Europeans vow to stand united to contain coronavirus

BRUSSELS－European Union leaders have vowed to stand united in their fight against the novel coronavirus outbreak and have set up a fund to help overburdened healthcare systems, as the virus continues to take its toll across the continent.

Europe had a total of 14,890 confirmed cases, including 532 deaths, by Tuesday, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control said.

The pledges came during a rare emergency video conference among leaders of the 27-nation bloc, as the virus spread to all member countries and continues to take its toll on European politics, forcing meetings to be canceled, a parliamentary session to be cut short, and even some senior officials to be sent home to work.

"Our citizens' health is the first priority," European Council President Charles Michel said.

"We have decided to act. We have decided to be fast, and to be strong, and to work together."

EU leaders have agreed that the health and interior ministers of member states will talk daily to ensure that all border or quarantine measures are coordinated with their neighbors. The EU's executive commission will take a Europe-wide inventory of all medical equipment, particularly masks and respirators, and buy more if needed.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the EU has set up a joint investment fund with 25 billion euros ($28 billion) from existing resources to cushion the blow to vulnerable sectors of the bloc's economies. However, the fund will have no fresh money, an EU official said, raising doubts about its effectiveness to provide a sufficient fiscal boost to counter a serious downturn.

Spain reported 47 deaths and over 2,000 infections as of Wednesday, making it the second-worst hit country in Europe after Italy.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez spoke to the country on Tuesday evening to give a "message of calm" over fears about the spread of the virus, as the government announced further measures including all sporting events being held behind closed doors.

In Madrid, where more than 1,000 cases have been confirmed, libraries, sports centers and concert halls have been closed.

"In order to (handle) this public health emergency, we will do everything that is needed, where it is needed and when it is needed," Sanchez said.

British MP Nadine Dorries, a minister in the health department, said on Tuesday that she had tested positive for coronavirus, raising concerns about whether senior government figures had also been infected.

The United Kingdom reported its sixth death on Tuesday, with more than 370 confirmed cases.

News of the latest death was announced shortly after it was confirmed that the British government had reserved an entire hotel close to London's Heathrow airport for foreign nationals arriving in the UK who need to self-isolate.

In Germany, Berlin city authorities on Wednesday banned all events with more than 1,000 participants until the end of the Easter holidays in mid-April.

From Wednesday, Greece will shut down all educational institutions for 14 days.

Julian Shea in London, Xinhua and agencies contributed to this story.