Coronavirus outbreak: Argentina confirms first coronavirus case

World Bank unveils $12 billion aid package to combat coronavirus, reports AFP

Argentina confirms first coronavirus case, says health ministry (AFP)

Washington state department of health reports total number of confirmed coronavirus cases now stands at 27, reports Reuters

9 new deaths reported.

Italian coronavirus deaths jump to 79, cases climb above 2,500, reports Reuters

Coronavirus scare: Demand for masks, sanitisers shoot up, shortage at stores

Amid a coronavirus scare in Delhi-NCR, the demand for surgical and N95 masks increased manifold in Noida on Tuesday with some people claiming they were being sold at rates much higher than the actual cost.

Protective gear to fight virus 'rapidly depleting': WHO

The World Health Organisation on Tuesday said understanding how the new coronavirus spreads was rapidly increasing, but warned the protective gear needed to fight the disease was "rapidly depleting". Read more

Coronavirus more deadly than flu but containable: WHO

About 3.4% of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have died, far above seasonal flu's fatality rate of under 1%, but the novel coronavirus can be contained, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. Read more

2,000 surgical masks stolen from French hospital

The masks were pilfered from a part of Conception hospital that is accessible only to staff and patients who have undergone surgery, the Marseille hospitals authority (AP-HM) told AFP. Read more

Coronavirus: 24 people staying at Delhi hotel quarantined at ITBP facility

In the wake of the spread of coronavirus, 24 people including three Indians and 21 Italian nationals residing in a hotel in South Delhi have been shifted to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) quarantine facility in Delhi. As per the government sources, the test results of the 24 people will come tomorrow. Out of 21 Italian nationals, 8 are males and 13 are females and three Indians include one tourist guide, one driver and one helper, said the sources.

Coronavirus: How you can protect yourself and your children

According to UNICEF, the virus is transmitted through direct contact with respiratory droplets of an infected person (generated through coughing and sneezing), and touching surfaces contaminated with the virus. The COVID-19 virus may survive on surfaces for several hours, but simple disinfectants can kill it. Read more

Kerala to step up vigil at airports, bus depots and railway stations

With new novel coronavirus cases being reported in the country, the Kerala government on Tuesday decided to step up vigil especially at airports, bus depots and railway stations.

First coronavirus case confirmed in Ukraine

Ukraine's health ministry on Tuesday confirmed the country's first case of the coronavirus in the western city of Chernivtsi. Deputy health minister Viktor Lyashko told reporters in Kiev that a man exhibiting symptoms of the virus was hospitalised Saturday, three days after returning from holiday in Italy.

Screen all int’l passengers & airline crew flying to India: IATO tells Govt

The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) has requested the government to screen everyone flying into India — passengers and airline crew — for coronavirus irrespective of the country they are coming from. As of now, passengers flying in from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Nepal, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Italy and Iran are being screened on arrival in India. Read more

In an emergency move, the Federal Reserve cuts interest rates by a half percentage point to battle coronavirus: Reuters

The US Federal Reserve on Tuesday implemented an emergency rate cut, responding to the growing economic risk caused by the coronavirus epidemic and giving President Donald Trump the stimulus he has called for. In a unanimous decision, the Fed's policy-setting committee cut its key interest rate by a half-point to a range of 1-1.25. In a statement, the central bank said "the coronavirus poses evolving risks to economic activity," and the Fed "is closely monitoring developments and their implications for the economic outlook.

COVID-19: Telangana, Karnataka step up precautionary measures after Hyderabad man tests positive

The Telangana and Karnataka governments on Tuesday reviewed their Coronavirus (COVID-19) preparedness after a Bengaluru-based man who travelled to Secunderabad tested positive for the infection, making him the fourth confirmed case from south India. The Andhra Pradesh government said there was no impact of the deadly virus in the state but the health machinery was on full alert to handle the situation.

No threat to IPL due to coronavirus, we are keeping a tab: Brajesh

Asked whether there is any threat to IPL due to coronavirus, Patel said, "There is no threat as of now and we are keeping a tab (on the situation)." The IPL begins with a clash between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings at the Wankhede Stadium on March 29.

New York governor Cuomo confirms second coronavirus case in state

A man from Westchester County, New York who works in Manhattan tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total confirmed cases in the state to two, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Tuesday. He added that the patient had not traveled to countries considered the epicenter of the outbreak, but had traveled to Miami, Florida.

France threatens to control prices of face masks

A French official on Tuesday threatened to issue a decree controlling prices of face masks and disinfectant gels used to protect against the virus outbreak if an investigation shows they are being sold at unfairly high prices. He said he has asked the office of consumer affairs and fraud prevention to investigate prices for masks and alcohol gels. If widespread abuses are uncovered, he said he "will not hesitate" to make high prices unlawful.

Coronavirus: Govt asks TV, FM channels to publicise travel advisory, awareness messages

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry on Tuesday urged all private radio and TV channels to give "adequate publicity" to the travel advisory issued by the Health Ministry in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in China and its spread in some other countries. Read more