The International Monetary Fund IMF stressed the importance of international cooperation and called on the international community to combine their efforts in combating the epidemic.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel called an emergency meeting of state governors to discuss ways to deal with the epidemic. She said the two main goals right now are containing the virus and protecting the German economy.

The Latvian government on Thursday declared a national emergency until April 14 in a bid to stop the novel coronavirus from spreading.

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa said Thursday that Portugal will close all schools beginning Monday.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, declared an emergency in the US city, where 95 people have tested positive for the novel coronavirus.