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Coronavirus live updates: Britons evacuated as US says 'do not travel to China' Coronavirus live updates: Britons evacuated as US says 'do not travel to China'
(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
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.
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from London now, where it is morning. As usual, please send me any coronavirus-related information, tips, questions or stories that you think we should be covering and I’ll do my best to get them in. You can reach me via email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
The death toll stands at 213 inside China and confirmed infections are at nearly 9,100.The death toll stands at 213 inside China and confirmed infections are at nearly 9,100.
Global infections are up to 130.Global infections are up to 130.
The US has upgraded its travel advice to “do not travel” to China.The US has upgraded its travel advice to “do not travel” to China.
A flight carrying 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals is on its way home from Wuhan, due to arrive in the UK at around 1pm local time.A flight carrying 83 Britons and 27 foreign nationals is on its way home from Wuhan, due to arrive in the UK at around 1pm local time.
The World Health Organization has declared the virus outbreak a global emergency.The World Health Organization has declared the virus outbreak a global emergency.
South Korea evacuated more than 350 of its citizens from Wuhan on an plane and may schedule up to three more flights. It confirmed its seventh case of coronavirus on Friday.South Korea evacuated more than 350 of its citizens from Wuhan on an plane and may schedule up to three more flights. It confirmed its seventh case of coronavirus on Friday.
Italy confirms its first two cases of the virus.Italy confirms its first two cases of the virus.
Japan has changed it’s travel advice to China, urging citizens to avoid non-urgent trips.Japan has changed it’s travel advice to China, urging citizens to avoid non-urgent trips.
More international airlines have curtailed flights to China, including Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways.More international airlines have curtailed flights to China, including Virgin Atlantic and Kenya Airways.
Here’s more information on New Zealand’s planned evacuation of its citizens from Wuhan.Here’s more information on New Zealand’s planned evacuation of its citizens from Wuhan.
The NZ foreign affairs ministry says “it may not be possible for New Zealand permanent residents, who are Chinese citizens, to be on the flight. It should be noted that some permanent residents from other countries on other assisted departure flights have been unable to board.”The NZ foreign affairs ministry says “it may not be possible for New Zealand permanent residents, who are Chinese citizens, to be on the flight. It should be noted that some permanent residents from other countries on other assisted departure flights have been unable to board.”
There is no departure date set for the flight. New Zealand has offered to take Australians and Pacific Islands citizens on the flight, along with New Zealand citizens.There is no departure date set for the flight. New Zealand has offered to take Australians and Pacific Islands citizens on the flight, along with New Zealand citizens.
“Australians aboard the plane would be picked up by their own government at the point of arrival in New Zealand,” the ministry says. “Any other nationalities aboard the plane would be placed in isolation in New Zealand before travel arrangements to return to their home country are made.”“Australians aboard the plane would be picked up by their own government at the point of arrival in New Zealand,” the ministry says. “Any other nationalities aboard the plane would be placed in isolation in New Zealand before travel arrangements to return to their home country are made.”
New Zealand is yet to announce where the passengers will be held in isolation.New Zealand is yet to announce where the passengers will be held in isolation.
A suspected case of coronavirus has been detected in New Zealand, the ministry of health said.A suspected case of coronavirus has been detected in New Zealand, the ministry of health said.
A test had been ordered but the results would not be available until Saturday local time, said Dr Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s most senior medical officer.A test had been ordered but the results would not be available until Saturday local time, said Dr Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand’s most senior medical officer.
The patient is being held at Auckland hospital. So far no confirmed cases of the virus have been discovered in New Zealand, though authorities have repeatedly said it is only a matter of time.The patient is being held at Auckland hospital. So far no confirmed cases of the virus have been discovered in New Zealand, though authorities have repeatedly said it is only a matter of time.
“The normal management of someone who is a suspected case of an infectious disease like this is that they have a special isolation room in the hospital” Dr Bloomfield said. Planning is under way to get about 150 New Zealanders out of Wuhan, with the flight likely to happen over the weekend local time. They will be charged $500 for a seat on the flight. It was not yet known where the arrivals from Wuhan would be held, though it was likely somewhere in Auckland.“The normal management of someone who is a suspected case of an infectious disease like this is that they have a special isolation room in the hospital” Dr Bloomfield said. Planning is under way to get about 150 New Zealanders out of Wuhan, with the flight likely to happen over the weekend local time. They will be charged $500 for a seat on the flight. It was not yet known where the arrivals from Wuhan would be held, though it was likely somewhere in Auckland.
“What we’re really interested in doing is identifying any suspected cases, confirming whether or not they are cases and then stopping any other transmission” Bloomfield said.“What we’re really interested in doing is identifying any suspected cases, confirming whether or not they are cases and then stopping any other transmission” Bloomfield said.
Two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Italy. The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said late on Thursday that two Chinese tourists were being treated at Rome’s Lazzari Spallanzani national institute for infectious diseases.Two cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Italy. The prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said late on Thursday that two Chinese tourists were being treated at Rome’s Lazzari Spallanzani national institute for infectious diseases.
“The Spallanzani is the bible in this sector, there is no reason for panic or alarm,” Conte said. He added that close checks were being carried out to trace the tourists’ movements in Italy in order “to absolutely avoid any additional risk”.“The Spallanzani is the bible in this sector, there is no reason for panic or alarm,” Conte said. He added that close checks were being carried out to trace the tourists’ movements in Italy in order “to absolutely avoid any additional risk”.
Flights between China and Italy have been stopped, Conte said. The couple are reported to be from Wuhan and arrived in Milan on 23 January. Meanwhile, tests carried out on two Chinese tourists onboard a cruise ship in the port city of Civitavecchia were negative, the cruise company, Costa Crociere, said in a statement on Thursday night.Flights between China and Italy have been stopped, Conte said. The couple are reported to be from Wuhan and arrived in Milan on 23 January. Meanwhile, tests carried out on two Chinese tourists onboard a cruise ship in the port city of Civitavecchia were negative, the cruise company, Costa Crociere, said in a statement on Thursday night.
China’s banks have put into place some emergency measures learned from the 2003 Sars outbreak ahead of when they reopen for business after the extended new year and virus-induced break on Monday, Reuters are reporting.China’s banks have put into place some emergency measures learned from the 2003 Sars outbreak ahead of when they reopen for business after the extended new year and virus-induced break on Monday, Reuters are reporting.
While many workers are being told to stay at home and businesses are remaning closed for another week to contain the contagion, banks are deemed too important to remain closed so will trade again on Monday in the financial hub of Shanghai. Some staff will be allowed to work from home to minimise contact, Reuters says, but traders will have to go into their offices. A system of shifts deployed during the Sars epidemic will be used to provide enough cover.While many workers are being told to stay at home and businesses are remaning closed for another week to contain the contagion, banks are deemed too important to remain closed so will trade again on Monday in the financial hub of Shanghai. Some staff will be allowed to work from home to minimise contact, Reuters says, but traders will have to go into their offices. A system of shifts deployed during the Sars epidemic will be used to provide enough cover.
South Korea’s health ministry said on Friday that the Korean staple dish of kimchi, made from fermented cabbage, chilli peppers and garlic, would provide no protection against the new type of coronavirus originating from China.South Korea’s health ministry said on Friday that the Korean staple dish of kimchi, made from fermented cabbage, chilli peppers and garlic, would provide no protection against the new type of coronavirus originating from China.
The Associated Press reports that ministry’s statement sought to correct misunderstandings about the illness and calm public fears. The ministry also said eating kimchi imported from China wouldn’t necessarily put a person at greater risk of infection.The Associated Press reports that ministry’s statement sought to correct misunderstandings about the illness and calm public fears. The ministry also said eating kimchi imported from China wouldn’t necessarily put a person at greater risk of infection.
The ministry says the best protection against the virus, which is spread through close personal contact and droplet infection, is to wash hands frequently.The ministry says the best protection against the virus, which is spread through close personal contact and droplet infection, is to wash hands frequently.
During the SARS epidemic of 2003, some South Korean researchers claimed that kimchi possibly explained the country’s relatively low number of cases, saying that a type of bacteria created during the fermentation process would have been helpful in fighting off infections.During the SARS epidemic of 2003, some South Korean researchers claimed that kimchi possibly explained the country’s relatively low number of cases, saying that a type of bacteria created during the fermentation process would have been helpful in fighting off infections.
While such claims reportedly led to a boost in kimchi sales across Asia, most experts saw the argument as dubious.While such claims reportedly led to a boost in kimchi sales across Asia, most experts saw the argument as dubious.
Kenya Airways has suspended all flights to and from China until further notice.Kenya Airways has suspended all flights to and from China until further notice.
“We have temporarily suspended all flights to and from Guangzhou starting Friday until further notice,” the airline said in a statement on its Twitter account.“We have temporarily suspended all flights to and from Guangzhou starting Friday until further notice,” the airline said in a statement on its Twitter account.
We’ve reported over the past few days about the effort to build two brand new hospitals in Wuhan to accomodate coronavirus patients. The time-lapse footage below shows the monumental scale of the build.We’ve reported over the past few days about the effort to build two brand new hospitals in Wuhan to accomodate coronavirus patients. The time-lapse footage below shows the monumental scale of the build.
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 epicentre of the outbreak nor fever clinics in the greatest need of masks, writes Michael Standaert.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 epicentre of the outbreak nor fever clinics in the greatest need of masks, writes Michael Standaert.
According to the first statistics released by the Hubei Red Cross on Thursday, the group released only 3,000 of the N95 masks to Wuhan Union Hospital, one of the hospitals most impacted by the outbreak and surge of patients.According to the first statistics released by the Hubei Red Cross on Thursday, the group released only 3,000 of the N95 masks to Wuhan Union Hospital, one of the hospitals most impacted by the outbreak and surge of patients.
Those stats showed out of 36,000 of the medical-grade masks, 16,000 went to Wuhan Ren’ai Hospital and 16,000 to Wuhan Tianyou Hospital, both private hospitals, with the rest to the other that people are saying is in the most need.Those stats showed out of 36,000 of the medical-grade masks, 16,000 went to Wuhan Ren’ai Hospital and 16,000 to Wuhan Tianyou Hospital, both private hospitals, with the rest to the other that people are saying is in the most need.
Cover News has now reported that the Hubei Red Cross is investigating why the masks were distributed to those two hospitals.Cover News has now reported that the Hubei Red Cross is investigating why the masks were distributed to those two hospitals.
“Thats very funny because [everyone in Wuhan] knows it and they need to look into it?” Jing Xian [nickname], a man from Wuhan currently stuck in the city during the lockdown, but who normally resides in Shenzhen. “I’m angry, it’s ridiculous.”“Thats very funny because [everyone in Wuhan] knows it and they need to look into it?” Jing Xian [nickname], a man from Wuhan currently stuck in the city during the lockdown, but who normally resides in Shenzhen. “I’m angry, it’s ridiculous.”
“When I was a kid, we all know Ren’ai is a hospital for women and it is a private hospital with a bad reputation,” he said. “So many people are so helpless and hopeless.”“When I was a kid, we all know Ren’ai is a hospital for women and it is a private hospital with a bad reputation,” he said. “So many people are so helpless and hopeless.”
Posts from people expressing anger about the distribution of the masks to the two hospitals that appeared in the morning are now being censored with a message saying: The content is suspected of violating relevant rulesPosts from people expressing anger about the distribution of the masks to the two hospitals that appeared in the morning are now being censored with a message saying: The content is suspected of violating relevant rules
State TV in China reported yesterday that the country’s aviation authority had approved chartered flights to bring Wuhan residents home. Today the foreign ministry confirmed that saying, charter planes would be sent to bring citizens from virus-hit Hubei province who are overseas back “as soon as possible”.
This is in view of “practical difficulties that Hubei citizens, especially those from Wuhan, have faced overseas”, said ministry of foreign affairs spokeswoman Hua Chunying.
The ministry’s comments come as a number of airlines announced they were halting or reducing flights to China as the country struggles to contain the spread of a deadly new virus.
China has advised its citizens to postpone trips abroad and cancelled overseas group tours, while several countries including Germany, Britain and Canada have urged their citizens to avoid travel to China. The US upgraded its travel warning today to say “do not travel” to China.
Earlier I reported on a picture published of a man lying dead in the street in Wuhan. You can read our full story on the link below.
On South Korea’s evacuation of its citizens, 368 people were on the plane that arrived back at Gimpo airport near Seoul on Friday morning. It is planning up to three more flights.
Reuters reports that the government says none of the evacuees had any symptoms before departure, but one person could not board the plane due to fever after a final check at Wuhan airport, while 18 were sent to hospitals immediately upon arrival.
“There were different screening standards between China and us, and we conducted another check aboard the plane and put those who were showing symptoms in separate space on the second floor of the plane,” vice health minister Kim Gang-lip said.
The Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, told parliament on Friday the government has decided to raise its infectious disease advisory level for China, excluding Hubei province, to 2, urging citizens to avoid non-urgent trips to the country.
The government is already telling its citizens not to take any trips to China’s central province of Hubei. Wuhan, the epicentre of the newly-identified coronavirus outbreak, is located in Hubei.
Fake news and conspiracy theories about the origin of the coronavirus have swiftly followed the outbreak around the world. From fake alerts over no-go suburbs to pro-Trump conspiracy theories, crackpot stories and dangerous advice have gone viral, reports the Guardian’s Josh Taylor.
Flight Radar shows the flight carrying the British evacuees from Wuhan are currently just over Ulaanbatar, the capital of Mongolia. Still a long way to go - about 8 hours until touchdown in Brize Norton, north-west of London.
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.