The new coronavirus forced Sunday, February 23, South Korea to declare a state of maximum alert. According to President Moon Jae-in, the Covid-19 epidemic is "at a turning point. The next few days will be crucial."

With 161 new cases of contamination announced Monday morning, the total now stands at 763, more than half of which is in the Shincheonji sect of Christian inspiration. Seven people have died from viral pneumonia since it first appeared in the country, according to health officials.

Now surpassing the center of infection of the Diamond Princess liner in Japan, South Korea has the largest number of patients on its soil, after China.

"The most serious health emergency" in China

In the Middle East, several countries protect themselves from the rapid spread of the virus in Iran. Worried by the multiplication of cases (43 in total) and deaths (eight), Armenia, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan and Afghanistan have closed their border or restricted trade with this country. These measures are presented as temporary. The Islamic Republic announced on Saturday the closure of educational institutions in 14 provinces, including Tehran.

In China, the death toll reached 2,592 on Monday after the announcement of 150 additional deaths, all but one in the central province of Hubei, cradle of the virus. The Ministry of Health has also reported 409 new cases of contamination, for a national total of more than 77,000. This represents a significant decline after the almost 650 new infections announced on Sunday.

The coronavirus is "the most serious health emergency" to hit China since the founding of the communist regime in 1949, President Xi Jinping said on Sunday, while acknowledging "gaps" in responding to the epidemic.

Non-residents in good health will be conditionally allowed to leave Wuhan, however, on Monday announced the city hall of the Chinese metropolis at the heart of the epidemic. Wuhan and its 11 million inhabitants have been de facto quarantined since January 23.

Venice Carnival canceled

In Italy, an elderly woman, suffering from cancer and who had contracted the coronavirus, died on Sunday, bringing to three the number of deaths in this country which counts 149 infected people.

About 52,000 people spent their first day on Sunday in containment zones in Lombardy and Veneto in northern Italy. The President of the Veneto has announced that the festivities for the Venice Carnival, which was due to end on Tuesday, have been canceled from Sunday as well as all the sporting events in the region.

With AFP

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