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Coronavirus news: Japan closes all schools as Saudi Arabia halts pilgrimages - live updates Coronavirus news: Japan closes all schools as Saudi Arabia halts pilgrimages - live updates
(32 minutes later)
UK reports two new cases as outbreak spreads and losses on stock markets mountUK reports two new cases as outbreak spreads and losses on stock markets mount
One of the two new cases in the UK is likely to be a parent from Burbage Primary School in Buxton, Derbyshire, which says it has had a confirmed case. The health secretary, Matt Hancock, told the Commons on Wednesday that the Foreign Office had been in touch with the estimated 160 British guests quarantined in Tenerife.
At the time guests in the hotel said they had had no contact with the Foreign Office. But overnight letters from the British consulate in Tenerife, were posted to every UK guest at the Costa Adeje Palace in La Caleta.
British guests at the hotel have demanded help getting home and fear that staying in hotel will increase their chances of catching the virus. The letter stopped well short of offering guests any help in getting home.
It said: “We aware of your situation at the hotel and would like to reassure you that we are in direct contact with the local authorities and hotel management daily.”
NHS staff have been asked to shave their beards to allow masks to fit more securely in a bid to limit the spread of coronavirus, according to the Sun.
Bosses at Southampton University NHS Trust sent a mass email to tackle a “known problem” with ill-fitting masks on hairy faces.
Medical director, Derek Sandeman, attached an image with 36 different kinds of facial hair showing if they are acceptable or not based on whether they fit inside a mask.
Small, pencil-type moustaches such as the “Zorro” and “Painter’s Brush” are allowed, but fuller growths including “mutton chops” and the “chin curtain” are out, according to the image.
However, staff with beards for religious or cultural reasons are exempt.
The memo states:
Prof Christl Donnelly, a leading statistical epidemiologist, has warned that based on death tolls, the outbreaks in Italy and Iran are likely to be far greater than confirmed cases in both countries suggest.
Iran has reported 22 deaths but just 141 cases, and Italy has reported 12 deaths and 470 case.
Donnelly who works at the University of Oxford and WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Modelling, at Imperial College London, said her research suggest the number of cases in both countries is likely to be over 1,000.
In a comment distributed by the Science Media Centre, she said:
One of the two new cases in the UK is likely to be a parent from Burbage primary school in Buxton, Derbyshire, which says it has had a confirmed case.
Parents were told the 350-pupil school would be closed on Thursday due to a “confirmed case of coronavirus amongst our parent population”.Parents were told the 350-pupil school would be closed on Thursday due to a “confirmed case of coronavirus amongst our parent population”.
The message, said the closure was a “precautionary measure and to enable a deep clean to be completed”. The message said the closure was a “precautionary measure and to enable a deep clean to be completed”.
Buxton Medical Practice also shut its doors, saying it had a confirmed case.Buxton Medical Practice also shut its doors, saying it had a confirmed case.
Here’s a summary of today’s eventsHere’s a summary of today’s events
Two further patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15. The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife, and the patients have been transferred to specialists at the Royal Liverpool hospital and the Royal Free hospital, London.Two further patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15. The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife, and the patients have been transferred to specialists at the Royal Liverpool hospital and the Royal Free hospital, London.
Saudi Arabia has taken the unprecedented step of banning foreign pilgrims from entering the country in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus. The country has yet to report a case of the virus.Saudi Arabia has taken the unprecedented step of banning foreign pilgrims from entering the country in an effort to halt the spread of coronavirus. The country has yet to report a case of the virus.
A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time. The Japanese government has ordered the closure of all schools and museum for at least two weeks.A woman working as a tour bus guide in Japan has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time. The Japanese government has ordered the closure of all schools and museum for at least two weeks.
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has warned an epidemic that is on the way”. There are now 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in France and two people have died.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has warned an epidemic that is on the way”. There are now 18 confirmed cases of coronavirus in France and two people have died.
The official death toll from covid-19 cases in Iran has increased to 22 people. Officials also said that 141 people have tested positive for the virus, but experts fear Iran is under reporting the true scale of the outbreak.The official death toll from covid-19 cases in Iran has increased to 22 people. Officials also said that 141 people have tested positive for the virus, but experts fear Iran is under reporting the true scale of the outbreak.
More cases have been reported all over the world including in Switzerland, Kuwait, Spain, South Korea and Austria. Estonia, Denmark, Pakistan, Georgia, Norway, North Macedonia, Greece and Romania are among countries to report their first case of coronavirus in the last day.More cases have been reported all over the world including in Switzerland, Kuwait, Spain, South Korea and Austria. Estonia, Denmark, Pakistan, Georgia, Norway, North Macedonia, Greece and Romania are among countries to report their first case of coronavirus in the last day.
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.
Donald Trump has sought to play down the threat from coronavirus despite mounting concerns about unchecked worldwide contagion. In a press conference in Washington, the US president said the danger to Americans “remains very low” and predicted that the number of cases diagnosed in the country, currently on 15, could fall to zero in a “few days”.Donald Trump has sought to play down the threat from coronavirus despite mounting concerns about unchecked worldwide contagion. In a press conference in Washington, the US president said the danger to Americans “remains very low” and predicted that the number of cases diagnosed in the country, currently on 15, could fall to zero in a “few days”.
But 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.But 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.
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”, said the prime minister, Scott Morrison.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”, said the prime minister, Scott Morrison.
More on the latest UK cases:More on the latest UK cases:
Two further patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15, the Department of Health said on Thursday.Two further patients in England have tested positive for coronavirus, bringing the total number of UK cases to 15, the Department of Health said on Thursday.
The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife, and the patients have been transferred to specialists at the Royal Liverpool hospital and the Royal Free hospital, London, the DHSC said.The virus was passed on in Italy and Tenerife, and the patients have been transferred to specialists at the Royal Liverpool hospital and the Royal Free hospital, London, the DHSC said.
Of the 13 people in the UK who had previously tested positive for Covid-19, eight have been discharged from hospital. Four of those who remain in hospital are Britons who caught the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and were flown back to the UK on Saturday. Another 168 Britons have been told to isolate themselves at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife.Of the 13 people in the UK who had previously tested positive for Covid-19, eight have been discharged from hospital. Four of those who remain in hospital are Britons who caught the virus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan and were flown back to the UK on Saturday. Another 168 Britons have been told to isolate themselves at the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife.
An Israeli man who returned from Italy four days ago has tested positive for Covid-19, according to Israel’s health ministry. The unidentified man is the third Israeli with the virus, but the first who was not already in quarantine when tested. There are concerns he may have infected others.An Israeli man who returned from Italy four days ago has tested positive for Covid-19, according to Israel’s health ministry. The unidentified man is the third Israeli with the virus, but the first who was not already in quarantine when tested. There are concerns he may have infected others.
The country’s interior minister, Aryeh Deri, said he planned to bar non-Israelis from travelling to Israel from Italy as a preventive measure. “What can I do, the virus has spread in Italy,” Deri told the local Ynet news site.The country’s interior minister, Aryeh Deri, said he planned to bar non-Israelis from travelling to Israel from Italy as a preventive measure. “What can I do, the virus has spread in Italy,” Deri told the local Ynet news site.
Israel has already barred entry to foreign nationals who were in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Japan and South Korea in the past 14 days.Israel has already barred entry to foreign nationals who were in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand, Japan and South Korea in the past 14 days.
Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia cautions against reading too much into the case of a Japanese woman who has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time.Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia cautions against reading too much into the case of a Japanese woman who has tested positive for coronavirus for a second time.
In remarks distributed by the Science Media Centre he said:In remarks distributed by the Science Media Centre he said:
Local health authorities have confirmed that a second person has tested positive for the coronavirus in the eastern Spanish region of Valencia, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 14.Local health authorities have confirmed that a second person has tested positive for the coronavirus in the eastern Spanish region of Valencia, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 14.
According to reports in the Spanish media, the man – who is showing mild symptoms of the virus – was among the 2,500 Valencia fans who travelled to Milan on 19 February to watch their team play Atalanta in the Champions League.According to reports in the Spanish media, the man – who is showing mild symptoms of the virus – was among the 2,500 Valencia fans who travelled to Milan on 19 February to watch their team play Atalanta in the Champions League.
The president of France, Emmanuel Macron, has called the coronavirus outbreak a “crisis, an epidemic that is on the way”.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.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.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: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, who 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, who 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 described 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 described 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” with breathing difficulties from a hospital in Creil.On Thursday morning, President Emmanuel Macron visited the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital where the teacher died after being transferred “in a grave condition” with breathing difficulties from a hospital in Creil.
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 no 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 no 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.