In Hong Kong, 3,600 people spent the night confined aboard the cruise ship World Dream as authorities conducted health checks after three former passengers tested positive for the virus. The World Health Organization, which has declared the outbreak a global health emergency, on Wednesday appealed for US$675 million to fight the virus. Authorities decided to quarantine the ship and test hundreds on board after a former passenger who disembarked in Hong Kong last month tested positive for the virus. Italy announced that passengers on every international flight would be scanned for fever, while Taiwan Thursday banned all international cruise ships from docking. Two fatalities have been reported outside the mainland, in Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Source: The Star February 06, 2020 07:41 UTC