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Coronavirus Live Updates: World Reaches ‘Decisive Point’ in Outbreak Fight, W.H.O. Says Coronavirus Live Updates: World Reaches ‘Decisive Point’ in Outbreak Fight, W.H.O. Says
(32 minutes 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
European and Asian markets tumbled on Friday, following Wall Street’s plunge on Thursday as investors became even more concerned about the potential harm to worldwide economic growth from the spread of the newly emerged coronavirus.European and Asian markets tumbled on Friday, following Wall Street’s plunge on Thursday as investors became even more concerned about the potential harm to worldwide economic growth from the spread of the newly emerged coronavirus.
Stock markets in Britain, Germany and France fell more than 3 percent in early trading on Friday. They nearly matched a 4.4 percent nosedive in the S&P 500 index on Thursday, which was the worst day for American shares since 2011.Stock markets in Britain, Germany and France fell more than 3 percent in early trading on Friday. They nearly matched a 4.4 percent nosedive in the S&P 500 index on Thursday, which was the worst day for American shares since 2011.
Futures markets indicated Wall Street would open lower on Friday morning, too.Futures markets indicated Wall Street would open lower on Friday morning, too.
Investment bank economists issued increasingly glum predictions of how much the coronavirus outbreak would hurt economies around the world. Four dozen countries have already confirmed infections.Investment bank economists issued increasingly glum predictions of how much the coronavirus outbreak would hurt economies around the world. Four dozen countries have already confirmed infections.
“The more countries that are faced with fighting a pandemic, the wider the potential for economic disruption and potential for increased recessionary risks,” said Tai Hui, the chief market strategist for Asia at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, in a research note on Friday.“The more countries that are faced with fighting a pandemic, the wider the potential for economic disruption and potential for increased recessionary risks,” said Tai Hui, the chief market strategist for Asia at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, in a research note on Friday.
The declines in Europe followed another grim day of trading in Asia. The Japanese stock market fell 3.7 percent while the stock markets in Australia and South Korea each declined 3.3 percent.The declines in Europe followed another grim day of trading in Asia. The Japanese stock market fell 3.7 percent while the stock markets in Australia and South Korea each declined 3.3 percent.
In greater China, the Shanghai market dropped 3.7 percent and the Hong Kong market was down 2.5 percent.In greater China, the Shanghai market dropped 3.7 percent and the Hong Kong market was down 2.5 percent.
The steady global march of the new coronavirus outbreak transformed into a fierce gallop over the past 48 hours, as more than a dozen countries recorded their first confirmed cases and the world’s leading health official warned of a coming pandemic.The steady global march of the new coronavirus outbreak transformed into a fierce gallop over the past 48 hours, as more than a dozen countries recorded their first confirmed cases and the world’s leading health official warned of a coming pandemic.
“This virus has pandemic potential,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization on Thursday. “We are actually in a very delicate situation in which the outbreak can go in any direction based on how we handle it.”“This virus has pandemic potential,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization on Thursday. “We are actually in a very delicate situation in which the outbreak can go in any direction based on how we handle it.”
The warning came hours before the first cases were confirmed on Friday in Belarus, New Zealand and Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.The warning came hours before the first cases were confirmed on Friday in Belarus, New Zealand and Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa.
More than 83,000 people in at least 53 countries have been infected. More new cases have been recently reported outside China, where the outbreak began in December, than within in the country. China enforced a lock down of 700 million people to control the spread of the virus.More than 83,000 people in at least 53 countries have been infected. More new cases have been recently reported outside China, where the outbreak began in December, than within in the country. China enforced a lock down of 700 million people to control the spread of the virus.
Japan closed its schools for at least a month. Iran canceled Friday Prayers in major cities. Saudi Arabia barred pilgrims from its holiest sites.Japan closed its schools for at least a month. Iran canceled Friday Prayers in major cities. Saudi Arabia barred pilgrims from its holiest sites.
“This is not a time for fear,” Dr. Tedros said. But markets panicked anyway.“This is not a time for fear,” Dr. Tedros said. But markets panicked anyway.
Global markets looked set to tumble for a seventh consecutive day on Friday, after the S&P 500 fell 4.4 percent on Thursday, the worst single-day slide for the benchmark since August 2011.Global markets looked set to tumble for a seventh consecutive day on Friday, after the S&P 500 fell 4.4 percent on Thursday, the worst single-day slide for the benchmark since August 2011.
Updated Feb. 26, 2020
As new cases emerged in countries as diverse as Nigeria and Norway, the bulk of the infections outside China centered on three hot spots — South Korea, Iran and Italy.As new cases emerged in countries as diverse as Nigeria and Norway, the bulk of the infections outside China centered on three hot spots — South Korea, Iran and Italy.
Updated Feb. 26, 2020
Dr. Tedros called the moment a “decisive point” in combatting the epidemic. “This is a time for taking action to prevent infection and save lives now.”Dr. Tedros called the moment a “decisive point” in combatting the epidemic. “This is a time for taking action to prevent infection and save lives now.”
Nigeria on Friday confirmed the first case of coronavirus in the country, raising fears of how the disease could wreak havoc in Africa’s most populous nation and across the continent.Nigeria on Friday confirmed the first case of coronavirus in the country, raising fears of how the disease could wreak havoc in Africa’s most populous nation and across the continent.
The case was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health and was the first confirmed infection in sub-Saharan Africa.The case was confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Health and was the first confirmed infection in sub-Saharan Africa.
The health ministry said the patient was an Italian citizen who returned on Feb. 25 to Lagos, the country’s largest city, after visiting Milan. The Nigerian government said in a statement that the unnamed patient was “clinically stable,” and did not have “serious symptoms” and was being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, Lagos.The health ministry said the patient was an Italian citizen who returned on Feb. 25 to Lagos, the country’s largest city, after visiting Milan. The Nigerian government said in a statement that the unnamed patient was “clinically stable,” and did not have “serious symptoms” and was being treated at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Yaba, 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.
“I wish to assure all Nigerians that have we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of cases in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case,” Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s minister of health, said in a statement.“I wish to assure all Nigerians that have we have been beefing up our preparedness capabilities since the first confirmation of cases in China, and we will use all the resources made available by the government to respond to this case,” Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Nigeria’s minister of health, said in a statement.
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, called on 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, called on 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 a man in his 80s on Hokkaido who had pre-existing conditions, the governor told reporters. Fifteen new cases were also reported in the prefecture on Thursday, bringing the total number there to 54, the highest in Japan. Two of the new cases were children under 10, officials said.The latest death, reported on Thursday, was a man in his 80s on Hokkaido who had pre-existing conditions, the governor told reporters. Fifteen new cases were also reported in the prefecture on Thursday, bringing the total number there to 54, the highest in Japan. Two of the new cases 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.
President Battulga Khaltmaa of Mongolia and other government officials have begun a 14-day quarantine after returning home from China, the state news agency Montsame reported on Friday.President Battulga Khaltmaa of Mongolia and other government officials have begun a 14-day quarantine after returning home from China, the state news agency Montsame reported on Friday.
Mr. Battulga and the other senior officials including the foreign minister visited Beijing on Thursday and held meetings with the leader of China, Xi Jinping, and Premier Li Keqiang.Mr. Battulga and the other senior officials including the foreign minister visited Beijing on Thursday and held meetings with the leader of China, Xi Jinping, and Premier Li Keqiang.
The Mongolian president said he would donate 30,000 sheep to China in support of the country’s fight against the epidemic, according to Chinese state media, which hailed Mr. Battulga as the first foreign head of state to visit the country since the outbreak.The Mongolian president said he would donate 30,000 sheep to China in support of the country’s fight against the epidemic, according to Chinese state media, which hailed Mr. Battulga as the first foreign head of state to visit the country since the outbreak.
The president and his team were immediately taken into quarantine upon arriving in Mongolia as a precautionary measure, Montsame reported.The president and his team were immediately taken into quarantine upon arriving in Mongolia as a precautionary measure, Montsame reported.
Mongolia, which shares a border with China, has not reported any confirmed cases. The landlocked country had earlier closed its borders to China and temporarily banned arrivals from Japan and South Korea. All schools and universities have been closed until the end of March, and the country has extended its suspension of coal deliveries to China until mid-March.Mongolia, which shares a border with China, has not reported any confirmed cases. The landlocked country had earlier closed its borders to China and temporarily banned arrivals from Japan and South Korea. All schools and universities have been closed until the end of March, and the country has extended its suspension of coal deliveries to China until mid-March.
A dog that was owned by a Hong Kong resident infected with the coronavirus tested “weak positive” for the pathogen, the city’s government said Friday, but experts cautioned that further tests were needed to confirm if the animal had actually contracted the virus.A dog that was owned by a Hong Kong resident infected with the coronavirus tested “weak positive” for the pathogen, the city’s government said Friday, but experts cautioned that further tests were needed to confirm if the animal had actually contracted the virus.
The authorities found remnants of the virus in the dog, who was removed from its owner’s apartment on Wednesday, but said dog did not have any “relevant” symptoms.The authorities found remnants of the virus in the dog, who was removed from its owner’s apartment on Wednesday, but said dog did not have any “relevant” symptoms.
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it would conduct additional tests to determine if the initial findings were the result of “environmental contamination” rather than an infection.The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said it would conduct additional tests to determine if the initial findings were the result of “environmental contamination” rather than an infection.
Ben Cowling, a professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, said the result could indicate that the dog “licked a contaminated surface and the virus was picked up as contamination, not infection.”Ben Cowling, a professor at the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, said the result could indicate that the dog “licked a contaminated surface and the virus was picked up as contamination, not infection.”
The dog was taken by the authorities and put in quarantine. The government said it would be reunited with its owners if it conclusively tested negative for the virus that causes the respiratory disease Covid-19.The dog was taken by the authorities and put in quarantine. The government said it would be reunited with its owners if it conclusively tested negative for the virus that causes the respiratory disease Covid-19.
The Health Department on Friday said going forward, pets owned by residents who tested positive for the virus would be placed in quarantine for 14 days.
The new coronavirus is believed to have started in mammals, likely bats, before jumping species to humans. Since the start of the outbreak, some have feared that pet cats and dogs were at risk for infection, but the authorities have not yet determined if those animals can catch or transmit the virus to people.The new coronavirus is believed to have started in mammals, likely bats, before jumping species to humans. Since the start of the outbreak, some have feared that pet cats and dogs were at risk for infection, but the authorities have not yet determined if those animals can catch or transmit the virus to people.
In Hong Kong and mainland China, where surgical masks are a coveted commodity, protective pet owners have recently been seen putting masks and makeshift facial coverings on their cats and dogs.In Hong Kong and mainland China, where surgical masks are a coveted commodity, protective pet owners have recently been seen putting masks and makeshift facial coverings on their cats and dogs.
The number of people infected with the coronavirus in South Korea shot up to 2,337 on Friday, as officials struggled to get a handle on the outbreak, which has also become a political crisis for the country’s leader, Moon Jae-in.The number of people infected with the coronavirus in South Korea shot up to 2,337 on Friday, as officials struggled to get a handle on the outbreak, which has also become a political crisis for the country’s leader, Moon Jae-in.
Since Mr. Moon raised the epidemic alert to its highest level on Sunday, the government has sent score of health workers to Daegu, the center of the largest outbreak outside of China. Nearly 85 percent of the cases in South Korea have been found among members of a large, shadowy church in the city.Since Mr. Moon raised the epidemic alert to its highest level on Sunday, the government has sent score of health workers to Daegu, the center of the largest outbreak outside of China. Nearly 85 percent of the cases in South Korea have been found among members of a large, shadowy church in the city.
Although smaller outbreaks have popped up in other cities across South Korea, including Seoul, the capital, health officials said that their war against the virus hinged largely on how quickly they can win the battle in Daegu, South Korea’s fourth-largest city with 2.4 million people.Although smaller outbreaks have popped up in other cities across South Korea, including Seoul, the capital, health officials said that their war against the virus hinged largely on how quickly they can win the battle in Daegu, South Korea’s fourth-largest city with 2.4 million people.
In Daegu, health officials’ most urgent job has been to test nearly 1,300 members of the Shincheonji Church, who have reported potential symptoms of the virus, as well as those people with whom they have been in contact.In Daegu, health officials’ most urgent job has been to test nearly 1,300 members of the Shincheonji Church, who have reported potential symptoms of the virus, as well as those people with whom they have been in contact.
In the past few days, workers have tested up to 1,000 people a day, accounting for the sharp rise in the daily tally of patients.In the past few days, workers have tested up to 1,000 people a day, accounting for the sharp rise in the daily tally of patients.
“We have not finished our testing of Shincheonji worshipers in Daegu yet and as the statistics from there reach us, you will see daily increases in the number of patients,” said Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.“We have not finished our testing of Shincheonji worshipers in Daegu yet and as the statistics from there reach us, you will see daily increases in the number of patients,” said Jung Eun-kyeong, head of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In a sign of the epidemic’s toll on business activity, including the entertainment industry, the K-pop supergroup BTS canceled a series of upcoming concerts on Friday.In a sign of the epidemic’s toll on business activity, including the entertainment industry, the K-pop supergroup BTS canceled a series of upcoming concerts on Friday.
The coronavirus “outbreak has made it impossible at this time to predict the scale of the outbreak during the dates of the concert in April,” the boy band said in a statement.The coronavirus “outbreak has made it impossible at this time to predict the scale of the outbreak during the dates of the concert in April,” the boy band said in a statement.
The medical journal The Lancet has retracted an appeal for international help for Chinese medical workers after the article’s two authors said it was not a first-hand account.The medical journal The Lancet has retracted an appeal for international help for Chinese medical workers after the article’s two authors said it was not a first-hand account.
The letter published earlier this week on the journal’s website claimed to speak on behalf of a group of professional nurses who traveled to Wuhan to work in hospitals treating patients with the coronavirus.The letter published earlier this week on the journal’s website claimed to speak on behalf of a group of professional nurses who traveled to Wuhan to work in hospitals treating patients with the coronavirus.
But The Lancet said in a statement dated Wednesday that it had been contacted by the two authors, Yingchun Zeng and Yan Zhen. The Lancet said it was told that the account they described was not based on their own experience and “they wished to withdraw the piece.”But The Lancet said in a statement dated Wednesday that it had been contacted by the two authors, Yingchun Zeng and Yan Zhen. The Lancet said it was told that the account they described was not based on their own experience and “they wished to withdraw the piece.”
The Lancet declined to further explain the retraction.The Lancet declined to further explain the retraction.
The letter was striking for its direct challenge to the official narrative in state media that the situation in Wuhan was improving. It described the physical and mental toll of the work and detailed a severe shortage of protective equipment.The letter was striking for its direct challenge to the official narrative in state media that the situation in Wuhan was improving. It described the physical and mental toll of the work and detailed a severe shortage of protective equipment.
“We are asking nurses and medical staff from countries around the world to come to China now, to help us in this battle,” the letter read. “In addition to the physical exhaustion, we are also suffering psychologically. While we are professional nurses, we are also human.”“We are asking nurses and medical staff from countries around the world to come to China now, to help us in this battle,” the letter read. “In addition to the physical exhaustion, we are also suffering psychologically. While we are professional nurses, we are also human.”
Detailed information about the situation in Wuhan and hospitals across China is hard to come by. China’s censorship machine has tightened its grip on social media accounts of nurses fainting and doctors complaining of limited resources. In Hubei Province, the heart of the epidemic, nurses and doctors have pleaded for more masks. Many have since been directed by local authorities not to speak to the media.Detailed information about the situation in Wuhan and hospitals across China is hard to come by. China’s censorship machine has tightened its grip on social media accounts of nurses fainting and doctors complaining of limited resources. In Hubei Province, the heart of the epidemic, nurses and doctors have pleaded for more masks. Many have since been directed by local authorities not to speak to the media.
Hundreds of medical workers have been infected, authorities have since said, and several have died.Hundreds of medical workers have been infected, authorities have since said, and several have died.
The New York Times was not able to reach Ms. Zeng or Ms. Zhen. The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, where Ms. Zeng works, said in an email on Thursday the researcher “has never been to Wuhan to fight the epidemic,” and cited an editors’ note from The Lancet about the reasons for the retraction.The New York Times was not able to reach Ms. Zeng or Ms. Zhen. The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, where Ms. Zeng works, said in an email on Thursday the researcher “has never been to Wuhan to fight the epidemic,” and cited an editors’ note from The Lancet about the reasons for the retraction.
China’s internet censors have removed a game from the local version of Apple’s app store that allows players to create a lethal viral epidemic that spreads across the world.
Ndemic Creations, the developer of the game, announced on its website on Thursday that the authorities had pulled Plague Inc. for violating Chinese laws. The British-based company said it received a notice that the game “includes content that is illegal in China as determined by the Cyberspace Administration of China.” Ndemic said it wasn’t clear whether the move was related to the coronavirus outbreak.
The company said it was reaching out to Chinese officials to find out how it could bring the game back. “We have a huge amount of respect for our Chinese players,” it said, “and are devastated that they are no longer able to access and play Plague Inc.”
Plague Inc. became one of the most popular paid apps in China after the Wuhan outbreak. In the game, users can create a disease, choose the country where it originates and select the way it spreads, like transmission via animals, insects or water. Players accumulate points in the form of DNA that they can spend to make their disease more contagious or lethal. “You will get more DNA as you infect and kill people across the globe,” the game’s tutorial tells players.
Ndemic, which says the game has over 130 million players around the world, had previously defended Plague Inc. as a way to educate people about how diseases spread. “We specifically designed the game to be realistic and informative, while not sensationalizing serious real-world issues,” it said on its website last month.
Online, some Chinese players said they found the decision puzzling.
“All these years it was legal, now suddenly it is illegal?” wrote one Weibo user. Another writer added, sarcastically, “the best way to conquer fear is to not look at what you’re afraid of.”
Federal government health workers were not given proper medical training or protective gear when they were sent to assist Americans who had been quarantined for possible exposure to the coronavirus, according to a whistle-blower complaint.Federal government health workers were not given proper medical training or protective gear when they were sent to assist Americans who had been quarantined for possible exposure to the coronavirus, according to a whistle-blower complaint.
Staff members entered quarantine areas at Travis Air Force Base and March Air Reserve Base in California, interacted with the people who were in isolation and then moved freely around and off the bases, the complaint said.Staff members entered quarantine areas at Travis Air Force Base and March Air Reserve Base in California, interacted with the people who were in isolation and then moved freely around and off the bases, the complaint said.
The whistle-blower, described as a senior leader at the Department of Health and Human Services, said at least one worker stayed in a nearby hotel and left California on a commercial flight.The whistle-blower, described as a senior leader at the Department of Health and Human Services, said at least one worker stayed in a nearby hotel and left California on a commercial flight.
Many of the health workers were unaware of the need to test their temperatures three times a day, the person said. The complaint was submitted to the Office of the Special Counsel, and a portion was obtained by The New York Times.Many of the health workers were unaware of the need to test their temperatures three times a day, the person said. The complaint was submitted to the Office of the Special Counsel, and a portion was obtained by The New York Times.
The employees were not given training in safety protocols until five days after they were ordered into quarantined areas, including a hangar where evacuees from coronavirus hot zones in China and elsewhere were being received, the whistle-blower said.The employees were not given training in safety protocols until five days after they were ordered into quarantined areas, including a hangar where evacuees from coronavirus hot zones in China and elsewhere were being received, the whistle-blower said.
The first U.S. case of coronavirus infection in a patient with no known risk factors — travel to a hot zone or contact with another person known to be infected — emerged this week near Travis Air Force Base.The first U.S. case of coronavirus infection in a patient with no known risk factors — travel to a hot zone or contact with another person known to be infected — emerged this week near Travis Air Force Base.
In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged the complaint, saying, “We take all whistle-blower complaints very seriously.”In a statement on Thursday, the Department of Health and Human Services acknowledged the complaint, saying, “We take all whistle-blower complaints very seriously.”
New York City officials said on Thursday they had a possible coronavirus patient and were sending a sample for testing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The patient had respiratory symptoms and had recently traveled in Italy, which has emerged as a hub of the coronavirus, health officials said.New York City officials said on Thursday they had a possible coronavirus patient and were sending a sample for testing to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. The patient had respiratory symptoms and had recently traveled in Italy, which has emerged as a hub of the coronavirus, health officials said.
Health officials said the patient was under 50, but provided few other biographical details. This was the first suspected case in New York City since the C.D.C. expanded its testing criteria to account for the spread of the virus in a number of countries beyond China, including Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.Health officials said the patient was under 50, but provided few other biographical details. This was the first suspected case in New York City since the C.D.C. expanded its testing criteria to account for the spread of the virus in a number of countries beyond China, including Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.
New York City has had no confirmed cases of the virus so far. Seven patients had previously been deemed potential cases, only to be ruled out after testing.New York City has had no confirmed cases of the virus so far. Seven patients had previously been deemed potential cases, only to be ruled out after testing.
Reporting was contributed by Russell Goldman, Abdi Latif Dahir, Choe Hang-Sun, Alexandra Stevenson, Elaine Yu, Tiffany May, Andrew Das, Jamal Jordan, Heather Casey, Joseph Goldstein, Jesse McKinley and Ian Austen. Reporting and research was contributed by Russell Goldman, Abdi Latif Dahir, Choe Sang-Hun, Alexandra Stevenson, Elaine Yu, Tiffany May, Karen Zraick, Wang Yiwei, Andrew Das, Jamal Jordan, Heather Casey, Joseph Goldstein, Jesse McKinley and Ian Austen.