The Latest: UK sees 1st virus death, Italy jumps to 148 dead

© Provided by Associated Press In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, workers returning from Henan province alight from a specially arranged train at the Shenzhen North Railway Station before dividing into groups to be bused to their workplace in Shenzhen, southern China's Guangdong Province, March 5, 2020. Factories are gradually reopening in China months after the new coronavirus that first emerged there upended daily routines. While China looked for signs that life would return to normal, other parts of the world started to experience what the country and its people went through. (Liang Xu/Xinhua via AP) NO SALES

BANGKOK (AP) — The Latest on the virus outbreak (all times local):

12 midnight

© Provided by Associated Press Examiners sit in an empty classroom as they listen to students defending their thesis on line, at the Politecnico University in Milan, Italy, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Italy's virus outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country have prompted the government to close all schools and Universities nationwide for two weeks. (Gian Luigi D'Alberto/LaPresse via AP)

A patient with an underlying health condition in southeast England has died after testing positive for the new coronavirus, the first person in the UK to succumb to the disease.

© Provided by Associated Press A woman wearing a face mask walks past a fashion store's front window in Monte Napoleone shopping street in Milan, Italy, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Italy's virus outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country has prompted the government to close all schools and Universities nationwide for two weeks. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni)

The person, who was not identified, is among the 115 people in the U.K. who have tested positive for the new virus. Switzerland also reported its first virus death on Thursday.

Italy has by far the highest number of dead in Europe at 148 people. France has reported six deaths.

England’s chief medical officer said Thursday that U.K. authorities have largely shifted from efforts to contain the new coronavirus to now attempting to delay its spread. Chris Whitty said there's evidence the virus is being passed from person to person in the U.K.

He said Britain’s official response had gone from “mainly contain with some delay” to “mainly delay.”

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11:30 p.m.

The head of the World Health Organization says nations cannot stop their battle against the coronavirus that is sweeping across the globe.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, speaking in Geneva on Thursday, told reporters: "This is not a drill. This is not the time for giving up. This is not a time of for excuses. This is a time for pulling out all the stops."

He added that "countries have been planning for scenarios like this for decades. Now is the time to act on those plans."

© Provided by Associated Press World Health Organization, WHO, workers prepare coronavirus aid items to be shipped, at a warehouse of the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Thursday, March 5, 2020. In an open expanse of desert in Dubai, seven World Health Organization workers are racing to sort, package and send out hundreds of shipments of medical supplies to countries around the world battling a new virus that has spread fast, disrupting life for millions of people globally. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)

He said "the worst thing that can happen to any country or even to any individual is giving up. So WHO is saying don't give up. Don't surrender."

U.S. health officials, meanwhile, said Thursday said they expect a far lower death rate for the virus than WHO's current estimate of 3.4% -- saying that it does not account for mild cases that go uncounted. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir, citing a model that included mild cases, said the U.S. could expect a death rate somewhere between 0.1% — like seasonal flu — and 1%.

© Provided by Associated Press Pedestrians wear face masks as they walk at Piccadilly Circus main tourist destination in central London, as the public are asked to take precautions to protect themselves from the COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak, Thursday, March 5, 2020.(AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

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10:50 p.m.

A U.S. envoy says the United States has offered humanitarian assistance to Iran to help them deal with their coronavirus outbreak but "the regime rejected the offer."

© Provided by Associated Press People visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Palestinian authorities said the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built atop the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, will close indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

U.S. special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, spoke Thursday at a news conference in Paris. Iran has reported 107 virus deaths, same as Italy, the two hardest-hit nations outside of China.

© Provided by Associated Press Indian social activists distribute masks to pedestrians at the landmark Charminar in Hyderabad, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

In an interview later, Hook says "we asked the regime to identify what their needs are" but Iran did not respond. He said the offer would stand.

© Provided by Associated Press A woman wears a mask outside a hospital that also has a special ward set aside for possible COVID-19 patients, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

Hook also said the U.S. has asked Iran to release all Americans from its prisons "on medical furloughs" over fears the coronavirus may be infesting the country's prisons. He said five Americans are being held in Iran. He added that Washington was working through Switzerland on this and could not provide more details.

© Provided by Associated Press A child wears a mask and walks in a hospital that also has a special ward set aside for possible COVID-19 patients, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

Hook attributed the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Iran to “the government's mismanagement.”

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10:30 p.m.

A school district north of Seattle with 22,000 students will close for up to two weeks because of coronavirus concerns.

© Provided by Associated Press A security officer wears a mask outside a special ward set aside for possible COVID-19 patients, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

All 26 schools in the Northshore School District will be closed for up to two weeks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and protect vulnerable staff members, the district's superintendent said in a letter to parents. The district is largely in Bothell, Washington, 20 miles north of Seattle.

© Provided by Associated Press People visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Palestinian authorities said the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built atop the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, will close indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

There have been at least 39 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Seattle area. Ten people have died.

© Provided by Associated Press A security officer wears a mask outside a special ward set aside for possible COVID-19 patients, in Mumbai, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)

Northshore School District superintendent Michelle Reid said school officials will consult with health authorities on further recommendations.

The district had closed a high school for two days last week over concerns about coronavirus exposure. Reid said about 20% of students had been absent recently as parents decided to self-quarantine students at home.

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9 p.m.

© Provided by Associated Press Environmental Services member Maggie Masstrapa cleans behind an infection control warning poster at the Palm Garden of Tampa Health and Rehabilitation Center Thursday, March 5, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Health inspectors were fanning out across the country, ordered by the White House, to ensure that Medicare providers, including hospitals and nursing homes were following federal infection control policies, focusing on areas where cases of the deadly coronavirus were confirmed. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

South Africa has announced its first confirmed case of the new coronavirus.

Health Minister Zwele Mkhize said a 38-year-old man had returned this week from Italy with his wife and other travelers. He fell ill at his home in the KwaZulu-Natal province Tuesday and was tested. A health team is now getting in touch with all the people he had contact with.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will speak to the nation later Thursday about the health challenge posed by the virus.

South Africa is the first country in southern Africa and the third in sub-Saharan Africa to register a case of the new coronavirus. To date, seven countries in Africa have recorded cases: Algeria, Senegal, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa.

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8:35 p.m.

Italy has placed temporary restrictions on visiting relatives in nursing homes and is urging the elderly not to go outside unless absolutely necessary.

The Italian government, which closed schools nationwide to try to contain the coronavirus, has opened a campaign to urge ordinary Italians to do their part to limit infections given that Italy’s elderly population risks overwhelming the public health system with virus cases.

Italy, the epicenter of the outbreak in Europe, has the world’s oldest population after Japan. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 virus. The 107 people who have died so far in Italy are all elderly, sick with other complications or both.

In a decree that takes effect Thursday, the government is limiting access to the elderly in nursing homes to prevent possible contagion.

Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte justified the extraordinary measure of closing schools and universities nationwide until March 15 by warning that there might not be enough intensive care units to treat patients if the virus continues its “exponential” spread.

© Provided by Associated Press Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte speaks during a press conference on economic measures to help facing consequences of the virus outbreak, in Rome, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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6:10 p.m.

Facebook says it’s temporarily closing an office in Seattle after a worker was diagnosed with the new virus.

“A contractor based in our Stadium East office has been diagnosed with the COVID-19,” the company said. “We’ve notified our employees and are following the advice of public health officials to prioritize everyone’s health and safety.”

Facebook said the last time the worker came to the office was on Feb. 21, so it will shut the office until March 9, when the incubation period ends. The company is following guidance from local authorities and encouraging Seattle staff to work from home until March 31.

© Provided by Associated Press Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte speaks during a press conference on economic measures to help facing consequences of the virus outbreak, in Rome, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

An Amazon employee at the e-commerce giant’s Seattle office also reportedly tested positive for the virus this week.

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6 p.m.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan will impose a 14-day quarantine on all visitors from China and South Korea before they are allowed an entry permit.

© Provided by Associated Press Tourists wear masks and walk on a street in Kolkata, India, Thursday, March 5, 2020. A new virus first detected in China has infected more than 90,000 people globally and caused over 3,100 deaths. The World Health Organization has named the illness COVID-19, referring to its origin late last year and the coronavirus that causes it. (AP Photo/Bikas Das)

They will be sent to a government facility for the quarantine and will not be allowed to use public transportation, Abe said Thursday as officials stepped up their efforts against the spread of the virus.

© Provided by Associated Press Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte and Finance Minister Roberto Gualtieri are reflected on a mirror during a press conference on economic measures to help facing consequences of the virus outbreak, in Rome, Thursday, March 5, 2020. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

Japan has more than 1,050 confirmed cases, including 706 from a quarantined cruise ship, as transmission inside Japan has accelerated. Abe said the current week or two is a crucial time for Japan to get the outbreak under control as his government faces pressure to contain the virus ahead of the Tokyo Olympics.

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5:30 p.m.

Authorities in Switzerland say a 74-year-old woman infected with the new virus has died, the first confirmed death in the country.

© Provided by Associated Press Flags wave on empty stands ahead of the women's Biathlon World Cup 7,5 km sprint event in Nove Mesto na Morave, Czech Republic, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Due to the coronavirus the Biathlon World Cup will take place without spectators. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

The Federal Office of Public Health said Thursday that the death was reported by authorities in the western canton of Vaud. The woman had been hospitalized since Tuesday.

© Provided by Associated Press Masked tourist walks by an oil on canvas of 1814 entitled Leonidas at Thermopylae, by Jacques Louis David, at the Louvre Museum in Paris, Thursday, March 5, 2020. With the COVID-19 virus taking firmer hold in Europe, the continent is facing the same complications seen in Asia weeks ago. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

As of Wednesday afternoon, 58 infections had been confirmed in Switzerland.

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5:25 p.m.

Sri Lankan health authorities say they have decided to quarantine all Sri Lankan passengers arriving from Italy, South Korea and Iran for 14 days.

They will be quarantined at a center to be set up at a state-run hospital formerly used to treat leprosy patients on the outskirts of the capital, Colombo. Soldiers are now converting the hospital into a quarantine center.

Sri Lanka officially eliminated leprosy in 1995 and the facility was used for the country’s 16 remaining patients, who will now be transferred to another hospital.

More than 104,000 Sri Lankans reside in Italy, with more than 60% in the Lombardy region that has been hit hard by the virus. More than 20,000 Sri Lankans reside in South Korea.

© Provided by Associated Press A woman wearing a mask poses for photos at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, in Rome, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Italy's virus outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country has prompted the government to close all schools and Universities nationwide for two weeks. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

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5:25 p.m.

© Provided by Associated Press A pilgrim prays outside the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Palestinian authorities said the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, built atop the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born, will close indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean)

The virus outbreak couldn’t have come at a worse time for millions of Hindus who are preparing to celebrate Holi, the festival in which people smear each others' faces with colorful powder.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other Hindu nationalist leaders said they won't attend any celebrations on March 10 because of the coronavirus outbreak and are advising people to exercise restraint.

Modi tweeted that he would not celebrate Holi as experts have advised that mass gatherings should be reduced.

Community leaders are canceling street celebrations as well as large gatherings of people in condominiums.

Across India and Nepal and in countries with Indian migrants, Hindus celebrate Holi, the joyous festival of color, smearing one another with red and yellow powders and spraying each other with squirt guns. Water-filled balloons are also used to color each other.

© Provided by Associated Press A visitors wearing a mask walks towards a circular doorway at a park in Beijing on Thursday, March 5, 2020. In places around the globe, a split was developing. China has been issuing daily reports of new infections that are drastically down from their highs, factories there are gradually reopening and there is a growing sense that normalcy might not be that far off. Meanwhile, countries elsewhere are seeing escalating caseloads and a litany of cancellations, closures, travel bans and supply shortages. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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4 p.m.

China says a visit by its president, Xi Jinping, to Japan has been called off because both countries are focusing on combating the virus outbreak.

Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian says the two sides will be in close communication about a new time for the visit.

"The two countries both agree that President Xi Jinping's state visit to Japan must take place under the most appropriate timing, environment and atmosphere, and must be a complete success," Zhao said at a daily news briefing on Thursday.

© Provided by Associated Press A Botticella (traditional Roman horse-driven touristic carriage) driver waits for customers in Piazza di Spagna, at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, in Rome, Thursday, March 5, 2020. Italy's virus outbreak has been concentrated in the northern region of Lombardy, but fears over how the virus is spreading inside and outside the country has prompted the government to close all schools and Universities nationwide for two weeks. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

The visit had been expected in April.

China has striven to improve ties with Japan as both come under U.S. tariffs meant to punish them for their trade practices. However, mutual suspicion runs high on both sides, driven in China primarily by memories of Japan's brutal occupation of parts of the country last century and China's claim to islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan.