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Coronavirus live updates: infected people in Wuhan to be 'rounded up' – latest news Coronavirus live updates: infected people in Wuhan to be 'rounded up' – latest news
(32 minutes later)
The WHO says it is getting a ‘clearer picture’ of the disease as the economic impact triggered by the crisis continues to deepen from California to Germany. Follow the latest news and updates hereThe WHO says it is getting a ‘clearer picture’ of the disease as the economic impact triggered by the crisis continues to deepen from California to Germany. Follow the latest news and updates here
Alibaba, the huge Chinese technology company, appears to be rolling out a health check app which will help authorities keep track of the virus as people return to work.
Beginning in Alibaba’s base city of Hangzhou near Shanghai, its subsidiary Alipay – China’s Paypal – will “provide development support for a national health code system” which will track people’s self-quarantine based on basic health information and travel history, according to the website Technode.
People will be required to self-report their health and travel history over the past few weeks into the app. So as people return to work, companies will be asked to keep track of their employees’ health and allow the government to monitor people who they think could be at risk of being infected, perhaps from knowledge of proximity with an infected person.
Once registered – it’s not clear if the system is mandatory or not – a resident would receive a coloured code. Residents with a green code means they are allowed to move around the city freely. Yellow means a seven-day quarantine, and red requires a 14-day quarantine.
This tweet suggests what it looks like:
I’m indebted to a reader, Drew Gough, for spotting this. Drew lived in Hangzhou for two years while working for Alibaba. He says that a friend in Shanghai has received a text message – along with all other residents of the city – saying that it is mandatory to wear a face mask at all times while outside, and failure to do so was breaking the law and punishable by up to 10 days being detained.
The Alipay health code is also being rolled out in Shanghai, according to Technode.
South Korea is sending the presidential jet to evacuate its citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, according to the Yonhap news agency.South Korea is sending the presidential jet to evacuate its citizens from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, according to the Yonhap news agency.
Speaking in Seoul on Tuesday, president Moon Jae-in said the economy faced an “emergency” situation because of the virus and the government would be making an all-out effort to boost growth.Speaking in Seoul on Tuesday, president Moon Jae-in said the economy faced an “emergency” situation because of the virus and the government would be making an all-out effort to boost growth.
“(The government) shouldn’t quibble over whether anything is unprecedented or not, rather, we should take every possible measure we can think of on the table to deploy them,” Moon said in a cabinet meeting, Reuters reports.“(The government) shouldn’t quibble over whether anything is unprecedented or not, rather, we should take every possible measure we can think of on the table to deploy them,” Moon said in a cabinet meeting, Reuters reports.
Last week, the governor of the Bank of Korea said the central bank was working on financial aid packages for those sectors directly affected by the spreading coronavirus. The carmakers Hyundai and Kia were forced to suspend production at their plants because of a lack of components from China although output has been resumed after parts were sourced from elsewhere in Asia and some Chinese factories reopened.Last week, the governor of the Bank of Korea said the central bank was working on financial aid packages for those sectors directly affected by the spreading coronavirus. The carmakers Hyundai and Kia were forced to suspend production at their plants because of a lack of components from China although output has been resumed after parts were sourced from elsewhere in Asia and some Chinese factories reopened.
The local Kospi stock market index has taken a decent hit today. It is down 1.35%.The local Kospi stock market index has taken a decent hit today. It is down 1.35%.
In Japan, our correspondent Justin McCurry reports on how the outbreak has disrupted the planned celebrations of the emperor’s 60th birthday.In Japan, our correspondent Justin McCurry reports on how the outbreak has disrupted the planned celebrations of the emperor’s 60th birthday.
Justin writes:Justin writes:
Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, has boosted the funds available to tackle the coronavirus outbreak to HK$28bn (US$3.60bn) from HK$25bn pledged previously to ease the impact on the city’s battered economy.Carrie Lam, Hong Kong’s chief executive, has boosted the funds available to tackle the coronavirus outbreak to HK$28bn (US$3.60bn) from HK$25bn pledged previously to ease the impact on the city’s battered economy.
Lam last week had said the government would give one-off payments to businesses across the city and the hospital authority.Lam last week had said the government would give one-off payments to businesses across the city and the hospital authority.
One person has died from the virus in Hong Kong and 60 people have been infected.One person has died from the virus in Hong Kong and 60 people have been infected.
The numbers are very small compared with China but the city is facing an economic crisis with the double hit of the virus and last year’s street protests. Visitor numbers have fallen off a cliff.The numbers are very small compared with China but the city is facing an economic crisis with the double hit of the virus and last year’s street protests. Visitor numbers have fallen off a cliff.
After a very strong day yesterday when they were buoyed by more central bank stimulus, China’s stock markets have dipped a bit today.After a very strong day yesterday when they were buoyed by more central bank stimulus, China’s stock markets have dipped a bit today.
The Shanghai Composite is off 0.2% although the Shenzhen Composite, which is more tech heavy, has just gone back into positive territory.The Shanghai Composite is off 0.2% although the Shenzhen Composite, which is more tech heavy, has just gone back into positive territory.
In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng is down 1%.In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng is down 1%.
Elsewhere in Asia Pacific, losses have widened from the last time I updated the scoreboard. The Nikkei is down 1% now and the Kospi in Seoul is off 1.3%.Elsewhere in Asia Pacific, losses have widened from the last time I updated the scoreboard. The Nikkei is down 1% now and the Kospi in Seoul is off 1.3%.
Sydney is still down 0.2%, but no doubt saved from further falls by publication of minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia today which painted a gloomy picture of the economy, especially on consumer demand. Policymakers are ready with more stimulus, which investors just love. Bad news is good news, folks.Sydney is still down 0.2%, but no doubt saved from further falls by publication of minutes from the Reserve Bank of Australia today which painted a gloomy picture of the economy, especially on consumer demand. Policymakers are ready with more stimulus, which investors just love. Bad news is good news, folks.
The bank also warned about downside cornavirus risks.The bank also warned about downside cornavirus risks.
In China, the fight to contain the virus is continuing despite encouragement that the number of new cases has fallen below 2,000 for the first time since January.In China, the fight to contain the virus is continuing despite encouragement that the number of new cases has fallen below 2,000 for the first time since January.
The Global Times newspaper reports that a “dragnet style” operation is under way in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, to make sure all those infected are “rounded up”.The Global Times newspaper reports that a “dragnet style” operation is under way in Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, to make sure all those infected are “rounded up”.
The operation was ordered by the city’s new party chief, Wang Zhonglin, on Sunday and aims to be completed in three days. Big data and AI would be used to assist the operation.The operation was ordered by the city’s new party chief, Wang Zhonglin, on Sunday and aims to be completed in three days. Big data and AI would be used to assist the operation.
Here is what the news outlet reported yestedray:Here is what the news outlet reported yestedray:
It is not all gloom and doom in the economics department. It seems that in Hong Kong, where toilet paper is running short, some manufacturers are doing quite well. The Hong Kong-listed paper maker Vinda has seen its shares rise 41% this year.It is not all gloom and doom in the economics department. It seems that in Hong Kong, where toilet paper is running short, some manufacturers are doing quite well. The Hong Kong-listed paper maker Vinda has seen its shares rise 41% this year.
This follows an armed raid on a truck load of toilet rolls in Hong Kong amid panic-buying of necessities.This follows an armed raid on a truck load of toilet rolls in Hong Kong amid panic-buying of necessities.
A flight has left Canada to evacuate its citizens aboard the Diamond Princess in Yokohama, Canada’s chief public health officer has said in the last hour.A flight has left Canada to evacuate its citizens aboard the Diamond Princess in Yokohama, Canada’s chief public health officer has said in the last hour.
Dr Theresa Tam said Canada would evacuate asymptomatic Canadians and they would undergo a 14-day quarantine at Cornwall airbase in Ontario.Dr Theresa Tam said Canada would evacuate asymptomatic Canadians and they would undergo a 14-day quarantine at Cornwall airbase in Ontario.
It follows similar moves by the US and Australia to evacuate people from the ship on which 454 people have been infected with the virus.It follows similar moves by the US and Australia to evacuate people from the ship on which 454 people have been infected with the virus.
Asian stock markets have seen a dip this morning after Apple’s announcement that the outbreak was causing shortages of the iPhone and that it would fail to meet its revenue target for this quarter.Asian stock markets have seen a dip this morning after Apple’s announcement that the outbreak was causing shortages of the iPhone and that it would fail to meet its revenue target for this quarter.
The Nikkei in Tokyo fell 0.6% this morning and the ASX200 was down 0.2% in Sydney. Seoul was down 0.56%. Chinese and Hong Kong markets open shortly.The Nikkei in Tokyo fell 0.6% this morning and the ASX200 was down 0.2% in Sydney. Seoul was down 0.56%. Chinese and Hong Kong markets open shortly.
Apple’s announcement follows a profit waring from Cathay Pacific on Monday. The Hong Kong-based airline, already hit hard by the city’s protest movement, has cancelled 40% of its flights this month and next because of the virus.Apple’s announcement follows a profit waring from Cathay Pacific on Monday. The Hong Kong-based airline, already hit hard by the city’s protest movement, has cancelled 40% of its flights this month and next because of the virus.
BHP, the world’s biggest mining company, said that it might have to cut its growth forecasts for the year if the outbreak is not contained in the March quarter.BHP, the world’s biggest mining company, said that it might have to cut its growth forecasts for the year if the outbreak is not contained in the March quarter.
But ... stock markets have weathered the coronavirus outbreak without too much alarm because investors have bet that central banks, led by China, will pump enough stimulus back into their economies to make sure things stay on an even keel.But ... stock markets have weathered the coronavirus outbreak without too much alarm because investors have bet that central banks, led by China, will pump enough stimulus back into their economies to make sure things stay on an even keel.
The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates last year and that has helped fuel a boom in the US economy which is also helping to shrug off fears about a China slowdown.The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates last year and that has helped fuel a boom in the US economy which is also helping to shrug off fears about a China slowdown.
There are rumbling concerns that passengers who were allowed to leave the cruise ship MV Westerdam in Cambodia may yet be infected with the virus.There are rumbling concerns that passengers who were allowed to leave the cruise ship MV Westerdam in Cambodia may yet be infected with the virus.
UK officials are trying to contact Britons who disembarked after experts said the checking process may not have been handled properly. One person tested positive after leaving the vessel, which was refused by five countries due to concerns that passengers were infected.UK officials are trying to contact Britons who disembarked after experts said the checking process may not have been handled properly. One person tested positive after leaving the vessel, which was refused by five countries due to concerns that passengers were infected.
Mark Harris, a professor of virology at the University of Leeds, said: “If you have got people who are infected at an early stage they might not test positive, they might not show any symptoms but they could go on to develop full-blown disease.”Mark Harris, a professor of virology at the University of Leeds, said: “If you have got people who are infected at an early stage they might not test positive, they might not show any symptoms but they could go on to develop full-blown disease.”
Check out our full story here:Check out our full story here:
The latest figures show that more than 12,000 people have recovered from the infection out of a total of more than 73,000 who have contracted it.The latest figures show that more than 12,000 people have recovered from the infection out of a total of more than 73,000 who have contracted it.
We have to assume that many more will recover if we factor in the latest comments by the head of the World Health Organization.We have to assume that many more will recover if we factor in the latest comments by the head of the World Health Organization.
Speaking in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said data from China had helped form a “a clearer picture of the outbreak” and that it appeared that four out of five people infected would recover. It was not as deadly as Sars or Mers, he said, adding:Speaking in Geneva, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said data from China had helped form a “a clearer picture of the outbreak” and that it appeared that four out of five people infected would recover. It was not as deadly as Sars or Mers, he said, adding:
Our health editor, Sarah Boseley, has the full story here:Our health editor, Sarah Boseley, has the full story here:
Those national health commission figures have been released in the last few minutes.Those national health commission figures have been released in the last few minutes.
98 new fatalities were recorded on Monday, the commission said on Tuesday morning, taking the death toll in mainland China rose to 1,868. There were 93 deaths in Hubei, 72 of them in the capital Wuhan where the outbreak started.98 new fatalities were recorded on Monday, the commission said on Tuesday morning, taking the death toll in mainland China rose to 1,868. There were 93 deaths in Hubei, 72 of them in the capital Wuhan where the outbreak started.
Across mainland China, there were 1,886 new confirmed infections on Monday, bringing the total so far to 72,436, the commission said.Across mainland China, there were 1,886 new confirmed infections on Monday, bringing the total so far to 72,436, the commission said.
Welcome to our rolling coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak, which we can start by relaying the latest figures from the health commission in Hubei.Welcome to our rolling coverage of the Covid-19 outbreak, which we can start by relaying the latest figures from the health commission in Hubei.
It said on Tuesday morning that 93 more deaths were recorded on Monday, taking the total in the stricken province to 1,789. Another 1,807 cases were added as well for a total in the province of 59,989.It said on Tuesday morning that 93 more deaths were recorded on Monday, taking the total in the stricken province to 1,789. Another 1,807 cases were added as well for a total in the province of 59,989.
Those numbers are lower than the figures from Sunday (100 deaths and 1,933 new cases) so will give some encouragement to China’s efforts to lockdown its citizens and contain the spread. But these are, of course, only the figures from the health commission and must be treated with some caution.Those numbers are lower than the figures from Sunday (100 deaths and 1,933 new cases) so will give some encouragement to China’s efforts to lockdown its citizens and contain the spread. But these are, of course, only the figures from the health commission and must be treated with some caution.
We haven’t got the national figures from China yet but we expect them to be out soon.We haven’t got the national figures from China yet but we expect them to be out soon.
The other key developements areThe other key developements are
The WHO says the virus causes only mild disease in 80% of people and has a markedly greater imnpact on older people.The WHO says the virus causes only mild disease in 80% of people and has a markedly greater imnpact on older people.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said data from China had helped form a “a clearer picture of the outbreak”.WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said data from China had helped form a “a clearer picture of the outbreak”.
UK officials are trying to track Britons who left the MV Westerdam cruise ship in Cambodia amid fears the virus could have spread more widely than thought.UK officials are trying to track Britons who left the MV Westerdam cruise ship in Cambodia amid fears the virus could have spread more widely than thought.
Another 99 people have tested positive on board the cruise ship Diamond PrincessAnother 99 people have tested positive on board the cruise ship Diamond Princess
Apple has warned of a shortage of iPhones due to factory closures in China.Apple has warned of a shortage of iPhones due to factory closures in China.
Germany’s central bank has warned about the risk to the country’s economy amid already slowing orders from China.Germany’s central bank has warned about the risk to the country’s economy amid already slowing orders from China.
China is considering delaying its annual people’s congress, set for 5 March in Beijing.China is considering delaying its annual people’s congress, set for 5 March in Beijing.
The Tokyo Marathon has been scaled down to just elite runners.The Tokyo Marathon has been scaled down to just elite runners.