This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-51524460

The article has changed 18 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Coronavirus: Forty infected Americans among cruise ship evacuees Coronavirus: Americans from quarantined cruise ship flown from Japan
(about 2 hours later)
Forty Americans being taken off the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess are infected with new coronavirus, a US official says. Two planes carrying Americans from the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess have left Japan.
They are among 400 people from the US leaving the vessel docked in Japan. The aircraft chartered by the US government departed Tokyo's Haneda Airport in the early hours of Monday, Kyodo news agency reported.
Most are due to depart for the US on two government-chartered aircraft. But those carrying the virus will be admitted to Japanese hospitals. There were some 400 Americans on board the ship, which has been held since 3 February due to infections from the new coronavirus which has hit China.
Meanwhile, China has tightened restrictions on movement in Hubei province, the centre of the outbreak. At least 40 US citizens are infected and will be treated in Japan.
What is happening on the cruise ship? The Diamond Princess has been quarantined in Japan's port of Yokohama with some 3,700 passengers and crew on board.
The Diamond Princess has been quarantined in Japan's port of Yokohama with some 3,700 passengers and crew on board since 3 February after a man left the ship in Hong Kong and was found to have the virus. The ship was held after a man who disembarked in Hong Kong was found to have the virus.
It has the largest cluster of coronavirus cases outside China. The Japanese authorities on Sunday said the number of new cases on board the ship had risen by 70 to 355.It has the largest cluster of coronavirus cases outside China. The Japanese authorities on Sunday said the number of new cases on board the ship had risen by 70 to 355.
The 40 Americans who are infected will receive medical treatment in Japan, Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Face the Nation on CBS. The Americans who are infected will receive medical treatment in Japan, Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told Face the Nation on CBS.
"Others are going to be evacuated, starting imminently, to Air Force bases in the United States," he said. It is not clear exactly how many are on board the evacuation flights which are expected to take them to Air Force bases.
"If people on the plane start to develop symptoms, they'll be segregated within the plane." "If people on the plane start to develop symptoms, they'll be segregated within the plane," Dr Fauci said.
Those entering the US will undergo a 14-day quarantine - on top of the time they have already spent confined on the ship. Those entering the US will undergo a 14-day quarantine, on top of the time they have already spent confined on the ship.
"And the reason for that," Dr Fauci added, "is that the degree of transmissibility, on that cruise ship, is essentially akin to being in a hotspot.""And the reason for that," Dr Fauci added, "is that the degree of transmissibility, on that cruise ship, is essentially akin to being in a hotspot."
Some of the Americans have declined to be evacuated by plane, preferring to wait until the ship quarantine comes to an end on 19 February. Some of the Americans have declined to be evacuated, preferring to wait until the ship quarantine comes to an end on 19 February.
Passenger Matt Smith, a lawyer, said he would not want to travel on a bus to the plane with possibly infected people.Passenger Matt Smith, a lawyer, said he would not want to travel on a bus to the plane with possibly infected people.
Other evacuation flights will repatriate residents of Israel, Hong Kong and Canada.Other evacuation flights will repatriate residents of Israel, Hong Kong and Canada.
What are the new Hubei measures? What is happening in China?
China's Hubei province remains the epicentre of the epidemic and the authorities are tightening curbs on movement to combat the outbreak.
People in the province of 60 million have been ordered to stay at home, though they will be allowed to leave in an emergency. In addition, a single person from each household will be allowed to leave the building every three days to buy food and essential items.People in the province of 60 million have been ordered to stay at home, though they will be allowed to leave in an emergency. In addition, a single person from each household will be allowed to leave the building every three days to buy food and essential items.
On housing estates, one entrance will be kept open. It will be guarded to ensure that only residents can enter or leave.On housing estates, one entrance will be kept open. It will be guarded to ensure that only residents can enter or leave.
All other businesses will stay closed, except chemists, hotels, food shops and medical services.All other businesses will stay closed, except chemists, hotels, food shops and medical services.
There will be a ban on the use of private cars, but vehicles used for the delivery of essential goods are exempt.There will be a ban on the use of private cars, but vehicles used for the delivery of essential goods are exempt.
Meanwhile, authorities in the capital, Beijing, have ordered everyone returning to the city to go into quarantine for 14 days or risk punishment.Meanwhile, authorities in the capital, Beijing, have ordered everyone returning to the city to go into quarantine for 14 days or risk punishment.
China's central bank will also disinfect and store used banknotes before recirculating them in a bid to stop the virus spreading.China's central bank will also disinfect and store used banknotes before recirculating them in a bid to stop the virus spreading.
What is the latest on cases?What is the latest on cases?
On Sunday, the Chinese authorities reported 2,009 new cases - down from 2,641 on Saturday, and 5,090 the day before.On Sunday, the Chinese authorities reported 2,009 new cases - down from 2,641 on Saturday, and 5,090 the day before.
New cases spiked earlier in the week after a change in the way they were counted but have been falling ever since. In total, more than 68,500 people have so far been infected in China.New cases spiked earlier in the week after a change in the way they were counted but have been falling ever since. In total, more than 68,500 people have so far been infected in China.
National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said the figures showed China was managing to curb the outbreak.National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng said the figures showed China was managing to curb the outbreak.
"The effects of epidemic prevention and control in various parts of the country can already be seen.""The effects of epidemic prevention and control in various parts of the country can already be seen."
The commission's daily bulletin also reported 142 more deaths nationwide, the vast majority in Hubei.The commission's daily bulletin also reported 142 more deaths nationwide, the vast majority in Hubei.
However Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that along with a drop in infections within Hubei there had been a rapid increase in the number of people who had recovered.However Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that along with a drop in infections within Hubei there had been a rapid increase in the number of people who had recovered.
The proportion of infected patients considered to be in a "serious condition" has dropped nationwide from more than 15% to just over 7%, according to China's State Council.The proportion of infected patients considered to be in a "serious condition" has dropped nationwide from more than 15% to just over 7%, according to China's State Council.
Taiwan has now reported a death from the illness - a taxi driver, 61, who had not travelled abroad recently but had diabetes and hepatitis B, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said.Taiwan has now reported a death from the illness - a taxi driver, 61, who had not travelled abroad recently but had diabetes and hepatitis B, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said.
The minister said many of his passengers had come from China.The minister said many of his passengers had come from China.
Outside China, there have been more than 500 cases in nearly 30 countries. Four others have died outside China - in France, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan.Outside China, there have been more than 500 cases in nearly 30 countries. Four others have died outside China - in France, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan.
Meanwhile, a plane carrying 175 evacuated Nepalis, mostly students, has arrived in Kathmandu from Wuhan. It is the latest country to fly its citizens out of Hubei province.Meanwhile, a plane carrying 175 evacuated Nepalis, mostly students, has arrived in Kathmandu from Wuhan. It is the latest country to fly its citizens out of Hubei province.
The virus is a new strain of coronavirus and causes an acute respiratory disease which has been named Covid-19.The virus is a new strain of coronavirus and causes an acute respiratory disease which has been named Covid-19.
Read more about the coronavirus and its impactRead more about the coronavirus and its impact