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Coronavirus live updates: South Korean cases spike over 760 as Asian markets jitter Coronavirus live updates: South Korean cases spike over 760 as Asian markets jitter
(32 minutes later)
Investors flee to safe havens like gold as China’s President Xi warns of virus impact on economy. Follow latest newsInvestors flee to safe havens like gold as China’s President Xi warns of virus impact on economy. Follow latest news
More information is being reported out about Wuhan’s easing of lockdown conditions.
Earlier Chinese state media said the changes would allow “stranded personnel” to leave the city if they are not under quarantine or medical observation.
The Global Times has just tweeted that the decision would allow residents not infected with Covid-19 to leave for “urgent medical operations in other cities”. I’m not clear if that’s in addition to
Earlier we reported that 24 out of 31 provincial-level regions across China had no new cases of Covid-19 on Monday. This includes Beijing and Shanghai.Earlier we reported that 24 out of 31 provincial-level regions across China had no new cases of Covid-19 on Monday. This includes Beijing and Shanghai.
We’re getting some more details on the changed conditions in Wuhan – here’s a report from China Global Television Network:We’re getting some more details on the changed conditions in Wuhan – here’s a report from China Global Television Network:
We have reported a lot today on the virus crisis facing South Korea, but in North Korea state media says Pyongyang has quarantined about 380 foreigners as part of efforts to prevent the new coronavirus from breaking out in the country.We have reported a lot today on the virus crisis facing South Korea, but in North Korea state media says Pyongyang has quarantined about 380 foreigners as part of efforts to prevent the new coronavirus from breaking out in the country.
The Korean Central Broadcasting Station said: “(We) have quarantined some 380 foreigners so far across the country, while intensifying isolation, medical monitoring and testing measures on those who have returned from overseas travel, those who have contacted them and those showing abnormal symptoms.”The Korean Central Broadcasting Station said: “(We) have quarantined some 380 foreigners so far across the country, while intensifying isolation, medical monitoring and testing measures on those who have returned from overseas travel, those who have contacted them and those showing abnormal symptoms.”
The identity of those quarantined was not clear but South Korean media reports say they appear to be diplomats stationed in Pyongyang and people involved in overseas trading.The identity of those quarantined was not clear but South Korean media reports say they appear to be diplomats stationed in Pyongyang and people involved in overseas trading.
North Korea has not reported any cases of Covid-19 infection, but has doubling the quarantine period to 30 days against those coming from foreign countries.North Korea has not reported any cases of Covid-19 infection, but has doubling the quarantine period to 30 days against those coming from foreign countries.
The vice governor of the People’s Bank of China, has said the virus’s impact on the economy “will be short-lived and will not change the country’s sound economic fundamentals”.The vice governor of the People’s Bank of China, has said the virus’s impact on the economy “will be short-lived and will not change the country’s sound economic fundamentals”.
Here’s an excerpt of CGTN’s take on it:Here’s an excerpt of CGTN’s take on it:
South Korean airlines have suspended or plan to halt flights to South Korea’s southeastern city of Daegu, where hundreds of new coronavirus infections were reported over the weekend.South Korean airlines have suspended or plan to halt flights to South Korea’s southeastern city of Daegu, where hundreds of new coronavirus infections were reported over the weekend.
Yonhap news agency says Korean Air Lines Co, the country’s biggest airline, canceled its flights to Daegu from the southern resort island of Jeju and Incheon on Sunday.Yonhap news agency says Korean Air Lines Co, the country’s biggest airline, canceled its flights to Daegu from the southern resort island of Jeju and Incheon on Sunday.
Meanwhile, 30 South Koreans who recently visited Israel have tested positive for Covid-19, according to Yonhap:Meanwhile, 30 South Koreans who recently visited Israel have tested positive for Covid-19, according to Yonhap:
One Beijing resident has tweeted that things are still quiet in the Chinese capital today, with regards to people going back to work.One Beijing resident has tweeted that things are still quiet in the Chinese capital today, with regards to people going back to work.
The scale of the crisis in Wuhan is plain to see with the mass effort in the city to provide hospital beds, as pointed out in the tweet below by CGTN.The scale of the crisis in Wuhan is plain to see with the mass effort in the city to provide hospital beds, as pointed out in the tweet below by CGTN.
Chinese state media is reporting that the lockdown in Wuhan is being eased to allow “stranded personnel” to leave the city if they are not under quarantine or medical observation.Chinese state media is reporting that the lockdown in Wuhan is being eased to allow “stranded personnel” to leave the city if they are not under quarantine or medical observation.
The Global Times has also reported that six cities in Hubei province, including Huanggang and Jingzhou, reported no new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday.The Global Times has also reported that six cities in Hubei province, including Huanggang and Jingzhou, reported no new cases of Covid-19 on Sunday.
Huanggang has had 2,904 confirmed cases and 103 deaths (the third highest number of deaths in China). Jingzhou has had 1,574 and 42 deaths (fourth highest number of deaths in China).Huanggang has had 2,904 confirmed cases and 103 deaths (the third highest number of deaths in China). Jingzhou has had 1,574 and 42 deaths (fourth highest number of deaths in China).
By comparison, Wuhan has had 46,607 cases and 1,987 deaths.By comparison, Wuhan has had 46,607 cases and 1,987 deaths.
The Global Times also says 24 out of 31 provincial-level regions across China report zero new cases of Covid-19 on Monday.The Global Times also says 24 out of 31 provincial-level regions across China report zero new cases of Covid-19 on Monday.
Of all the new cases announced today, only 11 were outside Hubei province.Of all the new cases announced today, only 11 were outside Hubei province.
South Korea’s National Assembly has cancelled its plenary session scheduled for Monday afternoon after it emerged a coronavirus patient attended a parliamentary forum last week.South Korea’s National Assembly has cancelled its plenary session scheduled for Monday afternoon after it emerged a coronavirus patient attended a parliamentary forum last week.
Australia is sending a flight to Wuhan with donated goods, the first since the travel ban from China was imposed.Australia is sending a flight to Wuhan with donated goods, the first since the travel ban from China was imposed.
Let’s put those Chinese figures into context. The figure of 150 deaths is the highest recorded number of deaths in China in 11 days.Let’s put those Chinese figures into context. The figure of 150 deaths is the highest recorded number of deaths in China in 11 days.
Monday 24 February: 150 deaths, 409 new casesMonday 24 February: 150 deaths, 409 new cases
Sunday 23 February: 97 deaths, 648 new casesSunday 23 February: 97 deaths, 648 new cases
Saturday 22 February: 109 deaths, 397 new casesSaturday 22 February: 109 deaths, 397 new cases
Friday 21 February: 118 deaths, 889 new casesFriday 21 February: 118 deaths, 889 new cases
Thursday 20 February: 114 deaths, 394 cases (China stopped counting clinically diagnosed cases this day as confirmed cases and instead counted only cases that had tested positive)Thursday 20 February: 114 deaths, 394 cases (China stopped counting clinically diagnosed cases this day as confirmed cases and instead counted only cases that had tested positive)
Wednesday 19 February: 136 deaths, 1,749 new casesWednesday 19 February: 136 deaths, 1,749 new cases
Tuesday 18 February: 98 deaths, 1097 new casesTuesday 18 February: 98 deaths, 1097 new cases
Monday 17 February: 105 deaths, 2,048 new casesMonday 17 February: 105 deaths, 2,048 new cases
Sunday 16 February: 142 deaths, 2,009 new casesSunday 16 February: 142 deaths, 2,009 new cases
Saturday 15 February: 143 deaths, 2,641 new casesSaturday 15 February: 143 deaths, 2,641 new cases
Friday 14 February: 121 deaths, 5,090 new casesFriday 14 February: 121 deaths, 5,090 new cases
Thursday 13 February: 254 deaths, 15,152 new cases (On this day China began including cases diagnosed by doctors and scans in addition to patients who had tested positive to virus).Thursday 13 February: 254 deaths, 15,152 new cases (On this day China began including cases diagnosed by doctors and scans in addition to patients who had tested positive to virus).
China’s, secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Cong Liang, has told a press conference that China is confident in overcoming the coronavirus and maintaining stable economic growth.China’s, secretary-general of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), Cong Liang, has told a press conference that China is confident in overcoming the coronavirus and maintaining stable economic growth.
He said China had launched tax and fee cuts for small businesses and that the impact on China’s economy would be limited and short term.He said China had launched tax and fee cuts for small businesses and that the impact on China’s economy would be limited and short term.
It follows President Xi’s speech on Sunday in which he warned of the economic impact of the virus, while at the same time saying he though it was temporary and containable.It follows President Xi’s speech on Sunday in which he warned of the economic impact of the virus, while at the same time saying he though it was temporary and containable.
We’re now getting today’s figures from China’s National Health Commission.We’re now getting today’s figures from China’s National Health Commission.
There have been 150 deaths in the past 24 hours, and 409 new cases of infections.There have been 150 deaths in the past 24 hours, and 409 new cases of infections.
Of the deaths, 149 were in Hubei province, as were 398 confirmed new cases, of those (348 were in Wuhan).Of the deaths, 149 were in Hubei province, as were 398 confirmed new cases, of those (348 were in Wuhan).
It brings the total number of confirmed cases in China to 77,150, with 2,592 deaths.It brings the total number of confirmed cases in China to 77,150, with 2,592 deaths.
As I mentioned earlier in the blog, we are still waiting for Monday’s announcement of cases of the virus from both the Hubei health commission and the National Health Commission. Both have almost always reported by this time (in fact by a few hours ago). There is no explanation for the delay that I can find.As I mentioned earlier in the blog, we are still waiting for Monday’s announcement of cases of the virus from both the Hubei health commission and the National Health Commission. Both have almost always reported by this time (in fact by a few hours ago). There is no explanation for the delay that I can find.
South Korea’s stock market has plunged more than 3% as investors take fright at the worsening outbreak in the country.South Korea’s stock market has plunged more than 3% as investors take fright at the worsening outbreak in the country.
Not only is one of its largest cities, Daegu, in semi-lockdown, and large gatherings of people cancelled around the country, but airlines are beginning to cancel flights into South Korea, threatening its export-oriented economy.Not only is one of its largest cities, Daegu, in semi-lockdown, and large gatherings of people cancelled around the country, but airlines are beginning to cancel flights into South Korea, threatening its export-oriented economy.
In Shanghai the Composite index is off 0.93% and its worth noting that the yuan has weakened again to 7.0246 per US dollar. In Hong Kong, shares were off 1.63%.In Shanghai the Composite index is off 0.93% and its worth noting that the yuan has weakened again to 7.0246 per US dollar. In Hong Kong, shares were off 1.63%.
Brent crude has slumped 3%, or $1.77, to $56.72 a barrel while U.S. crude dropped 2.7%, or $1.48, to $51.9 a barrel.Brent crude has slumped 3%, or $1.77, to $56.72 a barrel while U.S. crude dropped 2.7%, or $1.48, to $51.9 a barrel.
Stocks have also fallen 2.26% in Sydney. The Australian dollar has fallen 0.3% to US66.09 and is now close to its lowest point for 11 years.Stocks have also fallen 2.26% in Sydney. The Australian dollar has fallen 0.3% to US66.09 and is now close to its lowest point for 11 years.
New Zealand has extended a ban on arrivals from mainland China into a fourth week to contain the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.New Zealand has extended a ban on arrivals from mainland China into a fourth week to contain the risk of exposure to the coronavirus, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
The ban has been extended by a further eight days and would be reviewed after that, Ardern told a news conference.The ban has been extended by a further eight days and would be reviewed after that, Ardern told a news conference.
New Zealand so far has no confirmed cases of the virus in the country.New Zealand so far has no confirmed cases of the virus in the country.
We’re hearing from Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt. He confirms that seven passengers from the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship have contracted Covid-19 and are being treated (they have been returned to their home states).We’re hearing from Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt. He confirms that seven passengers from the stricken Diamond Princess cruise ship have contracted Covid-19 and are being treated (they have been returned to their home states).
No Australians who were evacuated from Wuhan earlier this month were diagnosed with the illness. They have returned to their homes.No Australians who were evacuated from Wuhan earlier this month were diagnosed with the illness. They have returned to their homes.
He confirms Australia has lifted its travel advice to Level 2 to Japan and South Korea (as we reported earlier).He confirms Australia has lifted its travel advice to Level 2 to Japan and South Korea (as we reported earlier).
We’re now hearing from Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy, who says the rising cases in South Korea, Japan and Italy are a “cause for concern”.We’re now hearing from Australia’s chief medical officer Brendan Murphy, who says the rising cases in South Korea, Japan and Italy are a “cause for concern”.
He says he has “cautious optimism” for Chinese provinces outside of Hubei, in terms of the virus spread.He says he has “cautious optimism” for Chinese provinces outside of Hubei, in terms of the virus spread.
There is no community transmission of the virus in Australia at the moment, he says. But Australia is preparing “for every eventuality” with regards to a potential spread of the virus.There is no community transmission of the virus in Australia at the moment, he says. But Australia is preparing “for every eventuality” with regards to a potential spread of the virus.