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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
Russia is closing its border with China to prevent the spread of coronavirus and will stop issuing electronic visas to Chinese nationals, AFP reports.
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin told a government meeting that the order had been signed “to take measures to close the border (with China) in the Far East”.
“We have to do everything to protect our people,” he said.
The Russian foreign ministry said that as of Thursday it would stop issuing Chinese citizens with electronic visas, which can be used to cross into parts of the Far East and western Russia.
The foreign ministry also advised Russians to refrain from travelling to China and for those in China to get in touch with the Russian embassy.
Russia does not have any confirmed cases of the new virus but the Russian government has set up a task force to prevent its possible spread.
UK citizen Matt Raw, who is stranded in Wuhan says he decided to stay in the city because his wife Chinese wife has been told she will not be allowed to take the evacuation flight to the UK.
“We’re at a point now where my wife can’t come, so there’s no point in us even even trying anymore,” he told BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show.
The couple are also worried about being infected with the virus on the evacuation flight.
Raw said: “I think there’s actually a danger now of even taking the flight, particularly with the news that we received this morning that three Japanese people were actually infected whilst on their evacuation flight.
“So there’s a risk of staying here versus the risks of taking the flight.”
Human rights campaigners are concerned that Chinese authorities are trying to stifle criticism of their approach to the virus under the pretext of countering false rumours.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) criticised the over zealous way Beijing is trying to control the flow of information about coronavirus.
In a statement it said: “rather than rebutting false information and disseminating reliable facts, the authorities in some instances have appeared more concerned with silencing criticism.”
It cited the case of a Wuhan doctor who in December alerted friends on WeChat group to what was then an unknown illness. He was initially warned by hospital officials not “spread rumours” and is now being treated for the condition.
HRW also pointed out that the authorities have censored social media posts by families of people seeking help.
Here’s our latest news report on the crisis: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.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.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.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 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 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.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.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 screening63% of infected patients undetected by airport screening
Almost two-thirds of airport screening tests fail to detect people with coronavirus, according to new research.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.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.”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: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.