Covid-19 Coronavirus Outbreak In Europe -- News Updates March 4, 2020

Daily Mail: Italy's coronavirus death toll hits 107 just weeks after first case in the country - as all schools and universities and sporting venues are locked down and authorities plan a ban on KISSING

* The number of people infected in Italy soared to over 3,000 today, including 107 dead across the country
* All schools and universities will be shuttered until mid-March, and interpersonal contact will be discouraged
* Italian PM is expected to provide new health rules, including bans on kissing, hugging and shaking hands

Italy closed all schools and universities and prepared other emergency measures on Wednesday to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus in Europe's worst-hit country as the death toll and number of cases jumped.

The total number of dead in Italy rose to 107 after 28 people died of the highly contagious virus over the past 24 hours, the Civil Protection Agency said.

Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte's government released a decree this afternoon which told the nation, among other restrictions, that the public should refrain from the traditional Italian greeting of kissing each other on the cheek.

A later announcement confirmed that all sporting events will take place without fans present for at least the next month due to the virus outbreak.

Read more ....

Covid-19 Coronavirus Outbreak In Europe -- News Updates March 4, 2020

Coronavirus is now a 'worldwide pandemic,' German health minister says -- DW
Coronavirus outbreak a ‘global pandemic’, worse to come: German health minister -- SCMP/AFP
EU agency takes centre stage in fight against coronavirus -- France 24
First confirmed case of COVID-19 in the EU institutions -- Euractiv
Coronavirus death toll jumps to 107 in Italy, all schools shut -- Reuters
Italy closes all schools and universities as it plans a ban on KISSING to stop the coronavirus spread -- Daily Mail
No final decision to close Italy schools over Covid-19 - minister -- RTE
Virus fears prompt Italy to ban kisses, handshakes -- AFP
UK coronavirus cases jump to 85 in biggest daily increase to date -- The Guardian
Nervy British lawmakers sweat over coronavirus reaching parliament -- Reuters
France says it now has 285 confirmed cases of coronavirus -- Reuters
Louvre museum reopens in Paris as staff agree to end coronavirus protest -- France 24
No money for masterpieces: Louvre bans cash over virus fears -- AP
France to regulate price of hand sanitisers amid coronavirus outbreak -- France 24
Hungary confirms first two coronavirus cases -- Reuters
Northern Ireland confirms two new cases of coronavirus -- Reuters
Putin says Russia targeted from abroad by fake news on coronavirus -- Reuters