U.K. Asks Britons to Leave China; Cases Top 20,600: Virus Update

• The U.K. government asked its citizens to leave China, while Hong Kong reported a death from the coronavirus, confirming the second fatality outside the mainland. More than 20,600 cases have now been reported, an increase from about 17,000 the previous day.
• The World Health Organization said the virus hasn’t caused a pandemic, but the U.S. said it was preparing for one.
• Economists cut China’s growth forecasts as the impact on businesses grew. Macau has asked casinos to shut for half a month, Cathay Pacific plans to slash flights to China and BP Plc predicted a slump in oil demand this year.

(Source: Bloomberg)