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Coronavirus: Tenerife hotel in lockdown as tourists tested – live news Coronavirus news: Tenerife hotel in lockdown as tourists tested – live updates
(32 minutes later)
First case of virus in southern Italy; concerns mount that the spread of Covid-19 cannot be stopped as stock markets fall amid investor fearsFirst case of virus in southern Italy; concerns mount that the spread of Covid-19 cannot be stopped as stock markets fall amid investor fears
Irish authorities are expected to announce more stringent measures against coronavirus on Tuesday in an effort to delay what is considered its almost inevitable arrival in Ireland.
The National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is to meet this afternoon to review preparations and recommendations related to travel and mass gatherings.
The outbreak in Italy has significantly increased the chance of a coronavirus case reaching Ireland, the health minister, Simon Harris, said on Monday. Ryanair shares tumbled 13% on the ISEQ index of Irish shares on Monday.
A Pro 14 rugby game between Ulster and Benetton, which was due to take place in the northern Italian city of Treviso on Saturday, has been postponed.
Ireland’s Six Nations game against Italy at Dublin’s Aviva stadium on 7 March – which is expected to draw up to 5,000 Italian visitors - is still scheduled to go ahead. That may change depending on whether Italy manages to contain its outbreak.
Organisers of an international James Joyce symposium in June in Trieste, northern Italy, told the Times they planned to go ahead in hope that by then the outbreak will be contained.
Closing borders, blanket travel bans and more extreme government policies will not stop the spread of coronavirus, according to the head of the World Travel and Tourism Council.
It comes as travel companies face huge economic losses amid fears about the virus. In the UK, the biggest faller in the FTSE 100 was EasyJet, which sank 16.7%, while Tui and British Airways owner IAG were both down by more than 9% at the close.
Gloria Guevara, president and chief executive of the World Travel and Tourism Council called for governments and authorities worldwide not to overreact with disproportionate measures in a bid to control Covid-19.
She said: “Governments and those in authority must not seek to choke travel and trade at this time. Closing borders, imposing blanket travel bans and implementing extreme policies are not the answer to stopping the spread of coronavirus.
“Past experience shows that taking such extreme action has been ineffective at best. We urge governments to explore fact-based measures which don’t affect the vast majority of people and businesses for whom travel is essential.”
As infection numbers continue to grow the World Health Organisation spokesman said on Tuesday that many countries have pandemic plans ready, and some may act on them depending on their situation but WHO itself does not plan “a big announcement.” He added that countries have to be prepared “literally knocking at every door”.
People could be banned from gathering in large numbers to contain coronavirus, Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer has said.Dr Catherine Calderwood looked to how cases have been dealt with in Italy, with football matches called off and church services in the affected regions cancelled .Speaking on BBC Good Morning Scotland, she said the government and NHS were working on “containment first” and then – if coronavirus was discovered in this country – a range of measures to try to limit the number of people infected.“If we do have a cluster, as has happened in Italy, then we move into delaying the spread,” Dr Calderwood said.“Delaying the spread would mean some of the measures that have happened already in Italy - stopping people coming together in large groups so that one or a few individuals do not spread to many, many more around them.”
Singapore will ban visitors with recent travel history to Cheongdo and Daegu in South Korea amid fears over the virus.
The country has stepped up its “maximum measures” to contain the coronavirus with plans to test around 200,000 members of a secretive church believed to be at the centre of the country’s outbreak.
Two more people infected with the new coronavirus have died, taking the toll in Iran to 16, a Health Ministry official told state TV on Tuesday. Iran has the highest number of deaths from coronavirus outside China, where the virus emerged late last year.
Rory Stewart, the former international development secretary and independent candidate for mayor of London, has criticised the World Health Organisation for being “far too slow” to describe the new coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic.Rory Stewart, the former international development secretary and independent candidate for mayor of London, has criticised the World Health Organisation for being “far too slow” to describe the new coronavirus outbreak as a global pandemic.
At an event in London, run by Christian Aid on Monday night, Steward said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO was “not getting this response right.”At an event in London, run by Christian Aid on Monday night, Steward said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO was “not getting this response right.”
”They have been far too slow to declare a public health emergency of international concern, a month too late, and they have been far too slow to declare a global pandemic,” he said. “They have been far too slow to declare a public health emergency of international concern, a month too late, and they have been far too slow to declare a global pandemic,” he said.
On Tuesday, he told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the WHO’s failure to declare the outbreak a global pandemic, was “big problem” as it held up World Bank funds to developing countries and thus had increased the chance of the virus spreading to countries like Britain.On Tuesday, he told the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme the WHO’s failure to declare the outbreak a global pandemic, was “big problem” as it held up World Bank funds to developing countries and thus had increased the chance of the virus spreading to countries like Britain.
Stewart said: “Tedros has been unbelievably slow, firstly to declare a world health emergency and then a global pandemic.”Stewart said: “Tedros has been unbelievably slow, firstly to declare a world health emergency and then a global pandemic.”
”And that’s a big big problem, because until the pandemic’s declared, you can’t release the World Bank’s funds, so that poorer countries can put the processes in place to be able to deal with the virus and that increases the chance of it spreading to countries like Britain. And that was purely for political reasons, the desire not to offend the Chinese government.” “And that’s a big big problem, because until the pandemic’s declared, you can’t release the World Bank’s funds, so that poorer countries can put the processes in place to be able to deal with the virus and that increases the chance of it spreading to countries like Britain. And that was purely for political reasons, the desire not to offend the Chinese government.”
He said that “huge amounts” of pressure should be placed on the WHO, to ensure they do not make the same mistakes they made with Ebola.He said that “huge amounts” of pressure should be placed on the WHO, to ensure they do not make the same mistakes they made with Ebola.
”So we are a member of the World Health Organisation I was actually there when Tedros was appointed, huge amounts of pressure needs to be put on the WHO to sort this out. They made the same mistake with Ebola, they are making it again at the moment with coronavirus.” “So we are a member of the World Health Organisation I was actually there when Tedros was appointed, huge amounts of pressure needs to be put on the WHO to sort this out. They made the same mistake with Ebola, they are making it again at the moment with coronavirus.”
He said the second thing needed was to “reassure people”.He said the second thing needed was to “reassure people”.
”What you don’t want is conspiracy theories spreading because we are not communicating clearly enough and regularly enough, that this is well understood, that actually the Chinese situation is unusual because of the way it was handled in China. And that we have good procedures in place to make sure we handle it better in Britain and that we are thinking about what we can do about transport, about policing, in a worse case scenario.” “What you don’t want is conspiracy theories spreading because we are not communicating clearly enough and regularly enough, that this is well understood, that actually the Chinese situation is unusual because of the way it was handled in China. And that we have good procedures in place to make sure we handle it better in Britain and that we are thinking about what we can do about transport, about policing, in a worse case scenario.”
A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Iran has been diverted to Ankara at the request of the government, an aviation source said.A Turkish Airlines plane flying from Iran has been diverted to Ankara at the request of the government, an aviation source said.
An aviation news website said one passenger was suspected of being infected by coronavirus. Turkey’s Demiroren news agency broadcast video showing ambulances lined up beside the plane, with personnel wearing white protective suits on the tarmac.The plane was flying from the Iranian capital, Tehran, and had been scheduled to land in Istanbul. Turkey shut its borders to Iran on Sunday and cut flights due to the spread of the virus in that country.An aviation news website said one passenger was suspected of being infected by coronavirus. Turkey’s Demiroren news agency broadcast video showing ambulances lined up beside the plane, with personnel wearing white protective suits on the tarmac.The plane was flying from the Iranian capital, Tehran, and had been scheduled to land in Istanbul. Turkey shut its borders to Iran on Sunday and cut flights due to the spread of the virus in that country.
The Guardian’s Madrid correspondent, Sam Jones, reports on the latest below.The Guardian’s Madrid correspondent, Sam Jones, reports on the latest below.
The Tenerife hotel where the Italian man who has tested positive for coronavirus was staying has been put on lockdown and its thousand guests placed in isolation to halt any further spread of the disease.The Tenerife hotel where the Italian man who has tested positive for coronavirus was staying has been put on lockdown and its thousand guests placed in isolation to halt any further spread of the disease.
A well-placed source on the island confirmed to the Guardian that the hotel, theH10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel on the south of the island, was under quarantine.The Diario de Avisos, a Tenerife-based newspaper, said that strict protocol was being followed at the hotel.A well-placed source on the island confirmed to the Guardian that the hotel, theH10 Costa Adeje Palace hotel on the south of the island, was under quarantine.The Diario de Avisos, a Tenerife-based newspaper, said that strict protocol was being followed at the hotel.
It reported that police were “ensuring that none of the customers staying at the hotel left or entered the hotel”.Spain’s national health ministry declined to comment, referring queries to the regional health ministry, which could not be contacted for comment.It reported that police were “ensuring that none of the customers staying at the hotel left or entered the hotel”.Spain’s national health ministry declined to comment, referring queries to the regional health ministry, which could not be contacted for comment.
Japan’s largest advertising agency, Dentsu, has said one of the employees at its headquarters has been infected with coronavirus and that it has instructed all HQ-based employees to work from home.Japan’s largest advertising agency, Dentsu, has said one of the employees at its headquarters has been infected with coronavirus and that it has instructed all HQ-based employees to work from home.
Zoe McLean, 43, from Herefordshire – who i due to travel to Venice soon – said that she felt government advice about travel to northern Italy was unclear.Zoe McLean, 43, from Herefordshire – who i due to travel to Venice soon – said that she felt government advice about travel to northern Italy was unclear.
“My partner and I have a two week holiday planned in northern italy, flying next Sunday but we are now in limbo. The Foreign Commonwealth Office says it is safe to travel but today the health secretary Matt Hancock said those returning may have to self-isolate themselves,” she said. “My partner and I have a two-week holiday planned in northern italy, flying next Sunday but we are now in limbo. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office says it is safe to travel but today the health secretary, Matt Hancock, said those returning may have to self-isolate themselves,” she said.
“It all seems a bit conflicted and leaves us uncertain about what to do. If we cancel out trip at the moment we won’t get any money back - lots of flights and hotels have been paid for in advance. But if we go... we do worry about the risk of picking up the virus and bringing it home to elderly relatives and neighbours.” “It all seems a bit conflicted and leaves us uncertain about what to do. If we cancel out trip at the moment we won’t get any money back – lots of flights and hotels have been paid for in advance. But if we go … we do worry about the risk of picking up the virus and bringing it home to elderly relatives and neighbours.”
On Tuesday, Hancock said the official advice around coronavirus is being updated so that people returning to the UK from any areas quarantined by the Italian government should self-isolate whether they show symptoms or not.On Tuesday, Hancock said the official advice around coronavirus is being updated so that people returning to the UK from any areas quarantined by the Italian government should self-isolate whether they show symptoms or not.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Hancock said: “Yes, the official advice which will be formally updated at 8am is going to change so that those who have been to northern Italy – north of Pisa – if they have flu-like symptoms should self-isolate.Speaking on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, Hancock said: “Yes, the official advice which will be formally updated at 8am is going to change so that those who have been to northern Italy – north of Pisa – if they have flu-like symptoms should self-isolate.
“If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms.”“If people have been to the affected areas that the Italian government have quarantined then they should self-isolate whether or not they have symptoms.”
The British couple who were diagnosed with coronavirus on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have said they are recovering well from the disease, without receiving antibiotics. The British couple who were diagnosed with coronavirus onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan have said they are recovering from the disease .
Speaking live from a specialist infectious diseases hospital in Japan, David Abel said: “We have had a fever, our temperatures were high - that’s all worked its way out quite naturally in our body, which we’re very thankful for. Speaking live from a specialist infectious diseases hospital in Japan, David Abel said: “We have had a fever, our temperatures were high – that’s all worked its way out quite naturally in our body, which we’re very thankful for.
“The best course of treatment for us is allowing the body’s natural immunity to get rid of whatever is there.”“The best course of treatment for us is allowing the body’s natural immunity to get rid of whatever is there.”
The couple were both diagnosed with pneumonia, and have been tested for the Covid-19 infection again today, with the results expected tomorrow.The couple were both diagnosed with pneumonia, and have been tested for the Covid-19 infection again today, with the results expected tomorrow.
David said although he has lost weight, he is gaining strength every day, and his wife Sally, who is being treated in the same room, is “virtually over” her pneumonia.David said although he has lost weight, he is gaining strength every day, and his wife Sally, who is being treated in the same room, is “virtually over” her pneumonia.
“They were talking a few days ago about putting me on a respirator. Thank god that was not needed,” said David. “Language is a barrier [...] but they are lovely nurses and doctors, and we laugh about it. “They were talking a few days ago about putting me on a respirator. Thank God that was not needed,” said David. “Language is a barrier […] but they are lovely nurses and doctors, and we laugh about it.
“It’s very difficult when you’re confined to four walls, and you lose your normal freedom and you lose your normal communication and there’s no natural daylight. It’s really hard going but we’re alive.“It’s very difficult when you’re confined to four walls, and you lose your normal freedom and you lose your normal communication and there’s no natural daylight. It’s really hard going but we’re alive.
“We’ve got memories from the fabulous cruise and we’ve got a real hope of seeing our friends and family back in the UK in the not too distant future, and that’s what is keeping us going.”“We’ve got memories from the fabulous cruise and we’ve got a real hope of seeing our friends and family back in the UK in the not too distant future, and that’s what is keeping us going.”
The outbreak of the coronavirus has killed 15 in Iran and there have been 95 confirmed cases, according to the health ministry. Latest figures show the virus, which started in China, has now infected more than 80,000 people globally.The outbreak of the coronavirus has killed 15 in Iran and there have been 95 confirmed cases, according to the health ministry. Latest figures show the virus, which started in China, has now infected more than 80,000 people globally.
Health authorities in the Canary islands have activated their coronavirus protocol after an Italian man staying in Tenerife tested positive for the virus.Health authorities in the Canary islands have activated their coronavirus protocol after an Italian man staying in Tenerife tested positive for the virus.
In a statement issued late on Monday night, they said “an Italian citizen has tested positive during initial tests at the University Hospital of Our Lady of Candelaria” in Tenerife, adding that samples would now be sent to the National Microbiology Centre near Madrid for definitive tests. In a statement issued late on Monday night, they said “an Italian citizen has tested positive during initial tests at the University hospital of Our Lady of Candelaria” in Tenerife, adding that samples would now be sent to the National Microbiology Centre near Madrid for definitive tests.
“The man is in isolation and under medical supervision,” the statement said. “The Canary Islands have, in coordination with the national health ministry, activated the same protocol undertaken in other parts of the country where other suspected cases of the disease have been detected.”“The man is in isolation and under medical supervision,” the statement said. “The Canary Islands have, in coordination with the national health ministry, activated the same protocol undertaken in other parts of the country where other suspected cases of the disease have been detected.”
If the tests are positive, Spain will have three confirmed cases of the coronavirus – one on the remote Canary island of La Gomera and another on the Balearic island of Mallorca.If the tests are positive, Spain will have three confirmed cases of the coronavirus – one on the remote Canary island of La Gomera and another on the Balearic island of Mallorca.
Stock markets have steadied after falling on Monday amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.Stock markets have steadied after falling on Monday amid fears over the spread of coronavirus.
However, experts have warned of further drops as the outbreak rages on. The FTSE 100 Index opened with small gains on Tuesday as it pulled out of the biggest fall for four years.More than £62bn was wiped off the value of Britain’s top share index in the previous session after news of the first major outbreak of coronavirus in Europe, with Italy suffering hundreds of cases.Indices across Europe showed signs of stabilising as investors looked to pick up bargains after the heavy falls, thanks also to a cautious rise on the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong overnight.The Dax in Germany and France’s Cac 40 were just over 20 points lower each within the first hour of trading on Tuesday, having both fallen 4% on Monday.However, experts have warned of further drops as the outbreak rages on. The FTSE 100 Index opened with small gains on Tuesday as it pulled out of the biggest fall for four years.More than £62bn was wiped off the value of Britain’s top share index in the previous session after news of the first major outbreak of coronavirus in Europe, with Italy suffering hundreds of cases.Indices across Europe showed signs of stabilising as investors looked to pick up bargains after the heavy falls, thanks also to a cautious rise on the Hang Seng index in Hong Kong overnight.The Dax in Germany and France’s Cac 40 were just over 20 points lower each within the first hour of trading on Tuesday, having both fallen 4% on Monday.
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: Russ Mould, an investment director at AJ Bell, said:
But Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said it was likely that markets were only pausing for breath. He said: But Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets, said it was likely markets were only pausing for breath. He said:
If you want to share any thoughts or news tips with me about the coronavirus then please email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com or tweet me @sloumarsh. My direct messages are open. ThanksIf you want to share any thoughts or news tips with me about the coronavirus then please email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com or tweet me @sloumarsh. My direct messages are open. Thanks
A health expert has said that he is sceptical about a vaccine being created to deal with the coronavirus before the situation has been brought under control.A health expert has said that he is sceptical about a vaccine being created to deal with the coronavirus before the situation has been brought under control.
The director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Prof Peter Piot, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I don’t expect that there will be a vaccine available for millions of people who would need it before the end of the year.“I am very sceptical that we will have a vaccine before this epidemic is brought under control. But it may be very useful to have one if this becomes seasonal and every year we have a wave of this.”The director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Prof Peter Piot, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I don’t expect that there will be a vaccine available for millions of people who would need it before the end of the year.“I am very sceptical that we will have a vaccine before this epidemic is brought under control. But it may be very useful to have one if this becomes seasonal and every year we have a wave of this.”
Four new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Iraq in Kirkuk province, the health ministry said. This means there are now five cases in the country.Four new cases of coronavirus have been detected in Iraq in Kirkuk province, the health ministry said. This means there are now five cases in the country.
The patients are an Iraqi family who had been on a trip to Iran, the ministry said in a statement. They have been placed in quarantine. Iraq reported its first case of the virus on Monday, an Iranian theology student in the holy Shia city of Najaf.The patients are an Iraqi family who had been on a trip to Iran, the ministry said in a statement. They have been placed in quarantine. Iraq reported its first case of the virus on Monday, an Iranian theology student in the holy Shia city of Najaf.
The new coronavirus is a “game changer” that will require a rethink of global supply networks especially in the health and medicine, the French finance minister said.The new coronavirus is a “game changer” that will require a rethink of global supply networks especially in the health and medicine, the French finance minister said.
“The coronavirus epidemic is a game-changer for globalisation,” Bruno Le Maire said during a visit to Athens, adding that the outbreak had highlighted an “irresponsible and unreasonable” reliance on China.“The coronavirus epidemic is a game-changer for globalisation,” Bruno Le Maire said during a visit to Athens, adding that the outbreak had highlighted an “irresponsible and unreasonable” reliance on China.
“We cannot continue to rely on China for 80 to 85% of pharmaceutical active ingredients,” said Le Maire. And the resulting industrial slowdown in China would have a “direct impact” on industrial resupply, he added.“We cannot continue to rely on China for 80 to 85% of pharmaceutical active ingredients,” said Le Maire. And the resulting industrial slowdown in China would have a “direct impact” on industrial resupply, he added.
The minister said the virus that has killed nearly 2,600 people worldwide would have an impact on travel, given the number of Chinese tourists to Europe. France alone attracts more than 2.5 million Chinese visitors a year, an “important” share of the French tourism sector, Le Maire said.The minister said the virus that has killed nearly 2,600 people worldwide would have an impact on travel, given the number of Chinese tourists to Europe. France alone attracts more than 2.5 million Chinese visitors a year, an “important” share of the French tourism sector, Le Maire said.
In France, one person has died from the virus so far – an elderly Chinese tourist. A further 11 have been treated in hospital , with 10 recovering.In France, one person has died from the virus so far – an elderly Chinese tourist. A further 11 have been treated in hospital , with 10 recovering.