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Coronavirus live updates: Cruise-ship infections surge as thousands remain quarantined Coronavirus live updates: Cruise-ship infections surge as thousands remain quarantined
(about 1 hour later)
China tentatively returned to work on Monday after an extended Lunar New Year shutdown precipitated by the coronavirus outbreak, but with deaths from the epidemic continuing to rise, much of the country remained at a standstill and many were working from home. Meanwhile, another 60 people on board the quarantined cruise ship the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the virus.China tentatively returned to work on Monday after an extended Lunar New Year shutdown precipitated by the coronavirus outbreak, but with deaths from the epidemic continuing to rise, much of the country remained at a standstill and many were working from home. Meanwhile, another 60 people on board the quarantined cruise ship the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the virus.
Here’s what we know:Here’s what we know:
● Japan’s Health Ministry says another 60 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing to 130 the number of people who are known to have been infected. Pressure is mounting to test everyone on the ship.● Japan’s Health Ministry says another 60 people on board the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing to 130 the number of people who are known to have been infected. Pressure is mounting to test everyone on the ship.
● China has now reported 908 deaths and about 40,000 cases of coronavirus. On Sunday alone, 97 people died, the highest daily death toll since the outbreak began. Almost 6,500 of the affected patients were in critical condition, authorities said Monday.● China has now reported 908 deaths and about 40,000 cases of coronavirus. On Sunday alone, 97 people died, the highest daily death toll since the outbreak began. Almost 6,500 of the affected patients were in critical condition, authorities said Monday.
● New Chinese research says the virus can be transmitted by saliva, urine and stool, as well as the usual viral route of respiratory droplets. It generally takes three days from the time of infection for symptoms to manifest and 15 percent of the infected contract severe pneumonia.● New Chinese research says the virus can be transmitted by saliva, urine and stool, as well as the usual viral route of respiratory droplets. It generally takes three days from the time of infection for symptoms to manifest and 15 percent of the infected contract severe pneumonia.
● Shortages of pharmacy products and household goods continued to drive panic buying in some cities, including Hong Kong. ● Britain announces new measures allowing the mandatory quarantine of those infected after outbreak designated a “serious and imminent” threat to British health.
China’s health authorities say the proportion of people being cured of the new coronavirus has risen sharply in the past two weeks, indicating an improvement in the country’s ability to provide medical treatment.
The proportion of patients who are cured has risen to 8.2 percent, up from 1.3 percent on Jan. 27, Mi Feng, spokesman for the National Health Commission, told a news conference. In the worst-hit province of Hubei, the percentage of patients who have been cured rose to 6.1 from 1.7 percent on Jan. 27.
Mi said that reflected an improvement in treatment across the country as well as an increase in the supply of hospital beds in Hubei after new hospitals were built.
On Sunday, 632 patients walked out of hospital, bringing the total of people who have been discharged to 3,281.
However, the daily death toll set a record Sunday, with 97 deaths on that day alone, and 908 in total. The number of confirmed cases since the epidemic began rose by more than 3,000 to 40,171.
After accounting for those people who are cured or who have died, China is still treating 35,982 confirmed cases, including 6,484 in serious condition, with 23,589 suspected cases.
Nearly 400,000 people have been identified as having had close contact with infected patients, with nearly 190,000 under medical observation.
Mi said an advance team from the World Health Organization would arrive in Beijing on Monday. China has come under criticism for not allowing in foreign medical experts sooner.
China has released a mobile app that is supposed to show people if they have come into contact with the new coronavirus, and whether they are at risk of catching it.
The “close contact detector,” was released on Saturday evening, with users scanning a QR code and submitting their name, phone number and ID number to make an inquiry into whether they have come into contact with an infected person, mainly through plane, train and bus journeys.
Those who have been in close contact are advised to stay at home and get in touch with local health authorities, state news agency Xinhua reported.
The report did not say how the app would work, saying only it received support from the National Health Commission, the Ministry of Transport, China Railway and the Civil Aviation Administration of China “to ensure accurate, reliable and authoritative data.”
China’s Communist Party operates an extensive system of surveillance over citizens, and identity cards are required to buy train and long range bus tickets, for example. But the app will not currently be able to establish if people might have caught the virus in shopping malls, for example.
The National Health Commission defines close contact as being proximity with a person who is confirmed or suspected as being infected with coronavirus, with no effective protection.
It includes people who work close together, share the same classroom or live in the same house, as well as medical staff who have been in close contact with patients.
On a flight, Xinhua reported, all passengers in the same row as the infected person, as well as those three rows in front and three rows back would be defined as having come into close contact, as well as the flight attendants who provide cabin services in the area. Other passengers would be referred to as having general contact.
In a fully enclosed air-conditioned train, all the passengers and crew members who are in the same compartment are regarded as being in close contact, Xinhua reported.
The spread of the new coronavirus is a “serious and imminent” threat to public health requiring stricter quarantine measures, Britain’s Health Department announced Monday.
The statement in the name of Health Secretary Matt Hancock also designated Arrow Park Hospital as an isolation facility and declared that all of China’s Hubei Province, the epicenter of the outbreak, was an “infected area.”
The statement added that new measures have been adopted giving the government greater powers quarantine and isolate people to stop the spread of the virus which has infected more than 40,000 people worldwide, though nearly all of them in China.
The announcement comes following the revelation that one British man who caught the virus in Singapore went on to possibly infect seven other people around Europe before returning to Britain.
Inside Britain, only four people have tested positive for the virus so far.
The British government advises against all travel to Hubei Province and only the most essential travel to the rest of mainland China. “If you’re in China and able to leave, you should do so,” warned its travel advisory.
On Sunday, 200 British and foreign nationals were evacuated from the city of Wuhan, where the outbreak began.
Taiwan has announced new restrictions Monday on travelers from Hong Kong and Macao in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.Taiwan has announced new restrictions Monday on travelers from Hong Kong and Macao in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
Only those traveling for business purposes or with residency in Taiwan will be allowed in the island, said Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council. The new restrictions will take effect Tuesday.Only those traveling for business purposes or with residency in Taiwan will be allowed in the island, said Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council. The new restrictions will take effect Tuesday.
Even those allowed in must submit themeselves to a 14-day quarantine, either at home or in a hotel. According to the South China Morning Post, there are 10,840 students from Hong Kong and Macao studying in Taiwan, with 7,900 of them having left the island ahead of the holidays. Even those allowed in must submit themselves to a 14-day quarantine, either at home or in a hotel. According to the South China Morning Post, there are 10,840 students from Hong Kong and Macao studying in Taiwan, with 7,900 of them having left the island ahead of the holidays.
All residents of mainland China were already banned from entering Taiwan on Feb. 6.All residents of mainland China were already banned from entering Taiwan on Feb. 6.
People infected with the new coronavirus normally come down with symptoms after around three days, but the disease can incubate in some people for up to 24 days, new research by Chinese scientists showed.People infected with the new coronavirus normally come down with symptoms after around three days, but the disease can incubate in some people for up to 24 days, new research by Chinese scientists showed.
The disease spreads rapidly from humans to humans, and aside from conventional forms of transmission such as direct contact and respiratory droplets, it can be also be transmitted through saliva, urine and stools, but the fatality rate is “relatively low,” the research, co-authored by 37 doctors and researchers, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, showed.The disease spreads rapidly from humans to humans, and aside from conventional forms of transmission such as direct contact and respiratory droplets, it can be also be transmitted through saliva, urine and stools, but the fatality rate is “relatively low,” the research, co-authored by 37 doctors and researchers, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, showed.
Fewer than half the infected patients who sought medical attention had fevers at the time, although nearly 90 percent developed a fever during hospitalization. Two-thirds of people had coughs, while diarrhea and vomiting were rare. Severe pneumonia occurred in 15.7 percent of cases.Fewer than half the infected patients who sought medical attention had fevers at the time, although nearly 90 percent developed a fever during hospitalization. Two-thirds of people had coughs, while diarrhea and vomiting were rare. Severe pneumonia occurred in 15.7 percent of cases.
The median incubation period, between infection and the onset of symptoms, was three days, but there was a wide range of between zero and 24 days. One of the authors told Chinese media the 24 day incubation period only occurred in “individual cases.”The median incubation period, between infection and the onset of symptoms, was three days, but there was a wide range of between zero and 24 days. One of the authors told Chinese media the 24 day incubation period only occurred in “individual cases.”
The study looked at 1,099 cases where patients were confirmed to have had the virus. Of the group, just over 1 percent had direct contact with wildlife, just over 30 percent had been to Wuhan, the city where the outbreak occurred, and nearly 72 percent had contact with people from Wuhan.The study looked at 1,099 cases where patients were confirmed to have had the virus. Of the group, just over 1 percent had direct contact with wildlife, just over 30 percent had been to Wuhan, the city where the outbreak occurred, and nearly 72 percent had contact with people from Wuhan.
Of 62 stool samples tested, four tested positive to the presence of the virus, while evidence was also found of the virus in gastrointestinal tracts, saliva and urine. “Hygiene protection should take into account the transmission via gastrointestinal secretions,” it said.Of 62 stool samples tested, four tested positive to the presence of the virus, while evidence was also found of the virus in gastrointestinal tracts, saliva and urine. “Hygiene protection should take into account the transmission via gastrointestinal secretions,” it said.
Chinese scientists have begun animal trials as they seek to develop a vaccine against the new coronavirus, Chinese media outlet Yicai reported Monday.Chinese scientists have begun animal trials as they seek to develop a vaccine against the new coronavirus, Chinese media outlet Yicai reported Monday.
Samples of the new vaccine were injected into more than 100 healthy mice on Sunday, and if the trials go well, the new vaccine could enter human clinical trials as soon as April, Yicai reported, citing multiple sources including an official from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or China CDC.Samples of the new vaccine were injected into more than 100 healthy mice on Sunday, and if the trials go well, the new vaccine could enter human clinical trials as soon as April, Yicai reported, citing multiple sources including an official from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, or China CDC.
“This is still at a very early stage, and there are still many steps to be taken before it can be used on humans,” the official was quoted as saying.“This is still at a very early stage, and there are still many steps to be taken before it can be used on humans,” the official was quoted as saying.
The vaccine has been designed and developed by the China CDC, Tongji University School of Medicine and the Siwei (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co.The vaccine has been designed and developed by the China CDC, Tongji University School of Medicine and the Siwei (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co.
Calls to China CDC, Tongji University and Siwei were not immediately answered.Calls to China CDC, Tongji University and Siwei were not immediately answered.
TOKYO — Japan’s Health Ministry said on Monday another 60 people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing to 130 the total number known to have been infected on board the ship.TOKYO — Japan’s Health Ministry said on Monday another 60 people on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship have tested positive for the new coronavirus, bringing to 130 the total number known to have been infected on board the ship.
The infected passengers will be taken to local hospitals for treatment.The infected passengers will be taken to local hospitals for treatment.
Calls have been growing for Japanese authorities to test all roughly 3,700 passengers and crew on board the ship, especially since a significant proportion of those tested have been found to have the virus. Those calls have intensified after Hong Kong’s authorities were able to test all 1,800 crew members on board another cruise ship, and when they all tested negative, let everyone disembark. Calls have been growing for Japanese authorities to test all roughly 3,700 passengers and crew on board the ship, especially since a significant proportion of those tested have been found to have the virus. Those calls have intensified after Hong Kong’s authorities were able to test all 1,800 crew members on board another cruise ship, and when they all tested negative, letting everyone disembark.
Health Minister Katsunobu Kato has insisted that only people who show symptoms or are seen as being at high risk would be tested, but on Monday he said authorities were studying whether it was feasible to test everyone on board before letting them leave the ship at the end of the quarantine period, to prevent the spread of the infection in Japan.Health Minister Katsunobu Kato has insisted that only people who show symptoms or are seen as being at high risk would be tested, but on Monday he said authorities were studying whether it was feasible to test everyone on board before letting them leave the ship at the end of the quarantine period, to prevent the spread of the infection in Japan.
Before Monday’s test results were announced, 70 people out of 336 people tested had been found to have the virus, including six crew members.Before Monday’s test results were announced, 70 people out of 336 people tested had been found to have the virus, including six crew members.
On Saturday, Japan’s Defense Minister Taro Kono tweeted that the U.S. government has explained to Japan that it is not thinking of disembarking any passengers on the Princess Diamond before the 14-day quarantine period ends, based on advice from U.S. health authorities.On Saturday, Japan’s Defense Minister Taro Kono tweeted that the U.S. government has explained to Japan that it is not thinking of disembarking any passengers on the Princess Diamond before the 14-day quarantine period ends, based on advice from U.S. health authorities.
Some passengers had been asking to be flown home, fearing they could get infected on board the ship, and Japanese media had reported that a plan to take Americans out by another ship was under consideration.Some passengers had been asking to be flown home, fearing they could get infected on board the ship, and Japanese media had reported that a plan to take Americans out by another ship was under consideration.
The death toll from coronavirus has soared past 900, surpassing the toll from thee 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, according to data released by China’s National Health Commission on Monday, with 97 new deaths the previous day, the highest daily toll since the outbreak began.The death toll from coronavirus has soared past 900, surpassing the toll from thee 2002-2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic, according to data released by China’s National Health Commission on Monday, with 97 new deaths the previous day, the highest daily toll since the outbreak began.
The number of new infections also continues to grow, but the rate of increase appears to be stabilizing or even slowing, especially outside the worst affected province of Hubei.The number of new infections also continues to grow, but the rate of increase appears to be stabilizing or even slowing, especially outside the worst affected province of Hubei.
On Sunday, China added 3,062 new confirmed infections, bringing the total of people known to have the virus to 40,171. It also added 4,008 new suspected infections.On Sunday, China added 3,062 new confirmed infections, bringing the total of people known to have the virus to 40,171. It also added 4,008 new suspected infections.
But the number of new infections outside Hubei was only 444, compared to a peak of 890 new infections outside Hubei on Feb. 3.But the number of new infections outside Hubei was only 444, compared to a peak of 890 new infections outside Hubei on Feb. 3.
Chinese health officials said Sunday that the apparent tapering off in new infections outside Hubei could be a result of the strict quarantine measures that have been out in place. The World Health Organization also noted an apparent tapering off in infections, calling it “good news,” but cautioned many people still hadn’t been tested and it was too early to make predictions about the number of new infections.Chinese health officials said Sunday that the apparent tapering off in new infections outside Hubei could be a result of the strict quarantine measures that have been out in place. The World Health Organization also noted an apparent tapering off in infections, calling it “good news,” but cautioned many people still hadn’t been tested and it was too early to make predictions about the number of new infections.