Italy declares Wuhan virus emergency

The Italian government declared a state of emergency today to fast-track efforts to prevent the spread of a deadly coronavirus strain after two cases were confirmed in Rome, AFP reports.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has also stopped all flights between Italy and China, following the news that two Chinese tourists holidaying in Italy had tested positive for the virus.

Also tourists on the crusie ship Costa Smeralda were allowed to leave from an Italian port after two Chinese passengers suspected to have been infected with the Wuhan coronavirus tested negative yesterday.