Schools shut, travel curbed as world races to fight coronavirus

Schools shut, travel curbed as world races to fight coronavirus
Schools shut, travel curbed as world races to fight coronavirus

Governments battlingcoronavirus epidemics from Iran to Australia shut schools, canceled big eventsand stocked up on medical supplies on Thursday in a race to contain theoutbreak's rapid global spread.

For the first time, newinfections reported around the world surpassed those in mainland China, wherethe flu-like disease emerged two months ago from an illegal wildlife market butis on the decline after an aggressive containment campaign.

In Japan, where casesrose to 200, there was particular concern after a female tour bus guide testedpositive for a second time – one of very few worldwide to do so.

Tokyo has halted biggatherings and sports events for two weeks, and is closing schools early forthe spring break. But it still plans to go ahead with the 2020 Olympics, whosecancellation or relocation would be a massive blow for Japan.

The coronavirus hasmainly battered China, causing 78,596 cases and 2,746 deaths. But it has spreadto another 44 countries with 3,246 cases and 51 deaths reported.

Though meeting the dictionary definition of a pandemic – widespread contagion across a large region – the World Health Organization (WHO) has so far held back from using that term.

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