by Summary for 8th March
Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Sunak said the government is poised to give the NHS “whatever it needs”.
So far, there have been 206 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
Touching upon the effects the outbreak could have on public services, as well as businesses, Mr Sunak said that the UK government is working to “make sure that we have the interventions required to help anyone through a difficult period”.
Mr Sunak is due to address the outbreak in his first Budget on Wednesday.
The death toll from the collapsed hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou has risen to 10, state media report.
The five-storey hotel in the south-eastern coastal city was being used to quarantine those suspected of having the coronavirus. About 70 people were trapped in the rubble and more than 20 remain unaccounted for.
The building's owner has been summoned by police, state media added.
In Bulgaria, the centre for infectious diseases said two men from the northern city of Pleven and two women from the central city of Gabrovo had tested positive.
Paraguay said a 32-year-old man who arrived from Ecuador was its first Covid-19 patient.
Princess Cruises said “guests who require acute medical treatment" and hospital treatment would disembark first and be taken to “medical facilities in California”.
Congressman Joaquin Castro said he understood some would be taken to Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.
Isna said the move was because of "restrictions imposed by Europe for unknown reasons".
Iran Air said it was conducting "consultations" to resume the flights.
Iran is one of the worst-affected coronavirus nations outside China, with almost 6,000 confirmed cases and 145 deaths, although many believe the death toll is higher.
A spokesman for Alberto Cirio said he felt well and would "continue to work remotely", La Repubblica reported.
On Saturday, Nicola Zingaretti, the head of the Lazio region and leader of Italy's centre-left Democratic Party (PD), said he had the disease.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced drastic new measures restricting travel in the region of Lombardy and 14 provinces.
The country's largest protestant church, Yoido Full Gospel Church, which has about 560,000 registered members, held its services online.
"Although it is the rule to come to church for service, this is an emergency situation," elder Kim Doo-hyung said.
The number of cases in South Korea has now risen above 7,300 - the highest outside China - but the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said there were signs that the outbreak was slowing down. It said on Sunday that for the first time in 11 days the number of new infections had fallen below 400.
It said there were now 6,566 confirmed cases.
Some experts believe the death toll is being under-reported, although the World Health Organization has praised Iran for "switching on" to the outbreak and taking a new "all of government approach".
The Costa Fortuna is on its way to Singapore after Malaysia and Thailand both refused entry.
There are about 2,000 people on board including dozens of Italian passengers.
The ship's operator, Costa Crociere, said there were no suspected cases of the virus on board. It said Malaysia had imposed restrictions "upon the arrival of travellers of Italian nationality".
Here are some of the key latest figures - although they are changing quickly...
Under government plans, the clinic in the Tai Po area would be one of 18 across the city designated for treating suspected Covid-19 cases. Officials say the clinics will ease pressure on Hong Kong's main hospitals in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
But the plan has alarmed local people. Last week two other clinics were firebombed, the South China Morning Post reported.
On Sunday, Hong Kong reported its third death from the disease.
Hong Kong was one of the worst-affected areas in the 2002-03 Sars outbreak.
The Russian capital's government announced a "high alert regime" and said those returning from countries including China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and other virus-hit countries should stay at home for 14 days.
Anyone disregarding the rule faces up to five years in prison. Those in self-isolation would be checked through the use of CCTV, officials added.
There have been at least 15 confirmed coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far.
18:08
- Italy places up to 16 million people under quarantine as it battles to contain the spread of coronavirus
- Those in 15 central and northern provinces need special permission to travel - Milan and Venice are affected
- Some 3,500 people on a cruise ship lying off the coast of San Francisco are to be tested for the virus
- China reported the lowest number of new infections since January - an indication that the spread is slowing
- Italy has placed strict travel restrictions on the region of Lombardy and 14 other provinces in a bid to control the spread of the virus. Other drastic measures have been announced for the rest of the country including the closure of schools, museums, theatres and cinemas and the suspension of weddings and funerals. We have more details here
- A cruise ship quarantined off the coast of San Francisco because of an outbreak of coronavirus has been given permission to dock in nearby Oakland. All 3,533 passengers and crew are to be tested. So far 21 out of 45 people tested on board have the virus
- China has reported its lowest daily number of new coronavirus infections since January - an indication that the spread there is slowing
- At least six people have died following the collapse of a five-storey hotel in China's south-eastern coastal city of Quanzhou. The hotel was being used to quarantine people suspected of having coronavirus
Chancellor: UK is 'well prepared' to tackle the coronavirus
The UK is “well prepared” and in a “strong” economic position to tackle the coronavirus, the country’s Chancellor Rishi Sunak has said.Speaking to Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday, Mr Sunak said the government is poised to give the NHS “whatever it needs”.
So far, there have been 206 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.
Touching upon the effects the outbreak could have on public services, as well as businesses, Mr Sunak said that the UK government is working to “make sure that we have the interventions required to help anyone through a difficult period”.
Mr Sunak is due to address the outbreak in his first Budget on Wednesday.
Quanzhou hotel death toll rises
The death toll from the collapsed hotel in the Chinese city of Quanzhou has risen to 10, state media report.The five-storey hotel in the south-eastern coastal city was being used to quarantine those suspected of having the coronavirus. About 70 people were trapped in the rubble and more than 20 remain unaccounted for.
The building's owner has been summoned by police, state media added.
More countries report first cases
Colombia, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Malta, the Maldives and Paraguay have all reported their first cases of the virus.In Bulgaria, the centre for infectious diseases said two men from the northern city of Pleven and two women from the central city of Gabrovo had tested positive.
Paraguay said a 32-year-old man who arrived from Ecuador was its first Covid-19 patient.
Grand Princess sails towards Oakland
More now on the cruise ship Grand Princess. California Governor Gavin Newsom gave permission for the ship to dock to the port city of Oakland later on Sunday, US media report.Princess Cruises said “guests who require acute medical treatment" and hospital treatment would disembark first and be taken to “medical facilities in California”.
Congressman Joaquin Castro said he understood some would be taken to Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas.
Iran Air 'suspends Europe flights'
Iran Air has suspended all flights to and from Europe until further notice, semi-official state news agency Isna has said.Isna said the move was because of "restrictions imposed by Europe for unknown reasons".
Iran Air said it was conducting "consultations" to resume the flights.
Iran is one of the worst-affected coronavirus nations outside China, with almost 6,000 confirmed cases and 145 deaths, although many believe the death toll is higher.
Second Italian regional president tests positive
The head of Italy's northern Piedmont region has tested positive for coronavirus - the second regional president to announce the news in just 24 hours.A spokesman for Alberto Cirio said he felt well and would "continue to work remotely", La Repubblica reported.
On Saturday, Nicola Zingaretti, the head of the Lazio region and leader of Italy's centre-left Democratic Party (PD), said he had the disease.
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has announced drastic new measures restricting travel in the region of Lombardy and 14 provinces.
Churches close in S Korea but signs of slowdown
Hundreds of churches across South Korea were closed on Sunday as the country battled to stop the spread of coronavirus.The country's largest protestant church, Yoido Full Gospel Church, which has about 560,000 registered members, held its services online.
"Although it is the rule to come to church for service, this is an emergency situation," elder Kim Doo-hyung said.
The number of cases in South Korea has now risen above 7,300 - the highest outside China - but the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said there were signs that the outbreak was slowing down. It said on Sunday that for the first time in 11 days the number of new infections had fallen below 400.
Iran reports new rise in deaths
The Iranian health ministry has increased the nation's death toll from coronavirus to 194, an increase of 49.It said there were now 6,566 confirmed cases.
Some experts believe the death toll is being under-reported, although the World Health Organization has praised Iran for "switching on" to the outbreak and taking a new "all of government approach".
Cruise ship refused permission to dock
Another cruise ship has been refused permission to dock because of fears that passengers or crew may be carrying the coronavirus.The Costa Fortuna is on its way to Singapore after Malaysia and Thailand both refused entry.
There are about 2,000 people on board including dozens of Italian passengers.
The ship's operator, Costa Crociere, said there were no suspected cases of the virus on board. It said Malaysia had imposed restrictions "upon the arrival of travellers of Italian nationality".
Seven more deaths in Spain and other latest figures
Governments globally are grappling with the growing number of infections.Here are some of the key latest figures - although they are changing quickly...
- Spain - The national death toll has risen to 17, newspaper El Pais reports , citing seven new deaths in Madrid, Aragon and the Basque Country
- Bangladesh - The country today confirmed its first three cases of coronavirus. The affected people are aged between 20 and 35 and two of them returned from Italy recently, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research
- Hong Kong - A third patient in Hong Kong has died from the virus, it was reported on Sunday. The 76-year-old woman became ill last month, according to public broadcaster RTHK. Her 79-year-old husband has also been diagnosed with the virus
- Switzerland - There are now 281 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with Swiss authorities confirming that all those infected have been placed in isolation
- Saudi Arabia - Four more cases have been confirmed, taking the total there to 11, the country's heath ministry said. The state news agency also said that the Qatif region was under temporary lockdown
Hong Kong protesters target virus clinic
Police in Hong Kong have used pepper spray to disperse a crowd protesting against a proposed clinic for suspected coronavirus infections.Under government plans, the clinic in the Tai Po area would be one of 18 across the city designated for treating suspected Covid-19 cases. Officials say the clinics will ease pressure on Hong Kong's main hospitals in the event of a large-scale outbreak.
But the plan has alarmed local people. Last week two other clinics were firebombed, the South China Morning Post reported.
On Sunday, Hong Kong reported its third death from the disease.
Hong Kong was one of the worst-affected areas in the 2002-03 Sars outbreak.
Moscow threatens jail over self-isolation
Moscow city officials are threatening to jail anyone failing to self-isolate after returning from coronavirus hotspots.The Russian capital's government announced a "high alert regime" and said those returning from countries including China, South Korea, Iran, Italy and other virus-hit countries should stay at home for 14 days.
Anyone disregarding the rule faces up to five years in prison. Those in self-isolation would be checked through the use of CCTV, officials added.
There have been at least 15 confirmed coronavirus infections reported in Russia so far.
18:08
Round-up of Sunday's key events
- Italy has placed up to 16 million people under quarantine in a drastic attempt to bring the coronavirus outbreak under control. The number of confirmed cases rose to 7,375 from 5,883 on Saturday. The deaths shot up by 133 to 366
- Salvatore Farina, the Italian army's chief of staff, was among the latest people to test positive in the country
- Several matches in Serie A, Italy’s top football league, were played behind closed doors on Sunday. Sports Minister Vincenzo Spadafora has called for an immediate suspension of the Serie A season
- Pope Francis delivered his first live-streamed Sunday prayer to avoid the usual crowds. He said he was "close through prayer" with those living with the epidemic
- In the UK, coronavirus cases rose to 273, up from 209 on Saturday - the biggest rise yet
- More coronavirus deaths have been confirmed in the Netherlands (two), Spain (seven) and Switzerland (one)
- A hotel being used as a coronavirus quarantine facility in the Chinese city of Quanzhou collapsed , killing at least 10 people
- In the US, a cruise ship held off the coast near San Francisco after 21 people tested positive for the disease has been directed to the nearby port of Oakland and should arrive on Monday
- An individual who attended a conservative political conference last week that President Donald Trump and Vice-President Mike Pence spoke at has been confirmed to have the virus . The person was not in contact with either.
by 
61-BLUES
