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Coronavirus: first case in Wales as two further cases in England take UK total to 19 – latest updates Coronavirus: first case in Wales as two further cases in England take UK total to 19 – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Nigeria, New Zealand and Lithuania also report first cases as WHO says epidemic could get ‘out of control’. Follow live newsNigeria, New Zealand and Lithuania also report first cases as WHO says epidemic could get ‘out of control’. Follow live news
Guardian science correspondent Hannah Devlin has this piece busting the most common coronavirus myths –
The government is to hold an emergency Cobra meeting over the coronavirus outbreak on Monday.
The Associated Press has this updated list of all the reported cases of coronavirus around the world:
Mainland China: 2,788 deaths among 78,824 cases, mostly in the central province of Hubei.Hong Kong: 92 cases, 2 deaths.Macao: 10 cases.South Korea: 2,337 cases, 13 deaths.Japan: 927 cases, including 705 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, 9 deaths.Italy: 650 cases, 15 deaths.Iran: 388 cases, 34 deaths.Singapore: 96.US: 60.Germany: 53.Kuwait: 45.Thailand: 41.France: 38 cases, 2 deaths.Bahrain: 36.Taiwan: 34 cases, 1 death.Malaysia: 25.Australia: 23.United Arab Emirates: 19.Spain: 17.Vietnam: 16.United Kingdom: 15.Canada: 14.Sweden: 7.Iraq: 6.Oman: 6.Russia: 5.Croatia: 5.Switzerland: 5.Greece: 4.Philippines: 3 cases, 1 death.India: 3.Israel: 3.Lebanon: 3.Pakistan: 2.Finland: 2.Austria: 2.Netherlands: 2.Egypt: 1.Algeria: 1.Afghanistan: 1.North Macedonia: 1.Georgia: 1.Estonia: 1.Lithuania: 1.Belgium: 1.Romania: 1.Belarus: 1.Nepal: 1.Sri Lanka: 1.Cambodia: 1.Norway: 1.Denmark: 1.Brazil: 1.New Zealand: 1.Nigeria: 1.Azerbaijan: 1.
Health authorities in Ireland have said that people who sat within two rows of the person from Northern Ireland infected with Covid-19 on the plane from northern Italy to Dublin have been contacted.Health authorities in Ireland have said that people who sat within two rows of the person from Northern Ireland infected with Covid-19 on the plane from northern Italy to Dublin have been contacted.
The PA news agency said that the woman followed advice in reporting concerns to a GP, and “self isolated” at home whilst awaiting the results of testing. PA Media said the woman followed advice in reporting concerns to a GP, and “self-isolated” at home while awaiting the results of testing.
Irish health chief Dr John Cuddihy said: The Irish health chief, Dr John Cuddihy, said:
Ireland’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and the head of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dr Cuddihy, held a news conference in Dublin to provide details of Ireland’s preparedness.Ireland’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, and the head of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dr Cuddihy, held a news conference in Dublin to provide details of Ireland’s preparedness.
Dr Holohan said they were depending on an individual with symptoms travelling back from an affected area identifying themselves, contacting the local health authorities, and that was what had happened in this particular case.Dr Holohan said they were depending on an individual with symptoms travelling back from an affected area identifying themselves, contacting the local health authorities, and that was what had happened in this particular case.
The former chancellor and Evening Standard editor, George Osborne, says its time for the government to go on a “war footing” with the coronavirus:The former chancellor and Evening Standard editor, George Osborne, says its time for the government to go on a “war footing” with the coronavirus:
So coronavirus has finally arrived in sub-saharan Africa, with an Italian man who arrived in Nigeria three days ago becoming the country’s first case of the disease.The case is in Lagos, a massive overcrowded city, which will raise fears that the virus might already have spread in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, and possibly further afield.Nigeria is a major hub for air transport, commerce and culture. It has deep links with China, with continual and substantial traffic of people and goods. However, this first confirmed case appears to have originated in Italy.The WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has warned that the “window of opportunity the continent has had to prepare for coronavirus disease is closing”.Egypt had the first case of Covid-19 in Africa, announced on 14 February. Algeria declared it had a case on Tuesday – another Italian adult who arrived in the country on 17 February.Earlier this month, officials at the WHO warned that porous borders, a continuing flow of travellers and poorly resourced healthcare systems meant the risk of an outbreak across Africa was “very, very high” and raised significant concerns about the ability of “fragile health systems” to cope with the epidemic.But recent weeks have been used to reinforce testing regimes, isolation facilities and for public messaging too.So coronavirus has finally arrived in sub-saharan Africa, with an Italian man who arrived in Nigeria three days ago becoming the country’s first case of the disease.The case is in Lagos, a massive overcrowded city, which will raise fears that the virus might already have spread in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, and possibly further afield.Nigeria is a major hub for air transport, commerce and culture. It has deep links with China, with continual and substantial traffic of people and goods. However, this first confirmed case appears to have originated in Italy.The WHO’s regional director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti, has warned that the “window of opportunity the continent has had to prepare for coronavirus disease is closing”.Egypt had the first case of Covid-19 in Africa, announced on 14 February. Algeria declared it had a case on Tuesday – another Italian adult who arrived in the country on 17 February.Earlier this month, officials at the WHO warned that porous borders, a continuing flow of travellers and poorly resourced healthcare systems meant the risk of an outbreak across Africa was “very, very high” and raised significant concerns about the ability of “fragile health systems” to cope with the epidemic.But recent weeks have been used to reinforce testing regimes, isolation facilities and for public messaging too.
“Nigeria has dramatically improved its ability to manage the outbreak of a major pandemic since the Ebola scare in west Africa in 2014. Many of the lessons from keeping the country free of Ebola have informed the steps taken since the news of the coronavirus epidemic first broke,” wrote Folasade Ogunsola, professor of Clinical Microbiology, University of Lagos, on The Conversation website.“Nigeria has dramatically improved its ability to manage the outbreak of a major pandemic since the Ebola scare in west Africa in 2014. Many of the lessons from keeping the country free of Ebola have informed the steps taken since the news of the coronavirus epidemic first broke,” wrote Folasade Ogunsola, professor of Clinical Microbiology, University of Lagos, on The Conversation website.
A further two coronavirus cases have been confirmed in England, bringing the total to 19.A further two coronavirus cases have been confirmed in England, bringing the total to 19.
Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said:Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, said:
Wales’s chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said in a statement:Wales’s chief medical officer, Dr Frank Atherton, said in a statement:
A coronavirus case has been confirmed in Wales, in a patient who had returned from Italy. This takes the total number of UK cases to 17.A coronavirus case has been confirmed in Wales, in a patient who had returned from Italy. This takes the total number of UK cases to 17.
While the government has not put anybody forward to be interviewed about the coronavirus this morning, Jeremy Hunt, the chairman of the Commons health committee and former Tory health secretary, has been on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He said we need to consider the “social and economic trade-offs” we are willing to make to contain Covid-19.While the government has not put anybody forward to be interviewed about the coronavirus this morning, Jeremy Hunt, the chairman of the Commons health committee and former Tory health secretary, has been on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He said we need to consider the “social and economic trade-offs” we are willing to make to contain Covid-19.
The trade union umbrella body, the TUC, is urging employers to give workers time off to seek medical advice if they feel they are developing symptoms of coronavirus. The organisation says many people are at risk of getting no financial support when sick because their pay is too low or they are on zero-hours contracts.The trade union umbrella body, the TUC, is urging employers to give workers time off to seek medical advice if they feel they are developing symptoms of coronavirus. The organisation says many people are at risk of getting no financial support when sick because their pay is too low or they are on zero-hours contracts.
The TUC warned that almost 2 million workers do not earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay, including one in 10 working women. They said that people forced to self-isolate because of the virus, and those who become ill, should not lose out on pay.The TUC warned that almost 2 million workers do not earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay, including one in 10 working women. They said that people forced to self-isolate because of the virus, and those who become ill, should not lose out on pay.
The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said:The TUC general secretary, Frances O’Grady, said:
Reuters is reporting that Kuwait has confirmed two more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 45. A health ministry official said there had been no deaths and that those infected had either travelled to Iran or been contaminated by people who went there.Reuters is reporting that Kuwait has confirmed two more cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 45. A health ministry official said there had been no deaths and that those infected had either travelled to Iran or been contaminated by people who went there.
European stock markets have, as we feared, tumbled at the start of trading. The FTSE 100 index of the biggest UK-listed companies has hit its lowest level since December 2008.European stock markets have, as we feared, tumbled at the start of trading. The FTSE 100 index of the biggest UK-listed companies has hit its lowest level since December 2008.
It’s down a further 2.8%, or 188 points, at 6607. That means it’s lost about 10% of its value this week. We’ve not seen such a slump since since the eurozone crisis of 2011, and the financial crisis more than a decade ago.It’s down a further 2.8%, or 188 points, at 6607. That means it’s lost about 10% of its value this week. We’ve not seen such a slump since since the eurozone crisis of 2011, and the financial crisis more than a decade ago.
Two airlines have warned that their earnings are being hit by the crisis. IAG, which owns British Airways, said business travel has been hit by the cancellations of various trade fairs, and corporate travel restrictions. Budget airline easyJet reported it is cutting flights to Italy, and implementing “recruitment, promotion and pay freezes” across its network as it tries to cut costs.Two airlines have warned that their earnings are being hit by the crisis. IAG, which owns British Airways, said business travel has been hit by the cancellations of various trade fairs, and corporate travel restrictions. Budget airline easyJet reported it is cutting flights to Italy, and implementing “recruitment, promotion and pay freezes” across its network as it tries to cut costs.
Germany’s Dax is also suffering fresh losses, down another 3.6%, as investors fear the coronavirus outbreak will cause a global recession.As Neil Wilson of Markets.com puts it:Germany’s Dax is also suffering fresh losses, down another 3.6%, as investors fear the coronavirus outbreak will cause a global recession.As Neil Wilson of Markets.com puts it:
Our business live blog has more details.Our business live blog has more details.
Guardian US reporter Amanda Holpuch writes about the unique challenges the US might face in tackling the coronavirus:Guardian US reporter Amanda Holpuch writes about the unique challenges the US might face in tackling the coronavirus:
Here’s a reminder of the situation in the UK:Here’s a reminder of the situation in the UK:
As of 27 February, a total of 7,690 people have been tested in the UK, of which 7,675 were confirmed negative and 15 positive. (The Department of health updates the figures every day at 2pm.)As of 27 February, a total of 7,690 people have been tested in the UK, of which 7,675 were confirmed negative and 15 positive. (The Department of health updates the figures every day at 2pm.)
The official advice to Brits returning from abroad is to call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people immediately if you’ve travelled from:The official advice to Brits returning from abroad is to call NHS 111, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people immediately if you’ve travelled from:
Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms.Hubei province in China in the last 14 days, even if you do not have symptoms.
Iran, lockdown areas in northern Italy or special care zones in South Korea since 19 February, even if you do not have symptoms.Iran, lockdown areas in northern Italy or special care zones in South Korea since 19 February, even if you do not have symptoms.
Other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild).Other parts of mainland China or South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan or Thailand in the last 14 days and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild).
Other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild).Other parts of northern Italy (anywhere north of Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam since 19 February and have a cough, high temperature or shortness of breath (even if your symptoms are mild).
After President Emmanuel Macron’s warning on Thursday that France was on the brink of a coronavirus epidemic, officials there have announced 20 new cases emerging in the past 24 hours.After President Emmanuel Macron’s warning on Thursday that France was on the brink of a coronavirus epidemic, officials there have announced 20 new cases emerging in the past 24 hours.
A dozen cases are centred in the Oise area of northern France, which has emerged as one of the most significant clusters, and concern has homed in on connections to the 110 military airbase in Creil.A dozen cases are centred in the Oise area of northern France, which has emerged as one of the most significant clusters, and concern has homed in on connections to the 110 military airbase in Creil.
Although the health minister, Olivier Véran, said France was not yet in an epidemic he said the country was prepared for one. Two other French citizens who had recently returned from a trip to Egypt were reported hospitalised in Dijon and Brest. Another individual, in Annecy, had recently returned from northern Italy.Although the health minister, Olivier Véran, said France was not yet in an epidemic he said the country was prepared for one. Two other French citizens who had recently returned from a trip to Egypt were reported hospitalised in Dijon and Brest. Another individual, in Annecy, had recently returned from northern Italy.
Good morning from London.Good morning from London.
One hundred and sixty-eight Britons remain confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife after at least four guests were diagnosed with coronavirus. Sources told the PA Media news agency that about 50 of them will be allowed to leave if they wish.One hundred and sixty-eight Britons remain confined to the H10 Costa Adeje Palace in Tenerife after at least four guests were diagnosed with coronavirus. Sources told the PA Media news agency that about 50 of them will be allowed to leave if they wish.
The minister of health in Tenerife said about 130 guests from 11 different countries will be able to leave the hotel if they arrived on Monday, after infected guests had already left.The minister of health in Tenerife said about 130 guests from 11 different countries will be able to leave the hotel if they arrived on Monday, after infected guests had already left.
Airline Jet2 has said it will not fly back any people who have been staying at the hotel until they have tested negative for the illness.Airline Jet2 has said it will not fly back any people who have been staying at the hotel until they have tested negative for the illness.