Prison outbreaks cause sharp rise in China COVID-19 cases

Hundreds of coronavirus infections have been confirmed in Chinese prisons, leading to a significant increase in new cases outside the Hubei province.

A total of 234 infections were reported among prisoners outside Hubei, while another 271 cases were confirmed in prisons within Hubei.

China's Communist Party leaders indicated that the outbreak has not yet reached its peak, as cases climbed in a Beijing hospital.

Globally, markets reacted negatively to the news, with U.S. stock index futures falling and investors seeking safer assets like gold and government bonds.

Data showed Japan's factory activity suffered its steepest contraction in seven years in February, highlighting recession risks.

The WHO warned that the window of opportunity to contain the international spread of the epidemic was closing after cases were reported in Iran and Lebanon.

Italy announced its first death from the virus, an 78-year-old man, with a total of 17 confirmed cases in the country.

South Korea reported 100 new cases, doubling its total to 204, with most cases in Daegu traced to a church outbreak.

Authorities said officials deemed responsible for the prison outbreaks had been fired and the government had sent a team to investigate the Shandong outbreak.