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Coronavirus live updates: US and Japanese citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China – latest news Coronavirus live updates: US and Japanese citizens evacuated from Wuhan, China – latest news
(32 minutes later)
Hundreds of Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China, with Australia to follow suit. All the latest news, liveHundreds of Japanese and Americans airlifted out of city at heart of outbreak in China, with Australia to follow suit. All the latest news, live
Papua New Guinea has banned all travellers from entering the country from “Asian ports”, according to Agence France-Presse.
In a note to airlines and boat operators, the ministry of immigration said “all citizens originating from the Asian ports will be refused entry to the country effective today”.
The ministry also announced that Papua New Guinea’s only official land border – with Indonesian-controlled Papua province – would be shut from Thursday.
No cases of coronavirus have been reported in Papua New Guinea, but the country’s health service is already buckling under the weight of underfunding and rampant public health problems.
Papua New Guinea is one of only a handful of countries where polio is still endemic, leaving doctors and the United Nations scrambling to revive long-lapsed vaccination programmes.
Papua New Guinea residents returning from Asian countries will be held in quarantine for 14 days.
“This is a preventative measure taken to ensure the spread of the coronavirus that is rapidly spreading in the world is minimised,” immigration and border security minister Westly Nukundi Nukundj said.
The evacuation flight from Wuhan to the United States has been rerouted to land at a US air force base, rather than an airport.
The plane, carrying 240 Americans, left Wuhan this morning. It was scheduled to land at Ontario international airport in southern California, 56km (35 miles) from Los Angeles.
But Curt Hagman, the chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, announced on Twitter it would now be diverted to March Air Force Base, roughly 35 miles east of Ontario.
The flight, operated by American cargo airline Kalitta Air, left Wuhan’s Tianhe airport today at 4.54 in the morning local time.
It will stop at Anchorage in Alaska for refuelling, and then fly on to California. Passengers will be screened for the virus in Anchorage, and could be quarantined in California for up to two weeks by the US Centers for Disease Control.
Ontario had been designed by the US government to receive Americans repatriated in case of an emergency.
“We were prepared, but the state department decided to switch the flight to March Air Force Base,” Hagman said.
Data from publicly available flight tracking site Flightaware shows that the flight will land in Anchorage in one hour.
In Beijing, Reuters reports that a pharmacist has been fined 3 million yuan (US $434,530) for artificially inflating the price of masks sixfold during the coronavirus outbreak.In Beijing, Reuters reports that a pharmacist has been fined 3 million yuan (US $434,530) for artificially inflating the price of masks sixfold during the coronavirus outbreak.
An administrative penalty notice has been issued to the Beijing Jimin Kangtai Pharmacy for sharply raising the price of N95 masks, the Beijing municipal market regulator said in a statement on its website.An administrative penalty notice has been issued to the Beijing Jimin Kangtai Pharmacy for sharply raising the price of N95 masks, the Beijing municipal market regulator said in a statement on its website.
The store raised the price of a box of 3M brand masks to 850 yuan while the online price was just 143 yuan, state television said.The store raised the price of a box of 3M brand masks to 850 yuan while the online price was just 143 yuan, state television said.
Since Thursday, the regulator has investigated 31 price violation cases, it said.Since Thursday, the regulator has investigated 31 price violation cases, it said.
In Shanghai, the municipal market regulator has ordered the closure of a drug store that sold sub-standard masks, the city government said. The regulator has asked the store to refund buyers and dispose of unsold ones, it said on its official account on the Weibo app.In Shanghai, the municipal market regulator has ordered the closure of a drug store that sold sub-standard masks, the city government said. The regulator has asked the store to refund buyers and dispose of unsold ones, it said on its official account on the Weibo app.
Here’s one of the ambulances carrying a Japanese patient to hospital.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.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.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.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.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.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”.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.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.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.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 dual British and American 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.