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Coronavirus: health chief in Chinese city near Wuhan sacked – live news Coronavirus: US reports first human-to-human transmission – 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
Health officials in the US have reported their country’s first case of person-to-person transmission of the Chinese coronavirus, the Associated Press is reporting.
The patient is the spouse of a Chicago woman diagnosed with the virus after returning from Wuhan, and is the sixth reported in the US. The other five were all travellers who developed the illness after coming into the US from China.
The Boston Symphony Orchestra has cancelled its coming tour of Asia amid concerns about the deadly virus in China, the Associated Press reports.The Boston Symphony Orchestra has cancelled its coming tour of Asia amid concerns about the deadly virus in China, the Associated Press reports.
Andris Nelsons, the orchestra’s music director, said on Thursday that the decision was made out of concern for the health and well-being of its musicians.Andris Nelsons, the orchestra’s music director, said on Thursday that the decision was made out of concern for the health and well-being of its musicians.
The orchestra had been scheduled to go on a four-city tour that included Seoul in South Korea, Taipei in Taiwan and Shanghai and Hong Kong in China from 6 to 16 February.The orchestra had been scheduled to go on a four-city tour that included Seoul in South Korea, Taipei in Taiwan and Shanghai and Hong Kong in China from 6 to 16 February.
“Please know that we are all passionately committed to a future visit to East Asia soon,” Nelsons said in a statement. “Most importantly, our hearts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the coronavirus.”“Please know that we are all passionately committed to a future visit to East Asia soon,” Nelsons said in a statement. “Most importantly, our hearts and prayers are with everyone who has been affected by the coronavirus.”
The International Monetary Fund is monitoring developments on the coronavirus outbreak in “real time,” a spokesman said Thursday, adding that the economic hit depends on the duration of the epidemic, AFP reports.The International Monetary Fund is monitoring developments on the coronavirus outbreak in “real time,” a spokesman said Thursday, adding that the economic hit depends on the duration of the epidemic, AFP reports.
“We at the IMF are monitoring this very closely, we’re looking at the economic indicators on a real-time basis,” said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice.“We at the IMF are monitoring this very closely, we’re looking at the economic indicators on a real-time basis,” said IMF spokesman Gerry Rice.
“If global supply chains were systematically affected or global financial markets were significantly impacted by increasing uncertainty, then obviously the impact would be greater,” Rice said, adding that the effects would be more severe if the ailment spreads to other parts of Asia from China.“If global supply chains were systematically affected or global financial markets were significantly impacted by increasing uncertainty, then obviously the impact would be greater,” Rice said, adding that the effects would be more severe if the ailment spreads to other parts of Asia from China.
“We’re not at this point in a position to put any hard numbers around this,” Rice said. “That’s something that we would do in due course, but it’s just too early to do that.”“We’re not at this point in a position to put any hard numbers around this,” Rice said. “That’s something that we would do in due course, but it’s just too early to do that.”
Russia’s first McDonald’s restaurant has scrapped a plan to sell Big Mac burgers for virtually nothing to mark its 30th anniversary over fears it would attract huge crowds, which authorities have advised against due to coronavirus fears, Reuters reports.Russia’s first McDonald’s restaurant has scrapped a plan to sell Big Mac burgers for virtually nothing to mark its 30th anniversary over fears it would attract huge crowds, which authorities have advised against due to coronavirus fears, Reuters reports.
The restaurant on Moscow’ central Pushkin Square, was due on Friday to sell the Big Mac for just three roubles ($0.0474) instead of its usual price of 135 roubles, and expected to draw tens of thousands of people. But on Thursday it ditched the plan after Moscow authorities issued a city-wide warning against mass public events.The restaurant on Moscow’ central Pushkin Square, was due on Friday to sell the Big Mac for just three roubles ($0.0474) instead of its usual price of 135 roubles, and expected to draw tens of thousands of people. But on Thursday it ditched the plan after Moscow authorities issued a city-wide warning against mass public events.
“Yesterday the Moscow government announced precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” McDonald’s said in a statement.“Yesterday the Moscow government announced precautionary measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus,” McDonald’s said in a statement.
“(It) recommended refraining from holding public events in the near future in places where citizens gather en masse in order to minimise risks of infection.”“(It) recommended refraining from holding public events in the near future in places where citizens gather en masse in order to minimise risks of infection.”
There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Russia.There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Russia.
Singapore has confirmed three new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected patients in the city state to 13. All patients so far are Chinese nationals from Wuhan, Singapore’s health ministry is reported as saying by the Straits Times.Singapore has confirmed three new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infected patients in the city state to 13. All patients so far are Chinese nationals from Wuhan, Singapore’s health ministry is reported as saying by the Straits Times.
The latest patients are all in stable condition and warded in isolation rooms at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, the paper said.The latest patients are all in stable condition and warded in isolation rooms at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, the paper said.
Twitter is rerouting #coronavirus searches in the UK to automatically direct users to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Twitter profile page and the gov.uk website, in a move touted as an attempt to tackle disinformation about the outbreak.Twitter is rerouting #coronavirus searches in the UK to automatically direct users to the Department of Health and Social Care’s Twitter profile page and the gov.uk website, in a move touted as an attempt to tackle disinformation about the outbreak.
A DHSC spokesman said the UK is the first country in the EU to have such an arrangement with Twitter “directing users to credible, authoritative information to help tackle misinformation and ensure the public is well informed.”A DHSC spokesman said the UK is the first country in the EU to have such an arrangement with Twitter “directing users to credible, authoritative information to help tackle misinformation and ensure the public is well informed.”
Announcing the arrangement, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said:Announcing the arrangement, Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said:
According to Chinese officials, 170 people have so far died from coronavirus infections. Not included in those statistics will be 17-year-old Yan Cheng, although his death is most certainly a result of the outbreak.According to Chinese officials, 170 people have so far died from coronavirus infections. Not included in those statistics will be 17-year-old Yan Cheng, although his death is most certainly a result of the outbreak.
According to a report by freelance journalist Michael Standaert for the Guardian, Yan, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died alone at his home in a rural village in China’s Hubei province, six days after his father and brother were taken into quarantine at a facility 15 miles away.According to a report by freelance journalist Michael Standaert for the Guardian, Yan, who suffered from cerebral palsy, died alone at his home in a rural village in China’s Hubei province, six days after his father and brother were taken into quarantine at a facility 15 miles away.
Unable to get out to care for his son, Yan’s father posted messages asking for help on the social media platform Weibo. Village officials reportedly visited Yan but fed him only twice over the six-day period.Unable to get out to care for his son, Yan’s father posted messages asking for help on the social media platform Weibo. Village officials reportedly visited Yan but fed him only twice over the six-day period.
He was found dead in his bed on Wednesday.He was found dead in his bed on Wednesday.
The Philippines announced its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Wednesday morning, after one of 29 people being monitored by the country’s department of health tested positive.The Philippines announced its first confirmed case of coronavirus on Wednesday morning, after one of 29 people being monitored by the country’s department of health tested positive.
The patient is a 38-year-old Chines woman who traveled to the Philippines from Wuhan, China, via Hong Kong on January 21, health secretary Francisco Duque told a news conference, according to a report in the Rappler, an English language Filipino news website.The patient is a 38-year-old Chines woman who traveled to the Philippines from Wuhan, China, via Hong Kong on January 21, health secretary Francisco Duque told a news conference, according to a report in the Rappler, an English language Filipino news website.
The head of health services in a city near the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak has been sacked after she could not answer questions on state television about how many people were being treated.The head of health services in a city near the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak has been sacked after she could not answer questions on state television about how many people were being treated.
Tang Zhihong, who ran the health department in Huanggang city, which has reported almost 500 confirmed cases and 12 deaths, appeared on state television earlier on Thursday, Reuters reported.Tang Zhihong, who ran the health department in Huanggang city, which has reported almost 500 confirmed cases and 12 deaths, appeared on state television earlier on Thursday, Reuters reported.
On being questioned by a central government inspection team and a reporter on issues like how many people a certain hospital under her remit could handle, she could not immediately answer.On being questioned by a central government inspection team and a reporter on issues like how many people a certain hospital under her remit could handle, she could not immediately answer.
“I don’t know, I’m unclear,” she said, when being asked how many sick people there were. “I only know how many beds there are. Don’t ask me how many people are being treated.”“I don’t know, I’m unclear,” she said, when being asked how many sick people there were. “I only know how many beds there are. Don’t ask me how many people are being treated.”
Hours later the city’s health department said Tang had been removed. It gave no other details. It was not possible to reach her for comment, Reuters said.Hours later the city’s health department said Tang had been removed. It gave no other details. It was not possible to reach her for comment, Reuters said.
The government has said it will investigate and punish officials involved in fighting the virus who slack off on their jobs.The government has said it will investigate and punish officials involved in fighting the virus who slack off on their jobs.
The number of cases in Huanggang is second only to that of nearby Wuhan, where the virus was first reported in December. Huanggang has also been largely shut off from the outside world by the government as it seeks to control the virus’ spread.The number of cases in Huanggang is second only to that of nearby Wuhan, where the virus was first reported in December. Huanggang has also been largely shut off from the outside world by the government as it seeks to control the virus’ spread.
Hello world.Hello world.
This is Damien Gayle taking on the live blog from my colleague Matthew Weaver. As usual, please get in touch with any developments, tips or stories that you think we ought to be be covering. You can reach me at damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via my Twitter profile @damiengayle.This is Damien Gayle taking on the live blog from my colleague Matthew Weaver. As usual, please get in touch with any developments, tips or stories that you think we ought to be be covering. You can reach me at damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via my Twitter profile @damiengayle.
Here are the main developments so far: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.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 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.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.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.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.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.”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
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.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: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.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 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 Italian news agency Agenzia Ansa has reported that the Chinese couple suspected of catching Coronavirus have been tested negative.
The ItaThe 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 came 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.