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Coronavirus: Italy death toll rises to 34 as Dominican Republic reports first case – latest updates Coronavirus: Italy death toll rises to 34 as Dominican Republic reports first case – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
US, Australia and Thailand also report first deaths from coronavirus while bans are put in place around the world on large gatherings. Follow live newsUS, Australia and Thailand also report first deaths from coronavirus while bans are put in place around the world on large gatherings. Follow live news
The first person in Scotland has tested positive for Coronavirus. Angola has announced that it will ban citizens from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria from entering the country.
The announcement brings the total number of UK cases to 36, 13 of which have been confirmed today. The ban will only apply to those who have travelled directly from those countries, and has been implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The patient, who is a resident of the Tayside area and had recently travelled from Italy, has now been admitted to hospital and is receiving treatment in isolation. Mexico have confirmed a fifth case of the virus, located in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas.
A nursing home near Seattle is on lockdown after a 70 year old resident and a worker in her 40s tested positive for coronavirus, officials at the home have said.
State officials said that an additional 27 residents of the nursing home and 25 staff members are reporting symptoms of the virus, which can be similar to that of the common flu.
The Life Care Center of Kirkland is not accepting new patients or allowing visitors, family or vendors into the facility.
“Concerned family members or responsible parties may call our facility,” the release posted on its website said. “The facility is currently placing a hold on admissions as well to fully focus on our current residents and associates.”
The two cases were confirmed on Saturday by Washington state officials. The resident is in a serious condition, whilst the worker is in a ‘satisfactory’ condition.
There are around 70 cases in the US.
A woman who recently returned from Iran has today been confirmed as the ninth case of coronavirus in the Australian state of Victoria. Australia recorded its first death from Covid-19 on Sunday when a man in his late 70s, who had been evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, died in hospital in Perth. Seven cases from Victoria have recovered and are no longer in isolation. The eighth confirmed case is in a stable condition and is isolated and recovering in hospital. The ninth case, a woman in her 30s from Victoria who returned from Tehran, is recovering in isolation at home. The woman became unwell on February 27 while travelling to Melbourne from Tehran, via Kuala Lumpur and Bali. She travelled on Malindo Air on flight number OD177 and landed in Melbourne on 28 February at 6.04am. The Victorian department of health is following up close contacts on the plane.
Across Australia, there have now been 27 confirmed cases:
9 in Queensland
4 in New South Wales
9 in Victoria
3 in South Australia
2 in Western Australia
Out of these, 15 have recovered, one has died and the rest are in a stable condition.
A coach of Britons who have been in lockdown in a hotel in Tenerife since Tuesday have arrived at an airport terminal to fly home.
It is understood that the Brits have been booked on two different flights back to the UK, and they will have to self-isolate on their return.
There are still dozens of Brits still inside the hotel, and it is unclear who has been allowed to leave and why. One told Sky News that it was based on “potluck” according to travel providers.
Tests for coronavirus on Brits in the hotel began yesterday and continued in to today. According to Sky New, the Brits were told that if they tested negative, they had 24 hours to get on a flight.
One of those leaving said at the airport that he was feeling “relieved” and another praised the hotel staff as “fantastic.”
The first person in Scotland has tested positive for coronavirus.
The announcement brings the total number of UK cases to 36, 13 of which have been confirmed today. The patient, who is a resident of the Tayside area and had recently travelled from Italy, has now been admitted to hospital and is receiving treatment in isolation.
Clinicians have also started to gather details of the places they have visited and the people they have been in contact with since they returned to the UK.Clinicians have also started to gather details of the places they have visited and the people they have been in contact with since they returned to the UK.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has chaired a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Committee this evening and will be taking part in the UK Government’s resilience meeting, chaired by the prime minister, tomorrow morning. Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland’s first minister, has chaired a meeting of the Scottish government resilience committee this evening, and will be taking part in a similar one chaired by Boris Johnson tomorrow morning.
Sturgeon said: “First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Our first thoughts must be with the patient diagnosed with coronavirus, I wish them a speedy recovery. Sturgeon said: “Our first thoughts must be with the patient diagnosed with coronavirus, I wish them a speedy recovery.
“Scotland is well-prepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus but there is currently no treatment or vaccine. Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.“Scotland is well-prepared for a significant outbreak of coronavirus but there is currently no treatment or vaccine. Early detection measures will continue to be vital in helping to prevent the spread of the virus.
“People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and following basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”“People have a vital role to play in helping us contain any outbreak by following the latest health and travel advice, and following basic hygiene precautions, such as washing hands frequently, not touching their face and covering their nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.”
There have been a total of 698 negative test results in Scotland since the outbreak began.There have been a total of 698 negative test results in Scotland since the outbreak began.
According to Reuters, organisers have said that a conference on the world economy due to take in Italy later this month with Pope Francis taking part has been postponed until November because of the outbreak.According to Reuters, organisers have said that a conference on the world economy due to take in Italy later this month with Pope Francis taking part has been postponed until November because of the outbreak.
Some Britons in the hotel in Tenerife have been allowed to leave, Sky News have said.Some Britons in the hotel in Tenerife have been allowed to leave, Sky News have said.
The number of people in Germany infected rose to 129 on Sunday, up from 66 on Saturday, DW has reported.The number of people in Germany infected rose to 129 on Sunday, up from 66 on Saturday, DW has reported.
Nine of Germany’s 16 states now have cases of COVID-19, with Frankfurt, Hamburg and Bremen among the cities reporting their first infections, Germany’s centre for disease control and prevention, the Robert Koch Institute, said.Nine of Germany’s 16 states now have cases of COVID-19, with Frankfurt, Hamburg and Bremen among the cities reporting their first infections, Germany’s centre for disease control and prevention, the Robert Koch Institute, said.
Almost half of the cases, 74 in total, have been confirmed in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is Germany’s most populous state. Bavaria has the next highest number of confirmed cases, with 23, followed by Baden-Württemberg with 15.Almost half of the cases, 74 in total, have been confirmed in North Rhine-Westphalia, which is Germany’s most populous state. Bavaria has the next highest number of confirmed cases, with 23, followed by Baden-Württemberg with 15.
The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said people should “still go about their business”, but that the government was “considering all options”.The Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said people should “still go about their business”, but that the government was “considering all options”.
In an interview with Sky News a few minutes ago, he insisted the government’s plan was “very clear”.In an interview with Sky News a few minutes ago, he insisted the government’s plan was “very clear”.
What are the government’s steps?What are the government’s steps?
Firstly, the government are trying to contain the virus, he said. This meant that “every single case found here gets immediate treatment”, with their contacts tracked down and given medical advice or checks.Firstly, the government are trying to contain the virus, he said. This meant that “every single case found here gets immediate treatment”, with their contacts tracked down and given medical advice or checks.
Hancock said that the government were trying to delay the onset of the virus, having determined that the UK would be better able to cope with a mass spread of coronavirus in the summer.Hancock said that the government were trying to delay the onset of the virus, having determined that the UK would be better able to cope with a mass spread of coronavirus in the summer.
He also said that the government had invested £40 million into finding a vaccine and treatments for disease. He warned that a vaccine was “still many months off” even with an accelerated process, but treatments for those who have virus already were “more optimistic”.He also said that the government had invested £40 million into finding a vaccine and treatments for disease. He warned that a vaccine was “still many months off” even with an accelerated process, but treatments for those who have virus already were “more optimistic”.
What should the public do?What should the public do?
When asked if people should follow World Health Organisation advice to other parts of the world that over 60s should avoid shared spaces, he said no, as the cases were still “relatively low”.When asked if people should follow World Health Organisation advice to other parts of the world that over 60s should avoid shared spaces, he said no, as the cases were still “relatively low”.
“If we get to a position where this is endemic around the world and large scale here, we will change advice,” he added.“If we get to a position where this is endemic around the world and large scale here, we will change advice,” he added.
He also said that stopping flights from China was not the answer, comparing it to Italy, who did stop flights and have much higher numbers of cases than the UK.He also said that stopping flights from China was not the answer, comparing it to Italy, who did stop flights and have much higher numbers of cases than the UK.
He echoed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s earlier statement that the best thing the public can do is wash their hands for 20 seconds.He echoed Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s earlier statement that the best thing the public can do is wash their hands for 20 seconds.
As Johnson referenced earlier, albeit slightly less clearly, the government are telling children to sing ‘happy birthday’ whilst washing their hands to ensure they wash for long enough.As Johnson referenced earlier, albeit slightly less clearly, the government are telling children to sing ‘happy birthday’ whilst washing their hands to ensure they wash for long enough.
The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said there needed to be “more direction from the Prime Minister” and accused him of being slow to organise COBRA meetings - the government’s emergency response committee.The shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, said there needed to be “more direction from the Prime Minister” and accused him of being slow to organise COBRA meetings - the government’s emergency response committee.
He said that the NHS were “really doing their best” and that clinicians would “always rise to the challenge”. However, he alleged that 80% of the beds needed for coronavirus were already taken up, saying that years of austerity meant resources to tackle the spread of the virus are stretched.He said that the NHS were “really doing their best” and that clinicians would “always rise to the challenge”. However, he alleged that 80% of the beds needed for coronavirus were already taken up, saying that years of austerity meant resources to tackle the spread of the virus are stretched.
Non-essential British embassy staff in Tehran are being withdrawn with immediate effect due to the virus, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has confirmed. The FCO also warned that the embassy’s help to British nationals in Iran would be limited.Non-essential British embassy staff in Tehran are being withdrawn with immediate effect due to the virus, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has confirmed. The FCO also warned that the embassy’s help to British nationals in Iran would be limited.
A statement said: “As of 1 March, dependants and some staff from the British Embassy are being withdrawn from Iran due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Essential staff needed to continue critical work will remain.A statement said: “As of 1 March, dependants and some staff from the British Embassy are being withdrawn from Iran due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Essential staff needed to continue critical work will remain.
“In the event that the situation deteriorates further, the ability of the British Embassy to provide assistance to British nationals from within Iran may be limited.”“In the event that the situation deteriorates further, the ability of the British Embassy to provide assistance to British nationals from within Iran may be limited.”
The director general of France’s health service, Jérôme Salomon, has given the latest figures and there’s another leap on Sunday. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 130, from 100. Of that, 116 people are in hospital – nine of them in a serious condition – and 12 people recovered. There have been two deathsThe director general of France’s health service, Jérôme Salomon, has given the latest figures and there’s another leap on Sunday. The number of confirmed cases has risen to 130, from 100. Of that, 116 people are in hospital – nine of them in a serious condition – and 12 people recovered. There have been two deaths
New cases include two children, a one-year-old and a five-year-old, who have been hospitalised in Strasbourg in eastern France along with their 27-year-old mother who also tested positive. Their condition has been described as not worrying.New cases include two children, a one-year-old and a five-year-old, who have been hospitalised in Strasbourg in eastern France along with their 27-year-old mother who also tested positive. Their condition has been described as not worrying.
Salomon says French travellers should avoid journeys abroad outside the European Union “unless strictly necessary”. Nevertheless, he pointed out the death rate worldwide is 3.4% of confirmed cases.Salomon says French travellers should avoid journeys abroad outside the European Union “unless strictly necessary”. Nevertheless, he pointed out the death rate worldwide is 3.4% of confirmed cases.
The Manga and Sci-Fi Show salon planned for next week in Paris, which was to have featured giant karaoke and K Pop concerts, has been cancelled.The Manga and Sci-Fi Show salon planned for next week in Paris, which was to have featured giant karaoke and K Pop concerts, has been cancelled.
The Trump administration has accused the public of overreacting to the impact of the coronavirus on the economy, and insisted that stocks would bounce back.
The S&P 500 index dropped 11.5% last week as coronavirus spread - the worst weekly drop since the 2008 global financial crisis.
“The stock market that saw some downturns this week, it will come back,” Vice President Mike Pence, who is leading the government’s response to the virus, told NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “The fundamentals of this economy are strong.” he added.
Pence also said the government was doing “everything possible” to prevent the virus from spreading and that he was “confident” the United States was prepared.
U.S. Health Secretary Alex Azar told Fox News Sunday that the public was over-reacting to the current threat.
The situation in the US
A Washington man in his 50s with underlying health conditions was the first American to die from the virus, officials confirmed on Saturday. How the man contracted the virus is still not known.
Over the weekend, new cases were confirmed in Chicago and Rhode Island.
Morocco is set to postpone sports and cultural events over coronavirus fears, the government health committee has announced. It’s currently unclear how widespread this measure will be.
Morocco says it has tested 25 people suspected of having the coronavirus but all have been negative, and the country does not have any confirmed cases.
Oman has suspended Italian tourist flights from Salala airport for a month, in an attempt to halt the spread of the virus.
Qatar has also announced a temporary ban on visitors from Egypt via intermediate points, the state news agency reported on Sunday.
Two new cases were confirmed in Qatar on Sunday, bringing its total to 3.
A school in Dublin is set to close for two weeks after a student tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Irish Times.
The teenager is the first person in the Republic of Ireland to test positive for the virus, and the case was announced on Saturday evening. The individual became ill in recent days after returning from Italy and is currently in isolation in a Dublin hospital.
Students at the school are being told to self-isolate at home if they start presenting symptoms.
The Dominican Republic has confirmed its first case of coronavirus – a tourist visiting the country from Italy.
The patient is a 62-year-old man, who is in a stable condition. He has been taken to an isolation room in a military hospital near the capital, the country’s health minister, Rafael Sanchez, said at a press conference.
Another tourist, a 56-year-old man from France, is under observation at hospital and awaiting test results for coronavirus.
On Friday, the Dominican Republic cancelled all flights from Milan for 30 days. The government also said that all travellers retuning from Italy would have to undergo epidemiological reviews at airports.
Speaking at a laboratory at the Public Health England national infection service in Colindale, north London, Boris Johnson praised the work of PHE.
He said there were likely to be more cases of coronavirus but said: “We’ve got a great plan to tackle the spread of coronavirus and I’m confident that in the NHS we’ve got professionals who are able to cope with it.”
He also gave tips for stopping the spread of coronavirus:
“The best way we can help the NHS and help ourselves to stop the spread of the illness is to wash our hands. It’s 20 seconds, it’s two times happy birthday. With hot water and soap.”
The prime minister will be chairing another Cobra meeting on coronavirus on Monday. “We will be setting out the various measures in the way public should be responding, and public bodies should be responding.”
He wouldn’t be drawn on the details of what these measures might look like. “I don’t want to go now into the kind of things that might be necessary,” he said. “There’ll be questions we might need to consider about very big public events.”
Johnson also said the government may need to consider closing schools, but expressed that he wanted them to remain open and did not want children to be sent home “unnecessarily”.
“Coronavirus is of concern, but we amply have the resources to deal with it. Believe me, we are going to beat this,” he said.
The number of confirmed cases in Italy has risen to almost 1,700, and the death toll has increased by five to 34, Reuters reports.
There were 1,128 cases and 29 death as of last night.
This is the largest jump the spread of the virus in one day, Sky News says.
Good evening, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the live coverage of coronavirus for the next few hours.
If you spot something I miss, do drop me a tweet: @mollyblackall.
Boris Johnson has been on a visit to laboratory at the Public Health England National Infection Service in Colindale, north London.