In Pictures

In Pictures: The coronavirus outbreak around the world

Hundreds of new cases confirmed outside China as coronavirus spreads to more than 30 countries.

Volunteers in protective suits are being disinfected in a line in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hubei province, China February 22, 2020. Picture taken February 22, 2020. C — Volunteers in protective suits are disinfected in Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, in Hubei province, China. [China Daily/Reuters]

Countries around the world stepped up efforts to prevent a pandemic of the flu-like virus that has now infected more than 80,000 people.

On Tuesday, China reported 508 new coronavirus infections as the outbreak has continued to spread to other parts of Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

In Italy, authorities set up roadblocks, called off football matches, and shuttered sites, including the famed La Scala opera house.

In Iran, the government said 15 people had died nationwide, while five neighbouring countries – Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Afghanistan – reported their first coronavirus cases with all those infected having links to Iran.

People wearing protective masks are seen at the Ueno park, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Tokyo, Japan, February 23, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha - RC2A6F9ZYH1L — People wearing protective masks are seen at Ueno park following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, in Tokyo, Japan. [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

Government officials give out masks free of charge as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak, in Bangkok, Thailand February 7, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun - RC2OVE9IKLNR — Government officials hand out masks as a preventive measure against the coronavirus outbreak in Bangkok, Thailand. [Soe Zeya Tun/Reuters]

A policewoman wearing a protective mask stands next to carnival revellers at Venice Carnival, which the last two days of, as well as Sunday night''s festivities, have been cancelled because of an outbr — A policewoman in a mask stands next to carnival revellers at the Venice Carnival. The carnival's last two days were cancelled as cases of infection with coronavirus rose in Italy. [Ohad Zwigenberg/Reuters]

A ground staff member of Vietnam Airlines and passengers wearing protective mask, following an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, wait for boarding at the Danang airport in Danang city, Vietnam Februa — Passengers and a staff member of Vietnam Airlines wear masks while waiting to board at Danang airport. [Kham/Reuters]

Iraqi children wear protective masks as they walk near a religious school where the first coronavirus case was detected, following the outbreak of the new coronavirus, in the holy city of Najaf, Iraq — Iraqi children walk near a religious school where the first coronavirus case was detected in the holy city of Najaf. [Alaa al-Marjani/Reuters]

Workers wearing protective suits spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at a market in Bupyeong, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 24, 2020. South Korea reported another large jump in new — Workers spray disinfectant as a precaution against the coronavirus at a market in Bupyeong, South Korea. [Lee Jong-chul/Newsis/AP]

A figures depicting the coronavirus is pictured during the "Rosenmontag" (Rose Monday) parade in Duesseldorf, Germany February 24, 2020. REUTERS/Thilo Schmuelgen - RC207F9SY8C7 — A figure depicting the coronavirus is passed around during the Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) parade in Duesseldorf, Germany. [Thilo Schmuelgen/Reuters]

Iranian women wearing protective masks to prevent contracting a coronavirus walk at Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran February 20, 2020. WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Nazanin Tabatabaee via REUTERS ATTENTI — Iranian women walk at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, after 15 people were reported dead from the coronavirus. [Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA/Reuters]

A pharmactist shows protective facemasks used to prevent from COVID-19 novel coronavirus, in The Hague, on February 24, 2020. (Photo by Phil NIJHUIS / ANP / AFP) / Netherlands OUT — A pharmacist shows protective face masks used to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus in The Hague, the Netherlands. [Phil Nijhuis/ANP/AFP]