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Coronavirus live: first two patients in UK test positive Coronavirus live: first two patients in UK test positive
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Worldwide death toll reaches 213 as World Health Organization declares a global emergencyWorldwide death toll reaches 213 as World Health Organization declares a global emergency
A jump in infections in two Chinese cities flanking Wuhan, the epicentre of a rapidly-spreading virus epidemic, is fuelling fear that new hot spots are emerging in a province where strict transport curbs have already brought most activity to a halt, Reuters reports. India’s first coronavirus patient has been moved to hospital where her condition is said to be improving, according to a report in Indian news site NDTV.
More than 1,000 people in various parts of Kerala, on the southwest tip of India, are under observation for suspected cases of coronavirus, with 15 in isolation wards in various hospitals, according to the broadcaster.
Authorities were attempting to contact all the passengers who travelled on a flight from Kolkata to Cochin on 23 January that the infected patient had been on, a day after she travelled from Beijing.
Foreign Office sources said they were aware of the frustrations of some Britons in Wuhan, particularly those who had wanted to but proved unable to board a plane, Dan Sabbagh reports.
They said the complicated situation on the ground and sometimes difficult working relationship with the Chinese authorities made it hard to communicate effectively with those who were hoping to be evacuated.
Those Britons still stranded in the Wuhan region are roughly estimated at around 40. Only 83 people of the anticipated 120 were able to board the emergency flight will be able to fly home on a subsequent plane, although it is not clear when that would travel.
Officials said that consular staff made considerable efforts to get people on the flight. The chartered plane was delayed on the tarmac for a further three hours to try and get people on board, but British officials said that it had to leave within the overall time slot provided by China.
Confusion about whether the Chinese would let families of mixed British and Chinese nationality also complicated the picture with the UK saying that it was only at the last minute that Beijing relented and said that Chinese passport holders could fly to the UK with their British family members.
Rebecca Ratcliffe, of the Guardian’s global development desk, has written a more in-depth explanation of why the first human transmission of coronavirus in Thailand could be a significant moment in the development of the outbreak.
Thailand has recorded its first case of human to human transmission of coronavirus, after a taxi driver was infected by a passenger, heightening concern over the virus’ potential to spread in what is the worst-hit country outside China, she reports.
The taxi driver is among five new patients confirmed on Friday, bringing the total number of cases in Thailand to 19.
Thailand is among the most popular holiday destinations for Chinese people celebrating the New Year, and officials have warned that an outbreak in the country’s tourism hotspots is possible.
More than 25,000 people arrived in the country from Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, and other affected Chinese cities, between 3rd and 27th January, according to Reuters.
Most of the Chinese visitors are believed to have returned home, though on Friday afternoon China’s foreign ministry said it will send charter flights to Thailand and Malaysia to bring home residents of virus-affected regions who may have been left stranded after the sweeping travel restrictions were introduced across China last week.
Thai officials have recently stepped up measures at airports and other tourist areas, following criticism that the government had failed to act quickly to stop the virus, and that tourism profits were being prioritized over public health.
Screening for people working in the tourism industry, as well as all passengers travelling from China, has been introduced. In Bangkok’s public transport system, and some of its big shopping malls, hand sanitizer is being handed out for free.
On Tuesday public health minister Anutin Charnvirakul told Sky News that he expects the number of infections to rise, warning: “We are not able to stop the spread.”
Sarah Boseley, the Guardian’s health editor, has written a full report on the two confirmed coronavirus cases detected overnight here in the UK.
As airlines begin suspending their flights in and out of China as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, foreign nationals in the country are becoming increasingly anxious about whether they will be able to leave if they decide they want to.
Reuters has compiled a list of airlines’ responses to the crisis, which readers planning to travel to or from China might find useful.
AIR CANADAAir Canada said on 28 January it was cancelling select flights to China.
AIR FRANCEAir France said on 30 January it had suspended all scheduled flights to and from mainland China until 9 February.
AIR INDIAAir India said it was cancelling its Mumbai-Delhi-Shanghai flight from 31 January to 14 February.
AIR NEW ZEALANDAir New Zealand said on 31 January it was temporarily reducing flights between Auckland and Shanghai to four return services a week from 18 February to 31 March rather than the usual daily flights.
AIR SEOULSouth Korean budget carrier Air Seoul said on 28 January it had suspended all flights to China.AIR TANZANIATanzania’s state-owned carrier said it would postpone its maiden flights to China. It had planned to begin charter flights to China in February.AMERICAN AIRLINESThe largest US carrier said it would suspend flights from Los Angeles to Beijing and Shanghai from 9 February to 27 March.BRITISH AIRWAYSBA said on 30 January it had cancelled all flights to mainland China for a month.CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYSHong Kong’s Cathay Pacific said it would progressively reduce capacity to and from mainland China by 50% or more from 30 January to the end of March.DELTA AIR LINESThe US airline said on 29 January it was reducing flights to China to 21 per week from 42, starting 6 February through 30 April.EGYPTAIREgypt’s flag carrier said on 30 January it would suspend all flights to and from China starting 1 February.EL AL ISRAEL AIRLINESEl Al Israel Airlines said on 30 January it was suspending flights to Beijing until 25 March. Israel’s health ministry said it would not allow flights from China to land at its airports.ETHIOPIAN AIRLINESThe African carrier on 30 January denied reports it had suspended all flights to China. The airline’s statement contradicted its passenger call centre, which told Reuters earlier in the day that flights to China had been suspended.
FINNAIRFinland’s Finnair said on 28 January it would suspend its flights to Nanjing and Beijing until the end of March after China suspended international group travel from the country. Finnair will suspend its three weekly flights between Helsinki and Beijing Daxing between 5 February and 29 March and its two weekly flights between Helsinki and Nanjing between 8 February and 29 March.
KENYA AIRWAYSKenya Airways said on 31 January it has suspended all flights to China until further notice.
LION AIRIndonesia’s Lion Air Group said on 29 January it would suspend all flights to China from February. The airline has suspended six flights from several Indonesian cities to China so far and will suspend the rest next month.LUFTHANSAGermany’s Lufthansa said on 29 January it was suspending Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian Airlines flights to and from China until 9 February. The airline continues to fly to Hong Kong, but it will stop taking bookings for flights to mainland China until the end of February.ROYAL AIR MAROCMoroccan airline Royal Air Maroc (RAM) has temporarily suspended its direct flights to China, the company said on 30 January. RAM had on 16 January launched a direct air route with three flights weekly between its Casablanca hub and Beijing.RWANDAIRRwanda carrier RwandAir has halted flights to and from China until further notice, the airline said in a statement on Friday. The decision will be reviewed later in February, it said.
SASNordic airline SAS said on 30 January it has decided to suspend all flights to and from Shanghai and Beijing from 31 January until 9 February. SAS offers 12 regular weekly connections from and to Shanghai and Beijing.
SINGAPORE AIRLINESSSingapore Airlines said on 31 January it would reduce capacity on some of its routes to mainland China in February. The cuts include flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen and Chongqing, some of which are flown by regional arm SilkAir. Its budget carrier Scoot is also cutting back on flights to China.
TURKISH AIRLINESTurkey’s flag carrier said on 30 January it would decrease frequency on scheduled flights to Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Xian between 5 February and 29 February.UNITED AIRLINESChicago-based United said it would implement a second phase of flight cancellations between its hub cities in the US and Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai, resulting in 332 additional round trips being called off through 28 March. The cancellations will reduce the carrier’s daily departures for mainland China and Hong Kong to four daily from 12. United had previously suspended 24 US flights to Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai between 1 February and 8 February because of a significant drop in demand.UNITED PARCEL SERVICE INCUPS has cancelled 22 China flights, as a result of the Wuhan quarantines and normal manufacturing closures due to the lunar new year holiday, the UPS chief executive, David Abney, said on 30 January. He did not specify how many flight cancellations were due to the virus.VIRGIN ATLANTICVirgin Atlantic said on 30 January it would suspend its daily operations to Shanghai for two weeks from 2 February. It cited declining demand for flights and the safety of its customers and staff.
A jump in infections in two Chinese cities flanking Wuhan, the centre of a rapidly spreading virus epidemic, is fuelling fears that new hot spots are emerging in a province where strict transport curbs have already brought most activity to a halt, Reuters reports.
China’s central province of Hubei has been the site of almost 60% of infections, as well as more than 95% of deaths. But the province’s two cities of Huanggang and Xiaogan, with combined populations of more than 12 million, have racked up more than 11% of global infections and deaths.China’s central province of Hubei has been the site of almost 60% of infections, as well as more than 95% of deaths. But the province’s two cities of Huanggang and Xiaogan, with combined populations of more than 12 million, have racked up more than 11% of global infections and deaths.
“Medical supplies are in very short supply,” provincial governor Wang Xiaodong said. “Not only are there shortages in Wuhan and surrounding cities, but they are generally severely deficient in other parts of the province.” “Medical supplies are in very short supply,” the provincial governor, Wang Xiaodong, said. “Not only are there shortages in Wuhan and surrounding cities, but they are generally severely deficient in other parts of the province.”
Conditions in Huanggang, which had reported 573 infections and 12 deaths, are particularly severe, he warned in remarks on Wednesday, urging every effort to keep the city from becoming a second Wuhan.Conditions in Huanggang, which had reported 573 infections and 12 deaths, are particularly severe, he warned in remarks on Wednesday, urging every effort to keep the city from becoming a second Wuhan.
Huanggang had insufficient screening procedures for suspected cases, slow testing processes and lack of testing personnel, inspectors from China’s central government has found.Huanggang had insufficient screening procedures for suspected cases, slow testing processes and lack of testing personnel, inspectors from China’s central government has found.
By Wednesday, its tally of suspected cases exceeded 1,000.By Wednesday, its tally of suspected cases exceeded 1,000.
The Guardian’s political correspondent Kate Proctor is tweeting more information about the two UK coronavirus patients announced this morning, gleaned from a Department for Health and Social Care briefing.The Guardian’s political correspondent Kate Proctor is tweeting more information about the two UK coronavirus patients announced this morning, gleaned from a Department for Health and Social Care briefing.
PA Media has more details on the two UK’s first two coronavirus patients.PA Media has more details on the two UK’s first two coronavirus patients.
Two members of the same family have tested positive for coronavirus in England, the agency reports, adding that sources said they were being treated at a hospital in Newcastle.Two members of the same family have tested positive for coronavirus in England, the agency reports, adding that sources said they were being treated at a hospital in Newcastle.
On Wednesday night, an apartment-hotel in Yorkshire was put on lockdown when a man, understood to be a Chinese national, was taken to hospital after falling ill. The man, who was a guest at the Staycity Hotel in the centre of York, was taken by medics to hospital, together with family members.On Wednesday night, an apartment-hotel in Yorkshire was put on lockdown when a man, understood to be a Chinese national, was taken to hospital after falling ill. The man, who was a guest at the Staycity Hotel in the centre of York, was taken by medics to hospital, together with family members.
Here are some more photos that have been passed to Michael Standaert, who is reporting from China on the coronavirus outbreak for the Guardian, showing nurses having to make their own surgical masks from spare cloth because of a lack of supplies.Here are some more photos that have been passed to Michael Standaert, who is reporting from China on the coronavirus outbreak for the Guardian, showing nurses having to make their own surgical masks from spare cloth because of a lack of supplies.
Those who have been following the story will know that only masks above a certain grade – the so-called N95 masks – are able to filter the particles that can lead to infection with coronavirus.Those who have been following the story will know that only masks above a certain grade – the so-called N95 masks – are able to filter the particles that can lead to infection with coronavirus.
Thailand has had its first case of human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus inside the country, Reuters reports.Thailand has had its first case of human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus inside the country, Reuters reports.
The first patient to contract the virus inside Thailand is a Thai taxi driver, said Tanarak Pipat, the deputy director general of the department of disease Control. “(He) … does not have the record of traveling to China, and it is likely that he was infected (by) a sick traveller from China,” Tanarak said.The first patient to contract the virus inside Thailand is a Thai taxi driver, said Tanarak Pipat, the deputy director general of the department of disease Control. “(He) … does not have the record of traveling to China, and it is likely that he was infected (by) a sick traveller from China,” Tanarak said.
Authorities have conducted virus scans on 13 people, including three family members, with whom the taxi driver came into contact. They said initially none of them had tested positive.Authorities have conducted virus scans on 13 people, including three family members, with whom the taxi driver came into contact. They said initially none of them had tested positive.
“The overall risk of infection in Thailand is still low, but people should take precautions to protect themselves,” Tanarak said.“The overall risk of infection in Thailand is still low, but people should take precautions to protect themselves,” Tanarak said.
The taxi driver is one of five new coronavirus cases confirmed in Thailand on Friday. Seven of the 19 cases have recovered and gone home while 12 are still being treated at hospitals. All but two of the cases are Chinese tourists visiting the country, the health authority said.The taxi driver is one of five new coronavirus cases confirmed in Thailand on Friday. Seven of the 19 cases have recovered and gone home while 12 are still being treated at hospitals. All but two of the cases are Chinese tourists visiting the country, the health authority said.
Scientists have been giving their reactions to the first diagnoses of coronavirus in the UK. The general consensus appears to be that it is not a surprise and was only a matter of time until we saw the first cases appear on our shores.Scientists have been giving their reactions to the first diagnoses of coronavirus in the UK. The general consensus appears to be that it is not a surprise and was only a matter of time until we saw the first cases appear on our shores.
Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia, said:Prof Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine, University of East Anglia, said:
Prof John Edmunds, from the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:Prof John Edmunds, from the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:
Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health, University of Southampton, said:Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health, University of Southampton, said:
A German military aircraft will shortly be departing for Wuhan to repatriate more than 100 German nationals.
Announcing the plan on Friday, the foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said that none of the German evacuees are infected with the coronavirus or suspected of having contracted it.
Maas said the plane would arrive in Germany on Saturday and the evacuees would be kept in quarantine for two weeks.
This is where approximately 300 Indian students arriving back in their home country from Wuhan will be kept for the next couple of weeks.
Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent, has some details on the international passengers on the British repatriation flight that took off from China this morning.
The Spanish government said a flight carrying 19 Spanish citizens had left China in the early hours of Friday morning and was due to land outside London at 1.30pm local time.
Spanish citizens will then be flown to Torrejón military airport near Madrid.
The plane is carrying 120 passengers, of whom 19 are Spanish, one is a Polish citizen resident in Spain, and one is a Chinese citizen married to a Spaniard. Two Danish couples and a Norwegian citizen will also be on the plane from the UK to Madrid. Also onboard are 83 British citizens.
The Department of Health has declined to say where in England the patients were from but it is understood they are not in the Wirral area, where a special facility has been set up to quarantine Britons evacuated from Wuhan, in China.
Here’s more from Chris Whitty, emphasising that the NHS is well-prepared for a positive test:
Two patients in England, who are members of the same family, have tested positive for coronavirus, the chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty, said.
Bangladesh is preparing a flight to repatriate more than 340 Bangladeshi citizens in Wuhan, the New Age reports.
According to the paper, a wide-body aircraft is to leave Dhaka for Wuhan on Friday evening, after Chinese authorities allotted it a slot to operate a special flight for Bangladeshis stuck in the locked-down city.
Zahid Maleque, the health minister, said on Thursday Bangladesh was “fully prepared” to tackle coronavirus, that all passengers arriving in the country from China were being screened, and that so far none had been detected with coronavirus.
An isolation unit has been prepared at Kurmitola General hospital, Maleque said.
These pictures from one of the hospitals in Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, show medical workers resorting to wearing the plastic covers originally used to pack medical supplies because of a shortage of protective gear.
They have been provided to the Guardian by a doctor working at Wuhan union hospital.
The publication of the images come amid a row over emergency medical supplies not getting to the correct places.
Michael Standaert, who is reporting for the Guardian from China, earlier reported how the Red Cross Society of Hubei has come under fire from Chinese netizens who say the charity is sending high-quality medical grade N95 filtration masks to hospitals that are not at the centre of the outbreak nor fever clinics in the greatest need of masks.
The Red Cross subsequently released a statement saying their announcement was mislabelled and it should have said they were KN95 masks, not N95 masks, which is why those other hospitals got them and not the frontline treatment hospitals.
But a chief executive of a company that makes high-quality face masks in China cast doubt on the claim. “To me that sounds like quite the excuse,” he said.
“N95 and KN95 uses exactly the same standards. N95 is the CDC NIOSH standard, that’s the US standard. The Chinese standard – the guobiao standard – is called the KN95. In Europe, it is FFP2, it is 94% [filtration] but it is the same standard. All of those standards require the masks to be able to filter out a rate of 95% of particles at peak breath rate.”
Students at Melbourne’s Monash university have been told to stay away from campus until mid-March, in an effort by its administrators avoid the spread of coronavirus among its student community.
The 83,000 students who study across Monash’s six campuses had been expecting to return from their summer holidays on 2 March, but the beginning of term has been pushed back to 9 March, with the first week taught online via livestreamed lectures. Campus will not be opened for lectures and seminars until 16 March.
In an email sent to students, seen by Australian newspaper The Age, the deputy vice-chancellor, Prof Susan Elliott, said:
A doctor has become the sixth patient diagnosed with coronavirus in France, the country’s health chief Jérôme Salomon announced on Thursday night.
The patient confined himself after first developing symptoms, and is currently in hospital in Paris, where is condition is said to be not a cause for concern, Le Parisien reports.
The French health directorate says it is the first reported case of contamination on French soil.