EU to hold video conference briefing amid virus

A European Union summit via computer. The EU parliament a virtual ghost village in a shortened session. The assembly's president working from home, self-isolating due to coronavirus.

In a rare event, the EU's presidents and prime ministers have decided to hold a video-conference summit at around 1600 GMT Tuesday to coordinate efforts to respond to the outbreak that has seen a national lock-down imposed in member state Italy.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World  Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.