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Coronavirus: Switzerland, Austria and Croatia report cases as Tenerife quarantines hotel – updates Coronavirus: Switzerland, Austria and Croatia report cases as Tenerife quarantines hotel – updates
(32 minutes later)
Outbreaks confirmed in new countries as Iran’s deputy health minister says he has tested positive for coronavirusOutbreaks confirmed in new countries as Iran’s deputy health minister says he has tested positive for coronavirus
Although the WHO earlier praised China’s response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has hit out at China, and Iran, over their handling of the crisis. There have been three further deaths in the coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy, according to a local official. The authorities say the number of virus cases in the country has grown to 322, with 10 deaths now confirmed.
Here is more from the WHO press conference earlier, courtesy of Reuters.
In Geneva, Dr Bruce Aylward, head of the joint WHO-Chinese mission on the coronavirus outbreak, said countries needed to shift their mindset to preparing for an outbreak of the novel coronavirus and be ready to respond rapidly when it arrived.
He told his reporters on his return to Switzerland that China’s “extraordinary mobilisation” to handle the virus outbreak showed how aggressive policy steps could curb the disease’s spread.
Authorities should prepare hospital beds, isolation zones and respirators for severe cases, Aylward said, adding: “China knows how to keep people alive.”
He also said the number of virus infections of Chinese health care workers was coming down, with supplies now largely in place for them after most of them were infected in the community.
Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough has announced it will close for the rest of the week after some pupils and staff “began showing flu-like symptoms” following a school skiing trip to northern Italy last week.The school had earlier said that the 36 pupils who went on the trip would be sent home but in an afternoon update sent to parents it announced the decision to close the school for deep cleaning.A statement from the Nicholas Postgate Catholic Academy Trust, which runs the school, told parents:
Elsewhere, Penair School in Cornwall was thrown into confusion at 9.30am today when the headmaster, James Davidson, sent home a group of children and teachers who had been on a half-term school trip to the Lombardy region where the coronavirus has hit Italy hardest.
Davidson said that on the advice of Public Health England they should remain at home “to self-quarantine for 14 days”, but just hours later he reversed the order saying that updated PHE advice meant they could return. In any event they had been at school for the whole of Monday. The party had returned from Ponte di Legno at the weekend.
In a statement the school said:
Although WHO earlier praised China’s response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, US secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, has hit out at China and Iran over their handling of the crisis.
He accused the two governments of censorship and of trying to cover up the severity of the spread of the deadly illness.He accused the two governments of censorship and of trying to cover up the severity of the spread of the deadly illness.
At a State Department news conference, Pompeo criticised Beijing for expelling three Wall Street Journal reporters and said a free press was needed to ensure accurate information about the virus is available to the public and medical personnel, the Associated Press reported.At a State Department news conference, Pompeo criticised Beijing for expelling three Wall Street Journal reporters and said a free press was needed to ensure accurate information about the virus is available to the public and medical personnel, the Associated Press reported.
He also said Iranian authorities must tell the truth about the virus amid signs the outbreak there may be far wider than officially acknowledged. He also said Iranian authorities must tell the truth about the virus, amid signs the outbreak there may be far wider than officially acknowledged.
Expelling “our journalists” exposes once again the government’s issue that led to SARS and now the coronavirus, namely censorship, Pompeo said of China. Expelling “our journalists” exposes once again the government’s issue that led to Sars and now the coronavirus, namely censorship, Pompeo said of China.
Had China permitted its own and foreign journalists and medical personnel to speak and investigate freely, Chinese officials and other nations would have been far better prepared to address the challenge, he claimed.Had China permitted its own and foreign journalists and medical personnel to speak and investigate freely, Chinese officials and other nations would have been far better prepared to address the challenge, he claimed.
On Iran, which now has the second highest number of infections after China and where the head of the country’s counter-coronavirus task force has tested positive for the virus, Pompeo said the US is “deeply concerned” that the government may have suppressed vital details about the outbreak.On Iran, which now has the second highest number of infections after China and where the head of the country’s counter-coronavirus task force has tested positive for the virus, Pompeo said the US is “deeply concerned” that the government may have suppressed vital details about the outbreak.
“All nations, including Iran, should tell the truth about the coronavirus and cooperate with international aid organizations,” he said. “All nations, including Iran, should tell the truth about the coronavirus and cooperate with international aid organisations,” he said.
In another sign of growing global alarm over the coronavirus outbreak, a prominent Brazilian journalist is today reporting that Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been told he should cancel plans to travel to Italy and Hungary in the coming weeks.“The Bolsonaro family is being advised to cancel trip to Italy, a foreign office source has just told me. Hungary trip also in trouble,” Vera Magalhães tweeted on Tuesday.In another sign of growing global alarm over the coronavirus outbreak, a prominent Brazilian journalist is today reporting that Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has been told he should cancel plans to travel to Italy and Hungary in the coming weeks.“The Bolsonaro family is being advised to cancel trip to Italy, a foreign office source has just told me. Hungary trip also in trouble,” Vera Magalhães tweeted on Tuesday.
“The reason: the assessment that the coronavirus outbreak is going to get worse in Europe.”“The reason: the assessment that the coronavirus outbreak is going to get worse in Europe.”
Its worth noting here that there have not yet been any cases confirmed in Latin America.Its worth noting here that there have not yet been any cases confirmed in Latin America.
Greece, one of the countries in Europe which has not yet recorded a case of coronavirus, has unveiled emergency measures after mounting alarm over the steep jump in cases in Italy.Greece, one of the countries in Europe which has not yet recorded a case of coronavirus, has unveiled emergency measures after mounting alarm over the steep jump in cases in Italy.
In the event of an outbreak, the centre-right government said it would enforce draconian steps to contain the disease, including restricting travel on any form of public transportation.In the event of an outbreak, the centre-right government said it would enforce draconian steps to contain the disease, including restricting travel on any form of public transportation.
Air, sea and rail services would also be limited to prevent the virus spreading.Air, sea and rail services would also be limited to prevent the virus spreading.
Under the emergency act, authorities will have the right to use private clinics and medical services, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters.Under the emergency act, authorities will have the right to use private clinics and medical services, government spokesman Stelios Petsas told reporters.
Citizens suspected of having the virus could also be placed in quarantine to prevent infections spreading.Citizens suspected of having the virus could also be placed in quarantine to prevent infections spreading.
The measures were announced as officials banned school trips to Italy, saying schoolchildren currently in the country would be returned to Greece with immediate effect.The measures were announced as officials banned school trips to Italy, saying schoolchildren currently in the country would be returned to Greece with immediate effect.
Given its proximity to Italy, Greece has stepped up surveillance of ports with regular ferry connections to the neighbouring EU state.Given its proximity to Italy, Greece has stepped up surveillance of ports with regular ferry connections to the neighbouring EU state.
However, infectious disease experts fear the worst should Covid 19 arrive in Greece, with the country’s austerity-hit public health system still reeling from almost a decade of budget cuts.However, infectious disease experts fear the worst should Covid 19 arrive in Greece, with the country’s austerity-hit public health system still reeling from almost a decade of budget cuts.
Meanwhile, a man suspected of displaying flu-like symptoms upon arrival from Italy was declared healthy by doctors in the western port city of Patras on Tuesday.Meanwhile, a man suspected of displaying flu-like symptoms upon arrival from Italy was declared healthy by doctors in the western port city of Patras on Tuesday.
The four chief medical officers across the UK have updated their self-isolation health advice for travellers returning from certain countries to cover a wider area.The four chief medical officers across the UK have updated their self-isolation health advice for travellers returning from certain countries to cover a wider area.
Anyone who has arrived in the UK since 19 February from Iran, specific areas of northern Italy and South Korea, plus the Hubei province in China, is now advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.Anyone who has arrived in the UK since 19 February from Iran, specific areas of northern Italy and South Korea, plus the Hubei province in China, is now advised to stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.
This guidance has been issued to people even if they do not have symptoms, and they should phone their GP – or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.This guidance has been issued to people even if they do not have symptoms, and they should phone their GP – or NHS24 on 111 out of hours.
Anyone who visited the two cities at the centre of the outbreak in South Korea, Daegu and Cheongdo, is advised to self-isolate for a fortnight.Anyone who visited the two cities at the centre of the outbreak in South Korea, Daegu and Cheongdo, is advised to self-isolate for a fortnight.
All travellers returning from Iran are requested to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.All travellers returning from Iran are requested to self-isolate, even if they do not have symptoms.
For northern Italy, all travellers returning from specific lockdown areas identified by the Italian government are advised to self-isolate regardless of whether they have developed symptoms.For northern Italy, all travellers returning from specific lockdown areas identified by the Italian government are advised to self-isolate regardless of whether they have developed symptoms.
People returning from parts of Italy north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini in the past week are asked to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.People returning from parts of Italy north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini in the past week are asked to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.
Anyone who has travelled to the UK from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is also now advised to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.Anyone who has travelled to the UK from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is also now advised to monitor their health, and self-isolate if they develop symptoms.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said:Scotland’s chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood said:
Existing advice from the four UK CMOs to stay indoors remains in place for anyone who has travelled to the UK in the last 14 days from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau.Existing advice from the four UK CMOs to stay indoors remains in place for anyone who has travelled to the UK in the last 14 days from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau.
The popularity of half-term skiing trips in Lombardy has seen at least 12 schools across the UK either close or send pupils home today, after updated advice from Public Health England widened the regions affected by Covid-19 to include northern Italy.The 12 schools hit so far, including one in Wales and three in Northern Ireland, appear to have all travelled to ski resorts via Milan’s airports, close to one of Italy’s virus hotspots.The popularity of half-term skiing trips in Lombardy has seen at least 12 schools across the UK either close or send pupils home today, after updated advice from Public Health England widened the regions affected by Covid-19 to include northern Italy.The 12 schools hit so far, including one in Wales and three in Northern Ireland, appear to have all travelled to ski resorts via Milan’s airports, close to one of Italy’s virus hotspots.
Darren Christian, principal of Salendine Nook high school in Huddersfield told parents:Darren Christian, principal of Salendine Nook high school in Huddersfield told parents:
Hall Cross academy in Doncaster asked staff and students who attended the school’s half-term ski trip to Italy to “remain at home and self-isolate for 14 days”.Hall Cross academy in Doncaster asked staff and students who attended the school’s half-term ski trip to Italy to “remain at home and self-isolate for 14 days”.
A third school in Cheshire, Sandbach high school, has also sent pupils home as a precaution.Meanwhile, 36 pupils from Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough were also told to stay home. Its head teacher, Louise Dwyer, told parents:A third school in Cheshire, Sandbach high school, has also sent pupils home as a precaution.Meanwhile, 36 pupils from Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough were also told to stay home. Its head teacher, Louise Dwyer, told parents:
Treatharras secondary in Newquay and Crispin School in Street, Somerset, have also sent pupils and staff home as a precaution following ski trips to Italy.Treatharras secondary in Newquay and Crispin School in Street, Somerset, have also sent pupils and staff home as a precaution following ski trips to Italy.
Italy’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, has defended the measures his country has taken to contain the outbreak and predicted the number of new cases would stabilise soon, after a 27% increase in cases on Tuesday – from 222 to 283.Italy’s prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, has defended the measures his country has taken to contain the outbreak and predicted the number of new cases would stabilise soon, after a 27% increase in cases on Tuesday – from 222 to 283.
Italy has not yet identified the source of the outbreak, and Croatia, Austria and Switzerland have now recorded cases.Italy has not yet identified the source of the outbreak, and Croatia, Austria and Switzerland have now recorded cases.
Many of the cases in Italy have been confined to Lombardy, and Conte claimed that an alleged failure to completely follow official protocol at hospitals in the region contributed to its spread.Many of the cases in Italy have been confined to Lombardy, and Conte claimed that an alleged failure to completely follow official protocol at hospitals in the region contributed to its spread.
However, Lombardy’s chief health official, Giulio Gallera, defended the region’s handling of the crisis and rebutted Conte’s criticism. “It’s offensive,” he said. “It’s unacceptable.”However, Lombardy’s chief health official, Giulio Gallera, defended the region’s handling of the crisis and rebutted Conte’s criticism. “It’s offensive,” he said. “It’s unacceptable.”
About 40,000 healthcare workers, many of whom volunteered, are in Wuhan helping with the response, according to Aylward.About 40,000 healthcare workers, many of whom volunteered, are in Wuhan helping with the response, according to Aylward.
He added that China has “repurposed the machinery of government”, such as check points, toll booths and tightly controlled transportation networks, to address the disease outbreak while taking multiple hospitals out of general use.He added that China has “repurposed the machinery of government”, such as check points, toll booths and tightly controlled transportation networks, to address the disease outbreak while taking multiple hospitals out of general use.
Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO-China joint mission on Covid-19, has paid tribute to health workers in China who delivered “life-saving” crisis response services as the virus began to spread.Bruce Aylward, head of the WHO-China joint mission on Covid-19, has paid tribute to health workers in China who delivered “life-saving” crisis response services as the virus began to spread.
He praised the approach taken by China to the “frightening” never-seen-before virus.He praised the approach taken by China to the “frightening” never-seen-before virus.
Switzerland has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the country’s federal office of public health has announced.Switzerland has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the country’s federal office of public health has announced.
Further details will be provided at 5pm CET (4pm GMT), the health department said, declining to say where the first case had been detected.Further details will be provided at 5pm CET (4pm GMT), the health department said, declining to say where the first case had been detected.
The Swiss public broadcaster, RTS, said authorities in Ticino, on the border with Italy, had confirmed the case occurred in their region.The Swiss public broadcaster, RTS, said authorities in Ticino, on the border with Italy, had confirmed the case occurred in their region.
The World Health Organization is delivering an update on the coronavirus at a news briefing, as it continues to spread.The World Health Organization is delivering an update on the coronavirus at a news briefing, as it continues to spread.
You can watch it here, and we will keep abreast of developments.You can watch it here, and we will keep abreast of developments.