The Deadly Virus Sweeping Across China Could Slash Its Economic Growth, S&p Warns

Andrew Burton/Getty Images The virus spreading across China could slow its economic growth by 1.2 percentage points. The coronavirus has sickened about 900 people and killed 26 so far. Chinese authorities have locked down a dozen cities and restricted the movements of 30 million people. However, stocks rose on positive signs for EU interest rates and European manufacturing. Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories. The virus sweeping across China could knock 1.2 percentage points off the growth rate of the world's largest economy, S&P Global Ratings estimated, according to Bloomberg. The SARS-like coronavirus has infected around 900 people and killed 26, prompting Chinese authorities to lock down a dozen cities and restrict the movements of 30 million people.