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Coronavirus Live Updates: Death Toll Reaches 56 as U.S. Finds Third Case Coronavirus Live Updates: Death Toll Reaches 56 as U.S. Finds Third Case
(32 minutes later)
China on Sunday morning announced 15 more deaths from the new coronavirus, including one in Shanghai, the first reported so far in the metropolis. China on Sunday morning announced 15 more deaths from the new coronavirus, including one in Shanghai, the first reported in the metropolis.
Thirteen more deaths were also announced in Hubei Province, where the outbreak began, and one was announced in Henan Province. The latest deaths brought the toll in China to 56.Thirteen more deaths were also announced in Hubei Province, where the outbreak began, and one was announced in Henan Province. The latest deaths brought the toll in China to 56.
Across the country, 688 cases of the new virus were diagnosed on Saturday, the government said early Sunday. That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 1,975.Across the country, 688 cases of the new virus were diagnosed on Saturday, the government said early Sunday. That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 1,975.
Deaths from the coronavirus had previously been reported outside of Hubei, the outbreak’s epicenter. But the death in Shanghai, which is among China’s most populous cities and a major commercial hub, is likely to add to anxieties about the disease’s spread.Deaths from the coronavirus had previously been reported outside of Hubei, the outbreak’s epicenter. But the death in Shanghai, which is among China’s most populous cities and a major commercial hub, is likely to add to anxieties about the disease’s spread.
Shanghai’s municipal health commission said on Sunday that the patient who died was an 88-year-old man.Shanghai’s municipal health commission said on Sunday that the patient who died was an 88-year-old man.
A person in Orange County, California, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The Orange County Health Care Agency, which received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the individual had been sent to a hospital and is in “good condition.” A person in Orange County, Calif., has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The Orange County Health Care Agency, which received confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the person had been sent to a hospital and was in “good condition.”
The patient is a traveler from Wuhan, China, and “there is no evidence that person-to-person transmission has occurred in Orange County,” according to the agency. “The current risk of local transmission remains low,” the agency said in a statement. The patient is a traveler from Wuhan, China, and “there is no evidence that person-to-person transmission has occurred in Orange County,” according to the agency. “The current risk of local transmission remains low,” it said in a statement.
It is the third confirmed case in the United States. The others involved a woman in her 60s in Chicago, and a man in his 30s in Washington state. It is the third confirmed case in the United States. The others involved a woman in her 60s in Chicago and a man in his 30s in Washington State.
China has temporarily banned the wildlife trade nationwide until the epidemic of coronavirus has passed, three government departments said in a joint statement on Sunday. China has banned the wildlife trade nationwide until the epidemic of coronavirus has passed, three government departments said in a statement on Sunday.
The outbreak has drawn fresh attention to China’s animal markets, where the sale of exotic wildlife has been linked to epidemiological risks. The Wuhan virus is believed to have spread from one such market in the city. The SARS outbreak nearly two decades ago was also traced back to the wildlife trade.The outbreak has drawn fresh attention to China’s animal markets, where the sale of exotic wildlife has been linked to epidemiological risks. The Wuhan virus is believed to have spread from one such market in the city. The SARS outbreak nearly two decades ago was also traced back to the wildlife trade.
Sunday’s statement, which was jointly issued by China’s markets regulator, agriculture ministry and forestry bureau, said that all transactions of wildlife would be forbidden immediately in wholesale markets, supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms. The statement also encourages consumers to understand the health risks of eating wild animals. Sunday’s statement, issued by China’s markets regulator, agriculture ministry and forestry bureau, said that all transactions of wildlife would be forbidden immediately in wholesale markets, supermarkets, restaurants and e-commerce platforms. The statement also encouraged consumers to understand the health risks of eating wild animals.
The consumption of exotic creatures has been driven partly by beliefs about their supposed health benefits, although such ideas are starting to lose their grip, particularly on younger people.The consumption of exotic creatures has been driven partly by beliefs about their supposed health benefits, although such ideas are starting to lose their grip, particularly on younger people.
A popular travel blogger, Wang Mengyun, apologized on social media recently for eating bat soup in a video from a few years ago.A popular travel blogger, Wang Mengyun, apologized on social media recently for eating bat soup in a video from a few years ago.
Ms. Wang, who has more than 2 million followers on the social platform Weibo, said that she had been unaware of the health risks of eating bats when she made the video in the Pacific island nation of Palau. She said she had just been trying to highlight the local cuisine. Ms. Wang, who has more than two million followers on the social platform Weibo, said that she had been unaware of the health risks of eating bats when she made the video in the Pacific island nation of Palau. She said she had been trying to highlight the local cuisine.
In her post, Ms. Wang said she wanted to make clear that the bat she ate in the video was locally raised and not wild. “Many countries around the world eat these,” she wrote.In her post, Ms. Wang said she wanted to make clear that the bat she ate in the video was locally raised and not wild. “Many countries around the world eat these,” she wrote.
Her post has since been deleted.Her post has since been deleted.
The United States government offered details on its plan to evacuate American diplomats and private citizens from the stricken city of Wuhan, saying on Sunday that it was arranging a flight that would leave on Tuesday and travel to San Francisco.The United States government offered details on its plan to evacuate American diplomats and private citizens from the stricken city of Wuhan, saying on Sunday that it was arranging a flight that would leave on Tuesday and travel to San Francisco.
The State Department has ordered all American employees at the United States Consulate in Wuhan to leave the city. In an email sent on Sunday to Americans living in China, the department asked all other citizens who wanted a spot on the plane to contact the embassy in advance. Capacity would be “extremely limited,” the message said, and priority would be given to people at greater risk from the virus.The State Department has ordered all American employees at the United States Consulate in Wuhan to leave the city. In an email sent on Sunday to Americans living in China, the department asked all other citizens who wanted a spot on the plane to contact the embassy in advance. Capacity would be “extremely limited,” the message said, and priority would be given to people at greater risk from the virus.
It is unclear who exactly will fall into that category. It is unclear who will fall into that category.
Jonny Dangerfield, 30, is an American who came to Wuhan to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his wife and children. Jonny Dangerfield, 30, an American who came to Wuhan to celebrate the Lunar New Year with his wife and children, said he hoped his family might be given priority on the flight because his three children are all below age 5.
Mr. Dangerfield, who works in finance in Phoenix, said he hoped that his family might be given priority on the flight because of his three young children, all of whom are below the age of 5. “If it weren’t for them, we maybe would not have much worry at all,” Mr. Dangerfield, who works in finance in Phoenix said in a telephone interview.
“If it weren’t for them, we maybe would not have much worry at all,” he said in a telephone interview.
He and his family are staying with his in-laws in Wuhan, and the increased cost of food in the city has not been as large a burden as it might be to the city’s poorer residents. That makes him feel like one of the lucky ones in this whole situation.He and his family are staying with his in-laws in Wuhan, and the increased cost of food in the city has not been as large a burden as it might be to the city’s poorer residents. That makes him feel like one of the lucky ones in this whole situation.
“Just to keep ourselves sane, I guess, we have low expectations about getting on that plane,” Mr. Dangerfield said. “Just to keep ourselves sane, I guess, we have low expectations about getting on that plane,” he said.
Authorities in France have said that they plan to provide a bus service for French nationals and their families who want to leave Wuhan. The Russian embassy is working with Chinese authorities to evacuate Russian citizens from the area. The authorities in France have said that they plan to provide a bus service for French nationals and their families who want to leave Wuhan. The Russian Embassy is working with the Chinese authorities to evacuate Russian citizens from the area.
Public health officials in Toronto announced on Saturday night that test results showed that Canada has its first “presumptive” case of coronavirus. Public health officials in Toronto on Saturday night announced test results showing that Canada had its first “presumptive” case of coronavirus.
Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, said the patient is a man in his 50s who returned to Toronto on Jan. 22 after visiting Wuhan, China. The following day he was admitted to a major Toronto hospital with a respiratory infection. He is now in stable condition. Dr. Barbara Yaffe, Ontario’s associate chief medical officer of health, said the patient was a man in his 50s who returned to Toronto on Jan. 22 after visiting Wuhan, China. The next day, he was admitted to a Toronto hospital with a respiratory infection. He is now in stable condition.
Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said that while they “are convinced” they have a positive case, a government laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, will run additional tests for confirmation, which is why health officials are still calling it presumptive. Dr. David Williams, Ontario’s chief medical officer of health, said that while they were convinced that they have a positive case, a government laboratory in Winnipeg, Manitoba, would run additional tests for confirmation.
On Saturday, Portugal’s health ministry said in a statement that doctors were monitoring and treating a patient in the Curry Cabral hospital in Lisbon, who is believed to have contracted the virus during a recent stay in Wuhan. The patient, whose identity was not disclosed, was described as being in a stable condition. The Portuguese ministry is awaiting the results of hospital tests to confirm the virus. On Saturday, Portugal’s health ministry said that doctors were monitoring and treating a patient in the Curry Cabral hospital in Lisbon who is believed to have contracted the virus during a recent stay in Wuhan. The patient, whose identity was not disclosed, was described as being in a stable condition. The Portuguese ministry is awaiting the results of hospital tests to confirm the virus.
In a sign of the growing global dread about the disease, Taiwan said on Sunday that it would bar all visitors from China’s Hubei Province to the self-governing island, where a few have been confirmed. Taiwan’s government also said it would suspend applications from Chinese citizens for travel permits except in special cases, such as disease control or humanitarian medical assistance. In a sign of the growing global dread about the disease, Taiwan said on Sunday it would bar all visitors from China’s Hubei Province to the self-governing island, where a few cases have been confirmed. Taiwan’s government also said it would suspend applications from Chinese citizens for travel permits except in special cases, such as disease control or humanitarian medical assistance.
Macau also announced that starting from Monday, it would restrict travelers from Wuhan.Macau also announced that starting from Monday, it would restrict travelers from Wuhan.
In a sign that the central government was ramping up its response to contain the outbreak, China’s National Health Commission said it would send 1,230 medical experts to Wuhan to assist in treatment. The Ivory Coast said on Sunday that an Ivorian woman who had recently returned from China was suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, although tests have not yet fully confirmed it.
Dr. Eugène Aka Aouele, the Ivorian health minister, said in a statement that on Saturday the authorities had been alerted by the airport in Abidjan, the capital, that the woman, a 34-year-old student, had been living in Beijing for the past five years. She arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight to Abidjan and was exhibiting flulike symptoms, including coughing and respiratory difficulties, that had appeared earlier in the week.
The woman was taken to a special facility at the airport for a medical examination and testing, the statement said.
“Her general state is satisfactory,” the ministry said. “There are, at this stage, suspicions of a case of pneumonia tied to the coronavirus. The final diagnosis will be established after the results of analysis from the samples that were taken.”
In a sign that the central government is ramping up its response to contain the outbreak, China’s National Health Commission said it would send 1,230 medical experts to Wuhan to assist in treatment.
The army has sent another 450 people, from three military medical universities, to Wuhan, according to a state media article that the health commission shared on its website. And the air force sent military transport aircraft to the cities of Shanghai, Xi’an and Chongqing to pick up emergency airlifts of medical team members and medical supplies for Wuhan.The army has sent another 450 people, from three military medical universities, to Wuhan, according to a state media article that the health commission shared on its website. And the air force sent military transport aircraft to the cities of Shanghai, Xi’an and Chongqing to pick up emergency airlifts of medical team members and medical supplies for Wuhan.
In Wuhan, health officials said that they would assign 24 general hospitals to treat potential coronavirus patients only, according to People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s main newspaper. National officials had called on Saturday for patients to be concentrated in specialized hospitals, and new hospitals were being built specifically to treat patients.In Wuhan, health officials said that they would assign 24 general hospitals to treat potential coronavirus patients only, according to People’s Daily, the Communist Party’s main newspaper. National officials had called on Saturday for patients to be concentrated in specialized hospitals, and new hospitals were being built specifically to treat patients.
In Hong Kong, the virus is further dampening the hobbled tourism industry, which already has been hit by months of antigovernment protests. In Hong Kong, the virus is further dampening the hobbled tourism industry, which had already been hit by months of antigovernment protests.
Two of the city’s biggest attractions, Disneyland and Ocean Park, said on Sunday that they were closing until further notice. A notice on Hong Kong Disneyland’s website called it a “precautionary measure.”Two of the city’s biggest attractions, Disneyland and Ocean Park, said on Sunday that they were closing until further notice. A notice on Hong Kong Disneyland’s website called it a “precautionary measure.”
Shanghai’s Disneyland park earlier had been shut indefinitely. China on Saturday had said that it would suspend all tour groups and the sale of flight and hotel packages for its citizens headed overseas starting on Monday. The weeklong Lunar New Year holiday, which began on Saturday, is usually a peak travel period in China. Shanghai’s Disneyland park had earlier been shut indefinitely. China said on Saturday that it would suspend all tour groups and the sale of flight and hotel packages for its citizens headed overseas starting on Monday. The weeklong Lunar New Year holiday, which began on Saturday, is usually a peak travel period in China.
Tourists had already been scared off from Hong Kong by the steady stream of violent, tear gas-clouded confrontations between police officers and protesters. The effects of the tourism slowdown have rippled across the city’s economy, which depends in significant part on money spent by visitors at malls, hotels and restaurants. Hong Kong is now in a recession. Tourists had already been scared off from Hong Kong by the steady stream of violent, tear-gas-clouded confrontations between police officers and protesters. The effects of the tourism slowdown have rippled across the city’s economy, which depends significantly on money spent by visitors at malls, hotels and restaurants. Hong Kong is now in a recession.
The semiautonomous territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, declared a health emergency on Saturday and said Hong Kong schools would be closed until February.The semiautonomous territory’s leader, Carrie Lam, declared a health emergency on Saturday and said Hong Kong schools would be closed until February.
The coronavirus outbreak seemed to be a full-blown crisis by the time the first news reports emerged: Dozens of people had already been infected, even some abroad. The coronavirus outbreak seemed to be a full-blown crisis by the time the first news reports emerged: Dozens of people had been infected, even some abroad.
Though the delay may suggest a cover-up, experts see something different, and more worrying: weaknesses at the heart of the Chinese political system.Though the delay may suggest a cover-up, experts see something different, and more worrying: weaknesses at the heart of the Chinese political system.
China’s rigid bureaucracy discourages local officials from raising bad news with central bosses and it silos officials off from one another, making it harder to manage, or even see, a crisis in the making.China’s rigid bureaucracy discourages local officials from raising bad news with central bosses and it silos officials off from one another, making it harder to manage, or even see, a crisis in the making.
“That’s why you never really hear about problems emerging on a local scale in China,” said John Yasuda, who studies China’s approach to health crises at Indiana University. “By the time that we hear about it, and that the problem reaches the central government, it’s because it’s become a huge problem.”“That’s why you never really hear about problems emerging on a local scale in China,” said John Yasuda, who studies China’s approach to health crises at Indiana University. “By the time that we hear about it, and that the problem reaches the central government, it’s because it’s become a huge problem.”
Those systemic flaws appear to have played a role in the pace at which officials responded to the outbreak, and the country’s inability to address the health risks from its so-called wet markets, which are stuffed with livestock living and dead, domesticated and wild.Those systemic flaws appear to have played a role in the pace at which officials responded to the outbreak, and the country’s inability to address the health risks from its so-called wet markets, which are stuffed with livestock living and dead, domesticated and wild.
China is now mobilizing a nationwide response involving hundreds of personnel, one of the system’s strengths. China is now mobilizing a nationwide response involving hundreds of personnel, one of the system’s strengths. But the country’s political weaknesses can have serious consequences for the world. Disease and pollution don’t respect borders, so a unified national policy is typically needed to prevent or stop them.
But the country’s political weaknesses can have serious consequences for the world. Disease and pollution don’t respect borders, so a unified national policy is typically needed to prevent or stop them.
For any health or environmental regulation to work, Mr. Yasuda said, “you want it to be standardized, you want it to be transparent, you want it to be accountable.”For any health or environmental regulation to work, Mr. Yasuda said, “you want it to be standardized, you want it to be transparent, you want it to be accountable.”
Reporting was contributed by Raymond Zhong, Max Fisher, Vivian Wang, Ian Austen and Raphael Minder. Reporting was contributed by Raymond Zhong, Max Fisher, Vivian Wang, Ian Austen, Raphael Minder and Aurelien Breeden.