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Coronavirus: more deaths confirmed as authorities around the world struggle to contain outbreak – latest updates Coronavirus: more deaths confirmed as authorities around the world struggle to contain outbreak – latest updates
(about 1 hour later)
Live updates as the World Health Organization raises concerns about cases where there has been no contact with someone known to be infected nor travel to ChinaLive updates as the World Health Organization raises concerns about cases where there has been no contact with someone known to be infected nor travel to China
More than 78,000 people around the world have been confirmed to have been infected by the Covid-19 virus, with most cases in mainland China, though clusters that have unclear origins have emerged in Singapore, Iran and South Korea.
Five people have now died from the coronavirus in Iran, prompting World Health Organization head to say Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus he was especially concerned about the country.
Carnival celebrations were banned in some Italian towns after they were placed on lockdown following the deaths of two people from the coronavirus.
The UK residents who were trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan for more than two weeks were sent to an isolation facility on Merseyside for a further 14 days of isolation at a facility after landing back in the south of England on a Ministry of Defence flight.
A British couple diagnosed with the coronavirus also have pneumonia, after spending two weeks in quarantine onboard the coronavirus-stricken Princess Diamond. The family of David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, said they had been moved to a “prison”-like hospital.
Around 100 more passengers were allowed to disembark from the cruise ship on Saturday, as Japan’s health minister apologised after 23 others were allowed to leave without being properly tested.
Around 150 people brought to a hotel in Milton Keynes earlier this month after being evacuated from Wuhan will be discharged tomorrow following a two-week period in quarantine.
There is uncertainty in Singapore, where eight out of 85 infections appear to have no links to previous cases, and in South Korea, where links to a controversial church are being investigated.
Samsung shut a mobile device factory in South Korea after a worker tested positive for coronavirus, while organisers for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics postponed training for volunteers because of the spread of the coronavirus.
Hundreds of Filipino couples participated in a mass wedding wearing face masks because of coronavirus fears following health tests provided by officials.
A restaurant owner in Yulha-dong, Daegu, the city at the heart of South Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, likened his deserted surroundings to Gotham City to be.
We are now going to close today’s live blog. Thank you for reading.
Thousands of members of a secretive religious sect in South Korea are being screened for the new coronavirus after more than 430 cases were confirmed in the country by officials, the Guardian’s Rebecca Ratcliffe reports with Nemo Kim in Seoul.Thousands of members of a secretive religious sect in South Korea are being screened for the new coronavirus after more than 430 cases were confirmed in the country by officials, the Guardian’s Rebecca Ratcliffe reports with Nemo Kim in Seoul.
Around 150 people brought to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes earlier this month after being evacuated from Wuhan will be discharged tomorrow.Around 150 people brought to the Kents Hill Park hotel and conference centre in Milton Keynes earlier this month after being evacuated from Wuhan will be discharged tomorrow.
They arrived in the UK on February 9, having been on a second evacuation flight from the virus-hit city, and the Department of Health confirmed that the 14-day quarantine period will come to an end on Sunday but did not say what time the group would be released.They arrived in the UK on February 9, having been on a second evacuation flight from the virus-hit city, and the Department of Health confirmed that the 14-day quarantine period will come to an end on Sunday but did not say what time the group would be released.
The group will have been regularly tested for any signs of the virus during the quarantine period. As of Saturday afternoon there had been no new cases of coronavirus detected in the UK, the department said.The group will have been regularly tested for any signs of the virus during the quarantine period. As of Saturday afternoon there had been no new cases of coronavirus detected in the UK, the department said.
COVID-19 is now confirmed to have infected 52 people across Italy: 39 in Lombardy, 12 in Veneto, 1 in Turin and a suspected case in Umbria.COVID-19 is now confirmed to have infected 52 people across Italy: 39 in Lombardy, 12 in Veneto, 1 in Turin and a suspected case in Umbria.
The viral outbreak that began in China has infected nearly 78,000 people globally and, on Friday, Italy became the first country in Europe to report the death of one of its own nationals from the coronavirus, triggering a lockdown in about a dozen towns.The viral outbreak that began in China has infected nearly 78,000 people globally and, on Friday, Italy became the first country in Europe to report the death of one of its own nationals from the coronavirus, triggering a lockdown in about a dozen towns.
Around 100 more passengers were allowed to disembark from the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship on Saturday, as Japan’s health minister apologised after 23 others were allowed to leave without being properly tested, AFP reports.Around 100 more passengers were allowed to disembark from the coronavirus-stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship on Saturday, as Japan’s health minister apologised after 23 others were allowed to leave without being properly tested, AFP reports.
The 100 passengers included the last group of Japanese passengers to leave the ship, while some foreign passengers were still waiting onboard for chartered aircraft to be sent by their governments. About 970 passengers disembarked earlier this week.The 100 passengers included the last group of Japanese passengers to leave the ship, while some foreign passengers were still waiting onboard for chartered aircraft to be sent by their governments. About 970 passengers disembarked earlier this week.
Television footage showed a driver in a white protective suit at the wheel of a bus with the curtains drawn so that passengers could not be identified.Television footage showed a driver in a white protective suit at the wheel of a bus with the curtains drawn so that passengers could not be identified.
They will be quarantined for two weeks near Tokyo, officials said.They will be quarantined for two weeks near Tokyo, officials said.
At a news conference, the health minister, Katsunobu Katō, apologised that 23 passengers had been allowed to disembark without undergoing all the required tests.At a news conference, the health minister, Katsunobu Katō, apologised that 23 passengers had been allowed to disembark without undergoing all the required tests.
“We deeply regret that our operational mistake caused the situation,” Katō said, adding that the passengers would be tested again.“We deeply regret that our operational mistake caused the situation,” Katō said, adding that the passengers would be tested again.
With the latest disembarkation, a 14-day quarantine is expected to start for more than 1,000 crew still onboard as many of them did not undergo isolation because they were needed to keep the ship running.With the latest disembarkation, a 14-day quarantine is expected to start for more than 1,000 crew still onboard as many of them did not undergo isolation because they were needed to keep the ship running.
They were preparing food and delivering meals to cabins, leading some critics to say they were inadvertently spreading the virus throughout the ship, which has seen more than 600 cases of the potentially deadly Covid-19 disease.They were preparing food and delivering meals to cabins, leading some critics to say they were inadvertently spreading the virus throughout the ship, which has seen more than 600 cases of the potentially deadly Covid-19 disease.
Katō defended Japan’s onboard quarantine, telling a TV programme on Saturday that there was no medical facility large enough to admit more than 3,000 people at once.Katō defended Japan’s onboard quarantine, telling a TV programme on Saturday that there was no medical facility large enough to admit more than 3,000 people at once.
Should we panic about the spread of coronavirus?Should we panic about the spread of coronavirus?
My Guardian colleagues Sarah Boseley, Hannah Devlin and Martin Belam have the answer to that question and others in this explainer.My Guardian colleagues Sarah Boseley, Hannah Devlin and Martin Belam have the answer to that question and others in this explainer.
For the record, their answer on whether we should panic is:For the record, their answer on whether we should panic is:
Andrew Tatem, a professor within geography and environmental science at the University of Southampton, said the new cases outside China were worrying:Andrew Tatem, a professor within geography and environmental science at the University of Southampton, said the new cases outside China were worrying:
Speaking at Arrowe Park, where the British citizens brought home from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan are headed, the chief executive of Wirral teaching hospital NHS trust, Janelle Holmes, said:Speaking at Arrowe Park, where the British citizens brought home from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan are headed, the chief executive of Wirral teaching hospital NHS trust, Janelle Holmes, said:
Holmes praised the support of the local community – including donations from schools and scout groups – for evacuees based at Arrowe Park and also thanked staff previously living in the quarantine accommodation blocks for their patience as they stay in nearby hotels.Holmes praised the support of the local community – including donations from schools and scout groups – for evacuees based at Arrowe Park and also thanked staff previously living in the quarantine accommodation blocks for their patience as they stay in nearby hotels.
Thousands of Russia-linked social media accounts are attempting to spread panic about the coronavirus outbreak, US officials said.Thousands of Russia-linked social media accounts are attempting to spread panic about the coronavirus outbreak, US officials said.
They said the disinformation campaign promoted unfounded conspiracy theories that the US was behind the outbreak, in an apparent attempt to damage its international standing.They said the disinformation campaign promoted unfounded conspiracy theories that the US was behind the outbreak, in an apparent attempt to damage its international standing.
False personas are being used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to advance Russian talking points and conspiracies, including suggesting that the CIA is behind the virus that has claimed more than 2,300 lives, mostly in China.False personas are being used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to advance Russian talking points and conspiracies, including suggesting that the CIA is behind the virus that has claimed more than 2,300 lives, mostly in China.
Philip Reeker, the acting assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia, said:Philip Reeker, the acting assistant secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia, said:
Couples in Philippines marry wearing masks – videoCouples in Philippines marry wearing masks – video
Hundreds of Filipino couples participated in a mass wedding wearing face masks because of coronavirus fears. As part of efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, officials in the city of Bacolod conducted health tests and provided the 220 couples with masks before they tied the knotHundreds of Filipino couples participated in a mass wedding wearing face masks because of coronavirus fears. As part of efforts to prevent the spread of the virus, officials in the city of Bacolod conducted health tests and provided the 220 couples with masks before they tied the knot
The UK residents who were trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan for more than two weeks are en route to a further 14 days of isolation at a facility on Merseyside, after landing back in the south of England (see 11.47am).The UK residents who were trapped on the Diamond Princess cruise ship off the coast of Japan for more than two weeks are en route to a further 14 days of isolation at a facility on Merseyside, after landing back in the south of England (see 11.47am).
Thirty-two masked British and European evacuees from the vessel are being bussed with a police escort to Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral, where they will spend a fortnight in quarantine to protect against the spread of the illness should any of them be infected.Thirty-two masked British and European evacuees from the vessel are being bussed with a police escort to Arrowe Park hospital in Wirral, where they will spend a fortnight in quarantine to protect against the spread of the illness should any of them be infected.
The group, who tested negative tfor Covid-19 before they flew, are expected to arrive at the hospital later on Saturday afternoon. The group, who tested negative for Covid-19 before they flew, are expected to arrive at the hospital later on Saturday afternoon.
As with the previous coach loads of people brought to Arrowe Park, the bus drivers did not appear to be wearing any protective clothing as the convoy, escorted by police and ambulance vehicles, was pictured leaving the MoD base.As with the previous coach loads of people brought to Arrowe Park, the bus drivers did not appear to be wearing any protective clothing as the convoy, escorted by police and ambulance vehicles, was pictured leaving the MoD base.
Before the flight, one passenger who was diagnosed with Covid-19 at a Japanese hospital but was since given the all-clear said he expected the experience would be like visiting a holiday camp.Before the flight, one passenger who was diagnosed with Covid-19 at a Japanese hospital but was since given the all-clear said he expected the experience would be like visiting a holiday camp.
Alan Steele, who was on honeymoon with his wife, Wendy, wrote on Facebook: “Wendy’s test was negative so ‘Butlins the Wirral’ here we come for 14 days.”Alan Steele, who was on honeymoon with his wife, Wendy, wrote on Facebook: “Wendy’s test was negative so ‘Butlins the Wirral’ here we come for 14 days.”
Since being kept onboard the cruise liner in the port of Yokohama, 634 passengers and crew have been infected – accounting for more than half of all the confirmed coronavirus cases outside of China.Since being kept onboard the cruise liner in the port of Yokohama, 634 passengers and crew have been infected – accounting for more than half of all the confirmed coronavirus cases outside of China.
It is understood some British nationals who are part of the Diamond Princess crew opted to remain.It is understood some British nationals who are part of the Diamond Princess crew opted to remain.
Italy is taking evasive action after the deaths of two people from coronavirus (see 10.38am). AFP has the latest:Italy is taking evasive action after the deaths of two people from coronavirus (see 10.38am). AFP has the latest:
The World Health Organization says it is taking precautions for the arrival of the new coronavirus in Africa. Earlier today, its director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a briefing that the WHO’S biggest concern was the potential for the virus to spread in countries with weaker health systems.The World Health Organization says it is taking precautions for the arrival of the new coronavirus in Africa. Earlier today, its director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a briefing that the WHO’S biggest concern was the potential for the virus to spread in countries with weaker health systems.
There have been more than 200 suspected cases in the WHO’s AFRO region, which includes most African countries, though nearly all have been confirmed negative, the regional director, Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, said on Saturday. Egypt is the only African country to have recorded a confirmed case.There have been more than 200 suspected cases in the WHO’s AFRO region, which includes most African countries, though nearly all have been confirmed negative, the regional director, Matshidiso Rebecca Moeti, said on Saturday. Egypt is the only African country to have recorded a confirmed case.
The African Union commission chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, told officials to take “drastic preventive and control measures.” He said:The African Union commission chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, told officials to take “drastic preventive and control measures.” He said:
Yoon-sook Lee, a restaurant owner in Yulha-dong, Daegu, the city at the heart of South Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, said:Yoon-sook Lee, a restaurant owner in Yulha-dong, Daegu, the city at the heart of South Korea’s coronavirus outbreak, said:
A British couple diagnosed with coronavirus after spending two weeks in quarantine onboard the Princess Diamond have contracted pneumonia.A British couple diagnosed with coronavirus after spending two weeks in quarantine onboard the Princess Diamond have contracted pneumonia.
The family of David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, said they had been moved to a “prison”-like hospital.The family of David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, said they had been moved to a “prison”-like hospital.
The couple were on the cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary when it was placed in quarantine. Mr Abel has now been diagnosed with acute pneumonia, while his wife has mild pneumonia.The couple were on the cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary when it was placed in quarantine. Mr Abel has now been diagnosed with acute pneumonia, while his wife has mild pneumonia.
Although they were originally in a hospital just 90 minutes from the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship, Mrs Abel called her son in the middle of the night to say the couple were suddenly being moved to a different “three-star” hospital.Although they were originally in a hospital just 90 minutes from the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship, Mrs Abel called her son in the middle of the night to say the couple were suddenly being moved to a different “three-star” hospital.
It took seven hours for the family to track down which hospital they had been taken to. Princess Cruises have sent the Abels a mobile phone that can make calls to their family. Steve Abel, their son, posted video updates on the couple’s YouTube channel alongside his wife Roberta on Friday night and Saturday morning.It took seven hours for the family to track down which hospital they had been taken to. Princess Cruises have sent the Abels a mobile phone that can make calls to their family. Steve Abel, their son, posted video updates on the couple’s YouTube channel alongside his wife Roberta on Friday night and Saturday morning.
Speaking on Friday evening, he said:Speaking on Friday evening, he said:
He said his parents were left in a hospital room that has no shower or bathing facilities, and were only provided with basic paper towels:He said his parents were left in a hospital room that has no shower or bathing facilities, and were only provided with basic paper towels:
On Saturday morning he posted a second update and said:On Saturday morning he posted a second update and said:
The family have said they are willing to fly out to Japan to bring the couple home.Roberta Abel said: “We are in fight mode now, we just want them back.”The family have said they are willing to fly out to Japan to bring the couple home.Roberta Abel said: “We are in fight mode now, we just want them back.”
She criticised the reaction of the Foreign Office, and said their response had been “next to useless”. She said in an update on Saturday morning: “We do not believe they are in the best possible place like the Foreign Office are telling people.”She criticised the reaction of the Foreign Office, and said their response had been “next to useless”. She said in an update on Saturday morning: “We do not believe they are in the best possible place like the Foreign Office are telling people.”
A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “The welfare of all British nationals is of the highest priority to the UK government. We are working with the Japanese authorities to ensure those British nationals who are remaining in Japan for health reasons get the best care possible.”A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: “The welfare of all British nationals is of the highest priority to the UK government. We are working with the Japanese authorities to ensure those British nationals who are remaining in Japan for health reasons get the best care possible.”
Iran, facing the potential closure of some of its borders, has ordered extra supplies of face masks, disinfectants and gloves as worried Iranians responded to the sudden outbreak of coronavirus that has so far claimed five lives in the country.Iran, facing the potential closure of some of its borders, has ordered extra supplies of face masks, disinfectants and gloves as worried Iranians responded to the sudden outbreak of coronavirus that has so far claimed five lives in the country.
The health ministry announced on Saturday that 10 new cases of coronavirus had been detected, including one person who has died. Both Iraq and Turkey were placing restrictions on visitors from Iran.The health ministry announced on Saturday that 10 new cases of coronavirus had been detected, including one person who has died. Both Iraq and Turkey were placing restrictions on visitors from Iran.
A health ministry spokesman, Kianush Jahanpur, said the new numbers brought the total number of cases of the new coronavirus in Iran to 28, with five deaths.A health ministry spokesman, Kianush Jahanpur, said the new numbers brought the total number of cases of the new coronavirus in Iran to 28, with five deaths.
Extra diagnostic supplies have been sent to the country by the World Health Organization. The ministry said it would take steps to prevent pharmacists exploiting the rise in demand for masks amid reports that prices were being doubled or even inflated by five times. The number of people wearing masks has visibly increased over the past 48 hours in the capital, Tehran, with some commuters avoiding the underground and other crowded public spaces.Extra diagnostic supplies have been sent to the country by the World Health Organization. The ministry said it would take steps to prevent pharmacists exploiting the rise in demand for masks amid reports that prices were being doubled or even inflated by five times. The number of people wearing masks has visibly increased over the past 48 hours in the capital, Tehran, with some commuters avoiding the underground and other crowded public spaces.
Earlier reports said two patients had died in Qom on Thursday. Most of the new cases include people living in Qom and those who have visited the religious city, an hour’s drive south of Tehran, during the past week.Earlier reports said two patients had died in Qom on Thursday. Most of the new cases include people living in Qom and those who have visited the religious city, an hour’s drive south of Tehran, during the past week.
A local Tehran mayor was among those reported to have contracted the virus, provoking concern that other politicians that had recently met with him were at risk. At one point it was reported that Tehran city council was to be shut for a week, but this was later denied.A local Tehran mayor was among those reported to have contracted the virus, provoking concern that other politicians that had recently met with him were at risk. At one point it was reported that Tehran city council was to be shut for a week, but this was later denied.
Jahanpur said earlier that 735 patients with symptoms similar to flu had been hospitalised in various cities.Jahanpur said earlier that 735 patients with symptoms similar to flu had been hospitalised in various cities.