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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 WuhanThousands on board Diamond Princess face at least 14 days in offshore quarantine as eight more buildings are turned into hospitals in Wuhan
Health secretary Matt Hancock said the government is expecting more cases in the UK. He insisted the government is “taking no chances” and adopting a science-led approach in its response to the outbreak.
In an unexpected announcement, the Foreign Office urged UK citizens to leave China because of the coronavirus. Asked how logistically Britons are expected to return to the UK, Hancock told BBC Breakfast: “There are still commercial flights available. The principal that we are taking is that we want to take no chances with this virus. We want to take a science-led approach.”
“The approach we have been taking is very much driven by the advice of the Chief Medical Officer. This is a very serious virus and having a very serious impact in china,” Hancock added. “There are two cases only here in the UK but we do expect more, so we are taking no chances.”
The two people confirmed to have the virus in the UK remain in quarantine, while a Briton has tested negative after falling ill on a flight back from China.
Hancock said people returning from China will not be quarantined and should instead remain at home and call medics if they express symptoms. “The advice is that if they have symptoms then they should stay at home, self isolate as it’s called, and call 111, not go to the GP or to the A&E because there’s a risk of spreading the virus,” he told BBC Breakfast.
Owen Moone, a British teacher in Shenzhen in Guangdong province, said he was stuck in Vietnam because his flight back was cancelled. The 34-year-old was on holiday in Vietnam for the lunar new year.
“Luckily it’s a cheap country, but I only have a 30-day visa. I’m not sure when flights will be reinstated to Hong Kong or mainland China, but I need to return either to work or get my stuff,” Moone said. “Part of me is tempted to go home or to Canada where my girlfriend is visiting family. Not sure when the situation will change as there is currently a lot of ambiguity and things are changing by the day.”
Moone added his school was due to start back on 10 February, but has now been delayed until 17 February. “It’s the ambiguity and lack of clarity that is frustrating for me, although I am of course sympathetic that it is a rapidly changing situation so certainties are hard to come by,” he said.
The spread of a new coronavirus could throw “cold water” on the 2020 Olympics, senior organisers have warned.The spread of a new coronavirus could throw “cold water” on the 2020 Olympics, senior organisers have warned.
Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto sounded a grave note speaking at a meeting with officials of the International Paralympic Committee, according to a report by AP. “I am seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the games,” Muto said, speaking in Japanese. “I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible.” Toshiro Muto, the chief executive officer, sounded a grave note speaking at a meeting with officials of the International Paralympic Committee, according to a report by AP. “I am seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the Games,” Muto said. “I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible.”
Saburo Kawabuchi, the mayor of the Athletes Village where 11,000 Olympians will stay, was also apprehensive. “I truly hope that the infectious disease will die down somehow so that we will be able to operate the Paralympics and Olympics smoothly,” he said. “In the worst case we will do our utmost for the athletes so that they will be able to concentrate on performing their best.” Saburo Kawabuchi, the mayor of the Athletes Village, where 11,000 Olympians will stay, was also apprehensive. “I truly hope that the infectious disease will die down somehow so that we will be able to operate the Paralympics and Olympics smoothly,” he said. “In the worst case we will do our utmost for the athletes so that they will be able to concentrate on performing their best.”
I want to hear your news, experiences and questions about the Coronavirus outbreak. You can email me at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com, or reach me through my Twitter profile, @aamnamohdinI want to hear your news, experiences and questions about the Coronavirus outbreak. You can email me at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com, or reach me through my Twitter profile, @aamnamohdin
Morning, this is Aamna Mohdin taking over the blog from Martin Farrer. Good morning, this is Aamna Mohdin taking over the blog from Martin Farrer.
LG has become the first major technology company to pull out of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) due to take place in Barcelona over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.LG has become the first major technology company to pull out of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) due to take place in Barcelona over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.
PA Media reports that Korean firm LG would not be attending the technology convention, one of the largest events in the industry calendar, to announce its latest gadgets. The company will instead hold separate events in the near future. PA Media reports that the Korean firm would not be attending the technology convention, one of the largest events in the industry calendar, to announce its latest gadgets. The company will instead hold separate events in the near future.
A number of other technology companies, including Sony, Samsung, Huawei and Microsoft are still due to appear at MWC.A number of other technology companies, including Sony, Samsung, Huawei and Microsoft are still due to appear at MWC.
LG said in a statement:LG said in a statement:
That’s about it from me for today. I’m handing our rolling coverage to my colleague Aamna Mohdin. Thanks for joining me. Here are the main points from today so far:That’s about it from me for today. I’m handing our rolling coverage to my colleague Aamna Mohdin. Thanks for joining me. Here are the main points from today so far:
The death toll from novel coronavirus has climbed to 490 in mainland China. There remains one additional fatality in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines.The death toll from novel coronavirus has climbed to 490 in mainland China. There remains 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 mainland China.There are now 24,505 confirmed cases around the world, 24,292 being in mainland China.
Thousands of crew and passengers onboard a cruise ship in Japan are being held in quarantine for at least two weeks after 10 people tested positive for the virus. Hundreds more people have been tested and results are awaited.Thousands of crew and passengers onboard a cruise ship in Japan are being held in quarantine for at least two weeks after 10 people tested positive for the virus. Hundreds more people have been tested and results are awaited.
A British passenger, David Abel, said the Diamond Princess was like a “ghost town”.A British passenger, David Abel, said the Diamond Princess was like a “ghost town”.
Passengers and crew on another cruise ship, the World Dream, are also being quarantined in Hong Kong after 30 crew members showed symptoms of coronavirus, including fever.Passengers and crew on another cruise ship, the World Dream, are also being quarantined in Hong Kong after 30 crew members showed symptoms of coronavirus, including fever.
Britain is sending a final evacuation plane to Wuhan this weekend where it is understood that about 165 Britons remain. Japan is sending a fourth plane.Britain is sending a final evacuation plane to Wuhan this weekend where it is understood that about 165 Britons remain. Japan is sending a fourth plane.
A plane carrying New Zealanders, Australians, Britons and people from several Pacific nations has landed in Auckland from Wuhan. They will be quarantined for two weeks.A plane carrying New Zealanders, Australians, Britons and people from several Pacific nations has landed in Auckland from Wuhan. They will be quarantined for two weeks.
The economic impact on China is mounting as more cities went into lockdown. Oxford Economics say two percentage points could be knocked off the country’s growth this quarter.The economic impact on China is mounting as more cities went into lockdown. Oxford Economics say two percentage points could be knocked off the country’s growth this quarter.
United and American Airlines have suspended flights in and out of Hong Kong.United and American Airlines have suspended flights in and out of Hong Kong.
The World Health Organization says there is a “window of opportunity” to halt the spread of the disease.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.Financial markets in Asia have rallied again on Wednesday as investors continued to believe that the economic impact of the crisis will be limited.
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.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.“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%.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.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.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.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”.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.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: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.