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Coronavirus: China deaths pass 560 as 10 more cruise passengers test positive – latest news Coronavirus: 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 centresWuhan authorities warn of lack of ‘equipment and materials’ and consider converting hotels and schools into treatment centres
Virgin Atlantic has extended the suspension of its flights between Heathrow and Shanghai due to the coronavirus until 28 March.
A spokesman for the airline said:
They said all passengers booked to travel would receive the option of a refund. They should contact the customer care team via their SMS messaging system on +44 (0)7481 339184.
Countries across the globe, including the US, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, continue to impose travel restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Saudi Arabia has announced it is banning its citizens from visiting China, and said expatriates will not be allowed to return to the country if they violate the travel restriction.
The kingdom’s General Directorate of Passports also said regulatory provisions on travel documents would be applied to citizens who travel to the coronavirus-hit country.
The US is temporarily barring entry to foreign nationals who have travelled to China within the last 14 days, while Japan is refusing entry to foreign nationals who have been to Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak, within the past fortnight.
More than 140 Russians have been evacuated from Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, to a medical facility in Siberia guarded by members of Russia’s National Guard.More than 140 Russians have been evacuated from Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, to a medical facility in Siberia guarded by members of Russia’s National Guard.
Inside, many have taken to Instagram to blog their time in quarantine, snapping photos of their dinner and exercise routines.Inside, many have taken to Instagram to blog their time in quarantine, snapping photos of their dinner and exercise routines.
Pavel Lichman, a model who was evacuated from Wuhan, told The Guardian:Pavel Lichman, a model who was evacuated from Wuhan, told The Guardian:
If the evacuees leave their rooms, doctors warned, the two-week countdown starts again.If the evacuees leave their rooms, doctors warned, the two-week countdown starts again.
In the other rooms, Russians took stock of the bizarre turn of events and planned out their time in lockdown. “Plans for the next two weeks,” one young woman wrote, while firing up a Netflix documentary about the rapper Travis Scott.In the other rooms, Russians took stock of the bizarre turn of events and planned out their time in lockdown. “Plans for the next two weeks,” one young woman wrote, while firing up a Netflix documentary about the rapper Travis Scott.
Another modelled her striped pyjamas on a balcony overlooking a snowy forest of birch.Another modelled her striped pyjamas on a balcony overlooking a snowy forest of birch.
Student Marina Zaitseva was visiting Wuhan when the outbreak occurred. In an interview with the Fontanka.ru website, she described a difficult evacuation from China aboard a military airplane with little idea of where they were headed.Student Marina Zaitseva was visiting Wuhan when the outbreak occurred. In an interview with the Fontanka.ru website, she described a difficult evacuation from China aboard a military airplane with little idea of where they were headed.
When they arrived at the medical facility, they were told to give up their clothing for disinfection. She said:When they arrived at the medical facility, they were told to give up their clothing for disinfection. She said:
The US is continuing to fly hundreds of its citizens out of Wuhan, the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, in what it anticipates to be the last of its chartered flights.The US is continuing to fly hundreds of its citizens out of Wuhan, the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, in what it anticipates to be the last of its chartered flights.
On Wednesday, two planes flew 350 citizens back to an air force base in California, and two more flights will arrive from Wuhan this week. The US does not anticipate any further chartered flights after this.On Wednesday, two planes flew 350 citizens back to an air force base in California, and two more flights will arrive from Wuhan this week. The US does not anticipate any further chartered flights after this.
Other countries are also airlifting their nationals from the area, including Singapore, which is arranging a second evacuation flight for later this week.Other countries are also airlifting their nationals from the area, including Singapore, which is arranging a second evacuation flight for later this week.
The Britons who were evacuated from Wuhan last week have been told they can leave the quarantine facility in the Wirral next Thursday.The Britons who were evacuated from Wuhan last week have been told they can leave the quarantine facility in the Wirral next Thursday.
Matt Raw, who was one of 83 British nationals airlifted out of Wuhan on the first evacuation flight, received the news last night:Matt Raw, who was one of 83 British nationals airlifted out of Wuhan on the first evacuation flight, received the news last night:
Another 11 Britons were evacuated on a French-chartered flight on Sunday, after many failed to make it to the airport in time for the first flight.Another 11 Britons were evacuated on a French-chartered flight on Sunday, after many failed to make it to the airport in time for the first flight.
They are being kept in quarantine separately from those on the first.They are being kept in quarantine separately from those on the first.
Chinese officials were “concerned” that Boris Johnson has not yet sent a personal message of support to the country over the coronavirus outbreak.Chinese officials were “concerned” that Boris Johnson has not yet sent a personal message of support to the country over the coronavirus outbreak.
Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, met with Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming on Tuesday, and reported back to UK officials - and accidentally copied in the BBC.Stanley Johnson, the prime minister’s father, met with Chinese ambassador Liu Xiaoming on Tuesday, and reported back to UK officials - and accidentally copied in the BBC.
The email, to the environment minister Lord Goldsmith and other UK officials, said:The email, to the environment minister Lord Goldsmith and other UK officials, said:
A government spokesman said the UK had been in close contact with the Chinese authorities since the outbreak.A government spokesman said the UK had been in close contact with the Chinese authorities since the outbreak.
A former special adviser to the World Health Organization has said he thinks researchers are “weeks away” from testing a coronavirus vaccine on animals, but it could be months before human trials.A former special adviser to the World Health Organization has said he thinks researchers are “weeks away” from testing a coronavirus vaccine on animals, but it could be months before human trials.
Speaking on Sky News this morning, David Harper said: “The researchers around the world are working very hard.Speaking on Sky News this morning, David Harper said: “The researchers around the world are working very hard.
“We feel that we’re within a matter of weeks of the animal tests that are necessary before we go into the trials of the vaccine in humans, which could take some months of course, but still very much shorter than we would normally expect for a vaccine of this type.”“We feel that we’re within a matter of weeks of the animal tests that are necessary before we go into the trials of the vaccine in humans, which could take some months of course, but still very much shorter than we would normally expect for a vaccine of this type.”
A former World Health Organization official who helped lead the response to SARS has said “the full potential” of the coronavirus is not yet known.A former World Health Organization official who helped lead the response to SARS has said “the full potential” of the coronavirus is not yet known.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, David Heyman, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene, said:Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme, David Heyman, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene, said:
He said the disease is spread via droplets, when people are in a close enough area that they can cough on each other, and there is no evidence to suggest it is transmissible over longer distances.He said the disease is spread via droplets, when people are in a close enough area that they can cough on each other, and there is no evidence to suggest it is transmissible over longer distances.
A British man who is among 3,700 people under a coronavirus quarantine on a cruise ship in Japan has voiced concerns over ongoing monitoring for the disease on board.A British man who is among 3,700 people under a coronavirus quarantine on a cruise ship in Japan has voiced concerns over ongoing monitoring for the disease on board.
David Abel, from Northamptonshire, has praised Princess Cruises for its handling of the situation so far, but said fears remain about efforts to fight the disease on the ship.David Abel, from Northamptonshire, has praised Princess Cruises for its handling of the situation so far, but said fears remain about efforts to fight the disease on the ship.
“What health checks have we had in the last three or four days, or since the health check when the quarantine officers came on board? None whatsoever,” Abel said in a Facebook video post.“What health checks have we had in the last three or four days, or since the health check when the quarantine officers came on board? None whatsoever,” Abel said in a Facebook video post.
Health workers in the port city of Yokohama said on Thursday that 10 more people on the Diamond Princess had tested positive to the disease, in addition to 10 others on Wednesday when the ship was first isolated.Health workers in the port city of Yokohama said on Thursday that 10 more people on the Diamond Princess had tested positive to the disease, in addition to 10 others on Wednesday when the ship was first isolated.
Those 20 people are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals while the remaining passengers are confined to their cabins.Those 20 people are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals while the remaining passengers are confined to their cabins.
Abel, who along with his wife are believed to be the only two Britons on board, added: “And what happens when we finally get back to the UK? Are we going to be put in quarantine yet again for another 14 days?”Abel, who along with his wife are believed to be the only two Britons on board, added: “And what happens when we finally get back to the UK? Are we going to be put in quarantine yet again for another 14 days?”
It is thought the Foreign Office has offered support, but is letting cruise ship staff manage the situation.It is thought the Foreign Office has offered support, but is letting cruise ship staff manage the situation.
China has announced it will halve tariffs on $75bn worth of US goods, as the country’s economy comes under additional pressure amid the coronavirus outbreak.China has announced it will halve tariffs on $75bn worth of US goods, as the country’s economy comes under additional pressure amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Tariffs on some goods will be cut from to from 10% to 5%, and from 5% to 2.5% on others.Tariffs on some goods will be cut from to from 10% to 5%, and from 5% to 2.5% on others.
The announcement is part of a partial resolution of the long-running trade war between the US and China agreed last month, and the US will also roll back some tariffs as part of the agreement.The announcement is part of a partial resolution of the long-running trade war between the US and China agreed last month, and the US will also roll back some tariffs as part of the agreement.
The cuts will take effect on 14 February, but tariffs will remain on $35bn worth of US goods.The cuts will take effect on 14 February, but tariffs will remain on $35bn worth of US goods.
China’s economy has suffered as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, with factories across the country closed and its manufacturing sector seeing a drop in production.China’s economy has suffered as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, with factories across the country closed and its manufacturing sector seeing a drop in production.
This is Jessica Murray taking over from Alison to track the latest developments with the coronavirus outbreak throughout the day.This is Jessica Murray taking over from Alison to track the latest developments with the coronavirus outbreak throughout the day.
Global health experts have warned that “hidden” coronavirus cases mean that we could just be seeing the “tip of the iceberg”.Global health experts have warned that “hidden” coronavirus cases mean that we could just be seeing the “tip of the iceberg”.
Tom Frieden, a former director at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there could be “vastly more cases” than previously thought.Tom Frieden, a former director at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said there could be “vastly more cases” than previously thought.
“It’s becoming increasingly clear that containment is very unlikely,” Frieden said. “It probably isn’t worth giving up, but trying to contain Wuhan coronavirus like Sars and Mers is very unlikely, just because of the number of cases and the number of [Chinese] provinces and the ease with which it is ease spreading in families.”“It’s becoming increasingly clear that containment is very unlikely,” Frieden said. “It probably isn’t worth giving up, but trying to contain Wuhan coronavirus like Sars and Mers is very unlikely, just because of the number of cases and the number of [Chinese] provinces and the ease with which it is ease spreading in families.”
He added:He added:
Here’s a summary of what we know so far today about the spread of the coronavirus.
China’s death toll grew to 563, with 28,018 confirmed cases
Ten more people have been diagnosed with the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, moored at Yokohama in Japan
Canada has told its citizens to leave China by commercial means if their presence in the country is “not essential”
Taiwan has banned all international cruise ships from docking
Adidas has closed China stores over virus outbreak
Virgin Australia has announced it will cease flying to Hong Kong
Shares have risen strongly again on Asian markets
Here’s the latest tracker image from Johns Hopkins University on the spread of the coronavirus. If you want to check in on the tracker, you can find it here.
A 28-year-old doctor in Hunan province has died after working for 10 days on the coronavirus outbreak, Chinese state media is reporting.
As we have reported today, the death doll in China for the coronavirus has passed 560. You can find our latest full report on the story here.
For a further exploration of why stock markets are surging ahead despite the prospect of a marked slowdown in China (see this blog post), look no further than this piece by our economics editor Larry Elliott.
But he asks whether the outbreak is the kind of freakish, unforeseen event that could yet spark a global economic crisis – a “black swan” event in the market parlance.
Hong Kong’s economy faces a deepening recession as a result of the virus outbreak. Businesses in the territory have already been hit hard by months of sometimes violent street protests that have forced shops to close and transport to shut down.
The economy shrank 1.2% last year and economists at Fitch Solutions reckon it will contract by 2.6% this year with the vital retail sector brought ot its knees as the lucrative flow of Chinese tourists dries up thanks to the government’s new quarantine rules and airlines suspend flights in and out.
The sense of crisis has been heightened by panic buying in shops and supermarkets.
Read my full report here:
China’s People’s Daily is reporting the drug Remdesivir is “officially” in clinical trial stage on coronavirus patients in Wuhan’s Jinyintan hospital.
“The trial will include 453 critically ill patients and 308 with less severe symptoms, a medical expert said,” the China Daily reported.
A couple of Canadian readers in China have got in touch with me to say the Canadian consular service in Beijing is advising Canadians to leave China at their own cost if their presence is not essential.
“Please note that the Travel Advice and Advisory for China has recently been updated to indicate: If your presence in China isn’t essential, you should consider leaving by commercial means,” the advisory says, dated 6 February.
The government previously chartered a flight from Wuhan to Canada for Canadian citizens looking to return to Canada.
The coronavirus is having a significant impact on sports events. Last week the Chinese Football Association cancelled all domestic games at all levels. Many other events are also being affected:
Athletics:
The World Athletics Indoor Championships, which had been scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed until next year
The Asian Athletics Association cancelled its 12-13 February indoor championships in Hangzhou.
Football:
Asian Champions League matches involving Chinese clubs Guangzhou Evergrande, Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG have been postponed.
Guangzhou and the Shanghai clubs will join the competition in April, with their group matches due to be played in May.
Shanghai Shenhua and Shanghai SIPG were due to play away at Perth Glory and Sydney FC but Australian officials sought to reschedule matches after their government imposed a travel ban on foreign nationals arriving from China.
A four-team women’s Olympic qualifying tournament involving China, Australia, Taiwan and Thailand was moved from Wuhan and rearranged to be held in Australia by the AFC.
Vietnam’s government said it would not allow the country to host sporting events in February, meaning home AFC Cup group stage matches for Ho Chi Minh City and Than Quang Ninh will have to be switched to away fixtures.
Ho Chi Minh City will now face Yangon United in Myanmar on 11 February while Than Quang Ninh meet Ceres Negros on 25 February in the Philippines.
Car racing:
The all-electric Formula E motor racing series abandoned plans for a race in Sanya on 21 March.
The move puts Formula One in the spotlight, with Shanghai due to host the Chinese Grand Prix on 19 April, now looking in doubt.
Badminton:
The China Masters tournament in Hainan due to take place 25 February-1 March, was postponed after several players withdrew. The BWF said it hoped the flagship Badminton Asia Championships could still go ahead in Wuhan from 21-26 April.
Boxing
The International Olympic Committee announced Jordan as hosts of the boxing qualifiers for Asia and Oceania after an event in Wuhan was cancelled. It will now take place in Amman, 3-11 March.
Basketball
The International Basketball Federation moved the 6-9 February Tokyo Olympics qualifiers to be held in Foshan to Belgrade.
The FIBA Asia Cup 2021 qualifying match between China and Malaysia, to be held in Foshan on 24 February, will be rescheduled.
Golf
The elite women’s LPGA golf tour cancelled the 5-8 March Blue Bay tournament to be held on Hainan.
The PGA Tour Series-China moved its 25-28 February global qualifying tournament to Lagoi, Indonesia, from Haikou.
Stock markets continue to shrug off the deepening crisis with the Nikkei up a whopping 2.6% with less than an hour of trading to go while Seoul had also gained a healthy 2.55%. Hong Kong was even better, up 2.71%, and Shanghai was up 1.3%.
In Sydney, the Australian bourse rallying to its second highest close of all time. The ASX200 was paused at 7,047 points, a rise of 1% on the day and only 43 points off the record high set back in January.
Nguyen Trinh, senior economist for emerging Asia at the investment bank Natixis in Hong Kong, said investors were obviously expecting that the disruption seen across China would be temporary and that the policy response by China and Asian central banks would be enough to inject into markets much-needed liquidity.
However, she noted that commodities had seen a more turbulent few weeks with oil, for example, down more than 10% for the year.
She said: