As precautionary measure for the danger of an outbreak of the coronavirus in the UK, dozens of schools either closed or sent pupils home.
The number of deaths in European countries is climbing at a worrying rate as France reports its second death – the first French citizen – and the number of people in Italy with the virus has soared to 322, or up 45% in 24 hours, and 11 people have now died in the country.
For the first time, the number of new cases officially reported outside China has exceeded new cases reported by Beijing.
And here in Britain authorities, businesses and schools are taking stringent precautions.
In London, energy firm Chevron asked about 300 British employees to work temporarily from home after an employee in its Canary Wharf office reported a flu-like illness.