This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/feb/17/coronavirus-live-updates-us-citizens-japan-diamond-princess-cruise-ship-china-wuhan-hubei-cases-death-toll-latest-news

The article has changed 36 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 17 Version 18
Coronavirus: 99 more cases confirmed on cruise ship - live news Coronavirus: 99 more cases confirmed on cruise ship - live news
(32 minutes later)
People who flout new order in Xiaogan city in central Hubei face detention for 10 days as global death toll reaches 1,775. Follow live news and latest updatesPeople who flout new order in Xiaogan city in central Hubei face detention for 10 days as global death toll reaches 1,775. Follow live news and latest updates
Japan is bracing for the possibility of hundreds of additional cases of the coronavirus onboard the stricken Princess Diamond, after health officials said Monday that a further 99 people on the ship had tested positive.The passengers already evacuated from the ship face further uncertainty too, with the US and Australian citizens set for a further two weeks of quarantine after arriving home. Hundreds of American passengers have flown back to the US and Australia said it would follow suit on Wednesday.The US state department announced later that 14 of the 340 American evacuees were confirmed to have the virus in tests given before they boarded the planes. They were taken to the US because they did not have symptoms and were being isolated from other passengers on the planes, it said. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the 14 were among the 99 new cases.Onboard the Diamond Princess, 454 people have now been diagnosed with Covid-19 out of an original total of about 3,600 passengers and crew. Japan’s health ministry said it now has tested 1,723 people on the vessel.Forty American passengers who were diagnosed with the virus yesterday have been transferred to hospitals in Japan. Most of the people on the ship, which has the largest number of cases outside China, have yet to be tested.The health ministry will continue to test passengers and crew on the Diamond Princess, whose 14-day quarantine was due to end on Wednesday.Japanese public health experts advising the government defended the decision to isolate passengers and crew on the ship, even as the number of cases spiked again on Monday.“Many people are testing positive on the ship, but that is because we are testing everyone onboard, regardless of their medical condition,” said Shigeru Omi, chief director of the Japan Community Health Care Organisation. “And 70% of those testing positive are not showing any symptoms at all.”Omi said any disruption to this summer’s Tokyo Olympics – including the Games’ cancellation - would depend on how and if the virus mutates in the coming months, as well as the effectiveness of the international community’s attempts to contain the outbreak.“Whether the virus is under control by the time of the Olympics is anyone’s guess,” he said at a media briefing in Tokyo.Omi conceded that tracing the chain of domestic transmissions not related to the Diamond Princes was proving difficult, but denied Japan, which has confirmed 65 cases on land, was becoming a second major infection cluster.“Our focus now is on community-based preventative action to lower the speed of the transmission of the virus,” he said. “It is true that there have been silent transmissions, but Japan is certainly not in a state of pandemic.”
A Russian woman who was onboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner docked in Yokohama, Japan, has tested positive for coronavirus, the Russian embassy in Japan said on Monday.
Reuters reports the woman will be taken to a hospital and treated, citing a post by the embassy on Facebook.
The woman is thought to be the first Russian national to contract the virus after the two previous cases found in Russia were Chinese nationals.
Japanese officials have confirmed a further 99 people have been infected by the new coronavirus aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the total to 454, the health ministry said on Monday.Japanese officials have confirmed a further 99 people have been infected by the new coronavirus aboard the quarantined cruise ship Diamond Princess, bringing the total to 454, the health ministry said on Monday.
AP reports:AP reports:
Japan will close next month’s Tokyo Marathon to all but elite professional runners.Japan will close next month’s Tokyo Marathon to all but elite professional runners.
Organisers of the Tokyo Marathon said the 38,000 general participants who signed up for the race on 1 March will not be allowed to compete, a person with knowledge of the issue told Reuters.Organisers of the Tokyo Marathon said the 38,000 general participants who signed up for the race on 1 March will not be allowed to compete, a person with knowledge of the issue told Reuters.
The event will instead be limited to top-level competitors, which includes 176 elite runners and 30 elite wheelchair athletes.The event will instead be limited to top-level competitors, which includes 176 elite runners and 30 elite wheelchair athletes.
Japan would limit public crowds in Tokyo to prevent a further spread of the deadly coronavirus.Japan would limit public crowds in Tokyo to prevent a further spread of the deadly coronavirus.
Shares in some of the marathon’s sponsors fell following the announcement. Seiko Holdings, the maker of watches and clocks, slid 3.5%, as did shoe and sportswear maker ASICS Corp. The broader Tokyo market was little changed.Shares in some of the marathon’s sponsors fell following the announcement. Seiko Holdings, the maker of watches and clocks, slid 3.5%, as did shoe and sportswear maker ASICS Corp. The broader Tokyo market was little changed.
Japan also announced it would be scrapping the emperor’s birthday celebrations. The last time the birthday celebration was cancelled was 1996, during a hostage crisis at the Japanese embassy in Peru.Japan also announced it would be scrapping the emperor’s birthday celebrations. The last time the birthday celebration was cancelled was 1996, during a hostage crisis at the Japanese embassy in Peru.
China has it may postpone its annual congress in March, its biggest political meeting of the year.China has it may postpone its annual congress in March, its biggest political meeting of the year.
The standing committee for the National People’s Congress said it believes it is necessary to postpone the gathering to give top priority to people’s lives, safety and health, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.The standing committee for the National People’s Congress said it believes it is necessary to postpone the gathering to give top priority to people’s lives, safety and health, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.
It noted that one-third of the 3,000 delegates are provincial and municipal-level cadres with important leadership roles working on the frontline of the battle against the epidemic.It noted that one-third of the 3,000 delegates are provincial and municipal-level cadres with important leadership roles working on the frontline of the battle against the epidemic.
The standing committee said it would meet on 24 February to further deliberate on a postponement. The meeting is due to start on 5 March.The standing committee said it would meet on 24 February to further deliberate on a postponement. The meeting is due to start on 5 March.
I want to hear your news, experiences and questions about the coronavirus outbreak. You can email me at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com or tweet me at @aamnamohdinI want to hear your news, experiences and questions about the coronavirus outbreak. You can email me at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com or tweet me at @aamnamohdin
I’m particularly keen to hear from those who have booked a holiday to China, but are currently in limbo.I’m particularly keen to hear from those who have booked a holiday to China, but are currently in limbo.
Morning, it’s Aamna Mohdin taking over the liveblog from my colleague Alison Rourke.Morning, it’s Aamna Mohdin taking over the liveblog from my colleague Alison Rourke.
Of the 300 US citizens and family members evacuated by plane from a quarantined ship in Japan, 14 have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the US state department said on Monday.Of the 300 US citizens and family members evacuated by plane from a quarantined ship in Japan, 14 have tested positive for the new coronavirus, the US state department said on Monday.
The American passengers disembarking from the Diamond Princess preparing to return home on chartered aircraft when US officials were informed 14 of them who had been tested days earlier were positive for Covid-19, the state department said in a joint statement with the department of health and human services (HHS).The American passengers disembarking from the Diamond Princess preparing to return home on chartered aircraft when US officials were informed 14 of them who had been tested days earlier were positive for Covid-19, the state department said in a joint statement with the department of health and human services (HHS).
The passengers were allowed to board the plane, but were isolated from the others and would be monitored closely.The passengers were allowed to board the plane, but were isolated from the others and would be monitored closely.
The state department and HHS said in a statement:The state department and HHS said in a statement:
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
The total confirmed number of Covid-19 cases in China has risen. to 70,548, after the health ministry reported 2,048 new cases in its Monday update.The total confirmed number of Covid-19 cases in China has risen. to 70,548, after the health ministry reported 2,048 new cases in its Monday update.
New deaths totalled 105, bringing the total number of fatalities in China to 1,770.New deaths totalled 105, bringing the total number of fatalities in China to 1,770.
Of the new cases 1,933 were in Hubei province, as were 100 of the deaths.Of the new cases 1,933 were in Hubei province, as were 100 of the deaths.
The US has airlifted its citizens stuck on the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. Forty Americans were tested positive remain in the country.The US has airlifted its citizens stuck on the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. Forty Americans were tested positive remain in the country.
A number of other countries, including Canada, Australia and South Korea have announced plans to evacuate their citizens from the stricken ship. (A Qantas plane will fly 209 Australians home on Wednesday).A number of other countries, including Canada, Australia and South Korea have announced plans to evacuate their citizens from the stricken ship. (A Qantas plane will fly 209 Australians home on Wednesday).
Xiaogan city, in central Hubei, has banned residents from leaving their homes in an attempt to curtail the virus. It has the second highest number of confirmed cases in China, after nearby Wuhan.Xiaogan city, in central Hubei, has banned residents from leaving their homes in an attempt to curtail the virus. It has the second highest number of confirmed cases in China, after nearby Wuhan.
Xinxian country in Henan province, south of Beijing, announced it is extending quarantine to 21 days for citizens returning from Wuhan, following two unusual cases of Covid-19.Xinxian country in Henan province, south of Beijing, announced it is extending quarantine to 21 days for citizens returning from Wuhan, following two unusual cases of Covid-19.
Singapore has flagged a possible recession as it cut growth forecasts because of the impact of the virus.Singapore has flagged a possible recession as it cut growth forecasts because of the impact of the virus.
You can read our latest roundup of all the days news on the coronavirus outbreak below.You can read our latest roundup of all the days news on the coronavirus outbreak below.
The Covid-19 outbreak has officially had no negative impact on the country’s stock markets. After a huge 8% fall on the first day of trading after the lunar new year break, indices have fattened up again and are buoyed by the promise of stimulus from the central bank (see below).The Covid-19 outbreak has officially had no negative impact on the country’s stock markets. After a huge 8% fall on the first day of trading after the lunar new year break, indices have fattened up again and are buoyed by the promise of stimulus from the central bank (see below).
The Shanghai Composite was up 2.19% in afternoon trading while the Shenzhen Composite rose 2.84%.The Shanghai Composite was up 2.19% in afternoon trading while the Shenzhen Composite rose 2.84%.
We’re seeing a news conference now from the Australian city of Darwin, where authorities are talking about the 209 Australians being brought home from the stricken Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. Those returning will be quarantined for 14 days near the northern city of Darwin.We’re seeing a news conference now from the Australian city of Darwin, where authorities are talking about the 209 Australians being brought home from the stricken Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. Those returning will be quarantined for 14 days near the northern city of Darwin.
“We are not entirely convinced that the quarantine procedures on that ship were 100% effective,” said Prof Dianne Stephens, deputy chief health officer for the Northern Territory (NT).“We are not entirely convinced that the quarantine procedures on that ship were 100% effective,” said Prof Dianne Stephens, deputy chief health officer for the Northern Territory (NT).
About 150 of the 209 passengers are over the age of 60. Authorities said there will also be a number of older people and the concern for them is not about coronavirus, but co-morbidities, including diabetes, stress and cardiovascular disease.About 150 of the 209 passengers are over the age of 60. Authorities said there will also be a number of older people and the concern for them is not about coronavirus, but co-morbidities, including diabetes, stress and cardiovascular disease.
The Global Times – the tabloid mouth piece of the Chinese government – is reporting that the county of Xinxian in Henan province, south of Beijing, is extending the quarantine period for travellers returning from Wuhan to 21 days. This follows two unusual cases of Covid-19, which you can read about in the tweet below. This could obviously be very significant if this is replicated elsewhere.
The Economist’s correspondent in Shanghai, Simon Rabinovitch, has published a graph showing the infections in China outside Hubei.
Just breaking down that flurry of speakers at the press conference in Australia ... one of the most significant things to come out of it for me was that the chief medical officer saying they are not sure why the infections on the Diamond Princess cruise liner are continuing to spread, despite the quarantine measures in place.
Shares in China have posted strong gains after the country’s central bank cut the interest rate on its medium-term lending from 3.25% to 3.15% to try to cushion businesses from the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak. The bank also injected another 200bn yuan of liquidity into the system.
The move is expected to pave the way for a reduction in the country’s benchmark loan prime rate on Thursday, Reuters reports, to lower borrowing costs and ease financial strains on companies hit by the epidemic.
China’s authorities have already loosened borrowing requirements and arranged special loans for businesses hit by the lockdown of millions of people. On Sunday, the finance ministry said it would roll out targeted and phased tax and fee cuts.
The Shanghai Composite index of leading shares was up 1.4% and Hong Kong was 0.4% to the good. But the picture was less rosy elsewhere in Asia Pacific with the poor GDP data pushing the Nikkei down by 0.65% in Tokyo. In Sydney the ASX200 was flat.
A reporter is asking about Australians onboard the MS Westerdam cruise ship that docked in Cambodia last Thursday. An American passenger on that ship was subsequently diagnosed with Covid-19, after testing in Malaysia. The foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne answers:
Payne says they are being tested in Cambodia and results expect to be returned in the next 48 hours. Ten Australians remain on the ship, still docked in Cambodia
She says the Cambodian government is making arrangements to test those people who remained on the ship tested – another 200 or so people. She says that will happen in the next two to three days.
Scott Morrison made very clear that the decision has been made by the national security committee that:
Brendan Murphy’s, Australia’s chief health officer, has the microphone now. He says he is not sure why there have continued to be further infections onboard the Diamond Princess ship.
He says he sympathises with people who have already done nearly two weeks in quarantine on the ship, and who may not want to do another two weeks of quarantine, but notes that other countries have also imposed additional two weeks of quarantine, including Canada and the US.
The Australian health minister, Greg Hunt, is talking now. He confirms Australia still only has 15 cases of Covid-19, eight of which have now recovered.
He says the 242 passengers who were airlifted out of Wuhan on the first Australian evacuation flight out of that city, will leave Christmas Island today, where they have been staying for 2 weeks.
Payne reiterates the decision to bring citizens home from Japan is based on medical advice.
We’re now hearing from Australia’s foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne. She thanks the government of Japan for its co-operation during this process of getting Australia’s citizens home from the ship, currently docked south of Tokyo.
She also thanks Japan for the care they are giving to the 20 or so Australians in hospital in Japan who have tested positive for Covid-19.