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Coronavirus latest updates: stocks plunge in Australia as South Korean cases spike Coronavirus news: stocks plunge in Australia as South Korean cases spike - live updates
(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
The World Health Organisation expert who led a delegation to Wuhan has warned countries outside China are “simply not ready” for a pandemic.
The virus has infected more than 81,000 people, and killed 2,762, the vast majority of cases in mainland China and in particular Hubei province.
South Korea reported 169 new cases, reaching a total of 1,146, 90% of them in Daegu and North Gyeongsang.
South Korean authorities said they plan to test around 200,000 members of a secretive church believed to be at the centre of the outbreak.
Mainland China saw its lowest daily death toll in more than three weeks, with 52 fatalities on Tuesday.
Three more people died in Iran, bringing the total to 16 from almost 100 cases.
Latin America recorded its first suspected case, with a patient in Brazil awaiting a second test to confirm the diagnosis.
A US soldier based in a US military camp in a town near Daegu has tested positive and is in self-isolation.
Australia’s ASX200 plunged 2.5% on Wednesday, wiping around $125bn from the index’s value.
International Olympic Committee member, Dick Pound, has said the Tokyo Olympics could be cancelled if the virus threat is too great, and a decision would have to be made within two to three months.
Japan cancelled its football league, and a Tokyo baseball team said it will play in an empty stadium this weekend.
Preparations for an outbreak of coronavirus were underway in Afghanistan as the country confirmed its first case in the western province of Herat, which borders Iran.
Seven more suspected cases have been identified in Herat, and three cases in the nearby provinces of Farah and Ghor.
The affected Herat residents had recently returned from Qom in Iran, where the coronavirus outbreak has already killed at least 16 people and infected dozens of others, according to Iranian officials.
Three more people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in Bahrain, bringing the country’s total to 26.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 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.