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Coronavirus updates: US flies out its Diamond Princess passengers as China cases pass 70,000 – live news Coronavirus updates: China's second worst-hit city bans residents from leaving home – live news
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Global death toll reaches 1,775 with first case in Taiwan, as Canada prepares to airlift its citizens from Japan cruise ship. Follow live news and latest updates Residents 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
Duetsche Welle’s East Asia correspondent William Yang says the new restrictions in Xiaogan will begin on Monday.Duetsche Welle’s East Asia correspondent William Yang says the new restrictions in Xiaogan will begin on Monday.
Yang also reports on a new initiative in eastern Hubei’s Huanggang city, where residents with a fever or cough who report their symptoms will be awarded 500 yuan or $72. The city is the third worst affected in Hubei, with 2,831 reported cases of Covid-19 and 78 deaths.Yang also reports on a new initiative in eastern Hubei’s Huanggang city, where residents with a fever or cough who report their symptoms will be awarded 500 yuan or $72. The city is the third worst affected in Hubei, with 2,831 reported cases of Covid-19 and 78 deaths.
Chinese state media is reporting another city in Hubei province has banned residents from leaving their homes. In Xiaogan, population 4.8 million, in central Hubei, people who violate the order will be detained “for a maximum of 10 days”, the Global Times says.Chinese state media is reporting another city in Hubei province has banned residents from leaving their homes. In Xiaogan, population 4.8 million, in central Hubei, people who violate the order will be detained “for a maximum of 10 days”, the Global Times says.
The city is the second worst hit in Hubei after Wuhan, with 3,279 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 70 deaths. The Global Times adds that pharmacies, designated supermarkets, hotels and markets are open, but need to “strictly control the flow of people” and to record customers’ temperatures.
“Patrol teams” will monitor movements.
Xiaogan is the second worst hit in Hubei after Wuhan, with 3,279 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 70 deaths. Xiaogan is about 70km from Wuhan.
The economics research firm Capital Economics, has published some very interesting graphs which appear to show just how substantially activity in China has reduced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.The economics research firm Capital Economics, has published some very interesting graphs which appear to show just how substantially activity in China has reduced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The first graph shows road congestion across 100 Chinese cities in the weeks before and after the lunar new year, comparing figures from the four years to 2020.The first graph shows road congestion across 100 Chinese cities in the weeks before and after the lunar new year, comparing figures from the four years to 2020.
The next graph looks at daily passenger trips by the millions.The next graph looks at daily passenger trips by the millions.
Many economists use electricity consumption as a proxy for economic activity in China, which makes this next graph particularly interesting.Many economists use electricity consumption as a proxy for economic activity in China, which makes this next graph particularly interesting.
And finally, the food wholesale price index, comparing 2017-2020.And finally, the food wholesale price index, comparing 2017-2020.
A fifth evacuation flight of Japanese citizens from Wuhan has landed in Tokyo.A fifth evacuation flight of Japanese citizens from Wuhan has landed in Tokyo.
It landed at Haneda airport shortly before 7.00am on Monday, the Japanese broadcaster NHK said, carrying 36 Japanese nationals and 29 Chinese nationals, including spouses of Japanese.It landed at Haneda airport shortly before 7.00am on Monday, the Japanese broadcaster NHK said, carrying 36 Japanese nationals and 29 Chinese nationals, including spouses of Japanese.
A total of 763 people returned to Japan from Hubei on the four previous flights, NHK says.A total of 763 people returned to Japan from Hubei on the four previous flights, NHK says.
Singapore has cut its 2020 growth and exports forecasts due to an expected economic blow from the new coronavirus outbreak, flagging the chance of a recession this year, Reuters reports.Singapore has cut its 2020 growth and exports forecasts due to an expected economic blow from the new coronavirus outbreak, flagging the chance of a recession this year, Reuters reports.
The country has reported 75 cases of the virus to date, one of the highest tallies outside China.The country has reported 75 cases of the virus to date, one of the highest tallies outside China.
The downgrade of its GDP forecast range to -0.5% to 1.5%, from 0.5% to 2.5% previously, opens up the possibility that full-year growth could be negative, with the prime minister saying on Friday that a recession is possible.The downgrade of its GDP forecast range to -0.5% to 1.5%, from 0.5% to 2.5% previously, opens up the possibility that full-year growth could be negative, with the prime minister saying on Friday that a recession is possible.
“The outlook for the Singapore economy has weakened since the last review... In particular, the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to affect the Singapore economy,” said the ministry’s permanent secretary, Gabriel Lim.“The outlook for the Singapore economy has weakened since the last review... In particular, the Covid-19 outbreak is expected to affect the Singapore economy,” said the ministry’s permanent secretary, Gabriel Lim.
Lim said the impact would be most keenly felt in manufacturing, trade, tourism and transport, alongside retail and food services.Lim said the impact would be most keenly felt in manufacturing, trade, tourism and transport, alongside retail and food services.
Singapore is set to roll out a hefty package of measures to cushion the blow from the epidemic on its economy at its annual budget on Tuesday, with some analysts expecting it to plan for its biggest deficit in over a decade.Singapore is set to roll out a hefty package of measures to cushion the blow from the epidemic on its economy at its annual budget on Tuesday, with some analysts expecting it to plan for its biggest deficit in over a decade.
The full-year forecast range for non-oil domestic exports was also lowered on Monday to -0.5% to 1.5%, from 0% to 2% previously.The full-year forecast range for non-oil domestic exports was also lowered on Monday to -0.5% to 1.5%, from 0% to 2% previously.
The economy had been staging a nascent recovery after recording its lowest growth rate in a decade in 2019 at 0.7% before the virus spread to the city-state in late January.The economy had been staging a nascent recovery after recording its lowest growth rate in a decade in 2019 at 0.7% before the virus spread to the city-state in late January.
The Australian government is working on a plan to evacuate its citizens off the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship – the largest site for Covid-18 infections outside of mainland China.The Australian government is working on a plan to evacuate its citizens off the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship – the largest site for Covid-18 infections outside of mainland China.
The ship, carrying more than 3,700 passengers and crew, is docked at Yokohama port south of Tokyo. 355 people have tested positive for coronavirus, including 16 Australians.The ship, carrying more than 3,700 passengers and crew, is docked at Yokohama port south of Tokyo. 355 people have tested positive for coronavirus, including 16 Australians.
Nearly 200 Australians are on board.Nearly 200 Australians are on board.
The US has begun an airlift operation to bring more than 400 of its citizens home form the ship and into quarantine in the US. They face a further 14 days in isolation. Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy have announced flights home for their citizens and residents.The US has begun an airlift operation to bring more than 400 of its citizens home form the ship and into quarantine in the US. They face a further 14 days in isolation. Canada, South Korea, Hong Kong and Italy have announced flights home for their citizens and residents.
Australia’s national security committee of cabinet met late Sunday, and will meet again Monday afternoon, to formalise a plan to extract Australians from the ship.Australia’s national security committee of cabinet met late Sunday, and will meet again Monday afternoon, to formalise a plan to extract Australians from the ship.
Meanwhile, the first cohort of evacuees quarantined on Christmas Island are set to leave the remote island Monday afternoon. The evacuees will be flown to capital cities across Australia and allowed to return home. They have spent 14 days in the immigration detention centre on the remote island, and will not be required to self-isolate at home.Meanwhile, the first cohort of evacuees quarantined on Christmas Island are set to leave the remote island Monday afternoon. The evacuees will be flown to capital cities across Australia and allowed to return home. They have spent 14 days in the immigration detention centre on the remote island, and will not be required to self-isolate at home.
271 Australians were evacuated to the island. None have tested positive for coronavirus. A second cohort will leave Wednesday.271 Australians were evacuated to the island. None have tested positive for coronavirus. A second cohort will leave Wednesday.
Australia has also quarantined 266 citizens and permanent residents at a disused mining workers village on the outskirts of Darwin. They remain in quarantine. No coronavirus cases have been detected amongst that group either.Australia has also quarantined 266 citizens and permanent residents at a disused mining workers village on the outskirts of Darwin. They remain in quarantine. No coronavirus cases have been detected amongst that group either.
There’s been a lot of discussion about how the figures are trending over the past few days, particularly as there was a big spike in the number of recorded cases of infections in Hubei province last Wednesday, when it changed the way it was recording cases to include people who had been clinically diagnosed with Covid-19, as well as those who had tested positive on a Covid-19 test.There’s been a lot of discussion about how the figures are trending over the past few days, particularly as there was a big spike in the number of recorded cases of infections in Hubei province last Wednesday, when it changed the way it was recording cases to include people who had been clinically diagnosed with Covid-19, as well as those who had tested positive on a Covid-19 test.
First let’s look at the trend for infections inside China but outside of Hubei, since they changed the way they were counting cases.First let’s look at the trend for infections inside China but outside of Hubei, since they changed the way they were counting cases.
Sunday 16 February: 125 new cases excluding Hubei (1,933 inside Hubei)Sunday 16 February: 125 new cases excluding Hubei (1,933 inside Hubei)
Saturday 15 February: 166 new cases excluding Hubei (1,843 inside Hubei)Saturday 15 February: 166 new cases excluding Hubei (1,843 inside Hubei)
Friday 14 February: 221 cases excluding Hubei (2,641 inside Hubei)Friday 14 February: 221 cases excluding Hubei (2,641 inside Hubei)
Thursday 13 February: 267 cases excluding Hubei (4,823 inside Hubei)Thursday 13 February: 267 cases excluding Hubei (4,823 inside Hubei)
On Wednesday 12 February, Hubei changed the way it was counting cases. That day the National Health Commission recorded 312 cases outside of Hubei.On Wednesday 12 February, Hubei changed the way it was counting cases. That day the National Health Commission recorded 312 cases outside of Hubei.
The daily national figures for China have been announced. It says the total number of confirmed cases have by 2,048 to 70,548.The daily national figures for China have been announced. It says the total number of confirmed cases have by 2,048 to 70,548.
Total deaths now stand at 1,770, after 105 more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.Total deaths now stand at 1,770, after 105 more deaths were reported in the past 24 hours.
Of those new deaths, only five were reported outside of Hubei province (3 in Henan, and 2 in Guangdong).Of those new deaths, only five were reported outside of Hubei province (3 in Henan, and 2 in Guangdong).
Of the new infections, only 125 were recorded outside of Hubei.Of the new infections, only 125 were recorded outside of Hubei.
China’s ambassador in Australia, Chen Jingye, is giving an interview on Sky News Australia about the coronavirus outbreak.China’s ambassador in Australia, Chen Jingye, is giving an interview on Sky News Australia about the coronavirus outbreak.
“This is controllable. This is curable,” he says. “So we have every confidence and capacities to win against the epidemic.”“This is controllable. This is curable,” he says. “So we have every confidence and capacities to win against the epidemic.”
He says the Australian travel ban on people entering the country if they have travelled to China is “out of proportion”He says the Australian travel ban on people entering the country if they have travelled to China is “out of proportion”
“The situation here is ... inconsistent with recommendations from WHO,” he says.“The situation here is ... inconsistent with recommendations from WHO,” he says.
He says he hopes the Australian government will take this into account when next reviewing the travel ban, due to expire on Saturday. He hopes restrictions will be relaxed.He says he hopes the Australian government will take this into account when next reviewing the travel ban, due to expire on Saturday. He hopes restrictions will be relaxed.
He’s now being asked about the death of the whistleblower doctor, Li Wenliang, who died from the virus around 10 days ago.He’s now being asked about the death of the whistleblower doctor, Li Wenliang, who died from the virus around 10 days ago.
“His contributions is (sic) acknowledged,” he says.“His contributions is (sic) acknowledged,” he says.
Chen says the best way to honour his memory is to keep fighting the virus.Chen says the best way to honour his memory is to keep fighting the virus.
The next question is about reports a speech President Xi gave on 3 February, in which he gave instructions to fight the virus on 7 January. His remarks were published by state media late Saturday.The next question is about reports a speech President Xi gave on 3 February, in which he gave instructions to fight the virus on 7 January. His remarks were published by state media late Saturday.
“President Xi himself has shown strong leadership in this fight against the virus. He’s has been personally involved ... giving orders ... and overseeing and guiding efforts throughout this outbreak,” Chen said.“President Xi himself has shown strong leadership in this fight against the virus. He’s has been personally involved ... giving orders ... and overseeing and guiding efforts throughout this outbreak,” Chen said.
Chinese state media is reporting that penalties up to life imprisonment can be handed out to people who sell face masks or goggles which don’t meet national standards.Chinese state media is reporting that penalties up to life imprisonment can be handed out to people who sell face masks or goggles which don’t meet national standards.
Hubei province is tightening its restrictions on movement further, in an effort to combat the virus. About 56 million people are effectively under quarantine, including in Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have started.Hubei province is tightening its restrictions on movement further, in an effort to combat the virus. About 56 million people are effectively under quarantine, including in Wuhan, where the virus is believed to have started.
New measures include broad instructions that residential compounds and villages be “sealed off” from unnecessary visitors, with tenants’ outings “strictly managed”.New measures include broad instructions that residential compounds and villages be “sealed off” from unnecessary visitors, with tenants’ outings “strictly managed”.
Last week Beijing, a city of more than 20 million people, said anyone returning to the city must go into self-imposed quarantine for 14 days, or face stiff penalties.Last week Beijing, a city of more than 20 million people, said anyone returning to the city must go into self-imposed quarantine for 14 days, or face stiff penalties.
The World Health Organization says international experts in a WHO-led joint mission had arrived in Beijing and had had their first meeting with their Chinese counterparts.The World Health Organization says international experts in a WHO-led joint mission had arrived in Beijing and had had their first meeting with their Chinese counterparts.
“We look forward to this vitally important collaboration contributing to global knowledge about the COVID19 outbreak,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter.“We look forward to this vitally important collaboration contributing to global knowledge about the COVID19 outbreak,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Twitter.
On Sunday, a spokesman for China’s National Health Commission said slowing case numbers nationally showed that China was controlling the outbreak.On Sunday, a spokesman for China’s National Health Commission said slowing case numbers nationally showed that China was controlling the outbreak.
But Tedros has warned it is “impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take”.But Tedros has warned it is “impossible to predict which direction this epidemic will take”.
Tedros also said the international community must “use the window of opportunity” to intensify preparations for the spread of Covid-19 infections.Tedros also said the international community must “use the window of opportunity” to intensify preparations for the spread of Covid-19 infections.
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.
The epicentre of the outbreak – Hubei province – has reported 100 new deaths in its daily update of figures on Monday, with 1,933 new infections.The epicentre of the outbreak – Hubei province – has reported 100 new deaths in its daily update of figures on Monday, with 1,933 new infections.
This takes infections in China past 70,000, and deaths to at least 1,765. We are still waiting for Monday’s national figures and will bring you them shortly.This takes infections in China past 70,000, and deaths to at least 1,765. We are still waiting for Monday’s national figures and will bring you them shortly.
Five other deaths have been reported globally.Five other deaths have been reported globally.
Outside China, attention has turned to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, stuck in Japan. The US has airlifted its passengers out, but around 40 Americans who tested positive to Covid-19, will remain in Japan where they are being treated. Here’s a quick summary of what else we know so far:Outside China, attention has turned to the Diamond Princess cruise ship, stuck in Japan. The US has airlifted its passengers out, but around 40 Americans who tested positive to Covid-19, will remain in Japan where they are being treated. Here’s a quick summary of what else we know so far:
The US air flights carrying passengers from the stricken cruise ship quarantined south of Tokyo have departedThe US air flights carrying passengers from the stricken cruise ship quarantined south of Tokyo have departed
Canada and Hong Kong have offered flights to repatriate their nationals and we are expecting a decision in Australia on whether it will also offer flights home to the 200+ Australians on the ship.Canada and Hong Kong have offered flights to repatriate their nationals and we are expecting a decision in Australia on whether it will also offer flights home to the 200+ Australians on the ship.
The quarantine on the Diamond Princess is due to end on Wednesday, but there are questions about whether it will be extendedThe quarantine on the Diamond Princess is due to end on Wednesday, but there are questions about whether it will be extended
A passenger from the MS Westerdam cruise ship, which docked in Cambodia at the end of last week, has tested positive to the virus, after flying to Malaysia with nearly 150 other passengers from the shipA passenger from the MS Westerdam cruise ship, which docked in Cambodia at the end of last week, has tested positive to the virus, after flying to Malaysia with nearly 150 other passengers from the ship
Taiwan has reported first death from coronavirusTaiwan has reported first death from coronavirus