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Coronavirus live updates: death toll jumps to 170 amid evacuation delays for foreign nationals Coronavirus live updates: death toll jumps to 170 amid evacuation delays for foreign nationals
(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
The state run Chinese tabloid, the Global Times, is reporting that Beijing’s Xiaotangshan hospital that was built for the Sars crisis is being renovated and will be reaopened “when needed” to help with the coronavirus.
Hubei province’s governor, Wang Xiaodong, has said that the whole province has a “severe shortage” of medical supplies, not just Wuhan, according to the broadcaster CGTN. It also reports some medical staff are wearing raincoats and using disposable garbage bags as shoe covers to protect themselves in the city of Huanggang, 75km east of Wuhan.
Wang stressed at the press conference the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in Huanggang City, and vowed to prevent it from becoming the second Wuhan, CGTN reported.
It’s being reported that Australians wanting to leave Wuhan will need to pay $1,000 to board the Qantas flight that is being chartered to get them out. The Sydney Morning Herald reports evacuees will have to pay the fee and sign a waiver allowing them to be quarantined at the Christmas Island detention centre for up to 14 days. After their stay on Christmas Island, they will be dropped off in Perth and have to pay their own way to their city of residence, the outlet reports.
The Australian Medical Association has said it feels the repatriation of Australians from Wuhan to Christmas Island is “not really appropriate”. The island was previously used as a detention centre for asylum seekers and refugees arriving by boat.
New Zealanders wanting to leave Wuhan on an Air New Zealand flight have also been told they will need to contribute to their fare, though no details of the cost have been released.
Papua New Guinea’s immigration minister has said no visitors from “Asian ports’’ will be admitted into the country because of fears of coronavirus, but this advice has been directly contradicted by the country’s national airline.Papua New Guinea’s immigration minister has said no visitors from “Asian ports’’ will be admitted into the country because of fears of coronavirus, but this advice has been directly contradicted by the country’s national airline.
In a public notice issued on 28 January, the minister for immigration and border protection, Westly Nukundj, said “all citizens originating from the Asian ports will be refused entry into the country effective today. This is a preventative measure taken to ensure the spread of the coronavirus that is rapidly spreading in the world is minimised.”In a public notice issued on 28 January, the minister for immigration and border protection, Westly Nukundj, said “all citizens originating from the Asian ports will be refused entry into the country effective today. This is a preventative measure taken to ensure the spread of the coronavirus that is rapidly spreading in the world is minimised.”
The statement was issued to “all operating airlines, shipping lines, and overseas missions”. But it does not specify which ports, in which countries, are regarded as Asian. PNG overland border with Indonesia in Vanimo, West Sepik, has also been closed. “All entry and departures from PNG must be through Jacksons International Airport.”The statement was issued to “all operating airlines, shipping lines, and overseas missions”. But it does not specify which ports, in which countries, are regarded as Asian. PNG overland border with Indonesia in Vanimo, West Sepik, has also been closed. “All entry and departures from PNG must be through Jacksons International Airport.”
But Air Niugini, PNG’s national carrier, said it would not uplift any passengers who had been to Wuhan city or Hubei province during the last three weeks. Passengers flying to Port Moresby from Singapore, Hong Kong, or Manila are being screened for the virus before being allowed to board.But Air Niugini, PNG’s national carrier, said it would not uplift any passengers who had been to Wuhan city or Hubei province during the last three weeks. Passengers flying to Port Moresby from Singapore, Hong Kong, or Manila are being screened for the virus before being allowed to board.
“However, there are no other restrictions on travel to PNG from an Asian port. Air Niugini does not operate direct flights to or from mainland China.”“However, there are no other restrictions on travel to PNG from an Asian port. Air Niugini does not operate direct flights to or from mainland China.”
Returning to Australia, the state of Queensland declared its first case of coronavirus today. A 44-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan in Hubei province, arrived in Melbourne via Singapore as part of a two group in 22 January, five days before feeling unwell.Returning to Australia, the state of Queensland declared its first case of coronavirus today. A 44-year-old Chinese national from Wuhan in Hubei province, arrived in Melbourne via Singapore as part of a two group in 22 January, five days before feeling unwell.
He developed symptoms on a flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast in Queensland on Tiger Airways flight #TT566 on 27 January, arriving at 8.45pm.He developed symptoms on a flight from Melbourne to the Gold Coast in Queensland on Tiger Airways flight #TT566 on 27 January, arriving at 8.45pm.
Authorities are attempting to contact other passengers on that flight. He was travelling with eight other people, all of who are in isolation in Gold Coast University hospital. Four of them are unwell and are being tested for the virus.Authorities are attempting to contact other passengers on that flight. He was travelling with eight other people, all of who are in isolation in Gold Coast University hospital. Four of them are unwell and are being tested for the virus.
“There is a low risk to the people on the flight so we will be contacting each one of them,” Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.“There is a low risk to the people on the flight so we will be contacting each one of them,” Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said.
Just a bit more information on the Chinese Football Association’s decision to cancel all domestic matches. It follows their announcement yesterday that the first three rounds in the 2020 AFC Champions League would be played as away matches. This affects 6 games in 4 Chinese Super Clubs. The adjusted schedule is as follows:Just a bit more information on the Chinese Football Association’s decision to cancel all domestic matches. It follows their announcement yesterday that the first three rounds in the 2020 AFC Champions League would be played as away matches. This affects 6 games in 4 Chinese Super Clubs. The adjusted schedule is as follows:
February 11th Group E Seoul FC Korea VS Beijing GuoanFebruary 11th Group E Seoul FC Korea VS Beijing Guoan
February 12 Group G Korea Suwon Samsung VS Guangzhou EvergrandeFebruary 12 Group G Korea Suwon Samsung VS Guangzhou Evergrande
February 18 Group F Ulsan Hyundai VS Shanghai ShenhuaFebruary 18 Group F Ulsan Hyundai VS Shanghai Shenhua
February 19 Group H Jeonbuk Hyundai VS Shanghai SIPGFebruary 19 Group H Jeonbuk Hyundai VS Shanghai SIPG
March 3 Group E Australia Melbourne victory VS Beijing GuoanMarch 3 Group E Australia Melbourne victory VS Beijing Guoan
March 4th Group H Yokohama Mariners Japan vs Shanghai SIPGMarch 4th Group H Yokohama Mariners Japan vs Shanghai SIPG
In Hong Kong people are bulk buying in supermarkets, and one resident, Rae Strachan, says there is growing concern over the virus.In Hong Kong people are bulk buying in supermarkets, and one resident, Rae Strachan, says there is growing concern over the virus.
“It’s total panic here. I keep telling people that more people die each year from the common cold! People are buying up in bulk from supermarkets and all children’s playrooms and activities are closed. It’s like a ghost town.”“It’s total panic here. I keep telling people that more people die each year from the common cold! People are buying up in bulk from supermarkets and all children’s playrooms and activities are closed. It’s like a ghost town.”
She says schools have been cancelled and many children’s activities have been cancelled, including Disney and Ocean Park.She says schools have been cancelled and many children’s activities have been cancelled, including Disney and Ocean Park.
Singapore said a plane carrying 92 of its citizens would leave Wuhan on Thursday as the city-state joined several other countries in airlifting people out of the epicentre.Singapore said a plane carrying 92 of its citizens would leave Wuhan on Thursday as the city-state joined several other countries in airlifting people out of the epicentre.
Indonesia also said it would exfiltrate citizens from Wuhan and that they would be quarantined for 14 days to avoid contagion.Indonesia also said it would exfiltrate citizens from Wuhan and that they would be quarantined for 14 days to avoid contagion.
We’ll bring you more details about these evacuations shortly.We’ll bring you more details about these evacuations shortly.
We’ve just had an update from the chief health officer in the Australian state of New South Wales, where there are currently four confirmed cases of the virus. Kerry Chant said that two of the four were now well and were discharged from hospital yesterday. They have no symptoms. Two others remain in a stable condition, she said.We’ve just had an update from the chief health officer in the Australian state of New South Wales, where there are currently four confirmed cases of the virus. Kerry Chant said that two of the four were now well and were discharged from hospital yesterday. They have no symptoms. Two others remain in a stable condition, she said.
“The close contacts of the cases are being monitored by public health units and no cases have been identified amongst those close contacts,” Chant said.“The close contacts of the cases are being monitored by public health units and no cases have been identified amongst those close contacts,” Chant said.
There are 20 cases currently under investigation in the state she said (11 men, 9 woman aged 5-74 years). All are in isolation at the moment, she said.There are 20 cases currently under investigation in the state she said (11 men, 9 woman aged 5-74 years). All are in isolation at the moment, she said.
China’s top court has launched a rare rebuke of the police force, saying its unreasonably harsh crackdown on online rumours during the country’s deadly coronavirus outbreak had undermined public trust.China’s top court has launched a rare rebuke of the police force, saying its unreasonably harsh crackdown on online rumours during the country’s deadly coronavirus outbreak had undermined public trust.
China has been battling the spread of infection that has surpassed the global reach of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak of 2002-03.China has been battling the spread of infection that has surpassed the global reach of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak of 2002-03.
Authorities suspect the disease originated in a wild animal market in the central city of Wuhan, and told the World Health Organization about the new virus on the last day of 2019.Authorities suspect the disease originated in a wild animal market in the central city of Wuhan, and told the World Health Organization about the new virus on the last day of 2019.
A day later, eight people were detained by police after claiming online that Wuhan was in the grip of a fresh Sars outbreak.A day later, eight people were detained by police after claiming online that Wuhan was in the grip of a fresh Sars outbreak.
The group were punished for “publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification”, a police statement at the time said.The group were punished for “publishing or forwarding false information on the internet without verification”, a police statement at the time said.
In a highly unusual criticism of the police, supreme court judge Tang Xinghua wrote on Wednesday that officers should have been more lenient with those who published the rumours.In a highly unusual criticism of the police, supreme court judge Tang Xinghua wrote on Wednesday that officers should have been more lenient with those who published the rumours.
“If the public had believed these ‘rumours’ at the time, and carried out measures like wearing masks, strictly disinfecting and avoiding wildlife markets ... it might have been a good thing,” he said.“If the public had believed these ‘rumours’ at the time, and carried out measures like wearing masks, strictly disinfecting and avoiding wildlife markets ... it might have been a good thing,” he said.
Tang said the indiscriminate crackdown on online rumours could have “become negative textbook material for weakening public trust in the government” or a “vicious event” eroding support for the Communist party.Tang said the indiscriminate crackdown on online rumours could have “become negative textbook material for weakening public trust in the government” or a “vicious event” eroding support for the Communist party.
In a response posted on Weibo, Wuhan police argued they had only given “education and criticism” to the eight and had not meted out harsher punishment such as “warnings, fines, or detention”.In a response posted on Weibo, Wuhan police argued they had only given “education and criticism” to the eight and had not meted out harsher punishment such as “warnings, fines, or detention”.
South Korea police are investigating allegations that false information is being circulated about the spread of the coronavirus. Our correspondent in Tokyo, Justin McCurry, reports that one allegation involves a text message scam where people are asked to provide personal data in exchange for confidential health details about the outbreak.South Korea police are investigating allegations that false information is being circulated about the spread of the coronavirus. Our correspondent in Tokyo, Justin McCurry, reports that one allegation involves a text message scam where people are asked to provide personal data in exchange for confidential health details about the outbreak.
False rumours have also been spread about certain schools having children infected by the virus, causing alarm in the hyper-connected country.False rumours have also been spread about certain schools having children infected by the virus, causing alarm in the hyper-connected country.
“We are promptly asking the telecommunications regulator and site operators to delete or block false information that can lead to social confusion,” Yonhap new agency quoted a police spokesperson as saying.“We are promptly asking the telecommunications regulator and site operators to delete or block false information that can lead to social confusion,” Yonhap new agency quoted a police spokesperson as saying.
Here’s Justin’s full report:Here’s Justin’s full report:
Our correspondent in Sichuan, Michael Standaert, writes that today would have been the last official day of the lunar new year holiday in China, and though that has been extended by Beijing until 2 February, many people are wondering when they should start back for the cities they live in and how long it will take to get there. There are going to be major travel challenges in the next week or so, he says. Even with no crisis, the travel congestion is considerable at this time of year. But with villages blocked off, checkpoints for temperature scans, and many places being unreachable, it is likely to be much much worse when people do start to travel.Our correspondent in Sichuan, Michael Standaert, writes that today would have been the last official day of the lunar new year holiday in China, and though that has been extended by Beijing until 2 February, many people are wondering when they should start back for the cities they live in and how long it will take to get there. There are going to be major travel challenges in the next week or so, he says. Even with no crisis, the travel congestion is considerable at this time of year. But with villages blocked off, checkpoints for temperature scans, and many places being unreachable, it is likely to be much much worse when people do start to travel.
All football games at all levels and involving all types in China will be postponed, in order to help control the virus spread, the association said in a statement on its website, according to Reuters.
The Swedish furniture giant, Ikea, has announced it is temporarily closing all its stores in China because of the outbreak of the new coronavirus, the Reuters news agency reports.
The decision to close all of its 30 stores follows an announcement from world’s biggest furniture retailer on Wednesday that it was closing around half of its stores and shortening the opening hours.
Just a bit more information on that Air New Zealand flight out of Wuhan ... I understand there are just under 60 New Zealanders currently registered as being in Wuhan, so that will leave additional seats on the flight.
The New Zealand government has said it will charter an Air New Zealand plane to get its citizens out of Wuhan. The plane has a capacity of 300 passengers. The government says additional seats will be offered to Australian and Pacific Islands citizens “as a matter of priority”.
Those who take a seat on the plane will be required to pay a “nominal fee”, but the bulk of the cost will be carried by the NZ government.
The statement from the foreign affairs department, which you can read in full below, says officials are “currently developing procedures for: pre-departure health screening of passengers, infection control inflight, and isolation of all passengers arriving in New Zealand for up to two weeks.”
Government charters Air NZ flight to assist Wuhan departure
The Government has agreed with Air New Zealand to charter an aircraft to assist New Zealanders leaving Wuhan, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.
The aircraft will have capacity for around 300 passengers and will fly from Wuhan to New Zealand. Officials will be working through operational requirements with Air New Zealand and Chinese authorities.
New Zealanders in the Hubei region who are registered on Safetravel have been emailed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to register interest in the flight, which is subject to Chinese Government approval.
“We are pleased to be have been able to offer this assistance to New Zealanders in a challenging situation,” Mr Peters said.
“We encourage all New Zealanders in the Hubei region to register on Safetravel and ensure all their details are accurate and up to date. This will give us a better understanding of the level of demand for this flight.”
“New Zealand will be offering any additional seats to Pacific Island and Australian citizens as a matter of priority.”
“This is a complex operation as we work through all the necessary requirements but we are working to have the aircraft depart as soon as possible.”
Consular teams will be working with health officials to ensure that the risks of transmission of the Coronavirus to New Zealand are carefully managed throughout the evacuation process.
Officials are currently developing procedures for: pre-departure health screening of passengers, infection control inflight, and isolation of all passengers arriving in New Zealand for up to two weeks.
Those who do take a seat on the plane will be required to pay a nominal fee, however the government will absorb most of the cost of the charter flight.
“The New Zealand Government would like to thank Air New Zealand for its support in assisting to bring New Zealanders home,” Mr Peters said.
Asian stocks have slipped today as anxieties about the coronavirus outbreak again preyed on the minds of investors.
Major airlines have suspended travel to China and Oreo maker Mondelez has shut down two factories in China for 10 days, highlighting corporate concerns about the spread of the virus.
Jerome Powell, chair of the US federal reserve, said the outbreak was adding to global economic uncertainty as he announced rates were staying on hold for now.
“In a matter of days, the coronavirus has shuffled the cards, and Fed policy is not sitting quite as comfortably,” said Alan Ruskin, chief international strategist at Deutsche Bank told Reuters.
“The Fed, like everybody else, is going to have a tough time quantifying the scale of the potentially large shock emanating out of China.”
New Zealand has not currently had any cases of the virus, nor any suspected cases, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, director general of health for New Zealand has said.
“We are expecting a case but we know what to do when we do,” he said.
His main advice to New Zealanders was that if they have been in Hubei or Wuhan in the past 14 days, they should self-isolate (as per the advice in neighbouring Australia).
“It means largely staying at home - exercise or a walk is fine,” he said.
He said that with no precautionary measures taken by someone with the virus, they could be expected to infect two or three other people, which is a “relatively low” number.
He didn’t give any update on potential plans for New Zealanders to join Australia’s intended evacuation of its citizens to Christmas Island.
Our correspondent in Sichuan province, Michael Standaert, writes that work has continued under bright lights overnight on Leishenshan Hospital, the second of two that workers are rushing to build in around two weeks in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Beijing News reports that workers have split into two shifts, with the night crew working from 8pm to 7.30am.
Once completed the hospital will have 1,600 beds for patients and enough room for 2,000 medical staff, with most of the facility devoted to isolation wards. Live views of the progress can be seen here.
I’m also seeing reports that Delta Airlines have announced that they are cutting in half the number of flights between China and the US.
I mentioned earlier that some airlines, including British Airways, have suspended direct flights to China. Air Canada has announced it is suspending all flights to Beijing and Shanghai from 30 January to 29 February. The last flights from the two cities back to Canada will take off on 30 January. It follows the government’s advice to avoid non-essential travel to mainland China.
Canada’s public health authorities have reported three confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Donald Trump has recently tweeted that he’s been updated on the virus outbreak. American citizens were airlifted out of Wuhan on Wednesday.