AROUND THE WORLD
Europe
The continent’s worst-hit country, Italy, says confirmed cases have reached 888, mostly centred in the north. The death toll is 18. The number of infections in France has risen to 57 after 19 new cases were confirmed on Thursday. Germany has 57 cases while there are 32 cases in Spain located in areas including Madrid, Barcelona, Majorca and Tenerife. Russia reported two cases on January 31. Both patients – Chinese nationals – recovered and were discharged from hospital.
Asia
In mainland China, where the virus originated, 79,251 people are confirmed as having been infected, most in the central province of Hubei. The World Health Organisation says 2,744 people have died. Iran is one of the worst-hit countries with 43 confirmed fatalities as of yesterday. The total number of people diagnosed there with the virus has risen to 593. A third case was reported in India’s southern state of Kerala early last month. All three are students who returned from Wuhan.
Africa
Algeria, Egypt and Nigeria have each reported one case. The case in Algeria is a 61-year-old Italian national who arrived from his home country on February 17. In Egypt, reportedly a foreign national, is Africa’s first. The Nigerian case, confirmed on Friday, is the first in sub-saharan Africa.
Americas
Health officials have confirmed the US’S first coronavirus fatality. Officials in Washington State say two new cases have been identified, including one patient who died. The US has confirmed 62 cases. Canada confirmed 14 cases by last week, the majority in Ontario and British Columbia. The Brazilian government says a 61-year-old national is Latin America’s first confirmed case. The man contracted the virus during a two-week work trip in Italy’s Lombardy.
Australia
Australia has confirmed 23 cases of the virus, including several passengers evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. New Zealand has confirmed its first case on Friday, saying a person who’d arrived from Iran – and who travelled to Auckland via Bali – had tested positive. Officials say the person, in their 60s, is being treated in Auckland City Hospital. The person is reportedly a female New Zealand citizen who arrived back in the country on Wednesday.