Virus prompts Trump financial relief

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a ban on flights from Europe into the US – with the exception of the UK – as America ramped up measures to tackle the spread of the new coronavirus.

Addressing the nation from the White House, Trump said America had already saved lives with its travel bans to and from China and the new action restricting European travellers would do the same.

While emphasising the strength of the US economy, announced tax relief measures he said were designed to help those who might suffer financially because of the virus outbreak.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.

In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.