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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
(31 minutes later)
Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China, with Australia to follow suit. All the latest news, liveJapanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China, with Australia to follow suit. All the latest news, live
In Melbourne, our reporter Else Kennedy has just been to the media conference from Australian researchers who have recreated the novel coronavirus in a lab – the first time this has been done outside China. Here’s one of the ambulances carrying a Japanese patient to hospital.
Four Japanese citizens who were evacuated from Wuhan have been taken to hospital with a cough and fever, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government.
Associated Press reports that the patients are a woman in her 50s and three men whose ages range from their 30s to 50s. They were taken to a Tokyo hospital on separate ambulances for treatment and further medical checks.
206 evacuees arrived on Wednesday morning in Tokyo, after they were airlifted out of Wuhan in Hubei province, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.
Earlier, Japanese officials said that no people on board had the virus.
Passengers on the flight were wearing masks and underwent temperature checks before boarding and while on the plane. Plans were made for all of the evacuees to be treated and quarantined depending on their test results.
In South Australia seven people are awaiting coronavirus tests, but the department of health says the likelihood of them having the disease is “low”.
Three people who were previously tested came back with the all-clear.
In Melbourne, our reporter Else Kennedy has just been to a media conference with Australian researchers who have recreated the novel coronavirus in a lab – the first time this has been done outside China.
The team at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute worked through the night from the early hours of Saturday morning until Monday to grow and sequence the virus.The team at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute worked through the night from the early hours of Saturday morning until Monday to grow and sequence the virus.
“This is one step, a piece in the puzzle that we have contributed,” said virus identification laboratory head Dr Julian Druce.“This is one step, a piece in the puzzle that we have contributed,” said virus identification laboratory head Dr Julian Druce.
The lab-grown virus was developed from the first infected patient to be identified in Australia, and will be shared with laboratories globally.The lab-grown virus was developed from the first infected patient to be identified in Australia, and will be shared with laboratories globally.
“Having the real virus means we now have the ability to actually validate and verify all test methods, and compare their sensitivities and specificities,” Druce said on Wednesday.“Having the real virus means we now have the ability to actually validate and verify all test methods, and compare their sensitivities and specificities,” Druce said on Wednesday.
The virus is expected to generate an antibody test, which allows detection of the virus in patients who haven’t displayed symptoms and were therefore unaware they had it. The virus is expected to generate an antibody test, which allows detection of the virus in patients who haven’t displayed symptoms.
The institute’s deputy director Dr Mike Catton said it would help develop a more realistic picture of how the virus was tracking. The institute’s deputy director, Dr Mike Catton, said it would help develop a more realistic picture of how the virus was tracking.
“An antibody test will enable us to retrospectively test suspected patients so we can gather a more accurate picture of how widespread the virus is, and consequently, among other things, the true mortality rate,” Catton said.“An antibody test will enable us to retrospectively test suspected patients so we can gather a more accurate picture of how widespread the virus is, and consequently, among other things, the true mortality rate,” Catton said.
In finance news, the Hong Kong stock market has slumped off the back of coronavirus fears, but the rest of Asia was up.In finance news, the Hong Kong stock market has slumped off the back of coronavirus fears, but the rest of Asia was up.
As of an hour ago (02.30am GMT), the Hang Seng was down 2.6%, but Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.5%.As of an hour ago (02.30am GMT), the Hang Seng was down 2.6%, but Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 was up 0.5%.
Chinese markets however, are still closed.Chinese markets however, are still closed.
Agence France-Presse reports that Hong Kong investors returned from the Lunar New Year break to “a global panic over the deadly coronavirus, though most other Asian markets were lifted by bargain-buying after recent losses”.Agence France-Presse reports that Hong Kong investors returned from the Lunar New Year break to “a global panic over the deadly coronavirus, though most other Asian markets were lifted by bargain-buying after recent losses”.
“Healthy US data reinforced hopes for the global economic outlook and supported a rally across US and European markets, which provided a strong lead for Asia, while a record earnings report from Apple also helped the mood.“Healthy US data reinforced hopes for the global economic outlook and supported a rally across US and European markets, which provided a strong lead for Asia, while a record earnings report from Apple also helped the mood.
“Among the worst-hit sectors on global trading floors are firms linked to travel and tourism, as big-spending Chinese tourists stay at home with Beijing clamping down on people’s movement.”“Among the worst-hit sectors on global trading floors are firms linked to travel and tourism, as big-spending Chinese tourists stay at home with Beijing clamping down on people’s movement.”
In Hong Kong, the airline Cathay Pacific lost more than 3%, casino operator Galaxy Entertainment lost more than 6% and property giant New World Development lost more than 4%.In Hong Kong, the airline Cathay Pacific lost more than 3%, casino operator Galaxy Entertainment lost more than 6% and property giant New World Development lost more than 4%.
Some pictures here of Chinese construction workers building an emergency hospital that is urgently being set up in Wuhan.Some pictures here of Chinese construction workers building an emergency hospital that is urgently being set up in Wuhan.
The Huoshenshan hospital is scheduled to open on 3 February. Another, the Leishenshan hospital, is being constructed nearby to a similar schedule.The Huoshenshan hospital is scheduled to open on 3 February. Another, the Leishenshan hospital, is being constructed nearby to a similar schedule.
The government is livestreaming the construction of the site.The government is livestreaming the construction of the site.
Journalist Rebekah Holt has said she has spoken to the Tamil family from Biloela now detained on Christmas Island.Journalist Rebekah Holt has said she has spoken to the Tamil family from Biloela now detained on Christmas Island.
“They have not been told by staff about centre being used for quarantine purposes. My call was the first they knew of it.”“They have not been told by staff about centre being used for quarantine purposes. My call was the first they knew of it.”
For some background on the case, read here:For some background on the case, read here:
In Tokyo, passengers from the evacuation from Wuhan have spoken to media.In Tokyo, passengers from the evacuation from Wuhan have spoken to media.
Takeo Aoyama, who works for Nippon Steel Corp, and Takayuki Kato, who works for Intec, said they felt relieved but also exhausted, Associated Press reports.Takeo Aoyama, who works for Nippon Steel Corp, and Takayuki Kato, who works for Intec, said they felt relieved but also exhausted, Associated Press reports.
Kato said he was “shocked when all transportation systems were suspended. That’s when the situation drastically changed.”Kato said he was “shocked when all transportation systems were suspended. That’s when the situation drastically changed.”
Aoyama said many people who wished to go home to Japan were still in Wuhan, including workers at a Japanese supermarket chain staying open to supply food.Aoyama said many people who wished to go home to Japan were still in Wuhan, including workers at a Japanese supermarket chain staying open to supply food.
The news that Christmas Island will be used to potentially quarantine Australians with the coronavirus has led to renewed calls for the government to release a family of Tamil asylum seekers from Biloela currently detained there.The news that Christmas Island will be used to potentially quarantine Australians with the coronavirus has led to renewed calls for the government to release a family of Tamil asylum seekers from Biloela currently detained there.
Priya and Nadesalingam, and their Australian-born children, Kopika and Tharunicaa had fled the Sri Lankan civil war, and lived in the Queensland town of Biloela since 2014.Priya and Nadesalingam, and their Australian-born children, Kopika and Tharunicaa had fled the Sri Lankan civil war, and lived in the Queensland town of Biloela since 2014.
The government moved to deport the family in 2018, and they have been held in detention as a court assesses various legal challenges.The government moved to deport the family in 2018, and they have been held in detention as a court assesses various legal challenges.
They have been held on the remote Christmas Island – a former immigration detention centre – since August. The petition to bring them Home to Bilo has since received 260,000 signatures.They have been held on the remote Christmas Island – a former immigration detention centre – since August. The petition to bring them Home to Bilo has since received 260,000 signatures.
Today it was updated, in light of the plan to use Christmas Island in the Wuhan evacuation.Today it was updated, in light of the plan to use Christmas Island in the Wuhan evacuation.
“We at the Home to Bilo campaign would like to extend our thoughts to those currently caught in the coronavirus outbreak,” the petition says.“We at the Home to Bilo campaign would like to extend our thoughts to those currently caught in the coronavirus outbreak,” the petition says.
“We understand that Christmas Island will be used as a quarantine area for Australians being evacuated from Wuhan and Hubei province.“We understand that Christmas Island will be used as a quarantine area for Australians being evacuated from Wuhan and Hubei province.
“We will be monitoring the situation to ensure that Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa are not put at risk during this process.“We will be monitoring the situation to ensure that Priya, Nades, Kopika and Tharunicaa are not put at risk during this process.
“We have repeatedly called for Priya, Nades, and their two young daughters to be returned to mainland Australia. Their ongoing detention on Christmas Island has isolated and traumatised this young family. This new development confirms that the most appropriate place for them is in their home, Biloela.”“We have repeatedly called for Priya, Nades, and their two young daughters to be returned to mainland Australia. Their ongoing detention on Christmas Island has isolated and traumatised this young family. This new development confirms that the most appropriate place for them is in their home, Biloela.”
Our correspondent Rebecca Ratcliffe has spoken to British citizen Nick, who is a teacher in Wuhan and who is among up to 200 people waiting to be evacuated. Our correspondent Rebecca Ratcliffe has spoken to dual British and American citizen Nick, who is a teacher in Wuhan and who is among up to 200 people waiting to be evacuated.
He called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office crisis line earlier this morning and was asked if he would be prepared to leave his wife behind, because she is Indonesian and doesn’t currently have a UK visa. They have two children, aged nine and 12, also in Wuhan.He called the Foreign and Commonwealth Office crisis line earlier this morning and was asked if he would be prepared to leave his wife behind, because she is Indonesian and doesn’t currently have a UK visa. They have two children, aged nine and 12, also in Wuhan.
“He said that she would probably not be able to get on the plane,” said Nick. “I feel like we are being hung out to dry”.“He said that she would probably not be able to get on the plane,” said Nick. “I feel like we are being hung out to dry”.
Other Britons who have Chinese partners fear their wives or husbands will also be unable to get on the plane.Other Britons who have Chinese partners fear their wives or husbands will also be unable to get on the plane.
It is not clear how many people will be given a seat on the flight, which is also likely to be carrying consulate staff. Some British people in Wuhan have been receiving calls and told that there will be a flight tomorrow, others are still waiting for news.It is not clear how many people will be given a seat on the flight, which is also likely to be carrying consulate staff. Some British people in Wuhan have been receiving calls and told that there will be a flight tomorrow, others are still waiting for news.
AFP reports that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in China reached 5,974 on Wednesday, overtaking the number of people infected in the mainland by the Sars epidemic in 2002-3.
There were 5,327 confirmed cases in mainland China during the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome epidemic.
That outbreak killed more than 770 people globally, including 349 in mainland China.
To recap, so far today:
The official death toll in China has risen to 132, with 5,974 cases confirmed
240 American citizens, and 200 Japanese citizens have been airlifted out of Wuhan this morning. The Japanese plane landed in Tokyo two hours ago, with no passengers infected, according to officials. The US plane is scheduled to land in Anchorage, Alaska in 4 hours, and will then fly to Ontario, California.
Australia and New Zealand will attempt to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan and the Hubei province.
Australia has told citizens to reconsider travel to the entire country of China.
Three more people have been infected in Malaysia, taking their total to seven.
Australian scientists have become the first in the world, outside of China, to replicate the coronavirus in a lab.
Malaysia has confirmed that seven people have the coronovirus, three more than yesterday, according to Reuters.
The three new cases are a 4-year-old girl, a 52-year-old man and the mother of two children confirmed infected earlier, the health ministry said in a statement.
All seven people are Chinese citizens.
Authorities said the mother had initially tested negative and had stayed in Malaysia to take care of her children - grandsons of a 66-year-old man who tested positive in Singapore for the coronavirus last week.
Separately, Malaysia’s communications regulator said it has detained one person accused of spreading fake news on the coronavirus. The person was arrested over a Facebook post that contained false information on the outbreak, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said.
Malaysia this week imposed a temporary ban on Chinese nationals arriving from Wuhan and surrounding Hubei province.
In that press conference, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison also announced that the government would distribute 1 million masks around Australia.
However, the chief medical officer stressed that the masks are only necessary for people travelling through China, and for doctors and nurses.
“The masks are for patients with the relevant travel history and symptoms and their doctors who are assessing them, we’re not recommending the general Australian public wear masks or take protection,” he said.
The masks are being sent to pharmacists via the Primary Health Networks, Morrison said.
But “bushfire responses have depleted some of those stocks in various places”.
Our correspondent Michael Standaert in Sichuan, writes that there have been no real updates of an evacuation among British citizens in Wuhan.
This comes amidst the US and Japanese airlifts this morning, and the announcement of an attempted Australian evacuation a few minutes ago.
“The biggest problem for everyone now is how to get to the airport. They are supposed to provide their own transport and that’s nearly impossible for some since there are no taxis, no ride hailing available, no buses.”
The prime minister is asked whether he has been briefed on the virus’s potential economic impact on Australia.
“We share a concern, particularly in the wake of the bushfire crisis, of the impact on our tourism industry and related things. And that is obviously of concern to us.
“But to be honest, right now, my focus is on people’s health and their wellbeing. And these issues will be addressed in time when a clearer picture emerges.”
Morrison says that parents should follow the advice of NSW Health and the chief medical officer when it comes to sending kids to school.
“My kids went back to school this week as many other kids have.
“I understand the issues and concerns that parents would have. Being one of them myself. And that is why it is important to take the advice, and I think the chief medical officer today has set out the situation very soundly.”
Morrison is asked if he can estimate how many people could be evacuated. He says it is too early to know.
“At this stage we are simply saying that we are putting plans in place.”
New Zealand “has a much smaller number of people impacted than Australia”, he says.
He says some of the Australians in Wuhan may have lived there for some time.
“There are some people who will be there for some time and effectively have been living there for some period of time. We are talking about [evacuating] people who are there not in those circumstances, those who don’t have support structures in that place.”
Foreign minister Payne is asked how long it will take for the Chinese government to approve an evacuation.
“We must be prepared to be patient as this process is undertaken. Australia is not the only country seeking diplomatic support and clearances for these activities. But we are seeking permission from the Chinese authorities as I indicated in my opening remarks.”
There are 600 Australians in Hubei province who have reached out either for advice or assistance, foreign minister Marise Payne says.
The focus of the evacuation is on “isolated and vulnerable Australian citizens”, she says.
That means the young and the elderly, Morrison said earlier.
Australia’s chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, is now speaking.
He stresses that “there is no evidence of human to human transmission in Australia”.
“We have tested a large number of Australians with a relevant travel history and relevant symptoms and a great majority of those have been negative,” he says.
“All of the 5 cases in Australia are in a stable condition. The World Health Organisation have estimated that only 20% of people with this condition have a severe disease.
“The majority of people have a mild disease and still most of the deaths are in people who are older and the Chinese are reporting them to have comorbidity...And we want to stress that there is no evidence of human to human transmission in Australia”
“The risk is extremely low”.