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Germany has called coronavirus a pandemic.

German Health Minister Jens Spahn holds a press conference after a meeting at the Health Ministry in Berlin. Photograph: Omer Messinger/EPA
Germany’s health minister, Jens Spahn, said Wednesday the coronavirus outbreak has become a pandemic – defined as an epidemic that spreads throughout the world through local transmission, AFP reports.
“The coronavirus outbreak in China has become a global pandemic,” Jens Spahn told German lawmakers.
The World Health Organization has so far stopped short of declaring a pandemic, though has said the world must prepare for the possibility.
“What’s clear is that we have not yet reached the peak of the outbreak,” Jens Spahn told German lawmakers.
The virus has reached 81 countries and territories around the world, with South Korea, Iran and Italy emerging as hotspots outside China.
Welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus. More than 100 people have now died in Italy. As the virus spreads further across Europe, schools and universities are closing, large events are being cancelled, and the economic outlook continues to be grim.
- The Italian government has ordered the closure of all schools and universities until 15 March, as 28 more people die in 24 hours.
- The UK has seen the biggest daily increase recorded to date, with the number of coronavirus cases jumping by more than 60% to 87 case.
- India is restricting the export of several drugs, including paracetamol and antibiotics, leading to fears of a global shortage of essential medicines.
- The IMF has torn up its growth forecasts. The fund has warned this year’s growth will be lower than last year’s.
- Concerts, conferences and sporting events are being cancelled in countries around the world. MGM Universal has also announced the postponement of the release of the new James Bond film, No Time to Die.
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