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China coronavirus: evacuation begins of US and Japanese citizens in Wuhan – live updates China coronavirus: evacuation begins of US and Japanese citizens in Wuhan – live updates
(30 minutes later)
Hundreds of Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China. Follow the latest news, liveHundreds of Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China. Follow the latest news, live
The death toll in mainland China has now risen to 132 – per official health commission figures.
This morning Australian scientists have become the first in the world, outside of China, to replicate the coronavirus in a lab – in what they hope could lead to a vaccine.
Researchers at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity recreated the virus from an infected patient.
It will be shared with expert laboratories working closely with the World Health Organisation in Europe, along with laboratories across Australia.
It will also help assess the effectiveness of trial vaccines.
Chinese officials had released the genome sequence of the novel coronavirus which first surfaced in its Hubei province in December.
Australian chief medical officer Professor Brendan Murphy said the creation of the live virus was significant, particularly for providing controls for tests and speeding up an antibody test.
“It’s a very significant development and it’s very, very positive,” he told ABC Radio.
Five people are being treated in Australian hospitals for the virus, with four of those cases in NSW alone.
The death toll in China has now risen to 131 people, according to the updated coronavirus tracker from Tencent News.The death toll in China has now risen to 131 people, according to the updated coronavirus tracker from Tencent News.
There are now also 5515 confirmed cases and 6973 suspected cases.There are now also 5515 confirmed cases and 6973 suspected cases.
And, as the US airlift out of Wuhan continues, Japan today has confirmed it too will evacuate 200 of its citizens.And, as the US airlift out of Wuhan continues, Japan today has confirmed it too will evacuate 200 of its citizens.
According to the Kyodo news agency, a chartered plane has departed the city early this morning, and is scheduled to arrive at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.According to the Kyodo news agency, a chartered plane has departed the city early this morning, and is scheduled to arrive at Tokyo’s Haneda airport.
In total, around 650 Japanese nationals have requested an airlift out of Wuhan.In total, around 650 Japanese nationals have requested an airlift out of Wuhan.
“We’ll continue to take every possible measure to bring home all people hoping to come back to Japan,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told lawmakers on Tuesday, according to Jiji Press.“We’ll continue to take every possible measure to bring home all people hoping to come back to Japan,” Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told lawmakers on Tuesday, according to Jiji Press.
Officials are aboard the plane to monitor passengers during the return flight, but there are no plans to isolate those arriving from Wuhan.Officials are aboard the plane to monitor passengers during the return flight, but there are no plans to isolate those arriving from Wuhan.
The European Union will fly its citizens out aboard two French planes this week, and South Korea was due to do the same. Several other countries were assessing their options.The European Union will fly its citizens out aboard two French planes this week, and South Korea was due to do the same. Several other countries were assessing their options.
Canada said 126 of its citizens live in the Wuhan area and it is consulting with allies and considering its options for getting them home.Canada said 126 of its citizens live in the Wuhan area and it is consulting with allies and considering its options for getting them home.
Hello and welcome to our continuing coverage of the novel coronavirus originating from Wuhan in China.Hello and welcome to our continuing coverage of the novel coronavirus originating from Wuhan in China.
This morning, the US has begun its first evacuation of citizens from Wuhan itself, in the Hubei province, where thousands of people have been affected.This morning, the US has begun its first evacuation of citizens from Wuhan itself, in the Hubei province, where thousands of people have been affected.
The US state department confirmed to the Associated Press that 240 Americans – including diplomats and other citizens – have been airlifted out of the city, and will be flown to Anchorage in Alaska, and then to Ontario in California, 56 kilometres (35 miles) from Los Angeles.The US state department confirmed to the Associated Press that 240 Americans – including diplomats and other citizens – have been airlifted out of the city, and will be flown to Anchorage in Alaska, and then to Ontario in California, 56 kilometres (35 miles) from Los Angeles.
Data from publicly available flight tracking site Flightaware shows that a flight operated by American cargo airline Kalitta Air left Wuhan’s Tianhe airport today at 4.54 in the morning local time, and is due to touch down in Alaska in 6 hours from now.Data from publicly available flight tracking site Flightaware shows that a flight operated by American cargo airline Kalitta Air left Wuhan’s Tianhe airport today at 4.54 in the morning local time, and is due to touch down in Alaska in 6 hours from now.
According to AP, all Americans will be screened for the virus in Anchorage, and could be quarantined in Ontario for up to two weeks by the US Centers for Disease Control.According to AP, all Americans will be screened for the virus in Anchorage, and could be quarantined in Ontario for up to two weeks by the US Centers for Disease Control.
David Wert, a spokesman for the county of San Bernardino, said they were “preparing for that eventuality just in case”.David Wert, a spokesman for the county of San Bernardino, said they were “preparing for that eventuality just in case”.
Wert said that Ontario International Airport was designated a decade ago by the U.S. government to receive repatriated Americans in case of an emergency overseas. Airport personnel have trained for such an occasion but the repatriation from China would be the first time the airport is used for this purpose, he said.Wert said that Ontario International Airport was designated a decade ago by the U.S. government to receive repatriated Americans in case of an emergency overseas. Airport personnel have trained for such an occasion but the repatriation from China would be the first time the airport is used for this purpose, he said.
In Ontario, the area where passengers will be taken is removed from passenger terminals and other public areas at the airport, the county said.In Ontario, the area where passengers will be taken is removed from passenger terminals and other public areas at the airport, the county said.