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Coronavirus: Italy death toll rises to 21 as UK confirms 20th case – live updates Coronavirus: Italy death toll rises to 21 as UK confirms 20th case – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Italian civil protection chief confirms 820 cases in the country while Boris Johnson says Covid-19 is UK government’s top priority. Follow live newsItalian civil protection chief confirms 820 cases in the country while Boris Johnson says Covid-19 is UK government’s top priority. Follow live news
The AHPPC said that with the increased spread of the disease, extending travel bans was “not likely to be feasible or effective.”
In the past few days, the numbers of cases of COVID-19 in South Korea, Italy, and Iran have been rapidly increasing. The AHPPC said the situation in Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore also remains a concern.
On Friday the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) issued a statement about the effectiveness of quarantine measures.
It said over the past two weeks, direct connections between cases in other countries and China had decreased. It said the effectiveness of these quarantine measures and whether they remain adequate would be reviewed again in one week.The travel restrictions and self-quarantine procedures for people coming from mainland China had been effective so far, with a more than 60% reduction in travellers, and no cases detected in more than 30,000 Australians returning from mainland China since 1 February.
The AHPPC statement said:
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has reportedly sacked two top officials for “corruption” in a meeting on coronavirus in Politburo.
The Party daily Rodong Sinmun and Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Saturday that the leader sacked the two Workers Party of Korea (QPK) officials for “corrupt” acts. Both men were central committee vice-chairmen.
They were “harshly criticized” by Kim Jong Un “and their gravity and consequences were sharply analyzed,” the Rodong reported on its front page.
Good morning, it’s Calla Wahlquist in Melbourne taking over from Kevin Rawlinson.
Two more cases of coronavirus have been reported in Australia overnight, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 25.
One of those women is a 63-year-old woman on the Gold Coast in Queensland, who is now in the Gold Coast hospital. The woman had recently returned from Iran, which has emerged as a hotspot of the disease with the second-highest number of deaths outside of China. The Iranian deputy health minister Iraj Harirchi tested positive a few days ago.
Authorities in Queensland are now trying to trace back the woman’s movements to identify who she may have come into contact with. We’re expecting a press conference on this soon.
It is the ninth case in Queensland. Three cases are passengers from the Diamond Princess cruise ship, and five more were people who had travelled to the Gold Coast from Wuhan province on holiday.
If you want to get in touch, you can follow me on twitter @callapilla and email me at calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com
A man who was onboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship became the first British person to die from the coronavirus, the Japanese health ministry confirmed. The passengers had been taken off the vessel to Japan for treatment.A man who was onboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship became the first British person to die from the coronavirus, the Japanese health ministry confirmed. The passengers had been taken off the vessel to Japan for treatment.
The UK said it had detected its 20th coronavirus case and the first case in Wales was confirmed. The latest patient in England is the first to contract the illness while in the UK.The UK said it had detected its 20th coronavirus case and the first case in Wales was confirmed. The latest patient in England is the first to contract the illness while in the UK.
Italy’s death toll reached 21 and some 820 people have been infected, the civil protection chief said. But the number of those who have recovered from the virus is increasing.Italy’s death toll reached 21 and some 820 people have been infected, the civil protection chief said. But the number of those who have recovered from the virus is increasing.
Coronavirus could reach most, if not all, countries, according to the World Health Organisation. The body said its analysis showed there was a very high global risk of both the spread and the impact of Covid-19.Coronavirus could reach most, if not all, countries, according to the World Health Organisation. The body said its analysis showed there was a very high global risk of both the spread and the impact of Covid-19.
The virus has now spread to about 49 countries. New Zealand, Belarus, Lithuania, and Nigeria (the first case in sub-Saharan Africa) reported their first cases in the last day. Many are linked to travellers from Iran.The virus has now spread to about 49 countries. New Zealand, Belarus, Lithuania, and Nigeria (the first case in sub-Saharan Africa) reported their first cases in the last day. Many are linked to travellers from Iran.
Markets around the world have taken huge hits, and the Chinese economy has seen its worst slump in two decades. The Dow, the S&P 500 and the technology-focused Nasdaq all dropped by about 3%, while other markets also tumbled.Markets around the world have taken huge hits, and the Chinese economy has seen its worst slump in two decades. The Dow, the S&P 500 and the technology-focused Nasdaq all dropped by about 3%, while other markets also tumbled.
The UN security council decided to lift some economic sanctions on North Korea to help it fend off the virus. Pyongyang still says it has no reported cases.The UN security council decided to lift some economic sanctions on North Korea to help it fend off the virus. Pyongyang still says it has no reported cases.
Amazon suspends job interviews over coronavirus fearsAmazon suspends job interviews over coronavirus fears
Amazon will be suspending in-person job interviews indefinitely, according to screenshots reported on by Gizmodo on Friday.Amazon will be suspending in-person job interviews indefinitely, according to screenshots reported on by Gizmodo on Friday.
The move comes as the tech industry scrambles to respond to the coronavirus, which has killed nearly 3,000 people.The move comes as the tech industry scrambles to respond to the coronavirus, which has killed nearly 3,000 people.
Amazon already stated it would cancel its appearances at a number of events and restrict global and domestic travel. The interview policy will affect more than 39,000 jobs open at the company, according to its own hiring site, and appears to be indefinite.Amazon already stated it would cancel its appearances at a number of events and restrict global and domestic travel. The interview policy will affect more than 39,000 jobs open at the company, according to its own hiring site, and appears to be indefinite.
With racially tinged coronavirus fears keeping visitors from San Francisco’s Chinatown, Facebook is donating $25,000 to help the historic neighborhood’s small businesses. Officials pledged today to donate $20,000 to the Chinese Newcomers Services Center, in addition to $5,000 in Facebook ad credits. They made the announcement alongside local lawmakers and San Francisco mayor London Breed, who declared a state of emergency in the city over the outbreak.With racially tinged coronavirus fears keeping visitors from San Francisco’s Chinatown, Facebook is donating $25,000 to help the historic neighborhood’s small businesses. Officials pledged today to donate $20,000 to the Chinese Newcomers Services Center, in addition to $5,000 in Facebook ad credits. They made the announcement alongside local lawmakers and San Francisco mayor London Breed, who declared a state of emergency in the city over the outbreak.
There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Francisco.There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in San Francisco.
Whately said thoroughly washing hands and coughing or sneezing into a tissue before disposing of it remained the best way of limiting the spread of coronavirus. Asked about the increasing use of face masks, she told the BBC:Whately said thoroughly washing hands and coughing or sneezing into a tissue before disposing of it remained the best way of limiting the spread of coronavirus. Asked about the increasing use of face masks, she told the BBC:
It is likely more people in the UK will contract coronavirus, a government minister has said. But Helen Whately, added that plans were in place should it become a pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care minister told BBC Newsnight:It is likely more people in the UK will contract coronavirus, a government minister has said. But Helen Whately, added that plans were in place should it become a pandemic. The Department of Health and Social Care minister told BBC Newsnight:
Asked whether that meant mass gatherings could be banned and schools closed, such as in parts of Italy, she said such measures were “being considered”.Asked whether that meant mass gatherings could be banned and schools closed, such as in parts of Italy, she said such measures were “being considered”.
But Whatley said there was still “very clear guidance” that “schools should not be, in general, planning to close”.But Whatley said there was still “very clear guidance” that “schools should not be, in general, planning to close”.
The Reuters news agency is reporting that the United States will postpone a meeting with leaders of Southeast Asian countries it planned to host on 14 March.The Reuters news agency is reporting that the United States will postpone a meeting with leaders of Southeast Asian countries it planned to host on 14 March.
The US president, Donald Trump, had invited leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian nations to meet in Las Vegas after he did not attend a summit with the group in Bangkok in November.The US president, Donald Trump, had invited leaders of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian nations to meet in Las Vegas after he did not attend a summit with the group in Bangkok in November.
Reuters cited two unnamed US officials it said were familiar with the matter. The Guardian has not independently confirmed the report and the US State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.Reuters cited two unnamed US officials it said were familiar with the matter. The Guardian has not independently confirmed the report and the US State Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
BTS, the K-Pop band, have cancelled four concerts due to be held in Seoul in April as South Korea’s coronavirus cases jumped by nearly 600 – a larger rise than the daily increase reported in China.BTS, the K-Pop band, have cancelled four concerts due to be held in Seoul in April as South Korea’s coronavirus cases jumped by nearly 600 – a larger rise than the daily increase reported in China.
The seven-piece boyband, one of the biggest acts in the world, had scheduled the gigs at the South Korean capital’s Olympic Stadium to promote their new album “Map of the Soul: 7”. More than 200,000 fans were expected to attend, their agency Big Hit Entertainment said in a statement.The seven-piece boyband, one of the biggest acts in the world, had scheduled the gigs at the South Korean capital’s Olympic Stadium to promote their new album “Map of the Soul: 7”. More than 200,000 fans were expected to attend, their agency Big Hit Entertainment said in a statement.
A second coronavirus case in a northern Californian patient with no links to international travel has reportedly been identified. The Washington Post quoted Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins centre for health security, as saying:A second coronavirus case in a northern Californian patient with no links to international travel has reportedly been identified. The Washington Post quoted Jennifer Nuzzo, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins centre for health security, as saying:
The North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has overseen military drills, state media KCNA say, in a rare public outing amid efforts to prevent an outbreak of the coronavirus in the isolated country.
The Reuters news agency reports that North Korea has not confirmed any cases of the virus, but that state media said a month-long quarantine period had been imposed for people showing symptoms and “high-intensity” measures were taken including reinforcing checks in border regions and at airports and sea ports.
On 16 February, Kim made his first public appearance in 22 days to visit a mausoleum marking the anniversary of the birth of his father and late leader Kim Jong Il.
The military drill was to “judge the mobility and the fire power strike ability” on the frontline and eastern units and ended to a “great satisfaction” of Kim, according to KCNA. The network said:
In a separate dispatch, KCNA said Kim has also convened a meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party’s powerful politburo where a stricter enforcement of “top-class anti-epidemic steps” was discussed to prevent the spread of the virus. It quoted Kim as telling the meeting:
He instructed the officials to “seal off all the channels and space through which the infectious disease may find its way, and strengthen check-up, test and quarantine,” KCNA added.
The US state department has raised its alert level for travel to Italy due to the coronavirus outbreak, telling Americans to reconsider travel there.
Tracing the origins of the latest case of coronavirus - the first to have been caught within the UK - will be “crucial” in preventing more extensive spread, experts have said. Prof Jonathan Ball, a professor of molecular virology at the University of Nottingham, has said:
Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, has said:
Dr Stephen Griffin, an associate professor at the University of Leeds’ section of infection and immunity, has said:
Downing Street will allow ministers to go on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme amid public concern over the spread of coronavirus, according to the Times:
El Salvador’s migration authorities will be ordered to deny entry to travellers arriving from Iran, a health measure intended to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, the former nation’s president Nayib Bukele has said.
Bukele said on Twitter that Salvadorans and diplomats arriving from the Middle Eastern country, which has one of the largest outbreaks outside China, will have to spend 30 days in quarantine. El Salvador has no reported cases of coronavirus.
New measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak in Germany, including the widening of cross-border travel guidelines and the cancellation of major international events, have been enacted by Berlin’s crisis committee.
It expanded regulations for air and sea passengers, requiring passengers from South Korea, Japan, Italy and Iran to report their health status before entry. Previously, only passengers from China had been required to do so.
Lebanon will close its schools from 29 February until 8 March as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus, its education ministry statement has said. The country confirmed its fourth coronavirus case and has restricted flights from countries affected by the outbreak.
During a live-streamed news conference with Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, Pence has said: “In every case, people are being treated and by all accounts are doing well.”
Only one American with coronavirus remains in hospital, the US vice president Mike Pence has said.
Google will cancel an upcoming summit and restrict staff travel after confirming that an employee has been diagnosed with coronavirus.
The staff member diagnosed with the illness is in the company’s Zurich, Switzerland office, a Google spokesman told CNBC on Friday. The office will remain open.
The diagnosis comes as tech companies scramble to respond to the virus, which has infected at least 84,000 people worldwide. Google cancelled its Google News Initiative summit, which was scheduled to take place in Sunnyvale, California in late April.
Major companies, including IBM and Verizon, pulled out of annual cybersecurity conference RSA in San Francisco this week and Facebook cancelled its upcoming F8 developer conference in May.
Meanwhile, Amazon has begun to restrict all nonessential employee travel in the U.S. and has restricted all travel to China “until further notice.”