South Korea, Iran, and Italy Face Sudden Coronavirus Surges
Health officials scramble to contain rapidly growing coronavirus outbreaks in South Korea, Iran, and Italy as the global spread of the illness accelerates. South Korea raises its national threat level to "red alert" after experiencing the highest number of cases outside China.
Health officials scramble to contain sudden coronavirus outbreaks in South Korea, Iran, and Italy as the global spread of the illness accelerates. China still sees the vast majority of the nearly 77,000 infections and over 2,400 deaths, but new clusters abroad cause severe alarm. World leaders work rapidly to halt transmission and calm public fears while the United States confirms 35 cases, half of which involve passengers repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
South Korea faces the highest number of coronavirus cases outside of China and raises its national threat level to "red alert" for the first time since the 2009 H1N1 swine flu outbreak. Officials report 602 cases and six deaths, with most infections occurring in just the last few days. In response, the government takes emergency steps that allow for the lockdown of affected cities and the restriction of domestic travel.
Chinese President Xi Jinping describes the situation as "severely complex" and warns that containment efforts have entered a crucial stage. Meanwhile, countries like Iran and Italy implement their own emergency measures to combat the sudden appearance of the virus within their borders. Police and citizens in downtown Tehran visibly wear masks in public as the international community braces for a potential worldwide pandemic.