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Coronavirus Live Updates: Global Risk Is ‘Very High,’ W.H.O. Says as Epidemic Spreads Coronavirus Live Updates: Global Risk Is ‘Very High,’ W.H.O. Says, as Outbreaks Surge
(about 1 hour later)
Read updates in Chinese: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息汇总Read updates in Chinese: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息汇总
From eastern Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa, a steady stream of new cases on Friday fueled the sense that the new coronavirus epidemic may be turning into a global pandemic, with some health officials saying it may be inevitable.From eastern Asia, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and Africa, a steady stream of new cases on Friday fueled the sense that the new coronavirus epidemic may be turning into a global pandemic, with some health officials saying it may be inevitable.
In South Korea, Italy and Iran — the countries with the biggest outbreaks outside China — the governments reported more than 3,500 infections on Friday, about twice as many as two days earlier. South Korean officials were rushing to test thousands of members of a church at the center of that country’s outbreak.In South Korea, Italy and Iran — the countries with the biggest outbreaks outside China — the governments reported more than 3,500 infections on Friday, about twice as many as two days earlier. South Korean officials were rushing to test thousands of members of a church at the center of that country’s outbreak.
Africa has long been a source of concern, and a case in Nigeria raised fears that more infections might lurk there undetected.Africa has long been a source of concern, and a case in Nigeria raised fears that more infections might lurk there undetected.
In Europe, Wales and Northern Ireland both reported their first confirmed cases, and Switzerland banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people.In Europe, Wales and Northern Ireland both reported their first confirmed cases, and Switzerland banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people.
More than 83,000 people in at least 56 countries have been infected, and more than 2,800 have died.More than 83,000 people in at least 56 countries have been infected, and more than 2,800 have died.
Unnerved by the rapid spread of the virus and the growing threat it poses to economies, financial markets around the world continued their relentless plunge on Friday, with Wall Street opening sharply lower following losses in both Asia and Europe earlier in the day.Unnerved by the rapid spread of the virus and the growing threat it poses to economies, financial markets around the world continued their relentless plunge on Friday, with Wall Street opening sharply lower following losses in both Asia and Europe earlier in the day.
Even as countries prepared for the likelihood of significant outbreaks, early missteps raised troubling questions about how nations — even those with robust health care systems — will handle a flood of cases.Even as countries prepared for the likelihood of significant outbreaks, early missteps raised troubling questions about how nations — even those with robust health care systems — will handle a flood of cases.
A whistle-blower complaint in the United States outlined how federal health care workers had interacted with quarantined Americans without proper training or safety equipment.A whistle-blower complaint in the United States outlined how federal health care workers had interacted with quarantined Americans without proper training or safety equipment.
The World Health Organization on Friday raised its assessment of the global coronavirus risk from “high” to “very high,” the most serious assessment in its new four-stage alert system.The World Health Organization on Friday raised its assessment of the global coronavirus risk from “high” to “very high,” the most serious assessment in its new four-stage alert system.
“This is a reality check for every government on the planet,” said Dr. Michael J. Ryan, deputy director of W.H.O.’s health emergency program. “Wake up. Get ready. This virus may be on its way.”“This is a reality check for every government on the planet,” said Dr. Michael J. Ryan, deputy director of W.H.O.’s health emergency program. “Wake up. Get ready. This virus may be on its way.”
The assessment addresses the risks of both uncontrolled spread of the virus and the resulting impacts.The assessment addresses the risks of both uncontrolled spread of the virus and the resulting impacts.
United States health officials have given similarly alarming assessments, though President Trump has played down the threat.United States health officials have given similarly alarming assessments, though President Trump has played down the threat.
The W.H.O. does not officially use the word “pandemic,” often defined as the worldwide spread of a new disease, but many health experts say the coronavirus epidemic is one, or soon will be.The W.H.O. does not officially use the word “pandemic,” often defined as the worldwide spread of a new disease, but many health experts say the coronavirus epidemic is one, or soon will be.
In a new report, the organization praised the aggressive quarantine approach used by China, where the epidemic began and the majority of cases have occurred. After initially downplaying the outbreak in the city of Wuhan, the government closed off entire cities, shut down transportation networks and schools, and isolated many people who might have been exposed.In a new report, the organization praised the aggressive quarantine approach used by China, where the epidemic began and the majority of cases have occurred. After initially downplaying the outbreak in the city of Wuhan, the government closed off entire cities, shut down transportation networks and schools, and isolated many people who might have been exposed.
“China’s bold approach to contain the rapid spread of this new respiratory pathogen has changed the course of a rapidly escalating and deadly epidemic,” the report said, noting that new, confirmed infections had fallen from more than 2,000 per day to a few hundred.“China’s bold approach to contain the rapid spread of this new respiratory pathogen has changed the course of a rapidly escalating and deadly epidemic,” the report said, noting that new, confirmed infections had fallen from more than 2,000 per day to a few hundred.
China’s strategy “has averted or at least delayed hundreds of thousands” of cases, and “played a significant role in protecting the global community.”China’s strategy “has averted or at least delayed hundreds of thousands” of cases, and “played a significant role in protecting the global community.”
Worries in the stock market over the spreading coronavirus continued for a seventh day on Friday, with Wall Street down more than 2 percent by mid-afternoon, after declines in Asia and Europe. President Trump could use a Korean War-era law to require manufacturers to speed up production of emergency supplies needed to fight the new coronavirus, Alex M. Azar II, the health and human services secretary said on Friday.
The sell-off is fueled mostly by worry that measures to contain the virus would hamper corporate profits and economic growth, and fears that the outbreak could worsen. The Defense Production Act, enacted in 1950, allows the president to exert control over parts of the civilian economy when it is necessary for national defense — forcing industries to step up production, reallocating basic resources and imposing price controls.
Updated Feb. 26, 2020Updated Feb. 26, 2020
Factory shutdowns and quarantines in China have disrupted the global supply chain. Companies like Microsoft have warned that this will affect their sales, and Wall Street analysts have begun to factor those warnings into their expectations for profit growth this year. Mr. Azar, at a White House press briefing, said there was no need to invoke the law so far, but it could be used, for instance, to help stockpile face masks and other supplies.
Hundreds of companies have started taking measures to try to prevent the illness from afflicting their workers, including restricting travel and asking employees to work from home. All of those could curtail productivity. “I don’t have any procurements I need it for now, but if I need it, we’ll use it,” Mr. Azar told reporters.
Investors are responding by selling stocks, as well as commodities like oil, as they anticipate the coming slump. The selling itself could help bring the slowdown along as it discourages spending by companies and individual investors alike. President Harry Truman made extensive use of the law during the Korean War, and it has been invoked occasionally in the decades since then.
If the virus spreads in the United States, the Federal Reserve might have to cut rates. The outbreak represents a significant test for President Trump, whose barometer of presidential performance has been deeply tied to the economy and a rising stock market. Stocks tumbled for a seventh consecutive day on Friday, recording the market’s worst week since the 2008 financial crisis.
On Friday, the slide in Asia and Europe followed a 4.4 percent dive in the S&P 500 index on Thursday, the worst day for American shares since 2011. The S&P 500 index fell about 0.8 percent, and the Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 1 percent. The S&P index lost more than 11 percent in the week, and almost 13 percent since its peak on Feb. 19.
The sell-off was fueled mostly by worry that measures to contain the coronavirus would hamper corporate profits and economic growth, and fears that the outbreak could get worse. The selling has in a matter of days dragged stock benchmarks around the world into a correction — a drop of 10 percent or more that is taken as a measure of extreme pessimism.
In Europe, the Britain’s FTSE 100 fell more than 3 percent and the Dax in Germany fell more than 4 percent. In Asia, the Nikkei 225 in Japan closed down 3.7 percent, the KOSPI in South Korea dropped 3.3 percent and the Shanghai Composite in China dropped 3.7 percent.
Mick Mulvaney, the acting White House chief of staff, on Friday blamed the media for exaggerating the seriousness of coronavirus because “they think this will bring down the president, that’s what this is all about.”
Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering of conservative activists, Mr. Mulvaney played down concerns about the virus that is spreading around the globe and panicking investors.
Mr. Mulvaney said the administration took “extraordinary steps four or five weeks ago,” to prevent the spread of the virus when it declared a rare public health emergency and barred entry by most foreign citizens who had recently visited China.
“Why didn’t you hear about it?” Mr. Mulvaney said of travel restrictions that were widely covered in the news media. “What was still going on four or five weeks ago? Impeachment, that’s all the press wanted to talk about.”
The news media has been covering the global spread of coronavirus since early January.
As the coronavirus spreads, early research is drawing a clearer picture of how the pathogen behaves and the key factors that will determine how it can be contained.
Here are the considerations: The virus spreads easily, making it hard to contain. The fatality rate may be more than 1 percent, much higher than the flu. The incubation period is between two and 14 days, allowing the illness to go undetected. And the virus has spread rapidly because it started in a transportation hub.
In terms of response, the World Health Organization has praised China’s efforts, but critics fear a pandemic. A few drugs are being tested in clinical trials, but a vaccine is still at least year away.
The U.S. Navy on Friday ordered all ships that have made stops in the Pacific, about 30 to 40 vessels holding several thousand sailors and Marines, to self-quarantine at sea for 14 days and said that all sailors who had traveled to high-risk areas should be closely monitored.The U.S. Navy on Friday ordered all ships that have made stops in the Pacific, about 30 to 40 vessels holding several thousand sailors and Marines, to self-quarantine at sea for 14 days and said that all sailors who had traveled to high-risk areas should be closely monitored.
“At this time, there are no indications that any U.S. Navy personnel have contracted coronavirus,” the Navy said in a statement. “The health and welfare of our sailors, civilians and their families is paramount, and our efforts are directed at detection and, if required, prevention of the spread of this illness.”“At this time, there are no indications that any U.S. Navy personnel have contracted coronavirus,” the Navy said in a statement. “The health and welfare of our sailors, civilians and their families is paramount, and our efforts are directed at detection and, if required, prevention of the spread of this illness.”
“Operational impact is minimal, if at all,” said a senior Navy officer with experience in the Pacific. “Most deployed ships in 7th Fleet already stay out to sea for that long, if not longer, and there is no better place for a ship operationally than at sea. I would expect some schedule impact to ships that do have port visits within two weeks, but no cancellations.”“Operational impact is minimal, if at all,” said a senior Navy officer with experience in the Pacific. “Most deployed ships in 7th Fleet already stay out to sea for that long, if not longer, and there is no better place for a ship operationally than at sea. I would expect some schedule impact to ships that do have port visits within two weeks, but no cancellations.”
The American military has already confirmed one coronavirus case: A 23-year-old soldier based near Daegu, South Korea, has tested positive for the virus, the military said on Wednesday. He has been quarantined in his off-base residence, the military said.The American military has already confirmed one coronavirus case: A 23-year-old soldier based near Daegu, South Korea, has tested positive for the virus, the military said on Wednesday. He has been quarantined in his off-base residence, the military said.
South Korea is experiencing the largest coronavirus outbreak outside China.South Korea is experiencing the largest coronavirus outbreak outside China.
The United States and South Korea have also postponed their joint military drills.The United States and South Korea have also postponed their joint military drills.
As the coronavirus spreads, early research is drawing a clearer picture of how the pathogen behaves and the key factors that will determine how it can be contained.
Here are the considerations: The virus spreads easily, making it hard to contain. The fatality rate may be more than 1 percent, much higher than the flu. The incubation period is between two and 14 days, allowing the illness to go undetected. And the virus has spread rapidly because it started in a transportation hub.
In terms of response, the World Health Organization has praised China’s efforts, but critics fear a pandemic. A few drugs are being tested in clinical trials, but a vaccine is still at least year away.
The official count of cases in Iran, the center of the Middle East’s coronavirus spread, continued to rise at an alarming rate, from 139 on Wednesday to 245 on Thursday to 388 on Friday, with 34 deaths.The official count of cases in Iran, the center of the Middle East’s coronavirus spread, continued to rise at an alarming rate, from 139 on Wednesday to 245 on Thursday to 388 on Friday, with 34 deaths.
And that, an independent count claimed, was a gross underestimate.And that, an independent count claimed, was a gross underestimate.
BBC Persia reported that it had asked Iranian hospitals one by one, and found 210 fatalities, suggesting that there were several thousand infections either undetected or unacknowledged.BBC Persia reported that it had asked Iranian hospitals one by one, and found 210 fatalities, suggesting that there were several thousand infections either undetected or unacknowledged.
The authorities in Iran denied the report, but the health minister warned of a “pretty difficult week” ahead.The authorities in Iran denied the report, but the health minister warned of a “pretty difficult week” ahead.
The conflicting information punctuated the mixed messages and confusion that have been emanating from Iran since it disclosed its first coronavirus deaths a little over a week ago.The conflicting information punctuated the mixed messages and confusion that have been emanating from Iran since it disclosed its first coronavirus deaths a little over a week ago.
Senior government officials and clerics have played down the outbreak and predicted it would soon be under control.Senior government officials and clerics have played down the outbreak and predicted it would soon be under control.
But the authorities have closed schools and canceled Friday Prayers in major cities, and several other countries have reported coronavirus cases in people who had recently been to Iran. And at least seven government officials have been infected, including a member of the president’s cabinet.But the authorities have closed schools and canceled Friday Prayers in major cities, and several other countries have reported coronavirus cases in people who had recently been to Iran. And at least seven government officials have been infected, including a member of the president’s cabinet.
Two men in Mexico who had recently visited Italy have tested positive for the coronavirus, Mexican officials said on Friday, confirming the first known cases in the nation.Two men in Mexico who had recently visited Italy have tested positive for the coronavirus, Mexican officials said on Friday, confirming the first known cases in the nation.
The discovery makes Mexico the second country in Latin America, after Brazil, to confirm the presence of the virus.The discovery makes Mexico the second country in Latin America, after Brazil, to confirm the presence of the virus.
One of the patients, a 35-year-old man, was being treated at a hospital in Mexico City, the authorities said. The other, a 41-year-old man from the state of Hidalgo, was being kept in isolation in a hotel in the state of Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico, officials said.One of the patients, a 35-year-old man, was being treated at a hospital in Mexico City, the authorities said. The other, a 41-year-old man from the state of Hidalgo, was being kept in isolation in a hotel in the state of Sinaloa, in northwestern Mexico, officials said.
Both men had direct contact with an infected man in Italy and with each other during a conference this month in Bergamo, Italy, they said.Both men had direct contact with an infected man in Italy and with each other during a conference this month in Bergamo, Italy, they said.
In addition to the two infected people in Mexico, two other men who had been in direct contact with those patients are under observation, the deputy health minister for prevention and health promotion, Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez, said at a news conference.In addition to the two infected people in Mexico, two other men who had been in direct contact with those patients are under observation, the deputy health minister for prevention and health promotion, Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez, said at a news conference.
Italy, the epicenter of coronavirus in Europe, continued to pose problems for the rest of the Continent on Friday, with Northern Ireland and Wales experiencing their first cases on Friday, both of them tied to travel to Italy. A total of 24 cases in 14 countries can be traced back to Italy, the W.H.O. said Friday.Italy, the epicenter of coronavirus in Europe, continued to pose problems for the rest of the Continent on Friday, with Northern Ireland and Wales experiencing their first cases on Friday, both of them tied to travel to Italy. A total of 24 cases in 14 countries can be traced back to Italy, the W.H.O. said Friday.
Nations that only had a handful of cases at the start of the week continued to see new infections. The number of cases in Germany had nearly doubled by Friday afternoon, to 53.Nations that only had a handful of cases at the start of the week continued to see new infections. The number of cases in Germany had nearly doubled by Friday afternoon, to 53.
France reported 57 infections on Friday, more than triple the number it had counted on Wednesday.France reported 57 infections on Friday, more than triple the number it had counted on Wednesday.
“A new stage of the epidemic has been reached and we are now moving on to stage two,” said Olivier Véran, the health minister.“A new stage of the epidemic has been reached and we are now moving on to stage two,” said Olivier Véran, the health minister.
The French health authorities were focusing on a cluster of 14 cases in the Oise region of northern France. Of particular concern are three infections on a military base in the city of Creil whose origins are unclear. In the northern Italian region of Lombardy, the hardest-hit part of Europe, officials extended the quarantine of ten towns for a week, and warned that hospitals in the area are being stretched to their limits handling the patients sickened by the virus.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, said on Friday that a woman returning from Milan was the first confirmed case in the French city. The city had previously cut short its annual carnival over virus fears. All non-emergency surgery and routine medical exams have been postponed in the “Red Zone” containing the quarantined towns, but if the caseload continues to rise at the rate it has, hospitals “will go into grave crisis,” the Lombardy government said in a statement.
About 2,000 school children who had recently returned from trips to at-risk areas like Italy or China were asked to self-isolate for 14 days, said the French education minister, Jean-Michel Blanquer. Italy reported more than 800 infections on Friday — 531 of them in Lombardy, which includes the city of Milan. Almost half of those infected in Lombardy have been hospitalized, and one-sixth of them are in intensive care.
Nurses and doctors are getting ill, protective supplies are in short supply and treatment for other serious conditions may be compromised, officials said.
Switzerland reported nine new cases — bringing its total to 15 — and then said it was banning all gatherings of more than 1,000 people until March 15. The Geneva International Motor Show, an important annual automotive trade event, was among the gatherings that were abruptly canceled.Switzerland reported nine new cases — bringing its total to 15 — and then said it was banning all gatherings of more than 1,000 people until March 15. The Geneva International Motor Show, an important annual automotive trade event, was among the gatherings that were abruptly canceled.
England reported two additional cases on Friday, both contracted in Iran, bringing the total in Britain to 19, health officials said. Both patients were being treated at the Royal Free Hospital, a specialist infection center in London.England reported two additional cases on Friday, both contracted in Iran, bringing the total in Britain to 19, health officials said. Both patients were being treated at the Royal Free Hospital, a specialist infection center in London.
Three countries in Eastern Europe — Belarus, Estonia and Lithuania — have also reported their first cases. All appear to be linked to travel to either Iran or Italy, the principal hubs of the virus outside Asia.Three countries in Eastern Europe — Belarus, Estonia and Lithuania — have also reported their first cases. All appear to be linked to travel to either Iran or Italy, the principal hubs of the virus outside Asia.
Nigeria on Friday confirmed its first case of coronavirus, raising fears of how an outbreak could wreak havoc in Africa’s most populous nation and across the continent.Nigeria on Friday confirmed its first case of coronavirus, raising fears of how an outbreak could wreak havoc in Africa’s most populous nation and across the continent.
The case, confirmed by the Nigerian Health Ministry, is the first known infection in sub-Saharan Africa. The ministry said the patient was an Italian citizen who had returned to Lagos, the country’s largest city, from Milan on Tuesday.The case, confirmed by the Nigerian Health Ministry, is the first known infection in sub-Saharan Africa. The ministry said the patient was an Italian citizen who had returned to Lagos, the country’s largest city, from Milan on Tuesday.
The Nigerian government said in a statement that the patient was stable, did not have “serious symptoms” and was being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, a suburb of Lagos.The Nigerian government said in a statement that the patient was stable, did not have “serious symptoms” and was being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, a suburb of Lagos.
Despite the steady number of flights and the growing relationship between China and African countries, the only previously confirmed infections on the continent had been in Egypt and Algeria.Despite the steady number of flights and the growing relationship between China and African countries, the only previously confirmed infections on the continent had been in Egypt and Algeria.
Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s minister of health, said in a statement that the country had been shoring up its preparedness since the virus started spreading in China and that it would respond with all available resources.Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s minister of health, said in a statement that the country had been shoring up its preparedness since the virus started spreading in China and that it would respond with all available resources.
Africa has very few confirmed cases, but experts have already expressed concerns about how the continent would cope with a wide-scale outbreak.Africa has very few confirmed cases, but experts have already expressed concerns about how the continent would cope with a wide-scale outbreak.
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and the W.H.O. have worked with African nations to improve surveillance and testing.The Africa Centers for Disease Control and the W.H.O. have worked with African nations to improve surveillance and testing.
Currently, 26 laboratories on the continent are able to test for the coronavirus, up from two in early February.Currently, 26 laboratories on the continent are able to test for the coronavirus, up from two in early February.
Dr. Ngozi Erondu, an associate fellow in the Global Health Program at Chatham House, an international research group in London, said it would be crucial to enhance scrutiny of all travelers, especially those coming from countries with documented outbreaks.Dr. Ngozi Erondu, an associate fellow in the Global Health Program at Chatham House, an international research group in London, said it would be crucial to enhance scrutiny of all travelers, especially those coming from countries with documented outbreaks.
“Staff at points of entry must realize that Covid-19 has no ethnicity or nationality, so personal biases must be checked,” she said, using the name of the disease caused by the coronavirus.“Staff at points of entry must realize that Covid-19 has no ethnicity or nationality, so personal biases must be checked,” she said, using the name of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Four days after a resort in Spain’s Canary Islands placed guests on lockdown over coronavirus fears, guests were beginning to leave in small groups on Friday, even as those who remained continued to mingle in common areas, raising concerns about spreading the virus.Four days after a resort in Spain’s Canary Islands placed guests on lockdown over coronavirus fears, guests were beginning to leave in small groups on Friday, even as those who remained continued to mingle in common areas, raising concerns about spreading the virus.
Some 723 guests from 25 countries and dozens of staff were left stranded at the four-star Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife when loose isolation measures were put in place Monday after four coronavirus infections were discovered there.Some 723 guests from 25 countries and dozens of staff were left stranded at the four-star Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife when loose isolation measures were put in place Monday after four coronavirus infections were discovered there.
By Friday, many guests had been told that they should stay in the hotel for a two-week quarantine period. But some 130 vacationers were informed that they could leave the resort because they had arrived after the coronavirus patients had left the hotel, and hotel officials said they would all depart on Friday.By Friday, many guests had been told that they should stay in the hotel for a two-week quarantine period. But some 130 vacationers were informed that they could leave the resort because they had arrived after the coronavirus patients had left the hotel, and hotel officials said they would all depart on Friday.
On Thursday, the hotel staff were told they could enter and leave the hotel if they adopted “necessary protection measures.”On Thursday, the hotel staff were told they could enter and leave the hotel if they adopted “necessary protection measures.”
But guests who remained confined to the resort have been allowed to wander its common areas, use its pools and restaurants, and health experts have warned that the loose policy could enable the virus to circulated among the guests or the staff.But guests who remained confined to the resort have been allowed to wander its common areas, use its pools and restaurants, and health experts have warned that the loose policy could enable the virus to circulated among the guests or the staff.
“The risk is not large, but it is real,” said William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It looks like they are taking a chance.”“The risk is not large, but it is real,” said William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine and infectious diseases at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “It looks like they are taking a chance.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week that the state had pushed for improved and expanded testing, urging federal officials to alter a testing protocol that he considered “inadequate.” He also said that officials were actively monitoring people who might have come into contact with the pathogen.Gov. Gavin Newsom said this week that the state had pushed for improved and expanded testing, urging federal officials to alter a testing protocol that he considered “inadequate.” He also said that officials were actively monitoring people who might have come into contact with the pathogen.
California has had more coronavirus cases than any other U.S. state, and it has also been the nucleus of American quarantine efforts. The sense of concern escalated after officials confirmed what is believed to be the first documented case of community transmission, in Solano County, between San Francisco and Sacramento.California has had more coronavirus cases than any other U.S. state, and it has also been the nucleus of American quarantine efforts. The sense of concern escalated after officials confirmed what is believed to be the first documented case of community transmission, in Solano County, between San Francisco and Sacramento.
The governor sought to strike a delicate balance by quelling fears while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. He told residents that the overall number of cases remained low and that the state government was well positioned to keep it that way.The governor sought to strike a delicate balance by quelling fears while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. He told residents that the overall number of cases remained low and that the state government was well positioned to keep it that way.
Mr. Newsom has resisted declaring a state of emergency, a step that some local officials have taken largely to muster public health resources. But there are worries about the economic fallout, with events having already been changed or canceled. Both Facebook and Microsoft said they were pulling out of conferences scheduled for March and May.Mr. Newsom has resisted declaring a state of emergency, a step that some local officials have taken largely to muster public health resources. But there are worries about the economic fallout, with events having already been changed or canceled. Both Facebook and Microsoft said they were pulling out of conferences scheduled for March and May.
Officials in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, declared a state of emergency because of the pace of new infections there, the national broadcaster, NHK, reported on Friday.Officials in Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan’s main islands, declared a state of emergency because of the pace of new infections there, the national broadcaster, NHK, reported on Friday.
The governor of the prefecture, Naomichi Suzuki, urged residents to refrain from going out over the weekend, the broadcaster said. School boards on the island had already moved to cancel classes, even before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s request on Thursday that all schools nationwide close for about a month.The governor of the prefecture, Naomichi Suzuki, urged residents to refrain from going out over the weekend, the broadcaster said. School boards on the island had already moved to cancel classes, even before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s request on Thursday that all schools nationwide close for about a month.
Japan has more than 200 cases of the new coronavirus and four deaths, in addition to more than 700 cases and an additional four deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which spent two weeks quarantined while docked in Yokohama.Japan has more than 200 cases of the new coronavirus and four deaths, in addition to more than 700 cases and an additional four deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, which spent two weeks quarantined while docked in Yokohama.
The latest death, reported on Thursday, was of a man in his 80s on Hokkaido who had pre-existing health problems, the governor told reporters. Fifteen new cases were reported in the prefecture on Thursday, bringing the total number there to 54, the highest in Japan. Two new patients were children under 10, officials said.The latest death, reported on Thursday, was of a man in his 80s on Hokkaido who had pre-existing health problems, the governor told reporters. Fifteen new cases were reported in the prefecture on Thursday, bringing the total number there to 54, the highest in Japan. Two new patients were children under 10, officials said.
Japanese officials are facing increasing pressure to take action amid discussion of canceling the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to begin in July. Major events have been canceled or postponed around the country.Japanese officials are facing increasing pressure to take action amid discussion of canceling the Tokyo Olympics, scheduled to begin in July. Major events have been canceled or postponed around the country.
Reporting and research was contributed by Eric Schmitt, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Megan Specia, Katie Thomas, Russell Goldman, Melissa Eddy, Aurelien Breeden, Elian Peltier, Andrew Higgins, Abdi Latif Dahir, Jack Ewing, Choe Sang-Hun, Keith Bradsher, Alexandra Stevenson, Elaine Yu, Tiffany May, Karen Zraick, Wang Yiwei, Andrew Das, Jamal Jordan, Heather Casey, Joseph Goldstein, Jesse McKinley, Ian Austen, Kirk Semple, Richard Pérez-Peña, Josh Keller, Rick Gladstone and Farnaz Fassihi. Reporting and research was contributed by Eric Schmitt, Rick Rojas, Marc Santora, Megan Specia, Katie Thomas, Russell Goldman, Melissa Eddy, Aurelien Breeden, Elian Peltier, Andrew Higgins, Abdi Latif Dahir, Jack Ewing, Choe Sang-Hun, Keith Bradsher, Alexandra Stevenson, Elaine Yu, Tiffany May, Karen Zraick, Wang Yiwei, Andrew Das, Jamal Jordan, Heather Casey, Joseph Goldstein, Jesse McKinley, Ian Austen, Kirk Semple, Richard Pérez-Peña, Josh Keller, Rick Gladstone, Farnaz Fassihi, Knvul Sheikh, Elisabetta Povoledo, Noah Weiland and Constant Méheut.