WHO says novel coronavirus has widespread potential

World Health
Organization has said that the new coronavirus is at a decisive point and has widespread
potential as countries across the globe battled to contain the deadly outbreak.

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The comments
of WHO head Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus comes as countries around the world
battle to prevent the virus spreading further. Saudi Arabia banned pilgrims
from visiting Islam’s holiest sites as the number of deaths jumped in
neighbouring Iran, while Japan and Iraq ordered the closure of schools.

Alarm is
also growing as China is no longer the only breeding ground for COVID-19, with
other countries including South Korea and Italy becoming hotbeds of infection,
raising fears of a pandemic.

The virus
has already killed more than 2,760 people, mostly in China  and infected more than 81,000 in over 45
countries. Iran has reported seven new deaths over 24 hours, taking the overall
toll to 26, the highest outside China.

World
financial markets have plunged on fears that widespread lockdowns could hamper
business activity and dent global growth, while sports matches and festivals
have been cancelled to try to stem infections.

The EU said
it is bracing for an economic hit, with tourism already feeling the pinch and
supply chains reliant on China also being affected.