Coronavirus latest: Death toll rises to 42 as deadly virus continues to spread

The coronavirus has killed 42 people in China and infected more than 1,300 globally, since the outbreak began in the city of Wuhan.

The World Health Organisation said a total of 1,320 confirmed cases have been reported around the world by Saturday evening (GMT).

China's president Xi Jinping said the nation faces a "grave situation" as the coronavirus spreads.

He told a policy meeting, aimed at looking for measures to fight the outbreak, that the virus was "accelerating its spread".

The fatalities so far have been contained to China, which has placed a reported 56 million people on lock down, with the majority occurring in the Hubei province around Wuhan.

Thailand has now reported five cases, Australia has reported four and Singapore, France, Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia have all reported three.

Vietnam, South Korea and the United States have both reported two and Nepal one.

Authorities have tested 31 people for coronavirus across the UK, though all there results have come back negative.

The Foreign Office has updated its travel advice to Britons in China, advising against all travel to Wuhan City following the coronavirus outbreak.

"The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Wuhan City," guidance on the gov.uk website now reads.

"If you are in this area and able to leave, you should do so. This is due to the ongoing novel coronavirus outbreak."

There are no confirmed diagnoses in UK citizens abroad.

The update comes as the Department of Health bids to track down around 2,000 people who have recently flown into the UK from Wuhan, the area of China worst affected by the outbreak and where it is thought to have originated.

The previously unknown strain of virus is now believed to have emerged late last year from illegally traded wildlife at an animal market in Wuhan.

Symptoms include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Those most affected are older people and those with underlying health conditions.

China says the virus is mutating and can be transmitted through human contact.