Rappler's latest stories on 2019-nCov
WATCH: DOH updates on 2019 novel coronavirus
Bookmark this page for updates from the Department of Health on the novel coronavirus
China quarantine hotel collapse toll rises to 26
(4th UPDATE) 3 more people are feared still trapped in the rubble, according to state media
More than 40 rescued from China hotel collapse, say state media
Officials say around 70 people were initially trapped when the building first crumbled
Hotel used as quarantine site collapses, traps 70 in eastern China
(UPDATED) The People's Daily state newspaper reports that the hotel, which opened just two years ago, was recently repurposed to house people who had been in recent contact with confirmed virus patients
Cebu Pacific cancels flights to South Korea after PH travel ban
Passengers affected by the canceled flights may avail of rebooking, refunding, and stored value options
Olympics chief: IOC 'committed' to Tokyo Games despite virus
The fate of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has been in the spotlight amid the widening virus outbreak
Why coronavirus could help save China's endangered species
However, there are fears that humans could come to blame pangolins for the outbreak, and seek revenge
Saudi bans pilgrims from holy sites over virus as Iran deaths jump
(UPDATED) China is no longer the only breeding ground for COVID-19 as countries worry about possible contagion from other hotbeds of infection, including Iran, South Korea and Italy
Uighur activists say coronavirus measures causing hunger
In one video believed to have been shot last week, a man is heard shouting at officials, 'I'm starving. My wife and children are starving.'
South Korea starts virus checks on 200,000-plus 'cult' members
Most of South Korea's novel coronavirus are linked to the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, an entity often accused of being a cult
Philippines observes 'no-contact' Ash Wednesday to beat virus
Local church officials also strongly recommend that Catholics do not kiss or touch the cross during Good Friday services
'Fear and panic' as coronavirus threatens Afghanistan, Pakistan
'People are illiterate, you can't get the message through to them,' says a Kabul-based physician
Dozens allowed off Japan virus-hit ship have 'symptoms' – minister
Around 970 were allowed off the boat last week after testing negative for the virus, but several have subsequently been found to be carrying the disease
American soldier in South Korea tests positive for coronavirus
The soldier, a 23-year-old man, is the first infection among the 28,500 troops Washington stations in the South to defend it against the nuclear-armed North
China reports 52 more virus deaths, lowest in 3 weeks
But the disease has now reached dozens of countries
South Korea reports 169 new coronavirus cases, total tops 1,100
An 11th person has died of the disease – a Mongolian man who had been awaiting a liver transplant
China quarantines 94 people on Seoul flight after 3 show fever
None of the 3 people with fevers have any history of travel to Wuhan
Switzerland reports first case of new coronavirus
The report comes after outbreaks were identified in Switzerland's main neighbors Austria, France, Germany, and Italy
World 'simply not ready' for virus spread – WHO China mission chief
'How many countries are planning hospital beds, planning ventilators...and the lab capacity to be able to manage this?' asks WHO's China mission chief
Coronavirus monitoring systems strained to the extreme
At some point, national health authorities may have to switch from blocking the virus' progress to coping with its effects
Borders stay open as Italy coronavirus outbreak spreads south
'We're talking about a virus that doesn't respect borders,' says Italy's Health Minister Roberto Speranza
Health authorities expect coronavirus spread on U.S. soil
Officials are also worried about the US drug supply chain, because a high proportion of ingredients used to make medicine is made in China
Pompeo says Iran must 'tell the truth' on coronavirus
Pompeo says that both China and Iran could have better contained coronavirus if they allowed free expression
Fourth person from quarantined Japan ship dies – local media
Several people who left the boat after getting the all-clear have since tested positive, the health ministry admits
South Korea 'very grave,' Moon says as coronavirus cases approach 1,000
(UPDATED) More than 80% of the infections have been in South Korean city Daegu and the neighboring North Gyeongsang province
China reports 71 more coronavirus deaths
A WHO expert warns of outbreaks in other countries 'increasing at exponential growth rates'
4 more Middle East nations report coronavirus cases
Bahrain shuts 3 schools after a man who had transported children to the institutions tested positive after returning from Iran
WHO warns of pandemic risk after virus peaks in China
(UPDATED) The spread of the disease continues unabated with Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, and Oman announcing their first cases on Monday
WHO tells world to brace for 'potential pandemic' as virus spreads
(3rd UPDATE) The number of fatalities in China also continues to soar, with 150 more deaths taking the official toll to nearly 2,600
South Korea becomes biggest coronavirus center outside China
South Korean President Moon Jae-in raises the country's virus alert to red, the highest level
Xi says China facing 'big test' with virus, global impact spreads
The virus has so far killed more than 2,400 people, with about 80,000 infected globally
Spread of coronavirus confirms WHO fears, say experts
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has already sounded the alarm, saying the window to stem the virus is shrinking
No PH travel ban vs Singapore amid Filipino coronavirus case
Philippine Ambassador Joseph Yap tells Rappler the situation in Singapore is improving, and ‘there is even less reason now to have travel restrictions of any kind’
5th coronavirus death in Italy as infections mount
(3rd UPDATE) The head of the country's civil protection agency, Angelo Borrelli, says 219 people have now tested positive in Italy, which has the most confirmed cases in Europe
Russia-linked disinformation campaign fueling coronavirus alarm, U.S. says
The claims include allegations that the virus is a US effort to 'wage economic war on China,' that it is a biological weapon manufactured by the CIA or part of a Western-led effort 'to push anti-China messages'
COVID-19: Tips for a saner digital diet in these viral times
'Now's the best time to give ourselves an immunity shot to avoid succumbing to misinformation, malice, and meanness'
Quarantine nightmare still not over for left-behind cruise ship crew
While passengers on board were confined to their cabins around the clock apart from an hour of fresh air on deck, most of the Diamond Princess crew did not undergo quarantine as they were needed to keep the ship running
Iraq, Kuwait on alert as coronavirus deaths rise in Iran
(UPDATED) Both Iraq and Kuwait, which respectively share land and maritime borders with Iran, have not confirmed any cases of the virus internally
Ukraine protesters clash with police over coronavirus evacuees
Dozens of protesters block a road near a local hospital even before officials confirm that the site would hold evacuees
South Korea confirms 52 more coronavirus cases, total 156
South Korea is now the worst-infected country outside China
Australian coronavirus victims had tested negative in Japan
(UPDATED) The evacuees are positive for coronavirus but were earlier cleared in Japan
Chinese man argues against deportation from Canada, citing virus
The man says he was scared for his life when he was ordered out of the country 'straight into an epidemic of a deadly virus which still rages'
New virus outbreaks in China, abroad rekindle concerns
(UPDATED) The number of deaths outside mainland China climb to 11
Isolated, training in masks: coronavirus hits China's Olympic hopes
The coronavirus outbreak hits a critical stage in the Chinese athletes' Olympic buildup
1st South Korea virus patient dies as number of infections doubles
(UPDATED) A man in his 60s in North Gyeongsang province tests positive for the coronavirus after dying Wednesday, February 19, following symptoms of pneumonia
China announces biggest drop in new virus cases in almost a month
Outside of Hubei, the number of cases has been steadily falling
2 former Japan cruise ship passengers die – media
(UPDATED) They are the first fatal cases among the more than 600 who were onboard the cruise ship
Coronavirus brings 2 foes together, Japan and China
Photos are seen online of Japanese pharmacies with signs saying 'Let's go, China!'
Japan hits back at 'chaotic' cruise ship quarantine claims
'Is it really safe to get off?' screams a headline in the Nikkan Sports tabloid
Coronavirus outbreak slashes China carbon emissions – study
China's carbon emissions have dropped by least 100 million metric tons over the past two weeks, the study says
