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Coronavirus: drop in number of new cases is good news, says a cautious WHO – latest news Coronavirus: drop in number of new cases is good news, says a cautious WHO – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Total infections pass 30,000 as Wuhan whistleblower doctor dies and Singapore reports three new casesTotal infections pass 30,000 as Wuhan whistleblower doctor dies and Singapore reports three new cases
The upgrading of the coronavirus alert level in Singapore has sparked panic-buying of essentials in some shops across the island, Reuters reports.
We earlier reported that the city state had raised its alert level to orange, after three more cases of the illness were diagnosed. According to Reuters:
Trade minister Chan Chun Sing said in a Facebook post:
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog now for the rest of the afternoon (it’s 3.20pm here in London). As usual you can reach me on email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle
The test used to diagnose coronavirus is being rolled out to laboratories across the UK from Monday, increasing testing capacity to more than 1,000 people a day.The test used to diagnose coronavirus is being rolled out to laboratories across the UK from Monday, increasing testing capacity to more than 1,000 people a day.
Currently coronavirus is tested and diagnosed in one laboratory in London, but testing will be extended to 12 labs across the country over the coming weeks.Currently coronavirus is tested and diagnosed in one laboratory in London, but testing will be extended to 12 labs across the country over the coming weeks.
At its laboratories in London, Public Health England (PHE) has the capacity to process samples from more than 100 people a day.At its laboratories in London, Public Health England (PHE) has the capacity to process samples from more than 100 people a day.
Now, to ensure that the country is prepared for further cases and to speed up the time taken to get results, the test will be carried out by trained scientists across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.Now, to ensure that the country is prepared for further cases and to speed up the time taken to get results, the test will be carried out by trained scientists across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This will increase testing capacity to more than 1,000 people a day for England.This will increase testing capacity to more than 1,000 people a day for England.
Prof Yvonne Doyle, PHE’s medical director, said:Prof Yvonne Doyle, PHE’s medical director, said:
The test, developed by PHE, made the UK one of the first countries outside China to have assured testing capability for the new coronavirus.The test, developed by PHE, made the UK one of the first countries outside China to have assured testing capability for the new coronavirus.
When a clinician suspects coronavirus in a patient, they take samples from the nose, throat and deeper respiratory tract and send them for laboratory testing.When a clinician suspects coronavirus in a patient, they take samples from the nose, throat and deeper respiratory tract and send them for laboratory testing.
Using the diagnostic test, scientists can look for evidence of the presence of any type of coronavirus and then hone in on specific genetic clues that identify the novel coronavirus associated with this outbreak.Using the diagnostic test, scientists can look for evidence of the presence of any type of coronavirus and then hone in on specific genetic clues that identify the novel coronavirus associated with this outbreak.
The UK-wide roll-out is the fastest deployment of a new test to PHE and NHS labs in recent history, including in the swine flu pandemic in 2009.The UK-wide roll-out is the fastest deployment of a new test to PHE and NHS labs in recent history, including in the swine flu pandemic in 2009.
In addition to processing samples from suspected cases in the UK, PHE is now working as a reference laboratory for WHO, testing samples from countries that do not have assured testing capabilities.In addition to processing samples from suspected cases in the UK, PHE is now working as a reference laboratory for WHO, testing samples from countries that do not have assured testing capabilities.
Passengers on a cruise ship that docked in New York City on Friday morning are being tested for the coronavirus, it has been confirmed.Passengers on a cruise ship that docked in New York City on Friday morning are being tested for the coronavirus, it has been confirmed.
An official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told CNN:An official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) told CNN:
Video footage showed ambulances and stretchers on standby near the port at Bayonne, and personnel boarding the ship.Video footage showed ambulances and stretchers on standby near the port at Bayonne, and personnel boarding the ship.
An earlier post said that the first North Korean case had been confirmed. In fact, the North Korean authorities are yet to confirm the South Korean media report on the development.An earlier post said that the first North Korean case had been confirmed. In fact, the North Korean authorities are yet to confirm the South Korean media report on the development.
The original post has now been deleted.The original post has now been deleted.
You can read more about the situation here.You can read more about the situation here.
Travellers from China face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of HK$25,000 (£2,491) for breaching quarantine measures, Hong Kong’s government has announced.Travellers from China face up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of HK$25,000 (£2,491) for breaching quarantine measures, Hong Kong’s government has announced.
At a press conference on Friday, the chief secretary, Matthew Cheung, said the 14-day mandatory quarantine for visitors arriving from mainland China is expected to reduce the number of people crossing the border.At a press conference on Friday, the chief secretary, Matthew Cheung, said the 14-day mandatory quarantine for visitors arriving from mainland China is expected to reduce the number of people crossing the border.
People involved in cross-border logistics and workers essential to government services would be exempted from quarantine but monitored closely.People involved in cross-border logistics and workers essential to government services would be exempted from quarantine but monitored closely.
From Saturday, people entering the city will be required to sign a document consenting to the quarantine measures, while travellers with visas or permits valid for less than 14 days will be barred from entering Hong Kong.From Saturday, people entering the city will be required to sign a document consenting to the quarantine measures, while travellers with visas or permits valid for less than 14 days will be barred from entering Hong Kong.
Cheung stressed the quarantine policy would not affect the flow of goods from the mainland. He said:Cheung stressed the quarantine policy would not affect the flow of goods from the mainland. He said:
One person in Hong Kong has died from coronavirus.One person in Hong Kong has died from coronavirus.
Communist party investigators in China are looking into issues raised by the public about a whistleblower doctor who was threatened by police for sharing his concerns about the virus, from which he later died.Communist party investigators in China are looking into issues raised by the public about a whistleblower doctor who was threatened by police for sharing his concerns about the virus, from which he later died.
Following an online uproar over the government’s treatment of Dr Li Wenliang, the ruling Communist party said it was sending a team to fully investigate relevant issues raised by the public regarding the case.Following an online uproar over the government’s treatment of Dr Li Wenliang, the ruling Communist party said it was sending a team to fully investigate relevant issues raised by the public regarding the case.
Li, 34, was one of eight medical professionals in Wuhan who tried to warn colleagues and others about the new virus.Li, 34, was one of eight medical professionals in Wuhan who tried to warn colleagues and others about the new virus.
He wrote on Weibo that on 3 December he saw a test sample that indicated the presence of a coronavirus similar to Sars, which killed nearly 800 people in a 2002-2003 outbreak.He wrote on Weibo that on 3 December he saw a test sample that indicated the presence of a coronavirus similar to Sars, which killed nearly 800 people in a 2002-2003 outbreak.
After he reported seven patients had contracted the virus, he said he was visited by police on 3 January, who forced him to sign a statement admitting to spreading falsehoods and warning him of punishment if he continued.After he reported seven patients had contracted the virus, he said he was visited by police on 3 January, who forced him to sign a statement admitting to spreading falsehoods and warning him of punishment if he continued.
Li later developed a cough and fever before he was hospitalised on 12 January and began to have trouble breathing.Li later developed a cough and fever before he was hospitalised on 12 January and began to have trouble breathing.
His death was confirmed on Friday, prompting a deluge of mourning and outrage at the way he and the seven others had been treated.His death was confirmed on Friday, prompting a deluge of mourning and outrage at the way he and the seven others had been treated.
Even the staunchly pro-government Global Times newspaper said the eight whistleblowers’ treatment “was evidence of local authorities’ incompetence to tackle a contagious and deadly virus”.Even the staunchly pro-government Global Times newspaper said the eight whistleblowers’ treatment “was evidence of local authorities’ incompetence to tackle a contagious and deadly virus”.
Most of the deaths from the virus have been of older people with existing health problems, but disease specialists said Li’s work may have increased his exposure and made his illness severe.Most of the deaths from the virus have been of older people with existing health problems, but disease specialists said Li’s work may have increased his exposure and made his illness severe.
More fall-out to the spread of the coronavirus outside China as Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson has become the latest firm to pull out of an international conference in Barcelona later this month because of the outbreak.More fall-out to the spread of the coronavirus outside China as Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson has become the latest firm to pull out of an international conference in Barcelona later this month because of the outbreak.
The telecoms equipment manufacturer has withdrawn from the Mobile World Congress in the Spanish city, which is scheduled to take place between 24 and 27 February. It comes after South Korean tech firm LG and Chinese mobile firm ZTE also pulled out.The telecoms equipment manufacturer has withdrawn from the Mobile World Congress in the Spanish city, which is scheduled to take place between 24 and 27 February. It comes after South Korean tech firm LG and Chinese mobile firm ZTE also pulled out.
The conference attracts more than 100,000 visitors and has come under increased scrutiny since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus epidemic a public health emergency of international concern, Reuters reports. There has been only one confirmed coronavirus case in Spain to date.The conference attracts more than 100,000 visitors and has come under increased scrutiny since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus epidemic a public health emergency of international concern, Reuters reports. There has been only one confirmed coronavirus case in Spain to date.
In a statement on the conference’s website, organisers confirmed Ericsson’s decision to withdraw, saying:In a statement on the conference’s website, organisers confirmed Ericsson’s decision to withdraw, saying:
“We respect their decision and are reassured by their commitment that they will be at MWC Barcelona 2021 in full force and our rebook trends for next year’s event remain high. Ericsson’s cancellation will have some impact on our presence at this time and will potentially have further impact.”“We respect their decision and are reassured by their commitment that they will be at MWC Barcelona 2021 in full force and our rebook trends for next year’s event remain high. Ericsson’s cancellation will have some impact on our presence at this time and will potentially have further impact.”
The statement adds:The statement adds:
A leading UK academic who studies infectious diseases says it is difficult to tell whether the levelling off of coronavirus cases in the past two days is due to an actual decline or just difficulties in recording cases.A leading UK academic who studies infectious diseases says it is difficult to tell whether the levelling off of coronavirus cases in the past two days is due to an actual decline or just difficulties in recording cases.
John Edmunds, professor in the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:John Edmunds, professor in the Centre for the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said:
A drop in the number of new coronavirus cases for two days is good news, says the director general of the World Health Organization.A drop in the number of new coronavirus cases for two days is good news, says the director general of the World Health Organization.
However, he cautions against reading too much into it.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.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.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: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.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.”“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.
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.
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.
He told the BBC:
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Leth said:
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
“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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alan posted on Facebook:
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.