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Campaign comes as UK prepares evacuation flight for cruise ship passengers. Follow the latest newsCampaign comes as UK prepares evacuation flight for cruise ship passengers. Follow the latest news
Chinese medical workers who die fighting the coronavirus outbreak will be designated as martyrs, CNN reports.
Over 1,700 healthcare workers have become infected during the battle to contain the virus and several have died, with Chinese authorities coming under criticism for the pressure it is putting on workers.
The deaths have included Li Wenliang, the whistleblower doctor who tried to warn of the virus in December, and Liu Zhiming, director of Wuchang hospital in Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak.
Kristie Lu Stout, a CNN correspondent in Hong Kong, reported:
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has flown Chinese parts in suitcases to Britain to maintain production and could run out after two weeks, as the impact of the coronavirus outbreak hits firms across countries and industries.
Britain’s biggest carmaker joined major global companies such as Apple in warning of the impact of the virus on supply chains, Reuters reports.
Fiat Chrysler said last week it had temporarily halted output at its Serbian plant, the first such suspension by an automaker in Europe in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Components made in China are used in millions of vehicles assembled around the world and Hubei province – the centre of the virus outbreak – is a major hub for vehicle parts production and shipments.
The JLR chief executive, Ralf Speth, said:
Production at the firm’s Chinese factory would recommence on 24 February and was “safe for the very first week”, he added.
The new coronavirus has killed over 1,900 people in China and infected around 72,000, confining millions to their homes, disrupting businesses and delaying reopening of factories after the extended Lunar New Year holiday break.
Speth said sales in China, the world’s biggest auto market, had been hit. The knockback comes after JLR had enjoyed a recovery in sales there, helping it to return to profitability in recent quarters.
“That’s completely stopped. It’s zero,” he said. “You don’t know whether the economy will catch up or whether this kind of loss is just a loss.”
A British man who was diagnosed with coronavirus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan will be discharged from hospital tomorrow.
Alan Steele, who announced the news on Facebook, said he will wait in the country until he can be reunited with his wife, Wendy, and they can travel home together.
The couple, who were celebrating their honeymoon on the ship, were separated on 7 February when Alan was diagnosed with the virus and taken to a nearby hospital.
Although the ship’s quarantine officially ends on Wednesday, new guidelines mean anyone who shared a cabin with a person who has tested negative for the virus will face another two weeks on board.
Alan has now tested negative for the virus, and says he is looking forward to eating at the McDonald’s near the cruise terminal.
The are 92 cases in 12 countries outside China of human-to-human spread of the coronavirus, the World Health Organization chief has said.The are 92 cases in 12 countries outside China of human-to-human spread of the coronavirus, the World Health Organization chief has said.
“But we don’t have data to make a meaningful comparison to China cases,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus clarified.“But we don’t have data to make a meaningful comparison to China cases,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus clarified.
Speaking at a press conference, he added:Speaking at a press conference, he added:
Dr Mike Ryan, director of the WHO health emergencies programme, said “clearly there has been more transmission than expected” on the cruise ship.Dr Mike Ryan, director of the WHO health emergencies programme, said “clearly there has been more transmission than expected” on the cruise ship.
He said Japanese authorities are adjusting to reality and taking necessary public health measures to evacuate people and deal with their follow-up care.He said Japanese authorities are adjusting to reality and taking necessary public health measures to evacuate people and deal with their follow-up care.
Two Irish citizens have tested positive for coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, Independent.ie has reported.Two Irish citizens have tested positive for coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, Independent.ie has reported.
More than 100 people have been tested in Ireland for the disease, but none have tested positive.More than 100 people have been tested in Ireland for the disease, but none have tested positive.
There are six Irish nationals on the coronavirus-hit cruise ship. The two who have tested positive share dual citizenship with another EU member state and are not normally resident in Ireland. They are being treated at a hospital in Japan.There are six Irish nationals on the coronavirus-hit cruise ship. The two who have tested positive share dual citizenship with another EU member state and are not normally resident in Ireland. They are being treated at a hospital in Japan.
The Irish deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney, said:The Irish deputy prime minister, Simon Coveney, said:
A British family who contracted coronavirus at a French ski resort have been discharged from hospital, the French Health Minister, Olivier Veran, has said. A British family who contracted coronavirus at a French ski resort have been discharged from hospital, the French health minister, Olivier Véran, has said.
The British nationals, including a nine-year-old child, caught the virus from Steve Walsh, a British man who traveled to the Contamines-Montjoie resort from a conference in Singapore, where he got the coronavirus.The British nationals, including a nine-year-old child, caught the virus from Steve Walsh, a British man who traveled to the Contamines-Montjoie resort from a conference in Singapore, where he got the coronavirus.
The family were hospitalised in Grenoble, and CNN reports Veran as saying: The family were hospitalised in Grenoble, and CNN reports Véran as saying:
The health minister also said a third French national tested positive for coronavirus on board the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan. The health minister also said a third French national had tested positive for coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan.
French fashion company Chanel has postponed a show in Beijing, following on from Prada’s decision to delay a show due to be held in Japan in May.French fashion company Chanel has postponed a show in Beijing, following on from Prada’s decision to delay a show due to be held in Japan in May.
Chanel said in a statement that following the guidance of Chinese authorities it had decided to postpone its Beijing replica of a catwalk display held in Paris last December “to a later and more appropriate moment”.Chanel said in a statement that following the guidance of Chinese authorities it had decided to postpone its Beijing replica of a catwalk display held in Paris last December “to a later and more appropriate moment”.
The company is monitoring the situation closely, the statement said, adding: “At the foremost are the health and well-being of its teams and clients”. The company is monitoring the situation closely, the statement said, adding: “At the foremost are the health and wellbeing of its teams and clients.”
No new date was given for the event.No new date was given for the event.
As the UK government makes plans to bring home the British nationals trapped on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, here’s a quick summary of some the other countries which have taken similar measure, compiled by Reuters.As the UK government makes plans to bring home the British nationals trapped on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, here’s a quick summary of some the other countries which have taken similar measure, compiled by Reuters.
Australia will evacuate more than 200 of its citizens and an unspecified number of New Zealand citizens onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The passengers will depart on Wednesday and will be required to be quarantined for another 14 days.Australia will evacuate more than 200 of its citizens and an unspecified number of New Zealand citizens onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan. The passengers will depart on Wednesday and will be required to be quarantined for another 14 days.
Taiwan said today it would charter a plane to evacuate its citizens from the Diamond Princess. It evacuated 247 of the estimated 500 Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan on 3 February.Taiwan said today it would charter a plane to evacuate its citizens from the Diamond Princess. It evacuated 247 of the estimated 500 Taiwanese stranded in Wuhan on 3 February.
A plane chartered by Canada has left for Japan to evacuate its nationals aboard the virus-hit cruise ship off Yokohama. After arriving in Canada, the passengers will undergo a 14-day period of quarantine. After evacuating 215 people earlier, the country flew back 185 Canadians from Wuhan on 11 February. All evacuees are quarantined on the Trenton, Ontario base for two weeks. A plane chartered by Canada has left for Japan to evacuate its nationals aboard the virus-hit cruise ship off Yokohama. After arriving in Canada, the passengers will undergo a 14-day period of quarantine. After evacuating 215 people earlier, the country flew back 185 Canadians from Wuhan on 11 February. All evacuees are quarantined on the Trenton, Ontario, base for two weeks.
The United States flew back over 300 Americans who had been stuck on the Diamond Princess. They will face two more weeks of quarantine, after spending the previous 14 days docked in Japan. The US also authorised the voluntary departure of its government employees and their family members from Hong Kong on 11 February. On 6 February, two planes with about 300 passengers, mostly US citizens, took off from Wuhan for the United States.The United States flew back over 300 Americans who had been stuck on the Diamond Princess. They will face two more weeks of quarantine, after spending the previous 14 days docked in Japan. The US also authorised the voluntary departure of its government employees and their family members from Hong Kong on 11 February. On 6 February, two planes with about 300 passengers, mostly US citizens, took off from Wuhan for the United States.
Hong Kong said it will send an aircraft to Japan to bring back passengers from the Diamond Princess, which has seen the most coronavirus infections outside of China. Hong Kong said it would send an aircraft to Japan to bring back passengers from the Diamond Princess, which has seen the most coronavirus infections outside of China.
The Italian luxury fashion house Prada has postponed a fashion show due to take place in Japan in May.The Italian luxury fashion house Prada has postponed a fashion show due to take place in Japan in May.
In a statement, the company said:In a statement, the company said:
Prada added the decision was a precautionary measure as well as “an act of responsibility and respect” for all those working on and planning to attend the show.Prada added the decision was a precautionary measure as well as “an act of responsibility and respect” for all those working on and planning to attend the show.
The statement continued: “Japan remains one of Prada’s strategic markets and relevant events will be scheduled in the country at a more appropriate moment.”The statement continued: “Japan remains one of Prada’s strategic markets and relevant events will be scheduled in the country at a more appropriate moment.”
Both Japan and South Korea have reported entering a “new phase” of the coronavirus outbreak, with the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, saying the situation is changing “minute-by-minute” in the country.Both Japan and South Korea have reported entering a “new phase” of the coronavirus outbreak, with the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, saying the situation is changing “minute-by-minute” in the country.
The number of cases in Japan now stands at 607, with 542 on the stranded Princess Diamond cruise ship and 65 elsewhere in the country. There has been one reported death.The number of cases in Japan now stands at 607, with 542 on the stranded Princess Diamond cruise ship and 65 elsewhere in the country. There has been one reported death.
Most worryingly, there has been an increase in the number of cases where the Japanese health ministry has been unable to figure out the origin of the transmission.Most worryingly, there has been an increase in the number of cases where the Japanese health ministry has been unable to figure out the origin of the transmission.
The Mainichi newspaper reports that a spate of new cases is being linked to a New Year’s party for taxi drivers held on a river tour boat in the capital.The Mainichi newspaper reports that a spate of new cases is being linked to a New Year’s party for taxi drivers held on a river tour boat in the capital.
It reports that as of 16 February, 11 attendees and boat employees were infected with coronavirus.It reports that as of 16 February, 11 attendees and boat employees were infected with coronavirus.
Repatriating passengers from the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan is not without risks, a medical expert has said.Repatriating passengers from the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship in Japan is not without risks, a medical expert has said.
Paul Hunter, professor in Medicine at the University of East Anglia, said:Paul Hunter, professor in Medicine at the University of East Anglia, said:
He noted that while the quarantine seems to have been effective at stopping the spread of infection around the world as passengers return home or continue their travels, it hasn’t stopped the coronavirus passing between passengers and crew.He noted that while the quarantine seems to have been effective at stopping the spread of infection around the world as passengers return home or continue their travels, it hasn’t stopped the coronavirus passing between passengers and crew.
Many countries, including the US, Canada and Australia have either evacuated their citizens or are in the process of doing so.Many countries, including the US, Canada and Australia have either evacuated their citizens or are in the process of doing so.
The UK government has said it is in the process of organising a flight to bring back British nationals as soon as possible.The UK government has said it is in the process of organising a flight to bring back British nationals as soon as possible.
Boris Johnson has spoken with the president of China about the coronavirus outbreak.Boris Johnson has spoken with the president of China about the coronavirus outbreak.
A Downing Street spokesman said:A Downing Street spokesman said:
The spokesman added that ahead of COP26 in Glasgow and the Convention on Biological Diversity Summit in China, the two leaders pledged to would work closely together on the issue of climate change.The spokesman added that ahead of COP26 in Glasgow and the Convention on Biological Diversity Summit in China, the two leaders pledged to would work closely together on the issue of climate change.
A social media campaign in Australia is urging people eat at Chinese restaurants, to combat disinformation and racialised stigma surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.
The #IWillEatWithYou campaign hopes to boost struggling Chinese businesses in the country, with many owners reporting a drop in sales caused by coronavirus fears.
On the campaign page, set up by Australian political activist group GetUp!, a call to action reads:
The Foreign Office has the “utmost concern” for the British people on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, two of whom may have tested positive for the virus.
In an updated statement, a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said:
The UK accounting watchdog has called on all British businesses to flag up the full extent of the risks posed by the coronavirus outbreak to their companies, PA Media reports.
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said companies had a duty to make “up-to-date and meaningful” disclosures to investors on the potential impact of the disease.
PA Media also reported that the FRC is in talks with accountancy firms over the potential effect that coronavirus could have on their ability to sign off accounts, given travel restrictions in China.
UK firms with Chinese subsidiaries can only review audit files within the country, as Chinese data protection laws prevent this being done remotely.
An FRC spokesman said:
Thirty doctors in Brighton are currently in isolation after coming into contact with a GP who tested positive for coronavirus, the Argus reported.
A frontline clinician told the local paper: “There are 30 doctors in isolation after coming into contact with a GP who tested positive for coronavirus at the CCG meeting. Public Health England told them to self-isolate. This is a risk.
“There would have been a day or two in between them coming into contact with the GP with coronavirus and being traced and told to self-isolate.”
A spokesman for Brighton and Hove CCG said there have been no new cases in the city for more than a week. He added: “All doctors and other primary care health workers in Brighton and Hove who were advised to ‘self-isolate’ as a precaution are expected to be returning to work this week.”
The two-week quarantine of the Diamond Princess cruise ship ends on Wednesday, with thousands of passengers and crew set to disembark over the next several days in the port of Yokohama, near Tokyo.
But a number of scientists told the Associated Press that the ship could have served as an incubator for Covid-19 instead of a quarantine facility that was meant to prevent the worsening of the outbreak.
“I suspect people were not as isolated from other people as we would have thought,” said Dr Paul Hunter, a professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, in England.
“Obviously the quarantine hasn’t worked, and this ship has now become a source of infection,” said Dr Nathalie MacDermott, an outbreak expert at King’s College London.She said the exact mechanism of the virus’s spread was unknown.
“We need to understand how the quarantine measures onboard were implemented, what the air filtration onboard is like, how the cabins are connected and how waste products are disposed of,” MacDermott added.
A small number of Irish people are onboard two cruise ships where coronavirus has been detected, the Irish government has said, according to a report by PA Media.
Simon Coveney said his foreign affairs department was in contact with citizens on the Diamond Princess in Japan and the Westerdam off Cambodia.
He told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland:
The department said in a statement:
The Associated Press has reported the latest breakdown of the number of cases and deaths from the coronavirus outbreak.
The viral outbreak that began in China has infected more than 73,000 people worldwide.
Here are the latest figures reported by each government’s health authority as of Tuesday morning (UK time):
Mainland China: 1,868 deaths among 72,436 cases, mostly in the central province of Hubei
Hong Kong: 58 cases, 1 death
Macao: 10
Japan: 607 cases, including 542 from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama, 1 death
Singapore: 77 cases
Thailand: 35
South Korea: 31
Malaysia: 22
Taiwan: 22 cases, 1 death
Vietnam: 16 cases
Germany: 16
United States: 15 cases; separately, 1 US citizen died in China
Australia: 14 cases
France: 12 cases, 1 death
United Kingdom: 9 cases
United Arab Emirates: 9
Canada: 8
Philippines: 3 cases, 1 death
India: 3 cases
Italy: 3
Russia: 2
Spain: 2
Belgium: 1
Nepal: 1
Sri Lanka: 1
Sweden: 1
Cambodia: 1
Finland: 1
Egypt: 1
Another 88 passengers onboard the Diamond Princess have tested positive for the new coronavirus, ABC News reports.
The son of the British couple who tested positive for the coronavirus while on board the Diamond Princess described the government’s response as “appalling”.
David and Sally Abel, who published video diaries from a cruise ship quarantined off the coast of Japan, said they have tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Their son, Steve, told BBC Breakfast: “My assessment of the government treatment to them … appalling.
“They haven’t done anything. They probably are behind the scenes, which is great if they are, but no one is communicating with us. The FCO have got my number, my wife’s number, my brother’s number, my sister’s number and they haven’t got back to us on anything. We’ve been calling them every day for about four or five days.”
David Abel, from Oxfordshire, announced on Facebook that he and Sally had tested positive for the new virus. In a later post, however, he said he doubted his diagnosis.
“Frankly I think this is a setup! We are NOT being taken to a hospital but a hostel. That’s where partners are sent waiting out their quarantine,” he wrote. “No phone, no wifi and no medical facilities. I really am smelling a very big rat here! Waiting for the transfer now.”
Asked in the comments below one of his posts whether he was sure the test was positive, he replied: “I doubt it was positive. If it was, we would be in hospital.”
Philippines’ tourism and travel industry is projected to lose billions of peso with the temporary travel ban imposed on travellers from China, in the aftermath of the novel coronavirus outbreak.