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Coronavirus: UK still negotiating 'difficult issues' over delayed Wuhan evacuation – live news Coronavirus: UK still negotiating 'difficult issues' over delayed Wuhan evacuation – live news
(32 minutes later)
WHO says whole world must be on alert for Wuhan virus as UK citizens in Hubei told they will not be flown out on ThursdayWHO says whole world must be on alert for Wuhan virus as UK citizens in Hubei told they will not be flown out on Thursday
Here’s our latest news report on the crisis:
China has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus deaths as countries struggled to evacuate citizens still trapped in Wuhan, the central Chinese city where the outbreak began.
The death toll rose to 170 on Thursday – up from 132 the previous day, a rise of 29%. The number of confirmed cases in China now stands at 7,711, up from 5,974 a day earlier.
It is understood that 162 of the deaths – or 95% – are in Hubei province, where Wuhan is located. Of the new deaths, 37 were in Hubei province and one in the south-western province of Sichuan.
The World Health Organization, which initially downplayed the severity of the virus, has warned all governments to be “on alert”, and its emergency committee is to meet later on Thursday to decide whether to declare a global health emergency.
The WHO’s emergencies chief, Dr Michael Ryan, said the few cases of human-to-human spread of the virus outside China – in Japan, Germany, Canada and Vietnam – were of “great concern”.
The US and Japan have started evacuating citizens, and other countries are poised to send chartered flights to Wuhan, amid reports that some evacuations had been held up by delays in obtaining permission from the Chinese authorities.
A British flight to bring about 200 nationals back to the UK was unable to take off as planned on Thursday. The Foreign Office said it was “working urgently” to organise a flight to the UK.
63% of infected patients undetected by airport screening
Almost two-thirds of airport screening tests fail to detect people with coronavirus, according to new research.
Researchers at the Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have modelled the effectiveness of screening based on estimates of the incubation period and sensitivity of detection techniques.
They found are using “generally conservative assumptions” more than 63% of infected patients do not get detected. A paper on the research warned that such screening “is only achievable if the rate of asymptomatic infections that are transmissible is negligible, screening sensitivity is almost perfect, and the incubation period is short.”
It concluded:
Angry South Koreans have volleyed eggs and expletives at a minister and officials trying over plans to quarantine hundreds of citizens set to be flown home from Wuhan, Reuters reports.Angry South Koreans have volleyed eggs and expletives at a minister and officials trying over plans to quarantine hundreds of citizens set to be flown home from Wuhan, Reuters reports.
The first of up to four flights planned to evacuate South Koreans from Wuhan had been expected to depart on Thursday morning, but China had only approved one flight, causing a delay until later in the day, South Korea’s foreign minister said.The first of up to four flights planned to evacuate South Koreans from Wuhan had been expected to depart on Thursday morning, but China had only approved one flight, causing a delay until later in the day, South Korea’s foreign minister said.
South Korea also reported its fifth and sixth confirmed cases of the virus on Thursday, including the first case of a person infected in South Korea. Previous cases only involved people who had travelled to Wuhan.South Korea also reported its fifth and sixth confirmed cases of the virus on Thursday, including the first case of a person infected in South Korea. Previous cases only involved people who had travelled to Wuhan.
About 700 South Koreans in Wuhan have registered to be flown out, but protesters in Asan and Jincheon, cities about 80 km (50 miles) south of Seoul, the capital, used tractors on Wednesday to block access to facilities earmarked for quarantine centres.About 700 South Koreans in Wuhan have registered to be flown out, but protesters in Asan and Jincheon, cities about 80 km (50 miles) south of Seoul, the capital, used tractors on Wednesday to block access to facilities earmarked for quarantine centres.
In Asan, demonstrators threw eggs and swore when Chin Young, the minister of interior and safety, arrived to talk to them on Thursday, prompting police to hold up black umbrellas as a shield.In Asan, demonstrators threw eggs and swore when Chin Young, the minister of interior and safety, arrived to talk to them on Thursday, prompting police to hold up black umbrellas as a shield.
“If it’s so safe why don’t you bring them to your home?” one protester shouted at Chin.The minister said he sympathised with the concerns and sought their understanding, saying the facilities were chosen as the only ones large enough to accommodate the evacuees.“If it’s so safe why don’t you bring them to your home?” one protester shouted at Chin.The minister said he sympathised with the concerns and sought their understanding, saying the facilities were chosen as the only ones large enough to accommodate the evacuees.
“South Korean citizens in Wuhan are suffering... So we need to bring them in as soon as possible, right?” he said.“South Korean citizens in Wuhan are suffering... So we need to bring them in as soon as possible, right?” he said.
The government wants to isolate evacuees for at least two weeks at the facilities, usually used as training centres for government officials, to rule out any symptoms.The government wants to isolate evacuees for at least two weeks at the facilities, usually used as training centres for government officials, to rule out any symptoms.
Ahead of Thursday’s flights, President Moon Jae-in called for calm and decried “fake news” for having stirred up excessive anxiety.Ahead of Thursday’s flights, President Moon Jae-in called for calm and decried “fake news” for having stirred up excessive anxiety.
British Airways said it has suspended its flights to and from mainland China until Monday “as we continually review our schedule according to advice from the authorities”.British Airways said it has suspended its flights to and from mainland China until Monday “as we continually review our schedule according to advice from the authorities”.
The UK government still has “difficult issues” to negotiate with the Chinese authorities over a flight to evacuate British nationals from Wuhan, the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, a minister has said.The UK government still has “difficult issues” to negotiate with the Chinese authorities over a flight to evacuate British nationals from Wuhan, the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak, a minister has said.
The Foreign Office has said the flight will not now take place on Thursday as the government had hoped.The Foreign Office has said the flight will not now take place on Thursday as the government had hoped.
Nick Gibb, the School Standards Minister, told Sky News:Nick Gibb, the School Standards Minister, told Sky News:
“There are some difficult issues that are being negotiated at very senior levels between the British Government and the Chinese government.“There are some difficult issues that are being negotiated at very senior levels between the British Government and the Chinese government.
“Our priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of British nationals in Wuhan and ensure they do return to the UK as soon as possible.”“Our priority is to ensure the safety and welfare of British nationals in Wuhan and ensure they do return to the UK as soon as possible.”
Gibb said the plan was for them to be taken to an “NHS facility” on their return, where they would be kept for 14 days to make sure that they do not have symptoms of the virus.Gibb said the plan was for them to be taken to an “NHS facility” on their return, where they would be kept for 14 days to make sure that they do not have symptoms of the virus.
“It (the flight) is certainly coming to a military base in the UK and then the British nationals will go to the NHS facility for 14 days of quarantine,” he said.“It (the flight) is certainly coming to a military base in the UK and then the British nationals will go to the NHS facility for 14 days of quarantine,” he said.
A British-Chinese couple who are trying to flee Wuhan with their baby son face being split up because the Chinese government are refusing to give their citizens permission to leave.A British-Chinese couple who are trying to flee Wuhan with their baby son face being split up because the Chinese government are refusing to give their citizens permission to leave.
Adam Bridgeman, 33, from London has been told he can board an evacuation flight to the UK, but if he did he would have to leave his Chinese wife, and possibly their month-old-son, Austin, behind.Adam Bridgeman, 33, from London has been told he can board an evacuation flight to the UK, but if he did he would have to leave his Chinese wife, and possibly their month-old-son, Austin, behind.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “We have been in touch with the Foreign Office, and they have confirmed that I would be able to board a flight out of Wuhan, but they have told me categorically that my wife can’t go.Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, he said: “We have been in touch with the Foreign Office, and they have confirmed that I would be able to board a flight out of Wuhan, but they have told me categorically that my wife can’t go.
“My wife is a Chinese citizen. She has a valid visa, it is just that the Chinese side have forbidden Chinese nationals to board the flight.“My wife is a Chinese citizen. She has a valid visa, it is just that the Chinese side have forbidden Chinese nationals to board the flight.
Bridgeman said it was unclear if he would be allowed to take his son, who was born at the start of outbreak.Bridgeman said it was unclear if he would be allowed to take his son, who was born at the start of outbreak.
Speaking later to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Bridgeman said the family were getting food and supplies, including nappies, delivered to avoid leaving their home.Speaking later to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Bridgeman said the family were getting food and supplies, including nappies, delivered to avoid leaving their home.
His son was due for a hepatitis B jab this week but he has been kept indoors to avoid the risk of infection at the hospital.His son was due for a hepatitis B jab this week but he has been kept indoors to avoid the risk of infection at the hospital.
Bridgeman said: “I’m not that frightened at the moment. I’m trying to stay positive and hope it blows over. I’m most concerned about my baby. He needs medical attention at some point, but I don’t want to take him out.”Bridgeman said: “I’m not that frightened at the moment. I’m trying to stay positive and hope it blows over. I’m most concerned about my baby. He needs medical attention at some point, but I don’t want to take him out.”
Bridgeman has been told that the delayed evacuation flight to the UK could leave on Friday. He said: “I don’t want to break our family apart, the baby is too young. So we’ll probably stay here if we can’t all go.”Bridgeman has been told that the delayed evacuation flight to the UK could leave on Friday. He said: “I don’t want to break our family apart, the baby is too young. So we’ll probably stay here if we can’t all go.”
It’s been another very busy day of news on the coronavirus outbreak. Here are the main points:It’s been another very busy day of news on the coronavirus outbreak. Here are the main points:
The death toll in China stands at 170, with 7,711 confirmed cases of infectionsThe death toll in China stands at 170, with 7,711 confirmed cases of infections
The US and Japan have already flown out some of their citizens out of Wuhan, but UK citizens were told they would not be airlifted on Thursday.The US and Japan have already flown out some of their citizens out of Wuhan, but UK citizens were told they would not be airlifted on Thursday.
The UK evacuation flight has been delayed the planned evacuation flight because it has not got permission from the Chinese authorities to leave.The UK evacuation flight has been delayed the planned evacuation flight because it has not got permission from the Chinese authorities to leave.
Japan confirmed another three cases, taking its infection toll to 11.Japan confirmed another three cases, taking its infection toll to 11.
More airlines, including Air Canada, have suspended flights to Shanghai and BeijingMore airlines, including Air Canada, have suspended flights to Shanghai and Beijing
China’s football association cancelled all domestic games at all levelsChina’s football association cancelled all domestic games at all levels
Ikea temporarily closed its stores in ChinaIkea temporarily closed its stores in China
State-run Chinese media said officials who mishandled the crisis would be punishedState-run Chinese media said officials who mishandled the crisis would be punished
Standby for our business live blog with Graeme Wearden, which is sure to focus on the impact of virus fears on the markets.Standby for our business live blog with Graeme Wearden, which is sure to focus on the impact of virus fears on the markets.
In the meantime, an interesting chart tweeted out here about economies most vulnerable to the issue:In the meantime, an interesting chart tweeted out here about economies most vulnerable to the issue:
UK nationals in Wuhan were hoping to be evacuated on Thursday, but their flight was delayed because permission had not been granted by the Chinese authorities.UK nationals in Wuhan were hoping to be evacuated on Thursday, but their flight was delayed because permission had not been granted by the Chinese authorities.
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are doing everything we can to get British people in Wuhan safely back to the UK. A number of countries’ flights have been unable to take off as planned.A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are doing everything we can to get British people in Wuhan safely back to the UK. A number of countries’ flights have been unable to take off as planned.
“We continue working urgently to organise a flight to the UK as soon as possible.”“We continue working urgently to organise a flight to the UK as soon as possible.”
Those who are brought home to the UK are expected to be quarantined at a secure NHS facility. You can read our full story on it here.Those who are brought home to the UK are expected to be quarantined at a secure NHS facility. You can read our full story on it here.
The state-run tabloid Global Times has also picked up the story about officials being punished if they mishandle rescue funds or falsify materials during the the virus outbreak.
With flights into and out of Wuhan suspended, many residents of the city who left over the lunar new year have been unable to return home. China’s aviation authority has now approved chartered flights to do just that, state television said on Thursday.
Domestic and international airlines have cancelled flights between Wuhan and overseas cities since 23 January. The aviation authority has also asked the airlines not to stop healthy Wuhan residents from boarding flights.
Taiwan’s stock market has closed down 5.75% on its first of trading after reopening following the lunar new year holiday.
There are also reports that the government is planning to intervene to prop up the market. That begs the question of what will happen to China’s mainland stocks when trading recommences next week.
The Reuters news agency is reporting that China’s anti-corruption watchdog said on Thursday it will severely punish officials who slack off on the job in fighting a new virus that is spreading across the country.
The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) said on its website that anyone who doesn’t effectively carry out President Xi Jinping’s instructions in the fight against the virus would be punished.
CCDI also said it would punish those who are derelict in their duty and misappropriate rescue funds and materials.
The state-run People’s Daily says China is expected to resume the production of face masks on 3 February, and produce 180m masks per day by the end of February. The first working day after the lunar new year holiday is 3 February.
As I reported a little while ago, supplies of many things in Hong Kong are running out in the face of the escalating coronavirus.
The impact of the outbreak on the financial markets is a rapidly developing part of the story. Today has seen another broad selloff on Asian stock markets with the Hang Seng in Hong Kong down 1.7% in the second successive day of losses. The Nikkei in Tokyo has fallen nearly 2% and the Kospi in Seoul is down 1.8%. The ASX200 in Sydney has closed down 0.3%. Chinese mainland markets arestill closed for the new year holiday.
Although these falls come from high values – in Australia’s case record highs – there is mounting alarm about how the continuing shutdown of economic activity in China might crimp growth around the world.
The world’s most important policymaker, US Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, said on Wednesday that he was watching the situation in China closely.
“There is likely to be some disruption to activity in China and globally,” he said. “It’s very uncertain how far it will spread and what the (economic) effects will be in China, for its trading partners, and around the world.... We are very carefully monitoring the situation.”
The concerns were betrayed in the bond markets where the three-month-10-year US treasury yield curve inverted, a classic indicator of recession.
For the uninitiated, that means that the interest rate (or yield) payable on 10-year American government debt has fallen below the yield on the three-month equivalent. Normally you’d expect longer-term investments like the 10-year bond to yield more. So an upside down correlation means that investors are worried about future grwoth prospects. This inversion is typically followed by a recession. But having said that, it happened back in August and the US economy has powered on since then. So mit might just prove that the world of monetary policy itself has been turned upside down.
A short update from Queensland in Australia, where their first person has been diagnosed with coronavirus. Another 41 people are currently being tested for the virus.
“These are people who have been in China within the last 14 days and have developed symptoms and they’re now being tested,” Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young said.
The state run Chinese tabloid, the Global Times, is reporting that Beijing’s Xiaotangshan hospital that was built for the Sars crisis is being renovated and will be reopened “when needed” to help with the coronavirus.
Hubei province’s governor, Wang Xiaodong, has said that the whole province has a “severe shortage” of medical supplies, not just Wuhan, according to the broadcaster CGTN. It also reports some medical staff are wearing raincoats and using disposable garbage bags as shoe covers to protect themselves in the city of Huanggang, 75km east of Wuhan.
Wang stressed at the press conference the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in Huanggang City, and vowed to prevent it from becoming the second Wuhan, CGTN reported.