More than 1,700 new cases of the corona virus have been registered in China over the past 24 hours, which means that the total number of confirmed cases is 7,711. Over 1,000 of the new cases have been registered, and 37 of 38 new deaths have been registered since Wednesday.

At least 170 dead

The new deaths are the highest figure for a single day so far, and mean that the official death toll is at least 170.

The number of cases of infected fears is expected to continue to rise in the next few days, with 12,167 people suspected of being infected.

Available in 15 countries

Ikea now announces that it will close its 30 stores in China temporarily. The message comes just the day after it was decided that half of the department stores would close and that opening hours would be limited.

A total of 15 countries have detected cases of the corona virus, according to WHO. Finland and the United Arab Emirates are the latest countries to report their first cases.

Three Japanese who flew home from Wuhan on Wednesday, in an aircraft chartered by the country's government, have tested positive for the corona virus. Two of the three have not shown any symptoms.