This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jan/30/coronavirus-live-updates-china-death-toll-wuhan-evacuation-foreign-nationals-citizens-latest-news

The article has changed 51 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 21 Version 22
Coronavirus: 6,000 locked down on cruise ship off Italy – live news Coronavirus: 6,000 locked down on cruise ship off Italy – live news
(31 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
These before and after satellite images of Wuhan give a flavour of what a city of 11 million people looks like on lockdown:
A hotel in Yorkshire has been put on lockdown after a man, believed to be a Chinese national, was taken to hospital after falling ill.
The man, who was a guest at the Staycity Hotel in the centre of York, was taken to hospital by medics on Wednesday night.Paramedics wearing special protective clothing entered the hotel, near the city’s Barbican theatre, after reports that a guest had fallen ill at around 7.50pm yesterday on Wednesday.A spokeswoman for the hotel group said:
Shares in Carnival, the international cruise operator, have slumped by 7% this morning following that report that a couple from Hong Kong are in solitary confinement on one of its ships docked off the Italian coast.
ANSA, the Italian news service, reports that one of the pair has a fever and is being tested by the authorities for coronavirus. The 6,000 passengers on board the Costa Smeralda (one of the world’s biggest cruise ships) are currently unable to get off.According to ANSA, the couple had arrived from Hong Kong at Milan Malpensa airport on Saturday 25 January and then headed to Savona (in Northern Italy) where they boarded the ship for the cruise. The mayor of Civitavecchia Ernesto Tedesco has said the situation is under “careful control”, and that all the necessary protocols are being followed.
More on BA’s decision to ground China flights for a month.
PA Media Reports:
Downing Street has said that the UK is still negotiating with China over the delayed evacuation flight from Wuhan.
A spokesman said: “The UK government is working urgently with China to ensure an evacuation flight from Wuhan can take off as soon as possible.”
He added: “A number of countries’ flights have been unable to take off as planned including the British repatriation from Wuhan.
The flight is planned to touch down at a military base in the UK before passengers are taken to an NHS facility to be quarantined.
But the plane has been prevented from leaving China because “we haven’t got the necessary clearances and we are working with the Chinese authorities on securing those”, the spokesman said.
British Airways has cancelled flights to China for a month.British Airways has cancelled flights to China for a month.
Earlier it said it was only planning to stop China flights until Monday, but after advice from the Foreign Office no BA flights to and from China will happen until 29 February, according to a statement sent to the BBC’s Robin Brant.Earlier it said it was only planning to stop China flights until Monday, but after advice from the Foreign Office no BA flights to and from China will happen until 29 February, according to a statement sent to the BBC’s Robin Brant.
Thousands of people are being kept on board an Italian cruise ship as tests are carried out on two Chinese passengers suspected of having caught coronavirus, a spokesman for the Costa Crociere cruise company has said.Thousands of people are being kept on board an Italian cruise ship as tests are carried out on two Chinese passengers suspected of having caught coronavirus, a spokesman for the Costa Crociere cruise company has said.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
Kharn Lambert, a British citizen stranded in Wuhan with his 81-year-old grandmother, has welcomed the UK government’s decision to quarantine those returning from China.Kharn Lambert, a British citizen stranded in Wuhan with his 81-year-old grandmother, has welcomed the UK government’s decision to quarantine those returning from China.
On Wednesday the government initially said that those returning would be asked to “self-isolate” for two weeks. At the time Lambert criticised the idea as “ludicrous and stupid”.On Wednesday the government initially said that those returning would be asked to “self-isolate” for two weeks. At the time Lambert criticised the idea as “ludicrous and stupid”.
But today he said he was “happy” the government had changed its approach to containing the virus by forcing those who return to be placed in a NHS facility for a fortnight.But today he said he was “happy” the government had changed its approach to containing the virus by forcing those who return to be placed in a NHS facility for a fortnight.
Speaking on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, Lambert said: “It was what we were all discussing in our WeChat groups yesterday about how this was not acceptable. And then once we heard the news that this quarantine was happening, I think everybody felt a lot more pleased because we don’t want to put the health of the British public at risk.Speaking on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire show, Lambert said: “It was what we were all discussing in our WeChat groups yesterday about how this was not acceptable. And then once we heard the news that this quarantine was happening, I think everybody felt a lot more pleased because we don’t want to put the health of the British public at risk.
“If that means going into quarantine for 14 days, then that’s what is necessary.”“If that means going into quarantine for 14 days, then that’s what is necessary.”
Hundreds of Britons hoping to flee the Chinese region at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak have been left stranded after an emergency government-chartered flight to take them home was delayed.Hundreds of Britons hoping to flee the Chinese region at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak have been left stranded after an emergency government-chartered flight to take them home was delayed.
A plane was due to leave locked-down Wuhan on Thursday morning, evacuating about 200 Britons to the UK, where they would be quarantined for two weeks at a secure NHS facility.A plane was due to leave locked-down Wuhan on Thursday morning, evacuating about 200 Britons to the UK, where they would be quarantined for two weeks at a secure NHS facility.
But the plans were scuppered late on Wednesday as Chinese authorities had yet to grant the plane permission for takeoff, leaving British officials scrambling to negotiate.But the plans were scuppered late on Wednesday as Chinese authorities had yet to grant the plane permission for takeoff, leaving British officials scrambling to negotiate.
Russia is closing its border with China to prevent the spread of coronavirus and will stop issuing electronic visas to Chinese nationals, AFP reports.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”.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.“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 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.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.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.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.“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.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.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.”“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 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.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.”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.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.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 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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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 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:
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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:
The 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 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.
More airlines, including Air Canada, have suspended flights to Shanghai and Beijing
China’s football association cancelled all domestic games at all levels
Ikea temporarily closed its stores in China
State-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.
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.
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.”
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.