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Coronavirus: death toll rises to 26 in China, with 830 infected – live news Coronavirus: death toll rises to 26 in China, with 830 infected – live news
(32 minutes later)
Possible cases being tested in Scotland and Belfast; World Health Organisation committee says ‘too early’ to declare emergencyPossible cases being tested in Scotland and Belfast; World Health Organisation committee says ‘too early’ to declare emergency
The second confirmed case in Japan of the new Coronavirus transited from Hong Kong to Japan by plane and Hong Kong’s health authority need to track the flight and passengers now, according to Wong Ka-hing, director of Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection
Xinqi Su, a Hong Kong based AFP correspondent, reports that the patient took Cathay Dragon’s KA855 from Wuhan to Hong Kong on January 19 and then transited from Hong Kong to Japan on Cathay Pacific’s CX58.
She quotes an emerging and zoonotic diseases expert, David Hui, as saying that Hong Kong is now at “serious response level” due to imported cases, but it won’t be upgraded to an “emergency” until there are local cases and continued outbreak.
He added that it was “unpractical” for all members of public to keep a mask on all day.
“If you are taking public transport or going to a mall with many people, I would advice you to wear a mask. You can take off the mask when you are in office,” Hui said.
Thailand has confirmed its fifth case of the new coronavirus, a senior public health official said.
“The patient is a 33-year-old woman from Wuhan on vacation,” Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Patucha told Reuters, adding that she was under quarantine at Rajavithi hospital and her condition was improving.
The woman arrived in Bangkok on Jan. 21 with her daughter and visited a private hospital complaining of a fever, coughing and muscle aches before being transferred to a government hospital on Jan. 23, Sathit said. Her daughter tested negative for the virus.
A Thai woman who contracted the virus after spending the New Year in Wuhan was admitted to Nakhon Pathom hospital, 60 km (40 miles) west of Bangkok, on Jan. 15 and discharged on Friday after lab tests cleared her of the virus, the Public Health Ministry said in a statement.
Thailand currently has two patients under quarantine for the virus.
McDonalds says it is suspending business in five cities in China’s Hubei province, centre of the virus outbreak.McDonalds says it is suspending business in five cities in China’s Hubei province, centre of the virus outbreak.
Two tourists visiting Finland from Wuhan in China are suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, according to YLE, Finland’s state broadcaster.Two tourists visiting Finland from Wuhan in China are suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, according to YLE, Finland’s state broadcaster.
The pair went to a health centre in Ivalo, northern Finland, to seek treatment for flu-like symptoms on Thursday night.The pair went to a health centre in Ivalo, northern Finland, to seek treatment for flu-like symptoms on Thursday night.
Markku Broas, an infectious diseases physician at Lapland central hospital, said samples were taken to Helsinki for analysis but he thinks that it’s likely to be a case of the flu.Markku Broas, an infectious diseases physician at Lapland central hospital, said samples were taken to Helsinki for analysis but he thinks that it’s likely to be a case of the flu.
“There’s no major cause for concern.”“There’s no major cause for concern.”
The situation is a “rapidly evolving” one which is being monitored closely but the current risk to the population in the UK is low, according to a new blog on the website of Public Health England, a state body.The situation is a “rapidly evolving” one which is being monitored closely but the current risk to the population in the UK is low, according to a new blog on the website of Public Health England, a state body.
It answers a number of questions which it says many people have. They include:It answers a number of questions which it says many people have. They include:
What is Wuhan novel coronavirus and should I be concerned?What is Wuhan novel coronavirus and should I be concerned?
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world.
Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. No confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus have been detected in the UK and we currently consider the risk to the UK population to be low.Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. No confirmed cases of Wuhan coronavirus have been detected in the UK and we currently consider the risk to the UK population to be low.
How do we decide the risk level?How do we decide the risk level?
Several factors are taken into account to determine the risk level including the number of cases, the speed at which new cases are being identified and other information about the virus such as how easily it spreads from person to person.Several factors are taken into account to determine the risk level including the number of cases, the speed at which new cases are being identified and other information about the virus such as how easily it spreads from person to person.
Can we stop the virus coming to the UK?Can we stop the virus coming to the UK?
No system of checks can claim to offer absolute protection because of the incubation period of the virus. Some people might only show symptoms 14 days after exposure to an infected person. Our approach to enhanced monitoring helps us ensure that travellers from Wuhan get the right information about what to do if they become unwell.No system of checks can claim to offer absolute protection because of the incubation period of the virus. Some people might only show symptoms 14 days after exposure to an infected person. Our approach to enhanced monitoring helps us ensure that travellers from Wuhan get the right information about what to do if they become unwell.
Why are we not monitoring all flights from China? And, what about people who have transferred from other flights?Why are we not monitoring all flights from China? And, what about people who have transferred from other flights?
Plans are in place to meet any direct flights from Wuhan as experts believe this is the source of the virus. However, the enhanced monitoring of direct flights will be kept under continuous review and expanded to other Chinese departure points if necessary.Plans are in place to meet any direct flights from Wuhan as experts believe this is the source of the virus. However, the enhanced monitoring of direct flights will be kept under continuous review and expanded to other Chinese departure points if necessary.
Beijing’s city government is urging people who return to the Chinese capital from areas affected by the Coronavirus outbreak to stat at home for 14 days, according to local reportsBeijing’s city government is urging people who return to the Chinese capital from areas affected by the Coronavirus outbreak to stat at home for 14 days, according to local reports
Meanwhile, sections of China’s Great Wall near Beijing will be closed to visitors from Saturday.Meanwhile, sections of China’s Great Wall near Beijing will be closed to visitors from Saturday.
Tributes have been paid to one of the WHO’s executive directors, Dr Peter Salama, who has died. For clarity, Dr Salama’s death is unrelated to the Coronavirus.Tributes have been paid to one of the WHO’s executive directors, Dr Peter Salama, who has died. For clarity, Dr Salama’s death is unrelated to the Coronavirus.
A medical epidemiologist from Australia, he previously led the Health Emergencies Programme at WHO from 2016 to 2019 and has led research and published extensively on vaccine-preventable diseases, HIV, nutrition, war-related mortality and violence, refugee and emergency health, and programming in fragile states.A medical epidemiologist from Australia, he previously led the Health Emergencies Programme at WHO from 2016 to 2019 and has led research and published extensively on vaccine-preventable diseases, HIV, nutrition, war-related mortality and violence, refugee and emergency health, and programming in fragile states.
Flights to Moscow from the Chinese city of Wuhan have been suspended over fears about the spread of the coronavirus strain, according to Interfax news agency.Flights to Moscow from the Chinese city of Wuhan have been suspended over fears about the spread of the coronavirus strain, according to Interfax news agency.
Earlier this week Russia’s Healthcare Ministry described the virus as a biological hazard, with Deputy Minister Sergei Krayevoy saying the virus was a “striking example” of the biological threats Russia faces.Earlier this week Russia’s Healthcare Ministry described the virus as a biological hazard, with Deputy Minister Sergei Krayevoy saying the virus was a “striking example” of the biological threats Russia faces.
The regular press briefing from the UN’s office in Geneva is just about to start and the virus is expected to feature in questions.The regular press briefing from the UN’s office in Geneva is just about to start and the virus is expected to feature in questions.
There was some confusion in reports elsewhere about it. It’s not a WHO briefing.There was some confusion in reports elsewhere about it. It’s not a WHO briefing.
Walt Disney Co’s Shanghai Disney Resort will be closed until further notice in respond to the outbreak.Walt Disney Co’s Shanghai Disney Resort will be closed until further notice in respond to the outbreak.
Here’s a video explainer from the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, in which she answers some of the most common and pressing questions surrounding the outbreak.Here’s a video explainer from the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, in which she answers some of the most common and pressing questions surrounding the outbreak.
A former government minister who oversaw the country’s response to the H1N1 flu virus in 2009, has said that containing panic around the coronavirus outbreak is as important as stemming the virus itself.A former government minister who oversaw the country’s response to the H1N1 flu virus in 2009, has said that containing panic around the coronavirus outbreak is as important as stemming the virus itself.
Gloria Guevara , who is now President/CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) based in London, said it could have a damaging and lasting economic impact on the global Travel & Tourism sector unless lessons are learned from previous viral epidemics.Gloria Guevara , who is now President/CEO of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) based in London, said it could have a damaging and lasting economic impact on the global Travel & Tourism sector unless lessons are learned from previous viral epidemics.
Analysis of previous major viral epidemics by the WTTC found that the average recovery time for visitor numbers to a destination was 19 months, but with the right response and management could recover in as little as 10 months.Analysis of previous major viral epidemics by the WTTC found that the average recovery time for visitor numbers to a destination was 19 months, but with the right response and management could recover in as little as 10 months.
Also on the theme of panic, the editor of the Lancet medical journal has tweeted:Also on the theme of panic, the editor of the Lancet medical journal has tweeted: