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Coronavirus: first case in Northern Ireland takes UK total to 16 Coronavirus: Dow Jones suffers its biggest ever points fall - latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Follow latest news as it emerges Northern Irish patient had visited Italy, 50 Britons allowed to leave Tenerife hotel and UK chief medical officer says pandemic could close schools for two months Follow latest news as US share index tumbles 1,190 points, it emerges patient in Northern Irish case had visited Italy and 50 Britons allowed to leave Tenerife hotel
This is Wall Street’s worst day in two years, reports CNBC:
The Dow Jones index of leading US shares has suffered its biggest points fall in history amid the coronavirus crisis, closing down 1,190.95 in New York. Asian and Australian markets are also expected to fall.
Three west German states have reported a total of 19 new cases of coronavirus, a day after the federal health minister said the country is at the start of an epidemic.Three west German states have reported a total of 19 new cases of coronavirus, a day after the federal health minister said the country is at the start of an epidemic.
In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, the health ministry said on Thursday 14 more people had tested positive in the Heinsberg area, where a couple were the first confirmed cases in the state.In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, the health ministry said on Thursday 14 more people had tested positive in the Heinsberg area, where a couple were the first confirmed cases in the state.
The new cases took the total in Heinsberg to 20. All were isolated at home and did not require hospital treatment, the state’s health ministry said.The new cases took the total in Heinsberg to 20. All were isolated at home and did not require hospital treatment, the state’s health ministry said.
Further south, Baden-Wuerttemberg reported four new cases, taking its total to eight.The state of Rhineland-Palatinate also said on Thursday a man in Kaiserslautern had tested positive for the virus.Further south, Baden-Wuerttemberg reported four new cases, taking its total to eight.The state of Rhineland-Palatinate also said on Thursday a man in Kaiserslautern had tested positive for the virus.
“The male patient is doing well so far. He’s in isolation,” Rhineland-Palatinate’s state government tweeted.“The male patient is doing well so far. He’s in isolation,” Rhineland-Palatinate’s state government tweeted.
On Wednesday, the federal government’s health minister, Jens Spahn, said Germany was at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic after new cases sprung up which could no longer be traced to the virus’s original source in China.On Wednesday, the federal government’s health minister, Jens Spahn, said Germany was at the beginning of a coronavirus epidemic after new cases sprung up which could no longer be traced to the virus’s original source in China.
Our Ireland correspondent has more details on preparations in the Republic of Ireland:Our Ireland correspondent has more details on preparations in the Republic of Ireland:
Confirmation that Northern Ireland’s first case of coronavirus returned from northern Italy via Dublin airport has set off alarm bells in the Republic of Ireland.Confirmation that Northern Ireland’s first case of coronavirus returned from northern Italy via Dublin airport has set off alarm bells in the Republic of Ireland.
Authorities will try to swiftly retrace the patient’s journey – where they sat on the plane, their movements through the airport, and how they travelled to Northern Ireland.Authorities will try to swiftly retrace the patient’s journey – where they sat on the plane, their movements through the airport, and how they travelled to Northern Ireland.
Simon Harris, the health minister, says Ireland is prepared for an outbreak. But Michael O’Dwyer, head of the department of anaesthesia and critical care at St Vincent’s University hospital in Dublin, told the Irish Times on Thursday that Ireland would struggle to handle even a small number of severely ill patients because the main Dublin hospitals lack capacity for extra patients requiring intensive care.Simon Harris, the health minister, says Ireland is prepared for an outbreak. But Michael O’Dwyer, head of the department of anaesthesia and critical care at St Vincent’s University hospital in Dublin, told the Irish Times on Thursday that Ireland would struggle to handle even a small number of severely ill patients because the main Dublin hospitals lack capacity for extra patients requiring intensive care.
Even before disclosure of Northern Ireland’s first case there was a question mark over St Patrick’s festival events across the island.Even before disclosure of Northern Ireland’s first case there was a question mark over St Patrick’s festival events across the island.
The St Patrick’s Festival committee, which organises events from 13 to 17 March, said it would follow official guidance on risk assessment.The St Patrick’s Festival committee, which organises events from 13 to 17 March, said it would follow official guidance on risk assessment.
“We have underscored the very urgent need for this documentation to be made available to the festival, so that an informed and prompt decision can be made regarding our forthcoming events. We have clarified to the relevant authorities our readiness to respond in whatever way is required of us in the best interests of public safety.”“We have underscored the very urgent need for this documentation to be made available to the festival, so that an informed and prompt decision can be made regarding our forthcoming events. We have clarified to the relevant authorities our readiness to respond in whatever way is required of us in the best interests of public safety.”
The Netherlands has confirmed its first case of coronavirus.The Netherlands has confirmed its first case of coronavirus.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health said in a statement the patient in the southern city of Tilburg had recently travelled in northern Italy and is now being treated in isolation.The Dutch National Institute for Public Health said in a statement the patient in the southern city of Tilburg had recently travelled in northern Italy and is now being treated in isolation.
California health officials are monitoring 8,400 people for coronavirus symptoms after their arrival on domestic commercial flights, but the state had only a limited supply of test kits available, governor Gavin Newsom has said.California health officials are monitoring 8,400 people for coronavirus symptoms after their arrival on domestic commercial flights, but the state had only a limited supply of test kits available, governor Gavin Newsom has said.
The state currently has only about 200 test kits, an “inadequate” number, but has been in “constant contact with federal agencies” that have promised to send a fresh supply of kits in coming days, he said at news briefing in Sacramento.The state currently has only about 200 test kits, an “inadequate” number, but has been in “constant contact with federal agencies” that have promised to send a fresh supply of kits in coming days, he said at news briefing in Sacramento.
California officials said 33 people had tested positive for the virus there, but five had since left the state.California officials said 33 people had tested positive for the virus there, but five had since left the state.
The state on Wednesday reported the first known case of the virus in the US of unknown origin. The patient had not recently traveled to an area with a reported outbreak, and was not exposed to another known infected person.The state on Wednesday reported the first known case of the virus in the US of unknown origin. The patient had not recently traveled to an area with a reported outbreak, and was not exposed to another known infected person.
The Republic of Ireland’s health minister said the first case of coronavirus confirmed in Northern Ireland was “not unexpected”.The Republic of Ireland’s health minister said the first case of coronavirus confirmed in Northern Ireland was “not unexpected”.
Simon Harris said:Simon Harris said:
Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer in the Department of Health, said: “The HSE is well prepared and is working to inform any contacts the patient had in order to prevent transmission.”Dr Tony Holohan, chief medical officer in the Department of Health, said: “The HSE is well prepared and is working to inform any contacts the patient had in order to prevent transmission.”
Facebook has cancelled F8, its annual conference for developers, because of Covid-19.Facebook has cancelled F8, its annual conference for developers, because of Covid-19.
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
The NHS is rolling out new services to test people for coronavirus, including “drive through” testing in west London.The NHS is rolling out new services to test people for coronavirus, including “drive through” testing in west London.
The service, provided by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust in Parsons Green, is only available after a referral from NHS 111.The service, provided by Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust in Parsons Green, is only available after a referral from NHS 111.
It comes after the NHS’ strategic incident director for coronavirus asked health services across the country to set up home and community testing.It comes after the NHS’ strategic incident director for coronavirus asked health services across the country to set up home and community testing.
People are invited to an appointment in their car, where two community nurses carry out a swab in the nose and mouth. The patient is then asked to self-isolate while the swabs are assessed within 72 hours.People are invited to an appointment in their car, where two community nurses carry out a swab in the nose and mouth. The patient is then asked to self-isolate while the swabs are assessed within 72 hours.
The European Football Championship will kick off in Rome as planned, Uefa has insisted, despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in Italy.The European Football Championship will kick off in Rome as planned, Uefa has insisted, despite the growing number of coronavirus cases in Italy.
It comes as an unnamed professional footballer in the Italian third tier has tested positive for Covid-19.It comes as an unnamed professional footballer in the Italian third tier has tested positive for Covid-19.
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
Dr Michael McBride said the patient had recently returned from northern Italy.
He said: “I don’t think it should cause a lot of concern (to the public). I think we should reassure the public as we have been doing all along. As the minister has said repeatedly it wasn’t a case of if but when we would have a case in Northern Ireland.
“We have now seen our first case in Northern Ireland – someone returning from northern Italy – and that is not unexpected.”
At a media briefing, Northern Ireland’s Public Health Agency (PHA) confirmed testing of a patient had resulted in a presumptive positive test for coronavirus.
The test outcome has now been sent to Public Health England laboratories for verification.
The patient is receiving specialist care and PHA officials are working to identify any contacts the patient had to help prevent further spread.
Northern Ireland’s chief medical officer Dr Michael McBride said: “We have robust infection control measures in place which enable us to respond immediately. Our health service is used to managing infections and would assure the public that we are prepared.”
McBride said he would not disclose any personal details of the patient, or where they were being held.
More information on the announcement there are now 38 confirmed cases of coronavirus in France, more than doubling the tally in 24 hours.
During a press conference, the French health minister, Olivier Veran, said this “sharp increase” from 18 cases on Wednesday was due to the identification of so-called “contact persons” linked to previously known cases, adding that France was “ready” for an epidemic.
Health ministry director, Jerome Salomon, said out of the 38 cases, two people had died, 12 were cured and 24 were hospitalised, two of those being in a “serious condition”.
Chief medical officer of Northern Ireland Michael McBride told journalists that the first confirmed coronavirus patient in the region had travelled from Italy via Dublin.
France now has 38 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the French health minister has said.
Sam Gelder here. I will be running the Guardian’s live blog, updating you on the latest information surrounding the coronavirus outbreak. If you have any news tips, images or updates from your area then please do share it with me.
Email: sam.gelder.casual@theguardian.com
Northern Ireland has its first confirmed case of coronavirus, taking the total number of UK cases to 16.
Read the Guardian’s summary of what to do here:
I will be handing the live blog over to my colleague shortly. Here is a summary of the main news in the last three hours.
• 50 Brits were among 130 guests told they can leave a coronavirus-hit Tenerife hotel. Some 168 British nationals are among hundreds of guests being kept at the four-star H10 Costa Adeje Palace in the south west of the Spanish island after at least four guests, including an Italian doctor, tested positive for coronavirus.
• The chief medical officer, professor Chris Whitty, said schools could shut for two months in the event of a pandemic. He was speaking about measures to reduce risk if the coronavirus outbreak reaches pandemic proportions. While noting that such an outcome was just one possibility, he said that there could be a “social cost” if the virus intensifies seeing mass gatherings reduced and schools closed for more than two months.
• A councillor has said Buxton is not in lockdown, amid reporting suggesting it was. Samantha Flower, a borough councillor for the Burbage area of Buxton, where a school has been closed due to the outbreak, said there was no sense of lockdown in the town but that there was confusion about the advice for anyone with symptoms.
• The death toll in Italy reaches 17. Three more people have died in Italy from coronavirus, the Civil Protection Agency said.
• Greece has announced that it will reinforce border patrols, citing the threat posed to the country of coronavirus being brought in by refugees and migrants desperate to reach Europe.
Facebook Inc said it would cancel its annual developer conference, F8 2020, amid rising concerns of the coronavirus outbreak.“In place of the in-person F8 event, we’re planning other ways for our community to get together through a combo of locally hosted events, videos and live streamed content,” said Konstantinos Papamiltiadis, director of platform partnership.The conference, which attracted 5,000 people from around the world last year, was scheduled to be held on 5 -6 May at San Jose, California.