Coronavirus: Spain confirms first case on remote island in the Canaries

Spain has confirmed the country's first case of corona virus after a man was diagnosed with the flu-like virus.

The patient is one of five German nationals who have been held in isolation in La Boomerang, a rural island in the Canaries, according to the country's National Centre for Microbiology.

It comes after British Airways and Spain’s Iberia have both suspended all flights to China.

The total number of deaths from a corona virus epidemic in China had reached 259 by the end of Friday, an increase of 46, state broadcaster CCTV said, citing numbers from the country's National Health Commission.

There were 2,102 new confirmed infections in China during the day, bringing the cumulative total to 11,791.

The local health commission of Huber Province, the epicentre of the epidemic, earlier on Saturday reported 45 new deaths from the outbreak on Friday, bringing the total to 259.

The province remains under virtual quarantine, with roads sealed off and public transport shut down, but small numbers of travellers continue to breach the lock down.

The World Health Organisation declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern on Thursday.

Cities across China have continued to implement special measures aimed at curbing the spread of the pathogen.

Tianjin, a city in northern China with around 15 million people, said all schools and businesses would be suspended until further notice.