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Coronavirus live updates: Donald Trump puts Mike Pence in charge of US response, says risk to Americans '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
OK, that marathon press conference from president Trump is finished. There were some mixed messages. Here’s a quick summary of what we were told, and you can read our full report from Amanda Holpuch here.
Vice-president Mike Pence will lead and coordinate the US’s response to the coronavirus.
Trump said the risk to Americans is “very low” but that plans are in place for a spread of the virus, which he doesn’t think is inevitable.
Anne Schuchat, deputy director of the US CDC said authorities should “dust off” their pandemic preparedness plans. “The trajectory of what we are looking at over the weeks and months ahead is very uncertain.”
Secretary of health and human services, Alex Azar, says “we can expect to see more cases in the US”, and while containment is working, “the degree of risk can change quickly”.
15 cases of coronavirus in the US, as well as three cases from Americans repatriated from Wuhan and 42 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Trump says of the 15, eight have returned home, five have fully recovered, one is in hospital, and one is about to go home.
Trump defended the low testing rate in the US (fewer than 500 so far).
Trump said the illness was “like the flu”, except with far fewer deaths, and people just need to exercise usual hygiene measures like washing their hands. “We’ll essentially have a flu shot for this in a very quick manner.”
The National Institute of Health said a vaccine is at least 12-18 months away, so will not help this current outbreak, but may assist a seasonal return. The answer right now is containment.
Trump said “it’s not the right time” to extend travel restrictions to other affected countries like Italy and South Korea.
Stocks markets in Asia Pacific have slumped again – not helped by Donald Trump’s mixed messages on the virus just now.
The ASX200 in Sydney dropped 0.5% when Trump was speaking. It had started the day flat after three straight days of losses.
The S&P500 E-mini futures also dropped 0.3% when the president spoke.
In Tokyo, the Nikkei is down 1.1% and in Seoul the Kospi is up 0.17%.
Trump defends past comments, an example of which is below, criticising Obama for appointing non-medical health czars.
He says it’s different because Ebola was much worse and more fatal, and this is like the flu.
He defends not appointing Azar to run point on the US’s response, saying he wants Azar to focus on his complicated work, and that Pence will work closely with Azar.
“I don’t want to spare the horses, I have very talented people and I want to use them.”
Trump has been rambling a bit, blaming the federal reserve, Boeing, General Motors, and Obama, for drops in the US market.
Q: Are you telling Americans, apart from the ones who are sick, not to change any of their behaviours?
A: No, you should wash your hands, you don’t have to grab every handrail, he says. Treat it like the flu. Then he tells an anecdote about a man who came up to him to say hello, and hugged Trump, and then said he was very ill, so Trump extricated himself.
~~~
Q: In the course of the last few minutes you have disputed what some of the health officials standing behind you have said. Don’t you trust them?
A: I haven’t disputed them. “I don’t think it’s inevitable” that there will be further outbreaks.
“There’s a chance it could get worse, a chance it could get fairly substantially worse, but I don’t think it’s inevitable.”
Italy now has 447 cases of coronavirus, according to a new report by Associated Press.
Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte’s government appealed to European neighbours for cooperation, not isolation and discrimination. Twelve people have died amid the country’s struggle to contain the rapidly spreading outbreak.
Q: The administration has tested less than 500 people, which has been questioned by health officials, as other countries test thousands. Will the US increase its testing?
Trump: “We’re testing everybody that we need to test and finding very little problem. You treat this like the flu,” he says, telling people to wash hands.
“We’ll essentially have a flu shot for this in a very quick manner.”
(That vaccine, if successful, is at least 12-18 months away.)
“There’s no reason to be panicked,” he says, returning again to those numbers of flu deaths.“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.”“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: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.”“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.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.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”.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?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.”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.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.”“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.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.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)(Here’s one reaction to that)
Dr Anthony Fauci, national institutes of health, is updating reporters about a vaccine.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.”“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.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.”“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.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.”“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.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.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.”“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.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.”“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.Alex Azar, health and human services secretary is up now.
He too opens by praising Trump and Pence.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.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.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.“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.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”.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.”“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.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.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 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.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.”“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.”
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].”
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 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.
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.
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”.
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.
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 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes the virus situation as “rapidly evolving”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
The Romanian health minister, Victor Costache, has said a man from the southern county of Gorj has become the country’s first case.