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Coronavirus: 41 more people, including British honeymooner, test positive on cruise ship – latest news Coronavirus: 41 more people, including British honeymooner, test positive on cruise ship – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Total infections pass 30,000 as Wuhan whistleblower doctor dies and North Korea confirms first case of virusTotal infections pass 30,000 as Wuhan whistleblower doctor dies and North Korea confirms first case of virus
British luxury fashion brand Burberry said coronavirus is damaging demand for luxury goods in mainland China and Hong Kong.
The label said 24 of its 64 stores in mainland China were closed, and remaining stores are operating with reduced hours and with significant declines in footfall.
CEO Marco Gobbetti said:
Spending by Chinese tourists in Europe and other locations has been less impacted, but as further travel restrictions are introduced across the globe, the company anticipated the situation would worsen over the coming weeks.
Meanwhile Uniqlo will temporarily close about half of its stores in China due to the coronavirus outbreak.
A spokesperson for Fast Retailing, the Japanese company which owns Uniqlo, said 370 out of 750 stores have been closed.
There is no planned reopening date for the China stores yet, and the company continues to monitor the situation.
Chinese researchers have said the pangolin, an endangered mammal illegally trafficked for its scales and meat, is a potential intermediate host for the coronavirus.
“This latest discovery will be of great significance for the prevention and control of the origin [of the virus],” South China Agricultural University, which led the research, said in a statement on its website.
The pangolin is considered the most trafficked animal in the world and an estimated 1 million were smuggled from 2000-13.
In January, China ordered a temporary ban on the trade in wild animals until the epidemic was under control.
Donald Trump has praised China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying President Xi Jinping “strongly leads what will be a very successful operation”.Donald Trump has praised China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, saying President Xi Jinping “strongly leads what will be a very successful operation”.
China has previously criticised US restrictions over the outbreak, which include barring entry to most foreign nationals who have visited China in the past two weeks.China has previously criticised US restrictions over the outbreak, which include barring entry to most foreign nationals who have visited China in the past two weeks.
Hong Kong Airlines is to cut 400 jobs and reduce its operations as coronavirus adds to the company’s financial woes.Hong Kong Airlines is to cut 400 jobs and reduce its operations as coronavirus adds to the company’s financial woes.
Reduced travel demand caused by the outbreak has caused the airline to reduce its daily operations from 82 to 30 sectors from 11 February to March.Reduced travel demand caused by the outbreak has caused the airline to reduce its daily operations from 82 to 30 sectors from 11 February to March.
Hong Kong-based ground staff will be asked to take a minimum of two weeks’ unpaid leave a month, or switch to working three days a week between 17 February and 30 June.Hong Kong-based ground staff will be asked to take a minimum of two weeks’ unpaid leave a month, or switch to working three days a week between 17 February and 30 June.
A spokesman for the airline told Reuters:A spokesman for the airline told Reuters:
Rival airline Cathay Pacific Airways has also asked employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave to preserve cash, and said the situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak is as severe as the 2009 financial crisis.Rival airline Cathay Pacific Airways has also asked employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave to preserve cash, and said the situation caused by the coronavirus outbreak is as severe as the 2009 financial crisis.
The British honeymooner who has tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship in Japan is Alan Steele from Wolverhampton, PA Media has reported.The British honeymooner who has tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship in Japan is Alan Steele from Wolverhampton, PA Media has reported.
He married his wife, Wendy, last month and the couple were celebrating their honeymoon on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is in quarantine.He married his wife, Wendy, last month and the couple were celebrating their honeymoon on the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which is in quarantine.
Alan posted on Facebook:Alan posted on Facebook:
Steele has been separated from his wife and removed from the ship to be treated at a nearby hospital.Steele has been separated from his wife and removed from the ship to be treated at a nearby hospital.
The Washington Post reported that Wendy was due to celebrate her 52nd birthday on 11 February, and her husband was due to start a new job on 10 February.The Washington Post reported that Wendy was due to celebrate her 52nd birthday on 11 February, and her husband was due to start a new job on 10 February.
Singapore is reporting three more coronavirus cases with no links to previous cases or travel history in China.Singapore is reporting three more coronavirus cases with no links to previous cases or travel history in China.
The country moved its disease outbreak response up a level to “orange” on Friday as the new cases emerged, according to the Straits Times. This means the outbreak is thought to have moderate to high public health impact.The country moved its disease outbreak response up a level to “orange” on Friday as the new cases emerged, according to the Straits Times. This means the outbreak is thought to have moderate to high public health impact.
Code orange is one step below red, the most severe category, and this is only the second time it has been activated since the coding system was set up after the Sars outbreak in 2003. It was previously activated for the swine flu outbreak in 2009.Code orange is one step below red, the most severe category, and this is only the second time it has been activated since the coding system was set up after the Sars outbreak in 2003. It was previously activated for the swine flu outbreak in 2009.
The new cases include a 53-year-old man who visited Malaysia in January, a 42-year-old woman who is a teacher at Victoria junior college, and a 39-year-old woman who was also in Malaysia in January.The new cases include a 53-year-old man who visited Malaysia in January, a 42-year-old woman who is a teacher at Victoria junior college, and a 39-year-old woman who was also in Malaysia in January.
The cases were discovered because hospitals in Singapore had started testing all pneumonia patients for the virus, the health ministry said.The cases were discovered because hospitals in Singapore had started testing all pneumonia patients for the virus, the health ministry said.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Singapore is now 33. Four of these are not connected to previous cases and have no travel connections to China.The total number of coronavirus cases in Singapore is now 33. Four of these are not connected to previous cases and have no travel connections to China.
The health minister, Gan Kim Yong, said at a press conference:The health minister, Gan Kim Yong, said at a press conference:
Art Basel, Asia’s largest annual art fair, has been cancelled due to the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus.Art Basel, Asia’s largest annual art fair, has been cancelled due to the outbreak and spread of the coronavirus.
The event was scheduled to take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 to 21 March.The event was scheduled to take place at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre from 19 to 21 March.
Marc Spiegler, Art Basel global director, said:Marc Spiegler, Art Basel global director, said:
Last year the event, a key date on the global arts calendar, attracted almost 90,000 visitors from over 70 countries.Last year the event, a key date on the global arts calendar, attracted almost 90,000 visitors from over 70 countries.
Collector Michael Xufu Huang was reported by CNN as saying: “I could see (the decision) coming.Collector Michael Xufu Huang was reported by CNN as saying: “I could see (the decision) coming.
“Even if the virus were to be contained by March ... there’s so much organisation that goes into planning beforehand - shipping, traveling. And with travel restrictions it would be impossible for people in the mainland to go.”“Even if the virus were to be contained by March ... there’s so much organisation that goes into planning beforehand - shipping, traveling. And with travel restrictions it would be impossible for people in the mainland to go.”
Medical workers in Hong Kong demanding the government close all borders with mainland China are voting on whether to extend their five-day strike.Medical workers in Hong Kong demanding the government close all borders with mainland China are voting on whether to extend their five-day strike.
The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA), a medical workers’ union, said earlier today it will hold a vote on whether to extend or end the strike.The Hospital Authority Employees Alliance (HAEA), a medical workers’ union, said earlier today it will hold a vote on whether to extend or end the strike.
The strike will continue if more than 6,000 members vote in favour of it.The strike will continue if more than 6,000 members vote in favour of it.
Yesterday, more than 6,400 union members went on strike, the HAEA said, and public hospitals have had limited services most of the week.Yesterday, more than 6,400 union members went on strike, the HAEA said, and public hospitals have had limited services most of the week.
Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, has introduced mandatory quarantines for travellers coming from mainland China, and closed all but three of the border crossings.Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, has introduced mandatory quarantines for travellers coming from mainland China, and closed all but three of the border crossings.
A woman in North Korea has become the first person in the country to test positive for the coronavirus, a South Korean newspaper claimed on Friday.A woman in North Korea has become the first person in the country to test positive for the coronavirus, a South Korean newspaper claimed on Friday.
The woman, who lives in the capital, Pyongyang, displayed symptoms after returning from a trip to China, the conservative broadsheet the JoongAng Ilbo said, citing an anonymous source in North Korea.The woman, who lives in the capital, Pyongyang, displayed symptoms after returning from a trip to China, the conservative broadsheet the JoongAng Ilbo said, citing an anonymous source in North Korea.
The North’s state media has not confirmed any infections. In its most recent update, on 2 February, the state broadcaster said no infections had been confirmed.The North’s state media has not confirmed any infections. In its most recent update, on 2 February, the state broadcaster said no infections had been confirmed.
“As the chances of coronavirus spreading into North Korea increase, authorities started putting all people who had made overseas trips recently into quarantine for a certain period,” the source was quoted as saying, according to an English translation in the Korea Times. “The first patient is a woman living in Pyongyang. All people who had contact with her are being quarantined.”“As the chances of coronavirus spreading into North Korea increase, authorities started putting all people who had made overseas trips recently into quarantine for a certain period,” the source was quoted as saying, according to an English translation in the Korea Times. “The first patient is a woman living in Pyongyang. All people who had contact with her are being quarantined.”
The report did not give details of when the woman was diagnosed or her state of health.North Korea has introduced several measures to guard against the disease – which has affected all of its neighbours – amid warnings that an epidemic could put an intolerable strain on its poor healthcare infrastructure.It has suspended flights from China and Russia and closed train routes across its borders with those two countries. It has also imposed a ban on foreign tourism and suspended operations at a liaison office it runs with South Korea just north of the demilitarised zone, the heavily armed border dividing the Korean peninsula.The country’s authorities have increased border inspections and health screenings of North Koreans returning from overseas business trips, according to the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers’ party.The report did not give details of when the woman was diagnosed or her state of health.North Korea has introduced several measures to guard against the disease – which has affected all of its neighbours – amid warnings that an epidemic could put an intolerable strain on its poor healthcare infrastructure.It has suspended flights from China and Russia and closed train routes across its borders with those two countries. It has also imposed a ban on foreign tourism and suspended operations at a liaison office it runs with South Korea just north of the demilitarised zone, the heavily armed border dividing the Korean peninsula.The country’s authorities have increased border inspections and health screenings of North Koreans returning from overseas business trips, according to the Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the ruling Workers’ party.
A British man on his honeymoon is among 41 more passengers to have tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship in Japan, taking the total to 61.A British man on his honeymoon is among 41 more passengers to have tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship in Japan, taking the total to 61.
The man has not been identified but has been removed from the ship and taken to a nearby hospital, according to Japan’s health ministry.The man has not been identified but has been removed from the ship and taken to a nearby hospital, according to Japan’s health ministry.
The man’s wife will remain onboard the Diamond Princess which is anchored at Yokohama port.The man’s wife will remain onboard the Diamond Princess which is anchored at Yokohama port.
In a Facebook video, fellow British passenger David Abel said:In a Facebook video, fellow British passenger David Abel said:
Amnesty International has said the death of whistleblower Chinese doctor Li Wenliang highlights human rights failings in China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.Amnesty International has said the death of whistleblower Chinese doctor Li Wenliang highlights human rights failings in China’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Li Wenliang was reprimanded by police for “spreading false rumours” after raising alarm over the virus back in December.Li Wenliang was reprimanded by police for “spreading false rumours” after raising alarm over the virus back in December.
Nicholas Bequelin, regional director of Amnesty International, said:Nicholas Bequelin, regional director of Amnesty International, said:
Hyundai has suspended operations at its giant Ulsan complex in South Korea, the most productive car factory in the world, due to a lack of parts caused by the coronavirus lock down in China.Hyundai has suspended operations at its giant Ulsan complex in South Korea, the most productive car factory in the world, due to a lack of parts caused by the coronavirus lock down in China.
According to AFP, Hyundai has ran out of the engine wiring harnesses which are imported from China, and closed the factories on Friday. Hyundai said the supplier’s factory had shut down after a worker tested positive for coronavirus.According to AFP, Hyundai has ran out of the engine wiring harnesses which are imported from China, and closed the factories on Friday. Hyundai said the supplier’s factory had shut down after a worker tested positive for coronavirus.
The five-plant network can make 1.4 million vehicles a year, and the closure puts 25,000 workers on forced leave and partial wages.The five-plant network can make 1.4 million vehicles a year, and the closure puts 25,000 workers on forced leave and partial wages.
Analysts estimate closing the factory complex for five days, would cost Hyundai - the world’s fifth-largest car manufacturer - at least six hundred billion South Korean won ($500m).Analysts estimate closing the factory complex for five days, would cost Hyundai - the world’s fifth-largest car manufacturer - at least six hundred billion South Korean won ($500m).
Hyundai is not the only car manufacturer being affected by the outbreak. Renault is considering stopping its factory in South Korea next week and Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley also told the FT his firm could be forced to halt one of its European factories over supply shortages.Hyundai is not the only car manufacturer being affected by the outbreak. Renault is considering stopping its factory in South Korea next week and Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley also told the FT his firm could be forced to halt one of its European factories over supply shortages.
Hyundai operations in South Korea are expected to resume by early next week.Hyundai operations in South Korea are expected to resume by early next week.
It’s Jessica Murray, taking over the live blog from Alison Rourke. I’ll be following the latest developments of the coronavirus outbreak as the number of cases across the world continues to climb.It’s Jessica Murray, taking over the live blog from Alison Rourke. I’ll be following the latest developments of the coronavirus outbreak as the number of cases across the world continues to climb.
Italy has just confirmed its third case of the virus, after an Italian national tested positive.Italy has just confirmed its third case of the virus, after an Italian national tested positive.
The first two confirmed cases in the country were Chinese tourists, so this is the first Italian citizen to contract the virus.The first two confirmed cases in the country were Chinese tourists, so this is the first Italian citizen to contract the virus.
The patient travelled back from Wuhan last week, and is being treated at Lazzaro Spallanzani Institute, an infectious disease hospital in Rome, a statement said.The patient travelled back from Wuhan last week, and is being treated at Lazzaro Spallanzani Institute, an infectious disease hospital in Rome, a statement said.
Like many countries, Italy has seen rise in prejudice and discrimination against Chinese nationals as a result of the virus outbreak.Like many countries, Italy has seen rise in prejudice and discrimination against Chinese nationals as a result of the virus outbreak.
In a video posted by the Chinese-Italian Youth Union, Massimiliano Martigli Jiang takes a silent protest against this discrimination on the streets of Florence, holding a sign that reads: “I am not a virus. I’m a human. Eradicate the prejudice.”In a video posted by the Chinese-Italian Youth Union, Massimiliano Martigli Jiang takes a silent protest against this discrimination on the streets of Florence, holding a sign that reads: “I am not a virus. I’m a human. Eradicate the prejudice.”
The death toll stands at 636 inside China (up 73 on the previous day), one in Hong Kong and one in the PhilippinesThe death toll stands at 636 inside China (up 73 on the previous day), one in Hong Kong and one in the Philippines
Infections inside China stand at 31,161Infections inside China stand at 31,161
Global infections have passed 280 in 28 countriesGlobal infections have passed 280 in 28 countries
There’s been an outpouring of anger and grief over the death of the Chinese doctor, Li Wenliang, who first warned about the virus in DecemberThere’s been an outpouring of anger and grief over the death of the Chinese doctor, Li Wenliang, who first warned about the virus in December
China’s National Supervisory Commission has announced a“full investigation” into the handling of the death of Dr LiChina’s National Supervisory Commission has announced a“full investigation” into the handling of the death of Dr Li
There were 41 new cases on the quarantined cruise liner in the port of Yokohama south of Tokyo, bringing the total diagnosed on the ship to 61There were 41 new cases on the quarantined cruise liner in the port of Yokohama south of Tokyo, bringing the total diagnosed on the ship to 61
Taiwan, which has 16 cases, banned international cruise ships from docking.Taiwan, which has 16 cases, banned international cruise ships from docking.
The ratings agency S&P slashed its forecast of China’s economic growth for this year by 0.75 percentage points, saying the coronavirus will deliver a big temporary hit to the country’s economy that will spill over to the whole world. Its new growth forecast is 5%The ratings agency S&P slashed its forecast of China’s economic growth for this year by 0.75 percentage points, saying the coronavirus will deliver a big temporary hit to the country’s economy that will spill over to the whole world. Its new growth forecast is 5%
Chinese President Xi Jinping assured Donald Trump in a phone call that China is doing all it can to contain the virus. Xi also urged the US to respond reasonably to the virus outbreak, a veiled message over quarantine restrictions in AmericaChinese President Xi Jinping assured Donald Trump in a phone call that China is doing all it can to contain the virus. Xi also urged the US to respond reasonably to the virus outbreak, a veiled message over quarantine restrictions in America
Canadian and US evacuation flights are due to land back in their respective countries on FridayCanadian and US evacuation flights are due to land back in their respective countries on Friday
North Korea confirms first case of virusNorth Korea confirms first case of virus
The Chinese city of Xiaogan, around 70km north-west of Wuhan in Hubei province, has become only the second city in China (after Wuhan) to record more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.The Chinese city of Xiaogan, around 70km north-west of Wuhan in Hubei province, has become only the second city in China (after Wuhan) to record more than 2,000 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
The New York Times is reporting on the deteriorating conditions in Wuhan and measures to control the virus, including house-to-house temperature checks, rounding up the sick and mass confinements at quarantine centres.The New York Times is reporting on the deteriorating conditions in Wuhan and measures to control the virus, including house-to-house temperature checks, rounding up the sick and mass confinements at quarantine centres.
The measures follow the visit of Vice Premier Sun Chunlan to Wuhan on Thursday. She said the country faced “wartime conditions” and “there must be no deserters, or they will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever”.The measures follow the visit of Vice Premier Sun Chunlan to Wuhan on Thursday. She said the country faced “wartime conditions” and “there must be no deserters, or they will be nailed to the pillar of historical shame forever”.
Two groups of evacuees are set to arrive on Friday at a Canadian air force base from Wuhan. One flight of 176 people is expected in the early hours of Friday morning. A second group of evacuees, who left China on a US flight, should arrive later in the day, after switching planes in Vancouver. All the evacuees will be quarantined on the base, in Trenton, Ontario, for two weeks, separated from each other in a building that resembles a small hotel, with families kept together.Two groups of evacuees are set to arrive on Friday at a Canadian air force base from Wuhan. One flight of 176 people is expected in the early hours of Friday morning. A second group of evacuees, who left China on a US flight, should arrive later in the day, after switching planes in Vancouver. All the evacuees will be quarantined on the base, in Trenton, Ontario, for two weeks, separated from each other in a building that resembles a small hotel, with families kept together.