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Coronavirus live updates: Britons evacuated as US says 'do not travel to China' – latest news Coronavirus live updates: Britons evacuated as US says 'do not travel to China' – latest news
(32 minutes later)
The death toll has reached 213 as the World Health Organization declares outbreak a global emergency. Follow live updates and latest newsThe death toll has reached 213 as the World Health Organization declares outbreak a global emergency. Follow live updates and latest news
Trinidad has imposed a 14-day restrictions on travellers from China because of the coronavirus, according to the country’s health minister.
Tonga’s prime minister has asked for assistance from Australia and New Zealand in evacuating and quarantining Tongan citizens from China.
More than 50 Tongans, many of whom are teenagers, became trapped in China while travelling to the country as part of a China Aid sports program, reported Matangi Tonga.
The members and officials of four Tongan sports teams – swimming, table tennis, weightlifting and boxing – were due to return to Tonga this week or next, but had flights cancelled.
There are also Tongan students studying at universities in Wuhan.
Matangi Tonga reports that Prime Minister Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa asked that the citizens be temporarily quarantined in Australia or New Zealand and that if they are found to have the virus, kept in Australia or New Zealand until they are well.
New Zealand has said it will launch an independent rescue mission to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan, chartering an Air New Zealand plane.
The foreign minister, Winston Peters, said the plane would carry 300 people to New Zealand and that any additional seats on the Air New Zealand flight would be allocated to Pacific Islanders and Australians “as a matter of priority”.
There are currently 82 New Zealanders registered on Safetravel as being in Wuhan, and 57 of those have sought consular assistance.
“The Government of Tonga are making all efforts to protect Tonga and its people from the virus, which has not been confirmed in Tonga.”
Here’s some more on those Pakistani students stranded in Hubei from the Guardian’s Ben Doherty.
The BBC’s China correspondent, Stephen McDonell has a good point re the figures being quoted for people who have recovered from the virus. At the moment the figure is 171, from more than 9,700 confirmed infections. He suggests maybe Chinese authorities are keeping people in hospital for longer or they are not monitoring recoveries very closely.
There’s certainly some anger on Twitter about Qantas continuing to fly to and from China. What’s interesting is the degree to which countries’ advice is varying on this coronavirus epidemic.
In the past few hours, the US upgraded its travel advice to its highest level, Level 4 ... which says “do not travel” to China.
Earlier today Virgin Atlantic suspended its flights between Britain and China and Air Canada has suspended flights to China until 29 February. But Qantas will continue to fly to and from Australia, as will China Eastern, China Southern and Air China.
In Australia this morning there was quite an animated press conference by the premier of Queensland, Annastacia Palaszczuk, who demanded more national co-ordination of the crisis: “We would have had a number of planes that have come in from mainland China over the last 10 days. Where are all those people?,” she asked.
You can read the full story here.
Qantas has confirmed it will not be stopping direct flights between China and Australia. The Australian carrier, along with China Eastern, China Southern and Air China are still operating direct flights from a range of Chinese cities.Qantas has confirmed it will not be stopping direct flights between China and Australia. The Australian carrier, along with China Eastern, China Southern and Air China are still operating direct flights from a range of Chinese cities.
On Friday, Australia’s chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, said it was not a recommendation to stop direct flights – as most passengers can still enter Australia via other airports.On Friday, Australia’s chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, said it was not a recommendation to stop direct flights – as most passengers can still enter Australia via other airports.
Qantas is also still standing by to provide the evacuation flight for Australians stranded in Wuhan and Hubei province – but it can’t take passengers direct to Christmas Island.Qantas is also still standing by to provide the evacuation flight for Australians stranded in Wuhan and Hubei province – but it can’t take passengers direct to Christmas Island.
A spokesman told Guardian Australia the prospective plane – a Boeing 747 – can’t land on the Christmas Island runway.A spokesman told Guardian Australia the prospective plane – a Boeing 747 – can’t land on the Christmas Island runway.
This means Qantas will bring people to the Australian mainland first, and then the government will bear the responsibility of shuttling them to quarantine on Christmas Island.This means Qantas will bring people to the Australian mainland first, and then the government will bear the responsibility of shuttling them to quarantine on Christmas Island.
The federal government announced the move on Wednesday, but is still waiting for permission to conduct the airlift, and the logistics have not been sorted.The federal government announced the move on Wednesday, but is still waiting for permission to conduct the airlift, and the logistics have not been sorted.
The capacity of the evacuation plane is 371. On Wednesday, foreign minister, Marise Payne said there were an estimated 600 Australians in Wuhan and Hubei who want assistance, and priority would be given to the young, elderly and most vulnerable.The capacity of the evacuation plane is 371. On Wednesday, foreign minister, Marise Payne said there were an estimated 600 Australians in Wuhan and Hubei who want assistance, and priority would be given to the young, elderly and most vulnerable.
Just while I’m checking in on the Global Times, it is also reporting that the number of travellers returning to Beijing increased at Beijing West Railway Station, from about 100,000 on Wednesday January 29 to 119,000 on Thursday.Just while I’m checking in on the Global Times, it is also reporting that the number of travellers returning to Beijing increased at Beijing West Railway Station, from about 100,000 on Wednesday January 29 to 119,000 on Thursday.
According to the China State Railway, the country’s rail sector will strengthen prevention and control measures to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, it says.According to the China State Railway, the country’s rail sector will strengthen prevention and control measures to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, it says.
Interesting charts from the state-run tabloid the Global Times on the increase in coronavirus cases.Interesting charts from the state-run tabloid the Global Times on the increase in coronavirus cases.
This post doesn’t need much explanation.This post doesn’t need much explanation.
In the US, the director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, is questioning if Americans are safe from coronavirus, given the cuts to various government agencies by the Trump administration.In the US, the director of Human Rights Watch, Kenneth Roth, is questioning if Americans are safe from coronavirus, given the cuts to various government agencies by the Trump administration.
International students trapped in Hubei province – from countries not evacuating their citizens – say they feel abandoned at the epicentre of the global coronavirus outbreak.International students trapped in Hubei province – from countries not evacuating their citizens – say they feel abandoned at the epicentre of the global coronavirus outbreak.
As the US, Japan, South Korea and UK have flown citizens out of Hubei, followed by commitments from Australia, NZ, France, Indonesia, India and Afghanistan to also repatriate their citizens, students from countries such as Pakistan – which is not repatriating its citizens – have begged for government intervention.As the US, Japan, South Korea and UK have flown citizens out of Hubei, followed by commitments from Australia, NZ, France, Indonesia, India and Afghanistan to also repatriate their citizens, students from countries such as Pakistan – which is not repatriating its citizens – have begged for government intervention.
Husnain Chisti, a Pakistani student at the Hubei University of Science and Technology, said the university gates were locked and students were stranded on campus.Husnain Chisti, a Pakistani student at the Hubei University of Science and Technology, said the university gates were locked and students were stranded on campus.
“The coronavirus is spreading rapidly… our city is totally locked down, all public transport, markets, the railway stations, in fact our university gates are locked. We can’t go outside.”“The coronavirus is spreading rapidly… our city is totally locked down, all public transport, markets, the railway stations, in fact our university gates are locked. We can’t go outside.”
In a plea posted online, he said there were about 40 Pakistani students at his university, who were essentially confined to their rooms.In a plea posted online, he said there were about 40 Pakistani students at his university, who were essentially confined to their rooms.
“Our classmates from Indonesia and India are getting evacuated from this city. The US and Japan have already evacuated their citizens, so I appeal to Pakistan government to please take… action and evacuate us from here by any means, because this virus is deadly and it is spreading day by day even [in a] city that is under lockdown.“Our classmates from Indonesia and India are getting evacuated from this city. The US and Japan have already evacuated their citizens, so I appeal to Pakistan government to please take… action and evacuate us from here by any means, because this virus is deadly and it is spreading day by day even [in a] city that is under lockdown.
“It is my humble request to Pakistan government to evacuate us by any means, thank you.”“It is my humble request to Pakistan government to evacuate us by any means, thank you.”
Another Pakistani national, who did not give her name, is a third year medical student at Hubei Polytechnic University near Wuhan in Hubei.Another Pakistani national, who did not give her name, is a third year medical student at Hubei Polytechnic University near Wuhan in Hubei.
She said students at the university were on lockdown and confined to the campus. They were sharing food and unsure for how long they would be locked down.She said students at the university were on lockdown and confined to the campus. They were sharing food and unsure for how long they would be locked down.
“We are suffering … we depend on each other for meals … when we need food, we ask our friends or colleagues who have enough to share with us.”“We are suffering … we depend on each other for meals … when we need food, we ask our friends or colleagues who have enough to share with us.”
Global infections of the coronavirus now stand at 129, across 22 countries, Reuters news agency is reporting. This is obviously a fairly difficult figure to keep track of as the numbers are constantly moving.Global infections of the coronavirus now stand at 129, across 22 countries, Reuters news agency is reporting. This is obviously a fairly difficult figure to keep track of as the numbers are constantly moving.
There have been no deaths outside of China.There have been no deaths outside of China.
South Korea has reported reported its seventh confirmed case of coronavirus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. On Friday a Korean Air flight carrying more than 350 Koreans arrived from Wuhan.South Korea has reported reported its seventh confirmed case of coronavirus, which originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan. On Friday a Korean Air flight carrying more than 350 Koreans arrived from Wuhan.
With the multiple reports of evacuations and infections of the coronavirus, it’s worth remembering the very human cost of this outbreak. This picture below is from Wuhan on Thursday. It shows shows officials in protective suits checking on an elderly man wearing a face mask who collapsed and died on a street near a hospital in Wuhan. Journalists from Agence France-Presse saw the body on 30 January, not long before an emergency vehicle arrived carrying police and medical staff in full-body protective suits.With the multiple reports of evacuations and infections of the coronavirus, it’s worth remembering the very human cost of this outbreak. This picture below is from Wuhan on Thursday. It shows shows officials in protective suits checking on an elderly man wearing a face mask who collapsed and died on a street near a hospital in Wuhan. Journalists from Agence France-Presse saw the body on 30 January, not long before an emergency vehicle arrived carrying police and medical staff in full-body protective suits.
We reported earlier that China’s Shandong province has asked companies not to resume working before 10 February to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Guangdong province has also done this, saying that most businesses should plan on starting up after 9 February.
It is not clear how many British citizens remain in Wuhan after the departure of the evacuation flight. Just hours before the plane departed, there was a lack of clarity over who would be allowed to board, and how people would reach the airport given the ban on public transport and most private cars.
Nick, who has dual British and US citizenship, and who has a wife and two children in Wuhan, is among those who did not board the plane. He was initially told there was no guarantee that his wife, who is Indonesian, would be able to fly.
“We thought long and hard and decided to give up our seats and ensure that the plane left full,” he said, adding that he believed it was safer to stay at home than to travel to the airport late at night, with no guarantee they would be able to board, when the city is under lockdown.
Later, the family was called and told that the Chinese government had given verbal assurances that his wife would be able to leave. But by that point, the flight was just hours away and he had already given up his seat.
“A couple hours later they called again and asked if we were still planning on trying to get to the plane and offered help with transportation. When I told him how far we were from the airport [the man] said there was no chance of getting there in time. I again told him we had given up our seats to ensure the plane left full.”
The topsy-turvy reaction of the markets continues today with indices going up across Asia Pacific after a late rally on Wall Street on Thursday night.
MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan has edged up 0.4%, but was still down 3.8% on the week so far. Its 2.3% dive on Thursday had been the sharpest one-day loss in six months.
Japan’s Nikkei bounced 1.8%, recouping half of its weekly loss. In Sydney the ASX200 was up 0.3%.
Things were also calmer in Taiwan, where the finance ministry had been mulling a market intervention from the national stabilisation fund after a 6% plunge in the TWSE index on Thursday. Finance minister Su Jain-rong said now is “not the time” for government action but added: “If there are large outflow from foreign investors which cause disorder in the financial markets then the national stabilisation fund will hold an ad hoc meeting. It’s on stand-by for any time.”
We are getting some more information on the Uk evacuations of its citizens from Wuhan. The Foreign Office (FCO) says the flight took off at 09.45 local time with 83 British and 27 foreign nationals. The charter flight is estimated to land at RAF Brize Norton at 13.00 (UK time). The airport is around 115km (70miles) north west of London.
The FCO says a small number of medics were on the aircraft to provide support to passengers. The flight will continue on to Spain following the stopover in the UK, at which point EU nationals’ home countries will take responsibility for them.
The British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said: “We know how distressing the situation has been for those waiting to leave. We have been working round the clock to clear the way for a safe departure. The welfare of those trapped and public safety have been our overriding priorities.”
The US advice takes their travel warning to Level 4, its highest level.
The advice also says those currently in China should consider departing using commercial means.
The Department of State has also requested that all non-essential US government personnel defer travel to China in light of the novel coronavirus.
The US State Department has increased its travel advisory for China. In a notice posted on its website, the State Department said: “Do not travel to China due to novel coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, China.”
We understand the British citizens being evacuated are on a Wamos Air 747 aircraft. According to Flightradar24, a Wamos Air 747 flew from Hanoi to Wuhan on 31 January, landing in Wuhan at 04.45 local time. We assume it’s the same plane that are taking the British nationals out. I’ll bring you more on that shortly.
We have been closely following the departure of British citizens being evacuated from Wuhan. We are hearing from the Foreign Office in London that the flight carrying 110 passengers, including 83 Britons, has left Wuhan for the UK.
For those of you joining the coronavirus blog for the first time, let’s start by looking a look at the latest figures for deaths and infections.
Each morning in China the National Health Commission provides updates.
The total death toll in China now stands at 213. That’s up from 170 announced at this time yesterday. That’s an increase of 25%, which is slightly down on yesterday’s increase (29%).
Confirmed cases inside China are 9,096. That’s up from the figure quoted at around this time yesterday of 7,711. It makes it an 18% rise in confirmed infections over the 24-hour period.
Between Wednesday and Thursday the rise in confirmed cases was 29% by my calculations.
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, with me, Alison Rourke.
Here’s a short summary of what we know so far:
The death toll stands at 213 inside China and confirmed infections are 9,096
Possible infections are at 12,167 inside China with recoveries listed as 163
The World Health organisation has declared a global public health emergency because of the spread of the virus outside China, describing it as an “unprecedented outbreak”.
Cases outside China of the virus are increasing and is estimated to be over 100.
Recent global updates include Italy (2), France (6), Germany (5), Australia (9). I will bring you a full country-by-country list shortly
The US has confirmed its first person-to-person transmission
Evacuations of foreign nationals are continuing, with 150 Britons expected to be flown out of Wuhan on Friday local time.
You can read our guide to how you can help protect yourself and stop the spread of the virus here.
As always, you can reach me at alison.rourke@theguardian.com or on Twitter at @alisonrourke