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| Coronavirus news: two more UK patients test positive as Saudi Arabia halts pilgrimages - live updates | Coronavirus news: two more UK patients test positive as Saudi Arabia halts pilgrimages - live updates |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Losses on Asian stock markets mount as Saudi Arabia bans entry of religious pilgrims over virus fears. Follow our live news | Losses on Asian stock markets mount as Saudi Arabia bans entry of religious pilgrims over virus fears. Follow our live news |
| The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, has called the coronavirus outbreak a “crisis, an epidemic that is on the way”. | |
| Macron was speaking to doctors and other healthcare professionals at a Paris hospital. | |
| Buxton Medical Practice in Derbyshire has urged people not to go to the practice on Thursday due to a confirmed case of coronavirus, PA reports. | |
| In a message to prospective patients, a spokesman said: | |
| A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time, in what authorities say is the first such case, Reuters reports. | A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time, in what authorities say is the first such case, Reuters reports. |
| The woman, in her 40s and a resident of Osaka in western Japan, tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains, the prefectural government said. She first tested positive on 29 January and was discharged from the hospital after recovering on 1 February, before testing negative on 6 February. | The woman, in her 40s and a resident of Osaka in western Japan, tested positive on Wednesday after developing a sore throat and chest pains, the prefectural government said. She first tested positive on 29 January and was discharged from the hospital after recovering on 1 February, before testing negative on 6 February. |
| The health ministry confirmed the case was the first in Japan where a patient tested positive for coronavirus for a second time after being discharged from hospital, Japanese media said. | The health ministry confirmed the case was the first in Japan where a patient tested positive for coronavirus for a second time after being discharged from hospital, Japanese media said. |
| Though a first in Japan, cases of second positive tests have been reported in China. | Though a first in Japan, cases of second positive tests have been reported in China. |
| Saudi Arabia has taken the unprecedented step of banning foreign pilgrims from entering the country five months before the annual hajj pilgrimages in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus, after 240 cases were confirmed around the Middle East, most of them in Iran. | Saudi Arabia has taken the unprecedented step of banning foreign pilgrims from entering the country five months before the annual hajj pilgrimages in an effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus, after 240 cases were confirmed around the Middle East, most of them in Iran. |
| Authorities in Riyadh said the ban was temporary, but did not say how long it might last. The country has yet to report a case of the virus. | Authorities in Riyadh said the ban was temporary, but did not say how long it might last. The country has yet to report a case of the virus. |
| “The kingdom’s government has decided to [suspend] entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visit to the prophet’s mosque temporarily,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement. | “The kingdom’s government has decided to [suspend] entry to the kingdom for the purpose of umrah and visit to the prophet’s mosque temporarily,” the Saudi foreign ministry said in a statement. |
| There are now 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in France and two people have died. | There are now 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in France and two people have died. |
| A 61-year-old man, a school teacher from the Oise region, who died overnight on Tuesday of a pulmonary embolism after contracting the coronavirus, was said to have had no link to any of the areas at risk. | A 61-year-old man, a school teacher from the Oise region, who died overnight on Tuesday of a pulmonary embolism after contracting the coronavirus, was said to have had no link to any of the areas at risk. |
| The same goes for a 55-year-old French man, said to be a civilian member of staff at a military air base at Creil, also in the Oise north of Paris, is currently in a critical condition in intensive care in hospital in Amiens. The man was diagnosed as carrying the coronavirus on Wednesday. | The same goes for a 55-year-old French man, said to be a civilian member of staff at a military air base at Creil, also in the Oise north of Paris, is currently in a critical condition in intensive care in hospital in Amiens. The man was diagnosed as carrying the coronavirus on Wednesday. |
| A third man, aged 36, who returned from Lombardy in Italy with the virus, is in hospital in Strasbourg. His condition has been describes as not serious for the moment. | A third man, aged 36, who returned from Lombardy in Italy with the virus, is in hospital in Strasbourg. His condition has been describes as not serious for the moment. |
| “The two patients from the Oise have not been near the zones where there is a risk. That’s why they were not at first considered to be possible cases of coronavirus” said Etienne Champion, director of the Regional Health Agency. | “The two patients from the Oise have not been near the zones where there is a risk. That’s why they were not at first considered to be possible cases of coronavirus” said Etienne Champion, director of the Regional Health Agency. |
| “Our investigations are continuing to establish the source of these two contaminations,” Champion added. | “Our investigations are continuing to establish the source of these two contaminations,” Champion added. |
| The health authorities said they were contacting all those who might have come into contact with the technology teacher, including hospital staff, and his school colleagues, pupils from the four classes he taught and parents. | The health authorities said they were contacting all those who might have come into contact with the technology teacher, including hospital staff, and his school colleagues, pupils from the four classes he taught and parents. |
| Champion said the teacher had been off sick since 12 February. The school at Crépy-en-Valois is currently closed for the half term holidays. | Champion said the teacher had been off sick since 12 February. The school at Crépy-en-Valois is currently closed for the half term holidays. |
| “Knowing that the period between incubation and appearance of the illness is a maximum 14 days, only those children and adults who have been in contact (with him) and who show symptoms should make themselves known. We have passed the incubation period so anyone who is not ill today is not likely to have contracted it,” he added. | “Knowing that the period between incubation and appearance of the illness is a maximum 14 days, only those children and adults who have been in contact (with him) and who show symptoms should make themselves known. We have passed the incubation period so anyone who is not ill today is not likely to have contracted it,” he added. |
| On Thursday morning, President Emmanuel Macron visited the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital where the teacher died after being transferred “in a grave condition”: from a hospital in Creil with breathing difficulties. | On Thursday morning, President Emmanuel Macron visited the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital where the teacher died after being transferred “in a grave condition”: from a hospital in Creil with breathing difficulties. |
| The first death in France was an 80-year-old tourist from China. | The first death in France was an 80-year-old tourist from China. |
| The prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has ordered all primary and secondary schools to close from 2 March until the spring break, typically around the end of March. | The prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, has ordered all primary and secondary schools to close from 2 March until the spring break, typically around the end of March. |
| He was speaking at a meeting of the government’s task force to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. | He was speaking at a meeting of the government’s task force to contain the spread of the new coronavirus. |
| The number of confirmed cases in Switzerland has increased to four, the Swiss health ministry has said. | The number of confirmed cases in Switzerland has increased to four, the Swiss health ministry has said. |
| At least one of the new cases is linked to the outbreak in northern Italy. | At least one of the new cases is linked to the outbreak in northern Italy. |
| In a statement the ministry said: | In a statement the ministry said: |
| There is no reason why schools should currently be closing due to fears about coronavirus, a government minister has said after some shut their doors following travel abroad by staff and pupils. | There is no reason why schools should currently be closing due to fears about coronavirus, a government minister has said after some shut their doors following travel abroad by staff and pupils. |
| The housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, also indicated that England rugby fans should still proceed with plans to attend the Six Nations fixture with Italy in Rome on Saturday week despite speculation that it may be cancelled. | The housing secretary, Robert Jenrick, also indicated that England rugby fans should still proceed with plans to attend the Six Nations fixture with Italy in Rome on Saturday week despite speculation that it may be cancelled. |
| Schools “will have to make their own decision” but the government had given clear advice based on medical opinion that there was need to close, he told BBC Breakfast on Thursday. | Schools “will have to make their own decision” but the government had given clear advice based on medical opinion that there was need to close, he told BBC Breakfast on Thursday. |
| Covid-19 fears have driven European stock markets down to a fresh four-month low this morning. | Covid-19 fears have driven European stock markets down to a fresh four-month low this morning. |
| The latest two cases in the UK are among people who have travelled to Italy and Tenerife. The patients are being treated in Liverpool and London. | The latest two cases in the UK are among people who have travelled to Italy and Tenerife. The patients are being treated in Liverpool and London. |
| The chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said: | The chief medical officer, Chris Whitty, said: |
| It comes after the authorities in Italy reported that the number of people infected in the country grew to 400 and 12 people have died. And 168 Britons have been told to isolate themselves at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife. | It comes after the authorities in Italy reported that the number of people infected in the country grew to 400 and 12 people have died. And 168 Britons have been told to isolate themselves at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife. |
| Two more patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15, according to the the Department of Health and Social Care. | Two more patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15, according to the the Department of Health and Social Care. |
| The number of confirmed cases in South Korea has increased by 171 (more than 10%) from 1,595 to 1,766, according to the Yonhap news agency. | The number of confirmed cases in South Korea has increased by 171 (more than 10%) from 1,595 to 1,766, according to the Yonhap news agency. |
| Saudi Arabia has banned travel to the holiest sites in Islam over virus fears, AP reports. | Saudi Arabia has banned travel to the holiest sites in Islam over virus fears, AP reports. |
| The official death toll from covid-19 cases in Iran has increased to 22 people, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. It also confirmed 141 cases of the virus, a day after officials imposed travel restrictions and a suspension of Friday prayers. | The official death toll from covid-19 cases in Iran has increased to 22 people, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. It also confirmed 141 cases of the virus, a day after officials imposed travel restrictions and a suspension of Friday prayers. |
| A graphic published by the agency shows that the virus has spread to 20 of Irans 31 provinces. | A graphic published by the agency shows that the virus has spread to 20 of Irans 31 provinces. |
| The hardest-hit among them remained the province home to the holy Shia city of Qom, with 63 confirmed cases. | The hardest-hit among them remained the province home to the holy Shia city of Qom, with 63 confirmed cases. |
| Experts fear Iran is underreporting the number of cases of the new virus as cases across the wider Persian Gulf have emerged in recent days linked back to the Islamic Republic. | Experts fear Iran is underreporting the number of cases of the new virus as cases across the wider Persian Gulf have emerged in recent days linked back to the Islamic Republic. |
| The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kuwait now has leapt from 26 to 43, according to a health ministry official. | The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Kuwait now has leapt from 26 to 43, according to a health ministry official. |
| The official said that all the cases involved people who had been to Iran, Reuters reports. | The official said that all the cases involved people who had been to Iran, Reuters reports. |
| Updated advice from the Department for Education tells schools not to send pupils home unless they have had contact with a confirmed case of covid-19. The update comes after at least 13 schools closed amid accusations of inconsistent and conflicting advice. | Updated advice from the Department for Education tells schools not to send pupils home unless they have had contact with a confirmed case of covid-19. The update comes after at least 13 schools closed amid accusations of inconsistent and conflicting advice. |
| The advice says: | The advice says: |
| It says that pupils and staff should only be asked to self-isolate if they have travelled to a category 1 specified country or area in the past 14 days. | It says that pupils and staff should only be asked to self-isolate if they have travelled to a category 1 specified country or area in the past 14 days. |
| AP has the latest breakdown of confirmed cases and deaths from the virus: | AP has the latest breakdown of confirmed cases and deaths from the virus: |
| Mainland China: 2,744 deaths among 78,497 cases, mostly in the central province of HubeiHong Kong: 81 cases, 2 deathsMacao: 10 casesSouth Korea: 1,595 cases, 13 deathsJapan: 894 cases, including 705 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, 7 deathsItaly: 447 cases, 12 deathsIran: 139 cases, 19 deathsSingapore: 93United States: 60Thailand: 40Taiwan: 32 cases, 1 deathBahrain: 33Australia: 23Malaysia: 22Kuwait: 26France: 17 cases, 2 deathsGermany: 21Vietnam: 16United Arab Emirates: 13United Kingdom: 13Spain: 12Canada: 12Russia: 5Iraq: 6Oman: 4Philippines: 3 cases, 1 deathIndia: 3Croatia: 3Israel: 2Pakistan: 2Finland: 2Austria: 2Lebanon: 2Egypt: 1Algeria: 1Afghanistan: 1Greece: 1North Macedonia: 1Georgia: 1Estonia: 1Belgium: 1Romania: 1Nepal: 1Sri Lanka: 1Cambodia: 1Sweden: 2Norway: 1Denmark: 1Switzerland: 1Brazil 1 | Mainland China: 2,744 deaths among 78,497 cases, mostly in the central province of HubeiHong Kong: 81 cases, 2 deathsMacao: 10 casesSouth Korea: 1,595 cases, 13 deathsJapan: 894 cases, including 705 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, 7 deathsItaly: 447 cases, 12 deathsIran: 139 cases, 19 deathsSingapore: 93United States: 60Thailand: 40Taiwan: 32 cases, 1 deathBahrain: 33Australia: 23Malaysia: 22Kuwait: 26France: 17 cases, 2 deathsGermany: 21Vietnam: 16United Arab Emirates: 13United Kingdom: 13Spain: 12Canada: 12Russia: 5Iraq: 6Oman: 4Philippines: 3 cases, 1 deathIndia: 3Croatia: 3Israel: 2Pakistan: 2Finland: 2Austria: 2Lebanon: 2Egypt: 1Algeria: 1Afghanistan: 1Greece: 1North Macedonia: 1Georgia: 1Estonia: 1Belgium: 1Romania: 1Nepal: 1Sri Lanka: 1Cambodia: 1Sweden: 2Norway: 1Denmark: 1Switzerland: 1Brazil 1 |
| I’ll be handing over this blog shortly to my colleagues in London. Here’s a quick summary of the latest developments: | I’ll be handing over this blog shortly to my colleagues in London. Here’s a quick summary of the latest developments: |
| China’s health authority has reported another drop in the number of new infections, with 433 new confirmed cases and 29 deaths in mainland China on Wednesday. | China’s health authority has reported another drop in the number of new infections, with 433 new confirmed cases and 29 deaths in mainland China on Wednesday. |
| There are 334 new cases in South Korea, mostly in Daegu. | There are 334 new cases in South Korea, mostly in Daegu. |
| Estonia, Denmark, Pakistan, Georgia, Norway, North Macedonia, Greece and Romania are among countries to report their first case of coronavirus in the last day. | Estonia, Denmark, Pakistan, Georgia, Norway, North Macedonia, Greece and Romania are among countries to report their first case of coronavirus in the last day. |
| Stocks in Asia are headed for their worst week for two years after more heavy losses on Thursday | Stocks in Asia are headed for their worst week for two years after more heavy losses on Thursday |
| Australia has extended its travel ban on China and enacted its emergency response plan, because “there is every indication the world will soon enter the pandemic phase of the virus”, prime minister Scott Morrison said. | Australia has extended its travel ban on China and enacted its emergency response plan, because “there is every indication the world will soon enter the pandemic phase of the virus”, prime minister Scott Morrison said. |
| US vice-president Mike Pence has been appointed by Donald Trump to lead and coordinate the US’s response to the coronavirus. | US vice-president Mike Pence has been appointed by Donald Trump to 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, in contradiction to US health authorities who expect to see more cases. | 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, in contradiction to US health authorities who expect to see more cases. |
| Anne Schuchat, deputy director of the US CDC, said “the trajectory of what we are looking at over the weeks and months ahead is very uncertain”, and authorities should “dust off” their pandemic preparedness plans. | Anne Schuchat, deputy director of the US CDC, said “the trajectory of what we are looking at over the weeks and months ahead is very uncertain”, and authorities should “dust off” their pandemic preparedness plans. |