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Coronavirus: China death toll climbs to 106 with first fatality in Beijing – live updates Coronavirus: China death toll climbs to 106 with first fatality in Beijing – live updates
(32 minutes later)
US updates travel warning to China to highest level as mayor of Wuhan admits authorities were too slow in releasing information about virusUS updates travel warning to China to highest level as mayor of Wuhan admits authorities were too slow in releasing information about virus
We reported earlier that the National Health Commission had issued new figures for deaths and infections, including 4,515 confirmed cases of the virus. State media is reporting that 976 - or just over 20% of cases – are patients in a critical condition. It also says there are 6,973 suspected cases in China. China Global TV Network published a map of infections in China (in which it includes Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan).
The streets of Wuhan are still largely empty says the New York Times’ reporter Chris Buckley.
With millions largely confined to their homes because of the coronavirus in China, social media is awash with novel ways to stave off boredom – from indoor fishing to singing challenges, as our correspondent Michael Standaert reports.With millions largely confined to their homes because of the coronavirus in China, social media is awash with novel ways to stave off boredom – from indoor fishing to singing challenges, as our correspondent Michael Standaert reports.
The Philippines has suspended its usual practice of issuing visas upon arrival (VUA) to Chinese visitors in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.The Philippines has suspended its usual practice of issuing visas upon arrival (VUA) to Chinese visitors in an effort to contain the spread of the virus.
The bureau of immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement:The bureau of immigration commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement:
“The Civil Aeronautics Board has already suspended direct flights from Wuhan province,” said Morente. “We are now temporarily suspending the issuance of VUA for Chinese nationals to slow down the influx of group tours,” he added.“The Civil Aeronautics Board has already suspended direct flights from Wuhan province,” said Morente. “We are now temporarily suspending the issuance of VUA for Chinese nationals to slow down the influx of group tours,” he added.
The VUA facility is often used by groups of Chinese tourists but Morente emphasised that Chinese visitors were not barred from the Philippines, but would be subject to checks for the virus. China accounts for around 20% of tourist visits to the Philippines.The VUA facility is often used by groups of Chinese tourists but Morente emphasised that Chinese visitors were not barred from the Philippines, but would be subject to checks for the virus. China accounts for around 20% of tourist visits to the Philippines.
“We have not received any directive imposing policy changes on Chinese nationals,” said Morente. “But we are taking this proactive measure to slow down travel, and possibly help prevent the entry of the 2019-nCov,” he stated.“We have not received any directive imposing policy changes on Chinese nationals,” said Morente. “But we are taking this proactive measure to slow down travel, and possibly help prevent the entry of the 2019-nCov,” he stated.
Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, has just been been speaking about the virus and its impact on Australian in China and at home, where there have been five confirmed cases.Scott Morrison, the Australian prime minister, has just been been speaking about the virus and its impact on Australian in China and at home, where there have been five confirmed cases.
He said the cabinet’s national security committee met yesterday to discuss the threat posed by the virus and would continue to meet every few days.He said the cabinet’s national security committee met yesterday to discuss the threat posed by the virus and would continue to meet every few days.
Australia is working with the Chinese government to deploy consular officials into Hubei province and into Wuhan. “This is essential to assist us as we then consider the further options of support that we can provide to Australian citizens who are in Wuhan and in Hubei Province more broadly,” he said amid growing calls for Australia to follow the example of the US and Japan and evacuate its citizens from the virus epicentre.Australia is working with the Chinese government to deploy consular officials into Hubei province and into Wuhan. “This is essential to assist us as we then consider the further options of support that we can provide to Australian citizens who are in Wuhan and in Hubei Province more broadly,” he said amid growing calls for Australia to follow the example of the US and Japan and evacuate its citizens from the virus epicentre.
The virus sent Australia’s stock market tumbling today. Read all about it, and the potentially negative impact on tourism, with this report from our business writer Ben Butler:The virus sent Australia’s stock market tumbling today. Read all about it, and the potentially negative impact on tourism, with this report from our business writer Ben Butler:
Sri Lanka has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, according to the Chinese state news service CGTN. It said the victim was a Chinese tourist who arrived in the south Asian country on 19 Janaury but became ill on 25 January.Sri Lanka has confirmed its first case of the coronavirus, according to the Chinese state news service CGTN. It said the victim was a Chinese tourist who arrived in the south Asian country on 19 Janaury but became ill on 25 January.
A report on the website of the Hindu newspaper said the victim was a woman in her 40s and was from the locked down Chinese province of Hubei.A report on the website of the Hindu newspaper said the victim was a woman in her 40s and was from the locked down Chinese province of Hubei.
With regards to the number of infections, it seems the figure issued just over an hour ago of 4,193 cases in China has been updated to 4,515, according to the state-run Global Times. According to CGTN, this includes 8 in Hong Kong, 7 in Macao and 5 in Taiwan.With regards to the number of infections, it seems the figure issued just over an hour ago of 4,193 cases in China has been updated to 4,515, according to the state-run Global Times. According to CGTN, this includes 8 in Hong Kong, 7 in Macao and 5 in Taiwan.
The death toll remains 106.The death toll remains 106.
China’s National Health Commission issued guidance on treating the coronavirus last night (27 January).China’s National Health Commission issued guidance on treating the coronavirus last night (27 January).
It says “respiratory droplet transmission is the main route of transmission”, but it can also be transmitted through contact.It says “respiratory droplet transmission is the main route of transmission”, but it can also be transmitted through contact.
It says “based on current epidemiological investigations, the incubation period is generally 3-7 days, with the longest no more than 14 days”.It says “based on current epidemiological investigations, the incubation period is generally 3-7 days, with the longest no more than 14 days”.
As I mentioned earlier, the US consulate in Wuhan is preparing to fly its diplomats and some other Americans out of the country. Many other countries are also considering this, such as Japan, Mongolia, and France. Australia has identified about 400 citizens how have registered for help to get out of Hubei, but it does not have an embassy in Wuhan, which is likely making the situation more complicated. Indian diplomatic officials are also apparently in talks about how to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan.As I mentioned earlier, the US consulate in Wuhan is preparing to fly its diplomats and some other Americans out of the country. Many other countries are also considering this, such as Japan, Mongolia, and France. Australia has identified about 400 citizens how have registered for help to get out of Hubei, but it does not have an embassy in Wuhan, which is likely making the situation more complicated. Indian diplomatic officials are also apparently in talks about how to evacuate its citizens from Wuhan.
In Australia, there’s been conflicting advice between public and private schools about when to send children back for the start of the school year after the long summer break.In Australia, there’s been conflicting advice between public and private schools about when to send children back for the start of the school year after the long summer break.
Australia’s federal education minister, Dan Tehan, weighed into the debate today, chastising schools for forcing healthy students returning from China to stay away.Australia’s federal education minister, Dan Tehan, weighed into the debate today, chastising schools for forcing healthy students returning from China to stay away.
Some private schools are telling children to stay away from school for 14 days if they have recently travelled to any part of China. Publicly funded state schools say only students who have been in contact with known cases of coronavirus should be excluded until medically cleared.Some private schools are telling children to stay away from school for 14 days if they have recently travelled to any part of China. Publicly funded state schools say only students who have been in contact with known cases of coronavirus should be excluded until medically cleared.
“Individual schools make their own decisions but the advice from the Australian government is to follow our medical advice,” Tehan told ABC radio.“Individual schools make their own decisions but the advice from the Australian government is to follow our medical advice,” Tehan told ABC radio.
“I would say to all schools that they should be following the advice of the health department, that is the clear position of the Australian government.“I would say to all schools that they should be following the advice of the health department, that is the clear position of the Australian government.
“Obviously in the end they will have to answer to their parents, but also they will have to answer to state and territory governments, who have responsibility for schools.”“Obviously in the end they will have to answer to their parents, but also they will have to answer to state and territory governments, who have responsibility for schools.”
We have reported quite a bit about the new hospital Chinese authorities are building in a very short time to cope withe rising number of infections. Below is a time-lapse video of the 1,000-bed facility that is expected to open in the next few days.We have reported quite a bit about the new hospital Chinese authorities are building in a very short time to cope withe rising number of infections. Below is a time-lapse video of the 1,000-bed facility that is expected to open in the next few days.
Just to put those figures into context ... yesterday the toll was 82, so today’s figures of 106 is an increase of 29%. Infections are up from 2,887 to 4,193, an increase of 45%. But it’s worth remembering these are still relatively small numbers of people affected relative to the population size. Wuhan – where most deaths have occurred – has a population of 11 million peopleJust to put those figures into context ... yesterday the toll was 82, so today’s figures of 106 is an increase of 29%. Infections are up from 2,887 to 4,193, an increase of 45%. But it’s worth remembering these are still relatively small numbers of people affected relative to the population size. Wuhan – where most deaths have occurred – has a population of 11 million people
Chinese state media is reporting the new figures for deaths and those infected by the coronavirus.Chinese state media is reporting the new figures for deaths and those infected by the coronavirus.
The People’s Daily says:The People’s Daily says:
106 deaths106 deaths
4,193 cases confirmed in China4,193 cases confirmed in China
We are starting to get some revised figures on infections in China from coronavirus.We are starting to get some revised figures on infections in China from coronavirus.
The official broadcaster CGTN has just tweeted that there are now 100 deaths confirmed in Hubei province, where the city of Wuhan is the epicentre. It says there are 2,714 confirmed cases in the province, which has a population of just under 60 million people.The official broadcaster CGTN has just tweeted that there are now 100 deaths confirmed in Hubei province, where the city of Wuhan is the epicentre. It says there are 2,714 confirmed cases in the province, which has a population of just under 60 million people.
The Global Times has also reported that Beijing has suspended 28 bus routes to neighbouring cities in an attempt to control the spread of the virus.The Global Times has also reported that Beijing has suspended 28 bus routes to neighbouring cities in an attempt to control the spread of the virus.
China’s official Global Times is reporting 13 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Shanghai on Monday, taking the total in the city to 66. I’ll bring you an update on overall figures as soon as I can confirm it.China’s official Global Times is reporting 13 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in Shanghai on Monday, taking the total in the city to 66. I’ll bring you an update on overall figures as soon as I can confirm it.
As I mentioned earlier, the US has upgraded its travel advice to China to level 3 – its highest level _ which advises Americans to avoid all non-essential travel to China.As I mentioned earlier, the US has upgraded its travel advice to China to level 3 – its highest level _ which advises Americans to avoid all non-essential travel to China.
Meanwhile the Associated Press is reporting that US State Department has ordered it employees in Wuhan to leave the city and is offering seats on a charter flight to US citizens who also want to leave. Here’s the AP report:Meanwhile the Associated Press is reporting that US State Department has ordered it employees in Wuhan to leave the city and is offering seats on a charter flight to US citizens who also want to leave. Here’s the AP report:
State department officials said on Monday in a statement that the the flight to Ontario, California, is expected to leave Wuhan on Wednesday morning local time. Priority will be given to citizens who are most at risk of contracting the virus.State department officials said on Monday in a statement that the the flight to Ontario, California, is expected to leave Wuhan on Wednesday morning local time. Priority will be given to citizens who are most at risk of contracting the virus.
Alaska health officials say the flight is expected to make a refuelling stop in Anchorage and that about 240 Americans are expected to be aboard.Alaska health officials say the flight is expected to make a refuelling stop in Anchorage and that about 240 Americans are expected to be aboard.
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services says the passengers will be screened for coronavirus before they leave Wuhan by US and Chinese health officials and that anyone with symptoms will not be allowed to board the aircraft. The department in a statement says they would be screened again at Anchorage.The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services says the passengers will be screened for coronavirus before they leave Wuhan by US and Chinese health officials and that anyone with symptoms will not be allowed to board the aircraft. The department in a statement says they would be screened again at Anchorage.