This article is from the source 'nytimes' 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.nytimes.com/2020/02/17/world/asia/china-coronavirus.html

The article has changed 58 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Coronavirus Updates: Scramble to Track Cruise Passengers After Infection Is Reported Coronavirus Updates: Scramble to Track Cruise Passengers After Infection Is Reported
(about 1 hour later)
READ UPDATES IN CHINESE: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息汇总READ UPDATES IN CHINESE: 新冠病毒疫情最新消息汇总
The cruise ship had been shunned at port after port for fear it might carry the new coronavirus, COVID-19, but when the Westerdam arrived in Cambodia on Thursday, the country’s prime minister greeted its passengers with flowers. The cruise ship had been shunned at port after port for fear it might carry the new coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, but when the Westerdam arrived in Cambodia on Thursday, the country’s prime minister greeted its passengers with flowers.
Amid assurances that the ship was free of the virus, hundreds of elated passengers disembarked, traveling to destinations around the world.Amid assurances that the ship was free of the virus, hundreds of elated passengers disembarked, traveling to destinations around the world.
One, however, did not make it much farther than the thermal scanners at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The passenger, an American, was stopped on Saturday, and later tested positive for the coronavirus.One, however, did not make it much farther than the thermal scanners at the airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The passenger, an American, was stopped on Saturday, and later tested positive for the coronavirus.
With passengers already headed for destinations on at least three continents, health officials are scrambling to determine how a big a problem they now have — and how to stop it from getting bigger.With passengers already headed for destinations on at least three continents, health officials are scrambling to determine how a big a problem they now have — and how to stop it from getting bigger.
With more than a thousand passengers from the Westerdam headed for home, experts said, it may be harder than ever to keep the coronavirus outbreak contained to China.With more than a thousand passengers from the Westerdam headed for home, experts said, it may be harder than ever to keep the coronavirus outbreak contained to China.
It is unclear how well the passengers were screened before they were allowed off the ship. But the best approach to containing a broader spread of the virus from the Westerdam would be to track down all of the passengers and quarantine them for two weeks, experts said.It is unclear how well the passengers were screened before they were allowed off the ship. But the best approach to containing a broader spread of the virus from the Westerdam would be to track down all of the passengers and quarantine them for two weeks, experts said.
China’s National Health Commission on Monday morning reported 2,048 new cases of coronavirus and 105 new deaths over the previous 24 hours. The death toll dropped from the previous day, when 142 deaths were reported, though the number of new infections remained steady.China’s National Health Commission on Monday morning reported 2,048 new cases of coronavirus and 105 new deaths over the previous 24 hours. The death toll dropped from the previous day, when 142 deaths were reported, though the number of new infections remained steady.
Updated Feb. 10, 2020Updated Feb. 10, 2020
The vast majority of cases and deaths have occurred in Hubei Province, where the outbreak began, though the commission’s latest announcement also reported three deaths in neighboring Henan Province and two in Guangdong, the province next to Hong Kong.The vast majority of cases and deaths have occurred in Hubei Province, where the outbreak began, though the commission’s latest announcement also reported three deaths in neighboring Henan Province and two in Guangdong, the province next to Hong Kong.
In all, more than 70,500 people have been infected in China and 1,770 have died so far. Four others have died outside of China, as of Sunday night.In all, more than 70,500 people have been infected in China and 1,770 have died so far. Four others have died outside of China, as of Sunday night.
Three masked robbers appeared at dawn on Monday outside a Hong Kong supermarket. There, they held a deliveryman at knife point and made off with over a hundred dollars worth of one of the most sought after commodities in this city of seven million people — toilet paper.
Toilet paper has been sold out across the city for weeks after a run on the product was prompted by rumors that manufacturers in mainland China would cease production or that the border would be sealed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Retailers have dispelled the rumor, saying there is no genuine shortage. But bulk packs of toilet paper are snatched off supermarket shelves almost as soon as they are restocked and city blocks are crowded with residents lined up at shops just to buy the product.
So short is the supply that lovers exchanged individual rolls on Valentine’s Day as a sort of pragmatic joke. Online, users have offered to barter surgical masks, which actually are in short supply, for a few rolls of toilet paper. And one hoarder was shamed on social media when neighbors spotted an apartment whose windows were crowded by a wall of toilet paper rolls.
The toilet paper stolen in Monday’s heist was later discovered stashed at a hotel, local news outlets reported, but the perpetrators remain at large. The police said they were investigating the crime.
Last week, the police arrested a man charged with stealing eight boxes of heavy-duty face masks, known as N-95 masks, from a parked car after smashing its windows.
Airbus is slowly restarting its assembly line in China. General Motors began limited production on Saturday. Toyota planned to follow on Monday.Airbus is slowly restarting its assembly line in China. General Motors began limited production on Saturday. Toyota planned to follow on Monday.
Fitfully and painfully, and with some worried prodding from Beijing, China is trying to reopen for business.Fitfully and painfully, and with some worried prodding from Beijing, China is trying to reopen for business.
The world’s second-largest economy practically shut down three weeks ago when the coronavirus outbreak sickened tens of thousands, unexpectedly lengthening a Chinese holiday. The freeze set off warnings that the global economy could be in jeopardy if the world’s pre-eminent manufacturing powerhouse stayed shut for long.The world’s second-largest economy practically shut down three weeks ago when the coronavirus outbreak sickened tens of thousands, unexpectedly lengthening a Chinese holiday. The freeze set off warnings that the global economy could be in jeopardy if the world’s pre-eminent manufacturing powerhouse stayed shut for long.
Now, as some factories rumble back into action, the monumental task of restarting China is becoming clear.Now, as some factories rumble back into action, the monumental task of restarting China is becoming clear.
China’s efforts to contain the virus are clashing with its push to get the country back to work, requiring the country’s leaders to strike a balance between keeping people safe and getting vital industries back on track.China’s efforts to contain the virus are clashing with its push to get the country back to work, requiring the country’s leaders to strike a balance between keeping people safe and getting vital industries back on track.
Japan’s economy shrank in the last three months of 2019 after a devastating typhoon and a tax increase on shoppers. Now the coronavirus threatens to put the world’s third-largest economy after the United States and China into its first recession in five years.Japan’s economy shrank in the last three months of 2019 after a devastating typhoon and a tax increase on shoppers. Now the coronavirus threatens to put the world’s third-largest economy after the United States and China into its first recession in five years.
Japan’s output shrank at an annual rate of 6.3 percent in the October-to-December period, the government said on Monday. The country’s consumption tax was raised to 10 percent from 8 percent in October, depressing consumer spending. Days after the tax increase went into effect, Typhoon Hagibis slammed into Japan, causing enormous damage and further suppressing economic activity.Japan’s output shrank at an annual rate of 6.3 percent in the October-to-December period, the government said on Monday. The country’s consumption tax was raised to 10 percent from 8 percent in October, depressing consumer spending. Days after the tax increase went into effect, Typhoon Hagibis slammed into Japan, causing enormous damage and further suppressing economic activity.
Even before that, Japan’s exports had been hit by slowing growth in China, which has been dealing with a trade war with the United States.Even before that, Japan’s exports had been hit by slowing growth in China, which has been dealing with a trade war with the United States.
Government officials had hoped that these issues would ease in the new year. But that rosy outlook predates the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, which the figures released on Monday don’t reflect. The coronavirus has closed many of the Chinese companies that buy parts and equipment from Japan. It has also stopped the flow of Chinese tourists to Japan.Government officials had hoped that these issues would ease in the new year. But that rosy outlook predates the worst of the coronavirus outbreak, which the figures released on Monday don’t reflect. The coronavirus has closed many of the Chinese companies that buy parts and equipment from Japan. It has also stopped the flow of Chinese tourists to Japan.
A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of shrinkage. Depending on how long the outbreak lasts, the broader global economy could suffer as well.A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of shrinkage. Depending on how long the outbreak lasts, the broader global economy could suffer as well.
Research and reporting was contributed by Tiffany May, Richard C. Paddock, Sui-Lee Wee, Roni Caryn Rabin, Ben Dooley and Keith Bradsher.