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Coronavirus: seventh person dies in Italy amid confusion over death toll in Iran – live updates Coronavirus: seventh person dies in Italy amid confusion over death toll in Iran – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Latest Italian victim comes as Iranian health minister says 12 people have died and 66 been infected after report of 50 deathsLatest Italian victim comes as Iranian health minister says 12 people have died and 66 been infected after report of 50 deaths
Here’s a summary of what we know about the coronavirus outbreak so far on Monday:
The Italian government has introduced stringent internal travel restrictions, closing off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
Wuhan – the centre of the coronavirus outbreak – has eased some lockdown restrictions, including allowing uninfected residents to leave the city for “urgent medical operations”.
China reported 150 new deaths from the virus, with one outside Hubei province. Infections rose by 409 (398 in Hubei) to 77,150.
The Chinese health commission said 24 out of China’s 31 provinces had reported no new cases of the virus.
Four Chinese provinces lowered their alert levels, including Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou.
South Korean cases spiked to over 760, as several countries imposed travel bans, and some airlines cancelled routes to Seoul.
Australia raised its travel advice to South Korea and Japan to “reconsider your need to travel”.
North Korea is reported to have quarantined 380 foreigners over virus fears.
Asian financial markets have fallen amid fears about the global economy.
Serbia’s foreign ministry has advised Serbs against travelling to the parts of Italy hit by the virus.
Spain currently has no plans to close its borders in response to the coronavirus outbreak, the country’s health minister has said.
Salvador Illa said the authorities were focusing on reinforcing existing precautions throughout the health system and on raising awareness at ports and airports.
He said:
Spain currently has two confirmed cases of the coronavirus: one on the Balearic island of Mallorca and another on the remote Canary island of La Gomera. Nine people have tested negative for the virus in recent hours and the authorities are waiting on test results from a further three.
Italy’s former far-right interior minister, Matteo Salvini, has attempted to politicise the coronavirus outbreak in the country, attacking the Italian government for not defending the country’s borders.
On Sunday, Salvini, who is also the leader of the League party, called on prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, to resign “if he isn’t able to defend Italy and Italians.”
In particular, Salvini cited the docking, on Sunday, of the NGO Ocean Viking rescue ship with 276 African migrants onboard in the Sicilian port of Pozzallo, to say Italy needs “to make our borders armour-plated.”
On the bright side, the WHO team in China has concluded the virus can be contained. It peaked between the end of January and the beginning of February.
Dr Ghebreyesus said he was encouraged by the continued decline of new cases in China.
Dr Ghebreyesus defended the WHO’s decision not to declare the outbreak a pandemic. “Using the word pandemic now does not fit the facts, but it may certainly cause fear,” he said.
A team from the World Health Organization is due to arrive in Tehran on Tuesday after the sharp rise in cases in Iran.A team from the World Health Organization is due to arrive in Tehran on Tuesday after the sharp rise in cases in Iran.
Speaking at news conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, said the sudden increase in cases Iran, Italy and South Korea is “deeply concerning”. Speaking at a news conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, said the sudden increase in cases Iran, Italy and South Korea was “deeply concerning”.
A seventh person has died in the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, the Ansa news agency has reported.A seventh person has died in the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, the Ansa news agency has reported.
Ansa said the latest person to die was an 80-year-old man who had been taken to hospital last week in Lodi after having a heart attack, Reuters reports. Doctors believe he caught the virus there from another patient.Ansa said the latest person to die was an 80-year-old man who had been taken to hospital last week in Lodi after having a heart attack, Reuters reports. Doctors believe he caught the virus there from another patient.
Italy reported its first death from the coronavirus outbreak on Friday.Italy reported its first death from the coronavirus outbreak on Friday.
The UK remains “prepared for all eventualities” and the risk to individuals remains low, Downing Street said on Monday.The UK remains “prepared for all eventualities” and the risk to individuals remains low, Downing Street said on Monday.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said:The prime minister’s official spokesman said:
A sixth person has died in the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, the state broadcaster RAI reported on Monday. The person was a cancer patient in the northern town of Brescia.A sixth person has died in the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, the state broadcaster RAI reported on Monday. The person was a cancer patient in the northern town of Brescia.
The World Health Organization confirmed “steep declines” in coronavirus cases in China even after taking into account statistical issues.The World Health Organization confirmed “steep declines” in coronavirus cases in China even after taking into account statistical issues.
China caused confusion last week about the figures after twice changing how it counted confirmed cases.China caused confusion last week about the figures after twice changing how it counted confirmed cases.
At a joint briefing in Beijing between the WHO and China’s national health commission, Bruce Aylward, the head of a team of WHO experts visiting China, acknowledged the confusion. He said: “I know people look at the numbers and say what’s really happening.”At a joint briefing in Beijing between the WHO and China’s national health commission, Bruce Aylward, the head of a team of WHO experts visiting China, acknowledged the confusion. He said: “I know people look at the numbers and say what’s really happening.”
But he added that “multiple sources of data” pointed to declines. “This is falling and it is falling because of the actions that are being taken,” Aylward said.But he added that “multiple sources of data” pointed to declines. “This is falling and it is falling because of the actions that are being taken,” Aylward said.
While he applauded the dramatic measures taken by Beijing to quarantine entire cities, he said anything that went beyond WHO recommendations in terms of travel and trade restrictions should be reassessed.Liang Wannian, of the health commission, also said at the briefing that more than 3,000 medical staff in China had been infected by the coronavirus, mostly because of lack of protective gear and fatigue.While he applauded the dramatic measures taken by Beijing to quarantine entire cities, he said anything that went beyond WHO recommendations in terms of travel and trade restrictions should be reassessed.Liang Wannian, of the health commission, also said at the briefing that more than 3,000 medical staff in China had been infected by the coronavirus, mostly because of lack of protective gear and fatigue.
Ireland has said its citizens should not travel to parts of Italy affected by an outbreak of coronavirus.Ireland has said its citizens should not travel to parts of Italy affected by an outbreak of coronavirus.
Italy’s government has moved to close off the worst-hit areas, in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, as the death toll in the country from the disease rose to five on Monday.Italy’s government has moved to close off the worst-hit areas, in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, as the death toll in the country from the disease rose to five on Monday.
“There has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy ... Citizens are advised not to travel to affected areas,” the foreign ministry said in updated travel advice.“There has been an increase in the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Italy ... Citizens are advised not to travel to affected areas,” the foreign ministry said in updated travel advice.
Coronavirus deaths in Italy have risen to five people, with 209 confirmed cases.Coronavirus deaths in Italy have risen to five people, with 209 confirmed cases.
An 84-year-old woman died overnight in Bergamo, in the Lombardy region, and an 88-year-old from Caselle Landi, also in Lombardy, died on Monday.An 84-year-old woman died overnight in Bergamo, in the Lombardy region, and an 88-year-old from Caselle Landi, also in Lombardy, died on Monday.
Hong Kong, home to at least 79 confirmed coronavirus cases, has issued a travel alert for South Korea, advising resident to avoid non-essential travel to the country and cautioning those already there to avoid crowded places and healthcare facilities.Hong Kong, home to at least 79 confirmed coronavirus cases, has issued a travel alert for South Korea, advising resident to avoid non-essential travel to the country and cautioning those already there to avoid crowded places and healthcare facilities.
Secretary for security John Lee said that starting from 6am on Tuesday, the city will bar all non-Hong Kong residents coming from South Korea. Hong Kong citizens returning from South Korea will have to be in quarantine for 14 days.Secretary for security John Lee said that starting from 6am on Tuesday, the city will bar all non-Hong Kong residents coming from South Korea. Hong Kong citizens returning from South Korea will have to be in quarantine for 14 days.
A government spokesman said:A government spokesman said:
The catering staff onboard the previously quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship have recorded a dance video to celebrate them being allowed home to the Philippines.The catering staff onboard the previously quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship have recorded a dance video to celebrate them being allowed home to the Philippines.