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Coronavirus Live Updates: Death in Philippines Is the First Outside China Coronavirus Live Updates: Death in Philippines Is First Outside China
(32 minutes later)
A 44-year-old man in the Philippines has died of the coronavirus, health officials said on Sunday, making him the first known death outside China. The man, a resident of Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus, died on Saturday after developing what officials called “severe pneumonia.”A 44-year-old man in the Philippines has died of the coronavirus, health officials said on Sunday, making him the first known death outside China. The man, a resident of Wuhan, China, the epicenter of the virus, died on Saturday after developing what officials called “severe pneumonia.”
“This is the first known death of someone with 2019-nCoV outside of China,” the World Health Organization’s office in the Philippines said in a statement, using the technical shorthand for the coronavirus.“This is the first known death of someone with 2019-nCoV outside of China,” the World Health Organization’s office in the Philippines said in a statement, using the technical shorthand for the coronavirus.
Philippines health officials said the man had arrived in the country on Jan. 21 with a 38-year-old woman who remains under observation.Philippines health officials said the man had arrived in the country on Jan. 21 with a 38-year-old woman who remains under observation.
“In his last few days, the patient was stable and showed signs of improvement; however, the condition of the patient deteriorated within his last 24 hours, resulting in his demise,” the health secretary, Francisco Duque III, said. “In his last few days, the patient was stable and showed signs of improvement,” said the health secretary, Francisco Duque III. “However, the condition of the patient deteriorated within his last 24 hours, resulting in his demise.”
Hours before the death was announced, the Philippines said it was temporarily banning non-Filipino travelers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Hours before the death was announced, the Philippines said it was temporarily barring non-Filipino travelers arriving from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Mr. Duque said the Philippines was currently observing 23 people who had been isolated in hospitals with possible coronavirus symptoms.Mr. Duque said the Philippines was currently observing 23 people who had been isolated in hospitals with possible coronavirus symptoms.
“The new developments warrant a more diligent approach in containing the threats of the 2019-nCoV,” he said.“The new developments warrant a more diligent approach in containing the threats of the 2019-nCoV,” he said.
Chinese officials on Sunday reported a surge in new cases.Chinese officials on Sunday reported a surge in new cases.
◆ The death toll in China rose to at least 304.◆ The death toll in China rose to at least 304.
◆ More than 2,000 new cases were also recorded in the country in the past 24 hours, raising the worldwide total to nearly 14,380, according to Chinese and World Health Organization data. The vast majority of the cases are inside China; about 100 cases have been confirmed in at least 23 other countries.◆ More than 2,000 new cases were also recorded in the country in the past 24 hours, raising the worldwide total to nearly 14,380, according to Chinese and World Health Organization data. The vast majority of the cases are inside China; about 100 cases have been confirmed in at least 23 other countries.
◆ All of China’s provinces and territories have now been touched by the outbreak.◆ All of China’s provinces and territories have now been touched by the outbreak.
◆ Countries and territories that have confirmed cases: Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Macau, Russia, France, the United States, South Korea, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Britain, Vietnam, Italy, India, the Philippines, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Finland, Sweden and Spain.◆ Countries and territories that have confirmed cases: Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, Malaysia, Macau, Russia, France, the United States, South Korea, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, Britain, Vietnam, Italy, India, the Philippines, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Finland, Sweden and Spain.
◆ Cases recorded in Thailand, Taiwan, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, France and the United States involved patients who had not been to China.◆ Cases recorded in Thailand, Taiwan, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, France and the United States involved patients who had not been to China.
◆ China has asked the European Union for help in purchasing urgently needed medical supplies from its member countries, the China’s official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday. ◆ China has asked the European Union for help in buying urgently needed medical supplies from its member countries, the China’s official Xinhua news agency said on Saturday.
China has announced that it is dealing with another disease outbreak, this one mostly affecting animals, but also potentially deadly among people. China is now dealing with another disease outbreak — this one mostly affecting animals but also potentially deadly among people.
The Ministry of Agriculture said late Saturday that a fresh outbreak of a lethal form of influenza had been found in poultry in the southern province of Hunan, and that officials had ordered the slaughter of 17,828 chickens.The Ministry of Agriculture said late Saturday that a fresh outbreak of a lethal form of influenza had been found in poultry in the southern province of Hunan, and that officials had ordered the slaughter of 17,828 chickens.
China has previously dealt with several bird flu outbreaks — the most recent was in April 2019. In the new case, the H5N1 bird flu virus was found at a farm in the city of Shaoyang. The farm had 7,850 chickens, and more than half have died from the bird flu, the ministry said. It called the strain “highly pathogenic.” China has previously dealt with several bird flu outbreaks, the most recent in April 2019. In the new case, the H5N1 bird flu virus was found at a farm in the city of Shaoyang. The farm had 7,850 chickens, and more than half have died from the bird flu, the ministry said. It called the strain “highly pathogenic.”
Although bird flu poses more of a danger to poultry than humans — it’s not easily transmissible among people — the World Health Organization has called on countries to be on guard because the virus can mutate into a transmissible form and has the potential to cause a pandemic. Although bird flu poses more of a danger to poultry than humans — it is not easily transmissible among people — the World Health Organization has called on countries to be on guard because the virus can mutate into a transmissible form and has the potential to cause a pandemic.
The latest outbreak comes as China grapples with an African swine fever epidemic that has infected tens of thousands of pigs. It could stoke more worries among its people about the country’s food supply.The latest outbreak comes as China grapples with an African swine fever epidemic that has infected tens of thousands of pigs. It could stoke more worries among its people about the country’s food supply.
New Zealand on Sunday became the latest country to impose restrictions on travelers from mainland China, saying it would deny entry to visitors departing from or transiting through the mainland for two weeks starting on Monday.New Zealand on Sunday became the latest country to impose restrictions on travelers from mainland China, saying it would deny entry to visitors departing from or transiting through the mainland for two weeks starting on Monday.
Citizens and residents will be allowed entry to New Zealand, but will be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.Citizens and residents will be allowed entry to New Zealand, but will be required to quarantine themselves for 14 days, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said.
“Ultimately, this is a public health decision,” she said, adding that the restrictions were precautionary measures to keep the country virus-free and to contain the worldwide outbreak. “Ultimately, this is a public health decision,” she said, adding that the restrictions were precautionary measures to keep the country virus-free and contain the worldwide outbreak.
The government will also send a charter flight with an Air New Zealand crew to repatriate up to 300 citizens in Wuhan.The government will also send a charter flight with an Air New Zealand crew to repatriate up to 300 citizens in Wuhan.
The Philippines, the United States and Australia have also expanded travel restrictions, temporarily banning noncitizens who have recently traveled to China. The Philippines, the United States and Australia have expanded travel restrictions, temporarily barring noncitizens who have recently traveled to China.
South Korea and Japan are barring noncitizens who had traveled recently to Hubei, the province at the center of the outbreak. Taiwan is denying entry to Chinese nationals from Guangdong, a southern coastal province that has also been battered by the virus, or travelers who have recently visited the area. South Korea and Japan are barring noncitizens who traveled recently to Hubei, the province at the center of the outbreak. Taiwan is denying entry to Chinese nationals from Guangdong, a southern coastal province that has also been battered by the virus, and travelers who have recently visited the area.
Vietnam recently barred almost all flights to and from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau until May 1, according to the United States Federal Aviation Administration. But Vietnam then partly eased its ban, allowing flights from Hong Kong and Macau to continue, while keeping the prohibitions in place for mainland China, aviation authorities said. Vietnam recently barred almost all flights to and from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau until May 1, according to the United States Federal Aviation Administration. But Vietnam then partly eased its ban, allowing flights from Hong Kong and Macau to continue, aviation authorities said.
Indonesia is suspending its visa-free travel for Chinese citizens and barring passengers who have visited China in the past 14 days. Indonesia is suspending its visa-free travel for Chinese citizens and barring passengers who have visited mainland China in the past 14 days. Like other countries in Southeast Asia, Indonesia depends heavily on Chinese tourism. On Thursday alone, 10,000 Chinese tourists canceled their trips to Bali, according to one industry association.
Taiwan complained on Sunday that it was being punished because the World Health Organization considers it to be part of China, which has been subject to travel bans by other nations as the coronavirus spreads. Russia, which had temporarily stopped issuing work visas to Chinese citizens, is also halting visa-free entry for Chinese tour groups, the government said. Moscow has also stopped issuing electronic tourist visas to individual Chinese travelers.
Italy and Vietnam included Taiwan in banning flights from China, a move that they announced after the W.H.O. declared on Thursday that the coronavirus outbreak was a global health emergency. Russia, which shares a 2,600-mile border with China, reported its first two coronavirus cases on Friday. Both were in Siberia, and both are Chinese nationals who had recently traveled to China.
Vietnam backtracked on Saturday and narrowed its restrictions to most flights from mainland China. But the ban from Italy remains, Joseph Wu, the foreign minister of Taiwan, told reporters on Sunday. Saudi Arabia’s state airline and Oman also suspended flights to China on Sunday in reaction to the coronavirus epidemic, according to Reuters.
Mr. Wu pointed out that Taiwan had 10 confirmed cases, versus more than 14,000 in mainland China. Taiwan complained on Sunday that it was being punished because the World Health Organization considers it part of China, which has been subject to travel bans as the coronavirus spreads.
“The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Taiwan is not higher than in most countries affected,” he said. “Other than China, no other country, no other country has had its flight banned by Italy.” Italy and Vietnam included Taiwan in banning flights from China, a move that they announced after the W.H.O. declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency.
Vietnam backtracked on Saturday and narrowed its restrictions to most flights from mainland China. But the ban from Italy remains, Joseph Wu, Taiwan’s foreign minister, said on Sunday.
He pointed out that Taiwan had 10 confirmed cases, versus more than 14,000 in mainland China.
“The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Taiwan is not higher than in most countries affected,” Mr. Wu said. “Other than China, no other country, no other country has had its flight banned by Italy.”
China considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its territory and has long sought to limit its diplomatic relations and recognition at international bodies such as the W.H.O.China considers self-ruled Taiwan to be part of its territory and has long sought to limit its diplomatic relations and recognition at international bodies such as the W.H.O.
Taiwan previously participated as an observer at the World Health Assembly, the W.H.O.’s governing body. But it has been barred from that body as Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan under President Tsai Ing-wen, who is skeptical about closer ties with China.Taiwan previously participated as an observer at the World Health Assembly, the W.H.O.’s governing body. But it has been barred from that body as Beijing has increased pressure on Taiwan under President Tsai Ing-wen, who is skeptical about closer ties with China.
The United States, Japan, Canada and the European Union have argued that Taiwan should be allowed to participate in the W.H.O.
“It is not fair to the 23 million people in Taiwan, and it is not fair to other people who might otherwise obtain support from Taiwan if we were not excluded,” Mr. Wu said.
As many as 9,000 medical workers in Hong Kong have pledged to strike this week, a threat that alarms the territory’s officials as they are struggling to contain the coronavirus outbreak.As many as 9,000 medical workers in Hong Kong have pledged to strike this week, a threat that alarms the territory’s officials as they are struggling to contain the coronavirus outbreak.
The workers are demanding that Hong Kong close all border checkpoints to visitors from mainland China, saying they represent a threat to health care workers in the city. They are planning to paralyze nonemergency and then emergency services at hospitals, a union formed during the city’s anti-government protest movement said. The workers are demanding that Hong Kong close all border checkpoints to visitors from mainland China, saying they represent a threat to health care workers in the city.
“We believe such actions are our last resort,” the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance wrote in a statement Saturday night. “We believe such actions are our last resort,” the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance, a union that formed during the city’s antigovernment protest movement, wrote in a statement.
Under the plan, nonessential hospital staff members who belong to the union would not go to work on Monday. If the government failed to close the border and heed their other demands by 9 p.m., union members handling emergency services would also strike, the union said. Under the plan, nonessential hospital staff members who belong to the union would not go to work on Monday. If the government does not close the border and heed their other demands by 9 p.m., union members handling emergency services would also strike, the union said.
Matthew Cheung, Hong Kong’s No. 2 official, appealed to medical workers to reconsider, comparing them to guardians of the public. Matthew Cheung, Hong Kong’s No. 2 official, appealed to medical workers to reconsider. “At this critical moment, I believe the general public would count on medical personnel to fight against the epidemic together, in the spirit of professionalism,” he wrote in a blog post on Sunday.
“At this critical moment, I believe the general public would count on medical personnel to fight against the epidemic together, in the spirit of professionalism,” he wrote in a blog post Sunday.
Hong Kong confirmed its 14th coronavirus case late Saturday. The patient, an 80-year-old man, had traveled for a few hours to mainland China in early January, and later spent several days on a cruise ship in Japan with more than 3,000 passengers and employees.Hong Kong confirmed its 14th coronavirus case late Saturday. The patient, an 80-year-old man, had traveled for a few hours to mainland China in early January, and later spent several days on a cruise ship in Japan with more than 3,000 passengers and employees.
Health officials said that it remained unclear where he had developed the disease, and that they could not rule out the possibility of a local Hong Kong transmission of the virus in this and other cases. Health officials said it remained unclear where he had developed the disease.
“We are very worried,” Chuang Shuk-kwan, a health official, said at a news conference on Sunday. “Everyone should prepare mentally for the possibility that the disease is spreading within the community.”“We are very worried,” Chuang Shuk-kwan, a health official, said at a news conference on Sunday. “Everyone should prepare mentally for the possibility that the disease is spreading within the community.”
In arguing against the job action, government officials say that the number of visitors from the mainland and other countries has decreased significantly after they closed several border points and rail stations and cut flight arrivals by half. Government officials say that the number of visitors from the mainland and other countries has decreased significantly after they closed several border points and rail stations and cut flight arrivals by half.
But several border points remain open, and many medical workers fear being overwhelmed by a flood of visitors seeking treatment in Hong Kong’s well-regarded health care system. They have also voiced frustrations about patients from mainland China hiding their travel and medical history, potentially endangering other patients. But several border points remain open, and many medical workers fear that Hong Kong’s well-regarded health care system will be overwhelmed. They have also voiced frustrations about patients from mainland China hiding their travel and medical history, potentially endangering other patients.
South Korea said on Sunday that it would deny entry to any foreigners who have traveled to Wuhan and surrounding Hubei Province in China in the past 14 days.South Korea said on Sunday that it would deny entry to any foreigners who have traveled to Wuhan and surrounding Hubei Province in China in the past 14 days.
The travel restrictions will take effect on Tuesday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, as the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus in South Korea increased to 15.The travel restrictions will take effect on Tuesday, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said, as the number of people testing positive for the coronavirus in South Korea increased to 15.
Any South Korean citizen returning home who has been in Hubei Province within the past two weeks will be subject to 14 days of self-quarantine and monitoring, the government said.Any South Korean citizen returning home who has been in Hubei Province within the past two weeks will be subject to 14 days of self-quarantine and monitoring, the government said.
It also said it would bar South Koreans from visiting China as tourists.It also said it would bar South Koreans from visiting China as tourists.
The resort island of Jeju off the south coast of South Korea, a popular destination for Chinese tourists, is temporarily suspending the 30-day no-visa entry that it was granting to Chinese and other foreign tourists.The resort island of Jeju off the south coast of South Korea, a popular destination for Chinese tourists, is temporarily suspending the 30-day no-visa entry that it was granting to Chinese and other foreign tourists.
The rest of South Korea will also consider stopping issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, said Park Neung-hoo, the government’s minister of health and welfare. All travelers from China will be separated from the other arrivals for heightened screening at airports.The rest of South Korea will also consider stopping issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals, said Park Neung-hoo, the government’s minister of health and welfare. All travelers from China will be separated from the other arrivals for heightened screening at airports.
Reporting was contributed by Austin Ramzy, Jason Gutierrez, Tiffany May, Sui-Lee Wee and Choe Sang-Hun. Reporting was contributed by Austin Ramzy, Jason Gutierrez, Tiffany May, Sui-Lee Wee, Choe Sang-Hun and Anton Troianovski.