What we're covering here

The coronavirus is a health epidemic affecting thousands of people across the world. As the crisis continues, companies and NGOs will be sharing vital news and information to a global audience. Over the next few weeks, thenewsmarket.com will be publishing key stories and client advice related to the outbreak.

• The latest numbers: The novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,000 people, the vast majority in mainland China. There are now more than 88,000 global cases, with infections on every continent except Antarctica.
• Europe raises alert level: There was a 50% increase in cases in Italy yesterday, a significant jump in cases in Germany on Monday, and the Louvre remains closed in Paris as cases rise in France.
• Death toll spikes: China's Hubei province announced 242 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, which is known officially as Covid-19, today — twice as many as on the previous day. New infections there jumped by more than 14,000.