The number of new coronavirus cases imported into mainland China from overseas surpassed the number of locally transmitted new infections for the first time on Friday, data released by the National Health Commission showed on Saturday.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-burial-site-satellite-images-reveal-mass-graves-in-irans-qom-city-286238"> Coronavirus burial site? Satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran's Qom city</a>

Mainland China had 11 new confirmed cases on Friday, up from eight cases a day earlier, but only four of those - all in the virus epicentre of Hubei province - were locally transmitted.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/world-markets-plunge-deepens-as-coronavirus-panic-worsens-286011">World markets plunge deepens as coronavirus panic worsens</a>

The other seven - including four in the financial hub of Shanghai, one in the capital Beijing and two in the northwestern province of Gansu - were all detected in travellers coming into China from overseas, specifically Italy, the United States and Saudi Arabia, according to local authorities.

The numbers underscore how China, where the outbreak began in December, appears to now face a greater threat of new infections from outside its borders as it continues to slow the spread of the virus domestically.

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A total of 95 cases have now come into mainland China from overseas, the commission said.

Hubei has now seen new infections fall for nine straight days. All four of the new cases on Friday, down from five a day earlier, were in provincial capital Wuhan.

The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China had reached 3,189 as of the end of Friday, up by 13 from the previous day. All of the latest deaths were in Hubei and 10 of them were in Wuhan.

To date, the flu-like virus has infected 80,824 people in mainland China, the commission said. Globally, more than 138,000 people have been infected and over 5,000 have died, according to a Reuters tally of government announcements.

The number of new coronavirus cases imported into mainland China from overseas surpassed the number of locally transmitted new infections for the first time on Friday, data released by the National Health Commission showed on Saturday.

The number of new coronavirus cases imported into mainland China from overseas surpassed the number of locally transmitted new infections for the first time on Friday, data released by the National Health Commission showed on Saturday. Also read: Coronavirus burial site? Satellite images reveal mass graves in Iran's Qom city Mainland China had 11 new confirmed cases on Friday, up from eight cases a day earlier, but only four of those - all in the virus epicentre of Hubei province - were locally transmitted. Also read: World markets plunge deepens as coronavirus panic worsens The other seven - including four in the financial hub of Shanghai, one in the capital Beijing and two in the northwestern province of Gansu - were all detected in travellers coming into China from overseas, specifically Italy, the United States and Saudi Arabia, according to local authorities. The numbers underscore how China, where the outbreak began in December, appears to now face a greater threat of new infections from outside its borders as it continues to slow the spread of the virus domestically. × A total of 95 cases have now come into mainland China from overseas, the commission said. Hubei has now seen new infections fall for nine straight days. All four of the new cases on Friday, down from five a day earlier, were in provincial capital Wuhan. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China had reached 3,189 as of the end of Friday, up by 13 from the previous day. All of the latest deaths were in Hubei and 10 of them were in Wuhan. To date, the flu-like virus has infected 80,824 people in mainland China, the commission said. Globally, more than 138,000 people have been infected and over 5,000 have died, according to a Reuters tally of government announcements.

Mainland China sees imported virus cases exceed new local infections for first time

The death toll in China's coronavirus leaped to 242 in just one day with over 60,000 infected, China's health ministry said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-woman-dies-of-suspected-coronavirus-infection-280322">Also Read:&nbsp;Iran woman dies of suspected coronavirus infection</a>

Hubei's health commission said another 14,840 new cases were reported in the area. The previous record rise in the toll was 103 on February 10.

In Hubei province, at least 56 million people have been placed under virtual quarantine by Chinese authorities.

Watch Video:

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At least 1,355 people have now died nationwide due to the virus. The virus has already spread to at least 27 countries with Singapore reporting 50 new cases.

Meanwhile, WHO chief Tedros said a WHO-led advance team that travelled to China this week had made good progress.

Outside China, the biggest cases have been reported on a cruise ship quarantined off the Japanese port of Yokohama in which 175 tested positive for the virus out of 3,700 people onboard.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/sporting-events-that-fell-victim-to-coronavirus-280070">In Pics: Sporting events that fell victim to coronavirus</a>

As the death toll climbed to a new high, China's yen slipped against the dollar in offshore trade, while stocks in Asia also faltered.

In the United Nations, China's ambassador Zhang Jun said: "Facing the epidemic, we have always adopted an open, transparent and highly responsible attitude," after criticism that China hadn't reacted fast enough to the epidemic.

"We have reported the epidemic information to the WHO, the relevant countries, and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan regions as soon as it is available, shared the genetic sequences of the virus, actively communicated with other countries in order to come up with responses," Jun asserted.

The death toll in China's coronavirus leaped to 242 in just one day with over 60,000 infected, China's health ministry said. Also Read: Iran woman dies of suspected coronavirus infection Hubei's health commission said another 14,840 new cases were reported in the area.

The death toll in China's coronavirus leaped to 242 in just one day with over 60,000 infected, China's health ministry said. Also Read: Iran woman dies of suspected coronavirus infection Hubei's health commission said another 14,840 new cases were reported in the area. The previous record rise in the toll was 103 on February 10. In Hubei province, at least 56 million people have been placed under virtual quarantine by Chinese authorities. Watch Video: At least 1,355 people have now died nationwide due to the virus. The virus has already spread to at least 27 countries with Singapore reporting 50 new cases. Meanwhile, WHO chief Tedros said a WHO-led advance team that travelled to China this week had made good progress. Outside China, the biggest cases have been reported on a cruise ship quarantined off the Japanese port of Yokohama in which 175 tested positive for the virus out of 3,700 people onboard. In Pics: Sporting events that fell victim to coronavirus As the death toll climbed to a new high, China's yen slipped against the dollar in offshore trade, while stocks in Asia also faltered. In the United Nations, China's ambassador Zhang Jun said: "Facing the epidemic, we have always adopted an open, transparent and highly responsible attitude," after criticism that China hadn't reacted fast enough to the epidemic. "We have reported the epidemic information to the WHO, the relevant countries, and Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan regions as soon as it is available, shared the genetic sequences of the virus, actively communicated with other countries in order to come up with responses," Jun asserted.

Coronavirus death toll surges to highest in one day in China's Hubei province

Platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about the coronavirus outbreak have been launched by Chinese tech giants to help the nation win against this virulent outbreak.

Platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about the coronavirus outbreak have been launched by Chinese tech giants to help the nation win against this virulent outbreak. China has seen dozens of outbreaks of the 2019-nCoV which has killed 636 people and infected more than 29,000. 24 other nations have confirmed cases of the virus, including the US, Japan, Singapore and Thailand. This digital aid comes in the form of apps and platforms that map recent infections, provide the latest updates about the epidemic, and facilitate free online doctor consultations. Providing solutions to virus-related questions with the help of AI is the PRC's new approach at helping the citizens help each other. Also Read: Why coronavirus' death toll still on rise? | Ground Report from Hong Kong Following are some of the apps: Virus-tracking in real-time Tech companies NoSugarTech and Qihoo 360 collaborated to develop a tracking platform that lets users check whether they have recently travelled near any confirmed infected people. Public-verified sources such as state-owned media reports and local government websites provide the data. Baidu - Free consultations from doctors online [ Baidu's company logo is seen at its headquarters in Beijing (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The platform aims to ease panic among people and save hospitals from overcrowding by encouraging people with minor illnesses to consult doctors online, completely free of cost. Online health care services such as Ping An Good Doctor and WeDoctor have partnered with Baidu to integrate their resources into the platform and enhance the efficiency of consultations. AI-powered Queries - Alibaba Damo Academy, a research institute of Alibaba, developed an AI-powered public health service tool that provides information related to the virus. First deployed by the government of Zhejiang province on January 27, the app uses voice recognition and other AI-related integrations to provide solutions to queries such as locations of nearby hospitals or deciding upon a medically-approved face mask.

Chinese tech giants launch platforms and services aimed at providing verified information about nCoV

Coronavirus affects Japanese cruise: The journey so far

Thousands of couples get married in mass wedding ceremony in South Korea braving coronavirus fears

Financial markets rebounded outside Asia on Tuesday following a global sell-off fueled by the deadly virus outbreak in China. Wall Street stocks were up, with the broad-based S&P 500 gaining 1.

Financial markets rebounded outside Asia on Tuesday following a global sell-off fueled by the deadly virus outbreak in China. Wall Street stocks were up, with the broad-based S&P 500 gaining 1.0 per cent and the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index advancing 1.4 per cent. In Europe, the main stock markets also closed with gains of close to 1.0 per cent after shedding around 2.5 per cent on Monday. The healthy US result was aided by defence contractors Lockheed Martin and United Technologies releasing healthy results that underpinned market sentiment, along with strong gains for several travel-oriented stocks, including Marriott International and Wynn Resorts. Apple stock rose 2.8 per cent after the market closed, following its announcement of record-high fourth-quarter revenue of $91.8 billion with a profit of $22 billion, according to earnings figures. The dollar gained against most other major currencies, and oil prices were higher as well. Also Read: Global Markets: China stock rally helps steady nerves, Russian rouble skids The US rally was aided by a report from the Conference Board showing US consumer confidence jumping more than expected in January. Wall Street and European markets posted losses of around two per cent on Monday fueled amid fears that the SARS-like virus outbreak in China was spreading fast. As traders sought safety, for example buying into gold, oil tanked on expectations that demand in China, the world's top consumer, will be hammered. But the improvement shows there is "some optimism that's crept into the market that maybe this coronavirus won't spread enough out of control to create a major epidemic crisis," said LBBW's Karl Haeling. Potential for further declines Neil Wilson, chief market analyst at Markets.com, warned markets to remain "open to further falls if it becomes clear that infection is spreading more rapidly, but for now, equity markets are entering a process of stabilization." China urged citizens to postpone foreign travel to curb the viral outbreak that has killed more than 100 people, as the first cases of human-to-human contagion were detected abroad. [ Beijing Stocks (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Washington also urged its citizens to "reconsider" travel plans to China, and United Airlines announced it will trim its service to the country from three US cities, citing a large drop in demand. The virus outbreak comes during the Lunar New Year break when hundreds of millions of people crisscross China and spend huge amounts of money. Analysts were concerned the crisis could become as bad as the SARS outbreak that rocked markets and the global economy 17 years ago.

World markets gain as data reassures nervous investors

The death toll in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/newborn-baby-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-just-30-hours-after-birth-278877">coronavirus</a> rose to over&nbsp;560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-reaches-490-figure-expected-to-rise-278644">Also Read:&nbsp;China's coronavirus death toll rises</a>

Hubei's health commission confirmed at least &nbsp;2,987 new cases as the virus showed no signs of abating.

The virus which has already spread to twenty countries reached a &nbsp;cruise liner in the port of Yokohama south of Tokyo where ten more people tested positive with nearly 3,700 people on the ship facing two weeks quarantine on the Diamond Princess.

Watch Video:

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A baby in Wuhan city which is the epicentre of the virus was detected with the novel coronavirus just 30 hours after being born, the state-run media said as the virus continued to spread nationwide.

As the virus continued to spread, several companies have halted operations with German sportswear Adidas declaring that it was closing a "significant" number of stores in China over the virus.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/impact-of-coronavirus-on-global-economy-278907">In Pics: How coronavirus is affecting the global economy</a>

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization requested for 613 million euros in donations for a plan to fight the novel coronavirus.

"Today we're launching a strategic preparedness and response plan.... we're requesting $675 million to fund the plan for the next three months," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

"Our message to the international community is invest today or pay more later," Tedros added.

The virus took political overtures after China's ambassador to France slammed Hong Kong medical workers for going on strike.

"I think it's shameful," Lu Shaye said, adding,"at a time when everyone is throwing themselves into the fight against the epidemic, and a few cases have already been confirmed (in Hong Kong), it's not fair."

"These people are not working to save lives, their actions have grave consequences. It only serves to underscores their perversity," he said.

The death toll in the coronavirus rose to over 560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients.

The death toll in the coronavirus rose to over 560 with the number of infections surging to 28,000 in China as officials in Wuhan said they faced a shortage of hospital beds and equipment to treat the patients. Also Read: China's coronavirus death toll rises Hubei's health commission confirmed at least 2,987 new cases as the virus showed no signs of abating. The virus which has already spread to twenty countries reached a cruise liner in the port of Yokohama south of Tokyo where ten more people tested positive with nearly 3,700 people on the ship facing two weeks quarantine on the Diamond Princess. Watch Video: A baby in Wuhan city which is the epicentre of the virus was detected with the novel coronavirus just 30 hours after being born, the state-run media said as the virus continued to spread nationwide. As the virus continued to spread, several companies have halted operations with German sportswear Adidas declaring that it was closing a "significant" number of stores in China over the virus. In Pics: How coronavirus is affecting the global economy Meanwhile, the World Health Organization requested for 613 million euros in donations for a plan to fight the novel coronavirus. "Today we're launching a strategic preparedness and response plan.... we're requesting $675 million to fund the plan for the next three months," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said. "Our message to the international community is invest today or pay more later," Tedros added. The virus took political overtures after China's ambassador to France slammed Hong Kong medical workers for going on strike. "I think it's shameful," Lu Shaye said, adding,"at a time when everyone is throwing themselves into the fight against the epidemic, and a few cases have already been confirmed (in Hong Kong), it's not fair." "These people are not working to save lives, their actions have grave consequences. It only serves to underscores their perversity," he said.

Coronavirus: Death toll climbs to over 560 in China; 10 more infected on Japan ship

Thousands of passengers and crew on a cruise ship that docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday were being kept on board while they were tested for a coronavirus as the city government said that all visitors from mainland China would be quarantined for two weeks.

Thousands of passengers and crew on a cruise ship that docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday were being kept on board while they were tested for a coronavirus as the city government said that all visitors from mainland China would be quarantined for two weeks. The former British colony saw its first death from the coronavirus on Tuesday. It has confirmed 21 cases, with many that were transmitted locally, authorities said. Hong Kong health workers have been on strike this week to demand that city authorities seal the border with China, where the virus originated last month, to block its spread. The cruise ship, World Dream, operated by Dream Cruises, docked in Hong Kong after it was denied entry to the Taiwan port of Kaohsiung on Tuesday. It has some 1,800 passengers and staff on board. Also Watch: Nine-year-old girl in Wuhan asks people to not give up on the city amid coronavirus crisis, says 'we shall overcome' Three mainland Chinese who had been on board from Jan. 19 to Jan. 24 were found to have had the virus, Hong Kong's health department said, adding that most of those remaining on board were from Hong Kong. Some crew had reported symptoms including fever, health officials said. Chief Executive Carrie Lam said that Hong Kong's two cruise terminals, Kai Tak and Ocean Terminal, would suspend operations immediately, while all visitors from mainland China would face compulsory quarantine. "These measures are stringent," said Lam. Dream Cruises, which is operated by Genting Hong Kong >, said the three confirmed cases of the virus had disembarked in the Chinese city of Guangzhou on Jan. 24. The coronavirus epidemic, which began in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December, has rekindled memories in Hong Kong of a 2003 outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), another coronavirus that began in China and killed nearly 300 people in the city. Also read: Japan to quarantine cruise ship after Hong Kong man tests positive for coronavirus The latest virus has spread rapidly in China with nearly 25,000 people infected and 490 deaths, most in Wuhan and the surrounding province of Hubei. Hong Kong health workers and members of other trade unions have demanded the border with the mainland be completely sealed. "We are dangerously close to a massive community outbreak comparable to SARS," a newly formed union called the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) said in a statement. Teargas Lam has closed some border crossings and links with the mainland but she has left three open, arguing that to close the entire border would be inappropriate, impractical and discriminatory. She said the government was allocating $10 billion to fight the spread of the virus. Thousands of medical staff have joined members of other trade unions this week and the city’s Hospital Authority has warned that emergency services are being severely hampered. Hong Kong’s beleaguered public hospital network was suffering from staff shortages and limited hospital beds before the coronavirus outbreak. On Wednesday, dozens of medical representatives marched to government headquarters to demand the border to be sealed. The health scare comes after months of at times violent anti-government protests in Hong Kong sparked by fears its autonomy, guaranteed under a "one country, two systems" formula, is being eroded by Beijing. Beijing has denied meddling and accused foreign countries of inciting unrest. Some pro-democracy protesters have come out in support with demonstrations beginning to take on the characteristics of the pro-democracy protests. Overnight, police fired teargas and rubber bullets to disperse a crowd in the rural New Territories after protesters denounced the government's refusal to seal the border.

Thousands held on cruise ship in Hong Kong as authorities check for virus

New Zealand announced on Sunday it would bar entry into the country from all foreign nationals arriving from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-death-toll-climbs-to-213-277727">mainland China</a> due too the increasing threat from the <a href="WHO declares Coronavirus as global health emergency">coronavirus epidemic</a>. The ban is in effect from Monday and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also raised its travel advice to New Zealanders for all of mainland China to “Do not travel”, the highest level.

"We have been advised by health officials that while there is still a range of unknowns in the way the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-outbreak-fresh-cases-being-detected-in-several-countries-spain-confirms-its-first-case-278026"> virus is being transmitted</a>, we should take a precautionary approach,” New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents can still enter the country, as can their immediate family members, but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival back in the country.

The ban will be in effect for up to 14 days, reviewed every 48 hours and includes all foreign travellers who left or transited through mainland China after February 2. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Zealand.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-death-toll-soars-to-259-as-chinas-isolation-grows-278028">Coronavirus: Death toll soars to 259 as China's isolation grows</a>

<img alt="New Zealand PM" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0680b2e1-8934-4c16-a02f-4bc212c9f06c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-02-02T111752.225.jpg" /> 
[ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media (Courtesy: Reuters) ]

New Zealand's announcement followed a similar decision announced on Saturday by neighbouring Australia, where 12 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed. China is facing mounting isolation amid increasing international travel curbs and flight suspension. Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand both said they were suspending direct flights to mainland China.

Australia announced during the week that it would evacuate locals from the Chinese city of Wuhan as part of a joint operation with New Zealand. 
Some health officials have criticized Australia's decision to move its evacuees to Christmas Island - about 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) from Australia, which had been used to hold thousands of refugees between 2002 and 2018.

Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday he expected Australians to be airlifted from Wuhan soon and that a medical assessment team and mobile hospital was ready to greet them. "Personnel are in place to receive the passengers from Wuhan and we expect that the flight will be collecting within the next 24 hours," Hunt said. 
&nbsp;

New Zealand announced on Sunday it would bar entry into the country from all foreign nationals arriving from mainland China due too the increasing threat from the coronavirus epidemic.

New Zealand announced on Sunday it would bar entry into the country from all foreign nationals arriving from mainland China due too the increasing threat from the coronavirus epidemic. The ban is in effect from Monday and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade also raised its travel advice to New Zealanders for all of mainland China to “Do not travel”, the highest level. "We have been advised by health officials that while there is still a range of unknowns in the way the virus is being transmitted, we should take a precautionary approach,” New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement. New Zealand citizens and permanent residents can still enter the country, as can their immediate family members, but will be required to self-isolate for 14 days on arrival back in the country. The ban will be in effect for up to 14 days, reviewed every 48 hours and includes all foreign travellers who left or transited through mainland China after February 2. There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in New Zealand. Also Read: Coronavirus: Death toll soars to 259 as China's isolation grows [ New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the media (Courtesy: Reuters) ] New Zealand's announcement followed a similar decision announced on Saturday by neighbouring Australia, where 12 cases of the coronavirus have been confirmed. China is facing mounting isolation amid increasing international travel curbs and flight suspension. Qantas Airways and Air New Zealand both said they were suspending direct flights to mainland China. Australia announced during the week that it would evacuate locals from the Chinese city of Wuhan as part of a joint operation with New Zealand. Some health officials have criticized Australia's decision to move its evacuees to Christmas Island - about 1,500 kilometres (900 miles) from Australia, which had been used to hold thousands of refugees between 2002 and 2018. Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said on Sunday he expected Australians to be airlifted from Wuhan soon and that a medical assessment team and mobile hospital was ready to greet them. "Personnel are in place to receive the passengers from Wuhan and we expect that the flight will be collecting within the next 24 hours," Hunt said.

Foreigners from China barred entry to New Zealand; travel ban to last fortnight

The Wuhan coronavirus is almost as big as the Sars outbreak. The WHO is being accused of dragging its feet. China faces the charge of covering up the extend of the outbreak. On WION Edit, Palki S Upadhyay asks - Who's to blame for the Wuhan virus outbreak?

WION Edit: Who's to blame for coronavirus outbreak

WION is the only Indian news network that is bringing you updates about the deadly virus outbreak in China - straight from its origins. In this report, WION's Palki S Upadhyay with Patrick Fok and Grace Lee get you the latest updates.

Gravitas: China's deadly virus: WION gets you a ground report

A Thai taxi driver has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday, in the kingdom's first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly sickness which has sparked a global health alert.

The finding makes Thailand only the sixth country alongside China, Germany, Japan, France and the US with confirmed domestic infections.

It also comes as the Chinese death toll topped 200 on Friday and warnings intensified over the potential for the SARS-like virus to spread through countries with less well maintained public health systems.

"Today (Friday) there are five more patients with coronavirus, four are Chinese who came in from Wuhan," Sukhum Kanjanapimai, a Health Ministry official told reporters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/explained-coronavirus-impact-on-the-tourism-industry-277803">Coronavirus impact on the tourism industry</a>

"The fifth was a Thai national - a taxi driver - who hasn't travelled to China... but may have had contact with Chinese tourists."

He stopped driving after falling ill "so passengers shouldn't be worried," Sukhum said, adding 13 people who had close contact with the taxi driver had shown no signs of infection so far and were not under quarantine.

Officials did not immediately reveal which city the taxi driver worked but said his symptoms had eased.

Still the revelation will send a shudder through megacity Bangkok - as well as Thailand's second-tier cities - in a country where taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. &nbsp;

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-coronavirus-outbreak-air-india-flight-leaves-for-wuhan-to-bring-back-indian-students-277772">&nbsp;China coronavirus outbreak - Air India flight leaves for Wuhan to bring back Indian students</a>

Thailand now has detected 19 cases of the virus, the most declared outside of China.

Thai authorities are trying to balance screening of inbound Chinese visitors with the economic needs of its tourist sector, which is heavily reliant on arrivals from the mainland.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said thorough airport screening of all arrivals from China meant the kingdom "doesn't have to ban all flights" from the mainland, moreso as passenger numbers are already down "80 per cent" as parts of China remain in lockdown.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-portugal-set-to-evacuate-citizens-from-wuhan-as-coronavirus-death-toll-increases-277578">Several countries seal border with China as coronavirus death toll increases</a>

The government is also battling public criticism it has been slow to evacuate scores of its citizens from Hubei province, the ground zero of the virus.

Stranded Thai citizens, including a pregnant 32-year-old, told AFP they felt abandoned by the government, while governments from the US to Japan hustled out plans to rescue their nationals. &nbsp;

Anutin vowed the government was poised to pick up "161 Thai citizens... as soon as possible".

A Thai taxi driver has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday, in the kingdom's first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly sickness which has sparked a global health alert.

A Thai taxi driver has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, health officials said Friday, in the kingdom's first case of human-to-human transmission of the deadly sickness which has sparked a global health alert. The finding makes Thailand only the sixth country alongside China, Germany, Japan, France and the US with confirmed domestic infections. It also comes as the Chinese death toll topped 200 on Friday and warnings intensified over the potential for the SARS-like virus to spread through countries with less well maintained public health systems. "Today (Friday) there are five more patients with coronavirus, four are Chinese who came in from Wuhan," Sukhum Kanjanapimai, a Health Ministry official told reporters. Also read: Coronavirus impact on the tourism industry "The fifth was a Thai national - a taxi driver - who hasn't travelled to China... but may have had contact with Chinese tourists." He stopped driving after falling ill "so passengers shouldn't be worried," Sukhum said, adding 13 people who had close contact with the taxi driver had shown no signs of infection so far and were not under quarantine. Officials did not immediately reveal which city the taxi driver worked but said his symptoms had eased. Still the revelation will send a shudder through megacity Bangkok - as well as Thailand's second-tier cities - in a country where taxis are cheap and ubiquitous. Also read: China coronavirus outbreak - Air India flight leaves for Wuhan to bring back Indian students Thailand now has detected 19 cases of the virus, the most declared outside of China. Thai authorities are trying to balance screening of inbound Chinese visitors with the economic needs of its tourist sector, which is heavily reliant on arrivals from the mainland. Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said thorough airport screening of all arrivals from China meant the kingdom "doesn't have to ban all flights" from the mainland, moreso as passenger numbers are already down "80 per cent" as parts of China remain in lockdown. Also read: Several countries seal border with China as coronavirus death toll increases The government is also battling public criticism it has been slow to evacuate scores of its citizens from Hubei province, the ground zero of the virus. Stranded Thai citizens, including a pregnant 32-year-old, told AFP they felt abandoned by the government, while governments from the US to Japan hustled out plans to rescue their nationals. Anutin vowed the government was poised to pick up "161 Thai citizens... as soon as possible".

Thai taxi driver is kingdom's first human-to-human transmission of virus