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Coronavirus: man from Diamond Princess cruise first Briton to die from illness – latest updates Coronavirus: man from Diamond Princess cruise first Briton to die from illness – latest updates
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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
A GP in Surrey is being taken to one of the UK’s six specialist centres for infectious diseases amid fears he is the latest British case of coronavirus, Denis Campbell, the Guardian’s health policy editor, reports.
The development is understood to have triggered an urgent investigation to see if any of his patients have the coronavirus too.
The case – which would be the 20th to emerge in the UK – has prompted particular concern among health officials trying to limit the spread of Covid-19.
The GP would routinely have seen scores of patients over the course of the last week before he became ill in the last 24 hours.
His diagnosis has yet to be publicly confirmed by Public Health England (PHE), NHS England or the Department of Health and Social Care. Public health chiefs are also worried by the unnamed doctor’s diagnosis because his wife is also a GP.
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Iceland has confirmed its first case of Covid-19, local media reports. The man is in isolation at Landspítali hospital after testing positive for the virus.
The man is reportedly not seriously ill, but tested positive for coronavirus after recently returning from northern Italy – but outside the area considered especially high risk for catching the virus.
Boris Johnson is under fire from opposition parties for waiting until next week to chair a Cobra meeting on the coronavirus outbreak. The meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday.
Labour has accused Johnson of acting as a “part-time prime minister”. The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, said: “Our part-time prime minister needs to get a grip of this escalating situation quickly. It shouldn’t take another three days for this meeting to take place.”
The acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey, said: “People across the country are anxious and concerned about coronavirus. They want to see leadership.
“The Liberal Democrats called on Boris Johnson to chair a Cobra meeting weeks ago to ensure everything was being done to prepare for a potential coronavirus outbreak. With the NHS already so stretched, it’s gobsmacking that the prime minister has delayed chairing Cobra for so long.
“Just like his failure to visit communities hit by flooding, on coronavirus Johnson seems like he’d rather bury his head in the sand than hear for himself what the experts are saying and what his ministers are doing.”
Ofqual, the exam regulator for England, says it is considering how to manage the dangers of a coronavirus outbreak disrupting this summer’s GCSE and A-level exams.Ofqual, the exam regulator for England, says it is considering how to manage the dangers of a coronavirus outbreak disrupting this summer’s GCSE and A-level exams.
Students are due to sit A-levels – crucial for university entry – in May and June, but a widespread outbreak of Covid-19 at that point could mean that, in worst-case scenarios, students and staff may be unable to take the exams due to illness or quarantine restrictions.Students are due to sit A-levels – crucial for university entry – in May and June, but a widespread outbreak of Covid-19 at that point could mean that, in worst-case scenarios, students and staff may be unable to take the exams due to illness or quarantine restrictions.
In a statement Ofqual said: “We are working closely with awarding organisations and the Department for Education to consider how to manage any particular risks to the smooth running of exams and assessments should there be a widespread outbreak of coronavirus.In a statement Ofqual said: “We are working closely with awarding organisations and the Department for Education to consider how to manage any particular risks to the smooth running of exams and assessments should there be a widespread outbreak of coronavirus.
“We will update our existing guidance to reflect any specific arrangements schools and colleges should put in place if required. In the meantime, students, schools and colleges should continue to prepare for the summer exams and assessments as usual.”“We will update our existing guidance to reflect any specific arrangements schools and colleges should put in place if required. In the meantime, students, schools and colleges should continue to prepare for the summer exams and assessments as usual.”
A-levels and GCSEs are taken from the second week of May until the middle of June, with exam results published in mid-August. Disrupted A-level results could complicate the process of university applications, which rely in most cases on students gaining specific exam results. But in a period of difficulty universities may use other methods to allot places, such as previous exam results.A-levels and GCSEs are taken from the second week of May until the middle of June, with exam results published in mid-August. Disrupted A-level results could complicate the process of university applications, which rely in most cases on students gaining specific exam results. But in a period of difficulty universities may use other methods to allot places, such as previous exam results.
The Foreign Office has confirmed the death of a Briton who was onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship.The Foreign Office has confirmed the death of a Briton who was onboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
A spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Japan and are in contact with local authorities. Our sympathies and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”A spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Japan and are in contact with local authorities. Our sympathies and thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
The WHO has said that the assessment of the risk of spread and risk of impact of Covid-19 is now “very high at global level”.The WHO has said that the assessment of the risk of spread and risk of impact of Covid-19 is now “very high at global level”.
The director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters in Geneva that the continued increase in the number of coronavirus cases and in the number of affected countries over the last days was “clearly of concern” but there was still a chance it could be contained.The director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters in Geneva that the continued increase in the number of coronavirus cases and in the number of affected countries over the last days was “clearly of concern” but there was still a chance it could be contained.
China’s 329 reported cases in the past 24 hours was the lowest figure there in more than a month, he added.China’s 329 reported cases in the past 24 hours was the lowest figure there in more than a month, he added.
There were more than 20 vaccines in development globally and several therapeutics were in clinical trials, Tedros said, and we could expect the first results in a few weeks time.There were more than 20 vaccines in development globally and several therapeutics were in clinical trials, Tedros said, and we could expect the first results in a few weeks time.
Aer Lingus has confirmed that the person from Northern Ireland infected with Covid-19 travelled on the airline to Dublin airport.Aer Lingus has confirmed that the person from Northern Ireland infected with Covid-19 travelled on the airline to Dublin airport.
In a statement the airline said: “Aer Lingus can confirm that the patient in Northern Ireland who has been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus travelled with the airline from northern Italy to Dublin.In a statement the airline said: “Aer Lingus can confirm that the patient in Northern Ireland who has been diagnosed with the Covid-19 virus travelled with the airline from northern Italy to Dublin.
“Aer Lingus is co-operating fully with the HSE in relation to the Covid-19 developments and is liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs, other government departments and the relevant authorities as required.“Aer Lingus is co-operating fully with the HSE in relation to the Covid-19 developments and is liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs, other government departments and the relevant authorities as required.
“Aer Lingus will continue to assess the situation based on the guidance received.”“Aer Lingus will continue to assess the situation based on the guidance received.”
Stocks are falling sharply in New York, as the coronavirus market rout continues.Stocks are falling sharply in New York, as the coronavirus market rout continues.
The Dow dropped by 761 points at the start of trading. That’s a drop of 2.96%, to 25,005 points.The Dow dropped by 761 points at the start of trading. That’s a drop of 2.96%, to 25,005 points.
The S&P 500 is down just over 3%, and the technology-focused Nasdaq dropped by 3.1%.The S&P 500 is down just over 3%, and the technology-focused Nasdaq dropped by 3.1%.
You can follow our live business coverage here:You can follow our live business coverage here:
Moscow authorities are deporting 88 foreign nationals who violated quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against coronavirus, the RIA news agency cited the city’s deputy mayor as saying on Friday.Moscow authorities are deporting 88 foreign nationals who violated quarantine measures imposed on them as a precaution against coronavirus, the RIA news agency cited the city’s deputy mayor as saying on Friday.
Hundreds of people have been quarantined in Russia and Moscow authorities have carried out raids on potential carriers of the virus – individuals at their homes or hotels – and used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures.Hundreds of people have been quarantined in Russia and Moscow authorities have carried out raids on potential carriers of the virus – individuals at their homes or hotels – and used facial recognition technology to enforce quarantine measures.
My colleague Kim Willsher, our Paris correspondent, reports:My colleague Kim Willsher, our Paris correspondent, reports:
A woman from Cannes has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first in the Côté d’Azur region in the south of France.A woman from Cannes has tested positive for the coronavirus, the first in the Côté d’Azur region in the south of France.
The 23-year-old was admitted to a special isolation unit in hospital in Nice after being found to be carrying the Covid-19 virus on Friday following a visit to Milan in Lombardy.The 23-year-old was admitted to a special isolation unit in hospital in Nice after being found to be carrying the Covid-19 virus on Friday following a visit to Milan in Lombardy.
The authorities are waiting for the results of tests on a second person from the area.The authorities are waiting for the results of tests on a second person from the area.
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.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.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.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.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.“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.Mexican authorities have confirmed the country’s first two cases of coronavirus, among the few confirmed cases in Latin America, says Reuters.
The two men had travelled recently to Italy, where they had been in direct contact with an Italian national who resides in Malaysia, the deputy health minister Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez, told reporters.The two men had travelled recently to Italy, where they had been in direct contact with an Italian national who resides in Malaysia, the deputy health minister Hugo López-Gatell Ramírez, told reporters.
A 35-year-old man with a possible coronavirus infection went through a second test that turned up positive early on Friday, López-Gatell said. The man is in isolation in Mexico City. At least five family contacts have also been placed in isolation.A 35-year-old man with a possible coronavirus infection went through a second test that turned up positive early on Friday, López-Gatell said. The man is in isolation in Mexico City. At least five family contacts have also been placed in isolation.
His case is connected to the second confirmed case in the northern state of Sinaloa, which is still pending the results of a second test.His case is connected to the second confirmed case in the northern state of Sinaloa, which is still pending the results of a second test.
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 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.”“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 – Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania.Five more countries have reported their first case of Covid-19 – Nigeria, Estonia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Lithuania.
Estonia’s social affairs minister Tanel Kiik said the affected individual in that country is an Iranian national resident in Estonia, who had not recently arrived in the country either by plane or by sea but by bus from Riga, Latvia.Estonia’s social affairs minister Tanel Kiik said the affected individual in that country is an Iranian national resident in Estonia, who had not recently arrived in the country either by plane or by sea but by bus from Riga, Latvia.
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.”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.”.