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Coronavirus: South Korean city faces 'unprecedented crisis' after spike in cases – latest news Coronavirus: South Korean city faces 'unprecedented crisis' after spike in cases – latest news
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Mayor of Daegu orders shutdown of all kindergartens and public libraries in while two Japanese passengers from stricken Diamond Princess ship dieMayor of Daegu orders shutdown of all kindergartens and public libraries in while two Japanese passengers from stricken Diamond Princess ship die
Two more Russians aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan have been diagnosed with a new virus, the Russian Embassy in Japan said Thursday. A Japanese government official has described coronavirus as the biggest risk to the economy in a country which has already been heavily criticised by others, including US authorities for its handling of quarantined cruise ship passengers.
His comments came monthly report said that the Japanese labour market remained solid, but warned about risks to the outlook from the coronavirus epidemic.
Japan’s financial watchdog has begun conducting an emergency survey on domestic financial institutions with business operations in China to gauge how the coronavirus outbreak could affect credit costs.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)is continuing to cover the crisis in China after the state expelled three of its reporters from the country, a move which the news outlet criticised in an editorial on Wednesday night.
The WSJ’s latest report (paywall) reports that overburdened hospitals are struggling to provide care to other patients in Hubei, the province at the centre of the outbreak, with some facilities turning away pregnant women with complications.
The editorial said: “The truth is that Beijing’s rulers are punishing our reporters so they can change the subject from the Chinese public’s anger about the government’s management of the coronavirus scourge.”
Two more Russians aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship quarantined in Japan have been diagnosed with the virus, the Russian Embassy in Japan has said.
The two will be transferred to a hospital in Japan for treatment, according to the embassy statement published on Facebook.The two will be transferred to a hospital in Japan for treatment, according to the embassy statement published on Facebook.
The Diamond Princess has been docked in the Yokohama port near Tokyo since Feb. 4, when 10 people on board tested positive for the virus. So far 621 cases of the virus, which has been named COVID-19, have been confirmed among the the Diamond Princess’s original 3,711 people on board.The Diamond Princess has been docked in the Yokohama port near Tokyo since Feb. 4, when 10 people on board tested positive for the virus. So far 621 cases of the virus, which has been named COVID-19, have been confirmed among the the Diamond Princess’s original 3,711 people on board.
An evacuation flight for Britons stuck on a cruise ship docked off the coast of Japan over coronavirus fears will leave Tokyo on Friday, the UK’s foreign secretary has said.An evacuation flight for Britons stuck on a cruise ship docked off the coast of Japan over coronavirus fears will leave Tokyo on Friday, the UK’s foreign secretary has said.
Dominic Raab said information had been provided to those registered for the flight, but he urged other British nationals still seeking to leave to contact the Foreign Office. He added: “We will continue to support British nationals who wish to stay in Japan.”Dominic Raab said information had been provided to those registered for the flight, but he urged other British nationals still seeking to leave to contact the Foreign Office. He added: “We will continue to support British nationals who wish to stay in Japan.”
Those repatriated from the Diamond Princess will be quarantined at Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral on their return, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said.Those repatriated from the Diamond Princess will be quarantined at Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral on their return, a Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said.
There were 78 British passengers on the cruise liner when cases of the coronavirus strain known as Covid-19 started to emerge. Four British cases have since been confirmed by the Foreign Office.There were 78 British passengers on the cruise liner when cases of the coronavirus strain known as Covid-19 started to emerge. Four British cases have since been confirmed by the Foreign Office.
This is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now in LondonThis is Ben Quinn picking up the blog now in London
Here’s a summary of events so far on Thursday on the coronavirus.Here’s a summary of events so far on Thursday on the coronavirus.
Two Japanese passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise liner have died after becoming infected onboard. Both were in their 80s.Two Japanese passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise liner have died after becoming infected onboard. Both were in their 80s.
The South Korean city of Daegu is facing an “unprecedented crisis”, its mayor has said, after a cluster of cases at a church grew to account for nearly half of the nation’s total virus cases.The South Korean city of Daegu is facing an “unprecedented crisis”, its mayor has said, after a cluster of cases at a church grew to account for nearly half of the nation’s total virus cases.
New cases of the virus in China have dropped, partly because the way cases are counted was changed for the second time in a week.New cases of the virus in China have dropped, partly because the way cases are counted was changed for the second time in a week.
China’s national death toll stands at 2,118, with 74,576 confirmed infections.China’s national death toll stands at 2,118, with 74,576 confirmed infections.
Iran reported two deaths from the coronavirus.Iran reported two deaths from the coronavirus.
Australia has extended its travel ban for arrivals from China into a fourth week.Australia has extended its travel ban for arrivals from China into a fourth week.
UK passengers on the Diamond Princess are expected to be flown out on Friday.UK passengers on the Diamond Princess are expected to be flown out on Friday.
The mayor of a South Korean city of Daegu has ordered the shutdown of all kindergartens and public libraries, as a surge in confirmed Covid-19 cases linked to a local church raised the prospect of wider transmission.The mayor of a South Korean city of Daegu has ordered the shutdown of all kindergartens and public libraries, as a surge in confirmed Covid-19 cases linked to a local church raised the prospect of wider transmission.
Reuters reports that malls in Daegu, the country’s fourth largest city (population of 2.5 million), were largely empty.Reuters reports that malls in Daegu, the country’s fourth largest city (population of 2.5 million), were largely empty.
“We are in an unprecedented crisis,” the city’s mayor Kwon Young-jin said.“We are in an unprecedented crisis,” the city’s mayor Kwon Young-jin said.
Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 31 new cases of the virus on Thursday, following 20 a day earlier, taking the total across the country to 82.Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 31 new cases of the virus on Thursday, following 20 a day earlier, taking the total across the country to 82.
Of that national tally, 49 patients are from Daegu or nearby and have been traced to an infected person who attended a local church, a scenario that KCDC described as a “super-spreading event”.Of that national tally, 49 patients are from Daegu or nearby and have been traced to an infected person who attended a local church, a scenario that KCDC described as a “super-spreading event”.
You can read our full story here.You can read our full story here.
The Global Times is reporting that Beijing has postponed some student exams that were due to be held in March.The Global Times is reporting that Beijing has postponed some student exams that were due to be held in March.
China’s state-run media says small- and medium-sized enterprises may lay off 30% of staff because of the coronavirus.China’s state-run media says small- and medium-sized enterprises may lay off 30% of staff because of the coronavirus.
An evacuation flight for Britons stuck on the Diamond Princess will leave Tokyo on Friday, according to the British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab.An evacuation flight for Britons stuck on the Diamond Princess will leave Tokyo on Friday, according to the British foreign secretary, Dominic Raab.
There were 78 British passengers on the cruise liner when cases of the coronavirus strain known as Covid-19 started to emerge. Four British cases have since been confirmed.There were 78 British passengers on the cruise liner when cases of the coronavirus strain known as Covid-19 started to emerge. Four British cases have since been confirmed.
It is understood that only healthy passengers with no symptoms of the virus will be able to travel on the evacuation flight, with all to spend 14 days at quarantined in the UK.It is understood that only healthy passengers with no symptoms of the virus will be able to travel on the evacuation flight, with all to spend 14 days at quarantined in the UK.
Anyone who develops symptoms during the flight will be taken to hospital, Press Association reports, while it is understood any pre-existing cases will be treated in Japan.Anyone who develops symptoms during the flight will be taken to hospital, Press Association reports, while it is understood any pre-existing cases will be treated in Japan.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced the EU will be financing the repatriation of citizens from any of the EU27 still stuck on the Diamond Princess.Meanwhile, the European Commission has announced the EU will be financing the repatriation of citizens from any of the EU27 still stuck on the Diamond Princess.
Indonesia has announced it will evacuate 74 of its nationals from the stricken Diamond Princess cruise liner.Indonesia has announced it will evacuate 74 of its nationals from the stricken Diamond Princess cruise liner.
Passengers are continuing to disembark from the ship docked at Yokohama, south of Tokyo.Passengers are continuing to disembark from the ship docked at Yokohama, south of Tokyo.
As of Wednesday, a total of 621 passengers and crew had tested positive for the new coronavirus.As of Wednesday, a total of 621 passengers and crew had tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Indonesia currently has no reported cases of coronavirus, but the idyllic holiday island of Bali has been hit by the ripple effect of the crisis, with tourism plummeting. At least one expert says Bali “does not have the capacity” to treat patients if they become sick.Indonesia currently has no reported cases of coronavirus, but the idyllic holiday island of Bali has been hit by the ripple effect of the crisis, with tourism plummeting. At least one expert says Bali “does not have the capacity” to treat patients if they become sick.
You can read our full story on it below.You can read our full story on it below.
The director of disaster response who has been out at the facility housing the new arrivals near Darwin said she is awaiting final number of arrivals but believes it’s 170.
Six New Zealanders also arrived on the flight carrying Australians from Japan and were transferred to New Zealand.
We are just seeing a press conference from Australia, where passengers from the Diamond Cruise ship recently arrived to carry out 14 days of quarantine. The Northern Territory’s deputy chief health minister, Dianne Stephens, said some arrivals had minor cold symptoms and will be tested for Covid-19.
Deaths in China in the past 24 hours were recorded as 114, of which 108 were in Hubei province. This compares to 136 recorded the previous day. The new total for people who have died from Covid-19 in China is now 2,118.
Let’s take a look at today’s national figures from China on infections due to the virus.
The national health commission said that in the 24 hours to midnight on Wednesday, there were 394 new cases, taking confirmed cases across the country to 74,576.
This new cases figure is a significant drop from the 1,749 reported the previous day. It seems to be largely due to another change in the way Hubei province reports cases.
According to the Hubei health commission, “suspected cases” and “confirmed cases” have been separated out again ... which I will try to explain below ...
You may recall that Hubei changed its reporting criteria last week to include “clinically diagnosed” cases as confirmed cases. That meant cases diagnosed by a doctor (i.e by using scans and assessing symptoms) were included in “new cases” along with patients who had tested positive using the nucleic acid test.
At the time, Chinese authorities said this change was to ensure patients who had symptoms but hadn’t yet had the tests, could access treatment immediately. There was also the suggestion the change was a way of mitigating anger over insufficient numbers of testing kids.
Last week’s change saw the number of cases shoot up by approximately 15,000 on one day, but in reality it reflected the counting change.
From my reading, the new system as of today has removed some of those people who were clinically diagnosed if they subsequently tested negative using the nucleic acid test.
“Based on comprehensive analysis, cases with negative nucleic acid test results were subtracted from the confirmed cases, and a total of 279 cases were corrected,” the health commission’s report said.
South Korea has recorded 31 news cases today, taking its total to 82.
The country’s disease control centre said 30 of the new cases were in the city of Daegu and surrounding Gyeongbuk province south of Seoul.
Of those, 23 are linked with the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, The Temple of the Tabernacle of the Testimony, where the a 61-year-old woman believed to be at the centre of the cluster was a worshipper. The woman is known as Patient 31 because sher was the 31st person recorded with the virus in South Korea.
It is now believed that 37 out of the 82 cases are members of the church’s congregation.
Of the remaining eight cases announced today, one is in Seoul, two are in hospital in Cheongdo Daenam hospital in Gyeongbuk. The remaning five are being investigated.
The two Diamond Princess passengers who died on Thursday were both Japanese, NHK reported - an 87-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman. Both victims reportedly had pre-existing medical conditions, the broadcaster said, adding that the man had been hospitalised on 11 February and the woman the following day.
On Wednesday, a video by Prof Kentaro Iwata, a specialist in infectious diseases at Kobe University Hospital, was circulated widely on social media.
In it he criticised quarantine measures on the cruise liner, including that there were no designated “green” or “red” zones on the ship that indicated areas that were clear of the virus, or ones where it was present.
He subsequently took the clip down, saying he was informed conditions on the ship had improved.
But on Wednesday he had told BBC radio:
Over the past few days there has been increasing criticism of the Japanese authorities’ handling of the infection on the cruise line, as infections continued to mount, despite infection control measures being in place.
Japan’s health minister, Katsunobu Kato, on Thursday defended Japan’s response to the outbreak in parliament, telling lawmakers that officials had taken expert advice and responded to issues on a daily basis.
In a move to reassure the public, the health ministry also issued a statement in both English and Japanese that said all passengers had been required to stay in their cabins since 5 February to contain the virus.
The Guardian’s Tokyo correspondent, Justin McCurry, reports that Kentaro Iwata, a specialist in infectious diseases at Kobe University hospital, said he was not surprised to hear reports that two passengers on the Diamond Princess had died.
“Cruise ships have a lot of elderly passengers, many of whom have chronic diseases and are on medication, so I am not surprised to hear that people have died,” Iwata told reporters by video conference from Yokohama on Thursday.
“They are high risk, and we don’t have a specific treatment for the virus.”
Some news just breaking that two elderly passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan, have died. They are believed to be a man and a woman in their 80s, according to Japanese broadcasters Kyodo and NHK. Both outlets are citing government sources. We’ll bring you more on this story as soon as we have it.
More than 620 of the passengers on the Diamond Princess liner have been infected on the ship, which has been quarantined since 3 February, initially with about 3,700 people on board.
Nationals from Australia, the US, Canada and Hong Kong who have been quarantined on the ship have been airlifted home.
Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s an update of what we know so far.
Two people infected with Covid-19 on the Diamond Princess cruise liner, have died, reports say.
Hong Kong citizens evacuated from the Diamond princess have begun arriving home.
New cases in China have fallen to 394 according to the daily national update, taking cases across the country to 74,576.
Total deaths have risen by 114 to 2,118.
Figures across China for new cases have dropped significantly after Hubei province changed the way it counted cases again, to remove the clinically diagnosed cases who have since tested negative to the virus on the test kit.
You can get up to date on our latest coverage below, including:
Coronavirus ‘could cost global economy $1.1tn in lost income’
China to expel WSJ journalists over ‘malicious’ coronavirus column
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