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Coronavirus: US reports first human-to-human transmission – 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
The WHO have pushed back the announcement on their decision over whether the virus constitutes a public health emergency, we’re now expecting it around 7.30pm. No reason has been given yet for the delay.
Here’s a reminder of the WHO’s definition of a public health emergency:
This comes when the situation is:
serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected
carries implications for public health beyond the affected State’s national border
may require immediate international action
This is Molly, I’ll be taking over the live blog tonight.This is Molly, I’ll be taking over the live blog tonight.
The World Health Organisation are set to announce their decision imminently over whether or not to declare a global health emergency or not. I’ll keep you updated with all the developments as and when they break. The World Health Organization (WHO) are set to announce their decision imminently over whether or not to declare a global health emergency. I’ll keep you updated with all the developments as and when they break.
Here are the latest and most important developments around the world so far today.Here are the latest and most important developments around the world so far today.
Health officials in Chicago have reported the US’s first person-to-person transmission of coronavirus, after the spouse of a woman who became ill after visiting Wuhan tested positive for the virus.Health officials in Chicago have reported the US’s first person-to-person transmission of coronavirus, after the spouse of a woman who became ill after visiting Wuhan tested positive for the virus.
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. “Don’t ask me how many people are being treated,” Tang Zhihong told a reporter.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. “Don’t ask me how many people are being treated,” Tang Zhihong told a reporter.
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 British 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 British 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.
The World Health Organization is meeting once again on whether to declare coronavirus a global emergency. New cases have been reported in Tibet, India and the Philippines.The World Health Organization is meeting once again on whether to declare coronavirus a global emergency. New cases have been reported in Tibet, India and the Philippines.
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 Hygiene 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 Hygiene and Tropical Medicine found that the current techniques are ineffective because of the incubation period and the poor sensitivity of thermal scanners.
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.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 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.