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the French consulate in the city has said.
Visitors from Bourgogne-Franche-Comti(C) and Grand Est in France, North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany, and Hokkaido in Japan will be quarantined from midnight on Friday, it said.
10.44am GMT
In case you missed it "
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, told the country's 17 million residents to stop shaking hands to help c