The declaration came as the number of novel corona virus cases surpassed 120,000 worldwide. In the United States, where more than 30 people have been killed by the corona virus, the total number of cases has doubled in a matter of days, surpassing 1,000 late Tuesday.
Here are the latest developments:
- German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Wednesday that up to 70 percent of her country could end up infected.
- U.S. markets slid as corona virus tightens its grip on the economy and the oil price war escalates.
- In Italy, there are now more than 10,000 corona virus cases. Schools and universities across Poland, as well as in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, will be shut for the rest of March, as European countries attempt to limit large gatherings.
- South Korea’s daily tally of new confirmed cases, which had been declining amid a mass testing program, almost doubled the previous day’s numbers.
- Iran announced 63 more corona virus deaths, bringing the death toll to over 350. With another thousand infections announced, the country’s total has increased to more than 9,000.
- Washington state will prohibit gatherings of more than 250 people in the Seattle area, one of the most drastic moves yet to contain the spread of the corona virus at the site of its worst outbreak.
