Coronavirus outbreak live updates: Five people who came in contact with Paytm employee quarantined in Delhi

What doctors treating Covid-19 in Wuhan say about coronavirus

"The median incubation period is five to seven days, with the longest incubation period as 14 days," said Du Bin, a member of China's team of experts overseeing coronavirus treatment. Underlying diseases like hypertension and diabetes, the prolonged used of non-invasive ventilation and high doses of corticosteroids over a long period of time were major factors in the deaths of some younger patients, according to Du. Read full story

89 persons under observation in Bihar, says minister

89 persons, including 14 who have returned from Iran, are under observation for coronavirus or COVID-19 in Bihar even as no positive case has so far been reported, state health minister has said. Blood samples of 48 persons were tested for coronavirus in Bihar, out of which 44 were found negative, he said. Blood reports of three persons were yet to be received.

Working on logistics with Iran for return of Indians: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday said an Indian medical team will reach Iran during the day and the authorities here are working on the logistics with their Iranian counterparts for the return of the Indians stranded there in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country. Jaishankar said the Indian medical team was likely to set up its first clinic at Qom by the evening to start screening for coronavirus. Read full story

Indonesia curbs entry of foreign visitors from Iran, Italy and South Korea

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray says people not to panic over the coronavirus situation in state, adding the next eight days are crucial, reports PTI.

I pray coronavirus gets burnt in Holi fire: Uddhav Thackeray in Maharashtra assembly

Read: What you need to know about coronavirus right now

Japan says state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping postponed over virus, reports AFP.

A state visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping this spring has been postponed over the outbreak of the new coronavirus, a spokesman for Japan's government said on Thursday. "A state visit by President Xi to Japan will be held at a convenient time for both of us," Yoshihide Suga told reporters in Tokyo.

Bosnia confirms its first case of coronavirus, reports Reuters.

Bosnia has confirmed its first case of the new coronavirus, television in the country's Serb-dominated region reported on Thursday, quoting the health ministry. The case was confirmed in the Serb Republic but there were no details available immediately, the RTRS said

'Very homesick' Wuhan residents trickle back to coronavirus-hit city

Wuhan has been largely cut off from the outside world since January 23, when China's government imposed an unprecedented lockdown of central Hubei province. But, some Hubei residents trapped outside the province by the containment measures are slowly trickling back to their sequestered families, believing that home is now as safe as anywhere.

Five people who came in contact with Paytm employee quarantined in Delhi

Five people who came in contact with a coronavirus patient who works in Gurgaon and lives in west Delhi have been tested and quarantined till their results come in, Delhi government health officials said on Thursday. The Paytm employee, who tested positive for the contagious disease with flu like symptoms on Wednesday, came in touch with 91 people in Gurgaon, he said.

Dogs, cats can't pass on coronavirus, but can test positive

Pet cats and dogs cannot pass the new coronavirus on to humans, but they can test positive for low levels of the pathogen if they catch it from their owners. That's the conclusion of Hong Kong's Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department after a dog in quarantine tested weak positive for the virus Feb. 27, Feb. 28 and March 2, using the canine's nasal and oral cavity samples.

28,529 people being monitored, Harsh Vardhan tells Parliament

"As on March 4, at least 28,529 persons were brought under community surveillance and are being monitored," health minister Harsh Vardhan said, adding "The Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation." Read full story

Indian student in Dubai tests positive for Covid-19

An Indian student in Dubai has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, taking the total number of cases in the United Arab Emirates to 27, health authorities said. "The infection was contracted from the student's parent who had travelled overseas," Gulf News reported on Thursday citing the Dubai Health Authority. Read full story

In touch with Iran to evacuate Indians, Harsh Vardhan says

India is in touch with Iran on possible evacuation of Indian pilgrims and students stuck in the coronavirus-hit nation, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday. The minister said the government is following up with Iran to tie-up evacuation of Indian pilgrims and students stranded in Tehran and Qom as per need. Read full story

Health minister Harsh Vardhan speaks on govt's preparedness in Lok Sabha

Airline hub UAE tells citizens not to travel over virus

The United Arab Emirates on Thursday warned its citizens not to travel anywhere abroad amid the ongoing worldwide coronavirus outbreak. The country's Health and Community Protection Ministry warning comes as its capital, Abu Dhabi, sent 215 foreigners it evacuated from hard-hit Hubei in China to a quarantine set up in its Emirates Humanitarian City. They include citizens of Egypt, Sudan and Yemen.

1500 Indians in Iran to be screened: Latest developments

Death toll in Italy past 100, the highest outside China

Facebook contractor tests positive for COVID-19, Seattle office shut

Facebook has shut its Seattle office until March 9 after one of its contractors tested positive for COVID-19, suggesting all its employees to work from home for the rest of the month. The infected contractor was last in the Facebook office on February 21. King County health officials said all Facebook sites should work from home until March 31.