12:00 pm: Princess Cruises delays departure of ship amid coronavirus scare
11:20 am: The flu has already killed 10,000 across US as world frets over coronavirus
While the new coronavirus ravages much of China and world leaders rush to close their borders to protect citizens from the outbreak, the flu has quietly killed 10,000 in the U.S. so far this influenza season. “In the U.S., it’s really a fear based on media and this being something new,” Dr. Jennifer Lighter, hospital epidemiologist at NYU Langone Health, said of the new coronavirus. “When in reality, people can take measures to protect themselves against the flu, which is here and prevalent and has already killed 10,000 people.”
10:50 am: The CDC has scheduled a call for 11:30 a.m.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has scheduled a call for 11:30 a.m. to update the public on the new coronavirus. Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases will speak.
10:45 am: Top WHO official warns world may be ‘dangerously unprepared’ for next pandemic
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the world may be “dangerously” unprepared for the next pandemic. At a World Health Organization executive board meeting in Geneva, Tedros urged the 196 member countries to “invest in preparedness,” not “panic.” He said funding for outbreak preparedness in surrounding countries “has remained grossly inadequate” in the past.
10:30 am: Apple stock knocked off all-time high on fears coronavirus could hurt iPhone sales
Apple stock has been knocked off its all-time high of $324.34 per share amid concerns that the coronavirus outbreak will disrupt company operations in China. Apple shares shot up to the record high after a strong earnings report last week, but investors have cooled. The company previously announced that it had shut all its stores and offices in mainland China through next Sunday.
10 am: UAE suspends flights to China, except Beijing
The United Arab Emirates announced it will suspend all flights to and from China starting on Wednesday, a state news agency reported. Flights from Beijing were exempted from the ban. The UAE is home to Dubai, which has the world’s third-busiest airport.
8 am: China says it has ‘unblocked’ channels of communication with Taiwan over coronavirus
China told the WHO that channels of communication with Taiwan had been”unblocked,” with Beijing sharing full information on the coronavirus with authorities across the strait. Taiwan, which is not a WHO member due to China’s objections, has 10 confirmed cases of the coronavirus. China considers self-governing Taiwan a wayward province to be brought under its control.
7:02 am: Saudi Arabia is weighing large oil cuts due to coronavirus
Saudi Arabia is debating a short-term oil product cut as the deadly coronavirus continues to spread, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing OPEC officials. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies are expected to meet Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss the possible actions, according to the Journal.
4:03 am: China accuses the US of spreading fear and panic
China’s Foreign Ministry accused the U.S. of setting a “very bad example” when it comes to tackling the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, saying President Donald Trump’s administration is spreading fear instead of providing much-needed assistance. China’s National Health Commission earlier confirmed 17,205 cases of the coronavirus in the country and 361 deaths.
