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The focus of the coronavirus outbreak is shifting – from China to the rest of the world, particularly Europe, where a number of countries are starting to see multiple cases.

On the face of it, this seems like bad news. More people are being affected in more countries and clusters of deaths in Iran, South Korea and northern Italy are concerning.

But there are positives too. China appears to be getting on top of the virus with the number of new cases each day reducing.

This suggests that efforts to contain the virus by telling people to stay at home, stopping large public gatherings and preventing travel are working.

The message from officials at the World Health Organization is that containment is still possible and a global pandemic is not inevitable.

This view has been echoed in the UK where the government has warned of the social and economic costs of overreacting in response to the outbreak.

Keeping the public safe is the priority – but so is acting in a balanced and responsible way.

However, with several sporting events being cancelled and postponed across Europe, playing down the panic is a challenge.