Coronavirus cases outside China hit 20,000: WHO

France confirmed on Saturday a total of 949 cases of coronavirus infection, up 336 from the previous day, and 16 deaths, according to Health General Director Jerome Salomon.

"The virus is actively spreading in certain areas that we are monitoring closely," Salomon said, adding that France remained at "Stage 2", or the pre-epidemic level, in the country's epidemic alert system, which meant that the virus is not yet actively spreading all over the country.

Since Feb 28, all gatherings which expected to draw 5,000 people in confined spaces as well as certain events in an open environment have been banned across France. Some 150 schools were shut down, involving 45,000 students and 3,000 teachers.

Local authorities especially of two heavily affected regions -- l'Oise in northern France and Haut-Rhin near German borders -- have ordered the closure of all educational institutions for 15 days starting from March 9.

According to Minister of Education Jean-Michel Blanquer, 155,000 students are involved in l'Oise and 127,000 in Haut-Rhin, all of whom will be able to follow "class at home".

At the daily briefing, Salomon once again urged people, notably the children, to limit visits to elderly people, who are most vulnerable to a coronavirus infection.

He also reiterated the need to respect "simple and effective barrier gestures," including frequent hand washing, using one-time tissues, coughing or sneezing into the elbow, avoiding handshakes and hugs.

In Germany, the German news agency dpa reported that the country's total cases went up to around 800 on Saturday.