Coronavirus death toll rises to 80 as infection described as “much more contagious than originally thought”

People in Northern Ireland have been tested for the virus.

World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is due to travel to Beijing on Monday as over 2,700 cases of the Coronavirus have been reported in China, with 80 confirmed deaths as a result of the virus. Cases of the virus have also been reported in Hong Kong, Macau, France, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the US, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Nepal, Canada and Australia. According to the UK Department of Health, 52 people across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been tested for the virus, but all have come back negative. Chinese Health Minister Ma Xiaowei has stated that people can now pass on the virus before showing symptoms of illness themselves. In reaction to this news, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention advisor Dr. William Schaffner told CNN: "When I heard this, I thought, 'Oh dear, this is worse than we anticipated.' It means the infection is much more contagious than we originally thought." Following the confirmation of the fifth case in the United States, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer issued the following advisory: "As with other respiratory illnesses, there are steps that everyone can take to reduce the risk of getting sick from circulating viruses, including coronavirus. This includes remaining home when ill, washing hands with soap and water frequently, and getting vaccinated against flu."