Stock markets around the world have plunged amid mounting concerns about the impact of the COVID-19 virus on business. The virus has continued to spread, with 27 new cases in Germany. DW has the latest here.
A worker wearing a protective suit takes body temperature measurement of a man inside the Shanghai Stock Exchange building
European and US stock markets slumped again on Friday, putting them on track for their worst week since the 2008 financial crisis.
Germany logged 27 new cases of the COVID-19 virus overnight, with several eastern European countries reporting their first cases.
A foreign national in Nigeria became the first known case in sub-Saharan Africa.
China reported 327 new cases on Thursday, the lowest daily figure in a month.
The latest global figures are at 83,700 people infected, with more than 2,800 dead.
All updates in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC/GMT).
As Friday comes to a close, figures indicate over 83,000 people have been infected, with some 2,800 deaths in China and 57 deaths in 46 other countries. With that comes the end of today’s updates. Be sure to check dw.com for coronavirus news, as well as the other goings on from across the globe.
22:58 The phrase “38% of Americans” has been trending on Twitter following a survey showing that more than a third of beer drinkers “would not buy Corona under any circumstances now,” according to public relations firm 5W. Nevertheless, Constellation Brands, the company which owns the Mexican-heritage beer label, has said that sales have been unaffected since the outbreak.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by this terrible virus and we hope efforts to more fully contain it gain traction soon,” Bill Newlands, chief executive of Constellation, said. “We’ve seen no impact to our people, facilities or operations and our business continues to perform very well.”
22:38 Cruise ships have been described as “floating Petri dishes,” ripe for the spreading of viruses such as COVID-19. But while the images have been alarming, many in the European industry remain calm and are playing down the risks. DW’s Jo Harper reports on why the cruise liner industry is not panicking over the outbreak.
