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Coronavirus: Ireland v Italy Six Nations game postponed amid European rise in cases - live updates Coronavirus: Ireland v Italy Six Nations games postponed amid European rise in cases - live updates
(32 minutes later)
More than 80,000 cases worldwide as impact on financial markets continues and UK schools told not to shut over infection fears. Follow live news More than 80,000 cases worldwide as World Health Organisation says virus now spreading faster outside China than in it
The opening three races of the Formula One season are coming under increasing threat of cancellation as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread outside China.
The Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed but the spread of the virus in Italy and Japan has resulted in concern that the meetings in Australia, Bahrain and Vietnam may also be affected. On Wednesday, Ferrari announced the suspension of non-critical business travel as well as the restriction of external access to its factory in Maranello, located 140km from the epicentre of the outbreak in Italy, in Codogno.
A British couple quarantined in Costa Adeje Palace hotel in Tenerife have put out a video appeal to Boris Johnson to bring them home.
In the video, broadcast by the BBC, Mandy Davis said:
Speaking along side her husband, Roger, Davis added:
A 60-year-old teacher who fell ill with coronavirus has become the second fatality in France from the illness, AFP reports.
The man died overnight in a hospital in the capital, bringing the coronavirus death toll in the country to two, said the health ministry’s deputy head, Jérôme Salomon.
The first victim was an 80-year-old Chinese tourist who died in hospital in mid-February.
The teacher, who worked at a junior high school in the town of Crépy-en-Valois, about 80 km (50 miles) north-east of Paris, had not travelled to an area affected by the global coronavirus outbreak, said Etienne Champion, the director general of the health agency of the Hauts-de-France region.
After feeling unwell he stopped work on 12 February, at the start of the mid-term school holidays. He was tested for the coronavirus in the emergency ward of a Paris hospital on Tuesday, shortly before he died.
Apart from the teacher, France has reported four other new cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours: two in people returning from the Lombardy region of Italy, at the centre of Europe’s biggest outbreak of the disease.
Eleven people have recovered in France, bringing the total of diagnosed cases in the country to 17.
Among the four still in hospital, a 55-year-old man from the same region as the teacher was in a serious condition in hospital, said Champion.
A British teacher, living in a Chinese “ghost town”, has been sharing video blogs of life at the centre of the coronavirus outbreak.
Ardit Ajeti, 24, from Wimbledon, in south-west London, was living and working as a PE teacher in Guangzhou when the virus outbreak resulted in the entire city being placed on lockdown.He says the Chinese government has forbidden residents from leaving the city after it was placed into a 14-day quarantine on Wednesday.
Although supermarkets are not experiencing food shortages, restaurants have been banned from opening, with only takeaways and grocery stores allowed to sell food.
Residential areas have been cordoned off, and citizens have to go through temperature checks before being allowed in and out of certain parts of the city.
Videos posted on Ajeti’s YouTube site show him exploring the city, with normally busy areas completely empty.
Speaking to PA Media, he said:
Although his school is closed and Ajeti is no longer able to teach, he said the Chinese government confirmed everyone would still be paid their full salaries.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has clarified advice on travel to Italy following the coronavirus deaths in the north of the country, after he was accused of creating confusion for British tourists.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has clarified advice on travel to Italy following the coronavirus deaths in the north of the country, after he was accused of creating confusion for British tourists.
On Tuesday, when asked whether he would travel to the Lombardy region, he said: “I’m not planning to go, put it that way.” His comments attracted criticism that he was contradicting official UK government advice that people should only avoid travel to towns in Lombardy that are under confinement.On Tuesday, when asked whether he would travel to the Lombardy region, he said: “I’m not planning to go, put it that way.” His comments attracted criticism that he was contradicting official UK government advice that people should only avoid travel to towns in Lombardy that are under confinement.
Giving an update to MPs on Wednesday, Hancock was asked by the shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth, about the “discrepancy”.Giving an update to MPs on Wednesday, Hancock was asked by the shadow health secretary, Jon Ashworth, about the “discrepancy”.
Hancock replied: “All but essential travel is not recommended to the quarantined areas in northern Italy and the advice for those returning from northern Italy is very clear, which is if you are coming back from the quarantined areas then please self-isolate and if you’re coming back from the whole of northern Italy then please self-isolate if you have symptoms. I hope that advice is clear.”Hancock replied: “All but essential travel is not recommended to the quarantined areas in northern Italy and the advice for those returning from northern Italy is very clear, which is if you are coming back from the quarantined areas then please self-isolate and if you’re coming back from the whole of northern Italy then please self-isolate if you have symptoms. I hope that advice is clear.”
Ireland’s Six Nations rugby game against Italy in Dublin on 7 March has been postponed – and possibly cancelled – because of the coronavirus outbreak. Ireland’s Six Nations rugby matches against Italy in Dublin on the weekend of 6-8 March have been postponed – and possibly cancelled – because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Philip Browne, the chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon after meeting a delegation of health officials led by the health minister, Simon Harris.Philip Browne, the chief executive of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), announced the decision on Wednesday afternoon after meeting a delegation of health officials led by the health minister, Simon Harris.
“We were then advised, formally, that the National Public Health Emergency team has determined that the series of matches should not proceed, in the interests of public health. The IRFU is perfectly happy to comply with this instruction,” said Browne. Browne said: “We were then advised, formally, that the National Public Health Emergency team has determined that the series of matches should not proceed, in the interests of public health. The IRFU is perfectly happy to comply with this instruction.”
Browne said the headline game at the Aviva stadium – as well as two other matches against Italian teams due to be held on 7 and 8 March – may be held later. He added that the 7 March men’s game at the Aviva Stadium as well as the women’s match on 8 March and an Under-20s Six Nations fixture between the countries on 6 March may be held later: “We will immediately begin to work with our Six Nations partners to look at the possibility of rescheduling those matches. I would hope to have an update on that in the coming days.”
“We will immediately begin to work with our Six Nations partners to look at the possibility of rescheduling those matches. I would hope to have an update on that in the coming days.” The IRFU had been expected to act after Harris said on Tuesday that Italy’s multiplying cases of coronavirus made the games – which would draw thousands of Italian fans to Dublin – too risky. He had said: “The very clear view of the public health emergency team was that this game should not go ahead, that it would constitute a very significant risk,” said Harris.
The IRFU had been expected to cancel the fixtures after Harris said on Tuesday that Italy’s multiplying cases of coronavirus made the games – which would have drawn thousands of Italian fans to Dublin – too risky.
“The very clear view of the public health emergency team was that this game should not go ahead, that it would constitute a very significant risk,” said Harris.
The sports minister, Shane Ross, added pressure on the IRFU by backing his cabinet colleague, saying cancellation would be disappointing but necessary.
Meanwhile the chief medical officer at the department of health, Tony Holohan, said other mass gatherings such as St Patrick’s Day celebrations on 17 March would be reviewed.
St Patrick’s festival organisers said in a statement: “We follow the advice and direction of relevant authorities in all matters of public safety.”
What you need to know if you are told to self-isolate or your child is sent home from school:What you need to know if you are told to self-isolate or your child is sent home from school:
The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and her husband, the former England rugby player Mike Tindall, will not be self-isolating despite returning from a skiing trip in northern Italy, where a coronavirus outbreak has been spreading.Phillips and Tindall were skiing in Bormio, a town in the Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips and her husband, the former England rugby player Mike Tindall, will not be self-isolating despite returning from a skiing trip in northern Italy, where a coronavirus outbreak has been spreading.Phillips and Tindall were skiing in Bormio, a town in the Lombardy region of the Alps in northern Italy.
The couple’s management said the pair were following government guidelines and medical advice, although they currently did not have any symptoms of the infection and so would not be going into self-isolation.The couple’s management said the pair were following government guidelines and medical advice, although they currently did not have any symptoms of the infection and so would not be going into self-isolation.
Here’s a summary of events so far today:Here’s a summary of events so far today:
Ireland’s rugby union match against Italy has been called off due to fears about coronavirus. The decision to postpone the fixture on 7 March came after the intervention of the Irish government. Ireland’s rugby union matches against Italy has been called off due to fears about coronavirus. The decision to postpone the men’s fixture on 7 March, the women’s match on 8 March and Under-20s match on 6 March came after the intervention of the Irish government.
Donald Trump is to give a news conference on coronavirus later on Wednesday. He suggested the event was planned to counter false claims that have panicked the financial markets.Donald Trump is to give a news conference on coronavirus later on Wednesday. He suggested the event was planned to counter false claims that have panicked the financial markets.
The number of new coronavirus cases reported outside China has exceeded those in the country for the first time. Despite the turning point, the World Health Organization (WHO) has again resisted declaring the outbreak a pandemic.The number of new coronavirus cases reported outside China has exceeded those in the country for the first time. Despite the turning point, the World Health Organization (WHO) has again resisted declaring the outbreak a pandemic.
WHO 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.WHO 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 a further 284 new coronavirus cases, taking its total to 1,261. The authorities said they planned to test about 200,000 members of a secretive church believed to be at the centre of the outbreak.South Korea reported a further 284 new coronavirus cases, taking its total to 1,261. The authorities said they planned to test about 200,000 members of a secretive church believed to be at the centre of the outbreak.
British tourists quarantined in a Tenerife hotel where four former guests tested positive for coronavirus say they are desperate to return to the UK to avoid contracting the disease. They fear that being locked in the four-star hotel means they will face the same outcome as passengers onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where the virus spread as the boat was quarantined off Yokohama.British tourists quarantined in a Tenerife hotel where four former guests tested positive for coronavirus say they are desperate to return to the UK to avoid contracting the disease. They fear that being locked in the four-star hotel means they will face the same outcome as passengers onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where the virus spread as the boat was quarantined off Yokohama.
A hotel in the Austrian city of Innsbruck remains under lockdown after its Italian receptionist tested positive. Authorities say 62 people at Innsbruck’s Europa hotel have been tested for possible infection with the virus, of which 12 have been quarantined for two weeks because they were in close contact with the receptionist.A hotel in the Austrian city of Innsbruck remains under lockdown after its Italian receptionist tested positive. Authorities say 62 people at Innsbruck’s Europa hotel have been tested for possible infection with the virus, of which 12 have been quarantined for two weeks because they were in close contact with the receptionist.
Greece has reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus. The Greek health ministry said the patientwas a 38-year-old woman who had recently travelled to northern Italy.Greece has reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus. The Greek health ministry said the patientwas a 38-year-old woman who had recently travelled to northern Italy.
A 12th coronavirus patient in northern Italy has died. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 374, an increase of more than 50 on the day before.A 12th coronavirus patient in northern Italy has died. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 374, an increase of more than 50 on the day before.
Facebook is to ban ads that promise to cure coronavirus or incite panic around the outbreak in its latest attempt to prevent misinformation. The tech firm said it is prohibiting advertising that creates “a sense of urgency” about the Covid-19 illness, such as those that “imply a limited supply, or guarantee a cure or prevention”.Facebook is to ban ads that promise to cure coronavirus or incite panic around the outbreak in its latest attempt to prevent misinformation. The tech firm said it is prohibiting advertising that creates “a sense of urgency” about the Covid-19 illness, such as those that “imply a limited supply, or guarantee a cure or prevention”.
The health minister, Matt Hancock, said the government expects the number of cases in the UK to increase. He told the Commons the government had a four-point strategy: contain, delay, research and mitigate.The health minister, Matt Hancock, said the government expects the number of cases in the UK to increase. He told the Commons the government had a four-point strategy: contain, delay, research and mitigate.
Three more people died in Iran, bringing the total to 16 from almost 100 cases. And Latin America recorded its first case with a patient in Brazil testing positive.Three more people died in Iran, bringing the total to 16 from almost 100 cases. And Latin America recorded its first case with a patient in Brazil testing positive.
The decision to cancel Ireland’s game against Italy came after the intervention of Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, who told RTE news: The decision to cancel Ireland’s games against Italy came after the intervention of Ireland’s health minister, Simon Harris, who told RTE news:
Ireland’s rugby match against Italy has been cancelled over fears about coronavirus. Ireland’s rugby matches against Italy have been cancelled over fears about coronavirus. The 7 March men’s game at the Aviva Stadium as well as the women’s match on 8 March and an Under-20s Six Nations fixture between the countries on 6 March may be staged later in the year.
Nigel Scotland, one of the tourists in quarantine at a hotel in Tenerife, said many of his fellow guests were ignoring the advice to stay in their rooms.
“I counted 268 people on sun beds,” he told BBC Radio 4’s World at One. He said he also saw people swimming in the hotel pool.
Another guest, Harley Mitford, told the Guardian he had seen guests swimming in face masks.
Like Mitford, Scotland said he had not been contacted by UK officials despite Matt Hancock’s claim that the Foreign Office had been in touch with the guests.
He said: “We haven’t heard anything. Our great hope would be to be flown home quickly, because we probably have to do another 14 days of self-isolation when we get back.”
Scotland added: “Strictly speaking we’re supposed to be in our rooms. My wife and I were visited by the doctor about half an hour. The rooms are quite small and you begin to feel confined and a bit trapped.”
British tourists quarantined in a Tenerife hotel where four former guests tested positive for coronavirus say they are desperate to return to the UK to avoid contracting the disease.
They fear that by being locked in the four-star hotel they will face the same outcome as passengers on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, where the virus spread as the boat remained quarantined off Yokohama.
A lockdown was imposed on the 700 guests at the Costa Adeje Palace in La Caleta after an Italian doctor, who had stayed at the hotel was confirmed to have caught the virus on Monday night.
He is being treated in isolation in hospital along with his wife and two other Italians in his travel group, who have since also tested positive.
Harley Mitford, a student who checked into the hotel with his sister and stepfather on Monday, said he believed the quarantine was putting them at risk of contracting the disease. Speaking to the Guardian, he said: “The Italian guy who was infected had left before we came, so if they let us go, we couldn’t have come into contact with him.
“If we’re kept in we’re more likely to come into contact with people who came into contact with him. It’s counterintuitive, and it’s exactly what happened on the cruise ship.”
Here’s video of Hancock’s statement to the Commons:
Donald Trump has announced he is to stage a news conference at the White House on coronavirus, to counter what he claims are efforts by news organisations to stoke fears over the scale of the outbreak.
Two primary schools in Spalding, Lincolnshire, and one in Old Windsor, Berkshire, have closed over coronavirus outbreak fears, reports Richard Adams, the Guardian’s education editor.
The two schools in Spalding are in a federation and have posted the same notice on their websites:
St Peter’s C of E middle school in Old Windsor – near Legoland – shut on Wednesday for deep cleaning. Andy Snipp, the headteacher, wrote on the school’s Facebook page:
Meanwhile King Edward VI Five Ways grammar school, in Birmingham, has said three staff are home with flu-like symptoms following a skiing trip to the Italian Alps, although it says the trip didn’t go through the affected regions. A letter to parents said that three members of staff were absent from school with flu-like symptoms, and asked parents to keep their children away from lessons if they felt unwell.
My colleague Andrew Sparrow, over on the politics live blog, has taken down the details of a statement made in the House of Commons by Matt Hancock, the health secretary, on coronavirus.
The first person to have succumbed to Covid-19 in Greece is doing well, doctors say.
The 38-year-old woman, who recently travelled to northern Italy where she is believed to have contracted the virus, is likely to spend weeks undergoing treatment in the specialist ward of Thessaloniki’s Ahepa hospital, said Sotiris Tsiodras, heading the contagious diseases team at the ministry of health.
Her relatives have been placed in quarantine, while an inquiry is under way to ascertain who she has been in contact with.
“The young woman is in good condition and is being watched by a team of excellent doctors,” Tsiodras told a packed news conference, emphasising how vital it was that people kept to basic hygiene rules such as regularly washing their hands.
“Those who have come from affected areas of northern Italy must stay at home and monitor their health and in the event of symptoms inform their doctor,” he said, adding that the woman was otherwise in good health.
Greek schoolchildren who had been travelling in Italy at the time of the outbreak continued to be brought back to Greece on Wednesday.
There are concerns that after years of steep budget cuts as a result of its long-running debt crisis, Greece’s public health system will struggle to cope if the disease cannot be contained. “Everyone knows that our public hospitals are not in the best way,” Andreas Mendis, of the country’s Pasteur Institute, told local TV. “But on issues of public health we have a good record.” Alarmed by the spread of the virus across Europe and in parts of the neighbouring Balkans, the Greek government announced an array of preventative measures on Tuesday. They include Greek authorities having the right to use private clinics and their medical services if needed to curb the disease.
Authorities in the Canary islands have said guests at a Tenerife hotel which hosted an Italian couple who tested positive for coronavirus must be isolated for 14 days.
Hundreds of tourists remained confined to the hotel for a second straight day on Wednesday as a precaution. The Italian doctor and his wife who tested positive were already in quarantine at a Tenerife hospital. Eight other Italians who travelled with them were showing no symptoms, according to reports.
British holidaymakers are among those stuck at the four-star H10 Costa Adeje Palace, in the south-west of the island.
Relatives of an 82-year-old British widower, Alan Cunliffe, a retired builder from Wigan, have raised concerns after guests were sent a letter saying the hotel is “closed down” and they must remain in their rooms until further notice. Jon Butler, Cunliffe’s nephew, said:
Donald Trump has praised his health secretary and the Centres for Disease Control for doing “a great job with respect to coronavirus!”