The coronavirus continued its global human and economic destruction over the weekend.

Hong Kong’s finance chief warned the city is being threatened by a “Tsunami-like cataclysm,” while inside China top leadership pledged further fiscal and monetary steps to help growth rebound.

Austria halted a train from Italy for fear of two infected passengers. This came after Italy -- now the virus’s epicenter in Europe -- canceled the Venice Carnival and other events. A travel ban affecting about 50,000 people was implemented.

South Korea raised the country’s infectious-disease alert to the highest level after a 20-fold increase in cases. A Chinese study showed how extended stays on ventilators are straining hospitals at the disease’s epicenter.

Key Developments

• South Korea raises alert to highest level as cases reach 602
• Italy infections reach 140
• China cases rose to at least 76,936, with 2,442 fatalities
• IMF’s Georgieva says outbreak puts recovery at risk