Many countries have had to take emergency measures to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic.

New glimmers of hope in China’s efforts to control the Covid-19 epidemic are being dented by a series of new outbreaks elsewhere in the world, most notably in South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran, threatening to turn the epidemic into a crisis like the one in Wuhan, China. Many countries are taking drastic emergency measures to control the epidemic.

China continued to report a decline in new cases outside the epicenter of Hubei today.However, new cases outside China are really worrying global health officials, with South Korea today reporting its fourth death from the SARS-CoV-2 virus and 123 new cases, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 556. Earlier yesterday, the number of SARS-CoV-2 infections in South Korea more than doubled, with most of the cases linked to a religious organization in South Korea's fourth-largest city, Daegu, and a nearby hospital.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said 18 patients had recovered as of this morning. The government has kept the virus alert level at the third highest level, “yellow,” but measures will be taken at the highest level, “red,” Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun, urged people not to panic last night, promising that the virus can be controlled if people cooperate with the government.

“Instead of being overly fearful, please follow the government’s instructions, which is to ensure hygiene rules including hand washing and disease prevention. I am sure we will overcome the current situation with everyone’s solidarity.”

Italy - the European country most seriously affected by the epidemic, with the number of new infections increasing fourfold yesterday, to 79 people with 2 deaths.

Italian authorities on February 22 passed a "strong" decree to prevent the further spread of the epidemic. The government decree prohibits people from entering and leaving areas with outbreaks, activities are under police supervision. If necessary, the army will be mobilized and criminal measures will be applied to violations; Stop educational activities (movement of students) in Italy and abroad, suspend all public activities in Lombardy and Veneto. The decree also clearly states the closure of schools, shops and museums, stop work at private and state-owned enterprises that do not affect essential services, suspend competitions and restrict movement.

Although these measures have greatly affected people's lives, many people agree and support them: "The SARS-CoV-2 virus is really serious, so we need to take measures to protect ourselves. I need to protect my health and my family's health."

“Closing public activities is effective in controlling the virus. I strongly support it.”

Iran also announced 10 new cases yesterday, bringing the total number of infections to 29 and 6 deaths, raising concerns about the outbreak in this country as well as neighboring countries in the Gulf. This morning, Japan recorded 1 more case of SARS-CoV-2 infection, bringing the total number of infections in this country to 775.

As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads rapidly in many other countries around the world, the US yesterday raised its travel warning level for Japan and South Korea. The World Health Organization said it is developing support plans for countries vulnerable to the pandemic but with weaker health systems, including 13 countries in Africa./.