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.