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Coronavirus live updates: China deaths pass 560 as 10 more cruise passengers test positive – latest news Coronavirus live updates: China deaths pass 560 as 10 more cruise passengers test positive – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Wuhan authorities warn of lack of ‘equipment and materials’ and consider converting hotels and schools into treatment centres. Follow live updatesWuhan authorities warn of lack of ‘equipment and materials’ and consider converting hotels and schools into treatment centres. Follow live updates
There were long queues in supermarket across Hong Kong last night, with people panic buying toilet rolls and tissues, largely due to a rumour spreading online saying China will stop manufacturing toilet paper for the next two weeks. There was also a run on vitamins, rice and packet noodles, leaving supermarket shelves empty.
Adidas has announced it is closing a “significant” number of its stores in China over the deadly new coronavirus, and warned it expects further impacts on its operations in the country.
It follows a similar move by its US rival Nike, Agence France Presse reports.
Adidas has around 500 of its own stores in China and some 11,500 outlets in franchise stores. The German sports wear giant said many of its franchise stores were also closing.
“We can confirm that we are currently experiencing a negative impact on our operations in China,” the statement added.
“However, at this point in time it is too early to assess the magnitude of this impact.”
Nike on Tuesday also said it expected the worsening outbreak of the virus to have “a material impact” on its Chinese business.
Here are some of the pictures emerging from the operation to hospitalise infected passengers on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
The Chinese city of Nanchang, capital of Jiangxi province, will strictly monitor the entry and exit of residents from villages and residential compounds as it steps up its efforts to control the spread of a coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reports.
The city, which has a population of 5 million people, said on its official Weibo social media account that each family should assign one member to go out once every two days, and that people running fevers must go to a medical facility.
Jiangxi province is separated from the virus epicentre of Hubei by the Yangtze river. It had reported 600 infections of the coronavirus by the end of Wednesday, with no fatalities.
We are getting confirmation of the nationalities of the 10 new cases of coronavirus on the stricken cruise ship on Japan. The Guardian’s Tokyo correspondent, Justin McCurry, says there are four Japanese, two each from the US and Canada, and one each from New Zealand and Taiwan.
Virgin Australia has announced it will cease flights from Australia to Hong Kong because the route was “no longer a commercially viable”Virgin Australia has announced it will cease flights from Australia to Hong Kong because the route was “no longer a commercially viable”
Sydney-Hong Kong flights will stop on 2 March. In November, the airline announced the Melbourne-Hong Kong route would stop on 11 February.Sydney-Hong Kong flights will stop on 2 March. In November, the airline announced the Melbourne-Hong Kong route would stop on 11 February.
The airline said growing uncertainty over the coronavirus outbreak and the decline due to civil unrest associated with the pro-democracy protests had prompted the move.The airline said growing uncertainty over the coronavirus outbreak and the decline due to civil unrest associated with the pro-democracy protests had prompted the move.
Virgin Australia Group chief commercial officer, John MacLeod said: “Hong Kong has continued to be a challenging market. With a decline in demand following ongoing civil unrest, and growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the wider region, we have made the decision to withdraw services.Virgin Australia Group chief commercial officer, John MacLeod said: “Hong Kong has continued to be a challenging market. With a decline in demand following ongoing civil unrest, and growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the wider region, we have made the decision to withdraw services.
“While the decision to withdraw from the Hong Kong market has been a difficult one, it demonstrates our strong focus on driving greater financial discipline through our network.“While the decision to withdraw from the Hong Kong market has been a difficult one, it demonstrates our strong focus on driving greater financial discipline through our network.
“Current circumstances demonstrate that Hong Kong is no longer a commercially viable route for Virgin Australia to continue operating, however international tourism remains an important part of our strategy through our other international routes and partner airlines,” MacLeod said.“Current circumstances demonstrate that Hong Kong is no longer a commercially viable route for Virgin Australia to continue operating, however international tourism remains an important part of our strategy through our other international routes and partner airlines,” MacLeod said.
Still in Australia, and the prime minister, Scott Morrison has said a further 36 citizens and residents who left Wuhan on the Air New Zealand flight have now been transferred to Christmas Island, where other Australian evacuees from Wuhan are being held in quarantine for 14 days.Still in Australia, and the prime minister, Scott Morrison has said a further 36 citizens and residents who left Wuhan on the Air New Zealand flight have now been transferred to Christmas Island, where other Australian evacuees from Wuhan are being held in quarantine for 14 days.
You can read our full report on evacuees on Christmas Island below.You can read our full report on evacuees on Christmas Island below.
Australia’s universities are going to come under financial pressure in coming weeks when classes start but Chinese students are unable to attend due to the coronavirus crisis, ratings agency S&P says.Australia’s universities are going to come under financial pressure in coming weeks when classes start but Chinese students are unable to attend due to the coronavirus crisis, ratings agency S&P says.
Students from mainland China are about 38% of tertiary enrolments, S&P says.Students from mainland China are about 38% of tertiary enrolments, S&P says.
International students are worth $11.3bn a year in fees, so that puts as much as $4.3bn in revenue at risk.International students are worth $11.3bn a year in fees, so that puts as much as $4.3bn in revenue at risk.
S&P says universities can’t easily cut costs, such as staff wages and building maintenance, to offset the potential revenue plunge.S&P says universities can’t easily cut costs, such as staff wages and building maintenance, to offset the potential revenue plunge.
“The health crisis underscores the risks that stem from the sector’s growing dependence on the lucrative international market, which has flourished against a backdrop of stagnant government funding and heavy investment in the pursuit of higher rankings,” the agency said.“The health crisis underscores the risks that stem from the sector’s growing dependence on the lucrative international market, which has flourished against a backdrop of stagnant government funding and heavy investment in the pursuit of higher rankings,” the agency said.
S&P also says German carmaker Volkswagen stands to take the biggest hit from factory shutdowns in Hubei province, the epicentre of the virus outbreak, because it makes almost 40% of its cars and components in China.S&P also says German carmaker Volkswagen stands to take the biggest hit from factory shutdowns in Hubei province, the epicentre of the virus outbreak, because it makes almost 40% of its cars and components in China.
“While the Chinese market maintains its long-term attraction for most global auto manufacturers and suppliers, recent developments may contribute to turning 2020 into an ever more challenging year for global automakers and suppliers than we originally expected,” analyst Vittoria Ferraris said.“While the Chinese market maintains its long-term attraction for most global auto manufacturers and suppliers, recent developments may contribute to turning 2020 into an ever more challenging year for global automakers and suppliers than we originally expected,” analyst Vittoria Ferraris said.
One Guardian reader in Shandong province, who is a teacher, has got in touch with me to say there’s confusion among UK citizens there about the British foreign office’s advice to leave China if they can. “My main hesitation with leaving China is I feel I would be more likely to contract the virus whilst in transit to the UK than if I stay in my apartment and wait for things to calm down here.One Guardian reader in Shandong province, who is a teacher, has got in touch with me to say there’s confusion among UK citizens there about the British foreign office’s advice to leave China if they can. “My main hesitation with leaving China is I feel I would be more likely to contract the virus whilst in transit to the UK than if I stay in my apartment and wait for things to calm down here.
“My school is closed until at least the 17th of February (our classes have moved online) and I leave the apartment only for supplies and some exercise / fresh air. Whereas travelling to the UK would mean having to go on a train, tube and through at least two airports,” she says.“My school is closed until at least the 17th of February (our classes have moved online) and I leave the apartment only for supplies and some exercise / fresh air. Whereas travelling to the UK would mean having to go on a train, tube and through at least two airports,” she says.
The 10 newly diagnosed Diamond Princess passengers include four Japanese nationals, the health ministry said on Thursday morning. The nationalities of the other six were not immediately available. The 10 patients comprise five people in their 70s, four in their 60s and one in his or her 50s, the ministry said.The 10 newly diagnosed Diamond Princess passengers include four Japanese nationals, the health ministry said on Thursday morning. The nationalities of the other six were not immediately available. The 10 patients comprise five people in their 70s, four in their 60s and one in his or her 50s, the ministry said.
Shares have risen strongly again on Asian markets where there appears to be more confidence – helped by another strong day on Wall Street – that the economic impact of the new coronavirus will not be too damaging.Shares have risen strongly again on Asian markets where there appears to be more confidence – helped by another strong day on Wall Street – that the economic impact of the new coronavirus will not be too damaging.
The ASX200 is up 0.55% in Sydney, the Nikkei has surged 1.6% in Tokyo and Seoul has gained 1.27%. Brent crude rose $1.32 yesterday to $55.28 a barrel.The ASX200 is up 0.55% in Sydney, the Nikkei has surged 1.6% in Tokyo and Seoul has gained 1.27%. Brent crude rose $1.32 yesterday to $55.28 a barrel.
On the other side of the ledger, there is more evidence of how companies are being affected by the spread of the virus.On the other side of the ledger, there is more evidence of how companies are being affected by the spread of the virus.
Cathay Pacific has asked its entire workforce of 27,000 to take up to three weeks of unpaid leave. it said on Tuesday that it was cutting 30% of its capacity in the coming weeks.Cathay Pacific has asked its entire workforce of 27,000 to take up to three weeks of unpaid leave. it said on Tuesday that it was cutting 30% of its capacity in the coming weeks.
Adidas has announced that it is shutting a “significant” number of its 500 stores in China.Adidas has announced that it is shutting a “significant” number of its 500 stores in China.
Foxconn, which manufactures the Apple iPhone, said it had applied to the Chinese authorities to restart operations at factories in China next week but it could take one to two weeks from then to resume full production due to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported, quoting a source with knowledge of the matter. However, a full resumption was not possible until late February due to various travel restrictions imposed to curb the virus.Foxconn, which manufactures the Apple iPhone, said it had applied to the Chinese authorities to restart operations at factories in China next week but it could take one to two weeks from then to resume full production due to the coronavirus outbreak, Reuters reported, quoting a source with knowledge of the matter. However, a full resumption was not possible until late February due to various travel restrictions imposed to curb the virus.
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has just interviewed an Australian passenger on the stranded Diamond Princess cruise liner in Yokohama, where 10 more people were diagnosed with coronavirus on the ship (in addition to 10 diagnosed on Wednesday).
Vera Koslova said frustration amongst passengers was rising: “There’s been no announcements made as yet by the captain to let us know that there has been more cases.”
“I’m quite patient and have a very positive attitude and know that the Australian government is trying to do everything possible as well as Japan. But, um, just getting a just a little bit more nervous now,” she said.
Qantas says it’s suspended a union delegate for telling employees it’s not safe to work on flights from China amid the coronavirus outbreak, Australian Associated Press reports (below).
Just back to the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship moored off Yokohama ... the Guardian’s Justin McCurry in Tokyo says health officials now have the results of 102 tests conducted on 273 passengers. A total of twenty were positive. He says the second group of patients found to have been infected will be taken to hospitals in Kanagawa prefecture, where Yokohama is located, according to the health ministry.
Just while we are on Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific announced on Wednesday that all 27,000 employees would be asked to take three weeks of unpaid leave over the coming months. The CEO, Augustus Tang, said the airline was facing a crisis in the wake of the virus outbreak.
“I am hoping all of you will participate, from our frontline employees to our senior leaders, and share in our current challenges,” Tang said in a video message posted online.
Months of pro-democracy protests, including sit-ins at Hong Kong’s international airport, had already taken a toll on the airline.
In his video message to employees, Tang warned Cathay was experiencing “one of the most difficult Chinese New Year holidays we have ever had” because of the virus.
“And we don’t know how long it will last,” he added. “With such an uncertain outlook, preserving our cash is now the key to protecting our business.”
He also warned that further steps may need to be taken. The airline has already reduced its flights to the Chinese mainland by 90%.
This week United Airlines announced it was suspending all flights to Hong Kong from 8-20 February, days after it cut its flights to mainland China. American airlines also announced it was suspending its flights to Hong Kong form Dallas/Fort Worth and and Los Angeles until 20 February.
Given the speed at which this story is moving, keeping track of global figures for the virus is quite a challenge.
The Hong Kong government has set up a tracker of cases there – you can find it here, and I have put a snapshot below, which shows 1 death, 21 confirmed cases, 154 cases hospitalised under investigation and 868 cases ruled out.
Interestingly the tracker also gives a geographic location for all cases.
Australian evacuees from Wuhan have arrived on Christmas Island where they will be quarantined before being allowed to return to their homes.
One of our reporters, Ben Doherty, is on Christmas Island and he has filed this on the arrival of the evacuees.
The national health commissions figures for China with regards to the virus have now been released and the headline figures are that as of midnight Wednesday into Thursday, there were 28,018 confirmed cases and 563 deaths in China.
It says there are 24,702 suspected cases.
A total of 282,813 close contacts have been traced, and 186,354 close contacts are still in medical observation.
Of the deaths in the past 24 hours, of the 73 new deaths recorded, 70 were in Hubei Province, and one each in Tianjin, Heilongjiang, and Guizhou.
The vast majority of new infections were also in (Hubei 2,987 out of 3,694).
The Japanese broadcaster NHK is citing the health ministry saying there are 10 new cases of coronavirus on the Diamond Princess, moored off Yokohama.
If the new infections are confirmed, that would bring the total number of coronavirus patients in Japan to 45, Reuters says.
The ship was caught up in the global coronavirus epidemic after an 80-year-old Hong Kong man tested positive for the virus after disembarking the ship late last month.
Passengers and their relatives took to social media to detail their predicament and conditions on the cruise ship. One passenger has tweeted a number of photos below.
We’re getting reports that another 10 people have tested positive for coronavirus onboard the cruise ship that is currently moored off Japan.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that 10 people on board the Diamond Princess had tested positive, prompting authorities to instruct all passengers to remain inside their cabins. Thousands of people on the Diamond Princess face spending the next fortnight stuck off the Japanese port of Yokohama, as officials attempt to prevent further infection.
I’ll bring you more details on this as soon as they come in.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, with me Alison Rourke.
New death toll figures are beginning to emerge from Hubei on the latest death toll from the coronavirus. The province has reported 70 new deaths, taking fatalities there to 549. It also reported 2,987 new confirmed cases taking cases in Hubei to 19,665.
These figures will be updated again when the national total is announced, but for the moment that brings the the death toll in China to 563. Total numbers of confirmed infections in China are over 28,000.
Here’s summary of the other key points so far:
Chinese authorities say they face a “severe” shortage of hospital beds
Global cases have been reported in 20 countries
Tokyo’s Olympics chief executive said organisers were “extremely worried about how the virus could affect this year’s games
All arrivals to Hong Kong from mainland China will face “compulsory quarantine”
You can get up to date with all our latest coverage here and guide to how to protect yourself from the virus here.
You can also read our diary of a coronavirus evacuee, and comment pieces on the virus, including:
China’s response to coronavirus exposes a dangerous obsession with secrecy
Chinese people are enduring coronavirus like everyone else. Don’t traumatise us further
The coronavirus lays bare the limits of WHO’s health diplomacy with China
If you want to get in touch, you can contact me via alison.rourke@theguardian.com