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Coronavirus: China death toll rises to 26 but UK risk 'remains low', says Matt Hancock – live news Coronavirus: China death toll rises to 26 but UK risk 'remains low', says Matt Hancock – live news
(32 minutes later)
UK emergency committee to discuss outbreak as more than 33 million people affected by lockdown measures in ChinaUK emergency committee to discuss outbreak as more than 33 million people affected by lockdown measures in China
Chinese military doctors are being sent in to help with efforts in Wuhan to cope with the coronavirus outbreak.
Some 40 medical officers from the city’s military hospital have already started work in the intensive care unit of Wuhan Pulmonary Hospital, the South China Morning Post reports.
Staff at a military hospital held an oath-taking ceremony on Wednesday pledging they would do their best to react to the outbreak.
“We all swore that we will follow the order, make sacrifices if necessary and do our jobs as required and would not be afraid to suffer or even to die,” said one practioner.
“[We were told that] we triumphed over Sars and we will win again this time.”
Panic and despair and despair have been sweeping hospitals across Wuhan, where patients wearing masks queue for hours and pharmacies are running out of supplies.
The Guardian’s Rebecca Ratcliffe and Lillian Yang in Beijing have filed a piece depicting some of the increasingly challenging circumstances in the city at the centre of the new coronavirus outbreak.
Britain’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has emerged after chairing a meeting of the British government’s ‘Cobra’ emergency committee, which brings together senior figures for various agencies to undertake crises planning.Britain’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, has emerged after chairing a meeting of the British government’s ‘Cobra’ emergency committee, which brings together senior figures for various agencies to undertake crises planning.
“The clinical advice is that the risk to the public remains low,” he said, adding that the UK’s chief medical officer will be making a full statement later today.“The clinical advice is that the risk to the public remains low,” he said, adding that the UK’s chief medical officer will be making a full statement later today.
Health officials have been preparing for an outbreak that could last for months, a senior World Health Organisation official in Beijing has told the New York Times.Health officials have been preparing for an outbreak that could last for months, a senior World Health Organisation official in Beijing has told the New York Times.
Thousands of people were eventually likely to be infected, said Dr. Gauden Galea, representative of the WHO in the Chinese capital.Thousands of people were eventually likely to be infected, said Dr. Gauden Galea, representative of the WHO in the Chinese capital.
“My own office is gearing up for a number of months. We do not expect it to disappear in a number of days.”“My own office is gearing up for a number of months. We do not expect it to disappear in a number of days.”
Calls for stricter outlawing of the trafficking and consumption of wild game - which has been linked to the emergence of Coronavirus in Chinese cities - have been reverberating on Chinese social media.Calls for stricter outlawing of the trafficking and consumption of wild game - which has been linked to the emergence of Coronavirus in Chinese cities - have been reverberating on Chinese social media.
An interesting piece from Jessica Colwell on What’s on Weibo, which reports on social media trends in China, reports that the Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market which has been linked to the outbreak has been closed down but criticism of such markets has been fierce.An interesting piece from Jessica Colwell on What’s on Weibo, which reports on social media trends in China, reports that the Wuhan Huanan Wholesale Seafood Market which has been linked to the outbreak has been closed down but criticism of such markets has been fierce.
She writes:She writes:
Britain’s public health authorities have put out these slides as part of an information campaign about the coronavirus outbreakBritain’s public health authorities have put out these slides as part of an information campaign about the coronavirus outbreak
A British man who felt unwell after returning from Wuhan but struggled to get doctor’s appointment until revealing he had been in China has been talking to the Guardian’s Nazia Parveen.A British man who felt unwell after returning from Wuhan but struggled to get doctor’s appointment until revealing he had been in China has been talking to the Guardian’s Nazia Parveen.
Michael Hope, 45, ended up in quarantine for 28 hours, kept in a sealed room and being tested by medics in what he described as “spaceman suits”.Michael Hope, 45, ended up in quarantine for 28 hours, kept in a sealed room and being tested by medics in what he described as “spaceman suits”.
“I felt like ET, to be honest,” he said. “It was totally, totally surreal.”“I felt like ET, to be honest,” he said. “It was totally, totally surreal.”
On Tuesday, with his symptoms having worsened after four days to “a really bad chest – coughing to the point of vomiting”, he had no greater concerns than his GP being busy: after he explained his condition, he was told there were no appointments available and to call back in the morning. The following day, when he managed to get a telephone consultation, he told his GP he had been unable to leave his home since he had got back from China – and events suddenly speeded up.On Tuesday, with his symptoms having worsened after four days to “a really bad chest – coughing to the point of vomiting”, he had no greater concerns than his GP being busy: after he explained his condition, he was told there were no appointments available and to call back in the morning. The following day, when he managed to get a telephone consultation, he told his GP he had been unable to leave his home since he had got back from China – and events suddenly speeded up.
“I told them I had flu-like symptoms and that I had travelled back from Wuhan,” he said. “At first the GP told me to come to the surgery and said we could both wear masks and I could stand outside the door – but then things quickly changed and I was told to stay at home, not to leave, and I would be visited instead.” Read on..“I told them I had flu-like symptoms and that I had travelled back from Wuhan,” he said. “At first the GP told me to come to the surgery and said we could both wear masks and I could stand outside the door – but then things quickly changed and I was told to stay at home, not to leave, and I would be visited instead.” Read on..
On the Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast, Hannah Devlin has been speaking to Professor Ian Jones about exactly what a coronavirus is.On the Guardian’s Science Weekly podcast, Hannah Devlin has been speaking to Professor Ian Jones about exactly what a coronavirus is.
We also hear from epidemiologist Dr Rosalind Eggo about how scientists model the spread of novel viruses, often with very little information.We also hear from epidemiologist Dr Rosalind Eggo about how scientists model the spread of novel viruses, often with very little information.
More airports are beginning to screen passengers arriving from China, AP reports.More airports are beginning to screen passengers arriving from China, AP reports.
Nepal has a case of coronavirus, Asian News International reports.Nepal has a case of coronavirus, Asian News International reports.
Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, is planning to build a hospital to help treat victims of the epidemic.Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, is planning to build a hospital to help treat victims of the epidemic.
The template is a hospital constructed hastily in Beijing in 2003 during the Sars outbreak.The template is a hospital constructed hastily in Beijing in 2003 during the Sars outbreak.
The UK government’s Cobra emergency committee is holding its meeting now about the outbreak.The UK government’s Cobra emergency committee is holding its meeting now about the outbreak.
The Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, reports that ministers from the Home Office, the Foreign Office, and the departments for transport, education and communities and local government will also attend.The Guardian’s political editor, Heather Stewart, reports that ministers from the Home Office, the Foreign Office, and the departments for transport, education and communities and local government will also attend.
“There remain no confirmed cases, and we’re well prepared for any new diseases. All UK airports have medical experts on hand and information has been provided to all passengers returning from China,” said a spokesman for the prime minister.“There remain no confirmed cases, and we’re well prepared for any new diseases. All UK airports have medical experts on hand and information has been provided to all passengers returning from China,” said a spokesman for the prime minister.
He added that the Department for Education was checking universities’ preparedness, given the likelihood that Chinese students may be travelling to or returning from home, to coincide with the new year holiday.He added that the Department for Education was checking universities’ preparedness, given the likelihood that Chinese students may be travelling to or returning from home, to coincide with the new year holiday.
Asked whether China had provided the UK with all the information it needed on the outbreak, he said: “We remain in close contact with the World Health Organization and international partners, including China.”Asked whether China had provided the UK with all the information it needed on the outbreak, he said: “We remain in close contact with the World Health Organization and international partners, including China.”
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, won’t be attending the Cobra meeting but is expected to host a reception at Downing Street in the next hour for the lunar new year.The prime minister, Boris Johnson, won’t be attending the Cobra meeting but is expected to host a reception at Downing Street in the next hour for the lunar new year.
Meanwhile, we’re told by Public Health England that it is unlikely that there will be any updated figures on those being tested for the virus in the UK until at least 3pm local time.Meanwhile, we’re told by Public Health England that it is unlikely that there will be any updated figures on those being tested for the virus in the UK until at least 3pm local time.
We had been led to believe that updated figures would be available at noon.We had been led to believe that updated figures would be available at noon.
China will take stricter and more targeted measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, Chinese state television has reported, citing a state council meeting on virus control on Friday.China will take stricter and more targeted measures to curb the spread of the new coronavirus, Chinese state television has reported, citing a state council meeting on virus control on Friday.
“The spread of the virus has not been cut off … Local authorities should take more responsibility and have a stronger sense of urgency,” according to state media, Reuters reported.“The spread of the virus has not been cut off … Local authorities should take more responsibility and have a stronger sense of urgency,” according to state media, Reuters reported.
The Chinese military has released a handbook on Pneumonia Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection, which Chinese media are encouraging people to forward to their circle of friends on social media.The Chinese military has released a handbook on Pneumonia Prevention and Control of New Coronavirus Infection, which Chinese media are encouraging people to forward to their circle of friends on social media.
The 16-page document comes with cartoon figures of heroic Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) figures and includes guidance on hygiene and disease prevention.The 16-page document comes with cartoon figures of heroic Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) figures and includes guidance on hygiene and disease prevention.
Meanwhile …Meanwhile …
The British government’s Cobra emergency committee will meet today to discus the coronavirus, according to the UK prime minister’s spokesperson.The British government’s Cobra emergency committee will meet today to discus the coronavirus, according to the UK prime minister’s spokesperson.
The meeting will be chaired by the health secretary, Matt Hancock.The meeting will be chaired by the health secretary, Matt Hancock.
Meanwhile, a letter from Britain’s chief medical officer to clinical staff warns that the “mass movement” of people within and outside China associated with the upcoming lunar new year celebrations may “amplify transmission”.Meanwhile, a letter from Britain’s chief medical officer to clinical staff warns that the “mass movement” of people within and outside China associated with the upcoming lunar new year celebrations may “amplify transmission”.
The letter said anyone who was confirmed as having the virus would be transferred to an Airborne High Consequences Infectious Disease centre (HCID).The letter said anyone who was confirmed as having the virus would be transferred to an Airborne High Consequences Infectious Disease centre (HCID).
According to Public Health England, there are four interim Airborne HCID centres in England. These are:According to Public Health England, there are four interim Airborne HCID centres in England. These are:
• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust.• Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS foundation trust.
• Royal Free London NHS foundation trust.• Royal Free London NHS foundation trust.
• Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University hospitals NHS trust.• Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University hospitals NHS trust.
• Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals NHS foundation Trust.• Newcastle upon Tyne hospitals NHS foundation Trust.
At the UN briefing in Geneva, a WHO spokesperson has said that it is too early to draw conclusions on how serious the outbreak is.At the UN briefing in Geneva, a WHO spokesperson has said that it is too early to draw conclusions on how serious the outbreak is.
“We may see more mild cases as surveillance intensifies. So the issue is not so much on numbers that we know will go up,” he added.“We may see more mild cases as surveillance intensifies. So the issue is not so much on numbers that we know will go up,” he added.
The WHO was getting its information from the Chinese authorities, he said, citing figures from midnight which recorded 830 cases including 25 deaths.The WHO was getting its information from the Chinese authorities, he said, citing figures from midnight which recorded 830 cases including 25 deaths.
The second confirmed case in Japan of the new coronavirus transited from Hong Kong to Japan by plane and Hong Kong’s health authority needs to track the flight and passengers now, according to Wong Ka-hing, director of Hong Kong’s Centre for Health Protection.The second confirmed case in Japan of the new coronavirus transited from Hong Kong to Japan by plane and Hong Kong’s health authority needs 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 19 January and then transited from Hong Kong to Japan on Cathay Pacific’s CX58.Xinqi Su, a Hong Kong based AFP correspondent, reports that the patient took Cathay Dragon’s KA855 from Wuhan to Hong Kong on 19 January 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.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 the public to keep a mask on all day.He added that it was “unpractical” for all members of the 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 an office,” Hui said.“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 an office,” Hui said.
Thailand has confirmed its fifth case of the new coronavirus, a senior public health official 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,” the deputy public health minister Sathit Patucha told Reuters, adding that she was under quarantine at Rajavithi hospital and her condition was improving.“The patient is a 33-year-old woman from Wuhan on vacation,” the 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 21 January with her daughter and visited a private hospital complaining of a fever, coughing and muscle aches before being transferred to a government hospital on 23 January, Sathit said. Her daughter tested negative for the virus.The woman arrived in Bangkok on 21 January with her daughter and visited a private hospital complaining of a fever, coughing and muscle aches before being transferred to a government hospital on 23 January, 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, 40 miles (60km) west of Bangkok, on 15 January and discharged on Friday after lab tests cleared her of the virus, the public health ministry said in a statement.A Thai woman who contracted the virus after spending the new year in Wuhan was admitted to Nakhon Pathom hospital, 40 miles (60km) west of Bangkok, on 15 January 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.Thailand currently has two patients under quarantine for the virus.