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Coronavirus latest updates: stocks plunge in Australia as South Korean cases spike Coronavirus latest updates: stocks plunge in Australia as South Korean cases spike
(32 minutes later)
Coronavirus impact on financial markets continues, as Hong Kong announces cash handouts to residents. Follow live newsCoronavirus impact on financial markets continues, as Hong Kong announces cash handouts to residents. Follow live news
Three more people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in Bahrain, bringing the country’s total to 26.
The first 23 cases were all inbound travellers, identified and quarantined in “a specialist hospital isolation centre”, the kingdom’s communication directorate said earlier. All but one were diagnosed at an airport before entering Bahrain, it said.
The Philippines is the latest country to impose travel bans. It has announced it will refuse entry to any traveler from the South Korean province of Gyeongsang.The Philippines is the latest country to impose travel bans. It has announced it will refuse entry to any traveler from the South Korean province of Gyeongsang.
Separately, Reuters reports that Kuwait has banned foreign ships from departing to or arriving from South Korea, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Iraq.Separately, Reuters reports that Kuwait has banned foreign ships from departing to or arriving from South Korea, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Japan, China, Hong Kong, and Iraq.
Oil sector ships are excluded from the ban.Oil sector ships are excluded from the ban.
The United Arab Emirates is “well prepared and equipped for the worst case scenarios” as the coronavirus spreads in Middle East, an official from the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority told Reuters on Wednesday.The United Arab Emirates is “well prepared and equipped for the worst case scenarios” as the coronavirus spreads in Middle East, an official from the UAE National Emergency Crisis and Disasters Management Authority told Reuters on Wednesday.
The official said the UAE has enough facilities to quarantine patients and relevant bodies have been instructed to undertake “a complete surveillance of all people entering the country”.The official said the UAE has enough facilities to quarantine patients and relevant bodies have been instructed to undertake “a complete surveillance of all people entering the country”.
The UAE has reported 13 people have been diagnosed with the infection, of whom three have recovered and two are in critical condition.The UAE has reported 13 people have been diagnosed with the infection, of whom three have recovered and two are in critical condition.
Iran, UAE’s neighbour across the Gulf, reported on Tuesday a total of 16 virus-related deaths, the most outside ChinaIran, UAE’s neighbour across the Gulf, reported on Tuesday a total of 16 virus-related deaths, the most outside China
Thailand has reported three new cases today, taking total infections to 40, Reuters is reporting, citing Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary at the health ministry.Thailand has reported three new cases today, taking total infections to 40, Reuters is reporting, citing Sukhum Kanchanapimai, permanent secretary at the health ministry.
The patients are all Thai nationals. Two had returned from holidays in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, and came into contact with the third.The patients are all Thai nationals. Two had returned from holidays in Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido, and came into contact with the third.
The AP has released a wrap of the current numbers. There are a total 81,002 confirmed cases around the world, and 2,762 dead.The AP has released a wrap of the current numbers. There are a total 81,002 confirmed cases around the world, and 2,762 dead.
Mainland China: 78,064 cases, 2,715 deaths, mostly in HubeiMainland China: 78,064 cases, 2,715 deaths, mostly in Hubei
South Korea: 1,146 cases, 11 deathsSouth Korea: 1,146 cases, 11 deaths
Japan: 860 cases, including 691 from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama, 4 deathsJapan: 860 cases, including 691 from a cruise ship docked in Yokohama, 4 deaths
Italy: 323 cases, 11 deathsItaly: 323 cases, 11 deaths
Iran: 95 cases, 15 deathsIran: 95 cases, 15 deaths
Singapore: 91 casesSingapore: 91 cases
Hong Kong: 81 cases, 2 deathsHong Kong: 81 cases, 2 deaths
Thailand: 37 casesThailand: 37 cases
United States: 57 casesUnited States: 57 cases
Taiwan: 31 cases, 1 deathTaiwan: 31 cases, 1 death
Australia: 23 casesAustralia: 23 cases
Malaysia: 22Malaysia: 22
Bahrain: 17Bahrain: 17
Vietnam: 16 casesVietnam: 16 cases
Germany: 17Germany: 17
United Arab Emirates: 13 casesUnited Arab Emirates: 13 cases
United Kingdom: 13United Kingdom: 13
France: 14 cases, 1 deathFrance: 14 cases, 1 death
Canada: 11Canada: 11
Kuwait: 11Kuwait: 11
Macao: 10 casesMacao: 10 cases
Iraq: 5Iraq: 5
Philippines: 3 cases, 1 deathPhilippines: 3 cases, 1 death
India: 3India: 3
Spain: 6Spain: 6
Russia: 2Russia: 2
Israel: 2Israel: 2
Oman: 2Oman: 2
Austria: 2Austria: 2
Lebanon: 1Lebanon: 1
Belgium: 1Belgium: 1
Nepal: 1Nepal: 1
Sri Lanka: 1Sri Lanka: 1
Sweden: 1Sweden: 1
Cambodia: 1Cambodia: 1
Finland: 1Finland: 1
Egypt: 1Egypt: 1
Algeria: 1Algeria: 1
Afghanistan: 1Afghanistan: 1
Croatia: 1Croatia: 1
Switzerland: 1Switzerland: 1
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has called for sports and cultural events to be cancelled or postponed for the next fortnight, as the country tries to contain its outbreak.Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, has called for sports and cultural events to be cancelled or postponed for the next fortnight, as the country tries to contain its outbreak.
“Taking into account that the next one to two weeks are extremely important in stopping the spread of infection, the government considers there to be a large risk of transmission at sports, cultural events and large gatherings of people,” Abe told parliament.“Taking into account that the next one to two weeks are extremely important in stopping the spread of infection, the government considers there to be a large risk of transmission at sports, cultural events and large gatherings of people,” Abe told parliament.
Five people have died of the Covid-19 illness in Japan, which has had at least 164 cases of infection in the general population, as well as 691 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship which docked south of Tokyo.Five people have died of the Covid-19 illness in Japan, which has had at least 164 cases of infection in the general population, as well as 691 on the Diamond Princess cruise ship which docked south of Tokyo.
Businesses have been urged to recommend staff work from home, and a Tokyo baseball team said it would play games in an empty stadium this weekend.Businesses have been urged to recommend staff work from home, and a Tokyo baseball team said it would play games in an empty stadium this weekend.
Meanwhile the Japanese minister in charge of the Olympics, scheduled for July, has sought to reassure people the games would go ahead despite comments from senior Olympics officials that it may have to be cancelled.Meanwhile the Japanese minister in charge of the Olympics, scheduled for July, has sought to reassure people the games would go ahead despite comments from senior Olympics officials that it may have to be cancelled.
Coronavirus fear has gripped the Australian market, driving the benchmark ASX200 index down more than 2.5% today.Coronavirus fear has gripped the Australian market, driving the benchmark ASX200 index down more than 2.5% today.
The market has fallen every day so far this week, wiping 6.3% - or about $125bn - from the index.The market has fallen every day so far this week, wiping 6.3% - or about $125bn - from the index.
All sectors have bit hammered, but the brunt of the pain is being felt by investors in stocks with heavy exposure to the Chinese economy and international travel.All sectors have bit hammered, but the brunt of the pain is being felt by investors in stocks with heavy exposure to the Chinese economy and international travel.
At about 3.40pm metals company and BHP spin-off South32 was down almost 7.5% while fund manager Magellan has been smashed, dropping 7.8%.At about 3.40pm metals company and BHP spin-off South32 was down almost 7.5% while fund manager Magellan has been smashed, dropping 7.8%.
But only 13 of the 200 stocks in the index have escaped a fall today, with every other company, including the big banks, feeling the financial fallout from the virus fears.But only 13 of the 200 stocks in the index have escaped a fall today, with every other company, including the big banks, feeling the financial fallout from the virus fears.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship continues to be a major focus of the global outbreak.The Diamond Princess cruise ship continues to be a major focus of the global outbreak.
Passengers who were allowed off the virus-stricken ship are continuing to develop symptoms, and several of the 970 who were allowed off last week after testing negative have since developed the Covid-19 illness, including another Australian passenger announced today.Passengers who were allowed off the virus-stricken ship are continuing to develop symptoms, and several of the 970 who were allowed off last week after testing negative have since developed the Covid-19 illness, including another Australian passenger announced today.
Japan has come under criticism over its handling of the cruise ship, and several countries which repatriated its citizens from the ship required them to undergo further quarantining despite Japan’s decision to release them.Japan has come under criticism over its handling of the cruise ship, and several countries which repatriated its citizens from the ship required them to undergo further quarantining despite Japan’s decision to release them.
Japan’s health minister Katsunobo Kato told parliament today the ministry had found 45 people with “certain symptoms”, and had asked them all to see a doctor and take tests.Japan’s health minister Katsunobo Kato told parliament today the ministry had found 45 people with “certain symptoms”, and had asked them all to see a doctor and take tests.
The Hong Kong government has formally announced the relief package that SCMP reported earlier, including the HKD $10,000 for each permanent resident over the age of 18.The Hong Kong government has formally announced the relief package that SCMP reported earlier, including the HKD $10,000 for each permanent resident over the age of 18.
Finance chief Paul Chan confirmed the “exceptional measure” was in light of current circumstances (months of unrest plus the coronavirus) and said it would not create long term financial burden.Finance chief Paul Chan confirmed the “exceptional measure” was in light of current circumstances (months of unrest plus the coronavirus) and said it would not create long term financial burden.
He said he made the decision “with a view to encouraging and boosting local consumption on the one hand, and relieving people’s financial burden on the other”.He said he made the decision “with a view to encouraging and boosting local consumption on the one hand, and relieving people’s financial burden on the other”.
It will cost about HKD$71bn in total, he said, and is expected to benefit seven million people.It will cost about HKD$71bn in total, he said, and is expected to benefit seven million people.
There are 555 confirmed cases of infection in Chinese prisons, although no deaths so far, and a senior leader in the country’s justice ministry has blamed it on law enforcement. Xiong Xuanguo, deputy minister of the justice ministry, has accused them of poor disease control efforts.There are 555 confirmed cases of infection in Chinese prisons, although no deaths so far, and a senior leader in the country’s justice ministry has blamed it on law enforcement. Xiong Xuanguo, deputy minister of the justice ministry, has accused them of poor disease control efforts.
“The transmission of the disease truly reflects some gaps in our management of prisons and in our prevention and epidemic control work,” he said.“The transmission of the disease truly reflects some gaps in our management of prisons and in our prevention and epidemic control work,” he said.
The women’s jail in the central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, is 100m from a hospital and both facilities are serviced by the same bus stop, Xiong told a news conference held by the information office of China’s State Council or cabinet.The women’s jail in the central city of Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, is 100m from a hospital and both facilities are serviced by the same bus stop, Xiong told a news conference held by the information office of China’s State Council or cabinet.
For cases found at jails in the eastern provinces of Shandong and Zhejiang, he added, local security forces did not report they had been in contact with individuals from Hubei province, the capital of which is Wuhan.For cases found at jails in the eastern provinces of Shandong and Zhejiang, he added, local security forces did not report they had been in contact with individuals from Hubei province, the capital of which is Wuhan.
“Our police officers at every level did not make truthful reports,” he said.“Our police officers at every level did not make truthful reports,” he said.
This year’s Olympic Games could be cancelled if the disease proved too dangerous, a senior International Olympic Committee member has said.
Dick Pound, a former Canadian swimming champion and IOC member since 1978, estimated there was a two-to-three month window to make a decision, Gavin Blair reports.
“In and around that time, I’d say folks are going to have to ask: ‘Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident about going to Tokyo or not?’” Pound told Associated Press.
As the Games draw near, he said, “a lot of things have to start happening. You’ve got to start ramping up your security, your food, the Olympic Village, the hotels. The media folks will be in there, building their studios.”
If the IOC decides the games cannot go forward as scheduled in Tokyo, “you’re probably looking at a cancellation”, he said.
All public elementary and junior high schools in the Japanese prefecture of Hokkaido will close for a few days from Thursday, according to Kyodo News agency. Hokkaido has 35 confirmed cases, the highest number in Japan outside of Tokyo.
San Francisco has declared a local emergency over the coronavirus, despite having no cases, Reuters reports.
It comes as US officials urged Americans to prepare for the spread of infections within their communities.
California’s fourth-largest city said it made the move to boost its coronavirus preparedness and raise public awareness of risks the virus may spread to the city.
“Although there are still zero confirmed cases in San Francisco residents, the global picture is changing rapidly, and we need to step-up preparedness,” the city’s mayor London Breed said.
The South China Morning Post is reporting the Hong Kong government is about to announce a relief package which includes HKD$10,000 (US$1,200) cash handouts for permanent residents aged over 18.
The HK$120bn package to bring relief to the city after months of civil unrest and now the virus, is expected to be announced during the budget speech on Wednesday.
A second person who visited Bali, Indonesia, has tested positive for the virus.
According to Japanese and Indonesian media, the Tokyo man in his sixties visited Bali shortly before testing positive for Covid-19.
According to the Jakarta Post, the man works at an aged care home, and returned to work for at least one day after presenting to a health clinic with cold-like symptoms and being discharged because he was not diagnosed with pneumonia.
“We have started contact tracing. We found the hotel he stayed at during his visit to Bali,” Bali Health Agency head Ketut Suarjaya told The Jakarta Post.
It’s the second case of someone who had visited Bali later testing positive for the virus on their return home. A Chinese man was diagnosed eight days after he retuned from the island earlier this month.
Indonesia says it has no confirmed cases of the virus, and that 28 people from Bali who showed symptoms all tested negative.
A US soldier has tested positive for the coronavirus, according to a statement from US Forces Korea.
The 23-year-old, who had been based in a US camp in a town near the South Korean city of Daegu, was in self-isolation at his off-base residence. He had visited Camp Walker in Daegu earlier in the week.
South Korean authorities and US military health workers were tracing his contacts for people who might have been exposed.
“USFK is implementing all appropriate control measures to help control the spread of Covid-19 and remains at risk level ‘high’ for USFK peninsula-wide as a prudent measure to protect the force,” the statement said.
An eighth Australian passenger from the Diamond Princess cruise ship has tested positive for the virus. His partner had already tested positive, and so he has been in isolation, and will now receive treatment.
Back to the Australian authorities, who are giving a lot of detail about the response plans and current situation in the island country.
Minister Greg Hunt says more than 3,000 tests have been done in Australia, of which only 15 in the general population have come back positive.
Under Australian law and the official declaration by Murphy, the federal government has quarantine powers, as well as the individual states, and that includes forcible quarantining of people. (The context to this is a discussion on ABC TV’s Q&A program on Monday, which saw disturbing footage of Chinese authorities forcibly taking people from their homes and to quarantine. Expert panellists noted that Australia had the power to do the same.)
“The states themselves have their own bio security arrangements and, for example, they have been monitoring the home isolation and they have powers. If they need them. We have powers if we need them.”
Just to jump in, while the Australian press conference continues, we brought you the updated infection numbers from China a short time ago.
The death toll of 52 people on Tuesday is the lowest daily figure from mainland China in more than three weeks, AFP is reporting.
The number of fresh cases has declined in China, with multiple provinces reporting zero new infections in recent days.
Only five cases were reported outside the epicentre, the lowest in over a month.