Virus approaches ‘pandemic’
IRAN’S coronavirus death toll rose to 16 yesterday, the highest outside China, increasing its international isolation as dozens of countries from South Korea to Italy accelerated emergency measures to curb the epidemic’s global spread.
Believed to come from wildlife in Wuhan city late last year, the flu-like disease has infected 80 000 people and killed 2 663 in China. But the World Health Organisation says the epidemic there has peaked and has been declining since February 2.
Beyond mainland China, however, it has jumped to about 29 countries and territories, with some three dozen deaths. Growing outbreaks in Iran, Italy and South Korea are of particular concern.
“We are close to a pandemic but there’s still hope,” said Raina MacIntyre, head of a biosecurity programme at the University of New South Wales, using the term for a widespread global epidemic. Global stocks sank to their lowest levels in over two months yesterday in anxiety over the coronavirus’ spread and its damage to the world economy.
Iran’s outbreak, amid mounting US sanctions pressure, threatens to leave it further cut off. Several countries suspended flights due to cases in travellers from Iran to Canada, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Some neighbours also closed borders, while Oman’s Khasab port halted imports and exports with Iran.
“It’s an uninvited and inauspicious visitor. God willing we will get through this virus,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a televised speech.
The deputy health minister was among those infected.
Iran cancelled concerts and soccer matches nationwide, and schools and universities closed in many provinces. Many Iranians took to social media to accuse authorities of concealing facts.
Popular anger has been high over the handling of a Ukrainian passenger plane crash in January, which the military took three days to acknowledge, and was caused by an Iranian missile fired in error. Authorities say US sanctions are hampering its response to the coronavirus by preventing imports of masks and medicines.
South Korea has the most virus cases outside China, with 977 infections and 10 deaths, most linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus in the city of Daegu, where the outbreak is believed to have begun with a 61-yearold woman.
Authorities were to test all members of the church, estimated by media at about 215 000 people. President Moon Jae-in acknowledged the situation was “very grave”.
In Europe, Italy is the front line, with more than 280 cases and seven deaths, most in the northern Lombardy and Veneto regions but one case in Sicily, the first south of Rome.
Italy’s tourist industry, which accounts for about 13% of the economy, fears a plunge amid restrictions on public events affecting soccer matches, cinemas and theatres.
A planned three-week shoot in Italy for Tom Cruise’s seventh outing in the Mission: Impossible series was also postponed, while Milan cathedral was closed and Venice carnival cancelled.
Airlines began restricting flights to Italy, while prices for masks and gels rocketed.
Eurasia consultancy’s Scott Rosenstein said the bad news from Iran, South Korea and Italy had undercut confidence that sustained human-tohuman transmission could be limited to China. “This worsening narrative around disease containment has overshadowed the cautious optimism narrative coming out of China,” he said. “Markets have responded accordingly.”