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Coronavirus live updates: 10 test positive on cruise ship in Japan as China deaths pass 490 – latest news Coronavirus live updates: 10 test positive on cruise ship in Japan as China deaths pass 490 – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Thousands on board Diamond Princess face at least 14 days in offshore quarantine as eight more buildings are turned into hospitals in Wuhan. Follow all the developments hereThousands on board Diamond Princess face at least 14 days in offshore quarantine as eight more buildings are turned into hospitals in Wuhan. Follow all the developments here
Economists have warned that the Chinese economy faces a severe hit in the first quarter of the year as huge parts of its manufacturing and service industries remain shut down.
“The inopportune timing of the outbreak around Chinese New Year, a time of increased transport and economic connectivity... as well as the lockdown of affected regions all add to the equation,” Louis Kuijs of Oxford Economics told AFP.
Oxford Economics believes the virus could knock at least two percentage points off China’s growth in the first quarter before it bounces back in April-June. It cut its full-year outlook to an expansion of 5.4%, which is well down from its previous estimate of 6%.
AFP says that 56 million people in Hubei province alone are in lockdown as the government tries to stop the spread of the disease. The annual new year holiday was due to end last weekend but has been extended for many factories until 10 February to limit contagion.
Hangzhou near Shanghai has imposed severe restrictions on residents. Some three million people in the city, the home of Alibaba, one of China’s biggest companies, have been told only one person per household will be allowed outside every two days to buy necessities.
At least three other cities in eastern Zhejiang province - Taizhou, Wenzhou and parts of Ningbo - have imposed the same measures, affecting some 18 million people, AFP says.
Dongfeng Motor Corporation, which is based in Wuhan and is one of China’s biggest carmakers, said its factories remained shut and would only reopen dependin “on the prevention and control of the epidemic”.
The team at Capital Economics said there was very little data coming out of China to make a proper judgment but they said that the number of confirmed cases within China has continued to rise and is now almost four times the number recorded in the Sars outbreak in 2003.
Capital said:
A third case has been confirmed in the Philippines. The WHO says a 60-year-old Chinese woman has coronavirus.A third case has been confirmed in the Philippines. The WHO says a 60-year-old Chinese woman has coronavirus.
And in another development, Uzbekistan is evacuating 84 people from Wuhan, according to Uzbekistan Airways. The central Asian nation joins a host of other countries to send planes to rescue its citizens.And in another development, Uzbekistan is evacuating 84 people from Wuhan, according to Uzbekistan Airways. The central Asian nation joins a host of other countries to send planes to rescue its citizens.
Reuters has reported some fascinating detail about an international business meeting held in Singapore in Janaury that reveals something about the way in which the virus has spread around the world.Reuters has reported some fascinating detail about an international business meeting held in Singapore in Janaury that reveals something about the way in which the virus has spread around the world.
Officials in Malaysia said on Tuesday that its first citizen to be infected with the virus - a 41-year-old man - had attended the meeting that had also included several international delegations, some from China, Reuters says.Officials in Malaysia said on Tuesday that its first citizen to be infected with the virus - a 41-year-old man - had attended the meeting that had also included several international delegations, some from China, Reuters says.
On Wednesday officials in South Korea said a 38-year-old Korean who came into contact with the Malaysian when he travelled to Singapore for a conference has also been infected.On Wednesday officials in South Korea said a 38-year-old Korean who came into contact with the Malaysian when he travelled to Singapore for a conference has also been infected.
The South Korean man had a meal with the Malaysian man, as well as several other South Koreans during the conference, South Korea’s Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported.The South Korean man had a meal with the Malaysian man, as well as several other South Koreans during the conference, South Korea’s Joongang Ilbo newspaper reported.
Singapore’s health ministry said on Tuesday that the meeting involving the Malaysian took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, adding the city-state was working to identify individuals in close contact with the cases.Singapore’s health ministry said on Tuesday that the meeting involving the Malaysian took place at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, adding the city-state was working to identify individuals in close contact with the cases.
Peter Beaumont, a senior reporter on the our global development desk, has been looking at whether it’s fair to criticise the World Health Organization for its handling of the crisis.Peter Beaumont, a senior reporter on the our global development desk, has been looking at whether it’s fair to criticise the World Health Organization for its handling of the crisis.
Critics have said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been guilty of doing China’s bidding by not declaring the virus a world health emergency quickly enough. A smiling Ghebreyesus has been pictured in Beijing with Chinese president Xi Jinping leading to accusations that Beijing was not being pushed hard enough to come clean about the extent of the contagion. Beijing is a large donor to the WHO.Critics have said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has been guilty of doing China’s bidding by not declaring the virus a world health emergency quickly enough. A smiling Ghebreyesus has been pictured in Beijing with Chinese president Xi Jinping leading to accusations that Beijing was not being pushed hard enough to come clean about the extent of the contagion. Beijing is a large donor to the WHO.
But Beaumont argues that it is still difficult for the WHO to push its diplomacy with China too hard for fear of being shut out. He quotes one source as saying:But Beaumont argues that it is still difficult for the WHO to push its diplomacy with China too hard for fear of being shut out. He quotes one source as saying:
“China was very quick to let the WHO know what was happening on 31 December. The organisation’s goal was to get as much information about what was happening in China to inform what the rest of the world would need to do.”“China was very quick to let the WHO know what was happening on 31 December. The organisation’s goal was to get as much information about what was happening in China to inform what the rest of the world would need to do.”
Read his whole piece here:Read his whole piece here:
A new documentary Netflix series called Pandemic has been released with horribly appropriate timing.A new documentary Netflix series called Pandemic has been released with horribly appropriate timing.
It explores what can be done to tackle the spread of diseases such as Sars and swine flu. Our feature writer, Brigid Delaney, says it “moved her to tears”.It explores what can be done to tackle the spread of diseases such as Sars and swine flu. Our feature writer, Brigid Delaney, says it “moved her to tears”.
Hong Kong health officials say 90% of passengers on the ship are Hong Kongers and that none have had contact with three mainland Chinese who developed symptoms of the virus while on board between 19 and 24 January.Hong Kong health officials say 90% of passengers on the ship are Hong Kongers and that none have had contact with three mainland Chinese who developed symptoms of the virus while on board between 19 and 24 January.
Three passengers developed the virus after leaving Guangzhou on the ship on 19 January, Genting Cruise Lines, which owns the operator Dream Cruises, said. They disembarked in Vietnam for treatment and the ship returned to Guangzhou on 24 January.Three passengers developed the virus after leaving Guangzhou on the ship on 19 January, Genting Cruise Lines, which owns the operator Dream Cruises, said. They disembarked in Vietnam for treatment and the ship returned to Guangzhou on 24 January.
The South China Morning Post and the Chinese website TenCent reports that authorities in Zhaoqing, a city in northern Guangdong, said a person who was on that cruise was diagnosed with coronavirus on Saturday.The South China Morning Post and the Chinese website TenCent reports that authorities in Zhaoqing, a city in northern Guangdong, said a person who was on that cruise was diagnosed with coronavirus on Saturday.
Health officials in Zhaoqing said another 41 people on the cruise should quarantine themselves at home or get in touch with dooctors if they develop a fever.Health officials in Zhaoqing said another 41 people on the cruise should quarantine themselves at home or get in touch with dooctors if they develop a fever.
They added that there were 108 people from Hubei on the cruise, including 28 from Wuhan.They added that there were 108 people from Hubei on the cruise, including 28 from Wuhan.
Hong Kong’s health department says 30 crew on the World Dream cruise ship docked in Hong Kong have symptoms of the coronavirus.Hong Kong’s health department says 30 crew on the World Dream cruise ship docked in Hong Kong have symptoms of the coronavirus.
It added that department staff are conducting tests on 1,800 crew and passengers on board the ship.It added that department staff are conducting tests on 1,800 crew and passengers on board the ship.
It was refused a berth in port in Taiwan on Tuesday and returned to Hong Kong.It was refused a berth in port in Taiwan on Tuesday and returned to Hong Kong.
Medical workers in Hong Kong have begun a third day of strike action over concerns that the city’s government is not doing enough to prevent the spread of coronavirus.Medical workers in Hong Kong have begun a third day of strike action over concerns that the city’s government is not doing enough to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Hong Kong recorded its first death from the outbreak on Tuesday and has 18 confirmed cases, bringing more calls for the authorities to seal the last remaining routes in and out to the mainland.Hong Kong recorded its first death from the outbreak on Tuesday and has 18 confirmed cases, bringing more calls for the authorities to seal the last remaining routes in and out to the mainland.
“As the disease is spreading rapidly in our community, and locally infected cases are steadily increasing, we are dangerously close to a massive community outbreak comparable to Sars,” a newly formed union called the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) said in a statement.“As the disease is spreading rapidly in our community, and locally infected cases are steadily increasing, we are dangerously close to a massive community outbreak comparable to Sars,” a newly formed union called the Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA) said in a statement.
On Wednesday, dozens of medical representatives including the chairwoman of HAEA, Winnie Yu, marched to government headquarters to press their demands for the border to be sealed.On Wednesday, dozens of medical representatives including the chairwoman of HAEA, Winnie Yu, marched to government headquarters to press their demands for the border to be sealed.
Carrie Lam, the city’s chief executive, has kept open three routes to China, arguing that to close them would be “inappropriate, impractical and discriminatory”.Carrie Lam, the city’s chief executive, has kept open three routes to China, arguing that to close them would be “inappropriate, impractical and discriminatory”.
The UK’s Press Association agency has spoken to a British man in Wuhan who fears he contracted the virus at the end of November but is not sure how he will get out of the city.The UK’s Press Association agency has spoken to a British man in Wuhan who fears he contracted the virus at the end of November but is not sure how he will get out of the city.
So news of another evacuation flight may give hope to Jamie Morris, a 23-year-old teacher from New Tredegar in South Wales.So news of another evacuation flight may give hope to Jamie Morris, a 23-year-old teacher from New Tredegar in South Wales.
He said he had not been able to make the recent flights back to the UK because his passport had been given to the Chinese government to extend his residency permit.He said he had not been able to make the recent flights back to the UK because his passport had been given to the Chinese government to extend his residency permit.
He said the Foreign Office’s crisis team in London had told him “to be patient and they will be in touch if anything changes”.He said the Foreign Office’s crisis team in London had told him “to be patient and they will be in touch if anything changes”.
The Japanese foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, said on Wednesday that Japan would send a fourth chartered flight to Wuhan tomorrow to bring back about 200 passengers.The Japanese foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, said on Wednesday that Japan would send a fourth chartered flight to Wuhan tomorrow to bring back about 200 passengers.
The passengers could include Japanese nationals as well as their Chinese spouses, Motegi told reporters.The passengers could include Japanese nationals as well as their Chinese spouses, Motegi told reporters.
Japan has already sent three planes to Wuhan to evacuate hundreds of its citizens.Japan has already sent three planes to Wuhan to evacuate hundreds of its citizens.
Reuters reports that a Canadian man on a flight from Toronto to Jamaica falsely announced to passengers that he had the coronavirus, forcing the plane to return to the airport where he was arrested.
The incident occurred on Monday during a WestJet Airlines flight from Toronto to Montego Bay. The Boeing 767 was carrying 243 passengers.
“A male was causing a disturbance on the flight, saying he had been to China and had the coronavirus,” said Sarah Patten, a spokeswoman for police in the town of Peel, close to Toronto’s Pearson international airport.
After the plane landed, the 29-year-old man was checked by medical staff who concluded he did not have the coronavirus. He was arrested, charged with mischief and will appear in court on 9 March.
Julie-Anne Broderick, a passenger on the plane, said she saw the man taking a selfie and announcing he had the virus.
“The flight attendants came, gave him a mask and gloves and just told him that he had to move to the back of the plane,” she told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.
The captain then told passengers he thought the incident was a hoax but had to return to Toronto, she added.
The UK government is chartering a final flight to bring British nationals back from Wuhan.
After Britons in mainland China were controversially urged to leave the country, the Foreign Office said the plane was expected to leave in the early hours of Sunday morning local time and will land at RAF Brize Norton.
It added that the government wanted to ensure that all British nationals in Hubei province contact the Foreign Office to register if they want to leave on the flight.
According to the Press Assocation new agency, 165 Britons and their dependants remain in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, while 108 people have requested assistance to leave as of the early hours of Wednesday.
A total of 94 UK nationals and family members have already been evacuated to Britain from Wuhan on two flights which arrived on Friday and Sunday.
One passenger was taken to hospital in Oxford after telling medics he had a cough and a cold, while the rest of those who came back are in quarantine at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.
Passengers on another cruise ship are being tested for the virus.
World Dream, which is run by Dream Cruises, was denied entry to the southern Taiwan port of Kaohsiung aon Tuesday and docked in Hong Kong on Wednesday. All passengers and crew are undergoing health checks, Cable TV reported, according to Reuters.
The ship visited Taiwan’s northern Keelung port on Monday, Taiwan’s health authorities said, and some passengers were allowed to disembark.
The death toll from novel coronavirus has climbed to 490 in mainland China, with one additional fatality in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.
There are now 24,505 confirmed cases around the world, 24,292 being in manland China.
Ten people on board a cruise ship anchored off Yokohama in Japan have tested positive for the virus. In total, 272 people of the 3,700 on board the Diamond Princess have been tested, with only 31 results in so far.
The infected people have been taken to hospitals onshore for treatment. The ship and all those on board is being quarantined for at least 14 days.
Read our full story on the stricken vessel here.
United and American Airlines have suspended flights in and out of Hong Kong.
Nearly 200 people – mostly New Zealanders and Australians – are on their way to Auckland on a specially chartered plane from Wuhan.
The World Health Organization says there is a “window of opportunity” to halt the spread of the disease.
Financial markets in Asia have rallied again on Wednesday as investors continued to believe that the economic impact of the crisis will be limited.
The Chinese government continues to try to put a positive spin on the crisis that has seen millions of people forced to stay in their homes.
The state news agency Xinhua tweeted some suggestions today about how families can amuse themselves in the confines of their homes.
My colleague Alison Rourke detailed some of the other positive message put out by Beijing here:
The number of cases of novel coronavirus around the world has reached 24,505, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker site. The vast majority – 24,292 – are in mainland China with 213 around the world.
(Those figures from the university don’t include the 10 on the Diamond Princess in Japan.)
The Carnival statement said the infected people will be taken ashore to Yokohama by the Japanese coastguard and taken to local hospitals. The ship will remain under quarantine off Yokohama for at least 14 days, as required by the ministry of health.
The statement also said:
The ship will go out to sea “to perform normal marine operations” such as the production of fresh water and ballast operations before picking up food, provisions and other supplies from Yokohama.
Passengers will receive free internet and telephone to stay in contact with their family and loved ones.
The crew is working to keep all guests comfortable.
Princess Cruises – part of the UK-listed Carnival – “will continue to fully cooperate with and follow the instructions of global medical authorities and the Japanese government”.
Carnival has cancelled the next two Diamond Princess cruises departing Yokohama (yesterday and 12 February).
There are 2,666 guests and 1,045 crew currently onboard. Approximately half the guestsare from Japan.
Two Australians are among the 10 people who have tested positive for coronavirus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, the cruise company Carnival have confirmed.
The other people infected are three Japanese, three from Hong Kong, one American and one Filipino crewmember.
Justin McCurry has been finding out more information about the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is being quarantined off the coast of Yokohama in Japan after an outbreak of coronavirus on board.
Ten people have tested positive for the virus out of 31 results that have come back so far from 273 tests.
David Abel, a British passenger who is on board the ship with his wife Sally, described the situation on his Facebook page.
We’ll have a full report soon.
In Wuhan, the epicentre of the virus, the authorities are converting an additional eight buildings, including gymnasiums, exhibition centres and sports centres, into hospitals, the official Xinhua news agency has reported.
That’s on top of three conversions already announced. Together the process will add an extra 10,000 beds to the city’s hospital capacity. There have been 8,351 confirmed cases in the city, according to the Chinese news website TenCent.
A new hospital in Wuhan with 1,000 beds opened to patients on Monday. And here’s a timelapse video of how that first emergency hospital was built in a matter of days.
There’s also another 1,600-bed hospital being built.