Coronavirus spreads to Croatia, Austria after Italy outbreak

Greece, Switzerland, Croatia and Austria have all confirmed their first cases of coronavirus, as the number of infections continues to rise in Italy.

According to the authorities, all of the new cases – one in Greece, two in Austria, one in Croatia, one in Switzerland – had travelled to northern Italy. 

Italy has been the worst affected, with the number of infections soaring to 322 and 11 deaths.

However, European nations have decided closing borders would be "disproportionate". 

"We're talking about a virus that doesn't respect borders," said Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza.

Meanwhile, a number of schools in England and Northern Ireland have been ordered to close after students returned from school ski trips in the virus-struck Lombardy region in Italy.

A second person infected with the coronavirus has died in France, with the health ministry adding that number of confirmed cases have totalled to 17.