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Coronavirus live updates : Donald Trump says risk to Americans is 'very low' Coronavirus live updates: Donald Trump puts Mike Pence in charge of US response, says risk to Americans 'very low'
(32 minutes later)
Saudi Arabia bans religious tourists from entering country as WHO says virus now spreading faster outside China than in it. Follow live updatesSaudi Arabia bans religious tourists from entering country as WHO says virus now spreading faster outside China than in it. Follow live updates
“The risk to Americans is very low”, he says. “There’s no reason to be panicked,” he says, returning again to those numbers of flu deaths.
“This is a little different... but we have it so well under control and we really have done a very good job.”
Asked if financial markets are overreacting, Trump skirts the well-documented impact of the coronavirus on markets around the world:
“I think financial markets are very upset when they look at Democrat candidates standing on that stage making fools of themselves...I think that has a huge effect.”
Meanwhile, the Washington Post is reporting the first case of Covid-19 in the US in a person who has not recently returned from a foreign country or have contact with another confirmed case.
We haven’t independently confirmed this.
Trump urges people to travel within the US instead of overseas, because of the virus but also because the US is the greatest tourism destination in the world, and then says that even the 15 cases they now have will “in a couple of days be close to zero”.
Are there plans prepared for quarantining cities like in Wuhan?
There are plans for a large scale response, he says. “We don’t think we’ll need it but you always have to be prepared.”
Trump is being asked about whether the travel ban they placed on people from China would now extend to other countries with outbreaks, like South Korea.
“At a right time we may do it. At the moment it’s not the right time. We are checking people as they come through.”
Now he’s asked about why everyone was downplaying the severity of the situation and the need for a czar to be put in charge of the response, only to now announce Pence.
He says Pence is in the administration so it’s not a czar position, and that he’ll be coordinating the response and that Indiana (Pence’s state) has a great health system.
(Here’s one reaction to that)
Dr Anthony Fauci, national institutes of health, is updating reporters about a vaccine.
“I told you we would have a vaccine that we’d be putting in to trials to see if it was safe... in about three months... I think it’s going to be closer to two months.”
Testing would then take six months, before a trial to determine efficacy.
“At the earliest an efficacy trial would take an addition six to eight months.”
So despite the speed of development, it would take up to 18 months before a vaccine was available.
“We can’t rely on a vaccine over the next several months to a year.”
The answer right now is containment, although a vaccine could help down the track if the virus made a season return.
Anne Schuchat, deputy director at US centers for disease control and prevention, is up now, and urges authorities and organisations to dust off their pandemic preparedness plans.
“It’s a good time for the American public to prepare.”
She urges people to take the basic steps of hygiene - wash hands, cover mouth when sneezing, stay home when sick.
“The trajectory of what we are looking at over the weeks and months ahead is very uncertain.”
Alex Azar, health and human services secretary is up now.
He too opens by praising Trump and Pence.
Then confirms there are 15 cases of Covid-19, as well as three cases from Americans repatriated from Wuhan, and 42 who were repatriated from the Diamond Princess.
The early actions taken by the Trump administration were “appropriate, wise and well calibrated” to the situation.
“This has helped us contain the spread of the virus,” he says.
Because of Trump’s leadership, the risk to the US population is low, he says.
But then he changes tack, and adds that “we can expect to see more cases in the United States”.
“Our containment strategy has been working but the degree of risk can change quickly.”
He urges people and employers to “refresh themselves” about what they could do in the event the situation changes. Trump appears to want to say something behind him but then stops.
They will be “aggressively transparent” with the American people, Azar says.
Pence says he’s met with state leaders and health authorities and “we’ll be working with them in renewed ways to make sure they have the resources they need to respond” and there will be additional roles created at the White House.
Pence praises Trump’s leadership.
“While the threat to the American public remains low... you have directed this team to take all steps necessary to ensure the health and wellbeing of the American people.”
Trump announces that vice president Mike Pence will be in charge of the US’s response, working with health authorities.
“We have no higher priority than the safety, security, and health of the American people,” says Pence.
As anticipated, Trump is somewhat talking down the threat of the virus.
He says he’s amazed to have recently learned how many people are killed by the flu every year, citing a figure of 25,000 to 69,000 annually.
“And so far if you look at what we have with the 15 people and they’re recovering, one is pretty sick, but hopefully will recover. But the others are in great shape.”
He says the US is “very very ready” whether it’s a large breakout of the virus or not.
He holds up a piece of paper saying it’s a list from John Hopkins university of the “best rated countries in the world” as far as preparation goes, and that the US is top.
“The risk to the American people remains very low,” he says.
“We have had tremendous success, tremendous success, beyond what people would have thought. At the same time, you do have some outbreaks in some countries - Italy and various countries are having some difficulties.”“We have had tremendous success, tremendous success, beyond what people would have thought. At the same time, you do have some outbreaks in some countries - Italy and various countries are having some difficulties.”
Trump says he spoke with president Xi Jinping, and “he’s working very hard”.Trump says he spoke with president Xi Jinping, and “he’s working very hard”.
“The infection seems to have gone down over the last two days [in China].”“The infection seems to have gone down over the last two days [in China].”
Trump is up for a press briefing at the White House. He’s begun with a statement of condolence over the shooting in Milwaukee.Trump is up for a press briefing at the White House. He’s begun with a statement of condolence over the shooting in Milwaukee.
He says he’s received a briefing from “a great group of talented people” on the virus.He says he’s received a briefing from “a great group of talented people” on the virus.
He defends the US’s early decision to block the entry of some people coming from affected areas in China.He defends the US’s early decision to block the entry of some people coming from affected areas in China.
Trump says the number of cases in the US is low and people are getting better.Trump says the number of cases in the US is low and people are getting better.
Of the 15 who came from Wuhan he says eight have returned to their homes, one is in hospital and five have fully recovered. One is about to go home, he suggests.Of the 15 who came from Wuhan he says eight have returned to their homes, one is in hospital and five have fully recovered. One is about to go home, he suggests.
Bahrain, which is reporting a growing number of cases, has now suspended flights to and from Iraq and Lebanon, the country’s civil aviation affairs has announced.Bahrain, which is reporting a growing number of cases, has now suspended flights to and from Iraq and Lebanon, the country’s civil aviation affairs has announced.
Saudi Arabia has suspended religious tourists from entering the country. A government statement said it was: “Suspending entry into the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque temporarily.”Saudi Arabia has suspended religious tourists from entering the country. A government statement said it was: “Suspending entry into the Kingdom for the purpose of Umrah and visiting the Prophet’s Mosque temporarily.”
It also said it was suspending entry to the Kingdom for for “those coming from countries in which the spread of the with tourist visas for those coming from countries in which the new Corona virus (19-COVID) poses a risk”.It also said it was suspending entry to the Kingdom for for “those coming from countries in which the spread of the with tourist visas for those coming from countries in which the new Corona virus (19-COVID) poses a risk”.
The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year.The Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken at any time of the year.
Hello this is Helen Davidson in Sydney picking up our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to Kevin Rawlinson and our team in London for their coverage.Hello this is Helen Davidson in Sydney picking up our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak. Thanks to Kevin Rawlinson and our team in London for their coverage.
We are expecting a news conference shortly from Donald Trump on the coronavirus.We are expecting a news conference shortly from Donald Trump on the coronavirus.
The number of Americans infected with the virus stands at 59. Of those 44 returned from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and 14 returned from Wuhan on US evacuation flights.The number of Americans infected with the virus stands at 59. Of those 44 returned from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and 14 returned from Wuhan on US evacuation flights.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes the virus situation as “rapidly evolving”.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes the virus situation as “rapidly evolving”.
Here’s a summary of events so far today:Here’s a summary of events so far today:
The coronavirus spread continued as a series of countries announced they had detected their first confirmed cases. Pakistan, Georgia and Norway, as well as Norway and Greece, all reported their first cases. The Greek health ministry said the patient was a 38-year-old woman who had recently travelled to northern Italy.The coronavirus spread continued as a series of countries announced they had detected their first confirmed cases. Pakistan, Georgia and Norway, as well as Norway and Greece, all reported their first cases. The Greek health ministry said the patient was a 38-year-old woman who had recently travelled to northern Italy.
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.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.
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.
Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy’s Lombardy region, said one of his team has tested positive for coronavirus and that he would self-isolate for two weeks. In a video posted on Facebook, he said:Attilio Fontana, the president of Italy’s Lombardy region, said one of his team has tested positive for coronavirus and that he would self-isolate for two weeks. In a video posted on Facebook, he said:
The Romanian health minister, Victor Costache, has said a man from the southern county of Gorj has become the country’s first case.The Romanian health minister, Victor Costache, has said a man from the southern county of Gorj has become the country’s first case.
A small group of pupils at Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s primary school, Thomas’s Battersea have been sent home as a precautionary measure following a trip to northern Italy. A spokesman for Thomas’s Battersea has said:
Bahrain has detected seven new cases of coronavirus, taking the number 33, the country’s minister of health has said. And flights to and from Dubai International airport have been suspended for an additional 48 hours, the country’s Civil Aviation Affairs (CAA) has announced.
The Norwegian public health agency has confirmed that one person has tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Reuters news agency.
The person is being kept isolated at home, having returned from China late last week, authorities say. They did not appear ill initially and were deemed unlikely to infect others, the agency said.
Iraq has banned its citizens from traveling to China, Iran and Thailand, as well as South Korea, Japan and Singapore, its health ministry has said. They will also be prevented from traveling to Italy, Kuwait and Bahrain, while the latter two nations have been added to the entry ban list.
Public gatherings in places such as cinemas, coffee shops and clubs are also to be banned, while schools and universities will be shut down from 27 February to 7 March.
Meanwhile, more has emerged about the first victim to contract the virus in Greece.
The 38-year-old, while not publicly named, has been identified as a well-known designer who had travelled to northern Italy to attend Milan’s fashion week. She returned to Thessaloniki, Greece’s northern capital, on a Ryanair flight on Sunday and admitted herself to hospital after beginning to feel unwell on Tuesday.
The designer, who has also run for public office, is reported to have travelled to Milan with a group of journalists and several town hall councillors. So far, 15 people – including members of her family – have been quarantined for two weeks. But an inquiry is under way as to how many people she has been in contact with.
A friend who flew with her on what he described as a “packed plane” told Live News the woman “seemed fine, we didn’t understand that anything [was wrong] with her”.
Greece has assigned 13 state-run hospitals to admit Covid-19 patients. The health minister Vassilis Kikilias, who has rescinded leave for medical workers and doctors across the board, is expected to travel to Thessaloniki tomorrow.
Israel has urged its citizens to reconsider all foreign travel, citing the growing spread of the coronavirus outside the country.
Two Israelis who returned home after being quarantined in Japan on the Diamond Princess cruise ship are the only confirmed coronavirus cases in Israel, and the ministry has readied quarantine facilities should more infections occur.
The Israeli health ministry announced that Israelis returning from Italy would be required to go into quarantine at home for two weeks. Expanding its precautionary steps, the ministry said it was also now urging the public “to reconsider the necessity of flights abroad in general, beyond the required isolation upon return from specific countries”.
It said: “The assessment is that there is a high probability the disease has already spread to other regions of Europe and many other places in the world.”
The ministry had already instructed Israelis returning from Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand and South Korea to go into isolation at home for 14 days.
The Georgian citizen who has tested positive for coronavirus was travelling from Iran crossed the border from neighbouring Azerbaijan on Tuesday, the country’s health minister, Ekaterine Tikaradze, has said.
Tikaradze said the man travelled by mini-bus with other 12 passengers and was immediately taken to hospital from the border checkpoint. The other people on the vehicle were tested and found not to have the virus, though they were held in quarantine nevertheless, she added.
The Georgian prime minister, Giorgi Gakharia, has created a group to coordinate actions to try to prevent a disease outbreak in the country, his press service said. The group has decided to suspend travel between Georgia and Iran for two weeks.
Here’s a little more detail on the announcement that an 18th person has tested positive for coronavirus in France. The health minister, Olivier Veran, has said: “There is no epidemic in the country, just isolated cases.” He added that 15 million protection masks would be made available.
The health ministry director, Jerome Salomon, said that, out of the 18 cases, two people have died, 12 have recovered and four are still hospitalised.
British Airways is cancelling dozens of flights serving Milan due to a drop in demand amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The airline announced it was “merging” some of its flights between Heathrow and the Italian city’s Linate airport. About 22 return flights over the next two weeks are affected. BA flights to and from Milan Malpensa are continuing as normal. A spokesman for the airline said:
A further education college has closed its student accommodation and one of its departments as a precaution against Covid-19 spreading after staff and students returned from Italy.
Shuttleworth College, part of Bedford College, told students on Wednesday that its outdoor education department would be closed until next week along with residential facilities, after students had been skiing in Piedmont. The college said:
The Shuttleworth students returned from the trip on 16 February, before the 19 February danger period for northern Italy specified by Public Health England. The skiing took place at a resort close to the border with Switzerland, more than 200 km from the hotspots identified by the Italian government.
In a sign of colleges and universities looking to avoid further disruption, the University of East Anglia has decided to cancel a student trip to Italy planned for Easter.
A group of more than 20 UEA students and staff were to attend an international journalism festival in Perugia in April, but the course director decided to cancel the trip.
Meanwhile, more than a dozen schools in the UK have shut because of coronavirus fears. Tudor Grange Academy Kingshurst, a secondary school in Birmingham with 1,500 pupils, announced on Wednesday that it was closing after students returning from a skiing trip to Italy fell ill. Its principal, Darren Turner, told parents: