Summary

  • Number of deaths worldwide now more than 3,000

  • More than 90% are in Hubei, China, but there have been deaths in 10 other countries

  • European Union disease prevention agency raises risk level to "moderate to high"

  • South Korea reports 476 new cases, a total of 4,212, and a death toll of 28

  • Italy has had more than 2,000 cases, with a death toll of 52

  • Six Americans have died, all in Washington state

  • The leader of a South Korean church linked to the outbreak gets on his knees to apologise

  • Indonesia, Senegal, Jordan, Iceland, Portugal, Armenia, the Czech Republic and Andorra confirm their first cases

  1. Covid map: Where are cases the highest?published at 17:53 British Summer Time 5 July 2022

    Key maps and charts explaining how the virus has spread around the world.

    Read More
  2. What are the social distancing rules?published at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 25 January 2022

    Scotland and Wales are relaxing some of their restrictions around gatherings and mixing with others.

    Read More
  3. What is the UK's plan and what could happen next?published at 12:53 Greenwich Mean Time 23 March 2020

    The UK's plan to tackle coronavirus has been changing. What's the latest and what's happening next?

    Read More
  4. That's all for nowpublished at 20:31 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    That's all for today's live coverage on the impact of the coronavirus around the world.

    Here's a round-up of the day's news:

    • Deaths globally have passed 3,000 - Italy saw a jump from 34 to 52
    • In the US, the number of deaths rose to six and authorities warned of dangers of "active" spreading
    • New cases have been reported including in Senegal, Tunisia, Jordan and Iceland
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) called the virus "unique", saying they had never seen a virus that could transfer so easily between individuals
    • The economic impact continues to be felt - airlines including British Airways, Ryanair and Lufthansa announced they are cancelling flights
    • Poorer countries without the infrastructure may receive IMF help

    To keep informed of the latest developments, follow our top stories and guides:

    Thanks for joining us, we'll be back with more live coverage tomorrow.

  5. Virus 'actively' spreading in USpublished at 20:25 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    More on the six deaths in the US state of Washington.

    Kathy Lofy, Washington state's health officer, said cases were confined to two counties - King and Snohomish - but that it was possible it was spreading elsewhere.

    She said the virus was "actively" spreading in those two counties.

    Read the story here.

  6. Germany and France discuss actionpublished at 20:13 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    Germany's Finance Minister Olaf Scholz has tweeted to say that coronavirus was high on the agenda at a meeting today with his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire.

    "We discussed the full range of our European issues and of course the effects of the coronavirus on our countries.

    "We are monitoring the situation very closely and will take decisive action if necessary."

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  7. Advice for holidaymakerspublished at 20:01 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    For those worried about their travel plans - after British Airways and Ryaniar announced further cancellations today - travel expert Simon Calder says customers should have no problem getting refunds on their flights.

    The majority of those who have booked to travel but have changed their minds, however, will find it difficult to get their money back through insurance, he says.

    He adds that travel risks in many parts of the world remain "tolerably low".

    For more information about your rights as a traveller and how to avoid losing out financially, read our helpful guide.

  8. Your questions answeredpublished at 19:58 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    In this segment of the BBC's special broadcast, the BBC's medical correspondent Fergus Walsh answers questions from viewers on how worried we should be about the new coronavirus, who is most at risk, and the most effective ways of protecting ourselves.

    One is, should I self-isolate and how do I do it? Here is all you need to know about it.

  9. Concerned UK public urged to use 111 websitepublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    In the UK, members of the public concerned about what to do if they are feeling unwell are advised to use the national health service's (NHS) call centre website.

    A staff member – or "handler" – at an NHS 111 call centre tells the BBC that it is helpful if people avoid using the phone lines for non-emergency enquiries.

    The NHS website, external has already received more than 70,000 enquiries online.

  10. South Korea sect leader makes 'sincere apology'published at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    Watch the leader of the religious sect Shincheonji as he apologises for the church's role in the spread of coronavirus across South Korea.

    A vast majority of the country's positive cases are linked to the group.

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: Shincheonji Church leader apologises for spread

  11. Live now: BBC coronavirus specialpublished at 19:37 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    The BBC's special programme to help you understand more about the outbreak is under way now.

    You can watch the broadcast live by clicking the "play" icon at the top of this page.

  12. Five deaths in Washington state, USpublished at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    The state that reported the first US coronavirus death has now said five people have died in total, the health officer for Seattle-King County says, reports Reuters.

    The number of cases has climbed to 14 in the county.

  13. French cases increase to 191published at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    The number of reported cases in France has increased to 191, up from 130 on Sunday, the head of the public health service said.

    Three people in France have died from the virus.

  14. BBC special starting soonpublished at 19:20 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    A reminder that we will be streaming a live broadcast of a special programme being aired on BBC One from 19:30 GMT.

    Leading public experts and BBC reporters will be answering questions on the coronavirus outbreak.

    Join us to hear the latest health advice, what to do if you suspect you have symptoms, and to find out what you should do if you are planning a trip abroad.

    We will also be reporting on the main points here in text and video.

  15. 'We've spent 27 days in quarantine'published at 19:15 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    Media caption,

    Coronavirus: US couple's four-week quarantine extended

    Two US passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship were looking forward to going home today - but at the last minute another member of their group has tested positive for the virus.

    Cheryl and Paul Molesky tell the BBC about the "emotional rollercoaster" they've endured.

  16. Saudi Arabia reports first coronavirus casepublished at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    Saudi Arabia has reported its first confirmed case of the new coronavirus disease.

    The health ministry said the Covid-19 disease had been detected in a Saudi citizen who had travelled to the kingdom from Iran via Bahrain, external. Iran has reported more than 1,500 confirmed cases and 66 deaths since 19 February.

    The infected Saudi citizen has been placed in quarantine in a hospital and samples have been taken from those who have been in contact them, according to the ministry.

    The announcement came just days after the Saudis took the unprecedented step of barring foreigners from performing pilgrimages to Mecca and Medina.

    Muslim pilgrims wear masks at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca (28 February 2020)Image source, AFP
  17. Global cases outside China mappedpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    The virus continues to spread faster outside China than inside - but the vast majority of cases globally are still inside China where more than 88,000 people are affected.

    See more in our visual guide to the outbreak.

    Cases of coronavirus outside China mapped
  18. US election rallies "safe" - Donald Trumppublished at 18:41 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    President Donald Trump's campaign rallies do not put people at risk of coronavirus, he has insisted.

    "I think it's very safe," he said in the White House, AFP reports, adding: "You could ask that to the Democrats because they're having a lot of rallies."

  19. A round-up of the latest developmentspublished at 18:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    • Deaths globally have passed 3,000 - Italy saw a jump from 34 to 52 today
    • New cases have been reported including in Senegal, Tunisia, Jordan and Iceland
    • A second person has died in the US and new cases are reported from coast to coast
    • The World Health Organization called the virus "unique", saying they had never seen a virus that could transfer so easily between individuals
    • The economic impact continues to be felt - airlines including British Airways, Ryanair and Lufthansa announced they are cancelling flights
    • Poorer countries without the infrastructure to deal with outbreaks may receive help from the World Bank and IMF
  20. UK government 'alive' to concerns of gig-economy workerspublished at 18:16 Greenwich Mean Time 2 March 2020

    A Deliveroo riderImage source, Getty Images

    British Prime Minister Boris Johnson says he's prepared to take action if part-time workers and people on insecure contracts suffer financially if they have to self-isolate.

    Trade unions have warned that gig economy workers may not receive statutory sick pay, raising concerns that people with coronavirus would carry on working in order to pay the bills.

    "We are working across government to prepare for all eventualities and are ready to take further action if needed," the prime minister's spokesperson said, adding that ministers were "very alive" to the potential problem.