North Korea has quarantined 380 foreigners in a bid to stop the coronavirus from breaking out.

Photo: AFP

The foreigners are mostly diplomats stationed in the capital Pyongyang, said news agency Yonhap, quoting the Korean Central Broadcasting Station.

Around 200 foreigners had already been confined to their compounds for the past 30 days - but as that came to an end, the quarantine has been extended.

There have not been any reported cases of Covid-19 in North Korea.

It's not known how long the new quarantine for foreigners will last.

In South Korea, seven people have died with 763 people infected. Around 7700 troops have been quarantined after 11 military members were infected.

The virus, which emerged in China, has spread to at least 29 countries. Italy has the highest number of coronavirus cases in Europe, with 152.

Around 50,000 people in two northern "hotspot" regions - Veneto and Lombardy - have been put under quarantine for two weeks.

Iran has also confirmed 43 cases of the virus and eight deaths.

In the Chinese city of Wuhan, where the virus emerged, healthy non-residents who are not under quarantine - and have not shown any symptoms - will be allowed to leave.

People with special reasons to leave, including those who need to seek treatment, may also be permitted to do so.

Both groups will be required to apply for approval before leaving and will have to monitor their health for the next 14 days.

The city has been in lockdown since January 23, with authorities cutting off transport links in and out of the city.

North Korea has not confirmed any cases - but there are clearly fears of it spreading, as the country shares a border with China.

All foreigners coming into the country must be quarantined for 30 days.

There are relatively few foreigners in North Korea, and only around 200 westerners, according to one expert.

North Korean authorities have also cancelled the annual Pyongyang marathon, which typically sees people from all over the world participating.

Around 3,000 people in North Pyongan province - a north-western region bordering China - are also now under monitoring for reportedly showing suspected symptoms, said state media.

South Korea has the largest number of confirmed cases outside China, after a huge spike in the past week.

Before last Thursday the country had recorded just 31 cases. That number has now jumped to 763.

Eight new cases of the virus have been reported in the army, and one in the navy, air force and marine corps - bringing the number to 11.

But the biggest virus clusters have been linked to a hospital and a religious group near the south-eastern city of Daegu.

-BBC