As China has now reported 71 new deaths from the coronavirus outbreak. 598 people contracted the virus overnight out of which nine of the cases were from the Hubei province. Watch report:

508 new cases of Covid-19 reported in China

An 8-year-old boy and a 2-year-old girl were left alone in China's Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak after their parents and grandmother became infected with the coronavirus. Seven volunteers offered them a temporary home in Hangzhou. Watch report:

WION-CGTN Exclusive: Volunteer 'mothers' for children in China 's Hangzhou

China's Hubei province has recorded nearly 93 new deaths over the past 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 1868. Over 1800 new infected cases have also been recorded. Watch report:

China records nearly 93 new deaths in Hubei, 1868 killed

The entire world is dealing with the havoc of the deadly coronavirus outbreak. It has been more than two months and there is little that we know about the nature of the epidemic and a cure still seems some distance away. As of now, at least 13 US citizens are being suspected to have coronavirus and are being treated in Nebraska university medical centre at the moment. Watch report:

13 US citizens under observation in Nebraska due to Coronavirus threat

As the coronavirus continues to unleash its wrath over the world with more than 1700 dead and 71,000 infected, China is trying something unconventional to counter the spread.

As reported by CNN, the country intends to ''deep clean'' infected cash, which could indeed be a valid carrier of the virus. Additionally, most of the infected cash will be destroyed.

The People's Bank of China announced the measure on Saturday, with the aim to contain the virus, which recently received an official name - Covid-19, pegged by the WHO.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/latest-99-more-coronavirus-cases-confirmed-in-diamond-princess-japanese-cruise-281124">99 more confirmed with coronavirus on Japanese cruise; total cases jump to 454</a>

Many people believed that receiving packages hailing from China could spread the virus further. But as per the directions of the WHO, the virus only survives for a few hours on surfaces.

The health bodies in deeply infected regions are cleaning elevator buttons, door handles, and other surfaces that may be more often touched by people.

There is where cash currency comes into play, for it is exchanged among people multiple times a day.

As per the guidelines, all banks have to disinfect their cash with ultraviolet light combined with high temperatures. This is followed by storing the cash for 14 days before it is released to the customers, as announced by a press release by the central Chinese government.

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The government has identified high-risk infection areas, especially hospitals, schools, and markets (with focus on wet markets). Currency emanating from any of these places will be treated, and then returned to the Chinese Central Bank before being put into circulation again.

However, in the Guangzhou branch of the Central Bank, these notes may be completely destroyed, a local tabloid Global Times reported.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-records-slowest-economy-in-over-five-years-as-coronavirus-halts-trade-with-its-biggest-partner-china-281107">Japan records slowest economy in over five years as coronavirus halts trade with its biggest partner, China</a>

This does not imply that the cash will not be recirculated. According to the statement, the bank intends to issue fresh currency to make up for the recall.

Additionally, in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, over 4 billion yuan worth of new bank notes are being circulated.

Another route to limit the infection from spreading includes suspending cash transactions, especially in the hardest-hit provinces.

As the coronavirus continues to unleash its wrath over the world with more than 1700 dead and 71,000 infected, China is trying something unconventional to counter the spread.

As the coronavirus continues to unleash its wrath over the world with more than 1700 dead and 71,000 infected, China is trying something unconventional to counter the spread. As reported by CNN, the country intends to ''deep clean'' infected cash, which could indeed be a valid carrier of the virus. Additionally, most of the infected cash will be destroyed. The People's Bank of China announced the measure on Saturday, with the aim to contain the virus, which recently received an official name - Covid-19, pegged by the WHO. Also read: 99 more confirmed with coronavirus on Japanese cruise; total cases jump to 454 Many people believed that receiving packages hailing from China could spread the virus further. But as per the directions of the WHO, the virus only survives for a few hours on surfaces. The health bodies in deeply infected regions are cleaning elevator buttons, door handles, and other surfaces that may be more often touched by people. There is where cash currency comes into play, for it is exchanged among people multiple times a day. As per the guidelines, all banks have to disinfect their cash with ultraviolet light combined with high temperatures. This is followed by storing the cash for 14 days before it is released to the customers, as announced by a press release by the central Chinese government. The government has identified high-risk infection areas, especially hospitals, schools, and markets (with focus on wet markets). Currency emanating from any of these places will be treated, and then returned to the Chinese Central Bank before being put into circulation again. However, in the Guangzhou branch of the Central Bank, these notes may be completely destroyed, a local tabloid Global Times reported. Also read: Japan records slowest economy in over five years as coronavirus halts trade with its biggest partner, China This does not imply that the cash will not be recirculated. According to the statement, the bank intends to issue fresh currency to make up for the recall. Additionally, in Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, over 4 billion yuan worth of new bank notes are being circulated. Another route to limit the infection from spreading includes suspending cash transactions, especially in the hardest-hit provinces.

China intends to destroy 'infected currency' in a bid to contain coronavirus

Hundreds of passengers were preparing to be evacuated from a cruise ship on Sunday after spending two weeks under quarantine off Japan over the coronavirus, with Americans expected to begin flying home on chartered planes as soon as Sunday evening.

Seventy more people were confirmed with the virus on board the Diamond Princess on Sunday, bringing the number of cases from the ship to 355, the most anywhere outside China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-china-reports-drop-in-cases-for-third-consecutive-day-as-toll-passes-1600-280937">Also read:&nbsp;China reports drop in cases for third consecutive day as toll passes 1,600</a>

Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy have followed the United States in announcing flights to bring home their citizens from the ship, which has been under quarantine since February 3.

Countries have said passengers should be symptom-free to board the flights, and are likely to face quarantine on arrival.

An announcement from the captain blared over loudspeakers on Sunday, informing American guests who were willing to disembark that they were scheduled to leave from 9 pm (1200 GMT)

"Leaving in a few hours. No details. Might be going to Texas or Nebraska," Gay Courter, one of the American passengers on board, told Reuters. She said she expected to spend another two weeks in quarantine on US soil.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-qantas-virgin-atlantic-among-many-who-banned-flights-to-china-among-coronavirus-outbreak-280547">Also Read:&nbsp;United, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic extend flight ban to China</a>

Another American passenger, Matthew Smith, posted a photo on Twitter showing a fleet of about 11 coaches parked on the shore near the ship to transport US nationals.

Smith said American officials, dressed in full hazmat suits and face masks, had visited his room to check if he would disembark. He said he wanted to stay.

Yardley Wong, a passenger from Hong Kong, told Reuters: "We are planning to leave if we test negative," although she said she had yet to receive any official notice from Hong Kong authorities.

The ship, owned by Carnival Corp., has been held in the Japanese port of Yokohama with 3,700 passengers and crew on board since a man who had disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus two weeks ago.

Those with the disease have been taken to hospital in Japan and no one from the ship has died. Around half of the guests onboard are from Japan.

The US Embassy in Tokyo said passengers and crew on board the ship were at high risk of exposure to the virus and it recommended that its citizens get off and take one of the flights home.

"This is a rapidly evolving situation and we are taking additional steps to assist US citizens," it said.

All passengers would be screened before being allowed to board the chartered flights and everyone would be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival back in the United States.

"No symptomatic or infected passengers will be allowed to board," it said.

Clyde Smith, 80, who was taken from the ship to a Tokyo hospital after testing positive for the virus, told Reuters on Sunday he had not been told if he would be allowed on a US evacuation plane.

Latest figures from Beijing on Sunday showed 68,500 cases of the illness and 1,665 deaths, mostly in Hubei province.

Japan detected six fresh cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, apart from those on the ship, NHK reported, taking the total number of in-land infections to 59.

Hundreds of passengers were preparing to be evacuated from a cruise ship on Sunday after spending two weeks under quarantine off Japan over the coronavirus, with Americans expected to begin flying home on chartered planes as soon as Sunday evening.

Hundreds of passengers were preparing to be evacuated from a cruise ship on Sunday after spending two weeks under quarantine off Japan over the coronavirus, with Americans expected to begin flying home on chartered planes as soon as Sunday evening. Seventy more people were confirmed with the virus on board the Diamond Princess on Sunday, bringing the number of cases from the ship to 355, the most anywhere outside China. Also read: China reports drop in cases for third consecutive day as toll passes 1,600 Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy have followed the United States in announcing flights to bring home their citizens from the ship, which has been under quarantine since February 3. Countries have said passengers should be symptom-free to board the flights, and are likely to face quarantine on arrival. An announcement from the captain blared over loudspeakers on Sunday, informing American guests who were willing to disembark that they were scheduled to leave from 9 pm (1200 GMT) "Leaving in a few hours. No details. Might be going to Texas or Nebraska," Gay Courter, one of the American passengers on board, told Reuters. She said she expected to spend another two weeks in quarantine on US soil. Also Read: United, Qantas, Virgin Atlantic extend flight ban to China Another American passenger, Matthew Smith, posted a photo on Twitter showing a fleet of about 11 coaches parked on the shore near the ship to transport US nationals. Smith said American officials, dressed in full hazmat suits and face masks, had visited his room to check if he would disembark. He said he wanted to stay. Yardley Wong, a passenger from Hong Kong, told Reuters: "We are planning to leave if we test negative," although she said she had yet to receive any official notice from Hong Kong authorities. The ship, owned by Carnival Corp., has been held in the Japanese port of Yokohama with 3,700 passengers and crew on board since a man who had disembarked in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus two weeks ago. Those with the disease have been taken to hospital in Japan and no one from the ship has died. Around half of the guests onboard are from Japan. The US Embassy in Tokyo said passengers and crew on board the ship were at high risk of exposure to the virus and it recommended that its citizens get off and take one of the flights home. "This is a rapidly evolving situation and we are taking additional steps to assist US citizens," it said. All passengers would be screened before being allowed to board the chartered flights and everyone would be quarantined for 14 days upon arrival back in the United States. "No symptomatic or infected passengers will be allowed to board," it said. Clyde Smith, 80, who was taken from the ship to a Tokyo hospital after testing positive for the virus, told Reuters on Sunday he had not been told if he would be allowed on a US evacuation plane. Latest figures from Beijing on Sunday showed 68,500 cases of the illness and 1,665 deaths, mostly in Hubei province. Japan detected six fresh cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, apart from those on the ship, NHK reported, taking the total number of in-land infections to 59.

Virus spreads on ship in Japan, American passengers set to disembark

An 80-year-old Chinese woman died in France due to coronavirus, the first death confirmed outside of Asia. According to a report, the victim was a tourist from China's Hubei province. She had arrived in France in January and was kept in quarantine in a hospital since January 5.

Coronavirus Outbreak: First coronavirus death confirmed in Europe

In China, Hubei confirms the highest number of deaths in a day. 254 New coronavirus deaths in china confirmed. Chinese president holds a high level meeting on the covid19 outbreak.

WION Dispatch: China Hubei records highest number of COVID-19 deaths

American Airlines have announced that they have extended its suspension of flights to mainland China and Hong Kong until April amid the novel coronavirus outbreak that has infected more than 40,000 people worldwide. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Global airlines suspend flights to China

Hundreds of Pakistani students are still trapped in China. One such student is Maham Ali Khan who was supposed to return home two weeks ago after collecting her degree at Yangtze University in Jingzhou of Hubei, China. However, Maham has found herself trapped in the country with no end in sight after authorities imposed a lockdown on the city before she could leave.

Coronavirus Outbreak: Pakistani students plead for help in Hubei

Hundreds of Pakistani students are trapped in the Chinese city of Wuhan which is the epicentre of the deadly coronavirus. One such student is Maham Ali Khan who was supposed to return home after collecting her degree at Yang Shi University in the Hubei province but she found herself trapped after the outbreak. Watch her story:

Fineprint: Pakistani student 'trapped' in Hubei plead for help

The death toll from coronavirus in China has risen to 1367 with 254 new cases. Chinese city Hubei has recorded its highest number of coronavirus deaths in a day. China has sacked the top political leaders of virus-stricken Hubei province and it's capital Wuhan, the highest-profile figures to be removed so far in a crisis.

Hubei's top political leader sacked after spike in coronavirus deaths

India's Health Ministry is briefing a press conference on coronavirus outbreak. Watch the video for more updates.

India Health Minister Harsh Vardhan briefs on coronavirus

A leading expert has claimed that the Wuhan coronavirus could infect 60% of the world. As the world escalates its fight against the disease - China has removed key functionaries in Hubei. WION's Palki Sharma brings you the latest updates.

Gravitas: Wuhan coronavirus could infect 60% of the world

The numbers of coronavirus deaths and infections are continuously rising around the world. China has placed millions under lockdown as the virus continues to spread. Countries are evacuating their citizens from the epicentre of the outbreak which is Wuhan. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: Countries evacuate its citizens from epicenter of Coronavirus outbreak

Overnight there has been a massive hike in the death toll of the deadly coronavirus. Around 425 people have lost their lives around the world and 62 new deaths were reported in China and all the casualties were reported in the Hubei province. WHO has warned all the countries dealing with the coronavirus outbreak by preparing and not by panicking. At a press briefing in Geneva, the Director of 'Global Infections' elaborated about the global collaboration of WHO and Google to narrow down all the information regarding the coronavirus, to avoid the spread of misinformation on the internet.

WION Dispatch: Coronavirus kills 425 people killed around the world, WHO ask countries to not panic

India has evacuated nearly 600 of its citizen's mainly students from Wuhan. Hundreds of Pakistani students are still waiting for help as they are stranded in a city which is a lockdown. These Pakistani's are appealing to their government for help. Two such students spoke to WION. Watch report:

Your Story: Stranded Pakistani students in Wuhan seek help from their govt

The fast spreading outbreak of coronavirus has killed 427 people and threatened the global economy. The World Health Organisation has asked all countries dealing with coronavirus to be prepared and not panic. Watch report:

Fineprint: WHO asks nations dealing with Coronavirus to be prepared, not panic

More figures have been trickling in the deadly Coronavirus and its spread across the world. In the latest Belgium has confirmed its first case. Belgium had evacuated a total of nine people from Wuhan in China, which has been the epicentre of that virus. Among the nine people, one has been tested positive.

Belgium confirms 1st case of Coronavirus

As the deadly Coronavirus spreads the city of Wuhan is under complete lockdown. The government's response has been opaque at times with information very hard to come by. Watch this report to know the inside situation in the city of Wuhan.

What is it like inside the Wuhan lockdown

Pakistan has abandoned its citizens in China. More than 1500 Pakistani citizens are still stranded in Hubei. More than 500 of them are in Wuhan. Unable to return, some of them reached out to WION to register a plea for help. Here is what they told us.

Gravitas: Abandoned Pak citizens reach out to WION

Marise Payne, Australia's Foreign Minister today said that 243 of their citizens were evacuated from Wuhan in a government aircraft.&nbsp;

Wuhan is the epicentre of the mysterious SARS-like virus which has already killed 361 people worldwide, with the number of cases rising everyday.

According to sources, the people will be quarantined in a detention centre on ''Christmas Island'', which is situated in the Indian Ocean outside of Australia's northwest coast.

Also read:&nbsp;D<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/death-toll-in-coronavirus-rises-to-361-as-man-dies-in-philippines-278197">eath toll in coronavirus rises to 361 as man dies in Philippines</a>

Earlier, the former detention centre was used to keep people who were seeking asylum. 
 
"We have prioritised vulnerable and isolated Australians which is reflected in the fact that 89 of the Australians on the flight are under 16 and five are under two," Payne told reporters in Canberra.

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According to Reuters, all the passengers and the crew were given face masks and hand sanitiser, with specific orders for the crew to remain on the upper deck unless needed. 
 
Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said that the aircraft was equipped with medical-grade air filters, which can eliminate up to 99% particles that include viruses.

"It's a lot safer, a lot cleaner than being in a restaurant, in an office," he said.

The aircraft was set to leave much earlier but was delayed owing to China's screening process whereby they wanted to check everybody's temperature. 
 
The flight will land at an air force base in Western Australia, from where the passengers will be flown to Christmas Island, which is almost 1,500 kilometres away from the mainland.&nbsp; 
 
According to Payne, military flights will be used to transport the evacuees.&nbsp;

<h6> 
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A medical team stands next to a Portugal's Air Force C-130 plane, carrying Portuguese nationals flown out of the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the new coronavirus infection epidemic, after it land at the military terminal of Figo Maduro, in Lisbon, on February 02, 2020 | AFP</h6>

The Chinese city of Wuhan has been quarantined and is under complete lockdown after the emergence of coronavirus. The first death from the virus outside of Chinese territory was reported in the Philippines yesterday.

Canberra could consider further evacuations if needed, suggested Payne, considering that there were 600 Australians registered in the Hubei region as of last week.

After the United States, Australia on Saturday banned the entry of all foreign nationals coming from mainland China. The travel warning for China was raised to the highest level.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-google-joins-hands-with-who-to-provide-sos-alert-trusted-info-and-safety-tips-278181">Coronavirus outbreak - Google joins hands with WHO to provide SOS alert, trusted info and safety tips&nbsp;</a>

(With inputs from agencies)

Marise Payne, Australia's Foreign Minister today said that 243 of their citizens were evacuated from Wuhan in a government aircraft. Wuhan is the epicentre of the mysterious SARS-like virus which has already killed 361 people worldwide, with the number of cases rising everyday.

Marise Payne, Australia's Foreign Minister today said that 243 of their citizens were evacuated from Wuhan in a government aircraft. Wuhan is the epicentre of the mysterious SARS-like virus which has already killed 361 people worldwide, with the number of cases rising everyday. According to sources, the people will be quarantined in a detention centre on ''Christmas Island'', which is situated in the Indian Ocean outside of Australia's northwest coast. Also read: Death toll in coronavirus rises to 361 as man dies in Philippines Earlier, the former detention centre was used to keep people who were seeking asylum. "We have prioritised vulnerable and isolated Australians which is reflected in the fact that 89 of the Australians on the flight are under 16 and five are under two," Payne told reporters in Canberra. According to Reuters, all the passengers and the crew were given face masks and hand sanitiser, with specific orders for the crew to remain on the upper deck unless needed. Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said that the aircraft was equipped with medical-grade air filters, which can eliminate up to 99% particles that include viruses. "It's a lot safer, a lot cleaner than being in a restaurant, in an office," he said. The aircraft was set to leave much earlier but was delayed owing to China's screening process whereby they wanted to check everybody's temperature. The flight will land at an air force base in Western Australia, from where the passengers will be flown to Christmas Island, which is almost 1,500 kilometres away from the mainland. According to Payne, military flights will be used to transport the evacuees. A medical team stands next to a Portugal's Air Force C-130 plane, carrying Portuguese nationals flown out of the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the new coronavirus infection epidemic, after it land at the military terminal of Figo Maduro, in Lisbon, on February 02, 2020 | AFP The Chinese city of Wuhan has been quarantined and is under complete lockdown after the emergence of coronavirus. The first death from the virus outside of Chinese territory was reported in the Philippines yesterday. Canberra could consider further evacuations if needed, suggested Payne, considering that there were 600 Australians registered in the Hubei region as of last week. After the United States, Australia on Saturday banned the entry of all foreign nationals coming from mainland China. The travel warning for China was raised to the highest level. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak - Google joins hands with WHO to provide SOS alert, trusted info and safety tips (With inputs from agencies)

Australia evacuates 200 people from Wuhan, the epicentre of coronavirus outbreak in China

International airlines from France, UK, US and India have suspended flights to China over fears of the spread of the deadly coronavirus. The virus is showing no sign of reducing, overnight the death toll climbed to 213 with more than 2000 new cases being reported across the country.

More than 2,000 new Coronavirus cases reported in China, death toll rises to 213

The new coronavirus has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread outside China. "The main reason for this declaration is not what is happening in China but what is happening in other countries," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

WHO declares Coronavirus as global health emergency

Rumours of the deadly coronavirus are spreading faster than the Coronavirus itself. Watch this video to know some myths and facts about the coronavirus.

Myths and Facts about deadly Coronavirus

The deadly coronavirus has now claimed 170 lived in China and more than 6000 people have been infected. Overnight 38 new casualties were reported with 37 deaths in the Hubei province. Nearly 60 million people remained under lockdown in the central province. Several medical teams have been dispatched to Wuhan, the city where the virus first broke out.

Coronavirus death toll rises to 170 in China

Tracking the deadly coronavirus WION brings you latest report from inside Chinese city of Wuhan. People are helpless in the lockdown situation of Wuhan. Some people have become heroes in this time of crisis. Residents are taking every measure to tackle this deadly virus.

WION brings you stories of heroes from Wuhan under lockdown

Hong Kong has confirmed the eighth case the deadly coronavirus with 77 more suspected cases. The Hong Kong government has announced that all public, cultural and leisure facilities are closed under further notice. All schools have been closed. The Disney Land and Ocean park are also closed.

Hong Kong confirms 8th case of coronavirus, Hubei residents banned

Hong Kong authorities on Sunday barred residents of China's Hubei province, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, from entering the city, in response to mounting pressure to enact preventative measures to contain the spreading epidemic.

The ban includes those who have been in the province in the past 14 days but excludes Hong Kong citizens.

Earlier a group of protesters set alight the lobby of a newly built residential building in Hong Kong that authorities planned to use as a quarantine facility for the coronavirus outbreak.

A Reuters witness saw several masked protesters, clad in black, rush into the public housing block in the Fanling district near to the border with China, and set alight a Molotov cocktail. Black smoke could be seen pouring out of the building to the sound of fire alarms. Windows were smashed.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and the damage appeared to be confined to the lobby area. Hundreds of riot police also moved in, arresting at least one person.

As fears about the virus outbreak intensify, calls have grown for Hong Kong's government to close the financial hub's border with mainland China to minimise the risk of infection.

Earlier, hundreds of Hong Kong citizens had blocked roads leading to the building with bricks and other debris, to protest plans to convert the building into a quarantine zone as the number of confirmed cases in the city climbed to six.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-outbreak-wuhan-mayor-predicts-1000-more-infected-with-virus-276704">Coronavirus outbreak - Wuhan mayor predicts 1,000 more infected with virus</a>

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"We are dissatisfied with the government selecting this housing estate as a (quarantine) separation village as it's very close to a residential area and a primary school," said a 28-year-old resident surnamed Tsang.

Hong Kong authorities had said they would convert "Fai Ming Estate, an unoccupied public estate in Fanling, into temporary flats for quarantine and observation of close contact persons without symptoms if needed."

Following the protest, the government said it would "cease the related preparation work in Fai Ming Estate."

Hong Kong has been convulsed with demonstrations over the last seven months centred on Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China: with some protesters railing against what they see as growing interference from Beijing. Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for stirring trouble in the former British colony.

Hong Kong authorities have so far refused to categorically block the flow of visitors from mainland China across several land border crossings. Direct train and flight connections to and from Wuhan have been suspended.

Health authorities in the afternoon said 107 people were under quarantine, and there were 77 suspected cases.

The ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health Commission said on Sunday, with nearly 2,000 people in China infected and 56 killed by the disease.

Hong Kong authorities on Sunday barred residents of China's Hubei province, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, from entering the city, in response to mounting pressure to enact preventative measures to contain the spreading epidemic.

Hong Kong authorities on Sunday barred residents of China's Hubei province, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, from entering the city, in response to mounting pressure to enact preventative measures to contain the spreading epidemic. The ban includes those who have been in the province in the past 14 days but excludes Hong Kong citizens. Earlier a group of protesters set alight the lobby of a newly built residential building in Hong Kong that authorities planned to use as a quarantine facility for the coronavirus outbreak. A Reuters witness saw several masked protesters, clad in black, rush into the public housing block in the Fanling district near to the border with China, and set alight a Molotov cocktail. Black smoke could be seen pouring out of the building to the sound of fire alarms. Windows were smashed. Firefighters managed to extinguish the fire and the damage appeared to be confined to the lobby area. Hundreds of riot police also moved in, arresting at least one person. As fears about the virus outbreak intensify, calls have grown for Hong Kong's government to close the financial hub's border with mainland China to minimise the risk of infection. Earlier, hundreds of Hong Kong citizens had blocked roads leading to the building with bricks and other debris, to protest plans to convert the building into a quarantine zone as the number of confirmed cases in the city climbed to six. Also read: Coronavirus outbreak - Wuhan mayor predicts 1,000 more infected with virus × "We are dissatisfied with the government selecting this housing estate as a (quarantine) separation village as it's very close to a residential area and a primary school," said a 28-year-old resident surnamed Tsang. Hong Kong authorities had said they would convert "Fai Ming Estate, an unoccupied public estate in Fanling, into temporary flats for quarantine and observation of close contact persons without symptoms if needed." Following the protest, the government said it would "cease the related preparation work in Fai Ming Estate." Hong Kong has been convulsed with demonstrations over the last seven months centred on Hong Kong's relationship with mainland China: with some protesters railing against what they see as growing interference from Beijing. Beijing denies meddling and blames the West for stirring trouble in the former British colony. Hong Kong authorities have so far refused to categorically block the flow of visitors from mainland China across several land border crossings. Direct train and flight connections to and from Wuhan have been suspended. Health authorities in the afternoon said 107 people were under quarantine, and there were 77 suspected cases. The ability of the new coronavirus to spread is strengthening and infections could continue to rise, China's National Health Commission said on Sunday, with nearly 2,000 people in China infected and 56 killed by the disease.

Hong Kong bars Hubei residents from entering city as coronavirus fears intensify

Heavy snow continued to affect parts of China on Saturday, closing highways, causing train and flight cancellations, and even interrupting a soccer match between Vietnam and Uzbekistan in a southern Chinese province.

In central Hubei province, sections of more than 30 highways were closed due to icy conditions, the official Xinhua news agency reported.

The three railway stations in Wuhan, Hubei&#39;s provincial capital, cancelled more than a hundred train journeys.

By about noon (0400 GMT), 95 flights had been cancelled at the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, stranding some 1,200 passengers.

The airport at Nanning, capital of south China&#39;s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, also cancelled many flights.

In Changzhou city in southern Jiangsu province, the second half of the Under-23 Asian Cup final was interrupted for an hour on Saturday afternoon as snow covered the pitch.

Vietnam, long seen as an underdog, had defeated Australia, Iraq and Qatar to face Uzbekistan in the final, cheered on by Vietnamese at home and at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

The National Meteorological Centre renewed an orange alert on Saturday for snowstorms in central and eastern China. The orange alert is the second-highest in a four-tier weather warning system.

Heavy snow or sleet was expected in parts of Henan, Hubei, Guizhou and Hunan provinces and regions along the Yangtze River and Huaihe River.

Blizzards will strike parts of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Hunan provinces.

On Friday, a unit of China&#39;s State Oceanic Administration issued a blue alert for sea ice in a key port area in the north of the country, potentially disrupting commodities shipments.

In central Hubei province, sections of more than 30 highways were closed due to icy conditions

Heavy snow continued to affect parts of China on Saturday, closing highways, causing train and flight cancellations, and even interrupting a soccer match between Vietnam and Uzbekistan in a southern Chinese province. In central Hubei province, sections of more than 30 highways were closed due to icy conditions, the official Xinhua news agency reported. The three railway stations in Wuhan, Hubei's provincial capital, cancelled more than a hundred train journeys. By about noon (0400 GMT), 95 flights had been cancelled at the Wuhan Tianhe International Airport, stranding some 1,200 passengers. The airport at Nanning, capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, also cancelled many flights. In Changzhou city in southern Jiangsu province, the second half of the Under-23 Asian Cup final was interrupted for an hour on Saturday afternoon as snow covered the pitch. Vietnam, long seen as an underdog, had defeated Australia, Iraq and Qatar to face Uzbekistan in the final, cheered on by Vietnamese at home and at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Centre. The National Meteorological Centre renewed an orange alert on Saturday for snowstorms in central and eastern China. The orange alert is the second-highest in a four-tier weather warning system. Heavy snow or sleet was expected in parts of Henan, Hubei, Guizhou and Hunan provinces and regions along the Yangtze River and Huaihe River. Blizzards will strike parts of Anhui, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Hubei and Hunan provinces. On Friday, a unit of China's State Oceanic Administration issued a blue alert for sea ice in a key port area in the north of the country, potentially disrupting commodities shipments.

Heavy snow in central, southern China causes travel havoc

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