Coronavirus spreading to more countries globally, with the Netherlands, Estonia and Denmark confirming first cases.

The number of new infections inside China was for the first time overtaken by fresh cases elsewhere on Wednesday, with Italy, Iran and South Korea emerging as new hotspots for COVID-19.

Iran's vice president infected by coronavirus

Masoumeh Ebtekar, vice president of Iran for Women and Family Affairs, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

The vice president is also known as the English-language spokeswoman for the 1979 hostage-takers who seized the US embassy in Tehran and sparked the 444-day diplomatic crisis.

On Tuesday, Iranian officials confirmed that Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi had been infected and was under quarantine.

A Kuwaiti health ministry official said the country now has 43 confirmed cases of coronavirus, all involving people who had been to Iran.
UAE suspends passenger ferry services with Iran

The United Arab Emirates has suspended passenger ferry services with Iran until further notice over coronavirus fears, state media said.

The UAE has also obliged all commercial ships coming to the country to provide a statement on the health status of their crews 72 hours before arrival to help prevent the spread of the virus, according to WAM news agency.