Corona virus has today impacted 182 countries with 246,467 confirmed cases and 10,047 deaths. In fact, though China had 80,967 confirmed cases the death toll was 3,248 and China proudly claims zero cases in China. However, Italy with 41,035 confirmed cases has 3,405 deaths exceeding that of China. What did China do right and what is Italy doing wrong? This is the question that engulfs most countries now dealing with the coronavirus coupled with indiscipline and selfish attitude of citizens as seen in the case of Sri Lanka. The peak in cases and contaminations has been as a result of contaminated Sri Lankans arriving from Italy in secret and refusing to be quarantined.

31 Dec 2019

China informs WHO of flu-like cases in Wuhan province. Health authorities began tracing source of flu.

1 Jan 2020

US Centre for Disease Control & Prevention says Wuhan seafood market is the suspected hub of the flu

3 Jan 2020

Passengers arriving from Wuhan to Changi airport undergo temperature screening

5 Jan 2020

WHO issues travel restrictions on travel/trade with China

6 Jan 2020

China reports 60 cases with 7 in critical condition. Health authorities rule out bird flu, seasonal flu, SARS, MERS.

7 Jan 2020

Virus is identified as CORONAVIRUS – temporarily it is named 2019-nCoV

8 Jan 2020

Outside China – 1^st suspected coronavirus cases in Thailand with 4 persons showing flu-like symptoms

9 Jan 2020

Chinese Centre for Disease Control & Prevention declares new virus associated to SARS-CoV group.

11 Jan 2020

1^st coronavirus death in Wuhan of a 61year old man who had been admitted to hospital for fever on 27 December.

No of infected in China is 41.

13 Jan 2020

1^st confirmed coronavirus case in Thailand was a Chinese woman returning to Thailand from Wuhan.

15 Jan 2020

1^st confirmed coronavirus case in Japan of a person who stayed in Wuhan.

17 Jan 2020

2^nd coronavirus death in China of a 69 year old man in Wuhan.

US begins screening of passengers from Wuhan at San Francisco, JFK, Los Angeles airports.

20 Jan 2020

Death toll – China announces 3^rd death & over 200 new cases.

• 1^st case detected in South Korea of a Chines person arriving from Wuhan
• A British tourist in Thailand feared to be infected.

21 Jan 2020

• Australia announces its first coronavirus case a victim in Brisbane who tested positive after returning from Wuhan.
• Chinese announces over 300 cases
• US confirms 1^st coronavirus case of person in 30s admitted to Washington hospital after returning from China.

22 Jan 2020

• Over 500 people infected with death toll at 17.
• WHO declares international health emergency.

23 Jan 2020

• China cancels New Year celebrations due on 25 Jan 2020
• China declares travel ban to & from Wuhan city. China also imposes travel ban on Huanggang & Ezhou cities. Singapore confirms 1^st case.
• US companies announce plans to develop drugs & vaccines to combat virus.

24 Jan 2020

• China commences a 1000 bed hospital in Wuhan to be completed in 6 days.
• China declares 830 confirmed cases with 95 in critical condition.
• China imposes travel restrictions on Chibi, Zhijian, Huangshi, Xiantao, Enshi, Qianjian & Xianning cities.
• Malaysia, Canada, Thailand, Singapore & Uganda airports implement different measures to screen passengers.
• Starbucks, McDonalds shuts down in Hubei province.
• Thailand suspends flights from its airport to Wuhan till 4^th February.

25 Jan 2020

Death toll is 41 with 1320 confirmed cases of which 1297 from China and 23 outside China.

• Canada reports case of a 50year old man returning from Wuhan on 22 Jan
• Hong Kong announces health emergency & cancels all official visits to China. 5 cases reported in Hong Kong.
• Nepal reports case of a student returning from China.

26 Jan 2020

Death toll – China’s death rises from 56 on 25^th Jan to 1975 by 26^th Jan.

• France prepares to evacuate citizens from Wuhan. France reports 3 cases
• Ivory Coast confirms suspected case.
• Mexico reports 1^st confirmed case
• Shanghai reports 1^st death of 88 year old man
• US announces special flight to evacuate all American citizens from Wuhan on 28 Jan
• US confirms 3^rd case from California.
• Hong Kong and Taiwan restricts visitors from Hubei province.

27 Jan 2020

Death toll is 81 – confirmed cases in China is 2744 with about half from Hubei province.

• Malaysia temporarily bans Chinese visitors from Wuhan.
• South Korean announce its 4^th case.
• Spain & Portugal announce evacuation of citizens from Wuhan.
• Sri Lanka reports 1^st coronavirus confirmed case of 40 year old Chinese tourist from Wuhan. http://www.asianews.it/news-en/First-local-coronavirus-case-in-Sri-Lanka-49529.html
• US, Taiwan, Singapore announce 5 cases of coronavirus

28 Jan 2020

• Death toll – China confirms 107 deaths with 4515 confirmed cases and 6973 Air Canada/Finnair cancels some flights to China
• China researchers explores use of natural products & their traditional medicines to combat coronavirus.
• Japan sends flight to evacuate citizens from Wuhan
• Japan, Taiwan, Cambodia, Germany confirm 1^st cases
• Sri Lanka suspends visa on arrival for Chinese
• White House may suspend flights to China

29 Jan 2020

Death toll – China confirms 132 deaths / 5974 infected / 1459 new cases

• Australia confirms 2^nd case (Queensland 1^st / 2^nd Victoria) confirmed cases 7
• Australian researchers become 1^st to recreate new coronavirus outside China
• British Airways suspends flights to & from mainland China
• Finland confirms 1^st case
• Germany confirms 3 more cases (total 4)
• India sends plane to airlift 250 citizens from Wuhan
• New Zealand and Australia join to evacuate nationals from Wuhan
• UAE confirms 4 members of same Chinese family infected
• US evacuates nationals from Wuhan

30 Jan 2020

Death toll 170 – 7783 infected / 7678 from China

• 23 countries including China affected
• India & Philippines confirm 1^st cases
• Italy confirms 2 cases
• Portugal sends plane to evacuate EU citizens from Wuhan
• Russia closes 2700mile border with China
• US confirms 1^st case of person-to-person transmission

31 Jan 2020

Death toll 213 /infected cases 9776 – WHO declares global emergency

• China sends flights to Thailand & Malaysia to bring back citizens to Wuhan
• Mongolia & Singapore closes borders to China
• New Zealand confirms 1^st suspect case
• Thailand confirms first Thai corona case
• UK confirms 2 cases of coronavirus

1^st Feb 2020

Death toll 259 – 46 new deaths in China / 11374 infected across 26 countries

• 16 member Sri Lankan airline crew volunteer to fly to Wuhan to bring 33 Sri Lankan students back to Sri Lanka https://www.newsfirst.lk/2020/02/02/the-heroic-act-of-the-16-crew-members-of-sri-lankan-airlines/
• Australia bars entry to non-citizens coming from China
• China announces 243 coronavirus patients discharged from hospital
• No deaths reported outside mainland China
• Russia reports 2 cases
• Spain & Sweden reports 1 case each
• US denies entry to foreign nationals who have visited China in last 2 weeks

2^nd Feb 2020

Death toll 305

• 1^st coronavirus patient from Wuhan, a 44 year old Chinese outside China dies in Philippines (304 in China)
• H5N1 bird flu also reported and China culls chickens in Shaoyang/Hunan Province
• Over 3000 new cases in China / 19544 cases

3^rd Feb 2020

Death toll 362 – including 1 in Philippines

• 1000 bed Huoshenshan hospital built within 10 days
• 17386 cases globally / 17238 cases in China / 2296 severe cases
• Australia brings back 243 citizens
• India reports new case (3 in total) all from Kerala
• US confirms 2 new cases (11 in total)

4 Feb 2020

Death toll 427 / confirmed cases 20,623, 646 infected have recovered.

• Malaysia reports 1^st citizen infected – 41year old Malaysian who traveled to Singapore for a conference (2^nd case a 61year old Chinese – total 10 cases)
• Belgium reports 1^st confirmed citizen after 9 citizens return from Wuhan
• Hong Kong reports 1^st death (1^st death outside China in Philippines)

5 Feb 2020

Death toll 492 / Japan confirms 10 cases on cruise (3 Japanese, 2 Australians, 3 Hong Kong, 1 US, 1 Filipino crew member) Virus infected 24,527 – 3219 cases in China serious

• 2 Malaysian evacuees (45 year old man and 9 year old son from Wuhan tests positive – Malaysian cases 12 (9 Chinese – 3 Malaysian)
• US confirms new case from Wisconsin who travelled to Beijing (US total 12)

6 Feb 2020

Death toll 565 / 73 new deaths in mainland China since 4^th Feb / 28,275 total cases of which 28049 in China / 3859 sever cases. 1153 patients recovered in China.

• 2 new cases in Vietnam (Total 12)
• India confirm 645 evacuees from Wuhan were tested negative.
• Japan says 10 more passengers on cruise ship tested positive
• Singapore 30 cases
• UK – 3^rd case
• US citizen dies in Wuhan

7 Feb 2020

Death toll 638 / 31,428 infected – 31,161 from mainland China

• Chinese doctor who tried to issue warning about the virus dies while working in hospital
• Japan reports 41 new cases on cruise ship – total now 61 inside ship
• Taiwan confirms 3 new cases with total now 16 cases

8 Feb 2020

Death toll 724 / 86 new deaths in China / 34,881 cases of which 34546 mainland China, 6161 serious

• 60year old Japanese man dies in Wuhan
• China opens 2^nd prefabricated hospital with 1600 beds in Wuhan.
• France reports 5 new cases of British nationals including child testing positive – they had arrived from Singapore (total 11)
• Hong Kong imposes 14 day quarantine for everyone arriving from mainland China. Visitors must quarantine themselves in hotel rooms or govt centres/returning nationals must stay inside their homes.
• UAE confirms 2 – Chinese & Filipino (total 7)

9 Feb 2020

Death toll 813 (surpassing death toll of SARS in 2002-2003 that claimed 774 lives) 811 from mainland China & one each from Hong Kong and Philippines/600 recovered cases – total cured cases 2649 as of 8^th Feb

37,549 global cases 37,198 in mainland China / 2656 new confirmed cases / 3916 suspected cases / 87 serious / 89 deaths on 8^th Feb alone.

• UK reports 4^th case contracted virus in France.

10 Feb 2020

Death toll 910 / 97 deaths on 9^th Feb – 70 onboard Japanese cruise ship) Global cases 40,547 – 40,171 in mainland China. China reports 3281 recoveries.

• Japan increases cruise ship cases to 135 with 70 confirmed on 9^th Feb
• Malaysia confirms 6^th case – 31 year old man who worked in Macau, China & returned to Malaysia on 1^st Feb (total 18)
• UAE reports 8^th case – an Indian who was in contact with diagnosed person
• UK reports 4 new cases (total 8)
• US reports new case in California – from an evacuee from Wuhan (total 13)

11 Feb 2020

Death toll 1018 – 108 new deaths in China.42,638 confirms in mainland China/global cases 43,000

• Germany confirms 2 new cases – total 16
• Hong Kong reports 7 cases – total 49 (2 cases in same building but different floors / so 100 evacuated from building)
• Ukraine tests 5 citizens for virus as 3 returned from China while 2 were in contact with them
• Vietnam confirms 3month baby infected by grandparent – total 15
• WHO names coronavirus – Covid-19

12 Feb 2020

Death toll 1115/global cases 45,100 – 44,653 from mainland China/recoveries increase – 1.3% on 27 Jan to 8.2% by 10^th Feb

• Japan cruise ship cases increase to 174
• Mobile World Congress cancelled
• Singapore DBS bank evacuates 300 employees after 1 employee is confirmed with virus – total 50 (one of the highest outside China)
• UK reports 9^th case
• US confirms 2^nd case among evacuees from Wuhan – total 14

13 Feb 2020

Death toll – 1369 / 254 new deaths / new cases 15,200 total 60,300 globally / 14840 new cases in Hubei province.

• Hong Kong reports new case – total 51
• Japan reports 1^st covid-19 death – a woman in her 80s – total 248 including 219 from cruise ship / 44 new cases
• Malaysia confirms 19^th case – 39year old woman returning from Wuhan. She is related to 14^th & 16^th covid-19 cases
• US announces 15^th case in Texas 
• Vietnam confirms 16^th case – 50 year old man from Son Loi which reports 8 cases (city under lockdown for 20 days)
• Spain confirms 1^st death

14 Feb 2020

Death toll 1383 / total deaths from mainland China is 1380 (3 others – Philippine / Hong Kong & Japanese)

• Cambodia – cruise ship docks after being turned away by 5 countries
• Facebook cancels Global Marketing Summit in San Francisco
• Global infections 64,429 / 63,911 from China, Hong Kong & Macau.
• IBM cancels RSA Cybersecurity conference in San Francisco

15 Feb 2020

Death toll 1526 / 143 new deaths / Globally 67,000 of which 66,492 from China

• Egypt reports 1^st case – a foreigner
• France reports 1^st covid-19 death – 80year old Chinese tourist who came to France from Hubei on 16 Jan (4^th international – 1^st outside Asia)
• India also announces plans to evacuate Indians onboard cruise ship
• Malaysia reports 2 cases – total 21
• Thailand reports new case – total 34
• US airlifts Americans on Japanes cruise ship

16 Feb 2020

Death toll 1669 / 142 new deaths in China / Deaths in China 1665 / Total positive cases 69,186 with 68,500 cases in China. Severe cases 11,273. Total recoveries 9600

• Germany releases 100 German evacuees arriving from Wuhan from quarantine in Frankfurt military base (none tested positive)
• South Korea confirms 29^th case – 82 year old with no history of overseas travel or contact with any confirmed patients.
• UAE reports 9^th case – 37 year old Chinese

17 Feb 2020

Death toll 1775 / 105 new deaths in China / Global infected 71,000 including 70,548 from China.

• Japanese cruise ship cases rises to 454 out of 1723 tested / 14 new US passengers test positive / Australia plans repatriation from ship
• More than 200 Australian evacuees from Wuhan return home after 14 days quarantine on Christmas Island. None tested positive.
• Philippines confirms 16^th new case onboard ship making 27 Filipinos’ infected.
• Singapore confirms 2 new cases (1yr old male from Wuhan and 35 year old male with no recent travel history to China) – total 77
• Taiwan reports 1^st death – 61 year old man with diabetes & hepatitis B
• Thailand reports new case – 60 year old Chinese woman whose family members were diagnosed earlier – total 35

18 Feb 2020

Death toll 1873 / 98 new deaths / 73,000 cases of which 72,436 from China

• Hong Kong reports 2 new cases – total 62
• Japanese cruise ship cases 542 out of 2404 tested
• Singapore confirms 4 new cases – total 81 / 29 recoveries
• South Korea confirms 31^st case – 61 year old woman
• South Korea to send flight to bring back 5 nationals from Japanese ship
• Taiwan announces 4 of its 20 nationals flown back tests positive
• UK plans to send flight to evacuate nationals from Japanese cruise ship

19 Feb 2020

Death toll 2004 / 1749 new cases but 1824 recovers / total 75,000 infected.

• Hong Kong reports 2^nd death – 70year old man
• Japan announces 621 out of 3011 people tested confirmed with virus. 79 increase from last count. Passengers who tested negative disembark after 14 day quarantine.
• South Korea reports 19 new cases – total 51/11 of new cases contacts of 31^st case.
• Chinese woman confirmed with corona recovers completely in Sri Lanka and is released from hospital

Sri Lanka discharges fully recovered Chinese Coronavirus patient

20 Feb 2020

Death toll 2218 / 75,700 global 74576 in China / Recoveries 16,300

• 180 Australians repatriated from cruise ship & quarantined for 14 days
• 2 Japanese passengers from cruise ship die (both in their 80s)
• India plans to restrict export of antibiotics & vitamins from China.
• Iran reports 3 new cases after death of 2 elderly citizens.
• South Korea reports 1 death / 31 new cases – total 82. Out of 31 new cases 23 were related to Church of Jesus cluster.

21 Feb 2020

Death toll 2247 / Global 76,000 with 75,400 from mainland China / recoveries 18,200

• 2 Australian evacuees from cruise ship tests positive – total cruise ship positive cases 634
• 29year old Chinese doctor (Pen Yinhua) who delayed his wedding to treat patients dies.
• Canada flies 200 citizens from Japanese cruise ship & quarantined for 14 days
• China reports more than 200 cases in prisons outside Hubei
• Italy confirms new case 38 year old man – total 4 (2 chinese / 2 Italian)
• South Korea 156 new cases of which 39 traced to church cluster – total 204 from Daegu city
• Ukraine protestors attack China evacuee buses after fake email – all tested negative
• US reports new case in California – total 16

22 Feb 2020

Death toll 2360 / Global 77,659  of which 76,288 from China / recoveries more than 20,000

• Iran reports 2 more deaths – 4 dead
• Italy reports 1 death 78 year old man & 16 new cases – total 20

23 Feb 2020

Death toll 2458 – 2443 deaths in China / Global 78,600

• 4 Indians on cruise ship test positive – 12 Indians now positive on cruise ship
• Iran reports 2 more deaths – total 8 deaths – total cases 43
• Italy – 79 a surge since last count of 20
• Singapore – total 89 and 51 recoveries
• South Korea – 2 new deaths with total 4 deaths – total cases 556 from church cluster
• South Korea – 5^th death – 46 new cases – total 602
• UK reports 4 new cases all evacuees from cruise ship – total 13
• Afghanistan 3 citizens of Herat who had returned from Qom, Iran were suspected

24 Feb 2020

Death toll – 2600 / Globally 79,000 with 77,000 from China

• Afghanistan confirmed 1^st case
• Bahrain confirms 1 case – total 2
• Iran confirms 50 deaths / Turkey, Pakistan, Afghanistan & Armenia closes borders with Iran / Saudi, Kuwait, Iraq, Turkey, Afghanistan imposes travel & immigration restrictions on Iran
• Iraq confirmed 1^st case
• Israel confirms 2^nd case of Israeli returning from Japanese cruise ship
• Italy reports 7 deaths – total 229 cases / 50,000 people in 11 towns in Lombardy and Veneto under quarantine
• Japanese cruise ship – 1 death of Japanese passenger in 80s – total cases 691 with 3 deaths
• Kuwait confirms 1^st case of citizen returning from Iran – total 5
• Oman confirms 1^st case of 2 women returning from Iran
• South Korea reported 161 new additional cases with 7 deaths – total 833
• Spain confirms 3^rd case – Italian male on holiday
• US confirms 53 cases – 14 in US and 39 Americans onboard cruise ship

25 Feb 2020

Death toll 2700 / Global cases 80,000 recoveries 27,000

26 Feb 2020

Death toll 2750 / Globally 81,000 / recovered 30,000

• Algeria reports 1^st case – Italian arriving on 17 Feb (2^nd African country with confirmed case)
• Austria reports first 2 cases in Tyrol province sharing border with Italy
• Bahrain confirms 6 new cases – two Bahraini & 4 Saudi who arrived from Iran (total 8 cases)
• Bahrain confirms 9 new cases – total 26
• Brazil reports 1^st case
• Croatia confirms 3^rd case – man working in Italy
• Croatia reports 1^st case – person who was in Milan from 19-21 Feb
• El Salvador bans visitors from Italy & South Korea / Salvadorean citizens arriving from Italy & South Korea to face 30 day quarantine
• France reports 2^nd death – 60 year old French man in Paris / total cases 18
• Georgia confirms 1^st national to test positive – returning from Iran
• Greece confirms 1^st case – 38 year old who visited Italy
• India to charter flight to evacuate 120 Indians from cruise ship
• Iran death toll 19 – 3 new deaths / 139 confirmed cases
• Iran Deputy Health Minister tests positive – 1 more death (total 16 deaths & 95 confirmed cases)
• Iraq confirms 4 new positive cases (total 5 positive) –Iraqi family who travelled to Iran
• Italy 322 confirmed cases – 11 deaths / 1 recovery
• Italy reports 400 cases – 1 death (total deaths 12) / 1 recovery
• Jamaica & Cayman Islands deny entry to Meraviglia cruise ship carrying sick crew member
• Japan closes schools
• Japan reports 4^th death of corona victim on cruise ship (80year old Japanese)
• Japan reports 705 cases from cruise ship – authorities test 4061 people / death toll 4 from ship and Japan has 2 deaths
• Kuwait confirms 3 new – returnees from Iran (total 8 cases)
• Kuwait reports 6 new cases – total 12
• Malaysia sends 2^nd flight to evacuates 66 citizens from Wuhan
• North Macedonia reports 1^st case – woman travelling from Italy
• Norway reports 1^st case – person returning from China
• Pakistan reports 1^st 2 cases – traveling to Iran
• Philippines sends 2 flights to repatriate 400 Pilippinos from cruise ship
• Romania confirms 1^st case – man in contact with Italian diagnosed with virus who was in Romania from 18-22 February
• South Korea reports 84 new cases – total 977 (deaths 10)
• South Korea reports additional 169 new cases & 1 death – total 1261 confirmed and 12 deaths
• Switzerland confirms 1^st case in Ticino – a man who had gone to Italy to attend event.
• Thailand confirms 2 new cases of Thai nationals – total 37 cases
• Thailand confirms 3 new cases (2 returning from Japan & came in contact with 3^rd) – total 40 confirmed
• US forces in Korea confirm US service member tests positive

27 Feb 2020

Death toll 2800 – 2640 from China / Global 82,000 / recoveries 32,000

• China announces 10,000 yuan ($1400) to those who self-report for confirmed cases
• Denmark reports 1^st case – returning from holiday to Italy
• Estonia reports 1^st case – travelled to Iran
• Finland reports 2^nd case – female who visited Italy
• France confirms 38 cases – 20 new confirmed cases
• Greece reports 2 new cases – travelling to Italy (total 3)
• India evacuates 119 citizens and 2 Sri Lankans, 1 Nepalese, 1 South African, 1 Peruvian from cruise ship
• Iran’s Vice President for Women & Family Affairs also tests positive – 4 new deaths – total death 26 / 106 new cases – total infected 245
• Iraq confirms 6^th case / 1^st case in Baghdad – male returning from Iran. Iraq suspends public gatherings and bans travel to and from 9 countries including Kuwait and Bahrain.
• Italy – total cases 655 / death toll 17 / recoveries 45
• Japan reports 4^th death – Japanese man in his 80s who tested positive on 22^nd Feb (death after 5 days) – Japanese woman tests positive twice late January & recovered but again positive.
• Kuwait confirms 43 cases
• Lebanon reports 2^nd case – man who returned from Iran
• Lebanon reports 3^rd case – man returning from Iran
• Malaysia reports 1 new case who travelled to Japan – total 23
• Netherlands reports 1^st case – travelling to Italy’s Lombary region
• Northern Ireland reports 1^st case / UK total 16
• Oman reports 6^th case – man returning from Iran
• San Marino reports 1^st case
• Saudi Arabia suspends Mecca pilgrimage
• South Korea report 334 new cases – total 1766 / 1 death – total death 13
• Spain confirmed cases 15
• Sweden reports 5 new cases – total 7
• Swiss confirms 9 cases – last a woman staffer in day care who travelled from Milan – kids quarantined
• UK reports 2 new cases contracted in Italy & Spain – total 60 including 42 repatriated from cruise ship & 3 evacuees from Wuhan
• UN lifts sanctions on medical equipment to North Korea to prevent spread of virus

28 Feb 2020

Death toll 2850 / Globally 83,300 of which 78,000 from China / recoveries globally 36,000

• Belarus reports 1^st case 
• Croatia reports 2 cases who had contact with initial cases – total 5
• Cruise ship – 5^th passenger dies – Japanese woman in 70s who tested positive on 6 Feb and got pneumonia on 12^th Feb
• Cruise ship death – 6 (last death a UK man)
• France confirmed 19 cases – total 57 cases – 2 deaths
• Greece confirms 4^th case – 36year old woman arriving from North Italy
• Hong Kong – dog tests positive from infected owner
• Iran death toll 34 – confirmed cases 388
• Italy confirmed cases 888 – deaths 21 (4 new deaths)
• Japan reports 5^th death – man in 70s who was hospitalized on 6Feb with fever
• Kuwait confirms 2 new cases in contact with Iranian citizens – total 45
• Lithuania reports 1^st case – woman returning from Italy
• Malaysia reports 2 new cases – total 25 / Malaysia restricts travel to Koreans
• Netherlands reports 2^nd case – but not linked to first
• New Zealand confirms 1^st case – person arriving from Iran via Bali / NZ restricts travel to Iran
• Nigeria reports 1^st case – Italian man arriving in Lagos (1^st in sub-saharan region)
• South Korea – 315 additional cases total 2337 / death toll 13
• Thailand reports additional case patient arriving from South Korea on 24Feb – 41 cases
• UAE reports 6 additional cases (4 from Iran/1 from Bahrain, 1 from China) – total 19
• UK confirmed cases 20 / Wales confirmed 1^st case who arrived from North Italy
• US total cases 62 (Oregon & California)
• Western Australia registers 2^nd case – woman on cruise ship – total 24
• WHO declares coronavirus risk Very High”

29 Feb 2020

Death toll 2900 / Globally 85,000 / recoveries 39,000

1 Mar 2020

• Death total 2970 / Global 86,500 with 79,824 from China (Mainland China reported 573 new Armenia reports 1 – arriving from Iran
• Australia reports 78year old mans death who travelled in Japanese cruise ship – total death in Australia 27
• Azerbaijan reports 1^st case – Russian arriving from Iran
• Bahrain confirms 2 cases – 1 from Saudi total 38
• Bahrain reports 6 new cases (5 Bahraini and 1 Saudi arriving from Iran) – total 47
• Brazil reports 2^nd case – traveled to North Italy
• Czech Republic reports 3 – all travelled to North Italy
• cases and 35 more deaths) / recoveries 42,000
• Denmark confirms 2^nd case – man returning from Italy
• Dominican Republic reports 1 – arriving from Italy
• Ecuador reports 1^st case
• Ecuador reports 5 new cases – total 6 (all 5 had direct contact with 1^st)
• Finland reports 4 new cases – total 6
• Finland total cases 3
• France reports 130 cases – 9 in serious condition / France closes Louvre Museum
• Georgia confirms 2^nd case – 31year old woman travelling to Italy
• Greece confirms 3 new (2 related to existing cases while other had visited Italy)– total 7
• Iran reports 11 new – total 978 cases confirmed cases 593 / 9 new deaths (includes an MP) – death toll 54
• Iraq total cases 8
• Ireland records 1^st case – travelled to North Italy
• Israel total cases 7 – man arriving from Italy last case
• Italy confirmed cases 1128 – 29 deaths
• Italy total cases 1577 – deaths 34 / 83 recovered
• Kuwait reports 1 case – total 46
• Lebanon reports 1 confirmation – total 10
• Lebanon total cases 4
• Luxembourg reports 1^st case – man arriving from Italy
• Mexico reports 1^st 2 cases
• Mexico reports 5 – who had travelled to Italy
• Monaco reports 1^st case
• Norway confirms 3 positive – total 4
• Norway reports 19 – 5 hospital workers
• Pakistan reports 2 cases – total 4
• Qatar reports 2 additional cases repatriated from iran – total 3
• Qatar reports new case – who arrived from Iran
• Romania reports 2 additional cases – total 3
• Scotland reports 1^st case – travelling to Italy
• Singapore confirms 4 cases – total 102 / 3 discharged – recovered 72
• Singapore records 4 additional cases – total 106/recoveries 74 – 2 discharged
• South Korea new cases 201, total cases 3736, deaths 18 – closes some churches https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/26/asia/shincheonji-south-korea-hnk-intl/index.html
• South Korea reports 594 additional cases & 1 death – death total 17 / total cases 3150
• Thailand reports 1^st death – 35 year old man who also had dengue – total cases 42
• UK reports 12 new – total 36
• US imposes travel restrictions to South Korea, Iran, Italy
• US reports 1^st death – 50s man from Seattle, Washington
• US reports 2^nd death in Washington man in 70s

2 Mar 2020

Death toll 3000 with 2912 from China – 42 deaths / Global 89,000 / recoveries 45,000

• Algeria reports 2 cases – total 3
• Andorra reports 1^st case – 20year old who had visited Italy
• Australia confirms 2 new cases – 41 year old woman whose brother returned from Iran and 31 year old doctor – total cases 33
• Egypt reports 2 cases – 1^st confirmed case had recovered
• EU centre for disease and prevention control raises virus risk level to high after confirming 18 out of 27 EU states and 38 EU citizens dying from virus
• France reports 2 new deaths – total 4
• Germany reports cases rise to 150 from 129 on 1^st March
• Iceland reports 1^st 3 cases – all 3 had travelled to Italy
• India confirms 2 new cases (1 having traveled from Italy the other an Italian in Rajasthan) – total 5. India claims evacuees from China and Japanese cruise ship tests negative. 
• Indonesia reports 1^st two cases
• Iran – 66 dead
• Iran confirms 1501 cases and 66 deaths
• Iran reports 12 deaths total death toll 66 / 523 additional cases to total 1501
• Israel reports 10 cases
• Italy reports 52 dead (34 deaths by 1^st March) / 1835 cases with 1254 from Lombardy region
• Japan reports 15 new cases
• Jordan confirms 1^st case – citizen arriving from Italy
• Kuwait confirms 10 new cases – total 56
• Morocco confirms 1^st case – national returning from Italy
• Oman bans visitors affected by coronavirus
• Pakistan reports new case returning from Iran – total 5
• Portugal reports 1^st two case – man who visited Italy and another returning from Spain
• Qatar 4 new cases (2 Qatari & 2 foreign domestic workers all had gone to Iran) – total 7
• Saudi Arabia confirms 1^st case – citizen returning from Iran as positive
• South Korea reports 479 new cases – total 4212 with 22 deaths
• Sun Princess cruise ship faces protests when attempting to dock at Reunion Island.
• Tunisia confirms 1^st case – national returning from Italy
• UAE evacuates citizens from Iran
• UK cases 40
• US reports 4 deaths – total deaths 6 / total cases 91 of which 45 were from cruise ship and 3 from Wuhan
• WHO confirms its staff member tested positive.
• Wuhan closes 1 of 16 covid-19 hospital after discharging final patients

3 Mar 2020

Death toll 3100 with 2943 from China / Global cases 90,000 with 80,000 from China / 2742 recovered

• Argentina reports 1^st case – man arriving from Italy
• Canada confirms 3 more cases – total 33
• Chile reports 1^st case – 33 year old Chilean arriving from Singapore
• China 125 tests positive – 31 deaths
• Czech Republic reports 2 new cases – 2 women who had contact with virus infected persons
• Germany reports total cases 196
• Iran reports 11 deaths – total death toll 77 / number of cases 2336
• Iran temporarily releases 54,000 prisoners to stop spread of virus
• Italy death toll 79 – total confirmed cases 2263 / 160 recovered
• Malaysia reports 7 new cases – total 36
• Portugal reports 2 more positive cases – total 4
• Qatar reports new case – total 8
• Senegal reports 1^st case – French man arriving from France on 26 February
• South Korea reports 600 new cases – 6 deaths / total cases 4812 – total deaths 28
• UAE reports 6 new cases (2 Italian, 2 Russian, 1 Colombian, 1 German) – total 27
• Ukraine reports 1^st case – man arriving from Italy
• US death toll – 9 all from Washington – total cases 124

4 Mar 2020

Death toll 3198 / Global 93,000 /recoveries 50,000

• Germany cases increase to 240
• India confirms cases in 2 states – total 28 (16 Italian nationals / 1 indian driver/6 – family from Agra /3 in Kerala / 1 in Hyderabad/1 in Delhi)
• Iran death toll 92 – confirmed cases 2922
• Malaysia confirms 14 new cases – total 50 / recovered 22
• South Korea reports 516 new cases – total cases 5328 / 4 new deaths – death toll 32
• UAE suspends international patient care services temporarily
• UK reports 34 new cases (29 had travelled abroad) – total cases 85

5 Mar 2020

Death toll 3200 / Globally 95,000 – with 80,000 in China /recoveries 53,000

• Algeria reports 9 new cases – total 17
• Austria confirms 42 cases
• Bahrain confirms 3 new cases
• Belgium reports 27 new cases – total 50 confirmed cases
• Brazil reports 8 cases
• Croatia reports 10^th confirmed case
• Czech Republic confirms 12 cases
• Czech Republic confirms 3 positive – total 8
• Dubai – Indian student tests positive
• Ecuador reports 10 cases
• Ecuador reports 3 new cases – total 13
• Estonia confirms 3^rd case – person who was on same flight as 2^nd case
• France confirms 423 cases – 7 deaths. A French legislator also hospitalized
• France reports 285 confirmed cases
• Gibraltar reports 1^st case
• Greece reports case – total 9
• Hungary confirms 1^st 2 cases – Iranian students
• Iceland confirms 10 cases – total 26
• Iceland reports 8 new positive cases – total 34 positive
• India reports 30 cases
• Iraq reports 3^rd death – 65year old from Baghdad
• Ireland reports 4 cases – total 6
• Italy confirms 41 death – death toll 148 / 3858 infected
• Japan reconfirms 696 cases & corrects previous erroneous count
• Lebanon confirms 2 new cases
• Luxembourg confirms 2^nd case
• Malaysia reports new cases – total 55
• Netherlands confirms 44 new cases – total 82
• Norway confirms 91 infected
• Pakistan confirms 6^th cases
• Palestine confirms 7 cases
• Poland reports 1^st case
• Portugal reports 6^th case – a woman who had been in Italy
• Romania reports 6^th confirmed case
• San Marino reports 15 cases
• Saudi Arabia confirms 2^nd case – patient from Iran
• Saudi Arabia confirms 3 new cases – total 5
• Senegal confirms 2 cases – total 4
• Slovenia reports 6 confirmed cases – 1^st case reported on 4^th March
• South Korea reports 3 new deaths – total deaths 35 / infected 5766
• Spain reports 3^rd death – 99 year old woman
• Spain reports 3^rd death – 99 year old woman in nursing home in Madrid where 9 others tested positive
• Sweden reports 16 new cases – total 57
• Switzerland confirms more than 100 positive cases
• Switzerland reports new confirmed case – total 119
• Thailand reports 4 new cases – total 47
• Tunisia confirms 1^st case
• US reports 233 cases with 12 deaths – virus spread to 14 states

6 Mar 2020

Death toll rises to 3,380 / Globally 98,380 infection cases / 55,420 recoveries

• Australia – 1^st school closed after student tests positive in Sydney – total 60 / deaths 2
• Belgium reports new cases – total 109
• Bhutan confirms 1^st case – visiting American
• Bosnia confirms 1^{st 2} cases – a man who returned from Italy and his child.
• Cameroon reports 1^st case – 58 year old French national who arrived in Feb
• China 143 new cases / 30 deaths / total 80,552 infections and 3,042 deaths
• China reports 11 new cases of people who arrived from Iran /311 passengers from Iran have been quarantined at the provincial capital of Lanzhou
• Colombo reports 1^st case – 19year old female visiting Italy
• Costa Rica reports 1^st case – 49 year old female from US
• Dominican Republic reports 2^nd case – 70-year-old Canadian tourist who arrived on 25 February.
• Egypt reports 12 new cases on Nile cruise ship – total 15
• England confirms first death – elderly man / total cases 116.
• Estonia reports 8^th new case – total 10
• Germany reports 134 new cases – total 534
• Hungary reports new case (Hungarian who returned from Italy) – total 3 (other 2 were Iranian students)
• India reports 31 confirmed cases
• Indonesia reports 2 new cases – total 4
• Iran confirms 1234 new cases – 17 deaths / 4747 infections
• Iraq confirms 8 new cases – total 46 / 3 deaths
• Ireland reports 7 new cases (4 males returning from Italy / 2 women had close contact with infected/1 man from community transmission) – total 13
• Italy reports 197 deaths – total cases 4636
• Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe imposed a two-week quarantine for people coming from South Korea and banned visitors from highly affected areas.
• Malaysia reports 28 new cases – total 83
• Netherlands reports 1^st death – 86year old man
• New Zealand new case had attended rock concert on 28 Feb
• Peru confirms 1^st case – 25 year old man travelling from Europe
• Philippines reports 2 new cases – total 5
• Romania confirms 7^th case – 16year old
• Serbia reports 1^st positive case – 43 year old who travelled to Hungary
• Slovakia reports 1^st case – 52 year old man whose son had visited Italy
• South Korea total 6,593 / 43 deaths
• Switzerland reports 1^st death – 74-year-old woman from Vaud.
• Togo reports 1^st case – 42 year old woman returning from France
• UAE confirms 15 new cases – total 45
• US cruise ship Grand Princess confirms 21 positive (19 crew members and 2 passengers)
• US reports 100 cases in 24 hours – total 329  / deaths 17
• Vatican City confirms 1^st case
• Vietnam reports 17^th case – after 3 weeks

7 Mar 2020

Death toll 3,450 including 3,070 in mainland China/global infections 101,731, with nearly 57,390 recoveries.

• Australian doctor tests positive after returning from US – total cases 70.
• Germany total cases 684/ total 66 cases reported on 29 February.
• India reports three new cases – total 34 (two from Ladakh who had traveled from Iran and one from Tamil Nadu travelled to Oman)
• Iran confirmed 21 additional deaths death toll – 145 / infections 5,823.
• Kuwait suspends flights to and from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Bangladesh, Philippines, India and Sri Lanka for seven days
• Maldives confirmed 1^st two cases – infected after contact with an Italian tourist. 
• Malta’s first case – 12-year-old Italian girl who returned from Trentino via Rome.
• Paraguay confirmed first case 
• Saudi limits land crossings with the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain to commercial trucks in an effort to contain the virus.
• South Korea reported 174 new cases – total cases – 6,767 / deaths 44.
• UK 3 new cases – total 209 / 2 deaths
• UK confirms 2^nd death
• US new deaths in Washington – total deaths 19 /cases in New York increased by 13 to 89. The state declared emergency.

8 Mar 2020

Death toll 3,600 including 3,097 in mainland China/global infections 106,150 / 59,930 recoveries /mainland China saw 44 new cases and 27 deaths.

• Argentina 1^st death ( first fatality in Latin America)
• Australia 3^rd death – total 74
• Bahrain calls for self-quarantine
• Bangladesh reports 1^st 3 cases (two men who traveled to Italy and one is woman related to the men)
• Bulgaria confirmed its first four cases – two men from Pleven and two women from Gabrovo tested positive.
• Costa Fortuna ship heads to Singapore after denied entry at ports in Malaysia and Thailand  
• Greece new cases 21 – total 66
• India reports 5 new (3 arriving from Italy / 2 their relatives) total cases 39 (5 in Kerala tested positive)
• Iran marks highest single-day toll with 49 new cases – death toll to 194.
• Italy deaths 366 – total cases in the country stand at 7,375.
• Italy to lockdown northern parts including capital Milan, Lombardy and 11 provinces in four other regions. lockdown applies to nearly 16 million people – shutting down of all museums, gyms, cultural centres, ski resorts and swimming pools in the target regions – total cases 5,883 deaths 233
• Moldova report 1^st case – 48-year-old woman who returned from Italy.
• Netherlands reported two additional deaths – total dead 3 / cases 265
• South Korea 367 new cases – total cases 7,134 / 6 new deaths – total deaths 50
• Switzerland new death – total deaths 2 / 281.
• US cases near 550; Grand Princess quarantine – deaths 22 

9 Mar 2020

Death toll 3,800 including around 3,100 in Mainland China / Global 110,000 in 108 countries / recoveries 61,000.  

• Albania confirms 1^st 2 cases- father and son who had recently travelled to Italy.
• Brunei 1^st case –  returned from Malaysia on 3 March.
• Burkina Faso 1^st two cases – a couple with a travel history to France.
• Canada 1^st death in British Columbia – man in 80s / British Columbia cases 32 / total cases in Canada 77
• Canada to repatriate citizens onboard Grand Princess 
• China – Wuhan closes 11 makeshift hospitals
• Costa Rica cases reach nine 
• Cyprus announced 1^st two cases – a man with travel history to northern Italy and one to the UK.
• Egypt reports 1^st death in Egypt – 60-year-old German tourist – total number of cases 55.
• India Cases rise to 43 /With new cases reported in Kerala, Jammu & Kashmir, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, the number of cases in the country
• Indonesia confirms 13 new cases (11 Indonesians & 2 foreigners) – total 19
• Iran infected total 7,161 / 595 new infections and 43 deaths in the last 24 hours/ death toll –  237
• Italian PM imposes country wide lockdown
• Italy death toll 463 / cases 9,172 / Recoveries 724.
• Italy prison riot 6 prisoners killed
• Mongolia announced 1^st case, a French national who arrived from Moscow.
• Panama 1^st case – A woman who arrived from Spain tested positive 
• Philippines confirms 10 cases & 1 death – declares health emergency
• Qatar cases 15 – imposes travel ban on 14 countries (India, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Syria and Thailand) Qatar suspended flights to and from Italy.
• Saudi Arabia imposes lockdown, restricts travel – total 15 cases / suspended schools and universities/ suspended travel with nine countries, including the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait and Egypt
• South Korea reports 69 new cases – total 7,382 / death toll 51.
• UAE 14 new cases total cases – 59
• UK reports 273 cases and 3 deaths
• US death toll – 26 /confirmed cases 700.
• Vietnam temporarily suspends visa-free travel to eight European countries (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Sweden, the UK, Germany, France and Spain) as 11 of the country’s 14 new cases had a travel history to Europe. A total of 30 cases confirmed with virus.

10 Mar 2020

Death toll 4,000 with 3,100 cases in Mainland China / Globally confirmed cases 113,000 / recoveries has 59,000.

• Bolivia confirmed 1^st two cases
• Congo confirms 1^st case a person who returned from France.
• India evacuates 58 citizens from Iran – total cases 50 (6 new cases in Kerala (15 total)/ 3 new cases in Karnataka (4 total)
• Italy death toll increases by 36% – deaths 631/confirmed cases increased from 9,172 to 10,149.
• Jamaica’s 1^st case – female with a travel history to the UK.
• Japan reported 59 new cases – total 1,278 cases, including 696 from Diamond Princess and 14 evacuees from China.
• Panama confirms 1^st death – confirmed seven new cases
• Philippines announced 11 additional cases – total cases 35.
• Spain has closed schools in some parts of the country and stopped all flights arriving from Italy – total cases 1,695 with 35 deaths 
• Sri Lanka – 186 people (164 Sri Lankan nationals, 20 Italian nationals and 2 South Korean nationals) were placed under quarantine in Batticaloa.
• Turkey reported 1^st case – male citizen who returned from Europe.
• UAE reports 15 additional cases – total 74. Recoveries – 12.
• UAE – 2 Sri Lankan origins living in United Arab Emirates reported with coronavirus cases were identified.
• US – couple on Grand Princess sues cruise line

11 Mar 2020

Death toll 4,200 including 3,100 cases in Mainland China/confirmed cases 119,000 in 114 countries /recoveries 65,000

• Australia 3 new cases who visited Europe – total cases 122; announces $1.6bn health package
• Bahrain records 77 new cases from evacuees from Iran – total 189.
• Belgium reported 1^st death – 90-years-old.
• Costa Rica new cases 13 – total confirmed 22 
• Cuba confirmed 1^st three cases in tourists
• Denmark reported 78 additional cases – total 340.
• Egypt reported 7 new cases – total 67.
• Honduras reports 1^st 2 cases- two women with travel history to Spain and Switzerland.
• India 19 new cases  – 8 from Kerala, 5 from Maharashtra, 4 from Karnataka, 1 from Jamma & Kashmir – total Cases – 62 / India cancelled visas granted to Germany, France and Spain nationals
• Indonesia announced 1^st death – 53-year-old foriegn woman
• Ireland confirms 1^st death – total cases 43.
• Israel announced 8 additional cases- total 76.
• Italy tightens lockdown – shuts bars, hairdressers and restaurants / cases 12,462 / death toll 827.
• Ivory Coast reported 1^st case – 45-year-old national who recently travelled to Italy.
• Malaysia reported additional 20 cases – total 149.
• Maldives 2 new cases – total cases – 8
• Pakistan new case – total 20
• Philippines confirmed 16 new cases – total confirmed cases 49.
• Qatar reports 238 new cases – total cases to 262.
• South Africa announced 6 new cases – total 13.
• South Korea reports 242 new cases – total cases 7755 / 6 new deaths – total deaths 60
• Spain cases increased to 2,277 – 55 deaths. In capital Madrid cases risen to 1,024 from 782
• Taiwan 361 evacuees return from Wuhan
• UK 74 new cases – total 456 / 6 deaths
• UK reports 6^th death – man in 80s / UK Health Minister Nadine Dorries tested positive undergoing self isolation at home / total cases 373
• US restricts travel from Europe for 30 days  – US total 1,322 confirmed cases /38 deaths 
• Vietnam 20 new cases (13 of the new patients were on a Vietnam Airlines flight from London to Hanoi on 2 March) total 35 
• WHO declares virus as a pandemic

12 Mar 2020

Death toll 4,600 including 3,169 in mainland China / Global 126,140 / 68,200 recoveries

• Algeria 1^st death – total 24.
• Algeria suspends all flights between Algeria and Morocco 
• Armenia to replace used banknotes asked people to prefer online payments instead cash.
• Australia – US actor Tom Hanks and wife test positive in Australia
• Austria reports 1^st death – 69-year-old man in Vienna – total cases 302
• Azerbaijan confirms 1^st death – a woman who was quarantined after returning from Iran. Total cases 15.
• Bulgaria intends to declare emergency  – total cases 7 / deaths – 1
• Canadian Prime Minister’s wife tests positive after returning from London / number of cases in Canada reached 142, including one death.
• Costa Rica suspends all university classes and certain schools 
• Egypt reports 13 new cases with 1 death – total 80
• French Polynesia’s 1^st case is politician Maina Sage who returned from Paris on 7 March.
• Germany cases increase to 2,369 from 1567 on 11^th March – total deaths 5
• Greece’s 1^st death – a 67-year-old man who had recently returned from Israel and Egypt.
• Guyana reported 1^st case – 52-year-old woman who died after returning from the US
• Hong Kong sees 4^th death a 80-year old man total cases 130  .
• India cases 73  – 17 foreign nationals
• India reports 1^st death – 76-year-old man from Karnataka
• Iran deaths 429 / total infections 10,075 / Iran requests IMF for $5bn emergency funding to control virus
• Ireland cases increase to 70 from 43 on 11^th March
• Italy deaths cross 1,000  increased 23%. Total cases rose 21.7% from 12,462 to 15,113 / total 1,258 patients had fully recovered.
• Malaysia reported 9 new cases – total 158.
• Morocco suspends travel to Spain and Algeria
• Netherlands new cases increase 22% to 614
• Norway reported its 1^st death in an elderly patient – total 620 
• Philippines Senate and the Manila headquarters of the Asian Development Bank have closed 
• Poland’s 1^st death – total cases 47 
• Portugal closes all schools, cafes, restaurants and some shops
• Qatar announced regulatory measures to prevent the spread, including closure of theatres, play areas and gyms.
• Saudi Arabia 24 new cases (2 returning from Iraq, 1 in contact with infected person from Iran, 21 contacted with Egyptian visited who tested positive) – total 45
• Singapore to close mosques for 5 days – total 178 cases
• South Africa records 1^st local transmission – a 32-year-old man who came into contact with a Chinese businessman – total cases 17
• South Korea reports 114 new cases – total confirmed cases 7,869, including 66 deaths.
• Spain deaths 84 from 47 / total cases 2968
• Spain’s King Felipe and Queen Letizia tested after the equalities minister Irene Montero tested positive another cabinet minister Carolina Darias tested positive / total 3,146 cases including 86 deaths.
• Sri Lankan 2^nd Sri Lankan to test positive – 44 year old who had been in contact with 1^st case
• St Vin­cent and the Grenadines confirmed 1^st case – female who had travelled to the UK.
• Sweden reported 1^st death – elderly patient with an underlying sickness.
• Thailand reports 11 new cases – total 70
• Trinidad & Tobago confirms 1^st case a 52-year-old male who arrived from Switzerland
• Turkey’s schools closed for one week and universities for three weeks, all sports events will take place without spectators until the end of April.
• UK cases grew 29% in last 24hrs at 590 with 10 deaths

13 Mar 2020

Death toll 4,700/128,330 infections / 68,300 recoveries

• Australian Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton tested positive.
• Belarus registered 6 new cases – total 27.
• Bulgaria foreign ministry banned all travel to Iran, asked people to avoid non-urgent travel to 11 countries. 
• Canada – Ottawa asked citizens to avoid non-essential foreign travel / total cases 200, including one death.
• Chile ordered a ban on public events of more than 500 people – 43 cases 
• Czech Republic deny entry to foreigners and banned its nationals from travelling abroad 
• Egypt 13 new cases –total cases 93.
• Ethiopia’s 1^st case is a Japanese national
• France closes all nurseries, schools and also banned public gatherings of more than 100 people.
• Gabon’s 1^st case – 27-year-old-man who had returned from France on 08 March.
• Germany cases from 671 to 3,000 including 5 deaths.
• Ghana confirmed 1^st two cases – people who had recently visited Norway and Turkey.
• Google employee in India/Karnataka tests positive – total 80
• Guatemala confirmed 1^st case – banned arrivals from some heavily affected countries, including the US and Canada.
• Guinea’s 1^st case – employee of the European Union delegation.
• India – 2^nd death – 68-year-old woman in New Delhi/ 82 cases confirmed
• Indonesia confirmed 35 new cases (3 died) – total 69
• Indonesia to ban face mask exports to ensure domestic supply amid the outbreak.
• Iran decides to empty city streets – cases reach 11,364/514 deaths
• Iraq banned entry to visitors from Germany and Qatar & 13 countries.
• Italy death toll – 1,266 increase by 25% in last 24hrs – infections surged by nearly 17% to 17,660.
• Jamaica 8 cases – seeking 100 Cuban nurses to help.
• Kazakhstan confirmed 1^st cases of nationals returning separately from Germany on 9 March and 12 March
• Kenya reported 1^st case – person arriving from US via London
• Kosovo’s 1^st 2 cases – 20-year-old Italian woman and a 77-year-old Kosovar man.
• Mauritania reported 1^st case
• Mexico cases increased from 15 previous day to 26
• Moldova would suspend all flights to European regions from Sunday. The country has six cases to date.
• Netherlands increased from 614 previous day to 804/deaths 10
• North Macedonia suspended public gatherings banned entry to foreign nationals – total 9 cases
• Panama’s confirmed cases increased to 36, including three foreign nationals.
• Romanian interim prime minister Ludovic Orban under self-quarantine after coming into contact with one of his party’s senators who tested positive. https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/romanias-interim-pm-ludovic-orban-and-cabinet-to-enter-quarantine-after-coronavirus
• Saudi Arabia confirmed 17 new cases (11 Egyptians) – total 62
• Saudi Arabia confirmed 24 new cases – total 86.
• Singapore bans entry to people who had been to Italy, France, Spain and Germany in the past 14 days.
• South Korea reported 110 new cases – total 7,979/ 177 patients released from hospitals  .
• Spain declared a state of emergency
• Sri Lanka identifies 3 more cases – one 41 Sri Lankan male arriving from Germany other 2 are 37years and 43 years arriving from Italy
• Sudan confirmed 1^st death – a man who arrived from the UAE. Sudan suspended flights to eight countries.
• Thailand issues new coronavirus warning after 13 cases traced to a group of friends sharing cigarettes & drinks – total cases 75
• Uruguay confirmed 1^st four cases – people who arrived from Milan, Italy.
• US some states, such as Seattle and Ohio, have closed schools. Hospitals across the country are setting up tents to cater to the increasing inflow of patients. Hawaii, urgent care clinics are offering drive-through testing – total 1,300 cases with 39 deaths.
• Venezuela reported 1^st two cases, declared a state of alarm 

14 Mar 2020

Death toll 5,500 / Global 145,300 / 71,600 recoveries

• Australia bans public events of more than 500 people – total 197 cases / 3 three deaths 
• Bolivia ban entry of visitors from China, South Korea, Italy and Spain – total 10 cases
• Cambodia deny entry to visitors from Italy, Germany, Spain, France and the US for 30 days from 17 March. Total 7 cases
• Central African Republic report 1^st case
• Colombia ordered closure of border with Venezuela – total cases 9
• Congo Republic report 1^st case
• Denmark reported 1^st death closed its borders for foreign travellers for one month.
• Egypt to close schools and universities for two weeks – total cases 110 with two deaths.
• Europe now epicentre of outbreak, says WHO
• Japan cases – 1,423 including 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 evacuees from China / 28 deaths, including seven from the cruise ship,
• Kuwait will close all shopping malls, salons entertainment centres excluding food supplies. 
• New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern asked everyone entering NZ to self-isolate for 14 days. All cruise ships denied entry until 30 June.
• Philippines confirmed 6^th death Sixth death a 54-year-old resident of Metro Manila. total 64 cases.
• Rwanda report 1^st case
• Seychelles report 1^st case
• South Korea 107 new cases – total 8,086/204 people have recovered and discharged from hospitals.
• Sri Lanka reports 5 more confirmed cases – All 5 nationals returning from Italy (aged 42, 43, 44 males) 2 females 56 & 17years related to a confirmed case
• Sudan ordered closure of schools and universities for 30 days & banned public gatherings and social events.
• Thailand reports 7 new cases – total 82
• US declares national emergency enabling $50bn in federal aid / 1,700 confirmed cases / 40 deaths.
• Uzbekistan confirms 1^st case – a national who returned from France.

15 Mar 2020

Death toll 5,800/ Globally 156,000 confirmed cases / 74,000 recoveries

• Argentina ordered ban on entry for 30 days to non-residents who visited a highly affected country in the last 14 days. Total 45 cases.
• Australia imposes self-quarantine for people arriving from abroad
• Equatorial Guinea confirms 1^st case – 42-year-old woman who arrived in the capital Malabo from Spain on 13 March.
• Estonia will deny entry to foreign travelers – total 115 cases
• France reports 36 deaths – death toll 127/ confirmed cases 5,423.
• Greece confirmed 1 death – total deaths 4, confirmed cases increase from 103 to total 331.
• Hungary’s 1^st death –  75-year-old national hospitalised with severe pneumonia – total cases 32.
• India – 1^st recovery – 45 year man from Delhi / 102 confirmed cases 2 deaths
• Iran reports 113 new deaths in 24hrs – 724 deaths / total cases 13,938.
• Italy reports 368 new deaths – death toll 1809/ total cases 24,747
• Kenya deny entry to all except citizens and residents – total cases 3. Primary and secondary schools closed. Boarding schools and universities will also shut
• Malaysia confirms 190 new cases – total 428 majority linked to mosque gathering
• Mexico reports 41 cases – bans large gatherings and extended school holidays.
• Morocco suspended all international flights to and from its airports. Total – 28 cases, including one death and one recovery.
• Netherlands confirmed 8 new deaths – death total 20 / cases 1135
• Philippines closes Manila (12m) for domestic travelers for 1 month
• Philippines confirmed 29 new cases – total 140 / 4 new deaths – total deaths 12
• Qatar new cases 64 – total cases 401/ Nearly 7,950 people have been tested to date / Qatar will ban entry to non-nationals for two weeks & suspend entry to passenger flights.
• Serbia’s president declared a state of emergency – total 45 cases, soldiers deployed to guard hospitals and closed several public spaces.
• Slovenia 1^st death – elderly man – total 219 cases
• Spain – Wife of Spanish PM tests positive
• Spain reports 2,000 new cases & 100 deaths – total  7,753 cases and 288 deaths
• Sri Lanka 7 more new confirmed cases – total 18
• UK – NHS and private hospitals to partner to tackle the coronavirus pandemic / 1143 confirmed cases & 21 deaths
• UK to isolate elderly above 70 / total cases 1,400, / deaths 35
• Ukraine’s railways company Ukrzaliznytsia bars all international passenger trains from 17 March. Ukraine suspended international flights and banned entry to foreign nationals until 3 April.
• US President tests negative, travel ban extended to the UK & Ireland / 2900 confirmed cases – 57 deaths
• Vietnam 4 new cases – total 57 mandatory quarantine ordered & and testing of passengers from or through China, South Korea, the UK and Schengen countries

16 Mar 2020

Death toll 6,500/Global 169,000 / recoveries 77,000

• Armenia declared state of emergency for one month until April 16. Total cases  30 cases – all educational institutions closed
• Bahrain confirms 1^st death- 65-year-old national – total 210 cases.
• Cambodia 4 new cases including 4month French body & 2 arriving from Malaysia – total cases 12
• Canada imposes tougher screening measures for visitors – total cases 320.
• Chile closes borders to foreigners – total cases 155 case
• China boosts quarantine for international arrivals – imported cases – 123.
• Egypt suspends flights from its airports until 31 March 
• Georgia denies entry to all foreigners – total cases 33
• Germany advises nationals against all non-essential international trips.
• Ghana announced closure of all schools and universities, & suspended public events.
• Greece ordered 14-day quarantine for people from abroad. Greece closes shops except supermarkets, pharmacy stores and food delivery services.
• Hungary announced plans to close borders to international passengers, suspend cultural and sports events and establishments & advised people aged over 70 to stay at home.
• India 4 new cases (Maharashtra/Karnataka & 2 in Kerala) total 114 Cases
• Iran reports 129 new deaths – total deaths 853 / 14,991 cases
• Japan traces 15 clusters; total cases 1,528 including 697 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and 14 evacuees from China. Deaths 30
• Liberia reported 1^st case
• Malaysia reports 125 new cases (traced to religious gathering of 16,000 people) total 553
• Morocco closes mosques, eateries, cinemas, theatres, sports, public clubs and entertainment centres. Markets, shops with essential goods and restaurants with delivery service are given exemption.
• Netherlands total cases increase by 278 to 1,413 – deaths 24
• New Zealand bars gatherings of 500 people or more – total cases 8
• Pakistan cases rise to 122 including 76 infections among people released from 14-day quarantine at Taftan.
• Philippines ordered home quarantine and suspension of work and transport across Luzon total cases 140.
• Rwanda 4 new cases – total 5 (1^st case on 14^th March)
• Singapore confirms 17 new cases (11 foreigners) – total cases 243
• Somalia confirmed 1^st case.
• South Africa to revoke around 10,000 visas issued to people from China and Iran.
• South Korea expands screening to all arrivals from Europe / confirmed 74 new cases total cases 8236
• Spain total cases 8,744 / 297 deaths.
• Sweden announces $30bn crisis package to support the economy – total 1,032 cases / 3 deaths
• Taiwan announces 8 new cases – total 67 / 14-day quarantine for all people from Europe’s Schengen border-free travel zone, the UK and Ireland.
• Tanzania confirmed 1^st case
• Thailand records 33 new cases-  total 147
• Turkey reports 12 new cases (2 linked to 1^st case/7 arrived from Europe and 3 travelled to US) – total 18
• Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, along with Lviv and Odessa cities, to close bars, restaurants, cafes and shopping malls  
• US death toll – 69 / total cases 3,774.

17 Mar 2020

Death toll 7,100 in 155 countries / Globally 182,000 /recoveries 79,000

• Brazil Foreign Trade Secretary tests positive – he was part of delegation that visited Florida, US. Total cases 234 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/brazilian-who-met-trump-tests-positive-for-covid-19/articleshow/74600128.cms
• Cambodia 12 new cases (11 visited Malaysian mosque) – total 24
• China’s Shanghai extends quarantine to visitors from the UK, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark and Austria. The city already imposed same measures for passengers from France, Spain, Germany, the US, South Korea, Italy and Iran.
• Hong Kong quarantines all people entering the city for 14 days 
• India reports 3^rd death – total cases 132
• Iran new deaths 135 – death toll – 988; temporarily releases 85,000 prisoners/total cases 16,169
• Ireland total cases – 223 estimated to rise to 15,000 /All schools, universities, bars and childcare facilities closed until 29 March and mass gatherings have been limited.
• Malaysia confirms 1^st deaths – 60-year-old pastor. Sarawak state says 193 close contacts of the deceased traced and are under home quarantine. 2^nd death – a 34-year-old man who attended a mass religious gathering in February in Kuala Lumpur. Total 550 cases.
• Pakistan cases in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces – total cases 189
• Philippines reported 45 new cases – total 187.
• South Korea reports 84 new cases – total 8320 / 81 deaths / 1401 recoveries.
• Spain confirmed cases 11,178 – 491 deaths
• Spain deploys more than 10000 troops in 14 cities to help in lockdown / Citizens were allowed to leave home only for work, buy food, visit a pharmacy or hospital / 9900 cases & 340 deaths
• Sri Lanka reports 15 more cases taking the tally to 43, bans all incoming flights for two weeks.
• Thailand reported 30 new cases – total 177, including 1 death.
• US urges citizens to avoid gatherings of more than ten people /government called for closure of bars, gyms, restaurants and other venues in states with local transmission of coronavirus / 4,660 confirmed cases and 85 deaths.

18 Mar 2020

Death toll 7,900/globally 198,000 / recoveries 81,000

• Austria announces €38bn aid package to secure jobs
• A CDC Study says initial infections on Diamond Princess came from food workers (of the 20 confirmed crew members – 15 were from food service members)
• Djibouti confirmed 1^st case –  Spanish national who was part of a 32-member Spanish special forces unit that came to the country on 14 March.
• France reports 89 new deaths – total 264 deaths / total cases 9,134.
• India 3 new cases from Pondicherry, Pune & Maharashtra – total cases 149
• Indonesia recorded 55 new cases – total 227, including 19 deaths and 11 recoveries.
• Iran 147 new death – total deaths 1,135 / total cases –17,361, with 1,192 new cases in the last 24 hours.
• Italy reports 475 deaths on one day to total 2978 deaths a surge of 19% / total cases jumped by 31,506 to 35,713, up 13.35%
• Kyrgyzstan recorded its first cases – three citizens who returned from Saudi Arabia.
• Malaysia closed its borders with Singapore – total cases 673.
• Malaysia registered 117 new cases 17% rise in infections – total 790.
• Malta to stop incoming passenger flights – total cases 38 cases of which 32 contracted the infection abroad.
• Moldova confirms 1^st death – total cases 30 / state of emergency declared
• New Zealand reports new 8 imported cases (people who had gone on international trips) total cases 20
• Pakistan records 1^st death (from Lahore/Punjab who arrived from Iran) – total cases 236.
• Philippines reported 15 additional cases – total 202.
• Portugal declares 15 day state of emergency – total cases 650
• Singapore new cases 47 to total 313 / country will impose self-quarantine measures for 14 days on everyone entering, as well as citizens and residents.
• South Korea reports 93 new cases – total 8,413
• Spain total cases 13,716 / 558 deaths
• Swiss cases jumped to 3,028, including 21 deaths.
• Turkey 2^nd death – a 61-year-old male/93 new cases – total 191.
• WHO calls for ‘aggressive’ action in Southeast Asia
• Zambia confirmed 1^st two cases

19 Mar 2020

Death toll 8,800/Globally 218,000 worldwide /recoveries 84,000.  

• California governor says 60,000 homeless could contract COVID-19/9400 cases and 150 deaths
• South Korea 152 new cases – total 8565
• Sri Lanka cases rise to 59 / no fatalities reported / 4 recoveries
• UK deaths increase from 71 to 103 / total cases 2640
• World Bank increases response package to $14bn
• Wuhan and Hubei report no new cases http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-03/19/c_138894828.htm

Chinese Nurses Share Pictures Of How Their Faces Look After Countless Hours Fighting The Coronavirus

As of 20^th March – 246,467 confirmed cases and 10,047 deaths. Italy saw 475 deaths in just one single day.  

With no cure it is imperative that the people help governments, health authorities and law enforcement by staying at home and distancing oneself from others. It is the only way we can presently overcome something that humans are today having no control over.

It is times like this we return to Buddha’s teachings – Nothing is permanent. Everything is impermanent. Do good because that good will follow us like our shadow.

Shenali D Waduge