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Coronavirus: sixth person dies in Italy amid confusion over death toll in Iran – live updates Coronavirus: WHO plays down pandemic fears after sixth person dies in Italy – live updates
(about 1 hour later)
Latest Italian victim comes as Iranian health minister says 12 people have died and 66 been infected after report of 50 deaths Latest updates amid alarm over sudden rise in cases in Italy and Iran
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there were 14 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country, Reuters reported. These did not include the 39 cases who were among those evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the city of Wuhan.
The agency said the 14 confirmed cases included two new cases reported from Humboldt and Sacramento counties, in California.
On Friday, the CDC reported 13 cases among those within the country and 21 cases from among the repatriated Americans and said they were preparing for the possibility of the spread of the virus through US communities that would force closures of schools and businesses.
American public health officials have also warned that cases among the repatriated citizens will likely increase.
All nations must work together to fight the spread of the coronavirus and prevent a crisis with “dramatic consequences” for global health and the world economy, the UN’s secretary general, António Guterres, has said.
Guterres, speaking to reporters during a visit to the World Health Organisation (WHO) centre for managing emergencies, called for full funding of the body’s appeal for $675m (£522m) to cover its overall response for three months. Following a briefing with the WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and other senior officials, Guterres said:
He said the decline in new cases of coronavirus in China was a good trend which he hoped could be maintained.
The World Health Organization has played down fears of a coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, despite sudden serious outbreaks in Italy and Iran, but some experts said they believed it was now inevitable.
“Using the word pandemic now does not fit the facts, but it may certainly cause fear,” said the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at a briefing.
We are not there yet, said Tedros. “What we see are epidemics in different parts of the world affecting different countries in different ways.”
Other experts said it was hard to believe that COVID-19 would not now spread worldwide.
“We now consider this to be a pandemic in all but name, and it’s only a matter of time before the World Health Organization starts to use the term in its communications,” said Dr Bharat Pankhania, from the University of Exeter Medical School.
Austria has said it will stop people suspected of carrying the coronavirus from crossing its border, after parts of northern Italy were put into lockdown over the weekend following a surge in cases.Austria has said it will stop people suspected of carrying the coronavirus from crossing its border, after parts of northern Italy were put into lockdown over the weekend following a surge in cases.
The Austrian government released a travel warning for affected areas of Lombardy and Veneto, following a meeting of the government’s coronavirus taskforce that included the chancellor, Sebastian Kurz.The Austrian government released a travel warning for affected areas of Lombardy and Veneto, following a meeting of the government’s coronavirus taskforce that included the chancellor, Sebastian Kurz.
“As far as the borders and cross-border traffic are concerned, we will proceed as follows: we will further tighten warning systems with our neighbours, we will immediately order a stop in the event of suspected cases, as happened last night,” Kurz said on Monday.“As far as the borders and cross-border traffic are concerned, we will proceed as follows: we will further tighten warning systems with our neighbours, we will immediately order a stop in the event of suspected cases, as happened last night,” Kurz said on Monday.
The Trump administration is considering asking Congress for emergency funding to ramp up the US response to coronavirus, Reuters reports.The Trump administration is considering asking Congress for emergency funding to ramp up the US response to coronavirus, Reuters reports.
“We need some funding here to make sure that we ... protect all Americans, that we keep us safe,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Fox News.“We need some funding here to make sure that we ... protect all Americans, that we keep us safe,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Fox News.
Asked how much funding the administration might ask Congress to approve, Gidley later said that there was no announcement yet on the amount.Asked how much funding the administration might ask Congress to approve, Gidley later said that there was no announcement yet on the amount.
Politico and the Washington Post, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the planning, had reported the administration may request $1bn funding from Congress. An administration official told Reuters the amount was still being finalised, and the request could go to lawmakers this week.Politico and the Washington Post, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the planning, had reported the administration may request $1bn funding from Congress. An administration official told Reuters the amount was still being finalised, and the request could go to lawmakers this week.
There have been 13 cases of people diagnosed with the virus in the US and 21 cases among Americans repatriated on evacuation flights from WuhanThere have been 13 cases of people diagnosed with the virus in the US and 21 cases among Americans repatriated on evacuation flights from Wuhan
Here’s a summary of Monday’s events:Here’s a summary of Monday’s events:
Six people are now confirmed to have died from coronavirus in Italy, which has had the worst outbreak in Europe with 219 confirmed cases. The Italian government has introduced stringent internal travel restrictions, closing off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.Six people are now confirmed to have died from coronavirus in Italy, which has had the worst outbreak in Europe with 219 confirmed cases. The Italian government has introduced stringent internal travel restrictions, closing off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
Several European countries including Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and Serbia have advised their citizens against travelling to the affected areas in Italy. Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy. Stock markets in Europe closed the day more than 3.5% down amid virus fears.Several European countries including Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and Serbia have advised their citizens against travelling to the affected areas in Italy. Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy. Stock markets in Europe closed the day more than 3.5% down amid virus fears.
Iran has denied trying to cover up the full extent of the outbreak after a reformist website reported 50 deaths from the virus. The deputy health minister said 12 people had died from the virus.Iran has denied trying to cover up the full extent of the outbreak after a reformist website reported 50 deaths from the virus. The deputy health minister said 12 people had died from the virus.
South Korean cases spiked to over 760, as several countries imposed travel bans, and some airlines cancelled routes to Seoul. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq reported their first cases – all involving people who had come from Iran.South Korean cases spiked to over 760, as several countries imposed travel bans, and some airlines cancelled routes to Seoul. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq reported their first cases – all involving people who had come from Iran.
A team from the World Health Organization was due to visit Iran on Tuesday. The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the sudden increase in cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea as “deeply concerning”.A team from the World Health Organization was due to visit Iran on Tuesday. The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the sudden increase in cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea as “deeply concerning”.
China reported 150 new deaths from the virus, with one outside Hubei province. Infections rose by 409 (398 in Hubei) to 77,150. Four Chinese provinces lowered their alert levels on the virus, including Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou. The WHO said it was encouraged by the decline in new cases in China.China reported 150 new deaths from the virus, with one outside Hubei province. Infections rose by 409 (398 in Hubei) to 77,150. Four Chinese provinces lowered their alert levels on the virus, including Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou. The WHO said it was encouraged by the decline in new cases in China.
The death toll for the coronavirus in Italy has risen to six, rather than seven as was initially reported. The death toll for the coronavirus in Italy stands at six, rather than seven as was initially reported.
The Lombardy regional government has denied reports that a person with the coronavirus had died at Brescia’s Civili hospital.The Lombardy regional government has denied reports that a person with the coronavirus had died at Brescia’s Civili hospital.
Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy, in an attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has led to a dozen northern Italian towns being put into lockdown.Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy, in an attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has led to a dozen northern Italian towns being put into lockdown.
Italian authorities have said they will impose fines on anyone entering or leaving restricted areas. More than 200 people have contracted the virus and six people have died.Italian authorities have said they will impose fines on anyone entering or leaving restricted areas. More than 200 people have contracted the virus and six people have died.
The European commission announced on Monday that it would send experts to Italy from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in a joint mission with the World Health Organization.The European commission announced on Monday that it would send experts to Italy from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in a joint mission with the World Health Organization.
The EU executive also announced a €232m (£195m) package to deal with the virus, although some of the funds have yet to be signed off.The EU executive also announced a €232m (£195m) package to deal with the virus, although some of the funds have yet to be signed off.
European markets have closed for trading, with all major indices having lost 3.5% or more amid fears about coronavirus spreading to Europe.European markets have closed for trading, with all major indices having lost 3.5% or more amid fears about coronavirus spreading to Europe.
Our business blog has more.Our business blog has more.
Officials are now saying there have been six coronavirus deaths in Italy, not seven. We’ll have more details soon.Officials are now saying there have been six coronavirus deaths in Italy, not seven. We’ll have more details soon.
Japanese health officials and experts on a government panel have acknowledged that the quarantine of the virus-hit cruise ship Diamond Princess was not perfect, AP reports.Japanese health officials and experts on a government panel have acknowledged that the quarantine of the virus-hit cruise ship Diamond Princess was not perfect, AP reports.
The officials said Japanese health authorities faced tough challenges in dealing with a foreign-operated ship that required international negotiations, in the absence of established rules to deal with such a crisis.The officials said Japanese health authorities faced tough challenges in dealing with a foreign-operated ship that required international negotiations, in the absence of established rules to deal with such a crisis.
“The ship was not designed to be a hospital. The ship was a ship,” said Shigeru Omi, a former regional director for the World Health Organization. He added: “Of course isolation was not ideal as would be expected from a hospital, so in my view although the isolation was somehow effective, to a large extent it was not perfect.”“The ship was not designed to be a hospital. The ship was a ship,” said Shigeru Omi, a former regional director for the World Health Organization. He added: “Of course isolation was not ideal as would be expected from a hospital, so in my view although the isolation was somehow effective, to a large extent it was not perfect.”
The UK remains “prepared for all eventualities” over coronavirus, Downing Street has said, PA reports.
Thirteen people in the UK have so far been diagnosed with Covid-19, including four over the weekend who had been on the Diamond Princess cruise ship that was held in quarantine in Japan.
On Monday, Downing Street insisted the UK was “well-prepared” and said the risk to individuals in the UK remained low. Asked whether the UK could put in place restrictive measures such as those seen in Italy to combat the spread of the disease, the prime minister’s official spokesman said:
The Foreign Office has not advised Britons against travel to Italy, but has updated its website with factual information about the situation there. There are no figures as yet as to whether any Britons are stuck in Italy and affected by the lockdown.
Four Britons rescued from the coronavirus-hit Diamond Princess cruise ship are being treated at specialist centres in the north of England after testing positive for the illness.
They were among a group of 30 Britons and two Irish citizens who arrived at a quarantine block at Arrowe Park hospital, in Merseyside, on Saturday.
Two of the patients are in the Royal Hallamshire hospital, in Sheffield, one is in the Royal Liverpool University hospital and a fourth was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
British couple David and Sally Abel, from Northamptonshire, who were on the cruise for their 50th wedding anniversary, are still in a Japanese hospital after being diagnosed with coronavirus and pneumonia.
China has delayed its annual parliamentary meeting as authorities struggle to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which has spread to more countries and prompted fears of a global pandemic.
For the first time in decades, the National People’s Congress (NPC), where hundreds of delegates gather in Beijing every March, was postponed on Monday.
The standing committee for the NPC said a new date for the meeting would be announced separately, according to the state broadcaster CCTV.
People in northern Italy have been in touch with the Guardian to say they have noticed empty shelves in local supermarkets.
Francesco Sole, a trade union regional secretary from Milan, said prices for face masks and antibacterial gel had skyrocketed.
Francesca, 26, from Lodi, said though the city was not under quarantine the rest of the region had closed schools, universities, theatres, and libraries. Francesca, a student at the Brera Academy of Fine Art, in Milan, said:
Here’s a summary of what we know about the coronavirus outbreak so far on Monday:
Seven people are now confirmed to have died from coronavirus in Italy which has seen the worst outbreak in Europe with 219 confirmed cases. The Italian government has introduced stringent internal travel restrictions, closing off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
Iran has denied trying to cover up the full extent of the outbreak after a reformist website reported 50 deaths from the virus. The deputy health minister said 12 people had died from the virus.
South Korean cases spiked to over 760, as several countries imposed travel bans, and some airlines cancelled routes to Seoul. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq reported their first cases – all involving people who had come from Iran.
A team from the World Health Organization is due to visit Iran on Tuesday. The WHO director general described the sudden increase in cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea as “deeply concerning”.
China reported 150 new deaths from the virus, with one outside Hubei province. Infections rose by 409 (398 in Hubei) to 77,150. Four Chinese provinces lowered their alert levels on the virus, including Yunnanm Guangdong, Shznxi and Guizhou. The WHO said it was encouraged by the decline in new cases in China.
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.