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Live updates: Coronavirus cases surge in South Korea as mayor tells residents to stay indoors Live updates: Coronavirus cases surge in South Korea as mayor tells residents to stay indoors
(32 minutes later)
BEIJING — Authorities worldwide warned about the spread of the coronavirus beyond China on Thursday as Japan reported the first two deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise liner and a major South Korean city asked citizens to refrain from venturing outdoors.BEIJING — Authorities worldwide warned about the spread of the coronavirus beyond China on Thursday as Japan reported the first two deaths from the Diamond Princess cruise liner and a major South Korean city asked citizens to refrain from venturing outdoors.
A Japanese man and woman, both said to be in their 80s, were among 631 passengers who contracted the disease while on board the Diamond Princess. They left the ship last week and had been hospitalized but died on Thursday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.A Japanese man and woman, both said to be in their 80s, were among 631 passengers who contracted the disease while on board the Diamond Princess. They left the ship last week and had been hospitalized but died on Thursday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported.
In nearby South Korea, cases soared by nearly two-thirds, mostly in the southern part of the peninsula, national authorities said. The mayor of Daegu, the city where 10 South Koreans contracted the disease from a church service, asked residents to stay indoors. Iran also reported infections as cases rose in the Middle East.In nearby South Korea, cases soared by nearly two-thirds, mostly in the southern part of the peninsula, national authorities said. The mayor of Daegu, the city where 10 South Koreans contracted the disease from a church service, asked residents to stay indoors. Iran also reported infections as cases rose in the Middle East.
Many international experts say the disease will continue to spread globally even as the Chinese government seeks to present the image that it is coming to grips with the epidemic. New cases inside China dropped again Wednesday, officials reported Thursday, after national authorities changed for the second time in a week the criteria for how cases are diagnosed and counted.Many international experts say the disease will continue to spread globally even as the Chinese government seeks to present the image that it is coming to grips with the epidemic. New cases inside China dropped again Wednesday, officials reported Thursday, after national authorities changed for the second time in a week the criteria for how cases are diagnosed and counted.
Here are the latest developments:Here are the latest developments:
● China tallied a total of 394 new infections and 136 deaths through the end of Wednesday, its lowest in weeks, after national authorities changed the criteria for classifying cases. There is now a cumulative total of 74,546 infections and 2,118 deaths, most in central Hubei province.● China tallied a total of 394 new infections and 136 deaths through the end of Wednesday, its lowest in weeks, after national authorities changed the criteria for classifying cases. There is now a cumulative total of 74,546 infections and 2,118 deaths, most in central Hubei province.
● The mayor of the South Korean city of Daegu urged its 2.5 million people on Thursday to stay indoors as cases of the new virus, known as covid-19, soared.● The mayor of the South Korean city of Daegu urged its 2.5 million people on Thursday to stay indoors as cases of the new virus, known as covid-19, soared.
● In Japan, two passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship died Thursday, the first fatalities from the virus-stricken liner. A day earlier, an infectious disease specialist slammed officials for failing to observe proper quarantine practices on the vessel.● In Japan, two passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship died Thursday, the first fatalities from the virus-stricken liner. A day earlier, an infectious disease specialist slammed officials for failing to observe proper quarantine practices on the vessel.
● The number of coronavirus cases in South Korea increased substantially Thursday, rising by 32, or nearly two-thirds, to 82. Korea’s Centers for Disease Control said all of the cases except one in Seoul emerged in or around Daegu city.● The number of coronavirus cases in South Korea increased substantially Thursday, rising by 32, or nearly two-thirds, to 82. Korea’s Centers for Disease Control said all of the cases except one in Seoul emerged in or around Daegu city.
● Malaysian authorities say they have intelligence suggesting the fugitive financier Jho Low was hiding in Wuhan before the outbreak.● Malaysian authorities say they have intelligence suggesting the fugitive financier Jho Low was hiding in Wuhan before the outbreak.
One of the world’s most notorious fugitive financiers may have gotten out of the frying pan and into the hot zone: Wuhan.
Malaysian officials said Wednesday they have intelligence showing that Jho Low, the businessman wanted by several governments and accused of siphoning more than $4 billion from a public Malaysian fund, had been hiding in the Chinese city at the center of the coronavirus outbreak.
“Previously, he [Low] was confirmed to have been hiding in Wuhan, based on international investigations,” Malaysian Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador told reporters, according to the New Straits Times. “There has been no new information on whether he has fled the city following the covid-19 outbreak.”
Low was widely rumored to be hiding in either China or Cyprus the last four years since the unraveling of an extraordinary scheme involving the Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. In one of the biggest heists in history, Low allegedly spent billions from the fund on art and jewelry purchases, real estate investments, a super-yacht – and the production of the Martin Scorsese film Wolf of Wall Street. Aside from Malaysia, Low is also wanted by the United States and Singapore.
It’s unclear why Low has enjoyed Chinese state protection, but Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told reporters in November that Malaysia did not have enough leverage to pressure Beijing to hand over the fugitive because “we are not a very strong nation.”
Inspector general Abdul Hamid joked Wednesday that Low should voluntarily come home if he contracted the coronavirus.
The Malaysian health ministry is “among the best,” he quipped. “They cured nine people already.”
Thailand called on Israel to reconsider its travel ban on the country in light of the novel coronavirus outbreak, according to local reports.
Thousands of Thai nationals work as laborers in Israel’s agricultural sector under a pact between the two countries, providing a vital source of remittance income, but the Israel restrictions have officials in Bangkok worried.
Israel has implemented restrictions on entry for noncitizens who have been in China in the past 14 days, but this week extended that to also cover those coming from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macao.
The Bangkok Post on Thursday quoted Foreign Affairs Ministry deputy spokesperson Natapanu Nopakun as saying the Thai ambassador in Israel explained Thailand’s efforts to control the spread of the virus to their counterparts.
“Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs listened and understood,” said Natapanu. “It will contact other agencies, particularly Israel’s Ministry of Public Health.”
In an earlier statement, the Thai Embassy in Tel Aviv stressed that the country had no reported deaths and was contributing to research on treating the virus.
Thailand has 35 recorded cases of the coronavirus.
SEOUL — After a sudden jump in coronavirus cases, the mayor of South Korea’s fourth largest city, Daegu, urged all its 2.5 million residents on Thursday to stay indoors.SEOUL — After a sudden jump in coronavirus cases, the mayor of South Korea’s fourth largest city, Daegu, urged all its 2.5 million residents on Thursday to stay indoors.
“Dear citizens, from today, please refrain from going out,” Kwon Young-jin said after 30 new cases of the virus were reported in the city and surrounding North Gyeongsang Province on Thursday.“Dear citizens, from today, please refrain from going out,” Kwon Young-jin said after 30 new cases of the virus were reported in the city and surrounding North Gyeongsang Province on Thursday.
Daegu has temporarily shut nurseries in the city. Schools could also have their winter holiday extended to prevent the spread of the virus, according to the city’s education authorities.Daegu has temporarily shut nurseries in the city. Schools could also have their winter holiday extended to prevent the spread of the virus, according to the city’s education authorities.
Posts on social media reported that malls and restaurants in downtown Daegu were nearly empty following the spike in virus cases.Posts on social media reported that malls and restaurants in downtown Daegu were nearly empty following the spike in virus cases.
Some 23 out of the 30 cases were linked to a Daegu church that a 61-year-old patient had attended, according to Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The church has been shut down and the churchgoers are being tested for the virus, according to Kwon.Some 23 out of the 30 cases were linked to a Daegu church that a 61-year-old patient had attended, according to Korea’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The church has been shut down and the churchgoers are being tested for the virus, according to Kwon.
South Korea has now confirmed 82 cases of covid-19.South Korea has now confirmed 82 cases of covid-19.
A chartered flight carrying more than 150 Australian citizens and permanent residents from Japan landed home on Thursday morning, local media reported.A chartered flight carrying more than 150 Australian citizens and permanent residents from Japan landed home on Thursday morning, local media reported.
Passengers on the Qantas repatriation flight had been quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, which had been put on lockdown for two weeks amid hundreds of new cases.Passengers on the Qantas repatriation flight had been quarantined on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Yokohama, Japan, which had been put on lockdown for two weeks amid hundreds of new cases.
The evacuees, including many elderly people, were required to pass a health check to disembark the vessel and go through several additional screenings before boarding the Boeing 747 at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.The evacuees, including many elderly people, were required to pass a health check to disembark the vessel and go through several additional screenings before boarding the Boeing 747 at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport.
On the plane, passengers had no in-person contact with Qantas crew members, and food was waiting for them at their seats as they boarded, according to news.com.au. Upon landing in Australia, they were screened for the virus several times and will now spend two weeks at a quarantine facility near Darwin, on the country’s northern coast.On the plane, passengers had no in-person contact with Qantas crew members, and food was waiting for them at their seats as they boarded, according to news.com.au. Upon landing in Australia, they were screened for the virus several times and will now spend two weeks at a quarantine facility near Darwin, on the country’s northern coast.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the evacuees will be quarantined at a separate part of the facility from more than 250 evacuees who had been brought home from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the virus, and who are expected to be released on Sunday.Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the evacuees will be quarantined at a separate part of the facility from more than 250 evacuees who had been brought home from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the center of the virus, and who are expected to be released on Sunday.
About 10 of the Australians set to leave the ship and join the repatriation flight were ordered at the last minute to stay behind after being told they had tested positive for coronavirus, the Australian reported.About 10 of the Australians set to leave the ship and join the repatriation flight were ordered at the last minute to stay behind after being told they had tested positive for coronavirus, the Australian reported.
Another 15 potential passengers decided against joining, largely to stay with family members who are receiving medical treatment in Japan, Morrison said. They will not be allowed to return home for another two weeks. About 220 Australians were initially aboard the Diamond Princess.Another 15 potential passengers decided against joining, largely to stay with family members who are receiving medical treatment in Japan, Morrison said. They will not be allowed to return home for another two weeks. About 220 Australians were initially aboard the Diamond Princess.
Separately on Thursday, Australia’s government extended a ban on arrivals from mainland China for another week, until Feb. 29.Separately on Thursday, Australia’s government extended a ban on arrivals from mainland China for another week, until Feb. 29.
HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government on Thursday said it would further extend work-from-home arrangements for civil servants until March 1, and would continue providing only limited public services to control the spread of the coronavirus infection.HONG KONG — The Hong Kong government on Thursday said it would further extend work-from-home arrangements for civil servants until March 1, and would continue providing only limited public services to control the spread of the coronavirus infection.
The city has recorded 65 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection, but there are fears this number will continue to increase. More than 100 Hong Kong passengers aboard the Diamond Princess, a coronavirus-hit ship that has been moored near Tokyo under quarantine, returned home on Thursday. They will have to spend 14 days in a quarantine center.The city has recorded 65 confirmed cases of coronavirus infection, but there are fears this number will continue to increase. More than 100 Hong Kong passengers aboard the Diamond Princess, a coronavirus-hit ship that has been moored near Tokyo under quarantine, returned home on Thursday. They will have to spend 14 days in a quarantine center.
The government said work-from-home arrangements could be further extended beyond March 1 depending on the spread of the epidemic. Schools have been closed since the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, and will continue to be shuttered until mid-March.The government said work-from-home arrangements could be further extended beyond March 1 depending on the spread of the epidemic. Schools have been closed since the Lunar New Year holiday in late January, and will continue to be shuttered until mid-March.
The city has recorded two deaths from the coronavirus outbreak.The city has recorded two deaths from the coronavirus outbreak.