Washington (Web Desk): The death from coronavirus in the United States (US) rose to 17 on Saturday.
According to US officials, 21 people aboard a cruise ship that was barred from docking in San Francisco have tested positive for coronavirus.
US Vice President Mike Pence, who is running the White House’s response to the outbreak, said at a news conference that 19 crew members and two passengers out of 46 people tested so far on the Grand Princess ship had the virus.
He said the vessel with about 3,500 passengers and crew would be taken to a non-commercial port where everyone on board would be tested.
US President Donald Trump said he would rather have passengers remain on board the vessel, but that he would let others decide if they can disembark.
As per the World Health Organisation (WHO), novel coronavirus has killed more than 3,400 people in more than 90 countries and infected more than 100,000 worldwide.
According to reports, the death toll in China is reducing while it increased in Europe and other countries including the US, North Korea, Iran and others.
In Iran cases have risen by more than 1,200 in 24 hours. Italy sees another big jump in confirmed coronavirus cases to 3,916.
Countries, including the Vatican, Serbia, Slovakia, Peru and Togo reported their first cases.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has said that over 290 million students worldwide missing schools due to spread of coronavirus.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, said that nine more countries have implemented localised school closures and if these countries close schools nationwide, a further 180 million children will be prevented from attending school.
Official UNESCO figures show that the vast majority of learners affected are in China over 233,000,000, followed by Japan almost 16,500,000, and Iran more than 14,500,000.
The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) broke out in the central Chinese province of Hubei in December.
The mysterious disease has triggered panic around the globe after it killed more than 3,400 people in more than 90 countries (mostly in China) and affected more than 100,000 around the world.
