World Bank calls for global effort against new coronavirus

The World Bank called on Monday for countries to step up programs to fight the new coronavirus outbreak, and said it was considering mobilizing its own resources against the disease. "We are calling on all countries to strengthen their health surveillance and response systems, which is essential to contain the spread of this and any future outbreaks," the institution said in a statement.

"The World Bank Group is reviewing financial and technical resources that can be mobilized quickly to support affected countries," and also "closely coordinating with international partners to accelerate the international response." Since breaking out in China, the virus has killed 425 people in the country, exceeding the 349 dead in the Chinese mainland from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2002-03, which eventually killed nearly 800 globally. The new virus has infected 17,200 people and spread to more than 20 countries amid fears it could paralyze China and harm the global economy.

The World Bank said it was "monitoring the wider economic and social impacts of this crisis," and would support "China's efforts to respond, including its efforts to maintain resilience in its economy." If the epidemic reaches the same severity as the Spanish flu in 1918, which killed 30 million people, it could cost the global economy between one percent and ten percent of growth, World Bank President Jim Yong Kim said at the end of January.

International Monetary Fund chief Kristalina

Georgieva said last week that negative impacts on the economy in the first half of 2020 were likely but "it would be irresponsible to offer any speculations around what may happen." Asian markets rallied with Shanghai bouncing back as bargain-buyers stepped in after the previous day's rout, but trading floors remained anxious as China's deadly virus claimed more lives.

Investors tracked gains on Wall Street and in Europe following last week's rout, though focus remains on authorities' efforts to contain an outbreak that has now infected 20,400 and killed more in mainland China than the SARS epidemic, which hammered Asian economies in 2003. The virus has now spread to more than 20 countries. Several have imposed tough travel rules including banning flights to and from China, while the World Health Organization has declared a global health emergency.

In a rare admission, Beijing admitted "shortcomings and difficulties" in its response to the crisis, which many fear could slash growth in the world's number two economy and impact other countries that rely on its supply chains. Observers said China's leaders were considering lowering their GDP forecasts for this year owing to the epidemic.

"The coronavirus is currently inflicting a heavy blow to its economy, so it stands to reason that growth will be much weaker, even if there is ultimately a rebound of sorts next quarter on a quick passing of the viral epidemic," said National Australia Bank's David de Garis. Having dived nearly eight percent on Monday, Shanghai stocks rose 1.3 percent, boosted by a central bank injection of almost $60 billion into the financial markets, which is on top of the $173 billion pumped in on Monday.

Hong Kong climbed more than one percent a day after data showed the city's economy contracted last year for the first time since 2009, but at a slightly slower rate than feared. The gains were despite news that the city had seen the first death of a patient who had contracted the coronavirus. However, casinos were deep in the red after Macau said it would close all gaming houses in the gambling hub for two weeks because of the outbreak. Wynn Macau, Galaxy Entertainment and Sands China were all down more than two percent.

Singapore, Seoul, Mumbai, Manila and Taipei all surged between 1.3 percent and two percent, while Sydney put on 0.4 percent and Jakarta added 0.7 percent. Tokyo finished 0.5 percent higher. The buying sentiment extended to the oil markets, where both main contracts rose, having plunged Monday on worries about the effect on demand for the commodity in the world's biggest consumer. OPEC and other major producers will gather this week to analyse the price drops, a source close to the cartel said at the weekend. On currency markets, the pound stabilised after taking a hit Monday against the dollar and euro after Britain and the European Union offered very different ideas for their future relationship that fanned concerns about this year's trade talks.