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Coronavirus: South Korean cases surge as WHO says world not ready for pandemic - live updates Coronavirus: South Korean cases surge as WHO says world not ready for pandemic - live updates
(30 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 medical director of Public Health England, Paul Cosford, has confirmed that the health agency is not advising that English schools shut over fears of a coronavirus outbreak. He told the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday morning:
Public Health England was available to talk to schools about their “specific circumstances” and “help them make the right decisions for them”, he said.
A Chinese national with coronavirus is facing up to six months in jail in Singapore after being charged with allegedly giving false information about his whereabouts in the city, according to a Reuters report.
Singapore’s health ministry said it had charged the 38-year-old man from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus first surfaced late last year, and his wife who resides in Singapore for allegedly providing false information to authorities about their movements.
The husband had been confirmed to be infected with the virus in late January, and has since recovered, while his wife had been quarantined due to her close contact with him.
The health ministry said “detailed investigations” had established their true movements and they were charged “in view of the potentially serious repercussions of the false information...and the risk they could have posed to public health”.
Charges under the Infectious Diseases Act are rare and this is the first case during the coronavirus outbreak in Singapore. First time offenders under the Act can be fined up to S$10,000 ($7,147) or imprisoned for six months, or both.
There is outrage brewing in Vietnam over the behaviour of a group of South Korean tourists from Daegu, at the centre of the their country’s coronavirus outbreak, who caused a fuss when Vietnamese authorities tried to put them in quarantine.
The story, so far as I can gather from tweets with the hashtag #apologizeVietNam, is that after the South Korean tourists arrived in Vietnam they refused quarantine at the local specialist hospital, forcing authorities to instead isolate them in a four-star hotel.
To add insult to injury, when the group returned to South Korea, they criticised the Vietnamese hospitality, in particular deriding the local speciality bánh mì as “just some pieces of bread”.
Authorities in western Germany said on Wednesday that a man who contracted Covid-19 is in a critical condition and has been taken to a specialist hospital in Düsseldorf, the Associated Press reports.Authorities in western Germany said on Wednesday that a man who contracted Covid-19 is in a critical condition and has been taken to a specialist hospital in Düsseldorf, the Associated Press reports.
The health ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia state said the man was first hospitalised on Monday with serious pneumonia in the town of Erkelenz, near the Dutch border.The health ministry of North Rhine-Westphalia state said the man was first hospitalised on Monday with serious pneumonia in the town of Erkelenz, near the Dutch border.
He was then diagnosed with the virus and isolated in an intensive care unit before being transported to Düsseldorf’s University hospital. The man’s wife was also isolated on suspicion of contracting the virus after showing symptoms.He was then diagnosed with the virus and isolated in an intensive care unit before being transported to Düsseldorf’s University hospital. The man’s wife was also isolated on suspicion of contracting the virus after showing symptoms.
A German news agency reported that the man was in his 40s and had a pre-existing condition.A German news agency reported that the man was in his 40s and had a pre-existing condition.
Over in the City, the FTSE 100 index of the biggest companies listed in London has hit a new one-year low at the start of trading, writes Graeme Wearden, on the Guardian’s business desk.Over in the City, the FTSE 100 index of the biggest companies listed in London has hit a new one-year low at the start of trading, writes Graeme Wearden, on the Guardian’s business desk.
Rising fears over Covid-19 have pushed the blue-chip index down by another 39 points, or 0.5%, to 6978 points at the start of trading. That’s its lowest level since February 2019.Travel companies are leading the fallers, again, with the holiday firm TUI and budget airline easyJet both losing 3%.Rising fears over Covid-19 have pushed the blue-chip index down by another 39 points, or 0.5%, to 6978 points at the start of trading. That’s its lowest level since February 2019.Travel companies are leading the fallers, again, with the holiday firm TUI and budget airline easyJet both losing 3%.
This means the FTSE 100 has fallen more than 5% this week, wiping out more than £100bn of value, as investors have been spooked by the surge in the number of coronavirus infections around the world.Our business liveblog has more details:This means the FTSE 100 has fallen more than 5% this week, wiping out more than £100bn of value, as investors have been spooked by the surge in the number of coronavirus infections around the world.Our business liveblog has more details:
The number of coronavirus cases continues to leap in South Korea, according to Reuters.The number of coronavirus cases continues to leap in South Korea, according to Reuters.
The country has reported a further 115 infections on Wednesday afternoon, on top of the 169 new cases reported on Wednesday morning.The country has reported a further 115 infections on Wednesday afternoon, on top of the 169 new cases reported on Wednesday morning.
The country’s total tally of Covid-19 patients is now 1,261, according to Korea’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.The country’s total tally of Covid-19 patients is now 1,261, according to Korea’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Department for Education and Public Health England have issued updated advice for schools and colleges in England, following a number of schools sending staff and students home to self-isolate after returning from northern Italy, Richard Adams, the Guardian’s education editor, reports.The Department for Education and Public Health England have issued updated advice for schools and colleges in England, following a number of schools sending staff and students home to self-isolate after returning from northern Italy, Richard Adams, the Guardian’s education editor, reports.
The area including Milan is mostly classed as “category 2” by Public Health England in terms of Covid-19 risk. The detailed advice states in part that students returning from the region without symptoms should continue going to school as normal.The area including Milan is mostly classed as “category 2” by Public Health England in terms of Covid-19 risk. The detailed advice states in part that students returning from the region without symptoms should continue going to school as normal.
This is an extract from the updated advice:This is an extract from the updated advice:
They are advised to self-isolate only if they develop symptoms.They are advised to self-isolate only if they develop symptoms.
They can continue to attend work or education.They can continue to attend work or education.
They do not need to avoid contact with other people.They do not need to avoid contact with other people.
Their family do not need to take any precautions or make any changes to their own activities.Their family do not need to take any precautions or make any changes to their own activities.
Click here to read the government’s advice to schools in full.Click here to read the government’s advice to schools in full.
Leaders of the Philippine church have urged priests to adapt the Ash Wednesday rite in order to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, AFP reports.Leaders of the Philippine church have urged priests to adapt the Ash Wednesday rite in order to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, AFP reports.
Filipinos marked the holy day with a bow and a sprinkling of dust instead of a cross being daubed on their foreheads by priests. Churches have also discouraged worshippers from holding hands during mass.Filipinos marked the holy day with a bow and a sprinkling of dust instead of a cross being daubed on their foreheads by priests. Churches have also discouraged worshippers from holding hands during mass.
“It makes me feel safe,” said Wendy Tamidles, a 19-year-old student, who was among thousands of people, some wearing surgical masks, who lined up at Baclaran church in Manila for services on Wednesday.“It makes me feel safe,” said Wendy Tamidles, a 19-year-old student, who was among thousands of people, some wearing surgical masks, who lined up at Baclaran church in Manila for services on Wednesday.
There have been three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Philippines, and one death.There have been three confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the Philippines, and one death.
The Philippines is overwhelmingly Catholic, with 80%t of its people said to be believers. Local church officials have also “strongly recommended” that Catholics do not kiss or touch the cross during Good Friday services, which is usually common practice.The Philippines is overwhelmingly Catholic, with 80%t of its people said to be believers. Local church officials have also “strongly recommended” that Catholics do not kiss or touch the cross during Good Friday services, which is usually common practice.
“We are being cautious so that the coronavirus won’t spread,” said Victorino Cueto, the rector of Baclaran church.“We are being cautious so that the coronavirus won’t spread,” said Victorino Cueto, the rector of Baclaran church.
The Scottish government announced last night it was stepping up its preparations for an outbreak, after the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, chaired a resilience meeting to discuss preparations.The Scottish government announced last night it was stepping up its preparations for an outbreak, after the first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, chaired a resilience meeting to discuss preparations.
The health secretary, Jeane Freeman, said it was “expecting an outbreak” in Scotland but stressed the risk to individuals was low and that all tests so far had come back negative. A total of 412 people have been tested for the virus in Scotland so far.The health secretary, Jeane Freeman, said it was “expecting an outbreak” in Scotland but stressed the risk to individuals was low and that all tests so far had come back negative. A total of 412 people have been tested for the virus in Scotland so far.
Preparations include:Preparations include:
Establishing two testing laboratories in Glasgow and Edinburgh to speed up identification of confirmed cases.Establishing two testing laboratories in Glasgow and Edinburgh to speed up identification of confirmed cases.
Supplying GPs’ surgeries with face masks and ensuring hospitals are fully stocked with personal protective equipment.Supplying GPs’ surgeries with face masks and ensuring hospitals are fully stocked with personal protective equipment.
Updating public health legislation to make coronavirus a notifiable disease, thus requiring doctors to inform health boards about any cases of the disease.Updating public health legislation to make coronavirus a notifiable disease, thus requiring doctors to inform health boards about any cases of the disease.
Several schools in the UK have closed today, while others have sent pupils home for fear they may have been exposed to coronavirus during ski trips to northern Italy, PA Media reports.Several schools in the UK have closed today, while others have sent pupils home for fear they may have been exposed to coronavirus during ski trips to northern Italy, PA Media reports.
Travellers returning from that part of the world have been told they may need to self-isolate and Public Health England announced that flu patients will now be assessed for coronavirus to see if it is spreading.Travellers returning from that part of the world have been told they may need to self-isolate and Public Health England announced that flu patients will now be assessed for coronavirus to see if it is spreading.
Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire, and Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough on Tuesday announced they would be closed for the rest of the week to carry out a “deep clean” after pupils and teachers had returned from ski trips in northern Italy.Cransley School in Northwich, Cheshire, and Trinity Catholic College in Middlesbrough on Tuesday announced they would be closed for the rest of the week to carry out a “deep clean” after pupils and teachers had returned from ski trips in northern Italy.
Trinity Catholic College said a “small number of staff and pupils” had started showing mild flu-like symptoms following their trip.Trinity Catholic College said a “small number of staff and pupils” had started showing mild flu-like symptoms following their trip.
Lutton St Nicholas and Gedney Church End primary schools in Lincolnshire also said they had closed “because of a potential connection to the coronavirus by an individual within the school” and St Christopher’s C of E High School in Accrington told parents it would be shut on Wednesday.Lutton St Nicholas and Gedney Church End primary schools in Lincolnshire also said they had closed “because of a potential connection to the coronavirus by an individual within the school” and St Christopher’s C of E High School in Accrington told parents it would be shut on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Sandbach High School in Cheshire said students and staff who visited Aprica, in Italy’s Lombardy region, were to stay indoors and self-isolate.Meanwhile, Sandbach High School in Cheshire said students and staff who visited Aprica, in Italy’s Lombardy region, were to stay indoors and self-isolate.
A third Cheshire school, Brine Leas School in Nantwich, said its sixth form was closed due to staff shortages following government advice regarding travel to Italy.A third Cheshire school, Brine Leas School in Nantwich, said its sixth form was closed due to staff shortages following government advice regarding travel to Italy.
Students from Penair School in Truro, Cornwall, Salendine Nook High School in Huddersfield, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby and Newquay Tretherras in Newquay, have also been advised to stay home after returning from ski trips.Students from Penair School in Truro, Cornwall, Salendine Nook High School in Huddersfield, Cardinal Heenan Catholic High School in West Derby and Newquay Tretherras in Newquay, have also been advised to stay home after returning from ski trips.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said official advice has been changed to say people who have been to anywhere in Italy north of Pisa should self-isolate if they develop flu-like symptoms on their return to the UK. Britons who have been in locked-down regions of Italy – including Lombardy and Veneto – were told they should self-isolate at home for 14 days even if they have no symptoms.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said official advice has been changed to say people who have been to anywhere in Italy north of Pisa should self-isolate if they develop flu-like symptoms on their return to the UK. Britons who have been in locked-down regions of Italy – including Lombardy and Veneto – were told they should self-isolate at home for 14 days even if they have no symptoms.
Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking the reins of the coronavirus blog from London, where we are beginning to see commuters on our public transport systems wearing face masks as fear of the outbreak spreads.Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking the reins of the coronavirus blog from London, where we are beginning to see commuters on our public transport systems wearing face masks as fear of the outbreak spreads.
As usual, as well as the Guardian’s network of correspondents, social media and news wires, I’ll be relying on your tips, questions and suggestions to shape the day’s live coverage. So please feel free to drop me a line at damien.gayle@gmail.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.As usual, as well as the Guardian’s network of correspondents, social media and news wires, I’ll be relying on your tips, questions and suggestions to shape the day’s live coverage. So please feel free to drop me a line at damien.gayle@gmail.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
The World Health Organization expert who led a delegation to Wuhan has warned countries outside China are “simply not ready” for a pandemic.The World Health Organization 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.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 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 about 200,000 members of a secretive church believed to be at the centre of the outbreak.South Korean authorities said they plan to test about 200,000 members of a secretive church believed to be at the centre of the outbreak.
Mainland China reported its lowest daily death toll in more than three weeks, with 52 fatalities on Tuesday.Mainland China reported 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.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.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 military camp in a town near Daegu has tested positive and is in self-isolation.A US soldier based in a military camp in a town near Daegu has tested positive and is in self-isolation.
Australia’s ASX200 plunged 2.5% on Wednesday, wiping about $125bn from the index’s value.Australia’s ASX200 plunged 2.5% on Wednesday, wiping about $125bn from the index’s value.
The 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.The 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.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 under way in Afghanistan as the country confirmed its first case in the western province of Herat, which borders Iran.Preparations for an outbreak of coronavirus were under way 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.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.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.