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Coronavirus: 6,000 locked down on cruise ship off Italy – live news Coronavirus: 6,000 locked down on cruise ship off Italy – live news
(32 minutes later)
WHO says whole world must be on alert for Wuhan virus as UK citizens in Hubei told they will be flown home on FridayWHO says whole world must be on alert for Wuhan virus as UK citizens in Hubei told they will be flown home on Friday
Here are the main developments so far:
Hundreds of Britons stranded in the city at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak will be flown home early on Friday morning. A plane was due to leave locked-down Wuhan on Friday morning local time.
The Wuhan evacuees are expected to be quarantined for two weeks in former NHS accommodation in north-west England. As a precaution all those who come into contact with them will wear protective clothing.
The number of people tested for the virus in the UK has now reached 161, with all coming back negative. The figure came in the latest daily 2pm update from the Department of Health and Social Care.
A Chinese couple on a locked down Italian cruise ship, with 6,000 people on board, are reported to have tested negative for coronavirus . One of the couple had fever and both were being kept in solitary confinement on board as the ship is docked in Civitavecchia, north of Rome.
The World Health Organization is meeting once again on whether to declare coronavirus a global emergency. New cases have been reported in Tibet and India.
British Airways has cancelled all flight to and from China for a month. It claims the move was made in consultation with the Foreign Office.
Russia has closed its border with China and will stop issuing electronic visas to Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said: “We have to do everything to protect our people.”
China has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus deaths. 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.
Almost two-thirds of airport screening tests fail to detect people with coronavirus, according to new research. A team from the London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine found that the current techniques are ineffective because of the incubation period and the poor sensitivity of thermal scanners.
Angry South Koreans have volleyed eggs and expletives at a minister and officials trying over plans to quarantine hundreds of citizens in Asan. “If it’s so safe why don’t you bring them to your home?” one protester shouted at the minister.
China’s football association has cancelled all domestic games at all levels. Meanwhile, Ikea temporarily closed its stores in China. State-run Chinese media said officials who mishandled the crisis would be punished
Only 16 people have been tested for coronavirus north of the border, and all have been negative, but Scotland’s chief medical officer, Dr Catherine Calderwood, says it is “highly likely” that there will be a positive case in the coming days.
Calderwood said:
This reflects similar warnings from public health professionals in England. Professor Yvonne Doyle, medical director and director of health protection for Public Health England, has said the first UK case is likely to come from someone already in the country.
The panic could soon be over on the locked down Italian cruise ship.
The Italian news agency Agenzia Ansa has reported that the Chinese couple suspected of catching Coronavirus have been tested negative.
The Ita
Lisa Nandy won’t thank George Osborne for the Evening Standard’s front page.Lisa Nandy won’t thank George Osborne for the Evening Standard’s front page.
Passengers from the UK evacuation flight from Wuhan, will be quarantined at an NHS facility in north west England, health reporters have been told.Passengers from the UK evacuation flight from Wuhan, will be quarantined at an NHS facility in north west England, health reporters have been told.
The BBC’s health editor, Hugh Pym said: “I gather this could well be former accommodation for NHS staff, nurses and doctors and others, but it is not clear where it is at this stage.”The BBC’s health editor, Hugh Pym said: “I gather this could well be former accommodation for NHS staff, nurses and doctors and others, but it is not clear where it is at this stage.”
The flight is due to leave Wuhan city at 5am local time on Friday morning, which is 9pm on Thursday evening UK time.The flight is due to leave Wuhan city at 5am local time on Friday morning, which is 9pm on Thursday evening UK time.
As a precaution all those the evacuees will come into contact with will be wearing protective clothing, Pym said. This includes the bus drivers who will take the evacuees from Brize Norton to the north west.As a precaution all those the evacuees will come into contact with will be wearing protective clothing, Pym said. This includes the bus drivers who will take the evacuees from Brize Norton to the north west.
Officials have been working to secure a flight out of Wuhan for British nationals after one planned for Thursday failed to get clearance from Chinese authorities.Officials have been working to secure a flight out of Wuhan for British nationals after one planned for Thursday failed to get clearance from Chinese authorities.
The government anticipates flying out around 200 UK citizens who have been in Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.The government anticipates flying out around 200 UK citizens who have been in Wuhan and the surrounding Hubei province.
The number of people tested for the virus in the UK has now reached 161, with all coming back negative. The figure come in the latest daily 2pm update from the Department of Health and Social Care. The number of people tested for the virus in the UK has now reached 161, with all coming back negative. The figure came in the latest daily 2pm update from the Department of Health and Social Care.
Ireland is hoping to securing seats on a French evacuation flight for a small number of Irish citizens living in China who are concerned about the coronavirus, the government said.Ireland is hoping to securing seats on a French evacuation flight for a small number of Irish citizens living in China who are concerned about the coronavirus, the government said.
The foreign affairs minister, Simon Coveney, added efforts were being made to help those who wanted to leave.The foreign affairs minister, Simon Coveney, added efforts were being made to help those who wanted to leave.
He said:He said:
He said there was no evidence any Irish citizen had contracted the virus.He said there was no evidence any Irish citizen had contracted the virus.
Here’s a chart that tracks the rise in deaths from the virus.Here’s a chart that tracks the rise in deaths from the virus.
More than 6,000 people have been prevented from disembarking from a cruise ship in the Italian port city of Civitavecchia after the liner was placed on lockdown over two suspected cases of the deadly coronavirus.More than 6,000 people have been prevented from disembarking from a cruise ship in the Italian port city of Civitavecchia after the liner was placed on lockdown over two suspected cases of the deadly coronavirus.
Samples from a couple onboard were sent for testing after three doctors and a nurse boarded the Costa Crociere ship Costa Smeralda to tend to a woman with a fever.Samples from a couple onboard were sent for testing after three doctors and a nurse boarded the Costa Crociere ship Costa Smeralda to tend to a woman with a fever.
The 54-year-old woman from Macau was put into isolation overnight in a hospital ward on the ship. Her husband, who did not have any symptoms, has also been tested by doctors from Rome’s Spallanzani hospital and quarantined.The 54-year-old woman from Macau was put into isolation overnight in a hospital ward on the ship. Her husband, who did not have any symptoms, has also been tested by doctors from Rome’s Spallanzani hospital and quarantined.
The demand for face masks in the UK appears to be on the rise, PA Media reports.The demand for face masks in the UK appears to be on the rise, PA Media reports.
On the Boots website, a six-pack of “safe & sound” surgical face masks is sold out, with a note saying they will not be receiving any further stock.On the Boots website, a six-pack of “safe & sound” surgical face masks is sold out, with a note saying they will not be receiving any further stock.
Another product on the Boots website, a box of 50 masks, is also sold out and carries the same message about not being restocked.Another product on the Boots website, a box of 50 masks, is also sold out and carries the same message about not being restocked.
Boots said surgical face masks are available to order in stores as a special line from the pharmacy counter, adding that they are “working to make additional stock available for customers to purchase in store and on boots.com which we hope will land over the next week”.Boots said surgical face masks are available to order in stores as a special line from the pharmacy counter, adding that they are “working to make additional stock available for customers to purchase in store and on boots.com which we hope will land over the next week”.
A branch of B&Q in London appeared to be low on stocks of face masks, with racks empty on Wednesday evening.A branch of B&Q in London appeared to be low on stocks of face masks, with racks empty on Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, on amazon.co.uk, a pack of 12 “anti virus” flu surgical face masks is sold out, with the online retailer saying they do not know when, or if, the item will be back in stock, although there are other masks available on the site.Meanwhile, on amazon.co.uk, a pack of 12 “anti virus” flu surgical face masks is sold out, with the online retailer saying they do not know when, or if, the item will be back in stock, although there are other masks available on the site.
In China the shortage of masks has led to some improvising solutions.In China the shortage of masks has led to some improvising solutions.
The World Health Organization is meeting once again on whether to declare coronavirus a global emergency.The World Health Organization is meeting once again on whether to declare coronavirus a global emergency.
The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said:The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, said:
“We are pleased to have confirmation from the Chinese authorities that the evacuation flight from Wuhan airport to the UK can depart at 0500 local time on Friday 31 January.”“We are pleased to have confirmation from the Chinese authorities that the evacuation flight from Wuhan airport to the UK can depart at 0500 local time on Friday 31 January.”
“The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. Our embassy in Beijing and consular teams remain in close contact with British nationals in the region to ensure they have the latest information they need.”“The safety and security of British nationals is our top priority. Our embassy in Beijing and consular teams remain in close contact with British nationals in the region to ensure they have the latest information they need.”
The foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said he hopes an emergency flight to bring back British nationals from Wuhan could take off later this evening.The foreign secretary Dominic Raab has said he hopes an emergency flight to bring back British nationals from Wuhan could take off later this evening.
Those on board will be flown in to a military base and then taken to an NHS facility in the north west for a 14-day quarantine period, sources told the Press Association.Those on board will be flown in to a military base and then taken to an NHS facility in the north west for a 14-day quarantine period, sources told the Press Association.
The flight was originally supposed to leave from Wuhan on Thursday morning but was delayed as Chinese authorities had yet to grant permission for takeoff.The flight was originally supposed to leave from Wuhan on Thursday morning but was delayed as Chinese authorities had yet to grant permission for takeoff.
It is understood the flight will be taking off early Friday morning in the local timezone.It is understood the flight will be taking off early Friday morning in the local timezone.
PA reports the plane could fly in to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.PA reports the plane could fly in to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
A woman who witnessed an ambulance arriving at a locked down hotel in York has been describing the scene.A woman who witnessed an ambulance arriving at a locked down hotel in York has been describing the scene.
Speaking to the York Free Press, she said:Speaking to the York Free Press, she said:
Here are the main developments so far today:Here are the main developments so far today:
An Italian cruise ship, with 6,000 people on board, is on lockdown after two Chinese passengers on board are suspected of catching coronavirus. One of the couple has a fever and both are being kept in solitary confinement on board as the ship is docked in Civitavecchia, north of Rome.An Italian cruise ship, with 6,000 people on board, is on lockdown after two Chinese passengers on board are suspected of catching coronavirus. One of the couple has a fever and both are being kept in solitary confinement on board as the ship is docked in Civitavecchia, north of Rome.
British Airways has cancelled all flight to and from China for a month. It claims the move was made in consultation with the Foreign Office.British Airways has cancelled all flight to and from China for a month. It claims the move was made in consultation with the Foreign Office.
The UK government is “working urgently” with the Chinese authorities to allow a delayed evacuation flight to leave Wuhan, the centre of the outbreak. Dual national families in Wuhan have been told that UK citizens can leave, but Chinese nationals must stay behind.The UK government is “working urgently” with the Chinese authorities to allow a delayed evacuation flight to leave Wuhan, the centre of the outbreak. Dual national families in Wuhan have been told that UK citizens can leave, but Chinese nationals must stay behind.
Russia has closed its border with China and will stop issuing electronic visas to Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said: “We have to do everything to protect our people.”Russia has closed its border with China and will stop issuing electronic visas to Chinese nationals. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said: “We have to do everything to protect our people.”
China has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus deaths. 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.China has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus deaths. 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.
Almost two-thirds of airport screening tests fail to detect people with coronavirus, according to new research. A team from the London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine found that the current techniques are ineffective because of the incubation period and the poor sensitivity of thermal scanners.Almost two-thirds of airport screening tests fail to detect people with coronavirus, according to new research. A team from the London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine found that the current techniques are ineffective because of the incubation period and the poor sensitivity of thermal scanners.
Angry South Koreans have volleyed eggs and expletives at a minister and officials trying over plans to quarantine hundreds of citizens in Asan. “If it’s so safe why don’t you bring them to your home?” one protester shouted at the minister.Angry South Koreans have volleyed eggs and expletives at a minister and officials trying over plans to quarantine hundreds of citizens in Asan. “If it’s so safe why don’t you bring them to your home?” one protester shouted at the minister.
China’s football association has cancelled all domestic games at all levels. Meanwhile, Ikea temporarily closed its stores in China. State-run Chinese media said officials who mishandled the crisis would be punishedChina’s football association has cancelled all domestic games at all levels. Meanwhile, Ikea temporarily closed its stores in China. State-run Chinese media said officials who mishandled the crisis would be punished
These before and after satellite images of Wuhan give a flavour of what a city of 11 million people looks like on lockdown: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.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: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.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.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.