This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/feb/07/coronavirus-live-updates-in-china-wuhan-coronavirus-outbreak-cruise-ship-doctor-japan

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Coronavirus: 41 more people, including British honeymooner, test positive on cruise ship – latest news Coronavirus: drop in number of new cases is positive, says a cautious WHO – 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
The third patient to be diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK is being treated at St Thomas’ Hospital in Westminster. A drop in the number of new coronavirus cases for two days is good news, says the director general of the World Health Organization.
The patient is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton, and brought to St Thomas’ Hospital, where there is an infectious diseases unit, on Thursday afternoon. However, he cautions against reading too much into it.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the numbers could go up again, but the last two days were showing a declining trend.
There were roughly 3,900 new cases reported worldwide on 5 February, 3,700 on 6 February and 3,200 on 7 February - the vast majority in China, WHO figures show.
At the Science Media Centre, Paul Hunter, Professor in Medicine at the University of East Anglia, said:
Ghebreyesus also reported that in response to his appeal earlier this week for more countries to share information about the outbreaks in their countries, not all nations had provided the requested information.
“There are some countries who have yet to send detailed case reports to WHO,” he said. “We urge those member states to share that information immediately.”
The third patient to be diagnosed with coronavirus in the UK is being treated at St Thomas’ hospital in Westminster.
The patient is thought to have been diagnosed in Brighton, and brought to St Thomas’, where there is an infectious diseases unit, on Thursday afternoon.
The other two patients with the virus in the UK are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle.The other two patients with the virus in the UK are being treated at the Royal Victoria Infirmary infectious diseases centre in Newcastle.
None of the patients have been identified, but the first two cases are a University of York student and his mother, who had recently travelled from China.None of the patients have been identified, but the first two cases are a University of York student and his mother, who had recently travelled from China.
The third patient caught the virus in Singapore, and is thought to be a middle-aged man.The third patient caught the virus in Singapore, and is thought to be a middle-aged man.
A passenger quarantined on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan has described the “great amount of fear” he feels awaiting results of his coronavirus test.A passenger quarantined on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship off Japan has described the “great amount of fear” he feels awaiting results of his coronavirus test.
Spencer Fehrenbacher is travelling with three friends and was alarmed when the ship announced another 41 passengers had tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 61.Spencer Fehrenbacher is travelling with three friends and was alarmed when the ship announced another 41 passengers had tested positive for the virus, bringing the total to 61.
He told the BBC:He told the BBC:
A British passenger on his honeymoon is among the 41 new coronavirus cases.A British passenger on his honeymoon is among the 41 new coronavirus cases.
Alan Steele, from Wolverhampton, has been separated from his new wife, Wendy, and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. In a Facebook post, he said he is not displaying any symptoms.Alan Steele, from Wolverhampton, has been separated from his new wife, Wendy, and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. In a Facebook post, he said he is not displaying any symptoms.
Fellow British passenger, David Abel, described in a video how he felt when he found out his friend had tested positive for the virus.Fellow British passenger, David Abel, described in a video how he felt when he found out his friend had tested positive for the virus.
The child who has been tested for coronavirus at a hospital in Northern Ireland is believed to be less than a year old.The child who has been tested for coronavirus at a hospital in Northern Ireland is believed to be less than a year old.
The baby and his mother are still being held in isolation at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry city. The baby and his mother are still being held in isolation at Altnagelvin hospital in Derry city.
It is understood the child was admitted yesterday to Altnagelvin’s A&E department, only a few days after returning to Northern Ireland from Hong Kong.It is understood the child was admitted yesterday to Altnagelvin’s A&E department, only a few days after returning to Northern Ireland from Hong Kong.
A source told Belfast Live:A source told Belfast Live:
The world is running out of masks and other gear to protect against the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization has warned.The world is running out of masks and other gear to protect against the new coronavirus, the World Health Organization has warned.
The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told the organisation’s executive board in Geneva:The WHO chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told the organisation’s executive board in Geneva:
Ghebreyesus added that he will be speaking to the Pandemic Supply Chain Network to identify the bottlenecks, find solutions and “push with fairness in distribution of equipment”.
A woman from China has taken ill at Copenhagen airport, prompting a small area to be cordoned off.A woman from China has taken ill at Copenhagen airport, prompting a small area to be cordoned off.
The Copenhagen airport press officer Kenni Leth said the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance after arriving from China via Helsinki on Friday morning.The Copenhagen airport press officer Kenni Leth said the woman was transported to hospital by ambulance after arriving from China via Helsinki on Friday morning.
The passenger contacted airport staff on arrival and was found to have influenza-like symptoms, leading to fears she could have contracted coronavirus.The passenger contacted airport staff on arrival and was found to have influenza-like symptoms, leading to fears she could have contracted coronavirus.
Leth said:Leth said:
An area of terminal 3 where the woman contacted staff has been cordoned off and will be sanitised in accordance with procedure.An area of terminal 3 where the woman contacted staff has been cordoned off and will be sanitised in accordance with procedure.
“You can still easily go to terminal 3 and use most of the terminal. It is not affecting airport traffic,” Leth said.“You can still easily go to terminal 3 and use most of the terminal. It is not affecting airport traffic,” Leth said.
The British luxury fashion brand Burberry said coronavirus was damaging demand for luxury goods in mainland China and Hong Kong.The British luxury fashion brand Burberry said coronavirus was 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 were operating with reduced hours and with significant declines in footfall.The label said 24 of its 64 stores in mainland China were closed, and remaining stores were operating with reduced hours and with significant declines in footfall.
The chief executive, Marco Gobbetti, said:The chief executive, Marco Gobbetti, said:
Spending by Chinese tourists in Europe and other locations has been less impacted, but as further travel restrictions are introduced around the globe, the company anticipated the situation would worsen over the coming weeks.Spending by Chinese tourists in Europe and other locations has been less impacted, but as further travel restrictions are introduced around 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.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 that owns Uniqlo, said 370 out of 750 stores had been closed.A spokesperson for Fast Retailing, the Japanese company that owns Uniqlo, said 370 out of 750 stores had been closed.
There is no planned reopening date for the China stores yet, and the company said it was continuing to monitor the situation.There is no planned reopening date for the China stores yet, and the company said it was continuing 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.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.“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.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.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: