Coronavirus Live News: EU Minister of Health Advice-400 cases nationwide

Sars-CoV-2 continues to spread. There are more than 400 infected people in Germany. Other EU countries are also struggling with increasing numbers of cases. The EU health ministers want to consult. All information in the news blog.

There are more coronavirus cases in Germany. Health Minister Jens Spahn announced that he expects the virus to spread even more widely in the country. The number of new cases is also increasing worldwide. According to official information, there are over 95,000 infected and more than 3,200 dead. So far, more than 400 corona cases have been confirmed in Germany.

The following newsblog entries are in chronological order. The first message is the most recent. You can read entries from Tuesday, March 10th, in the current news blog.

Monday, March 9, 10:44 p.m.: Israel is again tightening its entry requirements

Israel has once again tightened its entry regulations massively due to the coronavirus epidemic. All travelers now have to be in quarantine for two weeks, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday. It is a "difficult decision" that is necessary "to ensure public health". This is more important than anything else. According to Netanyahu, the quarantine order will initially apply for two weeks.

Israel had previously imposed such entry restrictions on travelers from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. All travelers from the affected countries who do not have a permanent residence in Israel have had to be in quarantine for two weeks since last week. So far, 50 infections with the novel corona virus have been registered in Israel.

10:30 p.m.: ECB staff infected

An employee of the European Central Bank (ECB) is infected. About 100 colleagues who worked with the individual have been briefed on the case and are temporarily working from home as a precautionary measure, the ECB said.

9:50 p.m.: Italy extends lockdown measures across the country

The Italian government is extending lockdowns and restrictions on freedom of movement across the country due to the coronavirus crisis. At the weekend, the government declared Lombardy and other areas in northern Italy to be restricted zones. You can only get out of them and into them with good reasons - for example for work reasons. The new measures will affect 60 million people.

https://www.t-online.de/tv/news/panorama/id_87490156/conte-erklaert-ganz-italien-zur-schutzzone-.html

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte called on Monday evening to refrain from traveling across the country. "Our habits have to change, we all have to give up something for the good of Italy." He also announced a ban on gatherings, which is to come into force by decree on Tuesday. All public gatherings would be banned, sporting events suspended, and school and university closures extended to April 3.

The country is battling a rapidly increasing number of people infected and killed by Covid-19 lung disease. Almost 10,000 people have now been infected and more than 460 have died. In view of the coronavirus epidemic, the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin had previously warned against traveling to numerous areas in northern and central Italy.

9:44 p.m.: Several US politicians in quarantine - two have been in direct contact with Trump

As the coronavirus spreads across the United States, several senior US politicians have self-quarantined after coming into contact with those who may have been infected. Two of the politicians were recently in contact with US President Donald Trump. Read more about that here.

9:12 p.m .: Insider: France’s culture minister infected

France's Minister of Culture, Franck Riester, has been infected with the corona virus, according to those close to his ministry. The 46-year-old found out that he had been in contact with infected people during a recent visit to Parliament and therefore underwent a test. The minister has not met President Emmanuel Macron for several days

9:05 p.m .: The district in Brandenburg puts the quarantine information into perspective

After the suspected coronavirus in Neustadt/Dosse in Brandenburg, up to 2,250 people are in domestic quarantine according to current estimates. This was announced by the district of Ostprignitz-Ruppin in the evening. The isolated people are therefore spread over several districts in Brandenburg and other federal states. At the same time, the district distanced itself from the significantly higher numbers previously mentioned. The small town's director had spoken of 4,000 to 5,000 people in quarantine at home.

7.40 p.m.: Bundestag closes Reichstag dome

As a reaction to the corona epidemic, the Bundestag will close the Reichstag dome and the roof terrace for visitors from Tuesday. This was announced by the press office of the Bundestag after consultations between Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble and the parliamentary managers of the parliamentary groups. Further possible measures are to be decided as part of an ongoing risk assessment.

7.33 p.m .: EU heads of state and government confer via video

The heads of state and government of the EU will discuss coordinated action against the spread of the novel corona virus via video conference on Tuesday afternoon. EU Council President Charles Michel had scheduled the digital meeting.

7:28 p.m.: Italy closes all ski resorts

In the fight against the further spread of the corona virus in northern Italy, the Italian government has decided to close all ski resorts in the country. On the instructions of the civil defense, all ski resorts would be closed from Tuesday morning, said the Minister for Regional Affairs, Francesco Boccia. According to civil protection, the number of fatalities in Italy increased by 97 to a total of 463 within 24 hours.

7:21 p.m .: Bavaria wants to ban events with more than 1,000 guests

Due to the spread of the corona virus, the Bavarian state government initially wants to ban events with more than 1,000 guests until Good Friday. The black-orange coalition committee agreed on this on Monday in Munich, the German press agency learned from participants. The "Augsburger Allgemeine" had previously reported.

7:03 p.m .: Heinsberg: No children or adolescents in the clinic

Because of the coronavirus infection, 15 people are in inpatient treatment in the Heinsberg district, which is particularly affected, including no children or adolescents. Older people with previous illnesses are particularly affected, said Heinsberg district administrator Stephan Pusch at a press conference. Five of the patients would be treated in the intensive care unit. The wife of a seriously ill man from Gangelt is doing better, he himself is still in critical condition. A total of 323 infections had been detected in the district by the evening.

6.25 p.m .: Seehofer remains in Ingolstadt for safety

Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) did not come to Berlin at the beginning of the week because a participant in the EU interior ministers' meeting in Brussels last week is said to have had contact with a person infected with coronavirus. Interior Ministry spokesman Steve Alter said Seehofer and all members of the German delegation tested negative for the novel coronavirus after the trip. However, one also wants to wait for the test result of the contact person.

The Federal Minister of the Interior will therefore remain at his place of residence in Ingolstadt for the time being, according to Alter. The interior ministers of the EU discussed the tense situation on the Turkish-Greek border at a special meeting in Brussels last Wednesday.

6:02 p.m.: More than 70 percent of coronavirus patients in China have recovered

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 70 percent of coronavirus patients in China are already healthy again. More than 70 percent of the more than 80,000 sick people in China could have left the hospitals, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday in Geneva. The People's Republic is on the way to "bringing the epidemic under control".

5:47 p.m .: WHO chief considers risk of coronavirus pandemic "very real"

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) now sees the risk of a pandemic due to the spread of the corona virus. "As the coronavirus has arrived in so many countries, the threat of a pandemic has become very real," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva. "But it would be the first pandemic in history that can be controlled," he added. The containment measures taken by numerous governments are important and correct in order to protect as many people as possible from infection. "There are many examples of countries that have shown that the measures help."

There are no official WHO criteria as to when an illness can be classified as a pandemic. It is commonly understood to mean a disease that spreads uncontrollably across continents. "Whether we're talking about a pandemic or not, the rule of the game is that you should never give up," said Tedros.

5.41 p.m .: In the case of a cold, sick leave without a doctor’s visit for up to seven days

Patients with mild diseases of the upper respiratory tract can now take sick leave for up to seven days after consulting their doctor by phone - to relieve the doctors in the coronavirus crisis. Patients do not have to go to the doctor's office for this. The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) and the Central Association of Statutory Health Insurance in Berlin have agreed on this, as both sides announced.

The regulation applies to patients who do not have any severe symptoms or who do not meet official criteria for suspected infection with the new coronavirus. This agreement is effective immediately and initially for four weeks.

5:28 p.m.: China is gradually returning to normal

While the number of people infected with corona continues to rise worldwide, China is taking the first steps towards normality after weeks of fighting the epidemic: In the country of origin of the crisis, the majority of the makeshift hospitals for treating the sick in the city of Wuhan have been closed again due to a lack of demand . According to its own statements, the Swedish furniture giant Ikea resumed operations in its 16 branches nationwide on Monday. Schools are also scheduled to reopen in some regions this week after more than a month.

The apparently slowly easing situation reflects the downward trend in the number of officially registered new infections in the People's Republic. This fell on Monday to the lowest level since the figures began to be published in January. As the government health committee in Beijing announced, only 40 other cases of infection have been detected across mainland China since the previous day. Another 22 people died from the infection, also a low number compared to previous weeks.

According to official information, most of the newly registered infections and deaths since Sunday occurred in the central Chinese province of Hubei, which the authorities have kept largely isolated from the outside world since the end of January. A senior Chinese official hinted on Friday that the Hubei lockdown might end soon. The isolation measures affect around 56 million people.

In the provincial capital of Wuhan, 16 temporary hospitals had been newly built because of the virus. 14 of them have already been closed, according to the state news agency Xinhua. According to the provincial government, nearly 31,000 corona patients treated in the hospitals in Wuhan have recovered and been discharged.

5:16 p.m .: Bundestag restricts visits because of the corona virus

Due to the spread of the corona virus, the Bundestag is restricting visits to the parliament buildings. The Reichstag dome, which is popular with tourists, will be closed to visitors from Tuesday, the AFP news agency learned from parliamentary circles. In future, MPs should no longer be allowed to receive groups of visitors.

According to the editorial office of Germany and the Berlin "Tagesspiegel", groups of visitors should no longer come to the Bundestag from next week. According to the "Tagesspiegel", the parliamentary presidency made a corresponding decision on Monday afternoon. The current session is initially not affected, it said. Plenary sessions and committees should continue to meet.

The "ad hoc group" made up of the Bundestag presidium and the first parliamentary directors, which was set up last week, wants to make further decisions dependent on current developments.

5:07 p.m .: The Federal Institute does not see any drug shortages until autumn

The President of the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, Karl Broich, does not see any delivery bottlenecks for medicines in Germany until the fall. "It was very quickly clear to us that pharmaceutical production in the Hubei area, which has now come to a standstill, is of no importance to us in Germany and Europe in terms of market technology," said Broich in Berlin, referring to the outbreak of the corona virus in the Chinese Hubei province. "Currently we have no indication that we will run into serious supply bottleneck problems. We are in good spirits until autumn," he added.

The background is the debate that the coronavirus outbreak in China could bring supply chains for medicinal raw materials to a standstill worldwide. But you have the information that production in China has started again, said Broich. However, he linked the analysis to the condition that the corona virus did not spread abruptly in Germany and that antibiotics were not suddenly needed on a large scale.

4.35 p.m .: Two Covid 19 patients died in Germany

In Germany, two people died for the first time in connection with the corona virus. The North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of Health announced that there was one person in Heinsberg and one in Essen.

In Essen, the dead person is an 89-year-old woman who was diagnosed with the virus last Tuesday. The general condition of the patient was already severely limited at the time of admission to the hospital. The patient's health continued to deteriorate, and around noon she died of pneumonia as a result of an infection with the corona virus.

In the evening, the district administrator of Heinsberg wants to announce further details about the death in Heinsberg in a press conference.

4.20 p.m .: The EU Parliament will only meet for one day during the session week

Due to the spread of the coronavirus, the plenary session of the European Parliament will be shortened to one day this week. This was decided by the parliamentary presidency on Monday afternoon, as confirmed by several sources from the German Press Agency in Brussels. Accordingly, Parliament will only discuss urgent items on the agenda on Tuesday. There will be no votes.

On Tuesday's agenda were debates about the situation on the border between Greece and Turkey, the failed EU special summit on the budget and the actions of the EU countries against the corona virus.

The session was scheduled to be opened on Monday by Parliament President David Sassoli. Several political groups had previously called for the plenary week to be canceled completely. The regular session of the European Parliament was moved from Strasbourg, France, to Brussels last week.

4.15 p.m .: Kindergartens are running out of disinfectants – closure is imminent

The increased demand for disinfectants as a result of the corona virus leads to bottlenecks: a kindergarten in Trier is now threatened with temporary closure because the necessary disinfectants are out of stock. "If we don't get a delivery, our funds will last until Friday," said the head of the facility, Inge Wanken, in Trier. After that, she could no longer guarantee the necessary hygienic standards. "Then we will close on Monday," Wanken said.

Around 30 children from 0 to three years old are cared for in the day-care center. Eight children in the facility are currently suffering from a gastrointestinal infection, as are two employees. "It's nothing unusual for this time," Wanken said. But the disinfectant is particularly important here. "I don't want to put the other children and employees at risk of getting sick," said Wanken.

She informed the parents on Monday about a possible closure of the facility. The health department advised her to take the step if she no longer received disinfectants. Wanken said her kindergarten was not an isolated case. "I've also heard from others that they haven't had anything for weeks."

4:14 p.m .: Clinic operations continue despite the infection of a doctor

After a Saxon doctor from the Zerbst Hospital has been shown to have been infected with the corona virus, the clinic should continue to operate. The staff will now wear mouth and nose protection at all times, said the deputy district administrator and head of health for the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district, Bernhard Böddeker, in Köthen.

Direct contacts would be tested daily. Patients who have had direct contact with the doctor are isolated in the hospital or quarantined at home if this is possible. The other patients are advised to reduce their contacts. New patients are currently not being admitted, the emergency room is closed and there is a ban on visits. The order initially applies until Tuesday, after which a new decision will be made, said Böddeker.

According to the district, the hospital in Zerbst currently has 75 patients and 175 beds. Around 200 people work there. As little staff as possible should be exchanged, said Böddeker. The head of health was optimistic that the risk of infection is low given the hygiene measures in the clinic that are in place anyway.

The doctor had tested positive for the pathogen SARS-CoV-2. He had returned a week ago from South Tyrol, which was classified as a risk area, and, according to the district, had worked in the hospital for five days before being tested. He is now in quarantine at home in Saxony and is being looked after by the responsible health authority.

3:57 p.m .: Suspected coronavirus: Up to 5,000 people in Brandenburg isolated

After suspected coronavirus at a school in Brandenburg, 4,000 to 5,000 people are in quarantine at home. That said the director of the small town of Neustadt/Dosse, Dieter Fuchs, on Monday of the dpa. The rbb had previously reported.

Teachers at a comprehensive school in Neustadt an der Dosse had contact with a woman from Berlin who was infected with the corona virus. The health department then ordered domestic isolation. According to the authorities, this affects the students of the comprehensive school, teachers, administrative staff and relatives. Pupils from all over Germany and the region learn at the school. Director Fuchs was initially unable to name a very specific number of people in domestic isolation.

The county would not confirm the number of up to 5,000 people. No reliable surveys are currently possible, said a spokesman. A total of 730 pupils from all over Germany and the region attend the school with its affiliated primary and special needs school.

3:22 p.m.: Biochemists: The development of the vaccine is progressing well

According to the President of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, Klaus Cichutek, the first clinical test phase for a coronavirus drug will start in the USA in March. A remedy could be available in a few months. 35 research platforms worldwide have now switched their work to the development of a drug against the corona virus. Cichutek said this at a press conference in the Federal Ministry of Research.

It won't be until 2021 before there is a vaccine, says Cichutek. Approval will also take time. At the same time, Cichutek emphasized that the approval would be given priority and could therefore proceed more quickly than usual. Nevertheless, diligence in the process remains the top priority.

The Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, which Cichutek heads, is the German Federal Institute for Vaccines and Biomedicines.

3:17 p.m.: Several dead in prison riots in Italy

Several people have died during the protests in numerous Italian prisons. Six prisoners died in Modena and several were seriously injured, the media reported, citing the prison administration. More than 50 tried to flee there. The prison police union spoke of riots in 27 prisons across the country.

Media showed videos of a riot in a prison in Milan. You can see prisoners standing on a roof and chanting "freedom". There's a fire in the building. In the city of Foggia, several prisoners are said to have escaped. According to the health authority of the Lazio region, there were also riots in the large Roman prison of Rebibbia.

The reason for the protests are measures against the corona virus, said Susanna Marietti from the organization Antigone, which campaigns for the rights of prisoners. Visits to prisons have been suspended. Sporting and cultural activities have been suspended. "The prisoners were then only in their cells and there was no communication about the entire situation." The protests then continued from a detention center in the country. It is unclear whether the prisoners in Modena died from an overdose of medicines.

2.48 p.m .: Merkel relies on time in the fight against the corona virus

Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for a determined fight against the spread of the corona virus. At a German-Greek economic forum in Berlin, Merkel said that no measure was in vain because the main aim was to slow down the spread. This buys time for medical research and to prepare the health system for the coming winter, when a faster spread is to be expected.

2:44 p.m.: Wall Street crashes – trading halted

On New York's Wall Street, the Dow Jones index fell by 7.2 percent at the start of trading on Monday. Trading on the world's most important stock exchange was then suspended. You can find out more about the location here.

2:43 p.m.: France bans events with more than 1,000 people

What Germany is still discussing, France has already implemented: Due to the spread of the new type of corona virus, the government in Paris has banned all events with more than 1,000 participants. That is why, among other things, the Champions League round of 16 game between Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund should take place on Wednesday in front of empty ranks.

The ban on major events with more than 1,000 participants applies in France with immediate effect and nationwide, as Health Minister Olivier Véran announced on Sunday evening after a crisis meeting with President Emmanuel Macron in the Elysée Palace. It applies to both outdoor and indoor events.

2.42 p.m .: Spahn still wants to avoid school closures

Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn has repeated his recommendation to cancel all events with more than 1,000 people. He also encouraged Bundesliga games to be canceled. At the same time, he pointed out that the final decision on such a measure always rests with local authorities.

Spahn also repeated that no blanket daycare and school closures have been planned so far. It is important to weigh up which restrictions are reasonable in everyday life: For example, it is easier not to go to concerts than not to go to work, says Spahn. He also recalled that daycare and school closures could have other effects: it is possible that such a step would restrict professionals such as doctors and nurses who could no longer work if childcare was discontinued.

The primary goal of the measures is to slow down the spread of the corona virus as much as possible, said Spahn. This is the only way to ensure that the health system can take appropriate care of intensive cases in particular. When asked, Spahn said that he assumed that the measures could last for several months.

2.35 p.m .: New “drive-in” test stations for coronavirus open in Esslingen

Citizens of the district of Esslingen in Baden-Württemberg can now be tested from the car if they are worried about being infected with the corona virus. Two "drive-in" test stations went into operation on Monday. "You just stay in the car and roll down the window," said the head of the district office, Peter Keck, in Nürtingen. Doctors and helpers in protective clothing take a swab from the mouth and nose on the car. The prerequisite is that the citizen has been in a risk area in the past 14 days and shows signs of illness.

"We send the samples to a laboratory in Karlsruhe," explained Health Department head Christian Baron. The results are there after 24 to 48 hours. Until then, those affected should stay at home. "We will inform the citizens of the result by telephone," Baron continued. If the result is positive, the health department will set about identifying the contact persons of the infected person, explained Keck.

The test itself should take about five minutes. The prerequisite for this is a telephone diagnosis from a family doctor. About a hundred people could be examined per day at each station. "Our county has been severely affected by the coronavirus," Baron said. There are now 22 cases.

2.32 p.m .: The leading US index Dow Jones falls by 7.1 percent at the opening

The oil price collapse fuels fears of a wave of bankruptcies in the US oil industry. Together with the uncertainty about the economic consequences of the coronavirus epidemic, this caused the US standard value index Dow Jones to open with a loss of 7.1 percent to 24,026.41 points. This is the biggest price drop in ten years.

1:47 p.m .: Virologist Drosten does not believe that the epidemic can be slowed down by summer

New model calculations from the USA suggest that the corona virus cannot be stopped as easily as other viruses by warmer temperatures. That said the virologist Christian Drosten in the federal press conference. "We have to expect that we will run straight into an epidemic wave," said Drosten. While the warmer season could bring some modest containment of the virus, it would not be as high as one would have hoped.

Lothar Wieler, President of the Robert Koch Institute, spoke at the press conference of a "serious situation" with regard to the corona virus that could get worse. The number of cases in Germany has more than doubled since Friday. He assumes that there will be deaths from Covid-19 in Germany in the future. Wieler appealed to the population to comply with the regulations in order to prevent the spread of the corona virus. This also includes reducing personal contacts and avoiding trips that are not absolutely necessary.

1:23 p.m .: The Federal Parents’ Council sees hygiene deficiencies in schools

The chairman of the Federal Parents' Council is currently skeptical about large-scale school closures due to the corona virus. "We have to be careful, we have to comply with hygiene measures," said Stephan Wassmuth on Monday of the German Press Agency. If there are chains of infection, one must certainly think about closures, but schools should not be closed on suspicion. In addition, there are already hours lost. "There is a lot of uncertainty," said Wassmuth, looking at the parents. However, he warned of panic before the new virus.

12.45 p.m .: Students and teachers come back from school trips with coronavirus infections

After returning from a school trip in South Tyrol, coronavirus infections were detected in a 16-year-old student from Steinfurt and his teacher. According to the Steinfurt district, both show only mild symptoms. All 106 students and ten teachers in the tenth grade of a high school had been quarantined at home as a precaution. They returned to Münsterland on Friday with several buses. A few students from the group who showed typical symptoms have been tested and are still waiting for their results, a spokeswoman said.

12.43 p.m .: World Cup qualifiers in Asia will be postponed

Due to the coronavirus epidemic in Asia, the upcoming qualifiers for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar will be postponed. This was announced by the world association Fifa.

The games originally scheduled for March 23-31 and June 1-9 will be rescheduled at a later date, with FIFA and the Asian Confederation AFC settling the details at a later date.

However, there could also be exceptions to the basic rule. In support of the affected member associations, the qualifiers are allowed to be played, provided that the safety of all people involved is guaranteed according to the specified standards, it said in a statement. In addition, the member associations of the teams involved would have to agree and both Fifa and the AFC would have to give their permission.

Fifa also announced that the 2020 AFC Futsal Championship in Turkmenistan has been postponed to August. The decider between South Korea and China to qualify for the Olympic Games in Japan is scheduled to be played between June 1 and 10.

12.41 p.m .: Lower Saxony reports 35 coronavirus infections

The number of infections with the corona virus in Lower Saxony has increased again. After 33 cases on Sunday evening, the number of people who were proven to be infected rose to 35 by Monday morning, as the Ministry of Health in Hanover announced online. The two new cases were registered in the Stade district, where there are a total of seven cases.

According to the district, swabs have been taken from 76 contact persons of a high school teacher suffering from Covid-19 since Friday. The new patients are from his private environment. A daycare center in Stade was closed until Tuesday due to three suspected cases.

12:39 p.m .: Olympic flame to be lit without spectators

The Olympic Flame lighting ceremony will be held without spectators on Thursday. This was announced by the Greek Olympic Committee. The torch is traditionally lit in ancient Olympia. The venue for the Summer Olympics this year is Tokyo.

12.36 p.m .: The Union is delaying the reduction in solos – because of the corona virus

The corona epidemic threatens to put a serious damper on the German economy. Last night, the heads of the grand coalition discussed possible relief for companies and citizens in the Chancellery. The parties quickly agreed on many measures – but the question of reducing the solidarity surcharge caused a dispute. Read more about the conflict here.

12:13 p.m .: After weeks of quarantine: North Korea flies foreigners out

After weeks of forced quarantine in North Korea, dozens of foreigners have left the closed country. The quarantine was part of North Korea's measures to prevent the spread of the novel corona virus. The Russian embassy in Pyongyang wrote on its Facebook page that around 80 people had been flown to Vladivostok in the far east of Russia on a plane operated by the North Korean state airline Air Koryo.

Among the inmates were diplomatic representatives from Germany, France and Switzerland, who had temporarily suspended their work in Pyongyang, as well as Polish, Romanian, Mongolian and Egyptian diplomats and their families.

North Korea's state media reported Friday that 221 foreigners out of 380 who were under "strict medical supervision" had been released from quarantine.

At the end of February, the Foreign Office in Berlin announced that the embassy in North Korea would be temporarily closed and that the staff would be temporarily withdrawn at the earliest opportunity. The reason was the massively restricted freedom of movement of the diplomats who were quarantined on the embassy premises. It was recently said that no entry or exit to North Korea was possible.

North Korea had stopped land, train and flight connections abroad in February - including for diplomats. So far, no SARS-Cov-2 case has been reported from North Korea.

12.07 p.m .: "Slightly sour": Berlin Senator for the Interior criticizes Minister of Health

Berlin's Interior Senator Andreas Geisel (SPD) has criticized Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) for his statement on the corona virus and a possible cancellation of major events.

"It's difficult to just put something like that in the room," said Geisel. Spahn has announced his personal opinion via his private Internet channels, but he leaves the responsibility to others. "But there is no uniform line from the federal government. He carefully avoided that." Spahn had recommended canceling events with more than 1,000 participants.

Geisel went on to say: "It's not easy for a good working relationship." He therefore reacted "a little angry". You will evaluate carefully and then make decisions. "I can't say what they look like at the moment. But I would really like us to do it with a cool head."

12.02 p.m .: Barracks in Cologne closed due to coronavirus case

Because of a coronavirus case, the Liège barracks in Cologne were closed on Monday. The Federal Office for Personnel Management of the Bundeswehr is housed in the barracks. You can read more details about the closure here.

11.59 a.m .: The European Central Bank sends employees to the home office

The European Central Bank (ECB) is sending its staff to the home office as a test. Most employees were working from home on Monday, an ECB spokesman said. The central bank has extensive IT capacities for this. The precautionary measure serves as a test for the infrastructure, but also for the workforce. However, access to the ECB buildings is not prohibited.

The central bank is thus preparing for the event that most of its approximately 3,700 employees are able to work in their offices or not at all due to the corona virus. In this case, the IT must function smoothly despite mass access from outside. The "Börsen-Zeitung" had previously reported on the test.

11.55 a.m .: The first German coronavirus death is a firefighter

The German who died of the coronavirus in Egypt is a firefighter working in Hamburg and residing in Schleswig-Holstein. That said a spokesman for the Hamburg health authority. The 60-year-old is the first German to have been proven to have died of the lung disease Covid-19 caused by the coronavirus. According to information from the "Hamburger Abendblatt", the man had taken a Nile cruise with his wife. His wife has already returned to Hamburg.

According to the Egyptian Ministry of Health, the man died in a hospital on Sunday.

11:34 am: Iran releases thousands of prisoners from prisons

Iran says it has released about 70,000 prisoners. This happened because of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, according to the news portal of the Iranian judiciary. Other inmates would also be released. It has not been specified whether or when they will have to return to the detention centers.

11:26 a.m .: Less food for the needy – unfortunately, food banks are among the hamster purchases

Because of the increasing stock purchases, the Tafel receive significantly less food for the needy. The association's chairman, Jochen Brühl, told the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung": "Several food banks received significantly less food." Brühl attributed this to the hamster purchases. Accordingly, less goods remain at the end that supermarkets can donate to the Tafel.

According to Brühl, the social institutions had to "improvise a lot in the past few days and could give less to the individual". The head of the association pointed out that poor people in particular could not afford large stock purchases. He appealed to the hamster buyers: "Anyone who notices that they have bought too many long-lasting supplies is welcome to contact the blackboard in their city."

11:15 a.m.: Gates Foundation plans to launch at-home coronavirus tests

In the coming weeks, one of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation-funded research program to develop coronavirus test kits that individuals can use to test themselves at home. This is the result of reports from various US media. Accordingly, those affected should carry out the test at home by wiping their nose with a test strip. They should then send this to a laboratory and receive feedback on the result after a short time.

Scott Dowell, head of the foundation's research unit, told The Seattle Times that their goal is to be able to produce thousands of such tests every day. They are working at full speed on the project, but it is not yet clear when the test kits will be on the market.

11.06 am: Respirator smuggler arrested in Azerbaijan

The police in the authoritarian republic of Azerbaijan in the south Caucasus have arrested several people who tried to smuggle more than a million respiratory masks abroad. There they should have been sold at high prices, the Interior Ministry said in the capital Baku. The ten arrested wanted to take advantage of the high demand for such protective masks due to the coronavirus epidemic.

11.03 a.m .: Canceling major events? Lower Saxony does not want to follow Spahn's recommendation

Lower Saxony's Minister of Health, Carola Reimann, does not consider it necessary to cancel all major events in Lower Saxony at this point in time. "The virus doesn't circulate here. It's different than in northern Italy, for example," said the SPD politician in an interview with NDR Info. In Lower Saxony, the local authorities have so far made very careful decisions.

The Hanover Fair was canceled due to the large international participation. The world's largest industrial show has been postponed from April to July. According to Reimann, the short-term cancellation of a Schützenball in Uetze near Hanover was also correct because an active person had become infected. On the subject of daycare centers and schools in Lower Saxony, Reimann said: "I don't believe in blanket closures."

10.35 a.m .: Second division football team stops ticket sales – what will happen to the Rheinderby?

VfL Bochum has stopped ticket sales for the upcoming games. The reason? The situation regarding major events with over 1,000 visitors in North Rhine-Westphalia has not yet been finally clarified, according to the association on its website.

It is still unclear whether the Bundesliga derby between Borussia Mönchengladbach and 1. FC Köln will be played this Wednesday without spectators. "Following the game against BVB and the developments over the weekend, the city of Mönchengladbach will also evaluate the upcoming match against Cologne," said a city spokesman when asked by the German Press Agency. This will now be discussed.

9.45 a.m.: Romania cancels flights to Italy

Romania is canceling all flights to and from Italy for two weeks. So far, no separate control measures have been taken at the borders, says Interior Minister Marcel Vela. However, people coming from Italy, China, South Korea and Iran would have to go into quarantine for examinations. According to the authorities, the closure of schools is also being considered.

9:21 a.m.: "March of the Living" postponed due to corona virus

The international "March of the Living" in Auschwitz has been postponed indefinitely due to the spread of the coronavirus. Every year, around 10,000 young Jews from all over the world take part in the three-kilometre memorial march from Auschwitz to Birkenau, the largest of the Nazi death camps. The event in Poland was scheduled for April 21st. The march was canceled for the actual date, but there are plans to catch up later in the year, the organizers said.

Shmuel Rosenman, chairman of the March of the Living organization, said it was a heavy heart to make the decision. Because this is an international event with 110 delegations from all over the world, "we have a responsibility to take precautionary measures in accordance with the rules of the authorities in different countries".

9.15 a.m .: Head of the World Medical Association on corona virus: "We can do it!"

The head of the World Medical Association sees Germany well positioned in the fight against the new type of corona virus. "Our healthcare system, our prevention, our recognition of these measures works. The German healthcare system is excellently aligned," said Frank Ulrich Montgomery on Monday in the "ZDF morning magazine". "We will sort it out!"

Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) had previously recommended canceling events with more than 1,000 participants. However, the head of the association is rather critical of this specific number: "Personally, I'm more like 100 or 200."

Montgomery says he is also worried about the number of deaths in Italy. There are already more than 360 deaths and 7,300 coronavirus infections there. "The age pyramid of the Italian population is slightly different, but similar to ours. That's not enough of an explanation for me."

9:05 a.m.: Foreigners in Beijing should refrain from traveling

A Chinese official is calling on foreigners in Beijing to refrain from non-essential travel during the coronavirus epidemic.

9 a.m.: New corona numbers for Germany

The number of infected people in Germany has risen to 1,112. This was announced by the Robert Koch Institute. Bavaria is particularly affected with 256 cases of Covid-19. In Baden-Württemberg there are 199 cases.

8.35 a.m .: South Tyrol ends the ski season early

Most of the hotels and lifts are scheduled to close this Monday: South Tyrol is ending its winter season ahead of schedule, one month before the end that was actually planned. On the one hand, this was preceded by the decision of the government in Rome to declare Lombardy and other provinces quarantine zones, and on the other hand by tough discussions among hoteliers and ski resort operators.

7.48 a.m .: Italy will decide on longer school closures in the next few days

The Italian government wants to decide in the coming days whether schools in the country should remain closed longer due to the epidemic. There are currently no plans to postpone regional elections, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the La Repubblica newspaper. If necessary, the government will take further measures and make "full use" of the flexibility provided for in the EU budget rules.

7.28 a.m .: CDU boss: New regulation of short-time work benefits will help the tourism industry in particular

According to CDU leader Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, the new regulation of short-time work benefits decided by the coalition committee will help above all in the tourism and congress industry, which is particularly affected. The measures are initially limited until October, she says in the "ZDF morning magazine". In the course of the year you will see how the situation develops and where permanent help is needed. Now it's about supporting companies in an acute crisis.

7.10 a.m .: US Senator Ted Cruz isolates himself after contact with a corona patient

Republican US Senator Ted Cruz has voluntarily self-quarantined after brief contact with a Covid-19 patient. The Senator for Texas said on Monday night on Twitter that he shook hands with the person at an event with conservative activists near Washington ten days ago and had a brief chat with her. The person concerned had tested positive for the novel corona virus and was showing symptoms of the lung disease.

Nevertheless, the chance that he too was infected is "extremely low," Cruz continued. The encounter was short and he felt "good and healthy". His temporary isolation is just a precautionary measure. He will stay at home in Texas until 14 days have passed since the encounter.

6:28 a.m.: Germany and France are temporarily closing embassies in North Korea

According to British information, Germany and France are temporarily closing their representations in North Korea due to the coronavirus epidemic. It's a shame that colleagues at the German embassy and the French office have to say goodbye, writes the British ambassador to North Korea, Colin Crooks, on Twitter. "The British Embassy remains open." Germany has an embassy while France only has an office as it has no formal diplomatic relations with North Korea.

5.04 a.m .: Lowest number of new corona infections in China since the balance sheets began

The number of officially registered new infections with the novel coronavirus in China has fallen to the lowest level since the figures began to be published in January. As the government health committee in Beijing announced on Monday, only 40 other cases of infection have been detected across mainland China since the previous day. Another 22 people died from the infection, also a low number compared to previous weeks.

3.50 a.m .: The number of new coronavirus infections in South Korea continues to decline

After the outbreak of the lung disease Covid-19 in South Korea, there are increasing signs of a slower increase in the number of cases. The health authorities announced on Monday that 248 new cases of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus were recorded on Sunday. The total rose to 7,382. The number of deaths so far associated with the novel corona virus has been given as 51.

Prime Minister Chung Sye Kyun expressed cautious optimism that the spread of the virus could be further contained, according to the national news agency Yonhap. There is hope "that we are approaching the turning point in the near future," Chung was quoted as saying.

The number of cases on Sunday and Saturday was well below the proven cases in the days before. On Saturday, the authorities reported 367 infections. It was the first time since February 26 that fewer than 400 new cases were diagnosed in one day.

One reason for the slowdown in South Korea is virus testing among the more than 200,000 followers of the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus. The cult is at the center of the outbreak. About 60 percent of the cases of infection are associated with followers of the sect in the southeastern city of Daegu. The majority of the weekend's newly recorded cases were again concentrated in Daegu and the surrounding region.

3.35 a.m .: Coalition agrees on easing short-time work because of the corona virus

In order to contain the economic consequences of the corona epidemic, the leaders of the grand coalition have agreed on easing short-time work benefits. For example, the social security contributions are to be fully reimbursed by the Federal Employment Agency, as the coalition committee decided on Monday night.

"As far as possible, no company in Germany should go bankrupt as a result of the Corona crisis, and if possible no job should be lost," emphasized the leaders of the Union and SPD. They referred to the "established funding instruments" available to the companies concerned. At the same time, the leaders of the coalition assured that if the situation deteriorated, "we want to be able to react quickly and precisely."

2.15 a.m.: More French MPs infected with coronavirus

There are two more cases of novel coronavirus infection among members of the French National Assembly. The regional health authority ARS Île-de-France announced on Sunday. The number of infected members of the parliamentary chamber rose to at least four.

The authorities did not disclose the names of the two other infected MPs. According to them, two employees of the National Assembly were also infected with the corona virus.

MP Jean-Luc Reitzer, whose corona infection was announced on Thursday, was taken to the intensive care unit. His condition is stable, according to Reitzer's environment on Saturday. Parliamentarian Elisabeth Toutut-Picard, whose infection was announced on Saturday, has since been released from the hospital.

Monday, March 9, 12:50 a.m.: Revolt in Italian prisons after coronavirus restrictions

Inmate revolts have broken out in several Italian prisons due to coronavirus restrictions. Sunday's riots came after restrictions on family visits were imposed, the union for prison staff (Osapp) said.

An inmate died in a prison in Modena during the revolt, said the non-governmental organization Antigone, which campaigns for the rights of prisoners. The circumstances of this death initially remained unclear. In the same prison, two guards were injured in the confrontations, the Italian news agency Ansa reported. The police were called to restore calm in the detention center.

Revolts also broke out in detention centers in Alessandria, Pavia, Frosinone and Naples. In the prison in Pavia south of Milan, according to the Italian media, prisoners at times took two guards hostage. In Frosinone, south of Rome, around a hundred prisoners barricaded themselves in part of the facility, the Agi news agency reported. Relatives of prisoners demonstrated near the prison in Poggioreale, a suburb of Naples, against the restrictions on visits.

11:52 p.m .: Aid organizations warn of the spread of the corona virus in Syria

Aid organizations warn of the spread of the new type of corona virus in Syria - especially in the contested areas in the north of the country. The Syrian health system may not be prepared to "detect and fight an epidemic," said a spokesman for the World Health Organization (WHO) on Sunday.

The risk is particularly high in the province of Idlib, where the medical infrastructure has been largely destroyed and around three million refugees are being pushed into smaller and smaller areas.

In Idlib, the troops of the Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, with Russian support, have been taking massive action against the last strongholds of Islamist militias since December. However, a ceasefire recently agreed between Russia and Turkey for the contested province of Idlib appears to be holding for the time being.

11:05 p.m .: The Czech Republic introduces controls at the border

Czech Republic introduces random checks for people entering the country to protect against further spread of the new type of corona virus. From Monday morning, the police will be distributing information brochures at ten border crossings with Germany, Austria and Slovakia, a spokesman for the police headquarters said on Sunday evening, according to the CTK news agency. In addition, firefighters would randomly take the temperature of travelers returning to the Czech Republic by car.

The border crossings Strazny, Rozvadov, Folmava and Zelezna Ruda, which are all located near Bavaria, were mentioned among others. Travelers with a body temperature of more than 38 degrees should be taken to home quarantine or to hospitals after consultation. Foreigners will be asked to return to their homeland, said Deputy Prime Minister Anna Schillerova.

10:23 p.m .: Portugal's President is self-quarantining

Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has self-quarantined due to a possible coronavirus infection. The President announced that he would not attend any public appointments at home or abroad for two weeks. According to his own statements, he had met students from a school in northern Portugal last week, which was then closed due to a coronavirus case.

Neither the sick student nor his class attended the meeting, according to a statement on the President's website. The head of state is also not showing any symptoms and will continue to do his work in the presidential palace. However, he decided to follow the recommendations of the health authorities to "set an example".

9:18 p.m.: Paris bans events with more than 1,000 people

In the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, France generally bans events with more than 1,000 people. Health Minister Olivier Véran announced this in Paris after a meeting of the Security Council, which was headed by Head of State Emmanuel Macron.

Véran indicated that there will be exceptions. He said authorities are now compiling a list of events "beneficial to the life of the nation," including demonstrations. So far, France had banned events with more than 5,000 people, especially indoors.

So far, more than 1,100 people in France have been infected with the new corona virus, as reported by the media. 19 people died.

8:32 p.m .: Apple boss Tim Cook offers employees a home office

Apple CEO Tim Cook has offered his global employees the opportunity to work from home because of the novel coronavirus. The virus epidemic is an "unprecedented event" and a "challenging moment," Cook wrote to the iPhone group's workforce. That's why any employee whose position allows it to work from home during the week of March 9-13 is free, Cook said.

7.48 p.m .: The Foreign Office advises against traveling to other Italian regions

In view of the ongoing coronavirus epidemic in Italy, the federal government advises against traveling to other areas of the country. Corresponding new travel and safety instructions were published by the Federal Foreign Office on Sunday. In them, travel is advised against in significantly more regions than before. In principle, German citizens should currently limit their “travel to and from Italy to what is necessary”.

Specifically, the federal government now advises "travel to the regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini in Emilia-Romagna, the provinces of Pesaro and Urbino in Marche, the provinces of Padua, Treviso and Venice in Veneto and Asti, Alessandria, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli in Piedmont".

We also advise against "unnecessary trips to the autonomous province of Bozen-Alto Adige" in the Trentino-Alto Adige region and to the other provinces of Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Ferrara, Forli-Cesena and Ravenna).

7:34 p.m .: Coalition leaders advise on corona virus

The black-red coalition leaders have started consultations on possible measures to cushion the economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis. At the meeting of the coalition committee headed by Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) in the Chancellery in Berlin, other important current issues such as the situation on the Greek-Turkish border should also be discussed.

An extension of the rules on short-time work and an earlier partial abolition of the solidarity surcharge were considered possible measures to support companies in the fight against the economic consequences of the new type of corona virus. The planned reduction in the soli for 90 percent of the payers could be brought forward from 2021 to this summer. Bridging loans to help companies financially in the short term were also discussed, as were guarantees and tax deferrals.

7:29 p.m .: Handball players want to end the season

Despite the coronavirus epidemic, the Handball Bundesliga (HBL) wants to bring the season to a regular conclusion. There is no question that "the current season must be played to the end. This is the only way to determine who has been promoted and relegated as well as the participants in the international competitions," said the HBL. This procedure is absolutely necessary in order to ensure the necessary planning security for the coming season.

The top priority is the health of the population. "That's why it is of course also the aim of the Handball Bundesliga to continue to provide the best possible and appropriate information and to take preventive action in the interests of the fans and their clubs," says the HBL statement. The clubs will therefore continue to coordinate as closely and continuously as possible with the responsible authorities.

7:02 p.m .: The number of Covid 19 deaths in Italy is increasing rapidly

The number of deaths in the course of the Covid 19 epidemic in Italy rose by 133 to 366 within one day. 7,375 infections have now been recorded, the civil defense announced on Sunday. The night before there were still 5,883 proofs. According to experts, there should also be a high number of unreported cases.

However, hundreds of infected people have now recovered or had hardly any symptoms to begin with. Italy has the most confirmed infections with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in Europe. In order to get the crisis under control, the government has declared large parts of the north to be a restricted zone.

5.46 p.m .: In Africa: For the first time a German has been shown to have died of the corona virus

For the first time, a German citizen has died of the novel corona virus. The Egyptian Ministry of Health said it was a 60-year-old man who entered Egypt a week ago. He was admitted to a clinic on March 6 after arriving in the coastal resort of Hurghada from the city of Luxor. The man was treated in intensive care and refused to be transferred to another clinic. His condition had steadily deteriorated and he died on Sunday. It is also the first known death related to Covid-19 in Africa.

5:22 p.m .: The number of infections in Germany rises to over 900

In Germany, the number of infections has risen to 902. The Robert Koch Institute announced that 398 cases had been confirmed in North Rhine-Westphalia alone. 182 cases of infection are known in Baden-Württemberg and 172 in Bavaria. That is as of 3 p.m. Saxony-Anhalt remains the only federal state without a confirmed case of infection.

5:13 p.m.: Egypt confirms 45 coronavirus cases on Nile cruise ship

Egypt has detected 45 cases of coronavirus among passengers and crew on a Nile cruise ship. People disembarked from the ship "A-Sara" in Luxor on Sunday, an AFP reporter reported. Egyptian Health Minister Hala Sajed announced on Saturday that 33 tourists and 12 crew members were infected. You will be quarantined. According to the government, all 171 passengers and 70 crew members have been tested.

4:52 p.m .: CDU is holding on to the party conference in April – but without international guests

The CDU has set April 25 as the date for the federal party conference - despite the recommendation of Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) to cancel events with more than 1,000 participants for the time being due to the corona virus. All preparations for the meeting of the 1,001 delegates on April 25 in Berlin continued as normal, the German Press Agency learned from the party on Sunday. The planning takes place in close coordination with the responsible Berlin health authorities.

As a precautionary measure, the CDU does not want to invite any international guests to the party conference, as is usually the case. In addition to the delegates and other guests from Germany, numerous journalists are also expected to attend the party congress, so that far more than 1,000 people should come together for the convention.

3.08 p.m .: Spahn: Cancel major events with more than 1000 participants

In view of the increasing number of coronavirus infections in Germany, Health Minister Jens Spahn recommends canceling events with more than 1000 participants for the time being. In his view, this is still being done too timidly at the moment. "In view of the dynamic development of the last few days, this should be changed quickly," he told the German Press Agency in Berlin.

Spahn said the primary goal was to slow down the spread of the new virus. "Because the slower the virus spreads, the better our health system can deal with it."

Spahn also said: "I am aware of the consequences this has for citizens and organizers. In the next few days we will talk about how we deal with the economic consequences." But it is clear that health comes first.

Spahn continued: "I also encourage each individual: Consider what is so important to you in your own everyday life that you don't want to do without it in the next two to three months, be it a visit to the club, a birthday party in the family circle or the association meeting. I trust that the citizens will make wise decisions for themselves and their loved ones in these times. Because with this caution we protect above all our elderly and chronically ill fellow citizens."

2.38 p.m .: Two serious coronavirus cases in Bavaria

In Bavaria there are two patients suffering from the coronavirus with a severe course of the disease. One of the two is an older man who has been "very fit" so far, said Bavarian Minister of Health Melanie Huml (CSU) in Munich. The other patient has multiple pre-existing conditions. Huml said that both were "really seriously, seriously ill".

Bavaria is the federal state with the third highest number of cases after North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg. By Sunday noon, the number of sick people in the Free State was 157 cases. The clear focus of the number of cases is in southern Bavaria.

1:58 p.m .: Poland controls bus travelers from Germany on the A4

In order to prevent the spread of the corona virus, Poland is introducing controls for bus travelers coming from Germany on the A4 at the former border crossing at Hennersdorf (Jedrzychowice) near Görlitz. The random checks will start on Monday, said Jaroslaw Obremski, head of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, according to the PAP news agency.

"We will measure the body temperature of the passengers and, if illness is suspected, provide an ambulance to take them to the hospital," says Obremski. The consequences are drawn from the first case of Covid 19 disease detected in Poland. However, he emphasized that the border would not be closed and that car traffic could continue to flow unhindered.

10.42 a.m .: Minister Spahn: More major events have to be canceled

In view of the increasing number of coronavirus infections, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) expects further noticeable restrictions on public life in Germany. "Safety comes first, so even more major events will have to be canceled," wrote the CDU politician on Twitter.

Recently, there was criticism that Bundesliga games and other mass events in Germany are largely taking place as planned, while elsewhere in Europe more restrictive measures are being taken.

Spahn went on to say that the cancellation of large events would have major economic consequences, especially for smaller companies, for craftsmen, restaurateurs or service providers. "We should therefore think about targeted and rapid help here," he wrote - also with a view to the coalition committee on Sunday evening in Berlin.

9.43 a.m .: Switzerland outraged by German export ban on protective masks

According to a media report, the German export ban on protective clothing to fight the new corona virus has led to diplomatic tensions with Switzerland. As the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) informed the "NZZ am Sonntag", the Confederation had summoned the German ambassador and had also made representations to the responsible ministries in Berlin. "During these contacts, the German authorities were urged to release the blocked programs immediately," the newspaper quoted a response from Seco.

According to "NZZ am Sonntag", a truck belonging to a Swiss company is currently being prevented from driving into Switzerland by German customs authorities. The truck is loaded with 240,000 protective masks. According to Seco, this is not an isolated case. The German federal government issued an export ban on medical protective equipment on Wednesday. Since Switzerland produces hardly any medical consumables, it was hit hard by the measure.

According to "NZZ am Sonntag", German companies buy large quantities of protective equipment in China, among other places, parts of which are sold on to Swiss companies. However, this distribution channel has now been interrupted.

9.30 a.m .: The number of people infected with corona in Germany has risen to almost 850

In Germany, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 847 by Sunday morning. This was announced by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin. The number of cases has increased by 52 since Saturday afternoon.

North Rhine-Westphalia is still hardest hit with 392 cases - the number has increased by 19 since Saturday afternoon. More than 200 of these are in the Heinsberg district, the largest focus of infection in Germany. Many new cases were also reported from Baden-Württemberg, where the novel corona virus has now been found in 182 people. In Bavaria there are 148.

Most of the other federal states have so far only registered isolated cases. Saxony-Anhalt is still the only country from which no confirmed coronavirus infection has been reported.

9.19 a.m .: Berlin police officer infected with corona virus

In Berlin, the first police officer is believed to have contracted the new type of corona virus. The police announced on Saturday via the short message service Twitter. The official was not infected on duty and belonged to the 32nd operational group, it said. This is currently in their accommodation, the service is not restricted. "The medical officer arranges further within her area of ​​responsibility."

According to the Senate Department for Health, the police officer is the 28th case of infection in Berlin. In the morning there were initially 24 cases, on Friday 19. The man comes from the Tempelhof-Schöneberg district and is now in domestic isolation.

8:53 a.m.: Cruise ship "Grand Princess" is allowed to dock in Oakland

The cruise ship "Grand Princess", which was stuck off California due to several coronavirus cases on board, is allowed to dock in the port of Oakland. The shipping company Princess Cruises announced on Saturday (local time) that from Monday passengers who needed “acute medical or inpatient treatment” could leave the ship. A coronavirus infection was found in almost half of the occupants of the “Grand Princess” tested so far.

The "Grand Princess" has been docked off San Francisco since Wednesday after two people previously on the ship were diagnosed with an infection. In the meantime, 21 coronavirus infections have been detected on the ship, 19 of them among crew members and two among passengers. However, only 46 of the 3,533 people on board have been tested for the virus so far.

California passengers on the "Grand Princess" are to be tested for the corona virus and isolated after leaving the ship in a clinic in California, as the shipping company Princess Cruises further announced. All non-California passengers would be relocated "to facilities in other states" by the US government. The crew of the "Grand Princess" will be quarantined and treated on board, it said.

7.03 a.m .: Coalition advises on anti-crisis measures due to corona virus

Before the coalition summit this Sunday, the German Association of Cities called for the establishment of an aid fund for local companies that are experiencing financial difficulties due to the spread of the corona virus. "Federal funds should flow into a fund that provides unbureaucratic help to companies, but also to self-employed people who are badly affected," said the President of the Association of German Cities, Leipzig Mayor Burkhard Jung.

The heads of the Union and SPD will discuss measures to support the economy in the wake of the coronavirus crisis in the Federal Chancellery in the evening. It had recently been indicated that, among other things, the hurdles for companies to send employees on short-time work should be lowered. The SPD proposal to bring forward the reduction of the solidarity surcharge, which is actually planned for 2021, to this summer in order to boost demand also seems to have a good chance: if Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) finances it without new debt and the technical problems of a changeover in the middle of the year can be solved, there is nothing to be said against it, said the budget spokesman for the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, Eckhardt Rehberg (CDU), the "Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung" (FAS).

There are also so-called bridging loans to give companies short-term financial help, as well as guarantees and tax deferrals. "The corona virus must not result in a second financial crisis," said Bavarian Prime Minister and CSU leader Markus Söder, who was attending the meeting. "We don't want a corona shock for the German economy."

5.03 a.m.: Collapse of quarantine hotel in China: 49 people rescued

49 people were rescued, the official Xinhua news agency reported. According to Xinhua, the first reports from the local authorities initially said that around 70 people were trapped in the building. The rescue work with hundreds of emergency services continued.

The hotel collapsed on Saturday for reasons that are still unclear. The hotel, which opened in 2018 and has around 80 rooms, was used to quarantine and monitor people who had come from other provinces because of the novel corona virus, Xinhua reported, citing official circles. Quanzhou has around eight million inhabitants and is located in the southeast Chinese province of Fujian on the Taiwan Strait.

3.17 a.m .: Participants in US policy meetings positive - No contact with Trump

In the United States, a participant at a conservative policy conference attended by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence has tested positive. However, the person concerned "did not interact" with the two men during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) last month, according to the organizer American Conservative Union. In addition, the person did not take part in the events in the main hall of the conference.

Saturday, March 8, 10:27 p.m.: Italian government is considering sealing off Lombardy

Italy wants to take stricter measures against the spread of the virus. According to a draft that Reuters was able to see and that should be decided on Saturday, the government will ask that the hardest-hit region of Lombardy be neither entered nor left. In regions such as Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Piedmont, schools are to remain closed until at least April 3, as are museums and swimming pools. Healthcare workers are not allowed to take vacations. According to media reports, 10 million people could be affected.

8:08 p.m .: Italy stops parts of the judiciary

In the fight against the further spread of the novel corona virus, Italy is stopping part of the work of the courts. Initially for around two and a half months until the end of May, restrictions in the judicial system should be possible to protect people from infections. For example, during processes and other public appointments, as the government announced in Rome early on Saturday morning. Processes for non-heavy acts may thus be postponed, as the media wrote. The details should be determined on site.

According to the reports, urgent matters, for example in relation to arrests, are excluded. More hearings should also take place in the form of video conferences, Justice Minister Alfonso Bonafede explained to the press.

7:29 p.m .: Over 230 deaths in Italy from corona virus

In Italy, more than 230 people have now died from the novel corona virus. The Italian civil defense announced on Saturday that there were 233 confirmed fatalities and 5,883 infected people. Within 24 hours, 36 deaths and 1,247 more infections were reported.

Italy is the European country hardest hit by the epidemic. The total number of people infected with corona is only higher in China and South Korea. In February, the Italian authorities quarantined eleven municipalities in the north of the country because of the virus.

5.39 p.m .: Almost 800 infections in Germany

The number of infected people in Germany has risen from 684 to 795. The 795 is the number of officially reported sick people by Saturday, 3 p.m., the Robert Koch Institute announced in the early evening. The number 684 came from Saturday, 8 a.m.

3:19 p.m .: 99 students and 10 supervisors from Hesse in quarantine

For fear of being infected with the corona virus, 99 students and 10 supervisors from southern Hesse had to stay at home after returning from a class trip in South Tyrol. “All participants in the travel group were quarantined for 14 days as a precaution,” said the Martin Luther School in Rimbach (Bergstrasse district). For all relatives of those affected, measures for individual cases were determined by the health department in personal discussions.

The tour group with seventh graders set out for the skiing holiday in Ahrntal last week. A student and an accompanying person have been showing symptoms of flu since Wednesday, as the Bergstrasse district had announced. Rimbach is a municipality in this district. As a precautionary measure, the health department ordered all participants to quarantine after their return on Friday evening.

"The health department tried to organize a sample at the travel destination. Unfortunately, this did not happen in the short time until the return journey," said the Bergstrasse district. The quarantine is purely a precautionary measure. "We expect the results (of the tests) at the weekend." After all the results are available, the situation will be reassessed in consultation with the Hessian Ministry of Social Affairs, it said.

3:06 p.m.: Another Diamond Princess passenger died

Another passenger on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is quarantined in Japan, has died as a result of an infection with the corona virus. This increases the death toll to a total of seven, reports the Japanese broadcaster NHK. The "Diamond Princess" has been moored in the port of Yokohama for weeks. The fatality is a man who is not from Japan.

1:29 p.m .: Slight increase in corona virus in NRW: firefighter infected

In Düsseldorf, a firefighter tested positive for the novel corona virus. The city announced that the man came from the Heinsberg district most affected by the corona virus in NRW. However, the state capital assured: “The Düsseldorf fire brigade is still fully able to guarantee all operational functions, an interruption of service at the affected fire and rescue station is not necessary.”

The firefighter is only slightly ill and is already on the mend, but is in quarantine at home, as are eleven contacts. Meanwhile, according to the NRW Ministry of Health, the nationwide number of confirmed infections rose to 377 from Friday afternoon to Saturday morning (as of 11:30 a.m.). NRW is the country most affected.

1:27 p.m .: Head of Italy’s ruling party PD tested positive

The leader of Italy's co-governing Social Democrats, Nicola Zingaretti, has contracted the coronavirus. "I too have the corona virus," says the head of the Partito Democratico (PD) in a video distributed on Facebook. He self-quarantined at home. All people with whom he has had contact in the past few days have been informed so that they can be examined. He's fine, says Zingaretti.

Italy is the country with the most cases in Europe. By Friday, 4,636 infections were known, and 197 people died from the lung disease caused by the virus.

12.47 p.m .: Another corona case in Hamburg – 13 infections so far

In Hamburg, the number of infections with the corona virus has risen to 13. Another case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 was confirmed on Saturday night, the health authority said. The infected person is in isolation at home with mild symptoms and is doing well. The person concerned is a contact person of an infected person who was isolated the day before and who had been in northern Italy.

"The situation in Hamburg has not changed, as in the last few days, even with the now total of 13 cases," said the authority. Four new SARS-CoV-2 infections were confirmed on Friday, three of which had returned to the Hanseatic city from northern Italy.

12:21 p.m .: Quarantine for children returning home from risk areas

The Bavarian Ministry of Health is tightening the rules to contain the new type of corona virus in schools and day-care centers. According to a so-called general decree, pupils and kindergarten children are not allowed to go to school or to a corresponding care facility for 14 days after returning from risk areas - such as South Tyrol. The ministry announced this on Saturday.

10.08 a.m .: Students from Gelsenkirchen in quarantine after returning from South Tyrol

After their return from South Tyrol, home quarantine was ordered for twelve students from a school in Gelsenkirchen and their four companions. The city of Gelsenkirchen announced that five girls and boys had slight symptoms during an initial examination on Friday evening. Those affected should be examined further on Saturday. South Tyrol is considered a corona risk area.

10:07 a.m .: The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 684

In Germany, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases rose to 684 as of Saturday morning. This was announced by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in Berlin. The number of cases has increased by 45 since Friday afternoon. North Rhine-Westphalia still has by far the most cases: there are 346 infections detected there. According to the RKI, there were 117 cases in Bavaria and 116 in Baden-Württemberg.

In many other federal states, there were only isolated cases. So far, Saxony-Anhalt is the only country from which no confirmed coronavirus infection has been reported.

9:53 a.m.: First coronavirus deaths on US East Coast

The US health authorities have reported deaths from the novel coronavirus on the east coast of the country for the first time. Two people died in the state of Florida from the lung disease Covid-19 caused by the pathogen, the Florida Department of Health announced. This brings the total number of deaths from the coronavirus in the United States to 16.

According to the ministry, the two deceased coronavirus patients had been abroad before they were infected. There are a total of twelve proven cases of infection in the southeastern US state.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the United States is now more than 200. Before the two deaths in Florida, a total of 14 people were infected in the west coast states of Washington and California, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University Covid-19 died.

7.40 a.m .: So far 21 infected people on a cruise ship off the US coast

At least 21 people have been infected with the novel corona virus on a cruise ship stopped off the coast of California. US Vice President Mike Pence said in Washington that 46 people on board the "Grand Princess" had been tested. The test was positive for 21 of them – for 19 crew members and 2 passengers. The ship should now be brought to a non-commercial port. In a next step, all people on board should be tested and quarantined in the event of a possible infection.

The authorities stopped the ship about 100 kilometers off the coast of California after the death of a previous passenger due to coronavirus. Four former passengers had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after a previous trip on the ship, it said.

US soldiers had previously brought coronavirus test kits to the cruise ship in a costly operation: According to media reports, members of the National Guard abseiled down from a helicopter to bring the material on board. The samples were later flown to a laboratory. A total of around 2,400 passengers and 1,100 crew members are said to be on board.

7.27 a.m .: Söder calls for a corona emergency concept for the economy

In view of the spreading corona virus, the federal government should develop an emergency concept for affected companies from the point of view of CSU boss Markus Söder. "The corona virus must not result in a second financial crisis. We don't want a corona shock for the German economy," said the Bavarian Prime Minister. Possible measures included guarantees, tax deferrals and “very important” short-time work benefits. "This is necessary so that there is no significant damage to the German economy."

On Sunday evening, Söder therefore wants to advocate a "clever concept" at the meeting of the leaders of the Union and SPD with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) in the Chancellery: "The federal government must not leave the economy and the employees alone."

7.12 a.m .: Coronavirus test for school groups in Potsdam

A large group of students and teachers from Potsdam is expected at the health department on Saturday immediately after returning from a skiing holiday in South Tyrol. 69 young people from three schools, 17 accompanying persons and two bus drivers will be tested for infection with the new type of corona virus after their arrival (7 a.m.) as a precautionary measure. The test results should be available by Wednesday at the latest.

7:01 a.m.: US Secretary of State Pompeo calls coronavirus the "Wuhan virus"

Despite China's anger, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has given the novel coronavirus a different name: "Wuhan virus". On Friday he used the term for the second time in a row. In an interview with CNBC, Pompeo said of the epidemic and Beijing's response, "I'm glad you praised the Chinese Communist Party today, but remember that the Wuhan coronavirus caused it."

On Thursday, Pompeo said his country is providing $37 million in aid to other states suffering from the "spread of the Wuhan virus."

6.03 a.m .: Spahn calls on citizens to avoid risk areas and NRW

Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) has called on citizens to avoid corona risk areas. Unnecessary trips to particularly affected regions in Italy, but also in North Rhine-Westphalia, should be avoided, said Spahn on Friday on the sidelines of the meeting of EU health ministers in Brussels. However, the borders in the European Union should remain open. The CDU politician also appealed to citizens not to stock up on masks or protective clothing, but to leave them for doctors and nurses.

Federal citizens should now also refrain from unnecessary trips to South Tyrol. The Federal Foreign Office expanded the relevant travel advice for Italy, as a spokesman confirmed on Friday. Unnecessary trips to the province of South Tyrol and the regions of Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna as well as to the city of Vo in the province of Padua are now advised against. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has also classified regions in China, South Korea and Iran as risk areas.

Friday, March 6, 10:10 p.m.: Media: Truck load with respiratory masks for Charité in Berlin stolen

According to a media report, a complete truckload of respiratory masks that had been ordered was stolen from the Charité clinic in Berlin. Some clinic areas could run out of masks as early as Monday, the RBB reported on Friday, citing Charité circles. According to this, unknown persons stole part of the 60,000 respiratory masks ordered.

The large-scale theft is making work at various stations much more difficult and endangering human lives, it said on Friday. If masks are actually missing from Monday, for example, patients in the children's cancer ward whose immune system has been weakened after chemotherapy should no longer be able to leave their rooms. Doctors and nurses are not allowed to enter these rooms without masks.

According to the report, there are also significant risks for patients infected with the novel coronavirus. In emergency rooms and rescue centers, like other patients with multi-resistant germs, they should not have direct contact with the doctors and nurses and would have to be turned away.

9:13 p.m.: First case of coronavirus in Colombia

The virus has also arrived in Colombia. The South American country reports its first confirmed case. The Ministry of Health announced that a 19-year-old person was affected.

9.01pm: Facebook is temporarily closing offices in London due to coronavirus

Internet company Facebook is temporarily closing its London offices after an employee tested positive for the coronavirus. Facebook said it was an employee from Singapore who was visiting London at the end of February. "We are closing our London offices until Monday for a deep clean," a spokesman said, according to the British PA news agency.

Employees have been asked to work from home until then. Anyone who has come into contact with the colleague concerned is asked to isolate themselves in their own apartment as a precaution. According to media reports, Facebook employs around 3,000 people in the British capital. The number of confirmed infections with the novel pathogen SARS-CoV-2 in Great Britain rose to 163 on Friday.

8:28 p.m .: France announces school closures

In the fight against the Covid-19 epidemic, France has announced the closure of schools in two particularly affected departments - one of which is directly on the border with Germany. As Prime Minister Édouard Philippe announced in Paris on Friday evening, the new measures apply to the Haut-Rhin district in southern Alsace and the l'Oise district in the north of the country.

Crèches, kindergartens, secondary schools or high schools are to remain closed for two weeks in the two departments from this Monday. So far, the central Paris government had refrained from closing schools on a large scale during the health crisis. Philippe said schools are not particularly dangerous places, but children can transmit the disease.

7:08 p.m .: The number of virus infections in Germany rises to over 600

The number of coronavirus cases in Germany rises to 639. This was announced by the Robert Koch Institute in the evening. The day before, the institute had counted 400 cases. Most of the diseases were therefore registered in North Rhine-Westphalia with 329 diseases.

6:53 p.m .: In Italy, the number of virus deaths rises to 197

In Italy, the number of virus deaths increases by 49 to 197 cases within 24 hours. The authorities count 4,636 infected people. On Thursday there were still 3,858. The epidemic is concentrated in a few areas in the north of the country.

6.20 p.m .: Ministry of Transport lifts Sunday driving ban for trucks

The Federal Ministry of Transport is lifting the Sunday driving ban for trucks by April 5th. This is intended to counteract possible bottlenecks due to hamster purchases, according to a statement by the ministry. The ministry thus confirms a report by the "Saarbrücker Zeitung".

5:39 p.m .: WHO sees no shortage of medicines due to coronavirus

Despite the coronavirus outbreak, the supply of the most important medicines is not at risk worldwide. This applies even though many components are manufactured in China and production there was temporarily interrupted, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Friday.

"WHO is working closely with industry associations, regulators and other partners to monitor the risks, but we have not identified any specific imminent shortage," said Tedros. "Many manufacturers have alternative sources for the ingredients, or they had stocks that they can use now. Manufacturing has restarted in almost all regions of China, although there are still challenges."

In some countries there is a lack of ventilators or oxygen supply systems. This could save lives. The WHO is in contact with several foundations to help countries that do not have enough material.

According to Tedros, 20 vaccines are now in development to fight the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The WHO also received applications for testing and approval of 40 tests.

Tedros appealed to all countries to continue to contain the virus with the known measures: actively search, test, isolate, treat and monitor everyone else who came into contact with those who might be affected. "Slowing down the epidemic saves lives," Tedros said. "This gives us time to prepare and for research and development."

5.30 p.m .: UN climate conference postponed due to corona virus

Due to the spread of the novel corona virus, a UN climate conference in Uganda will be postponed at short notice. Around 2,000 participants, journalists and observers wanted to travel to the Africa Climate Week in Kampala from April 20 to 24, as the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat announced in Bonn on Friday. The reason is a postponement by the Ugandan Ministry of Health, according to which participants from countries severely affected by the virus should first be quarantined. The conference is to be rescheduled at a later date. The meeting was intended to show African states how they can meet the goal agreed at the World Climate Conference in Paris of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees if possible.

4.32 p.m .: No school trips to corona risk areas

The Saxony Ministry of Education prohibits class trips to coronavirus risk areas. The ministry announced on Friday that school management should cancel class trips, student exchanges and study trips to risk areas by the end of April. School trips to Italy, China or South Korea are also prohibited. Cancellation costs would be borne by the Free State.

Local health authorities decide whether students returning from risk areas should be placed in home quarantine as a precaution. Then the local school decides how they will continue to be taught - whether they will be given tasks via the Internet. School trips to non-risk areas are still possible.

4:28 p.m.: Greece confirms 14 new coronavirus cases

Greece confirmed 14 new coronavirus cases on Friday. According to the Ministry of Health in Athens, eleven of them belonged to a travel group that had returned from a trip to Israel and Egypt at the end of February. The three other newly infected people were therefore infected by participants in the travel group.

This means that 45 people in Greece have now been infected with the novel corona virus, including 34 participants in the travel group.

4.25 p.m .: The Lufthansa Group is canceling even more flights

Due to the slump in demand as a result of the corona virus, the Lufthansa Group is cutting its flight schedule even further. The company announced on Friday that capacity would be reduced by up to 50 percent in the coming weeks. Here you can read more about it.

4 p.m.: Mark cracked – more than 100,000 infected worldwide

The number of people who have contracted the coronavirus worldwide has passed the 100,000 mark. In Germany alone, more than 500 people in 15 federal states are affected. Only in Saxony-Anhalt, according to the Robert Koch Institute, has there been no confirmed case. Saxony meanwhile reported a second case. It is a man from Leipzig. He was previously traveling in Italy.

3.34 p.m .: Because of the corona virus: the federal government is not planning any cell phone data evaluation

The federal government has expressed skepticism about the use of location data from mobile phones to contain the new corona virus. There are no such plans, said a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health on Friday in Berlin. The Ministry of the Interior explained that location data evaluations can be used to determine the respective radio cell in which a telephone was located at a time. However, it is difficult to imagine that it would be possible to deduce who was in contact with whom and who was not.

Scientists are also considering cell phone data in virus containment strategies. They could reveal something about the range of movement and contacts of infected people or prevent someone from being quarantined without authorization. The President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, explained that something like this would be technically possible. The question, however, is how a possible use is to be classified ethically, morally, legally and in terms of data protection.

3.30 p.m .: Sudden increase in infected people in Switzerland – army is ready

Switzerland sees itself "on the verge of an epidemic wave" with the rapidly increasing number of coronavirus infections. By Friday, SARS-CoV-2 had been detected in 210 people, as Daniel Koch, head of the department for communicable diseases at the Federal Office of Public Health, announced. On Thursday evening it was still under 90. A woman died of the infection on Thursday. The cantons could apply for help from the army, Health and Interior Minister Alain Berset said. According to an army spokesman, four hospital battalions are ready.

The government issued new guidelines: From now on, medical practices and hospitals should primarily look after people who are particularly at risk: people over 65, people with chronic respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases or diabetes and those whose immune system has been weakened by therapy. In these people, Covid-19 can take a life-threatening course.

2.45 p.m .: Mobile Corona units in use in Saarland

In Saarland, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians has deployed several mobile teams to visit patients to carry out coronavirus tests. This is intended to discourage them from going to practices. Anyone who suspects that they have been infected with the virus should first call the family doctor's office. But most of them still just go – the practices are overflowing. When an informed practice can identify indicators that warrant testing, a team is sent to the patient. The employees take a swab and bring it to the laboratory. They forward the result to the practice and the health department.

The mobile force has already been requested more than a dozen times.

1:15 p.m.: Egyptian TV: twelve cases on Nile cruise ship

Egypt's Ministry of Health reports 12 cases of coronavirus on a Nile cruise ship, state television reports. The ship is on its way from Luxor towards the city of Aswan in the south of the country.

12.45 p.m .: After closing due to Corona: Gymnasium opens again

The high school in Pößneck (Saale-Orla district), which was closed due to suspected corona, will resume classes on Monday. "The situation allows us to make this decision responsibly," said the head of the crisis team in the district office, Torsten Bossert. The test results of 180 contact persons of a man (57) infected with the corona virus in the Saale-Orla district are currently being evaluated. Those affected should first be informed of the result. But it is already clear that the high school can reopen.

12.45 p.m .: Lufthansa offers free rebookings

The airlines in the Lufthansa Group have now significantly reduced their flight schedule due to the corona virus. Travelers can now rebook free of charge. Here you can read more about it.

12.40 p.m .: The Foreign Office is tightening travel advice for South Tyrol

The Federal Foreign Office currently advises against unnecessary travel to the Italian regions of South Tyrol, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy and to the city of Vo in the province of Padua in the Veneto region.

12:35 p.m .: The number of infected people in Iran is skyrocketing

According to the Ministry of Health, 4,747 people are now infected in Iran, 1,234 more than the day before. The number of deaths has increased by 17 to 124 in the last 24 hours.

12.30 p.m .: Spahn still considers travel restrictions in the EU to be inappropriate

Despite the rapid spread of SARS-CoV-2, Health Minister Jens Spahn is against travel restrictions within the European Union. "I would still not find any measure that leads to the restriction of travel across the border to be appropriate, given what we know about the virus today," said the CDU politician on Friday before a special EU meeting in Brussels. "And if we had a consensus today, I think that would be an important signal."

12.10 p.m .: Second infection with coronavirus detected in Saxony

A man from Leipzig tested positive for the corona virus on Thursday evening. The patient, who was previously on vacation in South Tyrol, was immediately isolated, the Ministry of Health announced on Friday. The most important contact persons have already been identified. The man's health is stable.

On Monday, the first infection with the novel corona virus was detected in Saxony. It was a 67-year-old pensioner from the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district. He had previously been to Italy with a group of bus travelers.

The entrance to the Leipzig University Hospital: The city reports the first infected person. (Source: imago images)

South Tyrol was classified as a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Thursday evening. In addition, the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy and the city of Vo in the province of Padua in the Veneto region are also considered risk areas - as are regions in China, South Korea and Iran. On Friday morning, the number of confirmed infections in Germany was 534, as the RKI announced.

12.05 p.m .: First virus patient in Slovakia

There is a virus patient in Slovakia. Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini announced that a 52-year-old was in a clinic in the capital Bratislava with mild symptoms. The man had not been traveling, but his son had recently visited Venice. The son, in turn, shows no symptoms.

12 noon: Covid-19 revives demand for relocation of the European Parliament

The Covid-19 disease has reignited the debate about the seat of the European Parliament. Parliament President David Sassoli decided on Thursday evening to hold the next plenary session in Brussels instead of in Strasbourg to avoid health risks. That should always be the case, said the chairman of the SPD MEPs, Jens Geier, on Friday: "The traveling circus of the European Parliament between Brussels and Strasbourg must stop," demanded Geier, who is also a deputy member of the Parliament's Budget Committee. When travelling, the risk of infection is high.

11.40 a.m .: Advisor to Iran's foreign minister dies after being infected with coronavirus

An advisor to Iran's foreign minister has died after contracting the coronavirus. Hussein Scheicholeslam, "a veteran and revolutionary diplomat," died on Thursday at the age of 67, the state news agency IRNA said on Friday. Before his death, Shaycholeslam was an advisor to Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif. As a student, he took part in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

In Iran, more than 3,500 infections with the novel corona virus have been confirmed so far, and more than a hundred people have died there from the lung disease Covid-19 caused by the virus. Officials say at least six politicians and government officials are among the dead.

Schools and universities across the country have been closed and major cultural and sporting events have been canceled until further notice. In addition, the working hours of the employees were reduced in order to curb the spread of the corona virus, which has now spread to all 31 provinces of the country.

11.20 am: First death in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, an 86-year-old died of the coronavirus in a hospital in Rotterdam. This is reported by the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/rivm/status/1235869710362673153?s=20

10.58 a.m .: Return from a class trip to South Tyrol: 26 people have to be in quarantine

Because some students caught a cold while skiing in South Tyrol, the whole travel group had to be in quarantine at home for two weeks. The 23 12th graders and three teachers from a high school in Hoya (Nienburg/Weser district) are returning from a class trip in Italy at the weekend, as a district spokesman said. Cases of the new type of corona virus have been detected in the region, and some students also showed "the common cold symptoms for skiing holidays". First, the "district newspaper" had reported.

The fact that students and teachers are not allowed to leave the house for 14 days after their return is purely a precautionary measure - there is no concrete suspicion of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen. Despite the quarantine order, the parents of the students are allowed to move around freely, as the spokesman emphasized: "It should be ensured that the young people stay in their room as much as possible."

10:35 a.m.: First case of coronavirus in the Vatican

There is a first virus infected person in Vatican City. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said it was a patient at a health facility. The infection was confirmed on Thursday. The Italian health authorities have been informed.

10.30 a.m .: Robert Koch Institute declares South Tyrol a risk area

The Berlin Robert Koch Institute has declared South Tyrol a risk area. RKI President Lothar Wieler justifies this with the number of infections and the dynamics of the spread of the corona virus in the northern Italian region.

10.15 a.m .: President of the Robert Koch Institute: The peak of the epidemic in Germany has not yet been reached

The spread of the corona virus has not yet reached its peak in Germany with 534 cases of infection according to the Robert Koch Institute in Berlin. “We cannot say when the peak will be reached. We want to delay it for as long as possible,” says RKI President Lothar Wieler. "We must do everything we can to slow down the spread of the virus." In Germany there is a continuous increase: "It will continue in the coming days and weeks."

10:00 a.m.: Quarantine ended – 15 returnees from China not infected

The quarantine of 15 returnees from China in Kirchheim unter Teck (Esslingen district) was lifted after two weeks. "We are very relieved that the corona virus could not be detected in any of the returnees," said the President of the German Red Cross, Gerda Hasselfeldt. "Everyone is happy that they were able to leave the isolation."

The five children and ten adults returned in February from the Chinese province of Hubei, which was particularly affected by the new type of corona virus, and landed at Stuttgart Airport. They had all tested negative for the new SARS-CoV-2 virus in China. To be on the safe side, they still had to remain isolated in a side wing of a hotel.

Helicopter approaching the "Grand Princess": The cruise ship is supplied with virus tests from the air. (Source: Uncredited / California National Guard / dpa)

9.30 a.m .: Cruise ship off San Francisco is supplied with virus tests by helicopter

With a spectacular action, US soldiers brought coronavirus test kits to a cruise ship off San Francisco. According to media reports, members of the National Guard abseiled from a helicopter to bring the material on board the "Grand Princess" on Thursday (local time). The samples were later flown to a laboratory. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that around 45 of the approximately 3,500 people on board had been tested for the virus. Results are expected on Friday.

The authorities stopped the cruise ship around 100 kilometers off the coast of California after the death of a previous passenger from the coronavirus. Four former passengers had tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 after a previous trip on the ship, it said. Around 20 people on board the "Grand Princess" are currently showing cold-like symptoms.

Before the ship can dock in San Francisco as planned, the results of the tests must be awaited, said California Governor Gavin Newsom. A total of around 2,400 passengers and 1,100 crew members are said to be on board.

9.25 a.m .: Düsseldorf teacher infected with corona virus – other teachers also call in sick

Unusual process at a comprehensive school in Düsseldorf: After the novel corona virus was detected in a teacher, school operations should continue. But then so many teachers called in sick that the school had to remain closed on Friday.

On Wednesday, the Dieter Forte Comprehensive School announced on its website: "The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has been detected in a teacher at our school." After an intensive examination, however, the health department decided that only students in a study group and some contact persons should stay at home: “So the lessons continue.”

One day later, on Thursday, the school management wrote on the Internet: "Due to a large number of sick teachers, the scheduled lessons on Friday, March 6th, 2020 cannot be organized. The students therefore have a study day at home - There are no classes at school." It was initially unclear how many teachers called in sick and when school operations can resume.

8:05 a.m.: Authorities seal off Bethlehem due to coronavirus

To protect against the novel corona virus, Israel has cordoned off the city of Bethlehem. All Israelis and Palestinians "are forbidden to enter or leave the city," the Israeli Defense Ministry said on Friday. The decision was said to have been coordinated with the Palestinian Authority. Bethlehem is in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This had already been closed to tourists on Thursday.

The Palestinian Authority said no tourists would be allowed into the West Bank for 14 days starting Friday. In addition, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has been temporarily closed.

According to the Palestinian authorities, seven cases of the virus were registered in the Bethlehem area on Thursday. The authorities imposed a state of emergency for 30 days and banned large gatherings of people.

7.12 a.m .: Medical officer: Dealing with measles more difficult

For a Berlin medical officer, large measles outbreaks in the capital have so far been more difficult to handle than the new corona virus. The search for possibly infected measles patients was "much more complicated," said Patrick Larscheid, medical officer in the Berlin district of Reinickendorf, the German Press Agency. Because many people were only temporarily in Berlin. "We had language barriers, we had barriers of understanding. That was complex." The current situation in Berlin "is far from having reached this dimension".

If an infection with the new corona virus becomes known, doctors start looking for so-called contact persons. The more people get infected, the higher the number of possible other infected people. They, too, may then have to be quarantined at home – or go to a clinic if their symptoms are severe. In Berlin, 13 infections were known by Thursday evening. In addition, there are now several hundred contacts.

From Larscheid's point of view, identifying contact persons will not initially become a problem, even with an increasing number of cases of coronavirus infections: "It is time-consuming, but not difficult," said the doctor. "It's just that I gradually get more and more people to join me. I can do that for a while, and that's also daily business for us."

Berlin doctors are familiar with such a situation, among other things due to the large measles outbreak in 2014 and 2015. "There were also numerous contact persons to be found. And in the case of measles, in contrast to this story, they are significantly more contagious here."

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5.07 a.m .: GfK: Sales of ready-made soups more than doubled - hamster purchases

Apparently, out of fear of the corona virus, Germans have made massive hamster purchases of canned goods and non-perishable foods in the past week. The Nuremberg research institute GfK determined that sales of ready-made soups in the food retail sector increased by 112 percent compared to the previous week. "We don't have such rashes anywhere else," said GfK expert Robert Kecskes of the German Press Agency.

In the case of canned fish and fruit, the increase was 70 percent each, and 73 percent for pasta such as noodles. Canned vegetables even went up by 80 percent. The entire food retail trade recorded an increase of 14 percent across all goods last week.

The situation means the opportunity for strong sales increases for retailers, but also poses challenges. Ordering goods for the next few weeks proved difficult. It is possible that after the fear of the virus has subsided, people would be more interested in fresh products, said Kecskes. "However, if the fear of quarantine in your own four walls remains high, an increase in demand for fresh products will be delayed," he said.

5.02 a.m .: Higher contributions for private patients unlikely due to Corona

According to industry experts, there is no premium increase in private health insurance due to the corona virus. "I think it is unlikely that the premium will be adjusted as of January 1, 2021 solely because of the virus," said Guido Bader, CEO of the German Actuary Association (DAV). "The benefits in private health insurance for cases of the new type of lung disease have so far been comparable to those of a stronger flu epidemic," explained the actuary.

Such developments are priced into the premiums and backed accordingly with risk capital. Whether the premiums may increase for other reasons depends on the respective tariff and cannot be foreseen at the moment. Bader also sees no major risks for life insurance from a possible increase in deaths from lung disease. "Life insurers can easily cover these risks," said Bader.

The industry is particularly concerned about interest rate developments on the capital markets as a result of the new type of corona virus. "The recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and possibly similar steps by the ECB are hurting us even more in the low-interest phase," said Bader. "The investment emergency is making life insurers increasingly difficult again." This puts a greater strain on the industry than a possible increase in deaths. In the years of low interest rates, life insurers are finding it increasingly difficult to earn the high commitments of the past.

5 a.m.: DIW boss demands rapid commitment to the economic stimulus program

The President of the German Institute for Economic Research, Marcel Fratzscher, is calling on the federal government to make a quick decision on an economic stimulus program because of the coronavirus epidemic. "Restoring trust requires strong signals. This includes a long-term investment program," Fratzscher told the editorial network Germany (Friday editions) according to a preliminary report. "Companies and consumers need to know: It will be tough in the next few months, but in the long term we can be sure that there will be a boost." In the short term, it would be important to relieve consumers, for example by lowering VAT. "It is now time for an economic stimulus package. It is better to act early than late."

4 a.m.: EU health ministers advise – 400 cases nationwide

In view of the spread of the new corona virus, the EU health ministers are convening for another special meeting in Brussels. The aim of the consultations, in which Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) also takes part, is close coordination. According to the EU authority ECDC, around 4,200 infections were registered in Europe by Thursday evening. Italy is particularly affected, with 148 dead and more than 3,800 infected, according to civil protection. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), infections have so far been detected in 400 people in Germany.

The 27 EU countries had already agreed on a joint approach in mid-February. At that time, they agreed that passengers from areas with the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen could be interviewed when entering Europe. But how the epidemic is dealt with differs in the individual countries. Italy, for example, has closed all schools, which is rejected as excessive in Germany. The EU itself has hardly any powers in health policy, that is a matter for the member states.

Several European countries reported an increase in SARS-CoV-2 detections on Thursday. In Switzerland and Great Britain, a first death was known. According to the Ministry of Health, 423 people were infected in France and seven people have died so far.

US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence in the White House: Trump encourages US citizens with the corona virus but no symptoms to go to work. (Source: AP/dpa)

3.50 a.m .: Trump gives wrong advice on Corona

Despite the spread of the corona virus in the USA, US President Donald Trump continues to shake hands with supporters. He is generally not a friend of shaking hands, Trump said on Fox News. Referring to his followers, however, he added: "They want to shake your hand, they want to say hello, they want to hug you, they want to kiss you, whatever. You have to do it."

The President stressed that it was unimaginable to stand in front of a group of Trump supporters and not shake hands with anyone. But he also added: "If ever there was a time to convince people not to shake hands, this might be it."

Earlier in a telephone interview with Fox News, he suggested that people with mild cold symptoms could still go to work without worrying. He later made it clear on Twitter that he did not mean people infected with corona.

5.07 a.m .: GfK: Sales of ready-made soups more than doubled - hamster purchases

Apparently, out of fear of the corona virus, the Germans have made massive hamster purchases of canned goods and non-perishable foods in the past week. The Nuremberg research institute GfK determined that sales of ready-made soups in the food retail sector increased by 112 percent compared to the previous week. "We don't have such rashes anywhere else," said GfK expert Robert Kecskes of the German Press Agency.

In the case of canned fish and fruit, the increase was 70 percent each, and 73 percent for pasta such as noodles. Canned vegetables even went up by 80 percent. The entire food retail trade recorded an increase of 14 percent across all goods last week.

The situation means the opportunity for strong sales increases for retailers, but also poses challenges. Ordering goods for the next few weeks proved difficult. It is possible that after the fear of the virus has subsided, people would be more interested in fresh products, said Kecskes. "However, if the fear of quarantine in your own four walls remains high, an increase in demand for fresh products will be delayed," he said.

5.02 a.m .: Higher contributions for private patients due to Corona unlikely

According to industry experts, there is no premium increase in private health insurance due to the corona virus. "I think it is unlikely that the premium will be adjusted as of January 1, 2021 solely because of the virus," said Guido Bader, CEO of the German Actuary Association (DAV). "The benefits in private health insurance for cases of the new type of lung disease have so far been comparable to those of a stronger flu epidemic," explained the actuary.

Such developments are priced into the premiums and backed accordingly with risk capital. Whether the premiums may increase for other reasons depends on the respective tariff and cannot be foreseen at the moment. Bader also sees no major risks for life insurance from a possible increase in deaths from lung disease. "Life insurers can easily cover these risks," said Bader.

The industry is particularly concerned about interest rate developments on the capital markets as a result of the new type of corona virus. "The recent interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and possibly similar steps by the ECB are hurting us even more in the low-interest phase," said Bader. "The investment emergency is making life insurers increasingly difficult again." This puts a greater strain on the industry than a possible increase in deaths. In the years of low interest rates, life insurers are finding it increasingly difficult to earn the high commitments of the past.

5 a.m.: DIW boss calls for rapid commitment to economic stimulus program

The President of the German Institute for Economic Research, Marcel Fratzscher, is demanding that the federal government make a quick decision on an economic stimulus program because of the coronavirus epidemic. "Restoring trust requires strong signals. This includes a long-term investment program," Fratzscher told the editorial network Germany (Friday editions) according to a preliminary report. "Companies and consumers need to know: It will be tough in the next few months, but in the long term we can be sure that there will be a boost." In the short term, it would be important to relieve consumers, for example by lowering VAT. "It is now time for an economic stimulus package. It is better to act early than late."

4 o'clock: EU health ministers discuss - 400 cases nationwide

In view of the spread of the new corona virus, the EU health ministers are coming together for another special meeting in Brussels. The aim of the consultations, in which Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) also takes part, is close coordination. According to the EU authority ECDC, around 4,200 infections were registered in Europe by Thursday evening. Italy is particularly affected, with 148 dead and more than 3,800 infected, according to civil protection. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), infections have so far been detected in 400 people in Germany.

The 27 EU countries had already agreed on a joint approach in mid-February. At that time, they agreed that passengers from areas with the Sars-CoV-2 pathogen could be questioned when entering Europe. But how the epidemic is dealt with differs in the individual countries. Italy, for example, has closed all schools, which is rejected as excessive in Germany. The EU itself has hardly any powers in health policy, that is a matter for the member states.

Several European countries reported an increase in Sars-CoV-2 detections on Thursday. In Switzerland and Great Britain, a first death was known. According to the Ministry of Health, 423 people were infected in France and seven people have died so far. The Paris marathon planned for early April will be postponed due to the epidemic.

The virus is also a topic at the largest emergency medicine congress in the German-speaking world on Friday: In Koblenz, more than 1,000 emergency doctors and rescue workers will discuss it and the planned reorganization of emergency care in Germany.

3.55 a.m .: Full moon party in Thailand canceled due to corona virus

Because of the new corona virus, the full moon party on the Thai island of Koh Phangan, which is popular with tourists, has been canceled until further notice. This is to prevent the virus from spreading, as the Interior Ministry announced on Thursday. The next party would have been on Sunday. Thousands of backpackers regularly attend the wild full moon celebrations.

It is not yet clear to what extent Songkran, Thailand's New Year celebrations in mid-April, will be affected by the new lung disease Covid-19. Wild water fights are part of Songkran. Some local events have already been cancelled.

3 a.m.: Number of infections rises to over 6,000 in South Korea

The number of Sars-CoV-2 infections in South Korea has risen to more than 6,000. The health authorities announced on Friday that 518 other cases were recorded on Thursday. The total number thus reached 6,248. The number of deaths associated with the novel corona virus rose by seven to 42. No other country outside of China, where the lung disease Covid-19 first broke out in late December, has reported more cases of infection.

Again, most of the new infections have been diagnosed in the southeastern city of Daegu and surrounding region, which is at the center of the outbreak in South Korea. Almost 4,700 cases have been recorded in Daegu alone. There, the greatest accumulation occurs among followers of the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which also has connections to China. However, according to the authorities, the focus of the virus tests is now on the other citizens of the city in view of the rapid spread in the municipalities.

2.40 a.m .: Despite the corona virus: Trump continues to shake hands with supporters

Despite the spread of the novel corona virus in the USA, US President Donald Trump continues to shake hands with supporters. He is generally not a friend of shaking hands, Trump said on Thursday evening (local time) on Fox News. Referring to his followers, however, he added: "They want to shake your hand, they want to say hello, they want to hug you, they want to kiss you, whatever. You have to do it." The President stressed that it was unimaginable to stand in front of a group of Trump fans and not shake hands with anyone. But he also added: "If ever there was a time to convince people not to shake hands, this might be it."

2.39 a.m .: China’s authorities report 143 new coronavirus cases

According to official information, 143 new infections were detected in China on Thursday after 139 the day before. In addition, 30 more deaths were registered after 31 on Wednesday. The capital Beijing had previously announced four new cases of infection - all originating in Italy.

2.03 a.m : China suspends certain environmental regulations in the fight against the epidemic

China's environment ministry has announced that it will suspend environmental assessments for "urgently needed" projects to fight the epidemic. An assessment of possible consequences for the environment is usually part of the approval process.

1:14 a.m .: Expert survey - economic growth in China halved

According to experts, the coronavirus epidemic should have roughly halved Chinese economic growth in the current quarter. The consequences would be more serious than previously expected. In this quarter, growth will probably fall to 3.5 percent after 6.0 percent in the previous quarter, according to a March 3-5 Reuters poll of more than 40 economists in and outside of the People's Republic. In mid-February, the experts were still expecting growth of 4.5 percent on average.

Friday, March 6th, 00.10: French MEP infected with coronavirus

A French MEP has tested positive for the coronovirus. The National Assembly announced this without naming a name. Two employees of Parliament are also infected. By Thursday evening, 423 cases had been reported in France, 138 more than the previous day. Seven people have died.

Thursday, 11.45 p.m.: Corona virus overshadows Opec meeting

The Opec oil cartel wants to react to the economic consequences of the new corona virus with a significant reduction in crude oil production. The responsible ministers of the 14 member states made it clear on Thursday in Vienna that they are aiming for a reduction of 1.5 million barrels (159 liters each) of oil per day by the end of the year. The OPEC countries are to save one million barrels per day, the other 500,000 barrels the ten cooperation partners, including Russia. Whether the partners agree is still uncertain. The ball is now mostly in Russia's hands. Negotiations will continue in the "Opec+" round on Friday.

The targeted reduction would correspond to around 1.5 percent of global crude oil production and would be a clear signal from the "Opec+" association, which has been trying to stabilize the oil price with production limits for three years. Initially, the Opec countries had agreed on a cut only until the end of June, only late Thursday evening in negotiations after the actual meeting was it agreed to extend the strategy proposal to the entire year 2020.

It was only at the beginning of December 2019 that the 24 countries decided on a total reduction of 2.1 million barrels compared to October 2018 - but the spread of the new type of corona virus in particular subsequently meant that any effect was lost. Opec currently produces around 28.9 million barrels of oil per day, together with the ten cooperation partners it is around 45 million barrels per day.

Because despite the new limit and additional production losses in Libya, oil has become significantly cheaper since January: At the turn of the year, the price for a barrel of North Sea Brent was more than 65 US dollars, on Thursday morning it was below 52 US dollars . Even the announcement of renewed funding cuts on Thursday did not initially allow the price to climb. It is therefore difficult to predict how the OPEC decisions will affect petrol prices, for example.

11:20 p.m.: 16 members of a family in Algeria infected with coronavirus

In Algeria, 16 members of a family have been infected with the novel coronavirus. Overall, the pathogen has now been confirmed in 17 people in the country, the Ministry of Health in Algiers announced on Thursday evening. This makes Algeria the country most affected by the virus in Africa.

The path of infection for the family from Blida, about 50 kilometers south of Algiers, has already been clarified: in mid-February, they received a visit from an 83-year-old Algerian and his daughter, both of whom live in France. After returning to France, the two of them were diagnosed with the corona virus - then also with the 16 members of the family in Blida.

The 17th case in the North African country was an Israeli who arrived in mid-February. He was isolated and has since been sent back to his home country.

11 p.m.: US and Israel cancel joint military exercise

The US and Israel have canceled a joint exercise by their armed forces because of the coronavirus epidemic. The decision is in line with the guidelines of the Israeli Ministry of Health on the disease Covid-19 and is a precautionary measure "to ensure the health and safety of all participants," said the European Command of the United States on Thursday in Stuttgart. According to US media, the "Juniper Cobra 20" exercise, which takes place every two years, began on Tuesday and should run until March 15.

Fearing about the spread of the new corona virus, Israel has taken drastic measures. For example, the entry requirements for travelers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain have been tightened significantly.

10:46 p.m .: Corona virus also causes school cancellations in Munich

In Munich, too, individual schools will remain closed on Friday because students have been infected with the corona virus. The Wilhelm-Hausenstein-Gymnasium does not open because two students tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, as the school announced online on Thursday evening. The "Süddeutsche Zeitung" had previously reported on it. The vocational school center on Riesstraße also remains closed because a student has become infected. Both schools will initially remain closed until March 11th.

9:26 p.m .: Suspected coronavirus: around 100 students in quarantine

Because of concerns about infection with the corona virus, 99 students from southern Hesse have to stay at home after returning from a class trip in South Tyrol. The tour group with seventh graders from the Martin Luther School in Rimbach left for the skiing holiday in Ahrntal last week.

A student and an accompanying person have been showing symptoms of flu since Wednesday, as the Bergstrasse district announced on Thursday. Rimbach is a municipality in this district. As a precautionary measure, the health department ordered all travel participants to be quarantined at home immediately after their return. The group, which also includes around ten adult companions, is expected back in southern Hesse on Friday evening.

8:55 p.m .: US Congress approves billion-euro package for fight against corona virus

The US Congress has provided 8.3 billion dollars (7.5 billion euros) for the fight against the novel corona virus. After the House of Representatives, the Senate in Washington also voted on Thursday for the package of measures intended to prevent the pathogen from spreading. US President Donald Trump's Republicans and the opposition Democrats had agreed on the funding.

8.48 p.m .: Russia cancels international economic forum

Russia has canceled its international economic forum in St. Petersburg planned for June because of the corona virus. It is one of the largest business meetings in the world with guests of state and CEOs from dozens of countries. The Ria Novosti state agency reported on Thursday, citing Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Beloussov, that the event will not take place this year to protect the health of Russian citizens and the guests and participants of the forum.

8.40 p.m.: Norwegian Holmenkollen ski jumping without fans

The ski festival at the legendary Oslo Holmenkollen with the ski jumping of the Raw Air as well as competitions in Nordic combined and cross-country skiing will be held without spectators. The authorities in the Norwegian capital decided on Thursday because of the coronavirus outbreak.

"The ski arena will be closed to spectators. And we urge the public not to go outside the arena this weekend either," Oslo City Council's Svein Lyngroth told a press conference. He understands the disappointment of the viewers. But the measure is necessary to prevent the virus from spreading.

8:26 p.m .: Session of the EU Parliament moved from Strasbourg to Brussels

Due to the spread of the novel corona virus, the plenary session of the European Parliament will be moved from Strasbourg to Brussels next week. This was confirmed by several group leaders on Thursday at the German Press Agency in Brussels. Parliament President David Sassoli justified the decision with the development of the epidemic in France.

"I received at 6 p.m. today from Parliament's medical service a precise report on the evolution of Covid-19, according to which the health risks are considered to be significantly higher when the next plenary session takes place in Strasbourg," explained Sassoli himself. " Based on this assessment, I have decided that due to force majeure, the necessary security standard for the usual transfer of the European Parliament to the plenary session in Strasbourg is not given."

7.16 p.m .: Crisis meeting of EU health ministers in Brussels

The health ministers of the EU countries will meet in Brussels on Friday (10.00 a.m.) for an extraordinary crisis meeting due to the spread of the new type of corona virus. In addition to taking stock of the current situation and measures already taken, Federal Health Minister Jens Spahn (CDU) and his colleagues should primarily work on coordinated responses to the epidemic. For example, the joint procurement of medical materials is under discussion.

A representative of the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) said on Thursday that there would be difficulties at this point due to a lack of supplies from China. So far, around 4,200 people in the EU have been infected with the novel pathogen Covid-19, more than 3,000 of them in Italy. The ECDC had upgraded the risk of infection earlier in the week.

6.32 p.m .: Italy announces 7.5 billion euro plan because of corona virus

The Italian government is providing 7.5 billion euros to fight the novel corona virus and restart the economy . This was announced on Thursday evening by Economy Minister Roberto Gualtieri. The money should be used primarily "to increase the resources of the health services, civil defense and law enforcement agencies".

6:01 p.m .: Survey: Three quarters of Germans are not afraid of the corona virus

Most Germans are still not afraid of the spread of the corona virus. Three quarters of those surveyed in a survey by the opinion research institute Infratest dimap for the ARD “Germany trend” published on Thursday said that they were less concerned about their own infection or that of family members. For almost a quarter, however, the concern was great at 17 percent or very great at six percent.

In February, significantly fewer people said they were afraid: almost nine out of ten people surveyed last month said they were less worried or not worried at all. The value was therefore 13 percentage points higher than in the current survey.

The trust of citizens in the authorities and healthcare facilities is also declining. According to the current survey, two-thirds believed that the institutions had the situation under control overall. That is 16 percentage points less than in February. Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU), on the other hand, gained approval - his satisfaction value rose by seven percentage points to 51 percent compared to the previous month.

Three quarters of those surveyed said they washed their hands more frequently as a preventive measure against infection. However, only slightly more than one in ten stated that they buy hamsters. Infratest dimap surveyed 1,002 voters by telephone on Monday and Tuesday. The error tolerance is between 1.4 and 3.1 percentage points.

5:02 p.m .: Several corona patients discharged from the clinic

Three people from Kaiserslautern recently infected with the novel corona virus have left the hospital. As the local health department and the Westpfalz-Klinikum announced, they are “in good general condition” and are now in quarantine at home. All three showed no symptoms, but tested positive. The virus was not detected in seven people who had contact with the sick.

4:52 p.m .: Number of cases in the Netherlands more than doubled

In the Netherlands, the number of detected coronavirus cases more than doubled within a day. It is now 82, Health Minister Bruno Bruins said. The day before there were 38 infected. But there is no reason for special measures, said the minister.

The minister explained the extraordinarily rapid increase with a "delay effect". Many patients had waited before going to the doctor. In addition, the health authorities had found further cases when checking the contact persons of infected people.

4.43 p.m .: Hesse’s finance minister rejects economic stimulus program

Hesse’s finance minister Thomas Schäfer (CDU) rejects separate economic stimulus programs to alleviate the coronavirus crisis. The minister explained in Wiesbaden that the disruption of global value-added chains could hardly be countered by classic economic policy measures such as tax cuts or additional government investment programs. "Where supply chains are interrupted and production lines stand still because the employees are sick, additional money doesn't get anything going," said Schäfer, according to a statement.

Hesse relies on tried and tested means. These included short-time work benefits and short-term liquidity support for affected companies. On the one hand, a guarantee framework of 1.5 billion euros is available for this. On the other hand, the tax offices would once again be made aware of the need to quickly examine any applications for tax deferrals or lower advance payments. The companies could also be relieved in this way.

4:17 p.m.: Italy's top designers cancel shows abroad

First Prada, then Gucci and now Versace and Giorgio Armani. More and more Italian luxury labels and top designers are canceling their "Cruise" shows scheduled for this spring due to the new type of corona virus. "The health and safety of our guests and employees is our top priority," says the press release almost identically.

The Gucci show was scheduled for May 18th in San Francisco. Two days earlier and also in the USA, Donatella Versace wanted to show her new "Cruise". Prada canceled the presentation in Japan. And Giorgio Armani postponed his two-day show event in Dubai from April 19th and 20th to November.

At the Milan Fashion Week, which ended on February 24, Armani showed its autumn/winter collection 2020/21 in front of empty seats and exclusively on the internet. The name "Cruise" goes back to the original purpose of these collections. They brought summer fashion to stores during the winter months. For a clientele that could afford to flee from frost and snow to southern climes. Gladly also by cruise ("Cruise").

4:04 p.m .: Ex-Bundesliga professional infected with corona virus

The former Wolfsburg professional and Danish ex-national player Thomas Kahlenberg contracted the new type of corona virus on a trip to Amsterdam. Read the whole story here.

3.15 p.m .: Potsdam students in South Tyrol are to be tested

A group of students from Potsdam, who are currently on a trip to northern Italy, are to be tested in Germany as a precaution for infection with the novel corona virus. A total of 87 people, including 70 students from 3 schools, should be received at the Potsdam health department on Saturday, announced head of department Kristina Böhm on Thursday. "All the children, the teachers and the bus drivers will be swabbed for the corona virus."

A handful of students showed symptoms of infection, but some of them even before departure, said the head of department. Usually the incubation period averages five to six days. The head of department added that there has been no suspicion so far, since the region is not a risk area according to the Robert Koch Institute, but tests are being carried out because of the uncertainty of parents and the population. All passengers should then be isolated at home until the test results are available, i.e. 24 to 48 hours.

3.03 p.m .: Lufthansa cancels more than 7,000 flights in March

Lufthansa canceled around 7,100 flights by the end of March due to the collapse in demand due to the spread of the corona virus. This corresponds to the decommissioning of 150 aircraft, Lufthansa announced on Thursday. The airline's fleet has 770 aircraft. The main areas of cancellation are domestic flights and flights in northern Italy, which is severely affected by the corona virus. But many other routes in Europe, a total of up to 25 percent of all connections, are also affected.

A new addition is the cancellation of flights to Tel Aviv and Eilat in Israel from Sunday because the country imposed an entry ban on travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Israel will no longer be served until March 28th.

2.14 p.m .: Office for Civil Protection: No disaster situation

With regard to the spread of the corona virus, the Federal Office for Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance does not yet speak “expressly and quite deliberately” of a disaster situation. “It is still a health administration situation at the moment,” said the President of the Federal Office, Christoph Unger, in Hamburg. The principle of proportionality must also be observed. Citizens should be better prepared for real disasters. "In case of a defense case, we have to take more precautionary measures again for the really greatest conceivable catastrophe, namely war," said Unger.

The Federal Office recommends that people stock up on food for 40 years, said the civil protection officer. With a view to flooding or major power outages, the office recommends stocking up on food and drinks for ten days. However, you should only store what you normally use. Albrecht Broemme, member of the executive committee of the Association for the Promotion of German Fire Protection, also sees the private hamster purchases as positive: "If the shelves are bought empty in some places, that has the advantage that the shelves in the pantries are full."

2.03 p.m .: Doctors make home visits

In view of the increasing number of suspected cases of coronavirus, the Bavarian Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KVB) offers its own home visit service. This is to prevent the Sars-CoV-2 virus from being spread in the practices of general practitioners and specialists, the KVB said. If there is a suspicion, the doctor comes with a vehicle that has the necessary protective equipment on board. The doctors volunteered for the service, said a KVB spokesman. The doctor then takes the sample for the virus test at home with the person concerned. After the analysis in the laboratory, the person concerned is informed about the result and any further measures.

1:27 p.m .: 100 more cases in NRW – mostly in Heinsberg

In North Rhine-Westphalia, the number of confirmed coronavirus infections has risen to at least 270, according to figures from the NRW Ministry of Health and the district Heinsberg, where alone over 190 cases were registered. The Robert Koch Institute had given the number of virus infections in NRW as 175 in the morning.

1:18 p.m .: Kachelmann is not infected

TV presenter Jörg Kachelmann had himself tested for the new type of corona virus because of health problems. He doesn't have it. "It's nothing with #coronavirus for now," tweeted the Swiss after the test result. The 61-year-old thanked him for the "many good wishes".

1.09 p.m .: Corona tests in Saarland negative

After the first coronavirus case in Saarland with a doctor at the university clinic in Homburg, all tests of the man’s contacts have so far been negative. "Most of the contacts were defined directly and are through," said a spokesman for the Saarland University Hospital (UKS) in Homburg. So far, 28 patients and colleagues of the doctor have been tested.

1.01 p.m .: Trade fairs in Germany and abroad canceled

Because of the corona virus, some trade fairs in Germany and abroad are being postponed again. In Friedrichshafen, the Aqua-Fisch fishing fair planned for Friday, as well as the IBO consumer fair, are to take place at a later date. In Stuttgart, the education fair didacta, which should start on March 24th, is affected, in Munich the real estate fair (April 24th to 26th). In France, the world's largest trade fair for television, the MIPTV in Cannes, France, falls victim to the virus spread this year. It should have taken place from March 30th to April 2nd.

12.47 p.m .: The first corona drugs are expected in the next few weeks

The Robert Koch Institute assumes that there will soon be therapeutics for the sick. "We are optimistic that such drugs will also be used in Germany in the next few weeks," said RKI President Lothar Wieler. Many studies are underway, particularly in China, where drugs for treatment are being experimentally tested. The use of a vaccine will not be possible so quickly: "We assume that we will have a vaccine over the course of the next year." The first vaccines will certainly be available in a few months, but they first have to be extensively tested.

12.39 p.m .: Pharmacist answers questions from readers

While people are currently worried about the new corona virus, Axel Trischmann is seeing more traffic than usual in his two Berlin pharmacies. Many people ask him questions: How can I protect myself? Should I stop visiting older people? Are there still disinfectants - and can I perhaps make them myself? For our "Ask Me" video format, the pharmacist also answered questions from t-online.de users.

12.31 p.m .: Virus hits airlines hard

According to the industry association, the strong spread of the corona virus should hit airlines much harder than initially thought. Depending on whether the epidemic spreads to other countries, the airlines in the passenger business are expected to lose revenue of 63 to 113 billion US dollars (57 to 101 billion euros) this year, said the International Air Transport Association IATA in Singapore. In the worst case, there is a risk of a financial slump like at the time of the global financial crisis. Two weeks ago, IATA had estimated the loss in sales at $29.3 billion.

12.27 p.m .: Case numbers in Berlin are now in double digits

According to Health Senator Dilek Kalayci, the number of detected coronavirus infections in Berlin has risen to 13. On Wednesday evening there were nine known cases. "We have to assume that we will have more cases," Kalayci said in the House of Representatives. However, nobody can predict the speed of the spread. "One thing we should be prepared for is that the topic of coronavirus could keep us busy for a few years," said the health senator.

12.17 p.m .: Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem remains closed

Due to suspected cases of coronavirus, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is closed as a precaution. A church official said the decision was made because of suspected cases in the West Bank region. "Safety first," he emphasized. The church, which is considered the birthplace of Jesus Christ, was still open on Thursday morning, a photographer reported to the AFP news agency.

Earlier, the Palestinian Ministry of Health had called for the closure of churches, mosques and other facilities after several suspected cases of coronavirus were reported from a hotel in the Bethlehem area. According to a local health authority official, a group of Greeks were at the hotel at the end of February, two of whom later tested positive for the virus. As a result, four suspected cases were identified among hotel staff, but their test results were still pending.

12.01 p.m .: Braunschweig reports the first confirmed case

In Braunschweig there is a first confirmed case of a corona infection. As the health department of the Lower Saxony city announced, the virus was detected in a woman from Braunschweig. The woman could have been infected while on vacation in the Canary Islands. After her return, she had developed slight signs of illness in the past few days, but had no severe symptoms. She is said to be in domestic isolation, as are her roommates.

11.49 a.m .: A dozen more coronavirus cases confirmed in Bavaria

There are twelve new coronavirus cases in Bavaria. This means that 54 cases of the SARS-CoV-2 virus were confirmed in Bavaria within a week, according to the Bavarian Ministry of Health. Four cases were reported from Munich, two each from the Upper Bavarian district of Miesbach, the district of Neu-Ulm and from Würzburg, one case each from the district of Aichach-Friedberg and the Middle Franconian district of Erlangen-Höchstadt.

To date, a total of 68 people have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in Bavaria. 14 patients are considered recovered and have been discharged from the hospitals.

11.39 a.m .: Food prices are falling - Virus slows demand

According to the United Nations (UN), the spread of the corona virus is slowing down demand for some foods and causing prices to fall. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there has been a decline in palm oil in particular. This caused the price index for vegetable oils to collapse by more than ten percent in February compared to January. The reason is that a global economic downturn is feared because of the epidemic. The price of meat and milk powder has fallen because the major importer China is importing less of it. The FAO index of global food prices fell 1 percent after rising for four straight months.

11.31 a.m .: Corona virus: Around 100,000 Israelis in home quarantine

After the imposition of strict entry regulations due to concerns about the spread of the new corona virus, around 100,000 Israelis are in home quarantine according to media reports on Thursday. According to a decision by the Ministry of Health, travelers from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain are no longer allowed to enter the country unless they can credibly assure that they can maintain a two-week quarantine at home. This does not affect people who come to Israel on transit flights via these five countries. The conditions apply from Friday at 7 a.m. (CET).

Tourists who are already in the country can continue their journey as long as they do not show any symptoms of illness. According to the Israeli Ministry of Tourism, around 15,000 Germans visited the Holy Land in January alone.

The Israeli army on Wednesday broke up a joint exercise involving more than 600 US soldiers who had traveled from Germany and the US. According to the Ministry of Health, the virus has now been detected in 15 people in Israel. Deaths have not yet been recorded.

11.27 a.m .: Most of the cases of infection in Germany are infected in the country

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) warns not to let up in the fight against the spread of the corona virus. "The containment strategy must be continued," says RKI President Lothar Wieler at the daily press conference. In the case of 307 cases of infection in Germany, the route of infection is now known. "Most of them have to do with contacts in their own country," says Wieler. A smaller proportion is related to contacts abroad, most of them with Italy (64) and Iran (14). The infected people reported in Germany are between two and 91 years old.

10.17 a.m .: Sudden increase in infections in Germany

According to figures from the Robert Koch Institute, 349 infections with the corona virus are now known in Germany. All federal states are affected except for Saxony-Anhalt. Most cases are in North Rhine-Westphalia (175), Baden-Württemberg (65) and Bavaria (52).

10.03 a.m .: Corona patient dies in Switzerland

In Switzerland, a patient infected with the corona virus died for the first time. This was announced by the police in the canton of Vaud on Thursday. The 74-year-old man was a risk patient because he had previous illnesses. He has been treated at the hospital in Lausanne on Lake Geneva since March 3.

8.53 a.m .: Thousands are stuck on a cruise ship off California because of the corona virus

For fear of the spread of the novel corona virus, thousands of people are again stuck on a cruise ship. The "Grand Princess" was stopped off the coast of California because passengers and crew members had shown symptoms of illness, said Governor Gavin Newsom. You should now be tested for the pathogen. Eleven passengers and ten crew members are suspected of being infected.

The cruise ship "Grand Princess" is stuck off the US coast in California. (Source: AP/dpa)

The ship was returning to San Francisco from Hawaii. The "Grand Princess" had previously completed a trip to Mexico. A 71-year-old was also on board, who ultimately died of the respiratory disease Covid-19 caused by the corona virus, as the governor and the shipping company Princess Cruises announced. He is the first death from the virus in California. The US state declared a state of emergency on Wednesday due to the spread of the virus.

Some 60 passengers who remained on board the cruise ship after the trip to Mexico were ordered to remain in their rooms and await a medical examination, the shipping company told AFP news agency. However, it was unclear whether they were among those showing symptoms.

According to Governor Newsom, there are around 2,500 passengers on board the "Grand Princess". According to the shipping company, there are also around 1,150 crew members.

5.39 am: Flybe is insolvent

The British regional airline Flybe has filed for bankruptcy. The already struggling airline could no longer withstand the drop in travel demand caused by the coronavirus. "All flights are grounded and business is suspended with immediate effect," the airline said. The auditing company EY will take over the processing. The bankruptcy jeopardizes around 2,000 jobs and is inconvenient for Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who wants to strengthen regional transport links.

5.25 a.m.: Pharmaceutical company Anges cooperates with Osaka University

Japanese biopharmaceutical company Anges announces cooperation with Osaka University to jointly develop a coronavirus vaccine. Anges shares rose more than 12 percent after the announcement. According to data from the Reuters news agency, there are now over 93,000 cases worldwide, of which 13 percent or almost 12,700 people are affected in countries outside of China.

5.10 a.m .: Head of the Conference of Ministers of Education against general school closures

The President of the Conference of Ministers of Education (KMK), Stefanie Hubig, does not consider a nationwide closure of schools in Germany due to the corona virus to be necessary according to the current status. A postponement of the holiday dates is "currently not an issue" among the Ministers of Education, said the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Education of the "Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung" (Thursday edition).

With regard to the spread of the pathogen, the situation in Germany varies greatly from region to region, said the SPD politician. She referred to the example of Rhineland-Palatinate, where the health authorities only decided on school closures in individual cases and in consultation with the school authorities. However, all schools should now pay more attention to hygiene measures.

In an interview with the same newspaper, Lower Saxony's Minister of Health, Carola Reimann (SPD), also spoke out against general school closures. In Italy, all schools and universities will be closed from this Thursday until March 15 due to the corona virus. The country is the largest focus of the pathogen in Europe. As the Italian civil defense announced on Wednesday evening, there are now 107 confirmed fatalities and 3,089 infected.

In Germany, on the other hand, Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) spoke out against a general closure of schools on Wednesday. After consultations with his country colleagues, Spahn said that such measures should be decided locally. He doesn't think "blanket closures" are appropriate.

5 am: Australian newspaper helps out with toilet paper

No toilet paper because people bought the shelves empty because of the new corona virus? A local Australian newspaper made fun of it. It came out on Thursday with eight extra blank pages for trimming, with the Australian continent as a pattern.

"Out of toilet paper? NT News is taking care of it," wrote the newspaper, which is published in the north of the country and is known for its cheeky headlines. "Get the limited edition single ply toilet newspaper sheets." As in many countries where the virus is rampant, there are currently empty shelves in shops in Australia because of panic buying.

4.30 a.m .: Risk of recession in Germany has increased

The industry sees the risk of a recession in Germany increasing significantly in view of the massive consequences for the economy from the new type of corona virus. "Economic growth is threatening to almost come to a standstill," says the new quarterly report of the Federation of German Industries (BDI). This is available to the German Press Agency. If there is no economic normalization in the countries affected by the corona epidemic in the second quarter, the BDI expects a decline in economic output for Germany for the year as a whole.

The BDI had previously expected gross domestic product in Germany to grow by 0.5 percent. But this is also due to the fact that the year has more working days.

The industry association called on the federal government to take action. Economic policy measures would have to be agreed quickly in the coalition and, if possible, decided before Easter. It makes sense to put the regulations for easier short-time work into force without further delay, as in the years of the financial crisis of 2008/2009. "Germany must not slide into a recession with its eyes wide open." The federal government should examine both targeted support measures and long-term growth measures.

From the point of view of the BDI, the corona virus has dramatically reduced the chances of a recovery in the global economy this year, which was hoped for until recently. The export-strong German industry in particular was in a difficult situation even before the outbreak of the virus. Industrial production has fallen and companies are reluctant to invest.

2:30 a.m.: California declares a state of emergency over the coronavirus

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Thursday due to the spread of the coronavirus. His decision came just hours after the first death in the West Coast state became known. "With 53 cases testing positive, this (virus) is no longer isolated in just one part of our state," Newsom said.

In an emergency, funds and other resources can be mobilized quickly by declaring a state of emergency. In California, a state of emergency is often declared in the event of natural disasters such as forest fires or earthquakes in order to better coordinate emergency aid.

The first death from the new lung disease was reported in California on Wednesday. The local health authority in Placer County said it was an elderly man who was probably infected on board the cruise ship “Princess” from San Francisco to Mexico in February.

2 am: Number of infections is increasing unabated in South Korea

The number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in South Korea is increasing unabated. The health authorities announced on Thursday that 438 cases had been added since Wednesday. The total number has risen to 5,766 so far. The number of deaths associated with the novel corona virus has risen by three since the previous day to 35. In no other country outside of China, where the lung disease Covid-19 first broke out at the end of December, have more cases of infection been reported.

The majority of new infections continue to be concentrated in the southeastern city of Daegu and the surrounding region. More than 4,300 cases have been recorded in Daegu alone. There, the greatest accumulation occurs among followers of the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which also has connections to China. However, according to the authorities, the focus of the virus tests is now on the other citizens of the city in view of the rapid spread in the municipalities.

The government announced on Thursday that the city of Gyeongsan in the region, like Daegu and Cheongdo, had been declared a special control zone. On February 23, the government declared the highest warning level for infectious diseases. Since then, the authorities have been trying to limit the spread of the new corona virus in the south-east of the country.

1.53 a.m .: Israel also extends entry restrictions to Germany

Israel denies entry to tourists from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland without prior quarantine arrangements. In addition, Israelis flying home from one of the affected countries must stay at home for 14 days. Israel has reported 15 coronavirus cases so far. About 5,000 citizens who have returned from virus-hit areas are quarantined at home. Israeli media estimate the expanded restrictions could increase the number to as many as 100,000. Israel had already issued the regulation for flights from Italy, China and Singapore.

1.40 a.m.: 139 new infections in China

The number of new infections in China is increasing again slightly. The authorities reported 139 new infections on Wednesday, compared to 119 the day before. This brings the total number of infected people to 80,409. The death toll rose by 31 to 3,012. The day before, 38 had been reported. All of the deaths – including 23 in the city of Wuhan – and 134 of the new infections are attributable to the central province of Hubei.

1 o'clock: US House of Representatives wants to provide billions

The US House of Representatives wants to provide new funds of 8.3 billion US dollars for the fight against the novel corona virus. For this purpose, the draft of a corresponding emergency aid law was introduced to the parliamentary chamber on Wednesday, as the responsible committee announced. "We need to implement this legislation quickly - lives are at stake," said Democratic committee chair Nita Lowey.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote on the legislative package in the coming days. It earmarks $3 billion for the development of therapies and vaccines. 2.2 billion dollars are to be earmarked for preventive measures. 435 million dollars are earmarked for aid abroad.

Republicans in the Senate, the other chamber in Parliament, have already signaled support for the release of billions of dollars in funds. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, spoke in a statement of a bipartisan agreement in both houses of Parliament on the provision of the new funds.

0.36: Australia - Virus to hit GDP by 0.5 percent

Australia's Treasury estimates that the coronavirus will have a negative impact on growth in the first quarter of 2020. "At this point, we expect the virus to depress growth by at least half a percentage point in the March quarter of 2020," Treasury Secretary Steven Kennedy told a parliamentary committee in Canberra. It is still too early to make a longer-term assessment of the effects of the virus. The preliminary estimate takes into account the direct impact on tourism, international education projects and some exchange rate effects. It does not include supply chain disruptions or other broader impacts, Kennedy said. The Treasury's assumptions are in line with an estimate by the Reserve Bank of Australia. Monetary authorities cut the key interest rate to 0.5 percent from 0.75 percent on Tuesday to cushion the economic impact of the epidemic.

0.20 a.m .: Disinfectant listed on Amazon for $ 400

The USA is asking the online mail order company Amazon to stop price gouging on its platform for items to protect against the corona virus. A box of small hand sanitizer bottles, which normally sell for $10, would be listed online for $400, US Senator Edward Markey wrote in a letter to the retail giant.

A third party lists a bottle of the drug for $600. However, a large bottle of the Amazon brand would still be available for $8.25, Markey said. Amazon was not immediately available for comment. The company last week banned more than a million products that claimed to be able to cure or protect against the virus.

Wednesday, March 4, 11 p.m.: Ninth case of coronavirus detected in Berlin

There is a ninth case of the new corona virus detected in Berlin. So far, no connection to an existing case is known, the Senate Department for Health, Care and Equality said on Wednesday. The novel virus SARS-CoV-2 was detected in a man from Pankow. This will be isolated at home. Further details were not disclosed. The first confirmed case in the federal capital became public on Sunday. In Germany, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) counted 262 detected infections by Wednesday (3 p.m.).

10.30 p.m .: All sporting events in Italy without an audience

All sporting events in Italy should initially take place without an audience due to the spread of the corona virus. This is to avoid further infections, said Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in a video message to the country on Wednesday evening. According to media reports, this applies until April 3rd.

In addition to the soccer games in Serie A, the Champions League game between Juventus Turin and Olympique Lyon on March 17 and the Europa League games between Inter Milan and Getafe (12th) will also be affected. and AS Roma vs Sevilla FC (19 March). Inter's second leg in Getafe on March 19 must also be closed to the public.

Due to the exclusion of spectators, the Milan-Sanremo cycling classic on March 21 is threatened with cancellation. The World Cup final for alpine skiers in Cortina (March 18th to 22nd) is also affected by the spectator exclusion.

Italy has the highest number of cases of the lung disease Covid-19. Around 3,100 people have contracted the virus, and more than 100 have already died. Several Serie A and Cup football games had recently been postponed.

10:10 p.m .: United Airlines significantly restricts its flight schedule

The US airline United Airlines is significantly cutting its flight schedule due to the spread of the new type of corona virus. International flights are to be restricted by 20 percent in April, the company announced on Wednesday. In the US home market and Canada, a reduction of ten percent is planned. The flight schedule changes are scheduled to go into effect on March 7.

The measures also affect personnel planning - no more employees who are not essential to business operations will be hired until the end of June. In addition, United is postponing planned salary increases and wants to send US employees on unpaid leave. Due to the increased uncertainty in travel planning, customers are to be temporarily exempted from rebooking fees.

10 p.m .: UN economists expect global export earnings to collapse due to coronavirus

According to the United Nations, the slowdown in industrial production in China triggered by the coronavirus epidemic will lead to a slump in sales in the coming months lead to global export earnings. According to a report by the UN World Trade and Development Conference (UNCTAD) presented in Geneva on Wednesday, these could be reduced by a total of around 50 billion dollars (around 44.8 billion euros) in the coming months. The EU, USA and Japan will be hit hardest.

The virus has "the potential to significantly slow down not only the Chinese but also the global economy," said the UN economic experts. Given its role as a key manufacturing hub for many global companies, "any disruption to China's production is likely to impact other parts of the regional and global value chain," the report said. "There is a ripple effect throughout the world economy," Pamela Coke-Hamilton, head of UNCTAD's international trade department, told journalists in Geneva. According to UN economist Alessandro Nicita, the impact is expected to “be reflected in the statistics in two or three months’ time.”

The experts forecast export losses of 15.6 billion dollars in the European Union, 5.6 billion dollars in the USA and 5.2 billion dollars in Japan. The mechanical engineering and automotive industries were hit the hardest.

9:55 p.m .: First case in Slovenia

Now there is also a first sick person in Slovenia. According to the Ministry of Health, the patient recently came to Slovenia via Italy.

9.41 p.m .: A total of six diseases in Ireland

The number of sick people in Ireland has increased by four to six. The health authorities say the new cases are two women and two men who recently visited northern Italy.

9:21 p.m.:Audi only holds press conference online

Audi will only hold its annual press conference online this time. The carmaker said it felt obliged to prevent the virus from spreading. As a precaution, the company therefore decided to no longer hold the event on March 19 as a face-to-face event. "We are currently planning to hold the event as part of an online version," it said.

9 p.m.: Airbus is considering cutting production of the A330

According to sources, the aircraft manufacturer Airbus is considering cutting production of the A330neo. Last month, an Air Asia subsidiary announced that it would delay deliveries of its new A330neo aircraft. This is leading to Airbus considering cutting production, Bloomberg reported. A decision could be made later this month.

8:51 p.m .: First death in California

According to the authorities, there is a first virus death in the state of California in the USA. Previously, people in the US had only died from the disease in Washington state. There, the number of dead rose from nine to ten on Wednesday and the number of infected from 27 to 39.

8:35 p.m .: 73 new cases in France

In France, the number of coronavirus infections has risen to 285. This is announced by the head of state health care. That is an increase of 73 cases compared to the previous day. So far, four people have died from the lung disease.

8:34 p.m .: NATO wants to hold maneuvers despite the corona virus

Despite the spread of the corona virus, NATO is sticking to planned exercises and maneuvers. The alliance is monitoring the situation and will continuously evaluate developments. At the moment, however, there is "no cancellation of exercises" - not even for the maneuvers in Italy, said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. NATO has more than 20 exercises planned for this year. It is also taking part in the US-led Defender 2020 maneuver, for which 20,000 US troops will be deployed to Europe.

6.20 p.m.: Schools and universities in Italy will be closed until mid-March

Italy is closing schools and universities across the country due to the spread of the novel corona virus. They are to remain closed from Thursday to March 15, confirmed School Minister Lucia Azzolina.

6.17 p.m .: More than a hundred dead in Italy

In Italy, more than a hundred people have now died from the novel corona virus. There are 107 confirmed fatalities, said the Italian civil defense. On Tuesday the number was still 79. More than 3,000 people across the country have contracted the virus – by far the most reported cases in Europe. There are now cases in almost all regions, but most are still in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto.

5.40 p.m .: Israel is radically tightening entry regulations

Because of the corona virus, Israel will only allow Germans to enter the country in the future if they have a permanent residence in the country. Travelers from Germany, France, Spain, Austria and Switzerland are only allowed to enter Israel if they "can prove that they have a place where they can go into quarantine," said the Israeli Ministry of Health.

5.25 p.m .: Seventh and eighth corona case confirmed in Berlin

In Berlin, the number of registered infections with the new corona virus has increased slightly. On Wednesday, two more were added to the six known cases, the Senate Department for Health announced. They are related to the first patient. Two women from Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg both worked with the 22-year-old in an open-plan office. Of the total of eight cases, three are now professionally related to the first case.

5.05 p.m .: EU institutions report another infected employee

At least two employees of the European Union have been infected with the novel corona virus. The first case involved an employee of the European Defense Agency (EDA) in Brussels, who returned from a trip to Italy on February 23, an EDA spokeswoman said. A second man who works for the security service of the European Council was probably infected by the EDA official, said EU representatives.

4.10 p.m .: Bavaria confirms five more new corona cases

The Bavarian health authorities have confirmed five more cases of the novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2. The Ministry of Health in Munich announced that the infections had been reported in the districts of Lindau on Lake Constance, Augsburg, Erding and Passau as well as in Nuremberg. Possible contact persons and connections to previously known cases would be determined. So far, a total of 56 patients in Bavaria have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

4:06 p.m .: Examination center overflowing: Charité sends people waiting home – general practitioners reject patients

According to reports, the local coronavirus test center at the Berlin University Hospital Charité is so overcrowded that those responsible were already waiting home on Tuesday morning had to send. This is reported by a reporter from the "Berliner Zeitung" on Twitter. According to this, by 11 a.m. so many waiting tickets had already been issued that the clinic could hardly keep up with the tests.

Apparently, many patients were sent from other hospitals and their family doctors to the Charité, which the local investigation center for suspected cases had set up just a few days ago. The Charité made it clear that their test center was primarily intended to relieve their own rescue center - and not serve as a contact point for the whole city. First, the "daily mirror" had reported.

In addition, several general practitioners are said to have turned away patients suspected of being infected with the coronavirus. The health department of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf also confirmed this to the “Tagesspiegel”. According to this, the office is considering reporting the cases to the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians because the doctors violated their obligations to provide care. The practices concerned had probably explained to the office that they did not have enough protective clothing.

A medical officer from Reinickendorf also reported to a "Tagesspiegel" reporter about such a case. Accordingly, the doctor criticized: “This is on the limit of failure to provide assistance. The doctor no longer accepts cold patients. Countless people are turned away by family doctors in Reinickendorf.

4:04 p.m .: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania reports fourth infection

A fourth infection with the novel corona virus has been confirmed in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. A 52-year-old from the Mecklenburg Lake District district is affected, according to the Ministry of Health and the State Office for Health and Social Affairs.

The man had returned from South Tyrol in the past few days and had developed symptoms of Covid-19. The laboratory results confirmed the infection on Wednesday. The patient is in domestic isolation, as are the identified contacts.

4:01 p.m .: Schleswig-Holstein state parliament cancels all events

Due to the spread of the corona virus, the state parliament in Kiel has canceled public events for the next two weeks. Parliament is maintained. "It is purely a precautionary measure that we are canceling all public events," said Parliament President Klaus Schlie.

"This is also done out of a duty of care towards the guests as well as the visitors and employees here in the Landeshaus." With the decision, the aim is to keep the risk of possible infections as low as possible. The state parliament is following the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute to minimize distribution channels as much as possible.

All appointments with public participation by the state parliament, the representatives and external organizers in the building as well as the registered group visits are affected by the cancellation. The cancellation is initially valid until the day before the next plenary session, which should take place on March 17th. Committee and political group meetings, press conferences and the March plenary session are to take place as planned.

One of the things that has to be canceled is the "Model United Nations Schleswig-Holstein" simulation game, a conference for 15 to 21-year-olds with over 400 participants.

3:57 p.m .: Israel quarantines returnees from Germany

Out of concern about the spread of the new corona virus, Israel has imposed new entry regulations. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israeli returnees from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France and Spain would have to go into quarantine at home for 14 days.

Health Minister Jakov Litzman said gatherings of more than 5,000 people would be banned. According to the Ministry of Health, the virus has now been detected in 15 people in Israel. According to official information, thousands of Israelis are in domestic quarantine. Deaths have not yet been recorded.

3.46 p.m .: Berlin rescue services report theft of disinfectants

Since disinfectants and respirators are scarce in Berlin, protective equipment is increasingly being stolen from clinics. A spokeswoman for the DRK clinics in Berlin confirmed this to the "Tagesspiegel": "Pallets were not stolen, but bottles were stolen and disinfectant was pumped out of bottles in the patient rooms." Patients and visitors have also made greater use of respiratory masks, some of which are available, said the spokeswoman for the “Tagesspiegel”. Employees would now take care to prevent such incidents. In addition, disinfectant is no longer refilled in some public toilets.

3.42 p.m .: Infection numbers in Great Britain double within a day

The number of corona infections in Great Britain has skyrocketed. It increased by 34 to 85 within a day, according to data from the Ministry of Health. It's the UK's biggest single-day surge to date.

3:21 p.m .: Saudi Arabia bans small pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina

Out of concern about the spread of the corona virus, Saudi Arabia has now also banned pilgrimages to Mecca and visits to its own compatriots and residents with foreign citizenship Medina prohibited. The state news agency SPA reported that it was a preventive government measure. Because of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the kingdom had already temporarily closed its borders to pilgrimages by foreigners to the two cities almost a week ago.

So far only the Umrah, the so-called small pilgrimage, has been affected. Believers travel all year round to the Holy Mosque in Mecca and to Medina, where the Prophet's Mosque with the tomb of the Prophet Mohammed is located. It is unclear whether the virus could also affect the annual Hajj pilgrimage. Almost 2.5 million people took part last year, including more than 1.8 million people from abroad. The Muslims follow the pilgrimage rituals in a very small space. Hajj begins at the end of July this year.

3.05 p.m .: Lufthansa flies with 150 fewer machines

As a result of the decline in travel, Lufthansa wants to take 150 machines out of flight operations for fear of the corona virus. The flight plan will be adjusted to the extraordinary circumstances, says a company spokesman.

2:48 p.m.: Italy is considering closing all schools and universities across the country

Italy is considering closing schools and universities across the country due to the spread of the coronavirus. They should remain closed from Thursday to March 15, the news agencies Ansa and Adnkronos reported on Wednesday, citing government circles. However, School Minister Lucia Azzolina said the decision had not yet been made. This should happen in the coming hours.

2.41 p.m .: Virologist expects corona vaccine in a year

According to experts, a vaccine against the corona virus could be available at this time next year. "It is definitely possible to develop a vaccine, but it has to go through the various stages of clinical development," said the virologist at the Bavarian State Office for Health and Food Safety (LGL), Nikolaus Ackermann, in Oberschleißheim.

Unlike influenza, the vaccine would have to be developed from scratch. All steps are necessary, from animal testing to application in individuals to larger patient groups. This means that the development until approval takes about a year. The corona virus has basically been known since the 1960s, and there are at least two harmless types. The SARS epidemic in 2003 and 2004 - also caused by such a virus - was limited and short-lived.

University institutions are currently researching the development of a vaccination together with the pharmaceutical industry, said the head of the human virology laboratory at the LGL. The LGL itself is not working on a vaccine.

2:35 p.m .: More than a thousand cases of infection in Japan

In Japan, the number of infections has risen to over a thousand. That's according to Reuters calculations. There were 706 cases on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which was quarantined in the port of Yokohama. According to the Ministry of Health, twelve people have died in Japan from the lung disease caused by the virus. Six of them were passengers on the Diamond Princess.

2:24 p.m .: The opposition assesses Spahn’s crisis management very differently

FDP and Greens have supported the federal government’s crisis management against the new corona virus, but there was sometimes sharp criticism from the AfD and the left. The AfD parliamentary group leader Alice Weidel spoke in the Bundestag of "chaos and confusion of competences", for example when people from risk areas wanted to be tested. Left faction leader Amira Mohamed Ali criticized that there was not enough factual information. The government should have stocked up on disinfectants much earlier.

FDP leader Christian Lindner, on the other hand, welcomed the "clarity, prudence and transparency" with which the government is dealing with the uncertain health situation. At the same time, he reiterated the urgent demand for an "acute plan" against economic risks. The specialist politician Kordula Schulz-Asche said for the Greens that the government is doing the right thing with the current efforts to contain the virus. "It's part of the scaremongering that gives the impression that everything should have been done earlier."

2:23 p.m .: Lower Saxony reports another infected person

In the county of Bentheim, a man contracted the new type of corona virus. The approximately 30-year-old patient from Schüttorf in Lower Saxony is in quarantine at home, said the Grafschaft Bentheim district in Nordhorn. Domestic isolation also affects family members living in the household.

The authorities did not want to give the exact age. The man works in a cross-border industrial park and, according to previous knowledge, contracted an infected person in Coevorden, the Netherlands, said a district spokesman.

2.05 p.m .: Polish oil company wants to produce disinfectants

Poland’s largest oil company PKN Orlen wants to start producing disinfectants because of the spread of the corona virus. "In the coming days, our subsidiary Orlen Oil will start producing aseptic liquids for hand disinfection," said Orlen boss Daniel Obajtek on Twitter. In this way, the group can help to strengthen Poland's sanitary security.

1:59 p.m .: Louvre in Paris reopens

The Louvre in Paris has reopened after employees went out due to the corona virus. The museum opened its doors on Wednesday to applause from waiting tourists, an AFP reporter said. The Louvre employees had stopped work for two days because they considered the risk of infection to be too high.

The museum management said they had ordered additional protective measures for the staff, without giving details. The employees referred to a government order according to which events with more than 5,000 people in a confined space are prohibited.

1:58 p.m .: Hessian clinic sets up “drive-in” for coronavirus test

If an infection with the corona virus is suspected, patients in Groß-Gerau can be examined in their own car. The district clinic in southern Hesse has also been taking swabs through the car window since the weekend.

"The drive-in for corona tests is offered as an alternative to the normal examination in our MVZ practice (medical care center)," said hospital spokesman Martin Wohlrabe. So far, the opportunity has been well received. Several media had previously reported on the subject.

Six tests have been carried out using this method so far. All were negative. The procedure offers great advantages for the clinic: "By offering to be tested in your own vehicle, suspected patients remain in their own quarantine station, so to speak," explained Managing Director Erika Raab. The medical professional who takes the swabs wear appropriate protective clothing. "Other clinic staff and patients do not come into contact with the suspected case. This significantly minimizes the risk of infection."

Since the drive-in became known, the clinic has received 30 requests from people who want to be tested. But driving by on your own initiative is not possible. "The important thing is that the patients should check beforehand whether they have a reasonable suspicion." Then they should register by phone. The drive-in test should offer an additional offer and not trigger spontaneous quick tests.

1:41 p.m .: Finance Minister would help with an economic stimulus package in the event of a crisis

Federal Finance Minister Olaf Scholz has confirmed his willingness to take billions of euros to counteract an economic downturn. In terms of fiscal policy, Germany has all the strength it needs if the corona virus plunges the global economy into a crisis, the SPD politician said, according to participants in the Bundestag Finance Committee.

Should this worst-case scenario occur, the federal government's measures to support the economy would be "timely, targeted, temporary", Scholz added, using the English technical terms "timely, targeted, temporarily". "We are prepared and ready to take decisive action," added the finance minister. He pointed out that the first thing to do was to provide liquidity support for companies and short-time work benefits.

Scholz had recently said in a newspaper interview: "If the situation requires such an impulse to be necessary, we also have the means to launch an economic stimulus package." Experts consider a volume in the mid double-digit billion range to be possible.

The coronavirus epidemic is hitting companies from two sides: Many supply chains no longer function because important parts from China are no longer available due to the production outages there. And consumers are much more cautious because of the risk of infection, which airlines, tour operators and restaurants are already feeling.

1:39 p.m .: The first Polish coronavirus patient was previously in Germany

In Poland, the novel coronavirus was detected for the first time in a patient. Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski said the patient was a man from the Lebuskie Voivodeship in western Poland who had previously been in Germany.

According to media reports, the man is said to have previously attended a carnival event in North Rhine-Westphalia. As a representative of the local health department said, the man returned to Poland by coach. The central health department in Warsaw has the list of passengers from the coach and is trying to contact them.

The patient called his family doctor by phone, said Szumowski. Since the symptoms suggested a Covid 19 disease, he was then taken to the hospital by ambulance. "He's fine. Everyone who was in contact with the man is in quarantine," Szumowski said. According to the regional administration, these are two family members. The man's relatives in Germany are now isolated and are being tested for the virus, it said.

1.34 p.m .: Football games in Italy are canceled – also for professional footballer Ronaldo

Several football games in Italy have been canceled due to the corona virus. On Tuesday evening, the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg between Juventus and AC Milan scheduled for Wednesday was postponed indefinitely. This also applies to professional footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Juventus Turin.

The cup semi-final between SSC Napoli and Inter Milan on Thursday evening is also cancelled. The decision was made by the Neapolitan authorities.

Until further notice, all football matches in Italy's first division, Serie A, will probably be played without an audience. The government will probably order this, says Minister of Sport Vincenzo Spadafora when asked by journalists whether spectators will be excluded from the games. In February, the government canceled sporting events in the north of the country, which was particularly affected by the corona virus. Ten Serie A games have been postponed so far.

1.10 p.m .: Spahn: "The peak of the spread has not yet been reached"

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn expects further infections with the new corona virus. "The peak of the spread has not yet been reached," said Spahn in a government statement in the Bundestag. The authorities continued to aim to slow down and contain the development. "In case of doubt, the safety of the population comes first, even before economic interests."

"The corona epidemic in China has become a pandemic," Spahn also stated. Until the beginning of last week, it was possible to prevent the virus from spreading in Germany. Now an epidemic has started in Germany. The strategy must now be to contain the virus and delay its spread.

Spahn admitted that the fight against the rapid spread of the corona virus is not going optimally everywhere. "It sometimes takes too long for suspected cases to be tested," he said. The situation is still very dynamic, the responsible actors are under great pressure.

At the same time, Spahn warned against headlessness and too much fear. Germany can rely on experts who are among the best in the world. Most cases were symptom-free to mild. "There will be restrictions in everyday life in the affected regions," said Spahn. More daycare centers could be closed and major events canceled.

"This will also lead to stress in the system in places and in phases," said the minister. With an increasing need for treatment due to the corona virus, planned interventions would probably also be postponed. "We're not at that point yet." But he could come.

At the same time, Spahn expressed his confidence in the medical staff. He also stressed that it was important that disinfectants and protective clothing were available. For everyone else, however, this equipment is not necessary.

Spahn called on citizens to be prudent and stick together and emphasized: "The consequences of fear can be greater than the danger of the virus itself."

The Minister of Health also confirmed that it was right to stick to the federal system when dealing with the corona virus: "It is important that we do not decide in Berlin whether a school in Heinsberg should be closed," said Spahn.

12.59 p.m .: Bavaria reports four other corona infected people

In addition to the eleven infected people who were already reported in the morning, there are four other confirmed cases of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus in Bavaria. These include two new cases from the Munich district and one case each from the city of Nuremberg and the district of Freising, as the Ministry of Health announced, citing the State Office for Health and Food Safety in Munich.

12.41 p.m .: All-clear on the ICE – train can continue

A suspected case of coronavirus in an ICE in Frankfurt has not been confirmed. Shortly after 12 p.m., the train with 300 travelers was released again, as reported by Deutsche Bahn. According to the federal police inspection, around 300 passengers were able to continue their journey from Kiel to Stuttgart - including the man who was suspected of being infected with the new type of pathogen. Details about the decision about the man were not initially given.

12.36 p.m .: Despite other recommendations – Heinsberg no longer sends medical staff into quarantine

After Aachen, the district of Heinsberg no longer automatically sends medical staff who have been in contact with people infected with coronavirus into quarantine . The directive of the Robert Koch Institute means that more and more medical staff are no longer allowed to work, said District Administrator Stephan Pusch in a Facebook video.

"So that means doctor's offices, clinics have massive problems keeping operations going," said Pusch. Those affected are now allowed to continue working in compliance with strict protective regulations.

Earlier, the city and region of Aachen lifted the hospital policy after the virus was detected in a nurse at the neonatal ward. Otherwise, according to the regulations of the Robert Koch Institute, 45 contact persons would have had to be quarantined for 14 days. This would have brought the work in the intensive care unit of the university clinic to a standstill, the clinic had emphasized.

12.27 p.m .: EU institutions report infected employee in defense agency

The EU institutions have reported the first case of infection with the corona virus. An employee of the European Defense Agency (EDA) in Brussels had tested positive for the virus, said an EDA spokeswoman for the AFP news agency. Accordingly, the official returned on February 23 from a trip to Italy, where there are currently by far the most cases of infection with the virus in Europe.

The European Defense Agency is based in Brussels and coordinates military research and armament projects between EU countries. It currently has around 170 employees. It includes all Member States except Denmark.

According to the agency's website, it receives around a thousand visitors to Brussels every month. According to the EDA spokeswoman, all agency meetings have now been canceled until March 13.

12:22 p.m .: Italy is considering closing all schools in the country

According to information from government circles, the Italian government is considering closing all schools in the country. This is a possibility, but a decision has not yet been made, the Reuters news agency wrote.

12.13 p.m .: Federal police stop ICE in Frankfurt

Due to a suspected case of coronavirus, an ICE has been stopped in Frankfurt. This was announced by the Federal Police Inspectorate. In the morning, the report was received that there was a male person suspected of having the virus on an ICE from Kiel, the message said. The train was on its way to Stuttgart, with 300 passengers on board.

"Since the ICE was on its way to Frankfurt main station, it was stopped on the orders of the federal police in Frankfurt am Main Süd and cordoned off at platform 8 by emergency services." The person concerned was isolated on the train and the health department was informed. According to the federal police, it is not yet clear when the train can continue its journey towards Stuttgart.

11.55 a.m .: Recovered Webasto employees report on their experiences

The employees of the automotive supplier Webasto in Bavaria have now been released from treatment in the hospitals. The company announced in a press release that the first colleagues had already returned to their jobs.

Several employees have now reported on the last few weeks. "Since I had a fever, but my symptoms didn't seem particularly bad to me, I wasn't too worried about myself," said one of those affected. His concern was primarily for his contacts.

According to the message, many patients found the time in the hospital mainly boring: "There was no variety, the day started with temperature measurements. I didn't have a fever during my entire stay. After that I had to give nose and throat swabs," said one of the employees. He worked on the laptop, watched TV series and usually slept early.

Other victims reported that they missed family and friends in particular. "The doctors, who always supported us, and the always friendly nursing staff helped me," said one employee, "then we found each other as a community of infected people and were even able to go together and visit each other, talk and play cards ."

In January, the corona virus was discovered in an employee of the automotive supplier Webasto in Bavaria. He was the first German to contract the virus.

11.52 a.m .: Germans abroad should stick to quarantine

Germans who go into quarantine in other European countries on the instructions of local authorities should also complete it there. This is recommended by the federal government's crisis team, which is dealing with the consequences of the new corona virus.

This will also decide that Germans who are in quarantine in a hotel on the Spanish island of Tenerife will not be able to return until next Tuesday at the earliest, said the joint crisis management team of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Health in Berlin. The Federal Foreign Office will also publish a note "that there is an increased risk of quarantine on cruise ships".

11.33 a.m .: Health Minister suspends lower limits for nursing staff

In order for hospitals to be able to react flexibly to the tense situation, Health Minister Jens Spahn has lifted several requirements for the facilities. This was announced by the Federal Ministry of Health on Twitter. This also applies to the minimum staffing levels in hospitals: for the time being, they no longer have to comply with the guidelines.

Normally there are strict regulations for nursing staff in hospitals. The lower limits determine how many patients a nurse can take care of at a time. If the institutions do not comply, they face a reduction in remuneration. They are free of that for the time being.

11.28 a.m .: Organizers are postponing the Hannover Messe

Due to the ongoing spread of the corona virus, the organizers of the Hannover Messe are postponing the world's largest industrial show. The industry meeting with around 6,000 exhibitors, which was planned from April 20th to 24th in the Lower Saxony state capital, is now to take place from July 13th to 17th. This was announced by Deutsche Messe AG.

11.15 a.m .: Export of breathing masks abroad banned

The Corona crisis team has decided to no longer export breathing masks from Germany abroad. A corresponding ban was published in the Federal Gazette, as announced by the crisis team from the Ministry of Health and the Interior. Gloves and protective suits are also affected.

In addition, the Federal Ministry of Health is now procuring protective clothing centrally for medical practices, hospitals and federal authorities, as was announced after consultations with the government crisis team in Berlin.

11.13 a.m .: The number of corona cases in NRW is increasing significantly - Bavaria is also reporting new cases

The number of detected infections with the corona virus in North Rhine-Westphalia has risen significantly to 129. That said NRW Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann in Düsseldorf. Of these, 87 cases were found in the Heinsberg district. In a total of four patients, there is a severe course of the disease.

There are also eleven new confirmed cases in Bavaria. For the first time, one case each was detected in the Lindau and Augsburg districts, plus six new ones from the Freising district, two new ones from the Munich district and one new one from the Ostallgäu district, as the Ministry of Health on Wednesday, citing the State Office for Health and Food Safety announced in Munich.

According to the district office, the infected person from Lindau is a family man from Lindau, whose contact persons have been placed under domestic quarantine as a precaution. Among other things, 59 students from two schools in Lindau are affected.

To date, a total of 47 patients in Bavaria have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The disease Covid-19 has already cured in 14 patients, all of whom have been released from the hospitals.

10.58 a.m .: Iran takes drastic measures and threatens the death penalty for mask buyers

In Iran, the number of corona infections continues to increase. Among other things, around 30 government officials are said to have contracted the virus. As the "New York Times" reports, the country's government is now taking tough action. Accordingly, those responsible are considering sending troops to have houses disinfected individually. The Attorney General also threatened to make hoarding masks a death penalty.

At the same time, according to the "New York Times", doctors and nursing staff report that they have been put under pressure by the government: they are not allowed to pass on any information about cases of infection or the situation in the hospitals. This is seen as a "threat to national security".

10.49 a.m .: Google also cancels developer conference due to corona virus

After Facebook, Google is also canceling its developer conference in California planned for May because of the corona virus.

Google will instead look for other ways to stay in touch with software developers. The Google I/O conference was planned for May 12-14 this year near the company's headquarters in Mountain View.

The developer conferences, to which several thousand participants travel from all over the world, are among the most important events for tech companies. Here they present new products, provide insights into the strategy and seek contact with partners and journalists. Especially in times of increased pressure from regulators, the events are also important for shaping the public image of the company.

Facebook canceled its F8 developer conference scheduled for the week before Google I/O a few days ago. The software provider Adobe and the graphics card specialist Nvidia also canceled their big annual meetings.

Microsoft's Build developer conference is still scheduled for May 19-21 in Seattle. However, the software company has already warned that there could be changes - and several Covid 19 diseases have just been confirmed around Seattle. Meanwhile, Apple has not yet commented on its developer conference WWDC, which traditionally takes place in Silicon Valley at the beginning of June.

According to announcements from developer conferences, companies are likely to use live streams with product presentations and other announcements. Some smartphone providers have already done this after the cancellation of the Mobile World Congress mobile phone trade fair in Barcelona in February. However, media attention was in many cases lower than usual.

10.45 a.m .: NRW stocks up on protective clothing

North Rhine-Westphalia wants to place a large order to ensure that doctors and nurses do not lack protective clothing when treating people who may be infected with the coronavirus. "Today we will sign the purchase contracts that the state of North Rhine-Westphalia will buy one million masks," announced NRW Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann in Düsseldorf. He was very annoyed that the medical staff were concerned about the lack of protective equipment. This concern is off the table with the bulk order.

In the meantime, the state will help the particularly affected district of Heinsberg with material. "We organized over 7,000 respiratory masks, almost 3,000 protective suits, 2,000 test sets and sent them to the Heinsberg district," said Laumann.

10:32: Chinese car market collapses

The Chinese car market collapsed in February due to the aftermath of the novel coronavirus outbreak. According to preliminary data from the industry association PCA (China Passenger Car Association), sales fell by 80 percent compared to the same month last year and thus more than at any time since records began. For the first two months of the year, the drop adds up to 41 percent.

The extended New Year's festival due to the outbreak of the lung disease Covid-19 and longer closed car dealers, together with the reluctance of buyers, led to an intensification of the slack in the world's largest car market, which is also by far the largest for the German groups Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW most important single market.

10.26 a.m .: Fewer people donate blood in NRW

The fear of the corona virus also has an impact on the willingness to donate blood in North Rhine-Westphalia. The number of blood donors has fallen by almost 20 percent in the past few days, a spokesman for the blood donation service of the German Red Cross told the German Press Agency. "People are very unsure," said the spokesman, but at the same time assured: "Donating and receiving blood is safe even in times of the corona virus."

10.16 a.m .: The Bundesliga duel Mönchengladbach-Dortmund takes place

Despite the spread of the corona virus in North Rhine-Westphalia, the Bundesliga duel between Borussia Mönchengladbach and third-placed Borussia Dortmund should take place on Saturday. This was explained by NRW Minister of Health Karl-Josef Laumann after a consultation with those responsible in Mönchengladbach.

The "Rheinische Post" reported that ticket buyers from the Heinsberg district were asked to voluntarily refrain from attending the game. "Borussia Mönchengladbach will reimburse all ticket buyers from the Heinsberg district who take advantage of this offer and return their ticket and invite them to the next Champions League or Europa League home game at Borussia Park free of charge," the report said a message.

10.14 a.m .: Iraq reports the first coronavirus deaths in the Arab region

With Iraq, the first country from the Arab region has reported a death from the novel corona virus. The state news agency INA reported, citing the local health authority, that it was a 70-year-old from the Kurdish autonomous regions in northern Iraq. The man was a cleric in a mosque in the city of Sulaimaniya.

Iraq has close ties with neighboring Iran, which has been severely affected by the virus known as SARS-CoV-2. Iraqi authorities have reported 31 coronavirus cases so far.

9.55 a.m .: India exports fewer medicines because of the corona virus

Because of the lung disease Covid-19, India, from which many generic drugs come, has restricted the export of 26 medicines and active ingredients. The raw materials for their production come from China and because of the epidemic they are no longer supplied, said the chairman of the Indian Drug Export Promotion Agency, Dinesh Dua. With the restriction, India wants to ensure that important drugs such as paracetamol are available in sufficient quantities for its own market. He initially did not say which countries the export restrictions affect.

According to the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, the delivery bottlenecks reported so far for Germany are not related to the corona virus.

Going forward, all travelers arriving to India from international flights would be screened for Covid-19 symptoms upon arrival, India's Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said. In the country, 16 Italian tourists tested positive for the new corona virus on Wednesday. They are part of a group that has traveled the country over the past two weeks, Vardhan said.

After a traveler and later his wife went to a hospital and the two tested positive for the disease, their 23 or so fellow travelers were also quarantined. According to the minister, 14 of them also tested positive. The Indian driver in the group also has the virus. There are a total of 28 confirmed Covid 19 cases in India, a country with a population of 1.3 billion.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that he would stay away from one of the most important Hindu festivals in the coming week because of the virus: Holi, during which people throw colored powder at each other. On Twitter, he pointed out that experts around the world are pointing out to stay away from mass events.

9.30 a.m .: France wants to take action against usurious prices for disinfectants

France wants to regulate the prices for disinfectants. A corresponding decree should be published later today, Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on the radio. After the outbreak of the coronavirus, the prices of the funds have skyrocketed. A pharmacists' union sharply criticized this and called on the government to act.

9.27 a.m .: China discovers 75 infections among those returning from abroad

With the global spread, the novel corona virus is returning to China via a detour via foreign countries. Within a week, 75 travelers who were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus were discovered upon arrival in China, according to the Chinese edition of the newspaper "Global Times", reported by the border authorities.

Eight Chinese people who returned from the northern Italian city of Bergamo in the hard-hit Lombardy region have tested positive in the eastern Chinese province of Zhejiang, as reported by the business magazine "Caixin". The Chinese have returned home because their restaurant in Bergamo has not been running since the virus broke out in northern Italy.

When entering China, 6,728 people with symptoms of illness have so far been noticed due to the tightened controls and fever measurements, it said. The first case of infection in a foreign traveler was found last Thursday in Ningxia province.

9.02 a.m .: Berlin infected person sat in the open-plan office for two weeks with symptoms

One of the first corona infected people is said to have come to work for two weeks with symptoms. This was reported by a colleague of the person concerned in an interview with rbb. They worked together in an open-plan office, with a total of around 30 people there. Around ten of these people were sitting near the infected person, who “would have been coughing and sniffling for two weeks,” the colleague told rbb.

He and his partner are now self-quarantined at home and are showing mild symptoms. They were waiting to finally be tested. Apparently, the authorities can hardly keep up with the tests: only two of the ten colleagues have been tested so far. One of the tests was positive: He is the sixth infected person in Berlin.

8.34 a.m .: The number of infected people is particularly high in four countries - and on one ship

With 80,422 confirmed corona cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports more cases in no other country than in China – It should be added that the People's Republic is also the country with the largest population in the world: almost 1.4 billion people live here.

South Korea is also particularly affected by the epidemic, where 5,328 people have contracted the virus. There are currently 2,502 people in Italy and 2,336 in Iran.

The number of cases in the following countries is significantly lower: Iran follows Japan with 287 infected people. However, there is still an area ahead of Japan that the WHO lists as "international conveyance": the cruise ship "Diamond Princess", which was in the port of Tokyo's neighboring city of Yokohama until February 19. On the boat, 706 people contracted the corona virus.

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8.25 a.m .: In Poland there is the first Corona case

Poland has reported the first confirmed infection in the country. The man is in a hospital in Zielona Gora, in the west of the country, said Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski. The patient's condition is good.

7.07 a.m .: China uses arthritis drugs for the seriously ill

According to the health authorities, China will use an arthritis drug from the Swiss pharmaceutical company Roche to treat seriously ill coronavirus patients.

7.05 a.m .: Virologist calls for "Corona holidays"

Due to the spread of the corona virus in Germany, virologist Alexander Kekulé calls for all schools and kindergartens in Germany to be closed. The virus can only be contained by means of "corona holidays", said the director of the Institute for Microbiology at the University of Halle on "Deutschlandfunk". During this time, all major events would also have to be canceled, the doctor continued.

Wall Street: Investors worried despite cash injections. (Source: Richard Drew/AP/dpa)

4:17 a.m.: Fed banker Evans – economic impact short-lived

Chicago Federal Reserve Chairman Charles Evans believes the coronavirus outbreak will only have a “short-term impact " will leave its mark on the US economy. "The expectation is that it will have a relatively short-lived impact on economic activity in the US," says Evans. Evans said the Fed's half-percent rate cut should help maintain confidence and protect against a health-related economic slowdown.

4.07 a.m .: China sticks to monetary policy

The Chinese central bank (PBOC) is initially sticking to its monetary policy and is not following the interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve (Fed).

A man with a face mask on a construction site in Tokyo: Japan does not want to postpone the Olympic Games. (Source: dpa)

3:48: Japan prepares for July Olympics

Japan is preparing to host the Summer Olympics in Tokyo as planned, said Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga. Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto previously said Tokyo's contract with the International Olympic Committee could "interpret a postponement" until the end of the year. However, the government is still committed to opening the games on July 24.

3.30 a.m .: Hahn Airport postpones flights to China

In view of the development of the corona virus in Asia, Hahn Airport in Hunsrück wants to postpone the start of regular China passenger flights. According to information from the German Press Agency, the airport now expects flights to start in 2021 instead of this summer. However, the plans are by no means to be abandoned. Hahn Airport did not comment on the matter.

The former US military airport had originally announced regular passenger flights from the Hunsrück to China for 2019. There was once talk of at least three flights a week. In 2017, the Chinese conglomerate HNA bought 82.5 percent of the loss-making Hahn Airport from the state of Rhineland-Palatinate for around 15 million euros. Hesse still holds 17.5 percent.

The decline in passengers and freight at Hahn continued in January 2020. The number of passengers fell significantly by 31.8 percent to 85,731 compared to the same month last year, according to the latest statistics from the Association of German Airports (ADV). Cargo volume fell by 17.5 percent to 11,383 tons.

According to the specifications of the EU Commission, the airport must be in the black by 2024. However, there were also declining numbers elsewhere in January. The ADV announced: "In a nutshell - new year, negative trend continues! In January 2020, the volume of traffic at German airports will decrease."

3.28 a.m .: The number of deaths in China rises to almost 3,000

The number of deaths from the new corona virus in China has risen again by 38. This means that there have already been 2,981 deaths in mainland China, as reported by the National Health Commission in Beijing on Wednesday. In addition, 119 infections were newly detected. The total number of infections in the People's Republic since the beginning of the epidemic in December has officially risen to 80,270. Almost 50,000 of them have left the hospitals.

Experts assume that the number of unreported cases is high. The majority of the newly confirmed infections and deaths in the official statistics were again in the severely affected province of Hubei in central China, where the virus called SARS-CoV-2 started. In the crisis region, which has been isolated since the end of January, more than 67,000 cases have been registered and 2,871 deaths from the Covid 19 lung disease have been reported.

3 a.m.: Fire brigade and Red Cross: Well equipped for coronavirus patients

So far, the coronavirus infections in Germany have not caused any particular headaches for the rescue services. The German Fire Brigade Association and the German Red Cross (DRK) say that patient transport with potentially contagious patients is also part of everyday life beyond coronavirus cases. This can only become a challenge if the number of cases increases significantly. The fire brigade and the Red Cross drive the majority of rescue operations in Germany.

Every day there are some patients who call the emergency services on 112 with severe cold symptoms and are taken to the hospital, said the spokesman for the German Fire Brigade Association, Carsten-Michael Pix, the German Press Agency. But: "So far it's manageable." The colleagues in the ambulances are prepared for such cases. "They know what to do." A time factor is the subsequent disinfection of the vehicles. "The challenge for the fire department is that the ambulances have to be cleaned again afterwards." Hand disinfection and face masks are still sufficient. There is enough reserve, even if the great demand worldwide is also noticeable in the fire brigade.

The DRK also says that there are no shortages of materials such as protective equipment. "As in all situations, we try to avoid resource bottlenecks through mutual support. There are also no bottlenecks in the area of ​​transport capacities due to Covid-19," said a spokeswoman. For the colleagues, this is “a completely normal infection protection transport”.

The rescue service vehicles are equipped in case an infectious patient has to be transported, the spokeswoman said. "For the trained rescue service workers, infection protection transports are not uncommon, so the SARS-CoV-2 virus is not a special case. At best, the increased number of cases can become a real challenge."

2.18 a.m .: Number of infections rises to over 5,300 in South Korea

The number of detected infections with the novel corona virus has risen to more than 5,300 in South Korea. The number of people who have been infected with the virus so far has risen by 516 to 5,325 since Tuesday, the health authorities said on Wednesday. After changing the counting method, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention included 374 cases that were initially announced on Tuesday afternoon. No other country outside of China has reported more cases of infection.

The number of deaths so far associated with the Covid-19 pathogen has been given as 32.

2.16 a.m .: Hong Kong’s central bank also cuts interest rates after the Fed’s move

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) is cutting its interest rate by 50 basis points to 1.5 percent. "There is still a lot of uncertainty about the course of the epidemic, so there will still be very large fluctuations in the financial markets," explains the HKMA. Earlier, the US Federal Reserve (Fed) announced a rate cut of the same margin. The Australian central bank also lowered its key interest rate.

2.15 a.m .: IMF and World Bank cancel spring meetings due to corona virus

Because of the corona virus, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have canceled their spring meetings in Washington. Instead, the consultations are to be held in a “virtual format” – i.e. via internet communication, among other things – as both financial institutions announced on Tuesday. In this way, a "productive dialogue" should be made possible, said IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass.

The spring meeting was scheduled for April 16-18. The meetings of the IMF and World Bank, which usually take place twice a year, bring together thousands of government and private sector representatives. Numerous journalists travel from abroad for this purpose. The coronavirus crisis has already led to the cancellation of numerous major events around the world.

2.13 a.m .: Fans demand postponement of new Bond film

Usually, cinema fans can hardly wait for the new part of a favorite series to finally come to the cinema. With James Bond's new adventure "No time to die", which is scheduled to start in Germany on April 2nd, things are looking different at the moment. Some moviegoers are calling for the start to be postponed because of the corona virus.

"The release of 'No Time to Die' should be postponed," says an open letter on the well-known fan site "mi6-hq.com". Specifically, the demand is: "Postpone the publication [...] until the summer, because experts expect that the virus will have peaked and be under control by then. The health and well-being of fans worldwide and their families is more important." The new film with Daniel Craig (52, "Spectre") has already been awaited for a good four years, which is why a few months would no longer matter.

In the past few weeks, numerous cinemas in China, Japan, South Korea, Italy and France, among others, have been temporarily closed due to the corona virus. Elsewhere, ticket sales fell significantly – apparently also because of the virus. The industry journal "Variety" recently reported that certain strategy teams are now even being deployed in Hollywood, among other things to avoid excessive losses.

2 a.m.: First confirmed coronavirus infections in Argentina and Chile

The novel corona virus has been detected for the first time in patients in Argentina and Chile. In Buenos Aires, a man had tested positive and is now in quarantine in a hospital, Argentine Health Minister Ginés González García said on Tuesday. The patient arrived from Italy on Sunday.

In Chile, an infection was detected in a 33-year-old doctor. The man had previously traveled through Southeast Asia for a month, including to Singapore. He is currently in a clinic, but will soon be able to go home and will continue to be monitored there, the Ministry of Health in Santiago de Chile said.

In South America, infections with the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 have so far been confirmed in four countries. Seven cases were recorded in Ecuador and two cases in Brazil.

1.55 a.m.: Great Britain classifies Covid-19 as notifiable

According to a media report, Great Britain will officially classify Covid-19, the lung disease caused by the new corona virus, as "notifiable", reports the BBC. "This will help companies claim compensation through their insurance policies in the event of cancellations they may have to make as a result of the spread of the virus," the BBC quoted a spokesman for the Health and Social Services Agency as saying.

0.25 a.m .: Italy: Cup semi-final second leg between Juve and Milan canceled

The semi-final second leg in the Italian Football Cup between Juventus Turin and AC Milan has been canceled due to the coronavirus epidemic in northern Italy. The game was supposed to take place on Wednesday evening, a catch-up date has not yet been set.

"This decision was made based on the assessments of the Piedmont Region Crisis Unit and the Regional Health Officer," said Claudio Palomba, Prefect of the Province of Turin, late Tuesday evening.

In the first leg, both teams drew 1-1 on February 13. Record winners Juventus had won the trophy four times in a row from 2015 to 2018 before losing to Atalanta Bergamo in the quarter-finals last year. Milan were last in the final in 2018, the traditional club last won the Coppa in 2003.

In Italy, more than 2,500 people have now been infected with the virus.

0.20 a.m.: Surprise interest rate cut only gives Wall Street momentary tailwind

After a surprise US interest rate cut, the New York stock indices turned downward on Tuesday. The market fluctuated heavily in early trading, and indecision dominated events. The prices then drifted significantly into the red. The leading index Dow Jones Industrial closed 2.94 percent lower at 25,917.41 points. The day before, it was still up more than 5 percent, recouping much of the loss from the previous week's sell-off.

Because of the dangers to the economy from the outbreak of the new corona virus, the US Federal Reserve had reduced the key interest rate by 0.50 percentage points. However, the Fed did not succeed in allaying concerns in the market. In fact, the opposite happened. Fed Chair Jerome Powell said it was evident that the coronavirus was already impacting growth in many countries and global financial markets. The extent of the impact on the US economy is still "highly uncertain".

The market-wide S&P 500 slipped 2.81 percent to 3,003.37 points. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 was down 3.19 percent to 8,594.49 points. Uncertainty about the unpredictable consequences for the economy of the corona virus is still great. Safe havens were sought again. On the US bond market, for example, the yield on paper with a ten-year term fell below 1 percent for the first time.

Some market participants already had an interest rate cut on the slip. The fact that this took place in an unscheduled action like the last time in 2008 after the Lehman bankruptcy came as a surprise, it said. The measure could rather fuel worries about worse than calm. Some also criticized the Fed as being caught in the markets. The experts from Vontobel Asset Management spoke of a very aggressive measure by the Fed. You gave in to the market too early. It appears that the high market volatility has forced the Fed into a response that is far from healthy.

In Frankfurt, the Dax was unable to maintain its interim gains of more than three percent. The leading German index closed 1.1 percent higher on Tuesday at 11,986 points.

Tuesday, March 3, 11:35 p.m.: Third confirmed case in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

There is a third confirmed case of corona infection in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This was announced by the Ministry of Economy, Labor and Health. The patient is a 50-year-old man with no previous illnesses who went on a skiing holiday in South Tyrol last week.

11:37 p.m .: Berkshire Hathaway sticks to shareholder meeting in early May

The investment company Berkshire Hathaway of the US investor Warren Buffett is sticking to the plans for its annual shareholder meeting on May 2nd. The company announces on its website that the supporting program may be restricted. The multi-day meeting - described by Warren as "Woodstock for Capitalists" - attracts 40,000 or more people every year.

11:20 p.m .: US Minister: Tests of a possible vaccine can come

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light for the first clinical tests of a potential vaccine against the novel corona virus, according to Health Secretary Alex Azar. Azar said so on Tuesday after a visit to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, with US President Donald Trump and the director of the National Institute for Infectious Diseases, Anthony Fauci. Fauci emphasized that this does not change the previous schedule for a possible vaccine. "The whole process will take at least a year or a year and a half." Fauci assumed this timeframe from the start. A number of laboratories around the world are currently researching vaccines against the virus.

In the United States, the death toll from the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has now risen to nine. All of the dead were reported in Washington state on the west coast. Azar said 108 cases of infection have now been identified in the United States. In the past few days, Trump has tried to downplay any danger posed by the virus in the United States. He repeatedly stressed that the US was prepared for a possible spread.

11 p.m .: Six new corona cases after the UAE Tour - Germans also affected

After the UAE Tour of professional cyclists was canceled last week, there are six new cases of infection with the new one in the vicinity of the race Coronavirus occurred. As the organizers announced on Tuesday, a German is also among the sick. The organizers did not provide any information about the identity of the persons concerned. The sick people, in addition to the German, two Russians and Italians and one Colombian, are said to have had connections to the two corona cases already confirmed after the race in the United Arab Emirates was canceled on Thursday.

The responsible ministry announced that the sick people were in a stable condition and were being observed. None of the people in the two hotels who are in quarantine would have had direct contact with the sick. If their tests for the corona virus are negative, they are allowed to leave the country.

The German tour hope Emanuel Buchmann and sprint star Pascal Ackermann (both Bora-hansgrohe) were also part of the UAE Tour rider field, but Buchmann had already left after a fall. Ackermann was allowed to leave the country with the rest of the Bora team over the weekend.

10:29 p.m .: Google cancels the biggest conference of the year

After Facebook, Google also canceled its developer conference in California planned for May due to the risk of coronavirus. A Google spokesman told the technology blogs "The Verge" and "CNET", among others, that the Internet group would instead examine other ways of staying in touch with the software developers. The Google I/O conference, attended by several thousand participants from all over the world, is the most important event of the year for the company.

10:08 p.m .: World Bank launches aid package worth billions due to corona virus

The World Bank wants to support countries affected by the corona virus outbreak with an aid package worth twelve billion dollars. The goal is to help the states "quickly" and "effectively," World Bank boss David Malpass told journalists in Washington on Tuesday. Malpass also stressed the importance of acknowledging the "extra burden" that the coronavirus is placing on poor countries.

8.45 p.m .: Trump is considering travel bans in particularly affected areas

According to President Donald Trump, the US government is considering a ban on travel from the USA to areas particularly affected by the epidemic. Corresponding restrictions within the country are not an issue, Trump said before a meeting with health experts. Around 100 people have been confirmed to be infected in the United States so far, and there have been six deaths.

8:20 p.m .: Insufficient demand due to the corona epidemic: oil states want to cut production

In view of falling oil prices due to the corona virus epidemic, Opec and other producing states are examining a reduction in production. For the second quarter, the Joint Technical Committee working group recommended a production cut of up to one million barrels per day (bpd), according to the corresponding recommendation text on Tuesday. The committee met with other producing countries like Russia ahead of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) meeting this week. Opec had already cut its forecast for global oil demand in mid-February due to the epidemic. The fracking oil producers in the USA are also suffering from the fall in prices.

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8 p.m .: Test for coronavirus in Thuringian MPs negative

The suspicion of a corona infection in a CDU MP in Thuringia has not been confirmed. This was announced by the Ministry of Health in Erfurt. According to the laboratory of the Thuringian State Office for Consumer Protection, the test result was negative.

7:57 p.m .: IMF and World Bank cancel meeting in the USA

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank have canceled their annual spring meeting in the USA because of the novel corona virus. The meetings planned for mid-April at the organizations' headquarters in Washington should now take place in a "virtual format", said IMF boss Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank boss David Malpass on Tuesday. The goal is to guarantee the health and safety of participants from member countries and employees, it said.

It initially remained unclear to what extent the multi-day conference should now be replaced by video conferences and live transmissions. The organizations stated that digital opportunities should be fully exploited to enable consultations with member states. Bankers, finance ministers, high-ranking officials from all over the world and representatives of central banks were among those expected to attend the meeting from April 13-19.

7:53 p.m .: Coronavirus has now also arrived in Argentina

The novel corona virus has been detected in a patient for the first time in Argentina. The man arrived from Italy on Sunday, said Health Minister Ginés González García. The patient is now in quarantine at a hospital in Buenos Aires. After Ecuador with seven cases and Brazil with two cases, Argentina is the third country in South America with confirmed infections with the pathogen SARS-CoV-2.

7.50 p.m .: Fourth coronavirus infection in Lower Saxony

Another infection with the corona virus was confirmed in Eltze in Lower Saxony in the municipality of Uetze. As the Hanover region announced, the 63-year-old man had returned from a bus trip from Italy together with the first person affected from Lower Saxony.

He and his wife have been isolated at home after the initial infection became known. The wife is said to be unaffected.

7.45 p.m .: Infected people from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania became infected in Baden-Württemberg

The couple from Greifswald, whose infection with the corona virus became known today, had contact at a congress in Baden-Württemberg at the end of February to an infected person. This was announced by the Ministry of Health in Schwerin. The couple had been informed by the responsible Baden-Württemberg health department and then had themselves tested. The laboratory result then confirmed the infection.

The 64-year-old husband shows mild symptoms such as coughing, while the 62-year-old wife does not, according to the Schwerin ministry. Since returning to Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, they have not had any further contacts. The couple was immediately isolated at home, said the responsible medical officer Marlies Kühn in Greifswald. According to the Ministry of Health, neither of them have any previous illnesses.

7.30 p.m .: Infected person in Saarland is a doctor at the children’s clinic

The man from Saarland, whose infection with the corona virus became known in the afternoon, is said to be a pediatrician at the university clinic in Homburg. This is reported by the Saarländisches Rundfunk (SR).

The person concerned is isolated in the university hospital. According to SR, he is fine. The clinic should remain open, although the infected person worked there until yesterday.

7.05 p.m .: Altmaier wants to support small and medium-sized companies

Economics Minister Peter Altmaier has promised support from the federal government for companies that are affected by the consequences of the new type of corona virus. "We are doing everything we can to ensure that this virus does not hit the economy across Germany," said the CDU politician on Tuesday evening, according to the announcement. "To do this, we will ensure the liquidity of companies, especially small and medium-sized ones."

It is important to strengthen the trust of companies and consumers in order to successfully overcome the challenge. "We have the necessary instruments such as short-time work benefits, guarantees and liquidity support at our disposal," says Altmaier. "We are prepared and determined to avoid a possible crisis and to secure employment and value creation."

In addition, the strategic scope for action by companies must be quickly expanded through relief and investment incentives. One part would be the improved depreciation conditions for digital assets already agreed in the coalition committee. It is also about a quick tax improvement for partnerships. The Ministry of Finance is required to do this.

6.40 p.m .: Sixth coronavirus infection confirmed in Berlin

There is a sixth coronavirus case in Berlin, as the Senate Department for Health announced on Twitter. The affected man got infected with the patient whose infection was the first to become known in Berlin. They worked together in an open plan office. The Senate administration ordered that all people in the office should be tested immediately for the coronovirus.

6:35 p.m .: Trump wants to provide $8.5 billion for emergency measures

US President Donald Trump says his government is negotiating with Congress about emergency measures against the epidemic. He expects MPs to approve the $8.5 billion package.

6.30 p.m .: The number of sick people in Italy rises to over 2,500

In Italy, the number of coronavirus deaths and infected people has risen sharply again. As of Tuesday, the authorities counted 79 dead. This was announced by the civil defense. A total of 2,502 people in the Mediterranean country were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. That was almost 500 more than on Monday. However, dozens have already recovered.

Italy is the country most severely affected by the lung disease Covid-19 in Europe. Eleven communities in the north, in Lombardy and Veneto have been closed for the second week. The number of cases is still particularly high in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto. The authorities always emphasize that most of the dead were elderly, often with previous illnesses.

5.45 p.m .: First coronavirus cases confirmed in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania

For the first time in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, two patients have been shown to have contracted the new corona virus. The two people from the Vorpommern-Greifswald district were immediately isolated at home, said the responsible medical officer Marlies Kühn in Greifswald.

5.35 p.m .: Doctors from the Heinsberg district: "Medical situation is escalating"

In a call for help, doctors from the Heinsberg district warned of the consequences of the corona virus for health care. The "medical situation in the Heinsberg district is escalating and is taking on threatening proportions," says the letter, which is also signed by Heinsberg District Administrator Stephan Pusch (CDU). A collapse of medical care at the base and in the hospitals can no longer be ruled out. "We urgently need help (...)", it said in a letter to the North Rhine Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

Hospitals would be severely hampered by the quarantine measures prescribed by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI). Doctors and employees are therefore not able to work. Emergency services could only be staffed with difficulty and only to a limited extent. According to the RKI regulation, in the event of an infection in the workforce, the entire team must automatically go into a 14-day quarantine.

The burden of insecure patients is enormous. The supply of resident doctors with protective masks is catastrophic. The trade no longer delivers. The small delivery by the NRW Ministry of Health was immediately sold out. Almost nothing has arrived in the practices. "We urgently need appropriate protective materials because we are currently working at risk to the health of doctors and employees," the letter said.

5:19 p.m .: Two new Covid 19 sufferers in Bremen

In Bremen, two other people tested positive for the novel corona virus, increasing the number of infected people to three. One of the two new cases is a long-distance driver, said a spokesman for the health department. He is being treated in a clinic, two contact persons are in quarantine at home. The second infected person complained of symptoms after returning from a skiing holiday in South Tyrol. He is in quarantine at home with his wife, who also has symptoms.

5.17 p.m .: Benefit concert for victims of attack in Hanau canceled

The benefit concert by prominent artists in memory of the victims of the attack in Hanau will be postponed. The reason is the first confirmed corona case in Hanau. According to the original plan, the concert was to take place on Saturday in the Kurpark. The concert is to be rescheduled for May 17, 2020. At first there was talk of a postponement for an indefinite period. The "Hanauer Anzeiger" had previously reported on it.

"We cannot estimate the dynamics of the issue," said urban developer Martin Bieberle. As a precaution, it was therefore decided to cancel the concert for the time being. "At the moment we have been able to do this without financial damage," explained Bieberle. If canceled at short notice, however, it could have been expensive.

5.05 p.m .: Baden-Württemberg: schools have to cancel class trips to risk areas

Schools should cancel class trips and student exchanges to risk areas of the new type of corona virus. This applies until the end of the current school year, the Ministry of Education announced on Tuesday in Stuttgart. Travel to foreign regions that have not been declared a risk area by the Robert Koch Institute should also be canceled in case of doubt. In these cases, the cancellation costs would be borne by the state of Baden-Württemberg. The ministry also recommends that teachers should not drive privately to risk areas.

4:52 p.m .: First coronavirus case in Saarland

In Saarland, an infection with the novel corona virus was found for the first time. This was announced by the Saarland Ministry of Health.

4.36 p.m .: Third infected person confirmed in Lower Saxony

A third case of infection with the novel corona virus has been confirmed in Lower Saxony. The district announced on Tuesday that it was a man from the Cuxhaven district. The background is a trip to northern Italy. The sick person is in quarantine at home, as is his wife as a contact person. There are no indications that the virus is circulating in the population of the district.

4:22 p.m .: The US Federal Reserve surprisingly lowers the key interest rate

In the midst of the virus crisis, the US Federal Reserve surprisingly lowered interest rates well before the upcoming meeting. The monetary authorities around US Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell cut the key rate by half a point: to the new range of 1.0 to 1.25 percent.

The move was justified by the risks to the US economy associated with the spread of the coronavirus. The central bank will continue to monitor developments closely and use its tools if necessary to support the economy. The unanimous decision by the monetary watchdogs surprised the financial markets, which had only expected a rate cut for the interest rate meeting on March 17th and 18th.

4:08 p.m .: All clear on the cruise ship: Germans are not infected

The two Germans who were quarantined on the cruise ship “AIDAaura” on suspicion of the corona virus are not infected with the pathogen. This was reported by ARD Stockholm and the AFP news agency. The ship could soon leave the port of Haugesund in Norway and continue its journey, the ARD wrote on Twitter.

The Norwegian health authorities confirmed in the afternoon that the precautionary tests on the two German guests had not revealed any infection, Aida Cruises said, according to the AFP news agency.

3:59 p.m .: South Korea reports more than 5,000 infected

The number of recorded SARS-CoV-2 infections in South Korea has risen to more than 5,000. The health authorities reported over 800 other cases in the course of Tuesday, in which people contracted the pathogen of the lung disease. The total reached 5,186 - more than anywhere else outside of China. The number of deaths associated with the new corona virus rose by five to 31 compared to the previous day.

Again, the majority of the new cases of infection were recorded in the southeastern city of Daegu and the surrounding region. More than half of all proven cases are attributable to followers of the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which is strongly represented in Daegu and also has connections to China. Authorities are of new concern about the rise in infections among people in Daegu who are not connected to the sect.

3.55 p.m .: Saudi Arabia advises against trips to Germany

Because of the spread of the corona virus, Saudi Arabia has advised against trips to Germany and France. The Saudi Ministry of Health had previously recommended not traveling to Italy or Japan if possible. The kingdom stopped traveling to China, where SARS-CoV-2 broke out, several weeks ago.

Saudi Arabia announced the first coronavirus case on Monday. The man entered Iran via Bahrain and his condition is stable, said a spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Health. 70 people with whom the patient had contact were isolated.

3.40 p.m .: Berlin cancels major anti-terror exercise

A long-planned major anti-terror exercise in Berlin has been postponed because of the corona virus. This was announced by the senate administration in the federal capital. The exercise was to take place on March 11th and, with 3,000 participants, would be the largest in Germany to date. It was supposed to simulate a terrorist attack in the middle of the city and had been in preparation for a year.

Among other things, it should take place in front of the Rotes Rathaus near Alexanderplatz, but also include other places in the city. The police, fire brigade, rescue services, hospitals, transport companies and political crisis teams would have been involved.

The reason given by the Senate Interior Administration was: "This means that the employees of the police, fire brigade and aid organizations can go about their regular work in the current situation and are not tied to an all-day exercise."

3:37 p.m .: Macron has all protective masks confiscated in France

French President Macron announced on Twitter that all protective masks in France would be confiscated. The measure affects inventories and ongoing production, Macron said in the tweet. The equipment should be distributed to the medical staff and the French affected by the virus.

According to official information, more than 200 SARS-CoV-2 infections have been recorded in France. Four people have died so far.

3.16 p.m .: Those infected in Berlin did not infect each other

The five confirmed corona cases in Berlin have nothing to do with each other. According to the Berlin Senator for Health, Dilek Kalayci, according to a report by the "Tagesspiegel". It is striking that the five people apparently became infected independently of each other. According to the report, Kalayci said that all infected people were linked to travel.

A woman with a face mask in Berlin: There are now five confirmed cases of the corona virus in the capital. (Source: imago images)

You don't expect the infections to end anytime soon, said the health senator, according to the "Tagesspiegel". It cannot be assumed that it will only be a matter of a few weeks: "It is quite possible that we will have to live with the virus for several years. Nobody can prevent it from spreading."

3:03 p.m .: Trip canceled due to Corona? In many cases, Deutsche Bahn reimburses the tickets free of charge

Deutsche Bahn reimburses travelers for their long-distance transport tickets free of charge if their travel purpose was canceled due to the corona virus. Read here in which cases the regulation applies and how you can get your money back.

2.08 p.m .: Now five corona cases in Berlin – including a doctor

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in Berlin has increased to five – there is a doctor among the patients. There are also around 200 identified contact persons, said Health Senator Dilek Kalayci (SPD) in Berlin. Three coronavirus infections were known in Berlin by Monday evening, and two new cases were initially diagnosed on Tuesday.

The five infected are one woman and four men, including a teacher from Marzahn-Hellersdorf and a doctor from a day clinic in Neukölln. Several contact persons of the sick were contacted and isolated; they should be tested.

Berlin's Governing Mayor Michael Müller said he thinks the cancellation of events is a possible way to prevent the spread of the corona virus. However, he rejects a blanket closure of schools. "We have to react to this special situation, including by canceling events," he said in Berlin. Events with many visitors pose a particular risk. "We react appropriately and with prudence," added Müller. It is important not to take any risks.

Public life must go on, says Müller. He also warned against bulk purchases: "There is no reason to buy hamsters, all the experts tell us that."

1.39 p.m .: Ministry provides 10 million euros for corona research

The Federal Ministry of Research is providing up to ten million euros so that researchers can better understand the virus and advance therapy options. It should also be checked whether existing drugs can be used to treat the respiratory disease. The funding complements the ongoing support from the Ministry of Research to develop a vaccine.

1.32 p.m .: The establishment of test centers in Lower Saxony is delayed - protective clothing is missing

The establishment of regional test centers in the fight against the corona virus is likely to be postponed in Lower Saxony. Actually, the diagnostic centers should start their work by the end of the week. However, this is probably not possible, said a spokesman for the Lower Saxony Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

The biggest problem is the lack of protective clothing, which is sold out on the market, but the doctors in the test centers absolutely have to have protective clothing. Otherwise, doctors threatened to fail and be sent to quarantine. The state of Lower Saxony is examining, in coordination with the federal government, whether there are reserves, for example in the Bundeswehr or the technical relief organization.

According to the spokesman, it is possible that the test centers will be set up more quickly in individual regions. The 11 district offices of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in the state should contact the 45 health authorities.

The aim is to look for suitable premises together. These could be health authorities or on-call practices of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in hospitals, and rooms could also be rented. The second step was to find resident doctors or retirees who would be responsible for the tests on a voluntary basis. The test centers should only check justified suspected cases.

1.30 p.m .: WhatsApp chain letters spread false reports about the corona virus

There are numerous rumors and false reports about the corona virus circulating on WhatsApp and social media. Read here how to recognize spam and rip-offs.

1:04 p.m .: Expert: Corona infection chain can no longer be interrupted

According to the head of the Frankfurt Health Department, Rene Gottschalk, the infection chain of the spreading corona virus can no longer be interrupted. “That cannot be done given the large number of cases,” he told the German Press Agency in Frankfurt. But this is also "not tragic, because the disease is not bad".

The expert therefore believes that checking entire crowds or even setting up quarantine areas is excessive. "Barracking someone for 14 days because of an illness that runs like a cold is completely disproportionate," he said. It is now a matter of informing the public and avoiding panic.

12.55 p.m .: Shortly before the prime minister election in Thuringia: CDU MPs could have been infected

One day before the election of the prime minister in Thuringia, a MP from the CDU parliamentary group is suspected of having the having been infected with coronavirus. This was confirmed by the spokesman for the CDU parliamentary group in the Thuringian state parliament t-online.de. The "Thüringer Allgemeine" had previously reported on the case. Accordingly, the person concerned had attended the parliamentary group meeting on Monday. If the suspicion is confirmed, it could potentially jeopardize Wednesday's election. All current information on the political developments in the Thuringian state parliament can be found in our Thuringia news blog.

12.54 p.m .: ProSiebenSat.1 boss Max Conze has to be in quarantine

ProSiebenSat.1 boss Max Conze and his CFO Rainer Beaujean have to work from home after a coronavirus case in the group the planned balance sheet press conference in Unterföhring was cancelled. You will present the numbers on Thursday via webcast on the Internet, as a spokeswoman said.

An employee in Düsseldorf was infected with the virus. His contacts and their contacts in Unterföhring – around 200 people in total – have therefore been working from home for a week as a precaution, including Conze and Beaujean. The quarantine ends at the end of this week.

Visitors at the book fair in Leipzig: The organizers had blocked the cancellation for a long time. (Archive image) (Source: Christian Grube/imago images)

12.23 p.m .: Leipzig Book Fair canceled

Because of the corona virus, the Leipzig Book Fair should not take place. This is reported by the "Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland" and the "Leipziger Volkszeitung". Accordingly, Mayor Burkhard Jung, the Leipzig Health Department and those responsible for the trade fair decided to cancel the event in a service consultation in the New Town Hall.

For a long time, it looked as if the trade fair would take place from March 12th to 15th, despite all the warnings: the organizers had confirmed this at the weekend. On Monday, Jochen Mende, managing director of the Prolit publishing house, wrote an open letter to the city and the trade fair and asked for the trade fair to be canceled.

12.11 p.m .: British government wants to use the army in the fight against Corona if necessary

The British government presents its “battle plan” against the spread of the corona virus, which includes school closures, working from home and the cancellation of large gatherings provides. In the worst case, the army could be deployed, says Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

When asked if workers absent from work due to the virus could have their wages cut, he replied that all options were being explored. Great Britain has so far confirmed 39 cases of infection. According to Johnson, however, it could be significantly more.

12.09 p.m .: Authorities confirm new corona case in Schleswig-Holstein

The number of infected people in Schleswig-Holstein has risen to four. The infection of a person from Ammersbek was confirmed on Monday evening, as the district announced. This person has no symptoms, but had returned from a trip to a risk area and is in domestic isolation by order of the health department. Because she has not had any significant contacts since her return, further infections are not considered likely, according to the authorities.

11.56 a.m .: 23 Iranian MPs are said to have been infected

As the Arabic news channel "Al Jazeera" reports on Twitter, 23 Iranian MPs are said to have been infected with the corona virus. However, the reports have not yet been confirmed. There are no other verifiable sources.

11.52 a.m .: Essen wants to introduce attendance lists for events

The city of Essen urges the organizers of events with 25 or more people to record the personal data of all participants. If a participant is later found to be infected with coronavirus, it should be possible to identify all the others immediately. Read more details here.

11.36 a.m .: Kiel cancels the opening of the cruise terminal

Because of the SARS-CoV-2 spread, the seaport of Kiel has canceled the opening of a new cruise terminal planned for Wednesday, according to a spokesman for the German Press Agency confirmed. The arrival of the first cruise ship in the new season is still scheduled for April 26, the port spokesman said.

The cruise ship "Aida Aura": Until the results of the test are available, the two passengers concerned should remain in their cabin. (Archive image) (Source: Markus Scholz/dpa)

11.35 a.m .: Suspected cases on the "AIDAaura" have so far shown no symptoms

As the cruise line Aida Cruises in Rostock announced, the passengers on the cruise ship "AIDAaura" who may have been infected are a couple. One of the two had worked in a facility last week where two people had now tested positive for the corona virus.

The "AIDAaura" should have set out for Bodø on Monday evening. The shipping company asked the port to be able to stay a day longer until the results of the investigation were available. The 1,200 passengers would have to stay on board, the couple concerned was isolated from the other guests on board, according to the Aida spokesman. The responsible doctor in Haugesund said both passengers showed no symptoms.

On February 29, the "AIDAaura" set off from Hamburg on a voyage along the Norwegian coast. On Monday, the ship reached its first stop, Haugesund on the southwest coast of Norway.

11.11 a.m .: Doctors warn against having healthy people tested for coronavirus

Germany's panel doctors urgently warn against unnecessary tests for the corona virus. "More extensive testing of clinically healthy people is medical nonsense," said the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, Andreas Gassen, in Berlin. Tests only make sense if someone shows symptoms of an upper respiratory tract disease and may have had contact with infected people. There is capacity for around 12,000 tests per day in Germany's relevant laboratories.

In any case, people who suspect they have the coronavirus should first call the practice or the doctor hotline 116117. In most cases, infections with the corona virus were mild.

But if a test in a practice is positive, the practice could be temporarily closed by the responsible health department for reasons of disease protection. In the particularly affected NRW district of Heinsberg, practices were closed. "And that's exactly what we want to avoid," said Stephan Hofmeister, deputy head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians.

11.10 a.m .: Thuringia is looking for contact persons under high pressure - all public events canceled

After a first confirmed infection in Thuringia, all public events with more than 50 people in the Saale-Orla district were canceled. The cancellation by order of the crisis team affects, for example, cultural events, conferences, planned meetings of fire brigades and hunters' associations, the district office said.

The virus was found in a 57-year-old who had been in Italy with a ski group during the winter holidays. He is being treated at the Saalfeld Clinic. The man's contact persons are currently being searched for at high pressure, they are to be examined for a possible infection.

Two contacts were found at a high school in Pößneck and tested for the virus. Results are not yet available. The high school was initially closed until March 6th. All students and teachers are encouraged to stay at home.

10.35 a.m .: SPD health expert Karl Lauterbach fears drug shortages

SPD politician Karl Lauterbach expects the corona epidemic to turn into a pandemic. That said the health expert in the ARD "Morgenmagazin". According to Lauterbach, he does not expect the disease to go away in the summer. Instead, the virus will return more strongly towards the end of the year: "In autumn we will very likely see a sharp increase in cases in China, but also in Europe."

Lauterbach also advised wholesalers and companies to stock up more medicines. Because the virus will continue to spread in China and India, where many drugs are produced, supply shortages are to be expected. It is therefore important to store more of the necessary active ingredients in Europe in order to be able to produce the medicines locally.

10.29 a.m .: After a school trip to Italy, 23 students stay at home for a week

After a student exchange in the Italian Emilia-Romagna, 23 students from a high school in Dorfen in Upper Bavaria stay at home the whole week. The region in which the young people stayed in Italy is now considered a corona risk area.

The ninth and tenth graders spent a week in Bologna before the holidays, as headmaster Markus Höß announced. The two teachers who took part in the trip also stay away from school. Several media had first reported about it.

"It's purely a precautionary measure. We received the message from the Ministry of Education on Sunday: If students have been to affected areas, they should initially stay at home on Monday," said Hoess. Since Emilia-Romagna has now been declared a risk region, it was decided to leave the students at home until Friday; then two weeks had passed since the return from Italy.

So far there has been no suspected case. "We don't have a student with symptoms." He therefore assumes that the students will be able to attend classes regularly again next week, said Höß.

10.08 a.m .: Robert Koch Institute: The infection dynamics are shifting away from China

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) informed about the current status of the corona virus in a press conference. According to this, more than 91,000 people worldwide have already been infected, 72 countries are affected. Lars Schaade, deputy head of the RKI, noted that the dynamics of infections are increasingly shifting away from China. Globally, the situation is dynamic and should be taken seriously.

In Germany there are already 188 cases of illness that have been confirmed by laboratories, Schaade said. However, the RKI continues to classify the danger for Germany as moderate.

One has to be prepared for a global spread of the corona virus, says Schaade. He does not assume that the virus will go away. Instead, it would be about dealing with the new disease: "We have to slow down the wave of infections and suppress them as much as possible."

It is important that all levels of the health system are prepared. In addition to the preventive measures already recommended – such as sneezing labels and hand hygiene – individuals could also try to minimize personal contacts. Schaade advised this, especially in regions that are already affected by the virus.

9.50 a.m .: President of the Bundestag asks MPs to be careful because of the corona virus

At the beginning of the week of meetings, President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble called on MPs to observe the hygiene measures. A large number of people from all parts of Germany will come together this week in the buildings of the Bundestag, according to a letter to all 709 MPs. "I would therefore like to urge you to carefully observe the prevention and behavioral instructions contained in the attached information sheet and to encourage your employees to do the same."

The CDU politician also asked MPs to limit business trips, especially to risk areas, to what is absolutely necessary. He also pointed out to the MPs that regardless of their immunity, they are subject to the infection protection measures of the responsible health authorities. With regard to larger events of the Bundestag, the decisions of the responsible state authorities will be followed.

Schäuble does not rule out the consequences for the many visitors to the Reichstag building. In his letter, which he sent after consultations with the parliamentary managers of the parliamentary groups, it says: "In addition, in the event that major public events in Berlin are generally canceled, I intend to also close the roof terrace and dome for public visitor traffic."

8.38 a.m .: Two Germans suspected of corona: cruise ship is stuck in Norway

Two German passengers on the cruise ship "AIDAaura" are suspected of being infected with the new corona virus. The ship with around 1,200 passengers was in the port of the Norwegian coastal town of Haugesund in the morning. A doctor from the community told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that both passengers had been in contact with a person who had been diagnosed with the virus a week ago. However, this person is not on board. The two passengers are now in their cabin until the results of the tests are available, probably by Tuesday afternoon. That's how long the "AIDAaura" will remain in the port of Haugesund.

8.07 a.m .: Infected football fan was in the stadium

The football fan from Hesse infected with the corona virus was in the Europa League game of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Salzburg stadium. This is reported by the Hessenschau. Accordingly, the Frankfurter spent two days in the Austrian city and also watched his team's game. Then he drove back to Frankfurt in a car.

Risks for the other football spectators are said to have been minimal. The health department in Frankfurt announced that the risk of infection is very low outdoors, including in the football stadium. The three Frankfurt fans who drove back to Germany with him were quarantined as a precaution, according to the "Hessenschau".

7.54 a.m .: Newspaper: Pope does not suffer from coronavirus

According to a report in the newspaper "Il Messaggero", Pope Francis has tested negative for the corona virus. Because of a cold, he had decided not to take part in traditional fasting exercises. A Vatican spokesman initially declined to comment on the report.

5 o'clock: Medical practitioners see a need for action on protective equipment

The medical practitioners see themselves armed for dealing with the new corona virus in Germany - but there is a need for action when it comes to replenishing protective equipment. "The basic stock that the established colleagues have in their practices will not be sufficient nationwide if the number of suspected cases increases," said the head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), Andreas Gassen, of the German Press Agency. "And everything points to that."

One is therefore in talks with the Federal Ministry of Health and everyone involved in order to be able to remedy the situation quickly and to have protective clothing available where it is needed. "There must be clarity about how the doctors can get the necessary material." We are also in constant coordination on this.

Gassen emphasized: "We take the situation seriously. But there is still no reason to panic." It was to be expected that the number of confirmed cases would increase and will probably continue to increase. "But the important thing is that many infected people have no symptoms at all, most only have flu-like symptoms, and only a few become seriously ill." It should also not be forgotten that, regardless of the corona virus, many people are currently suffering from a cold or a flu-like infection.

4.40 a.m .: Exhibitors are loyal to the Leipzig Book Fair

The exhibitors are loyal to the Leipzig Book Fair despite the spread of the corona virus. So far there has only been one cancellation, said Book Fair spokeswoman Ruth Justen. This is an exhibitor at the integrated comic fair Manga-Comic-Con, whose headquarters in Tokyo have prohibited participation in major events worldwide. A total of around 2,500 exhibitors are expected at the Leipzig Book Fair this year – a similar number to last year (2,547).

The fair is scheduled to be held from March 12th to 15th. In the previous year, around 286,000 visitors came to the book show and the associated reading festival "Leipzig Reads". It is not possible to predict whether the Corona concern could affect the number of visitors this year, explained trade fair spokeswoman Justen. There are enquiries, but the number of messages that the visitors would be happy about the Leipzig Book Fair prevails.

4 o'clock: Lindner calls for "anti-crisis package"

FDP leader Christian Lindner has called on the federal government to launch an "anti-crisis package" against the economic consequences of a coronavirus epidemic. "The OECD is already warning of a recession," said the party leader of the German Press Agency in Berlin. Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) misjudges the seriousness of the situation when he says he wants to first look at the facts. "It is high time to set up a crisis management team in the Federal Ministry of Economics."

An anti-crisis package includes completely abolishing the solidarity surcharge, which is already unconstitutional. At least the already planned partial abolition of the solo should be brought forward retrospectively to January 1st. "That would relieve companies and citizens and give the domestic economy a boost," said Lindner.

In order to prioritize investments, planning rights should be temporarily reduced to the bare minimum. New investment impulses could arise from the introduction of depreciation types that are advantageous for companies. In addition, the electricity tax should be reduced and affected companies should have easier access to short-time work. "The first priority with the corona virus is to protect the population. However, we also have to counteract possible economic consequences," said Lindner.

3.20 a.m.: US pharmaceutical companies unite against Corona

The US government announces that it has committed leading pharmaceutical companies to work together to develop a vaccine and drugs to treat the corona virus. "This is all hands on deck. And the result of this meeting is that they have already formed a consortium. Now we know that they will work together to develop therapeutics and ultimately a new vaccine," concludes Vice President Mike Pence the meeting with representatives from pharmaceutical companies Gilead, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Moderna and GlaxoSmithKline, Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Sanofi. According to the experts, a safe vaccine could be available in twelve to 18 months, and antiviral treatment options could be approved more quickly after clinical trials.

2 a.m.: Söder pleads for economic aid

CSU boss Söder pleads for rapid help from the federal government for the German economy because of the corona virus. "We now have to think about stimulus packages," said the Bavarian Prime Minister to the "Münchner Merkur". The measures should include significantly lower energy prices and corporate taxes, but also investments. Söder announced that he would like to discuss such steps with the CDU and SPD at the next meeting of the coalition committee on Sunday. Federal Finance Minister Scholz had recently shown himself open to an economic stimulus package because of the corona virus.

1.20 a.m .: First public school in Berlin remains closed

The first public school in Berlin is affected by the virus. Since a teacher is among the infected, the Emanuel Lasker high school in the Friedrichshain district will now remain closed until all contact persons have been tested, as the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family announced on Twitter.

The man who fell ill in Marzahn-Hellersdorf was apparently a teacher who contracted the corona virus on a trip to South Tyrol. This is reported, among other things, by the Berliner Morgenpost. The private Metropolitan School in Mitte had previously sent its students home and announced that it would keep the school closed on Tuesday.

1.10 a.m .: 31 dead again in China - debate about changes in statistics

The number of deaths and officially newly detected infections from the new corona virus in China continues to rise. The National Health Commission in Beijing reported another 31 deaths on Tuesday. This means that 2,943 deaths from the new lung disease Covid-19 have already been reported in mainland China. With a renewed increase in officially confirmed infections by 125, the number of virus cases climbed to 80,151. All new deaths and most of the infections are in the badly affected province of Hubei in central China, where the virus called SARS-CoV-2 originally broke out.

The true extent of the epidemic in China seems unclear, however, since the counting of detected infections has been changed several times, which also has a noticeable effect on official statistics. As the Chinese magazine "Caixin" reported, for example, people who are proven to be infected but do not show any symptoms of the disease can no longer be counted as newly confirmed infections since the beginning of February, but can be listed elsewhere. Such people can also be contagious. The change has sparked debate among experts.

Clinical diagnoses had also been excluded two weeks ago. The doctor only diagnoses the infection based on the patient's symptoms or history, without doing a test. Since then, the daily reported increase in new infections and deaths in China's official statistics has also decreased significantly. Official bodies like to refer to the decline in numbers when calls are made to return to normal in areas of China where the risk is not so great and to restart production in the factories.

1 a.m.: South Korea reports 600 more cases of infection

The number of Covid-19 infections in South Korea is increasing unabated. The health authorities reported 600 more cases on Tuesday in which people were infected with the causative agent of the lung disease. The total number reached 4812. The number of deaths associated with the new corona virus rose by two to 28 compared to the previous day.

Again, the majority of the new cases of infection were recorded in the southeastern city of Daegu and the surrounding region. Daegu alone accounts for almost three quarters of all officially proven infections in the country. The city of 2.5 million has the highest concentration of infections among followers of the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which also has ties to China. According to the authorities, some cult members had visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan in January, where the origin of Covid-19 is suspected.

Cult leader Lee Man Hee issued a public apology on Monday for spreading the virus among his followers. The city of Seoul previously filed a criminal complaint with prosecutors alleging murder and other charges against Lee and 12 other leading members of the cult. Among other things, they are accused of not cooperating sufficiently with the health authorities and withholding the names of followers who should be tested for the virus. The sect, which is controversial in South Korea, rejects the allegations.

Tuesday, March 3, 12:01 a.m .: Several federal states report the first cases of coronavirus

In several federal states, the first cases of the novel corona virus were detected on Monday evening. Overall, the number of cases recorded rose to around 170. There were only no reports from Saarland, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Saxony-Anhalt. This means that there are registered SARS-CoV-2 infections in almost all federal states - with more than 90 cases by far the most in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Infections from Brandenburg (1), Thuringia (1) and Saxony (1) were reported for the first time on Monday. In Berlin, where the first infection became known on Sunday evening, two more cases were added.

Not everyone who is infected becomes ill. The vast majority of those affected have cold symptoms or no symptoms at all. According to current global knowledge, up to 15 percent of those affected develop a more severe course of the disease. Older people and patients with previous illnesses are often among them.

11:28 p.m.: China sticks to economic targets for 2020

China sticks to its economic targets for the full year despite the epidemic. The virus outbreak had "negative consequences" for the economy of the People's Republic, says the country's UN ambassador, Zhang Jun. However, the Chinese economy is on solid foundations, is very resilient and is being supported by huge domestic demand.

11 p.m.: Closer cooperation at EU level in the future

Because of the spread of the new type of corona virus, there will be closer cooperation at EU level in the future. The crisis reaction mechanism of the international community has now been fully triggered by the Croatian EU Council Presidency, according to a statement on Monday evening. The second of the three stages - the mode for exchanging information - had previously been activated on Friday.

In principle, the mechanism should enable quick and coordinated political decisions in serious and complex crises, for example in the case of terrorist attacks. The EU institutions, the EU states and other stakeholders come together.

Under the new level, there will be crisis meetings of the EU Commission, the European Council, the Foreign Service and representatives of affected EU states and other important parties. Proposals are to be developed that the EU states can then decide on.

10:51 p.m .: ECB boss: Standing ready for action

The European Central Bank (ECB) is ready to respond to the economic consequences of the coronavirus outbreak. Appropriate and targeted measures could be taken according to the need and the underlying risks, ECB President Christine Lagarde wrote in a statement published on the Internet in the evening

Monday, 9:37 p.m .: Six new cases confirmed in Bavaria

There are six new confirmed cases of the novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 in Bavaria. Five people from the Upper Bavarian district of Freising and one person from Munich were affected, the Ministry of Health announced on Monday evening, citing the State Office for Health and Food Safety in Munich. The cases in the Freising district are related to the husband of a teacher who also tested positive for the pathogen. With the six new cases, there have been a total of 21 new confirmed coronavirus cases in Bavaria since last Thursday.

9:28 p.m .: Thuringia also has the first case of coronavirus

In Thuringia, an infection with the novel corona virus has been detected for the first time. This was confirmed by the spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Erfurt. It is a 57-year-old man from the Orlatal, as announced by the district office of the Saale-Orla district in Schleiz.

9.15 p.m .: Two more infections in Berlin

In Berlin, two more people are infected with the new type of corona virus. The Senate Department for Health announced that there are two new cases that, according to current knowledge, are not connected to the first person who was diagnosed with the disease.

8:57 p.m .: Number of cases in France rises to 191 - three dead

In France, the number of confirmed cases has risen to 191 after 130 the previous day. The government spoke of a total of three deaths.

8:41 p.m.: Corona virus spreads in the USA - six deaths

The novel corona virus has also spread further in the USA and has led to six deaths so far. The dead were reported from nursing homes in the US state of Washington near the metropolis of Seattle, the local authorities said. The first death was reported there on Saturday, the first since the outbreak began in the United States.

On Monday, the US health authority CDC increased the number of people in the USA who had previously tested positive for the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 to 43. According to media reports, however, it should already be significantly more. The first case was also reported from the metropolis of New York at the weekend. The woman, in her late 30s, got infected on a trip to Iran.

8:38 p.m .: No corona virus among employees of Tropical Island

Relief for more than 100 employees of the large Brandenburg adventure pool Tropical Islands: All tests for the novel corona virus were negative for 104 employees. This was announced by a spokesman for the Brandenburg Ministry of Health in the evening.

A coronavirus carrier from North Rhine-Westphalia stayed in the large bathroom from February 20th to 23rd. At this point in time, the family father, who later became slightly ill, did not yet know anything about his infection. In the adventure pool, however, he only had closer contact with employees, for example when serving food.

8:21 p.m .: First infection in Brandenburg

In Brandenburg, a person has been shown to have contracted the new type of corona virus for the first time. The spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Tobias Arbinger, said it was a man who had returned from a trip to South Tyrol.

7.30 p.m .: First infection in Saxony

In Saxony, an infection with the novel corona virus was detected for the first time. It is a pensioner from the Saxon Switzerland-Eastern Ore Mountains district, as the spokesman for the district office in Pirna said. The man belonged to a group of bus passengers who had returned from Italy.

7.26 p.m .: Internationale Handwerksmesse canceled

The Internationale Handwerksmesse (IHM) in Munich is being canceled due to the spread of the new corona virus. The organizers announced this on Monday evening in Munich. With 1000 exhibitors from 60 countries and more than 100,000 visitors, the IHM is the most important trade show in Germany.

6.45 p.m .: The EU Parliament will not allow visitors for three weeks because of the corona virus

The EU Parliament will no longer allow visitors due to the growing risk of infection from the new type of corona virus. As Parliament President David Sassoli said in Brussels, the restrictions apply as a precautionary measure for the next three weeks. He pointed out that 700,000 people visit the European Parliament every year. Events in parliamentary rooms with people from outside, such as seminars, exhibitions and cultural events, would also be canceled.

The core of parliamentary work is not affected, Sassoli said. "We don't want Parliament to come to a standstill." Hearings in committees would be suspended for the next three weeks. According to information from parliamentary circles, however, the invitation for climate activist Greta Thunberg to the environmental committee on Wednesday will be maintained. The plenary session next week will also be held "as normal", said Sassoli. It takes place in Strasbourg, France.

6.30pm: British Airways cancels hundreds of flights

British Airways (BA) airline has canceled hundreds of flights to the US and Europe due to reduced demand resulting from the coronavirus outbreak. As the airline announced, more than 200 return flights will be canceled between March 17 and 28, including to Germany, Italy, France, Austria, Ireland and Switzerland.

London Airports Heathrow, Gatwick and City Airport are affected. According to the BA announcement, passengers can choose between reimbursement of costs and rebooking. For all flights booked between March 3rd and 16th, the airline is waiving booking change fees.

6.16 p.m .: In Italy 52 deaths as a result of coronavirus

According to the authorities, 52 people died in Italy as a result of a coronavirus infection. The civil protection authority announced in the evening that the number of fatalities had increased by 18 within 24 hours. It currently has 2,036 confirmed diseases. That's a fifth more than on Sunday, when 1,694 cases were reported.

5.41 p.m .: Just in case: Vienna sets up quarters for infected tourists

The city of Vienna has set up a care center for tourists who have been infected with the corona virus. 58 care places are available in the former geriatric center. Infected people who do not have to be treated in a hospital because of their mild symptoms are to be cared for there. For the time being, however, there is no one in the accommodation. "Currently there is no case that meets the criteria," said a spokesman for the city's medical crisis team. Two tourists from Germany who tested positive over the weekend are still in quarantine in their holiday home. There are four-bed rooms and a lounge in the geriatric center.

5:28 p.m .: Switzerland cancels football games until the beginning of April

In Switzerland, all football games in the 1st and 2nd leagues for March have been canceled due to the corona virus epidemic. That was decided by the 20 clubs in the Swiss Football League on Monday in Bern. The 24th matchday last weekend and the cup quarter-finals this week had already been postponed. If the Swiss Federal Council's ban on events, which is currently in force until March 15th, is not extended, the game should be played again on April 4th and 5th. Whether Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League round of 16 will take place on March 19 at FC Basel initially remained open on Monday.

5.25 p.m .: Coronavirus test for Tropical Islands employees 90 times negative

The tests for the novel corona virus were negative for 90 employees at the Tropical Islands adventure pool in Brandenburg. The district of Dahme-Spreewald had 90 of 104 test results by Monday afternoon, as the district office in Lübben announced. "It is particularly reassuring for the employees of Tropical Islands that 90 out of 104 employees could be tested negatively," said Health Department Head Carsten Saß. Further results are expected soon.

Health Minister Ursula Nonnemacher (Greens) announced on Thursday that a person infected with coronavirus from North Rhine-Westphalia had stayed in Tropical Islands. There was an all-clear for bathers: the man had therefore had no closer contact with other guests. However, there was closer contact with employees, for example when serving food.

5.20 p.m .: Two more infections with coronavirus in Bavaria

Two more infections with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 were confirmed in Bavaria on Monday afternoon. The two cases were reported from the Upper Franconian district of Bayreuth, as announced by the Ministry of Health in Munich. The authorities are now identifying possible contact persons as well as connections to previously known cases. There have now been 15 new confirmed infections in Bavaria since last Thursday.

In the morning, five new cases from Munich, from Schwabach in Middle Franconia, from the district of Freising and from the district of Ostallgäu had already been reported. The infected in Freising and in the Ostallgäu are contact persons of previously reported cases.

So far, a total of 29 patients in Bavaria have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The disease has cured in 14 patients, all of whom have been discharged from the hospitals. They were related to the auto parts supplier Webasto from Gauting-Stockdorf near Munich. An employee from China who carried the virus visited Webasto in January. Colleagues and some of their relatives became infected.

5.15 p.m .: WHO: Only a few new infections with coronavirus in China

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), China is getting a better grip on the coronavirus epidemic. Only 206 new infections with the novel virus SARS-CoV-2 were reported on Sunday, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday in Geneva. That is the lowest number since January 22. The situation in South Korea, Italy, Iran and Japan is currently causing the most concern, where there is a significant increase in the number of cases. A WHO team arrived in Iran on Monday to help fight the disease, Tedros said.

He again pointed out that the virus can be contained well with the right and rigid measures compared to, for example, flu. If Covid-19 were a flu epidemic, it would be expected to spread worldwide. "Efforts to slow or contain them would not be feasible," Tedros said. In contrast, in the case of SARS-CoV-2, according to current knowledge, more than 130 countries are still without a single proven case. In many other countries there is only an extremely limited number of infections with the causative agent of the new lung disease.

5:08 p.m.: US government calls for faster vaccine development

The US government is calling on the pharmaceutical industry to speed up the development of a vaccine. This was announced by President Donald Trump before a meeting with representatives of large pharmaceutical companies. He does not give details.

4.43 p.m .: Number of corona cases in Germany rises to 157

The number of confirmed corona infections in Germany has risen by seven to 157. The Robert Koch Institute announced this in the afternoon. Most of the cases are still in North Rhine-Westphalia, where 90 patients are now known.

4.38 p.m .: Germany contributes millions in aid for Iran

Germany, France and Great Britain offer Iran aid amounting to five million euros. The British Foreign Ministry announced that the country would receive the money for the fight against the corona epidemic via the World Health Organization and other UN organisations. Medical aids such as laboratory tests, protective suits and gloves should also be delivered directly on Monday. Iran is one of the countries outside of China that has been particularly hard hit by the virus outbreak. Germany, France and Great Britain are the so-called E3 group, the European signatories to the nuclear agreement with Iran.

4:34 p.m .: At least three people died from the corona virus in France

In France, the number of deaths from the novel corona virus has risen to at least three: an approximately 80-year-old woman from the town of Crépy-en-Valois around 70 kilometers northeast of Paris died as a result of the infectious disease, as the AFP news agency learned on Monday from consistent sources. A 60-year-old teacher who died last week also worked in the town. An 80-year-old Chinese tourist had previously died in Paris.

Other French media even speak of an increase to four deaths. The television station BFM-TV and the newspaper "Le Parisien" refer to the mayor of the neighboring town of Compiègne, Philippe Marini. He said the two new victims were "elderly people suffering from several other diseases." According to "Le Parisien" both had been treated in a hospital in Compiègne.

The government in Paris has not yet confirmed the information. She last spoke of 130 infections, including two deaths.

4.25 p.m .: Corona virus infected person from Abu Dhabi landed in Düsseldorf

A passenger infected with the corona virus landed in Düsseldorf coming from Abu Dhabi. The man arrived at 6:20 a.m., an airport spokesman reported on Monday. He had himself tested before his departure and then received the result during the flight. He shows no symptoms and does not need to be treated in a clinic. Employees of the health department would have looked after him.

The personal details of the fellow travelers were recorded. The health department of the city of Düsseldorf was initially unable to comment on the request. Several media had previously reported.

4.20 p.m .: Coronavirus: 92 cases in North Rhine-Westphalia now

In North Rhine-Westphalia, the number of infections with the new type of corona virus has continued to increase. The authorities were aware of 92 cases by 3:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, as the Ministry of Health announced on request. At 10 a.m. in the morning, the Robert Koch Institute had reported 86 cases.

4:16 p.m .: Training mission in central Iraq suspended due to Corina virus

The Bundeswehr has suspended its recently resumed training mission in central Iraq for 14 days to prevent the novel corona virus. The decision was made by the commander of the anti-IS coalition ("Operation Inherent Resolve"), a spokesman said on Monday. As a result, training in the Taji military complex near Baghdad has been on hold since Sunday, while training in Erbil in northern Iraq continues. However, there is no suspected case of possible infection by German soldiers or their contacts in central Iraq. Training in central Iraq was suspended in January as a result of tensions between the US and Iran.

4:02 p.m .: First Berlin school closed due to corona virus

The Berlin Metropolitan School in Berlin-Mitte is the first school in the capital to start school operations until further notice. This is reported by the "Berliner Zeitung". Teachers, children and parents were informed about the step. According to the school management, the closure was a precautionary measure, and there was no suspected case at the school.

3.57 p.m .: Daycare and elementary school temporarily closed due to suspicion of a corona case

Due to suspicion of a corona case in a family man, a daycare and elementary school in Windhagen (Neuwied district) remained closed on Monday. A spokesman for the district health office said that infection with the new virus could not be detected. Accordingly, the facilities should start operating again. A total of two suspected cases were reported to the office over the weekend. In the other case, too, infection with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 could not be proven.

3:52 p.m .: 200 ProSiebenSat.1 employees working from home because of Corona

Because an employee of ProSiebenSat.1 in Düsseldorf tested positive for the novel corona virus, 200 employees at the company headquarters in Unterföhring are there as a precaution Munich has been sent to the home office. The measure is purely precautionary, there is no reasonable suspicion, said a company spokeswoman on Monday. The infected employee is fine. The person concerned was not in Munich, but there are employees who have recently been to both locations. About half of the 200 employees in Munich who were affected had tested negative for the virus – all other results are expected by Wednesday.

3.49 p.m .: Corona virus panic: folders expel Japanese from the stadium

Out of panic about the new type of corona virus, the security service of the Bundesliga soccer club RB Leipzig has expelled a group of Japanese from the stadium. A good ten minutes after the start of the game against Bayer Leverkusen on Sunday, the group was expelled from the stadium by around ten stewards. They are said to have been told that this was done out of concern for the virus. The Japanese were promised that the money for the tickets would be refunded at a later date. This was announced by people from the group on Monday via Twitter.

The club confirmed the incident on Monday afternoon and apologized. The security service was required to intensify checks on groups of people from potential risk areas in accordance with the recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute. "Unfortunately, in this specific case, in the course of the great uncertainty that we currently have about this topic, a mistake was made in the interpretation given to our Japanese guests. We would like to and must apologize for this mistake at this point," said RB with. Attempts have already been made to contact the people concerned and invite them to the next home game.

3.43 p.m .: There is a lack of doctors in the NRW health authorities

There is a lack of doctors in the health authorities of the cities and districts in North Rhine-Westphalia - not only since the new type of corona virus has spread. "The lack of staff in the health authorities is a nationwide problem," said Ute Teichert, chairwoman of the Federal Association of Public Health Physicians, on Monday.

It is unclear how many positions for doctors are vacant in the NRW health authorities. No data would be collected for this, said Teichert. According to a survey by the WDR magazine Westpol, there are no doctors in two thirds of the NRW health authorities. For example in Wuppertal: There are currently 12.5 doctor's offices there, as a spokesman for the city reported. Two and a half other positions are advertised. But so far no one has been found.

The NRW district association also reports on staff shortages in the health authorities. There are "actually vacancies in the district health authorities," confirmed a spokeswoman. "The general shortage of skilled workers also affects the public health service." The health authorities are supervisory authorities and can, among other things, order quarantine measures.

"Working in a health department is not very attractive for doctors," said the association's chairwoman, Teichert, as she saw it as the decisive reason for the lack of doctors in the public health service. There, a doctor earns “up to 1,500 euros a month less than a doctor in a hospital”. This is one of the reasons why the shortage of doctors there has worsened. The association estimates that the number of doctors in health authorities has fallen by a third over the past 20 years.

3:39 p.m.: United Nations Headquarters in Geneva closes its doors due to coronavirus

The United Nations Headquarters in Geneva closes its doors to visitors due to the coronavirus epidemic. The Palais des Nations, which is visited by 100,000 people every year, is no longer offering guided tours as a "precautionary measure", as a UN spokeswoman announced on Monday. The measure is initially valid until March 13th.

The UN is also checking whether planned events can take place in Geneva in the coming days. The basis is therefore the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). Events may have to be postponed "to ensure the health of the participants," said the UN spokeswoman.

Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the Swiss government banned all major events with more than a thousand participants on Friday. So far, 25 cases of infection have been detected in Switzerland. The canton of Ticino on the border with Italy announced another case on Monday. It is therefore a pensioner who is being treated in a private clinic in Lugano.

3:19 p.m .: Cities are setting up diagnostic centers

More and more cities in North Rhine-Westphalia are setting up diagnostic centers in the fight against the spread of the corona virus. Special centers in Düsseldorf and Cologne started work on Monday, previously places had been set up in Gangelt in the Heinsberg district and in Kleve where patients can be tested for the new virus. This step is intended to relieve family doctor practices and protect their staff.

In Gangelt, where a particularly large number of people were infected and are in quarantine, long queues formed in front of the locked gymnasium of a comprehensive school on Monday, where the patients are tested. As the municipality announced, doctors from the German Red Cross take samples there. However, patients are not allowed to visit the facility until they have been referred by a general practitioner.

In Kleve, a fever clinic was opened in a tent at the St. Antonius Hospital. Doctors, nurses and administrative staff in protective clothing work there around the clock, as a spokesman for the responsible Catholic Karl Leisner Clinic announced. The outpatient clinic is only used for diagnostics and not for the treatment of patients. People with fever, cough and runny nose or feeling sick can take a rapid flu test there – if this is negative, a test for the corona virus follows.

In Düsseldorf, samples have been taken centrally in the health department since Monday, and suspected cases are to be tested in a newly built diagnostic center from Wednesday. An infection center was also set up at the university clinic in Cologne on Monday.

3.14 p.m .: Authority: Corona infections in the German-French border area

French health authorities have confirmed several infections with the novel corona virus in the border area with Germany. Three registered cases involved a mother and her one and five-year-old children from the Haut-Rhin department, the regional health authority ARS announced on Monday. They are in the University Hospital in Strasbourg, Alsace, for treatment and are not seriously ill.

A 32-year-old woman there also tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the authorities. Her 36-year-old partner was taken to a hospital in Strasbourg last week as the first confirmed case. The man had previously been to Lombardy, Italy. A 50-year-old father and his 23-year-old son were also treated at the hospital in Nancy, which is also in the Grand-Est region, according to ARS.

3.07 p.m .: Third coronavirus case in Hamburg – woman came from Iran

There is a third confirmed coronavirus case in Hamburg. The infected woman traveled from Iran to Hamburg via Frankfurt last week, the health authority said on Monday. After testing positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the health department immediately ordered the woman to be isolated at home, including for her contacts. No information was given on the patient's exact state of health. There is no connection to the two previous cases.

Last Friday, the Eppendorf University Hospital reported that a doctor at the children's hospital was infected after a trip to Italy. On the night of Saturday, the fire brigade brought a woman to the Asklepios Clinic in St. Georg. She, too, had returned from Iran and, like the pediatrician, had to stay in isolation at home for two weeks.

2.50 p.m .: Hotels and restaurateurs see losses due to corona virus

Canceled conferences, receptions and celebrations - according to the industry association Dehoga, hotels and restaurateurs are losing an unquantified amount of income due to the new corona virus. Individual hotels at trade fair locations reported significant cancellations, the German Hotel and Restaurant Association announced on Monday in Berlin. Not only hotels suffered from the cancellations of large international trade fairs in Frankfurt, Cologne, Düsseldorf and Berlin, but also very badly catering companies and restaurants that serve trade fair visitors.

For example, the world's largest travel fair ITB, which was supposed to start this Wednesday in Berlin, was cancelled. Hotels and event restaurateurs reported sales losses in the six to seven-digit range, said association president Guido Zöllick. However, the damage cannot yet be quantified seriously. Nevertheless, the association is already demanding liquidity aid, support measures and tax relief from the federal government.

2.44 p.m .: Covid-19 epidemic: Macron cancels appointments in France

Against the background of the Covid-19 epidemic, France’s head of state Emmanuel Macron has changed his agenda for this week and canceled appointments. As the umbrella organization of Jewish organizations in France (CRIF) announced on Monday via Twitter, the president would not come to the association's traditional annual dinner due to the "extraordinary health situation in France". The meal originally planned for Tuesday was therefore postponed, according to the association. Macron took part last year and gave a long speech.

An updated agenda from the Élyséé Palace for the current week shows that a trip by Macron to the Gers department in the south-west of the country has also been cancelled. No explicit reason was given for this.

According to the Ministry of Health, 130 people in France were infected with the novel corona virus on Sunday evening. There have been two deaths in the country so far.

2:42 p.m.: More than 3,000 deaths worldwide and almost 90,000 infections

The death toll from the novel corona virus has risen to more than 3,000 worldwide. Almost 90,000 infections were also recorded in a total of 68 countries on Monday. In South Korea and Iran in particular, the number of infected people continues to rise sharply. The epidemic has now also reached cities with over a million inhabitants such as New York and Moscow, and the risk of infection in the EU is now classified as “moderate to high”.

2.38 p.m .: Gruner + Jahr waived sick leave until the end of June

The Hamburg media company Gruner + Jahr ("Stern", "Brigitte") waived sick leave for its employees until the end of June in view of the new type of corona virus. For the next four months, the employees would not have to submit any certificates of incapacity for work, HR manager Stefan Waschatz reported on Monday in Hamburg on request.

The company is responding to the recommendation of experts to only visit doctors' offices if there is a genuine medical need. "In the current situation, we would like to accommodate our colleagues even further in order to completely rule out that someone only has to go to the doctor for formal reasons," added Waschatz. The trust in the employees is high, "that's why we deal liberally with sick leave anyway," reported the HR manager.

2.35 p.m .: First Covid 19 patient in the metropolis of Moscow

The novel corona virus was detected for the first time in the European metropolis of Moscow. A young Russian was infected with SARS-CoV-2 during a vacation in Italy in February and returned to the Russian capital with more than twelve million inhabitants, the authorities said on Monday. The man lives in the outskirts of Moscow and only reported to a hospital after a few days. He shows only mild symptoms of Covid 19 disease and is now in an isolation ward in a hospital, according to the Interfax agency.

In Russia, hardly any confirmed infections with SARS-CoV-2 have been reported so far. At the end of January, two infected Chinese nationals were isolated in Siberia; The virus was also detected in three Russians on the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Russia had previously closed its more than 4,000-kilometer border with China to curb the risk of importation. In addition, flights and train connections to the neighboring country have largely been suspended.

2.33 p.m .: Task forces should move out if there is a suspicion of coronavirus

Well-equipped task forces consisting of a doctor and a nurse should examine people with a reasonable suspicion of coronavirus in their homes from the point of view of general practitioners. "That would be the only sensible thing to do as long as we want to contain the whole thing," said Thomas Maurer, chairman of the Schleswig-Holstein General Practitioners' Association, on Monday of the German Press Agency. In his estimation, three to five teams would be enough for Schleswig-Holstein to cover the country. There aren't that many genuine suspected cases.

Leaving the task to the general practitioners – there are around 2,000 in Schleswig-Holstein – is not really a solution from Maurer's point of view. As a rule, they are also not equipped for the event of an epidemic. "Our citizens are very reasonable," said Maurer. You should continue to behave as prudently as before and if you suspect something, don't go straight to the family doctor, but call them.

The novel corona virus has been detected in several people in Schleswig-Holstein. According to a doctor at the Hamburg University Hospital Eppendorf (UKE) residing in Henstedt-Ulzburg (Segeberg district), the virus was also found in a person from Lübeck and in a woman from Nusse (Duchy of Lauenburg district). Both are in domestic isolation.

2.30 p.m .: Report: Champions League second leg in Paris without spectators?

According to a media report, the round of 16 second leg in the Champions League between French soccer champions Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund could possibly take place without spectators.

The European football union Uefa has not yet decided on this, reported the regional newspaper "Le Parisien". France had banned all major events with more than 5,000 people at the weekend because of the new type of corona virus. This mainly affects events in closed rooms, but also some sporting events. So far, events in stadiums have been excluded.

PSG professional Marquinhos has already spoken out against receiving Dortmund without spectators. "We want to have the fans by our side. If that's the case, we will ask the game to be canceled," the newspaper quoted the player as saying.

2:26 p.m .: Corona virus in Heinsberg: district wants state aid

In the Heinsberg district, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases has continued to rise. The number was 78 on Monday as of 1:00 p.m., according to a spokesman for the Heinsberg district. The day before there were still around 65 confirmed cases. The course of the disease is mild in all those newly affected, said spokesman Ulrich Hollwitz. They cured the symptoms at home. Hollwitz has not yet been able to say to what extent the new cases are related to a carnival session in Gangelt. The number could continue to rise slightly by Monday evening, Hollwitz said.

An employee of a security service regulates access to a sports hall. The district of Heinsberg, which is particularly affected by the spread of the coronavirus, opened a central contact point for taking samples from patients suspected of having coronavirus in a hall near Gangelt on Monday. (Source: dpa)

The Heinsberg District Administrator Stephan Pusch (CDU) had previously prepared the population in a video message for a possible sudden increase. Much more testing is now being done and after a backlog in the labs, a flurry of test results is expected. "Stay calm," Pusch appealed to the population. Pusch said he sent the country a "wish list" for additional medical staff. It is about replacing the jobs in Heinsberg that had to go into quarantine. In addition to the fight against the virus, normal diseases would also have to be treated in the district, and of course children would continue to be born.

2:17 p.m .: IATA: Many passengers let their tickets expire

Fearing traveling in times of the coronavirus epidemic, many passengers let their tickets expire, according to the industry association IATA. Many airlines reported that around 50 percent of the passengers did not show up at all, IATA said on Monday in Geneva. A major scheduled airline has seen a total slump in bookings to Italy. In general, the prospects for bookings are not rosy, IATA continues.

The industry association now wants to ensure that certain rules are adjusted in view of the extraordinary circumstances. So far, an airline has threatened to lose its slots – the time window for take-offs and landings – if it does not use at least 80 percent of them. The application of this rule is no longer appropriate in view of the necessary capacity adjustments, it said.

2.08 p.m .: Infected football fan: 18 hotel employees in quarantine

After the stay of a German football fan infected with the new type of corona virus, 18 hotel employees in Salzburg were sent to domestic quarantine as a precaution. As the city reported on Monday, the man spent two nights in two different hotels in Salzburg last week on the occasion of Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League game. After driving home, he tested positive for the new SARS-CoV-2 virus in Hesse. The Hessian authorities informed the city of this on Sunday, it said.

In the two hotels, 18 employees were identified who may have been in close contact with the German. The rooms where the fan slept have been disinfected. It remains unclear whether the Frankfurter infected other people in the stadium, on the train or in bars. The man had been in Italy in mid-February.

2:02 p.m .: Medical practitioners are running out of respirators

Practicing doctors in the southwest are running out of protective masks and goggles against the corona virus: “We only have protective material for the swabs for a few days,” said the chairman of the Mediverbund , Werner Baumgärtner, on Monday in Stuttgart. Protective clothing is also rare. "This week is the end of the area," emphasized the head of the medical organization in Baden-Württemberg. The Ministry of Social Affairs and the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians must ensure that the doctors are provided with material, for example from civil protection.

Respirator mask (archive image): In the south-west, medical practitioners are running out of protective masks against the corona virus. (Source: dpa)

The general practitioner also appealed to the population to stay at home with symptoms such as fever and cough, to contact their family doctor and, if necessary, to wait for his home visit. "We are currently being bombarded with telephone inquiries and patients who are presenting themselves with complaints."

Baumgärtner explained that anyone who comes to his practice and suspects that they are infected with the virus is led to a separate, well-ventilated waiting room. However, if a visitor to the practice does not show any symptoms of lung disease, they have to pay for the corona test themselves if they still want it. It costs 200 euros. "People don't want that after all."

The doctor predicts that the virus will continue to spread for months to come, particularly through those infected who are unaware.

1:59 p.m .: Corona virus: disinfection bottles stolen in clinics

When trying to protect themselves from the new type of corona virus, some people resort to violent means: Disinfection bottles have already been stolen from public dispensers in hospitals. This happens occasionally, a spokesman for the three Malteser hospitals on the Lower Rhine reported on Monday in Duisburg. The connection with the corona virus is obvious. Disinfectants are currently scarce. They are out of stock in many pharmacies and wholesalers.

According to the spokesman, the bottles with the protective liquid against unwanted germs are hanging in hospital rooms, in corridors and at the entrance. There are certainly over a hundred bottles per hospital. The "Rheinische Post" had previously reported.

1.55 p.m .: German grocers see no supply problems

Fear of the new type of corona virus continues to increase demand for durable food and disinfectants. Nevertheless, the large German grocers do not currently see any supply problems. This was the result of a survey by the German Press Agency on Monday among the leading retail chains.

The discounter Lidl reported that it continued to record "significantly increased sales" in some regions and branches. The demand for durable foods such as canned goods and pasta is particularly high, but also for hygiene items such as toilet paper and disinfectants. Rewe also reported "increased demand nationwide", but at the same time emphasized: "There are no bottlenecks in the supply of goods." To ensure this, the group has increased the frequency of deliveries in the stores. Real and Kaufland made similar statements.

A spokeswoman for Aldi Süd reported higher demand "in individual branches". But the supply situation is not affected. All stocks would be replenished as part of the usual deliveries. "The supply of goods is also secured at the locations where demand had increased particularly sharply in the last few days and certain products were sold out at closing time," she said.

The Federal Association of the German Food Trade also emphasized that there was no reason to worry: "Although we are currently seeing higher demand for longer-lasting products and drinks in some shops and individual regions, the supply situation nationwide is normal." The supply of goods is secured, transport and logistics work and the import of food products from abroad is not at risk.

1:52 p.m .: Coronavirus: Charité sets up investigation center

The Berlin Charité has set up a separate investigation center for people suspected of having coronavirus on the Virchow-Klinikum campus. The goals are to relieve the emergency room and other contact points and to exclude contacts between those who may be infected and those who are not, said Charité board member Ulrich Frei on Monday in Berlin. The site is a small house with various examination options.

Building on the premises of the Virchow-Klinikum in Berlin-Wedding: Starting tomorrow, the central contact point for patients showing symptoms of the corona virus may be set up in the building. (Source: dpa)

After the examination of a patient on Sunday, who was subsequently found to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the emergency room at the Virchow-Klinikum site had to be closed.

1.49 p.m .: Portugal reports first coronavirus case

The coronavirus epidemic has also reached Portugal. A 60-year-old man who was on vacation in northern Italy was infected with the novel corona virus, Health Minister Marta Temido said on Monday. He is therefore in a hospital in Porto in the north of the country. According to the minister, a 33-year-old man is also being treated in the hospital, but so far he has only been considered a suspected case.

The 33-year-old's first virus test was positive, which now has to be confirmed by a second test. He is suspected of being infected on a trip to Valencia in eastern Spain, where there are also cases of infection.

1:46 p.m .: Doctors’ representation demands protective clothing against coronavirus

After the first case of coronavirus became known in Berlin, the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KV) called for the Senate hotline (030-90282828 ) to turn. In addition, the KV calls on the health administration to provide the resident doctors and mobile doctors on call with the necessary protective equipment as quickly as possible. "In very few practices is sufficient protective equipment available for such an exceptional situation," said Burkhard Ruppert, Deputy Chairman of the Board of Management of KV Berlin, on Monday in Berlin.

Citizens should therefore have a clarification carried out if they have either had contact with a confirmed case or have been in one of the risk areas within the last 14 days and have symptoms ranging from a mild cold to pneumonia.

Patients with cold symptoms who are not suspected cases should call a doctor's office according to the KV. But: "In terms of capacity, the Berlin practices are not able to treat every cold and every cough and, in the event of suspected suspicions, to clarify whether it is an infection with the corona virus or not," emphasized Ruppert.

1:43 p.m .: Spahn: Must produce important medical active ingredients again in the EU

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn, as a lesson from the coronavirus epidemic, calls for the dependence on China in drug production to be checked. There are indications that many medical precursors and active ingredients could also become scarce in Germany and Europe because of the isolation in China, said the CDU politician on Monday in Berlin. That is why he wants to initiate consultations in the EU as to whether certain active ingredients should not be manufactured again in Europe. This also requires a reform of the EU competition rules. The debate has already started.

It is a problem that there is sometimes only one supplier of certain medical active ingredients in the world, on which pharmaceutical companies in many countries and also in Europe are dependent, said Spahn. If this producer fails, there are a number of consequences. The background is that many factories in China have stopped production as part of the measures to contain the corona virus. In addition, ports were closed and ship deliveries to the EU were also stopped.

The coronavirus crisis is triggering a general debate about the limits of globalization and global supply chains, said Spahn. "We have to discuss Germany's strong dependence on China," warned the Minister of Health.

1.30 p.m .: Boris Johnson: virus problems will increase

According to British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the problems caused by the corona virus will probably increase. But his country is very well prepared for this. Britain has a plan in case the virus spreads.

1:21 p.m .: South Korean sect shies away from cooperation with authorities on coronavirus

It is at the center of the coronavirus epidemic in South Korea: the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus. A senior religious leader, Kim Shin Chang, told AFP in an interview that stigma and discrimination based on their beliefs prevented many members of his community from cooperating with health officials.

"It is possible that our members do not fully cooperate with the authorities," said the sect's director of international missions. The reason for this is that they feared their connection to Shincheonji would be exposed. "Societal hatred and discrimination against our members is so great that many fear losing their jobs or fear conflict within the family if their faith is made known."

South Korea is the country hardest hit by the coronavirus after China. On Monday, the authorities reported 600 new cases of infection - this increased the number of cases to a total of 4,300. The death toll rose to 26.

Around 60 percent of the cases are related to the sect: Despite suffering from a fever, a 61-year-old follower had attended at least four church services in the city of Daegu before she was diagnosed with the corona virus.

The authorities are currently trying to locate more than 266,000 followers of the cult. Against the background of the spread of the virus, South Korea's capital Seoul even called for criminal investigations against the sect, including for murder.

However, according to media reports, more than a thousand people with ties to the sect have not responded to inquiries from the authorities. "We urge our members to tell the authorities everything," Kim said in the AFP interview. Ultimately, however, this is a "personal decision".

Lee Man Hee, Cult Founder and Spiritual Leader of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus: At the hastily arranged press conference, Lee apologized for the "unintentional" spread of the disease. (Source: dpa)

Shincheonji was founded in 1984 by Lee Man Hee, who called the coronavirus outbreak "the work of the devil." The 88-year-old promises his followers that Judgment Day will take place while he is still alive and that he will then take 144,000 people to heaven. Since there are more members than places available, it is "in the hands of God" who will be chosen, Kim said.

The cult is also said to have political ties, which Kim denied. However, pictures of the founder with ex-heads of state Park Geun Hye and Lee Myung Bak can be seen at the organization's headquarters in Gwacheon, south of Seoul. Their party has so far avoided criticism of the sect in connection with the virus epidemic.

1:18 p.m .: Munich BMW employee with Covid-19 in the hospital

A BMW employee in Munich has tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. A BMW spokeswoman said on Monday that he had not been traveling and had worked in the research and development center (FIZ). Around 150 employees at FIZ who have been in contact with him are now in quarantine at home for two weeks, and the open-plan offices are being disinfected. Operations continue without restrictions. The employee concerned went to the doctor on Sunday and is now in the hospital. According to the circumstances, he is doing well, the spokeswoman said.

1:14 p.m .: Concert organizers see no restrictions due to the corona virus

The concert organizer and ticket marketer CTS Eventim explains that there are currently no restrictions or postponements of events as a result of the corona virus in Germany. "According to the specifications of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of the Interior, the local health authorities decide together with the venues and the organizers on site about necessary measures," explains a spokesman for the MDax group. The competitor Deutsche Entertainment AG (DEAG) explains that there are no slumps in advance sales and no incidents at events.

1.07 p.m .: Despite the corona virus: Hamburg port birthday is to take place

Two months before the 831st Hamburg port birthday, the organizers assume that the folk festival from May 8th to 10th will take place despite the spread of the new coronavirus can take place. "We are now assuming that there may be measures that need to be followed, but we are not currently assuming that the port birthday will have to be cancelled," said Franziska Hamann from the Hamburg Economic Authority at the opening press conference on Monday. At the three-day festival in the port, more than a million guests are expected in the Hanseatic city again this year.

"No one knows what will happen in two months' time," said port captain Jörg Pollmann. A prognosis is therefore not possible at this point in time. "You don't have to scare the horses now, but you have to look closely," he said. Corresponding controls have been intensified on the cruise ships calling at the port of Hamburg. The security concept is drawn up in close coordination with the responsible authorities.

1.03 p.m .: After the corona virus case: management consultancy opens offices again

Most of the around 1,500 employees of the management consultancy Ernst & Young (EY) in Düsseldorf and Essen can go back to their offices on Tuesday. "The offices were disinfected extensively," reported a company spokesman on Monday. The competent authorities had approved the resumption of work. The "Handelsblatt" had previously reported on it.

A total of 15 employees who had close contact with the EY employee who had the coronavirus were in quarantine at home, the company reported. Nothing stands in the way of the other employees returning to the offices. However, people at increased risk, such as pregnant employees or people with weakened immune systems with previous illnesses, were asked to stay at home.

After working for an Ernst & Young in Düsseldorf, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus had been detected, the company had asked all 1,500 of the man's colleagues in the Düsseldorf and Essen branches on Thursday evening to stay at home for the time being.

1:00 p.m .: The number of coronavirus infections in Japan has risen to 967

The number of people infected in Japan has risen by 15 to 976, according to the Kyodo agency. Diseases were reported from all parts of the country, it said.

12.58 p.m .: Police are investigating the suspected theft of protective masks

The police are investigating a suspected theft of 1,200 face masks from a hospital in Lower Saxony. The results of the investigation are not yet available, said a police spokesman on Monday. In the clinic in Sulingen near Bremen, an inspection noticed that 20 packs of the masks were missing. The incident was reported as theft.

The suspected time of the crime was Wednesday or Thursday of the previous week. The packages disappeared from a storage room near the operating room. The area is not open to the public, it said.

The face masks for surgical staff are normally only worth a few cents. In view of the rampant new type of corona virus, however, disinfectants and protective agents are sold out in many places.

12.55 p.m .: EU Commission wants to protect economy from virus dangers

According to Economic Commissioner Paolo Gentiloni, the European Union will use all its political options to protect growth against risks from the new corona virus. It is not yet possible to say what effects the epidemic will have on the economy, Gentiloni said in Brussels on Monday. A coordinated fiscal response to the coronavirus must be timely, not too early and not too late.

12.52 p.m .: Apparently the first death from the corona virus in Thailand

In Thailand there is also apparently a first death from the novel corona virus. As the Thai health authorities announced on Monday, a 35-year-old man died in a hospital on Saturday. The authorities emphasized that it is still unclear whether his death was due to the corona virus. The young man had been proven to have the corona virus, but he also suffered from dengue fever.

The 35-year-old, who worked at a duty-free shop at Bangkok airport, was reportedly diagnosed with dengue in January. Two weeks later, he also tested positive for the novel coronavirus and was transferred to a specialist hospital that treats many Thai coronavirus patients. Another virus test in mid-February was negative, but the lung disease had progressed so far that the man died of multiple organ failure on Saturday.

Bangkok Ministry of Health spokesman Thaweesin Wissanuyothin said on Monday it was too early to classify the young man's death as the first coronavirus death in Thailand. "We are not withholding information," the spokesman said. The case will be confirmed "as soon as the result is clear and official".

There have been 43 confirmed cases of infection in Thailand so far. 31 patients are already healthy again and have been able to leave the hospitals. Most of those affected were Chinese tourists or Thais working in the tourism industry. The Thai tourism industry is threatened with severe losses due to the epidemic. A quarter of the ten million annual visitors come from China. This year, the number is likely to drop significantly.

12.45 p.m .: Erlangen University Hospital is expecting more patients

The Erlangen University Hospital, where a patient with a proven infection with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) is currently being treated, is expecting similar cases in the near future. "We are expecting more patients," said Director Professor Heinrich Iro on Monday in Erlangen. The university hospital is considered a priority hospital in northern Bavaria for dealing with the virus. The test capacity has been increased from 20 to 100 a day. There were 70 tests on Sunday alone.

In the case of the coronavirus patient treated in Erlangen, the disease was comparatively mild. He has no fever and breathing is stable, said chief physician Professor Markus Neurath. So the patient has no cough and no sputum. Symptoms would be treated. All tests on contact persons were negative. The man is a senior physician at the Erlangen skin clinic, who contracted an Italian at a conference in Munich.

The head of department at the Erlangen Health Department, Frank Neumann, pointed out that tests for coronavirus infections were carried out strictly in accordance with the specifications of the Robert Koch Institute. Not everyone who wishes to can be tested. "We must not overload the capacities in Germany," said Neumann.

12.40 p.m .: General practitioners cancel congress in Münster

The General Practitioners Association of Westphalia-Lippe has canceled its three-day general practitioners’ day next weekend. The members actually wanted to meet in Münster from March 5th to 7th. "In view of the current coronavirus infections in the region and the great concern among the population regarding this topic, the colleagues in the family doctor's practices are under a particular burden these days," said Chairwoman Anke Richter-Scheer on Monday. The association therefore decided to cancel the congress with over 450 participants.

12.37 p.m .: The Louvre in Paris remains closed for fear of the corona virus

The Louvre in Paris will remain closed for the time being due to staff fears of the corona virus: The employees of the most visited museum in the world closed for the second day in a row on Monday down the job, according to a member of the CGT union. The Louvre management called on tourists with booked tickets to request a refund by email. In front of the museum, dozens of people waited in the rain in vain for entry.

Tourists in front of the Louvre in Paris: The Louvre in Paris will remain closed for the time being due to staff fears of the corona virus. (Source: Reuters)

In France, employees have a so-called right of withdrawal from their work if there is a "serious and imminent danger to their life or health". The Louvre employees made use of this right, as they did on Sunday.

The French Ministry of Health, on the other hand, said the closure of the Louvre or an amusement park like Disneyland was "not necessary" from the government's point of view. People are not crowded there, so the risk of transmission is not great.

The French authorities had banned all events with more than 5,000 participants at the weekend until further notice. Among other things, the Paris agricultural exhibition and the real estate fair Mipim in Cannes in southern France were affected. The Paris Half Marathon on Sunday, with around 44,000 runners expected, was also canceled. Football games, on the other hand, should continue to take place.

On Monday, the international Paris book fair "Livre Paris", which was supposed to take place from March 20th to 23rd, was also cancelled. More than 160,000 people from more than 50 countries were expected to attend. According to the Ministry of Health, France has so far had 130 infected people. Two died, including an 80-year-old tourist from China.

12.32 p.m .: Suspected corona in JVA: No collective shower and free hour

A prisoner in the Cologne correctional facility is suspected of having the new type of corona virus. A doctor tested the inmates for the virus, JVA director Angela Wotzlaw announced on Monday afternoon. Accordingly, the 27-year-old complained of fever on Sunday evening, but he did not show any other symptoms. He now has to stay in his cell until the test result is available on Monday evening or Tuesday.

House 1 of the JVA, in which the man from Bavaria has been housed since February 20, will be sealed off for the next 24 hours. The total of 79 prisoners would have to stay in the house during this time. The free hour in the yard and the use of the collective shower are forbidden until then, said Wotzlaw.

Two employees had had closer contact with the detainee and therefore stayed at home on Monday as a precaution. According to Wotzlaw, two to three processes at the Cologne Regional Court were postponed because these employees were assigned to transport to the courts. The other employees would have been given protective masks. Nurses should also wear protective suits. Otherwise, operations continue as normal. Visits were also initially possible on Monday. Several media had previously reported on the suspected case.

12.26 p.m .: Von der Leyen: Corona infection risk in the EU “high”

The EU now considers the risk of infection with the novel corona virus in Europe to be “high”. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has set the risk level from "medium to high", said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Monday. "In other words, the virus continues to spread."

12.18 p.m .: About 60 contact persons identified in the Berlin Corona case

In connection with the first Corona case in Berlin, about 60 people with whom the sick 22-year-old had contact have been identified. This included the parents from North Rhine-Westphalia, friends, roommates, colleagues and employees of the Virchow-Klinikum rescue center, said Berlin's health senator Dilek Kalayci. However, the work on this is not yet complete. The patient is doing well given the circumstances. According to the Charite Clinic, the infection was discovered by accident because the hospital has also been testing for the corona virus during flu tests for a week. The man came to the hospital with symptoms that were not typical of coronavirus disease.

12.10 p.m .: Ambassador: Japan has taken the necessary corona virus measures

Japan's ambassador to Germany, Takeshi Yagi, does not see the hosting of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in jeopardy despite the ongoing crisis caused by the corona virus. "Japan has taken all necessary measures in relation to the disease," said Yagi on Monday at a media event for the German handball players at the embassy in Berlin. "Our government will continue to coordinate closely with the IOC, the local organizing committee and other authorities." Preparations continue with the goal of "providing athletes and spectators with games that everyone can participate in with peace of mind," Yagi said.

The Japanese government takes the threat of the epidemic very seriously, but anticipation for the Olympics with the opening ceremony on July 24 is still enormous. "The last Games in 1964 transformed our country. This year, we hope that the Tokyo Games will help promote positive change in the world," Yagi said. The summer games are to take place in the metropolis from July 24th to August 9th.

12.00 p.m .: Spahn rejects the closure of borders in Europe

Federal Minister of Health Jens Spahn (CDU) still does not consider it necessary to close borders due to the spread of the new corona virus in Germany. The cancellation of major events or the closure of companies is not generally advisable, said Spahn on Monday in Berlin. This is still not proportionate and appropriate.

Border closures would have a massive impact. Spahn also opposed the cessation of direct flights between China and Germany. Such a step could result in up to around 30,000 Germans having to be flown out of China.

Jens Spahn, Federal Minister of Health: Spahn spoke out against closing the European borders because of the corona virus. (Source: dpa)

For companies and events, the individual case always counts. "Every company has to evaluate it," said Spahn. It makes a difference whether a company is only active regionally or whether employees from abroad regularly come to an international group. According to Spahn, the following parameters apply to major events: "What is the group of participants like? Are there participants from risk areas? (...) Or are there none?" The question of how the ventilation is planned is also important. Instead of canceling an event, conditions could also be imposed. Only the local health authorities could then decide.

"In certain places in Germany, everyday life will have to be restricted a bit," said Spahn, for example with a view to school closures. It is important to slow down and contain the spread of the virus and thus make it easier to trade for individuals, but also for society as a whole. Spahn defended that, for example, the carnival in Germany had not been canceled across the board. He referred to the low number of infections at the time and traceable chains of infection.

11.55 a.m .: Number of Covid-19 deaths in Iran rises to 66

The number of Covid-19 victims in Iran has risen from 54 to 66 in 24 hours. According to the Ministry of Health on Monday, a total of 1,501 people - 523 more than the previous day - have now tested positive for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. At the same time, 291 corona patients were discharged from the hospitals.

11.50 a.m .: Seehofer does not want to shake Merkel's hand

In order to limit the spread of the new type of corona virus, doctors advise washing your hands frequently and less physical proximity. Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) also adheres to this advice. When Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) approached him with an outstretched hand at a meeting with representatives of migrant associations in Berlin on Monday, the interior minister raised his hands, as a dpa photographer observed. Then Merkel and Seehofer both burst out laughing.

Angela Merkel and Horst Seehofer: In order to curb the spread of the corona virus, doctors advise as little physical contact as possible - Federal Interior Minister Seehofer also follows this advice. (Source: Reuters)

11.46 a.m .: SPD health politician Lauterbach calls for more coronavirus tests

SPD health politician and doctor Karl Lauterbach has called for more people to be tested for the novel corona virus in order to be able to better assess risks. "We don't yet have a good feeling for how widespread the virus is in Germany at the moment," said Lauterbach on Deutschlandfunk on Monday. Corona cases that are detected today based on symptoms were a week or two weeks ago. Therefore, you have to "test more spontaneously," said Lauterbach.

Germany is currently in a "critical phase" and the cancellation of major events is "very important" at this point in time. However, Lauterbach is concerned about the availability of nursing staff. "The lack of highly qualified nursing staff, especially in intensive care, is the number one problem if the epidemic really spreads in Germany," said Lauterbach.

11.43 a.m .: New type of corona virus: hardly any danger from pets

Despite the spread of the new type of corona virus, according to an expert, there is hardly any danger from pets. The case in South Korea, where the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 is said to have been detected in a dog, has not been confirmed in the scientific literature, said Albert Osterhaus, a virologist at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Hanover, on Monday. He considers the case "very cautious". It cannot be ruled out, but it is not likely that this is important for transmission to humans - if at all then via the skin and fur. There are corona viruses from dogs and cats, but these are different pathogens than SARS-CoV-2.

11.39 a.m .: Number of infections in Austria rises to 16

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of infected people in Austria has risen to 16. There are now nine cases of illness in the capital Vienna. There are two patients each in Tyrol, Lower Austria and Salzburg and one case in Styria. A total of over 2,100 tests were carried out nationwide. So far, no one has died in Austria in connection with the corona virus. The majority of infections take a mild course, according to the Ministry of Health.

11.37 a.m .: RKI sets risk assessment to "moderate"

The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) has slightly increased the rating of the new corona virus for the health of the population in Germany. The risk assessment was set to "moderate", said RKI President Lothar Wieler on Monday in Berlin. So far it has been classified as "low to moderate". Wieler reiterated that the situation was still very dynamic and had to be reassessed every day. By Monday morning, the RKI had registered 150 proven cases in ten federal states and 49 districts nationwide.

Overall, there is still not enough data on the disease, which originated in China, to assess its severity. Outside of China, 64 countries are now affected, with 8,898 cases, including at least 285 with serious illnesses.

11.20 a.m .: Virologist Drosten: Covid-19 is a “mild disease”

The Charité virologist Christian Drosten emphasizes that the respiratory disease Covid-19 is a mild disease. Basically, it is a kind of cold that usually gets over quickly or is hardly felt from the start. However, the measures can be used to curb the spread - and it makes a huge difference whether a wave of spread affects a population within a few weeks or spread over two years.

11.10 a.m .: RKI boss Wieler: 140 coronavirus cases traceable

The President of the Robert Koch Institute, Lothar Wieler, on the situation in Germany: There are currently 150 confirmed cases of the corona virus in Germany. According to Wieler, the chains of infection can currently be traced back from 140 cases.

11.00 a.m .: Press conference with Minister of Health Spahn on the coronavirus

150 infections with the corona virus are now known in Germany. The Federal Ministry of Health will provide information on current developments from 11 a.m. today.

10.55 a.m .: Five new infections with coronavirus in Bavaria

Five new infections with the novel corona virus SARS-CoV-2 have been confirmed in Bavaria. There are two cases in Munich and one each from the Middle Franconian district of Roth, the district of Freising and the district of Ostallgäu, as the Ministry of Health announced on Monday in Munich. The infected in Freising and in the Ostallgäu are contact persons of previously reported cases. There have been 13 new confirmed infections in Bavaria since last Thursday.

So far, a total of 27 patients in Bavaria have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. The disease has cured in 14 patients, all of whom have been discharged from the hospitals. They were related to the auto parts supplier Webasto from Gauting-Stockdorf near Munich. An employee from China who carried the virus visited Webasto in January. Colleagues and some of their relatives became infected.

10.50 a.m .: Soldier well again after infection with coronavirus

The soldier in Rhineland-Palatinate who was infected with the new type of corona virus is well again. This was announced by the Bundeswehr Hospital in Koblenz. "He's released from quarantine." The man should also be able to leave the hospital during the course of Monday. So far, no other cases of infection are known.

The 41-year-old soldier is part of the readiness to fly at Cologne-Wahn military airport. He lives in Gangelt (Heinsberg district) in North Rhine-Westphalia. There, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 was detected in a 47-year-old man. The soldier had contact with the seriously ill man or his wife from Gangelt at the carnival there. He probably belongs to the personal circle of acquaintances of the couple.

10.38 a.m .: Uefa advises on possible consequences of the corona virus on EM

At its regular meeting on Monday in Amsterdam, the Executive Committee of Uefa also advises on the possible effects of the new type of corona virus on the 2020 European Football Championship. How the German Press Agency learned from groups of participants, but for the time being it is only about an exchange of information and not about decisions on specific measures or even failure scenarios for the tournament in twelve countries from June 12th to July 12th. The UEFA Congress of the 55 national associations and the draw for the Nations League are to take place in the Dutch metropolis on Tuesday as planned.

In Italy, several Serie A games have been postponed in the past two weeks due to the coronavirus infections in the north of the country, including the top game between Juventus Turin and Inter Milan. In Switzerland, the entire day of the Super League was canceled after the Federal Council banned events with more than 1,000 people. Should this measure be extended beyond March 15, a UEFA competition would also be affected with the round of 16 second leg between FC Basel and Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on March 19.

10.35 a.m .: Because of corona virus: Biathlon World Cup in the Czech Republic without spectators

The Biathlon World Cup in the Czech Nove Mesto na Morave (Neustadt in Moravia) takes place in front of empty spectator stands. That was decided by the National Security Council in Prague on Monday, as Prime Minister Andrej Babis explained at a press conference. The reason is the fear of the spread of the coronavirus epidemic in Europe. The competitions were scheduled to take place from March 5th to 8th. The organizers had expected up to 100,000 visitors. In the next few days, the Czech government wants to decide on possible further measures for major events.

In the Czech Republic, the first three cases of the novel corona virus were confirmed on Sunday. According to the authorities, there are two Czechs who were in Italy on a skiing holiday or for a scientific conference, and a US tourist who is studying in Italy.

Prague will ban all flights from the severely affected South Korea from Tuesday for fear of further spread. The Czech government also wants to stop flights to and from Venice, Bologna and Milan, but is still in negotiations with the European Commission.

10.30 a.m.: Cyber ​​Security Tech Summit in Bonn canceled due to corona virus

Due to the spread of the new type of corona virus, the Cyber ​​Security Tech Summit Europe event on March 11 has also been cancelled. In order to prevent the further spread of the virus and possible individual or group infections of the 2000 guests who have already registered, the event in Bonn will not take place at the planned time, the organizers announced on Monday. But they want to try to find a new date in the second half of the year.

The event is about ideas and solutions for digital security. The Cyber ​​Security Summit took place for the first time last year. The organizer is the association Cyber ​​Security Cluster Bonn.

In efforts to contain the epidemic, more and more major events are being cancelled, not only in Germany. In Germany, the ITB tourism trade fair, the Michelin Guide star ceremony in Hamburg and the Command Control cyber security meeting in Munich have already been cancelled.

10.27 a.m .: Corona virus: 34 bus travelers from Saxony are tested

34 bus travelers from Saxony are tested for infection with the new type of corona virus. As the district office of the Saxon Switzerland-Osterzgebirge district announced on Monday, the people were sitting in a bus with a man from the Hanover region. They had traveled from Italy to Germany. The 68-year-old from Lower Saxony has now been diagnosed with an infection. The fellow travelers from Saxony would be tested on Monday. They were all from the county. Results were expected later in the day. The authorities are also trying to identify all contacts of the suspected cases.

10.18 a.m .: Coronavirus patient stable in Hanover

The first patient infected with the novel corona virus in Lower Saxony is stable. The medical officer spoke personally to the 68-year-old, who was in quarantine at home in Uetze, said a spokesman for the Hanover region on Monday. There were no other confirmed infections with the virus for the time being. Samples from nine suspected cases were tested. The people concerned had contact with the 68-year-old. The man was on a bus trip in South Tyrol with his wife. For safety reasons, two primary schools and a daycare center in Uetze remained closed on Monday.

10.06 a.m .: Corona patient in Berlin: Search for contact persons is ongoing

On Sunday, a young man was admitted to the Berlin Charité with the corona virus. So far, ten contact persons have been identified and isolated at home in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, the Senate Department for Health announced on Monday morning. Accordingly, the follow-up of previous contacts is still ongoing. The contact persons identified in Berlin would be tested on Monday, it said. Employees of the Charité rescue center are currently being identified and also contacted. In addition, according to the information, a rescue center is not approached at times.

9.39 a.m .: Lufthansa cuts flight offer to Italy and Asia

Lufthansa and its subsidiaries are reducing their flight offer on the routes to Italy and Asia due to the corona virus epidemic. "In addition, the frequencies on domestic German connections from Frankfurt to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Paderborn and from Munich to Berlin, Hamburg, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Bremen and Hanover will be reduced," said the Dax group on Monday in Frankfurt.

After the group companies Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines had already suspended their flights to mainland China, the management is reacting to the increased spread of the virus with the additional cuts. The group airlines, which also include Eurowings and Brussels, are suspending some of their planned flights to Italy, Hong Kong and South Korea in March and April. Flights to mainland China will remain canceled until April 24, as will connections to the Iranian capital Tehran until April 30.

Depending on how the situation develops, the group could cut its range of short and medium-haul flights by up to a quarter, it said. In addition, up to 23 long-haul aircraft remained on the ground. Lufthansa has already announced a savings program. The impact on profits cannot yet be estimated, it said.

9.16 a.m .: Despite the spread of the corona virus: Formula 1 start in Australia should take place as planned

Despite the spread of the new corona virus, the organizers are sticking to the Formula 1 season opener in Australia on March 15th .

"All signals are green," said the media in a statement from the organizers. The makers of the racing series have also confirmed again that the Grand Prix should take place in Australia. Because of the growing number of Covid 19 diseases in Australia and, above all, the entry restrictions for people from several affected countries, there had been speculation that the start of the season would be canceled.

However, as there are still no restrictions on travelers from Italy, home of teams Ferrari and Alpha Tauri as well as tire manufacturer Pirelli, the organizers in Melbourne are hoping for a smooth Grand Prix weekend. "At this point in time there are no signs of further travel restrictions and that Formula 1 and the teams will not arrive as usual," the statement said.

The organizers assured that they were in constant contact with the responsible authorities in order to regularly review the situation. The fourth round of the season in China had already been postponed indefinitely due to the coronavirus epidemic. The races in Bahrain and Vietnam, which follow the Australian Grand Prix, could also be at risk.

9.12 a.m .: Sample collection point opened in Heinsberg district

The Heinsberg district, which is particularly affected by the spread of the corona virus, opened a central contact point for sample collection from patients suspected of having coronavirus on Monday morning. There, after being referred by the family doctor, swabs could be taken to check for the new virus, said a district spokeswoman. The center is housed in a hall near Gangelt. It is not freely accessible, the family doctor has to refer the patient, emphasized the spokeswoman. As of Sunday evening, 68 people were infected in the district, and the administration wanted to announce new numbers during the course of Monday.

In Gangelt, with around 12,000 inhabitants, several medical practices were closed due to the quarantine measures and the others were very busy, as the district announced on Sunday. The contact point is intended to relieve the doctors.

There is still no all-clear for the 47-year-old suspected first-time infected person from NRW, who is being treated in the Düsseldorf University Clinic, said the spokeswoman. But his wife is much better. The 47-year-old and his wife, who was one year younger, celebrated carnival at a meeting in Gangelt on February 15. They are said to have infected numerous other participants.

9.03 a.m .: Tourism industry loses one billion euros a month

Since it broke out, the virus has dampened sales in the tourism industry in Europe by one billion euros a month, says EU Economic Commissioner Thierry Breton.

8.55 a.m .: Spahn: Food is not running out

Health Minister Jens Spahn sees no reason to buy hamsters. In certain places, everyday life will "have to be restricted," says the CDU politician on SWR, according to his announcement. "But there is no reason to assume that food will become scarce." He adds that it makes sense for students and teachers who have spent their holidays in a risk area to stay at home. That makes sense because many people are currently coming back from Italy in southern Germany. Everything must be done to curb the spread of the virus.

8.45 a.m .: Berlin corona patient stable

According to health senator Dilek Kalayci, Berlin’s first corona virus patient is a young man from the Berlin-Mitte district. This reported to a rescue center on Sunday and is now being treated in isolation, says the SPD politician on rbb. His condition is stable. The follow-up showed that there were ten contact persons. "It's still manageable," Kalayci said. Measures such as the closure of schools and daycare centers are currently not necessary.

8.35 a.m .: Paris Book Fair canceled

Due to the spread of the novel corona virus, this year's Paris Book Fair has been canceled according to an agency report. The Salon du livre, the biggest French industry event, was scheduled to take place from March 20th to 23rd. No risk should be taken, said the chairman of the industry association Syndicat national de l'édition (SNE), Vincent Montagne, as reported by the AFP news agency on Monday. Around 160,000 people were expected to attend the event at the Paris exhibition center.

8.30 am: Nike closes European headquarters

Nike's European headquarters in the Netherlands will remain closed today and Tuesday after an employee contracted the coronavirus. Around 2,000 people from 80 countries work in the building in Hilversum.

8.02 a.m .: Altmaier: Corona must not destroy the upswing

According to Economics Minister Peter Altmaier, the federal government has an interest in quickly containing the coronavirus epidemic. "We must not allow Corona to destroy our economic upswing," says the CDU politician on ARD.

6:05 a.m.: Second death in the US

The number of deaths from the novel corona virus in the US has increased to at least two. The health authority in the US state of Washington reported another death on Sunday (local time). The first death from the pathogen SARS-CoV-2 in the United States was reported from the same state on the US west coast on Saturday.

5.40 a.m.: Cruise operator files for bankruptcy

Japanese cruise operator Luminous Cruise has filed for bankruptcy. "Since February 1, we have had many cancellations in connection with the corona virus. Simply continuing would have led to high losses for our creditors," says the website, on which the bankruptcy and the suspension of the cruises are also announced. The cruise line's bankruptcy is among the first to be attributed to the outbreak. Economists warn of further consequences of falling tourist numbers. The outbreak, particularly on the Diamond Princess, has impacted the $46 billion global cruise industry, which is dominated by Carnival, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

2:57 a.m.: New York state reports first case

New York state has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Twitter. He calls on residents to remain calm and not be "disproportionately afraid". The patient is a woman in her 30s who contracted the virus during a trip to Iran. She was quarantined in her home.

1:27 a.m .: 202 new infections in China

China reports 202 new infections on Sunday, up from 573 the day before. This brings the total number of infected people to 80,026, according to the National Health Commission. The number of dead rose by 42 to a total of 2,912. Most cases were again registered in the particularly hard-hit province of Hubei, where the virus first emerged in late December.

1.20 a.m .: South Korea reports hundreds of new infections

The number of proven Covid 19 infections in South Korea has risen to more than 4,000. 476 new cases were added overnight, according to the health authorities. So far, 4,212 people have tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus - more than anywhere else outside of China, where the lung disease broke out in December. The number of deaths linked to the virus rose by four to 22 in South Korea.

Of the new infections, 377 were recorded in the southeastern city of Daegu, which was hardest hit by the outbreak. There is the largest cluster of cases among followers of the Christian sect Shincheonji Church of Jesus, which also has ties to China. According to the authorities, some cult members had visited the central Chinese city of Wuhan in January, where the origin of Covid-19 is suspected.

South Korean authorities estimate that nearly 60 percent of all virus cases are linked to Shincheonji. As a result of the virus tests on the estimated more than 200,000 sect followers, the authorities are expecting a further sharp increase in the number of cases in the next few days.

1 o'clock: Weber criticizes the lack of fight against corona at EU level

The chairman of the EPP Group in the EU Parliament, Manfred Weber (CSU), considers the EU commitment against the corona virus to be ineffective . Weber criticized "Bild" that "we have far too little coordination between the member states". After the outbreak of the crisis, two weeks passed before the health ministers of Europe met for the first time to discuss measures. Every state is still doing "its own thing". The CSU politician complained of a rule chaos: "Italy banned all continental flights to China weeks ago, Germany did not. Austria blocks rail traffic to northern Italy, but leaves the Brenner open.

Monday, March 2, 12:25 a.m.: Infection in Egypt

The Egyptian Ministry of Health has confirmed an infection with the corona virus in the country. A foreigner is infected with the virus, the ministry explains on its Facebook page. The person, whose nationality was not disclosed, was taken to a hospital for isolation and is currently receiving necessary medical care. The ministry adds that strict preventive measures are being taken against those in contact with the person. It is the second case of the new corona virus that has been detected in Egypt. The first person has recovered, the statement said.

Coronavirus: What has happened so far