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Coronavirus: British man quarantined on Diamond Princess cruise ship dies, Japanese media report – latest updates Coronavirus: man from Diamond Princess cruise becomes first Briton to die from illness – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
First case in Wales; Nigeria, New Zealand and Lithuania also report first cases as WHO says epidemic could get ‘out of control’. Follow live newsFirst case in Wales; Nigeria, New Zealand and Lithuania also report first cases as WHO says epidemic could get ‘out of control’. Follow live news
Mexican authorities have confirmed the country’s first case of coronavirus, the second case in Latin America, says Reuters. My colleague Kim Willsher, our Paris correspondent, reports:
A patient with a possible coronavirus infection went through a second test that turned up positive early on Friday, deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell Ramirez told reporters. A woman from Cannes has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first in the Côté d’Azur region in the south of France.
The coronavirus could reach most “if not all countries”, the World Health Organisation said on Friday after Nigeria confirmed sub-Saharan Africa’s first case, Reuters is reporting. The 23-year-old was admitted to a special isolation unit in the hospital in Nice after being found to be carrying the Covid-19 virus on Friday following a visit to Milan in Lombardy.
“The outbreak is getting bigger,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told a Geneva news briefing. “The scenario of the coronavirus reaching multiple countries, if not all countries around the world, is something we have been looking at and warning against since quite a while.” The authorities are waiting for the results of tests on a second person from the area.
Five more countries have reported their first case of Covid-19, all with travel history connected to Italy - Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania. David Lisnard, the mayor of Cannes, said the woman’s condition was “satisfactory”. He said he had been in contact with the regional health agency and was reassured there was “no particular cause for concern for the public health authorities”. An investigation is under way to trace anyone with whom the patient was in contact.
Christian Estrosi, the mayor of Nice, who is seeking re-election in municipal elections next month, said he would be reducing the time spent campaigning.
Estrosi announced that the Nice carnival this weekend was cancelled as a “preventative measure”. The nearby town of Menton has cancelled its annual Fête du Citron (Lemon Fête), a series of events due to be held over the weekend.
The Cannes film festival committee said it was monitoring developments and said it was too early to say whether the event would go ahead. The 73rd annual festival is due to take place from 12-23 May.
“In due course and depending on the occurrences, the Festival de Cannes will naturally take all the necessary measures to ensure the protection of all those attending and to preserve their health during the Cannes event,” a spokesperson told Variety.
Mexican authorities have confirmed the country’s first two cases of coronavirus, among the few confirmed cases in Latin America, says Reuters.
A patient with a possible coronavirus infection went through a second test that turned up positive early on Friday, the deputy health minister, Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez, told reporters.
The man who had been in Italy is in isolation, López-Gatell added. His case is connected to a second confirmed case in the northern state of Sinaloa.
The coronavirus could reach most “if not all countries”, the World Health Organization said on Friday after Nigeria confirmed sub-Saharan Africa’s first case, Reuters is reporting.
“The outbreak is getting bigger,” Christian Lindmeier, a WHO spokesman, told a Geneva news briefing. “The scenario of the coronavirus reaching multiple countries, if not all countries around the world, is something we have been looking at and warning against since quite a while.”
Five more countries have reported their first case of Covid-19, all with travel history connected to Italy – Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania.
Lindmeier added that the WHO was looking very carefully into reports of some people getting re-infected. “We need to carefully look at how the tests were taken, how the person was examined, if it was maybe overlooked that the person still had the virus somewhere in the residue in the body, whether they got reinfected by different means or ways. We’re not in a position to say it is possible or not to be coming back and being re-infected.Lindmeier added that the WHO was looking very carefully into reports of some people getting re-infected. “We need to carefully look at how the tests were taken, how the person was examined, if it was maybe overlooked that the person still had the virus somewhere in the residue in the body, whether they got reinfected by different means or ways. We’re not in a position to say it is possible or not to be coming back and being re-infected.
“In general, we would expect that a person who had the coronavirus infection would be immune for at least a while afterwards. But again this is something we do not yet know.”“In general, we would expect that a person who had the coronavirus infection would be immune for at least a while afterwards. But again this is something we do not yet know.”
A British man who was onboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan has died from the coronavirus, the Japanese health ministry has confirmed.A British man who was onboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan has died from the coronavirus, the Japanese health ministry has confirmed.
The first foreign passenger to die, his death brings the toll among passengers from the vessel to six.The first foreign passenger to die, his death brings the toll among passengers from the vessel to six.
A spokeswoman for Princess Cruises, which operates the Diamond Princess, said: “All of us at Princess Cruises, including the crew of the Diamond Princess, offer our sincere condolences to family members and friends for their loss. Our dedicated care team are on hand to provide support.”
Our Pablo Gutiérrez has created this set of maps illustrating how Covid-19 is spreading across the world.Our Pablo Gutiérrez has created this set of maps illustrating how Covid-19 is spreading across the world.
Prof Jonathan Ball, a professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, has responded to media reports of a dog in Hong Kong being tested “weak positive” for coronavirus.“There is no evidence that the human novel coronavirus can infect dogs and it would be incredible for a virus to make so many species jumps in such a short space of time,” he said.“We have to differentiate between real infection and just detecting the presence of a virus – these are very different – and the fact that the test result was weakly positive would suggest that this is environmental contamination or simply the presence of coronavirus shed from the human contact that has ended up in the dog’s samples.“In truth this is incredibly irresponsible because the last thing we need to do is create mass hysteria about the possibility of dogs being infected, and therefore potentially transmitting this virus when there is absolutely no evidence for this whatsoever.”Prof Jonathan Ball, a professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, has responded to media reports of a dog in Hong Kong being tested “weak positive” for coronavirus.“There is no evidence that the human novel coronavirus can infect dogs and it would be incredible for a virus to make so many species jumps in such a short space of time,” he said.“We have to differentiate between real infection and just detecting the presence of a virus – these are very different – and the fact that the test result was weakly positive would suggest that this is environmental contamination or simply the presence of coronavirus shed from the human contact that has ended up in the dog’s samples.“In truth this is incredibly irresponsible because the last thing we need to do is create mass hysteria about the possibility of dogs being infected, and therefore potentially transmitting this virus when there is absolutely no evidence for this whatsoever.”
Researchers at the Sacco hospital in Milan say they have isolated the Italian strain of the coronavirus, reports Lorenzo Tondo. The scientists say the discovery will help to develop a vaccine and new treatments to contain the virus.Researchers at the Sacco hospital in Milan say they have isolated the Italian strain of the coronavirus, reports Lorenzo Tondo. The scientists say the discovery will help to develop a vaccine and new treatments to contain the virus.
Early in February, Italian researchers from the Spallanzani hospital in Rome successfully isolated Covid-19, which allowed the country to immediately activate tests on patients.Early in February, Italian researchers from the Spallanzani hospital in Rome successfully isolated Covid-19, which allowed the country to immediately activate tests on patients.
“The virus previously isolated by researchers at the Spallanzani hospital is precisely the Chinese one, originating in Wuhan, while the coronavirus that we have isolated prevents the viral strain spreading in Italy,” Claudia Balotta, an immunologist at the Sacco hospital, told the Corriere della Sera.“The virus previously isolated by researchers at the Spallanzani hospital is precisely the Chinese one, originating in Wuhan, while the coronavirus that we have isolated prevents the viral strain spreading in Italy,” Claudia Balotta, an immunologist at the Sacco hospital, told the Corriere della Sera.
“Viruses reshuffle their genetic makeup to better bind to cells in the new host,” Tullio Prestileo, a doctor of infectious diseases at the Benfratteli hospital in Palermo, told the Guardian. “By spreading from one country to another, the virus originating in Wuhan will obviously reshuffle its genetic patrimony and the virus strain in China will have some slight differences from the one in Italy or Germany.”“Viruses reshuffle their genetic makeup to better bind to cells in the new host,” Tullio Prestileo, a doctor of infectious diseases at the Benfratteli hospital in Palermo, told the Guardian. “By spreading from one country to another, the virus originating in Wuhan will obviously reshuffle its genetic patrimony and the virus strain in China will have some slight differences from the one in Italy or Germany.”
Thanks to the discovery, the Italian researchers believe they can now “trace the journey of the virus from China to Europe and detect the date of its first spread in the country”.Thanks to the discovery, the Italian researchers believe they can now “trace the journey of the virus from China to Europe and detect the date of its first spread in the country”.
The GMB union is the latest body to issue a warning about the threat the coronavirus poses to workers in the gig economy.The GMB union is the latest body to issue a warning about the threat the coronavirus poses to workers in the gig economy.
Mick Rix, the GMB national officer, said:Mick Rix, the GMB national officer, said:
The union said that in one recent case a delivery driver was contacted by a customer who considered themselves high risk. The driver told the company, which instructed her not to come back into work. This meant she faced the prospect of not being able to earn any money until she was given the all-clear.The union said that in one recent case a delivery driver was contacted by a customer who considered themselves high risk. The driver told the company, which instructed her not to come back into work. This meant she faced the prospect of not being able to earn any money until she was given the all-clear.
Public Health England has issued new advice on the coronavirus in places of education. A revised poster issued this morning says: “You should wash hands with soap & water or hand sanitiser … on arrival at any childcare or educational setting.”.Public Health England has issued new advice on the coronavirus in places of education. A revised poster issued this morning says: “You should wash hands with soap & water or hand sanitiser … on arrival at any childcare or educational setting.”.
Nigeria’s first confirmed coronovirus case entered the country on a Turkish Airlines flight that travelled via Istanbul, the Lagos state commissioner for health has told a news conference.Nigeria’s first confirmed coronovirus case entered the country on a Turkish Airlines flight that travelled via Istanbul, the Lagos state commissioner for health has told a news conference.
In comments reported by Reuters, Akin Abayomi said the man, who travelled from Milan, Italy, and landed on the evening of 24 February, spent the night in a hotel near the airport, and continued to his place of work in neighbouring Ogun state.In comments reported by Reuters, Akin Abayomi said the man, who travelled from Milan, Italy, and landed on the evening of 24 February, spent the night in a hotel near the airport, and continued to his place of work in neighbouring Ogun state.
He was treated on the evening of 26 February at his company’s medical facility before health practitioners there called government biosecurity officers, who transferred him to a containment facility in Yaba, Lagos, the following day. The man is the first confirmed case in sub-Saharan Africa.He was treated on the evening of 26 February at his company’s medical facility before health practitioners there called government biosecurity officers, who transferred him to a containment facility in Yaba, Lagos, the following day. The man is the first confirmed case in sub-Saharan Africa.
The Geneva motor show has been postponed by six months, following Switzerland’s ban on large gatherings. Organisers said it had become increasingly difficult for delegates to arrange visas, or fix flights to the show, given the escalating crisis over Covid-19.The Geneva motor show has been postponed by six months, following Switzerland’s ban on large gatherings. Organisers said it had become increasingly difficult for delegates to arrange visas, or fix flights to the show, given the escalating crisis over Covid-19.
You can read the latest developments in our business live blog:You can read the latest developments in our business live blog:
Here’s some more on the plans for a Cobra meeting:Here’s some more on the plans for a Cobra meeting:
A No 10 spokesman said: “The prime minister is keen to chair Cobra on Monday to ensure that everything that can be done is being done.”A No 10 spokesman said: “The prime minister is keen to chair Cobra on Monday to ensure that everything that can be done is being done.”
Boris Johnson spent four hours visiting Kettering hospital during the night shift on Thursday night. During his visit he spent time discussing preparations for dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak.Boris Johnson spent four hours visiting Kettering hospital during the night shift on Thursday night. During his visit he spent time discussing preparations for dealing with the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Guardian’s science correspondent, Hannah Devlin, has this piece busting the most common coronavirus myths:The Guardian’s 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 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: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.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.
PA Media said the woman followed advice in reporting concerns to a GP, and “self-isolated” at home while 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.
The 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: