Coronavirus latest updates: Asian markets tumble as New York confirms first case

Australia’s stock exchange falls 2% on opening as investors flee on fears of coronavirus spread. Follow live newsWashington state nursing home placed on lockdownNew coronavirus cases jump sharply in Europe, with Italy worst hitCoronavirus outbreak: the key scientific questions answeredEpidemics expert Jonathan Quick: ‘The worst-case scenario for coronavirus is likely’ 1.54am GMT Chinese factory activity slumped to its sharpest contraction on record, according to a survey released on Monday, after the virus crippled manufacturing in February.The closely watched Caixin/Markit manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) tumbled to 40.3 last month, the lowest level since the survey began in 2004, and down sharply from the 51.1 reading in January, Reuters reports. The 50 mark separates growth from contraction. JUST In:#China’s Caixin #manufacturing #PMI fell to 40.3 in Feb, vs previous 51.1, expected 46.Official PMI mainly tracks large companies, mostly SOEs. Caixin PMI tracks smaller companies. https://t.co/2m5A6TYOR8Just breaking, Caixin / Markit PMI survey of China’s manufacturing sector shows a record low in February, 40.3 – way, way below the forecasts (again). 1.49am GMT The online giant Amazon has confirmed that two of its employees in Milan have tested positive for coronavirus. Continue reading…
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