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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
Nicola Sturgeon: ‘Scottish coronavirus case not unexpected’
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon said the first confirmed case in Scotland was “not unexpected”.
In an interview with Sky News a few minutes ago, said they had been preparing for this occasion “for some time” and that she was expecting more cases in the coming days and weeks.
Sturgeon reiterated much of her earlier statement, and said the Scottish coronavirus patient is clinically well.
Confident in the NHS response
The first minister also assured the public that the UK was well-equipped to deal with a rise in cases. “All the things that should be done are being done”, she said. “We have to be prepared for a significant outbreak fo coronavirus.”
She said that Scotland remained in the containment phase, and was focusing on trying to limit and contain spread of infection - which was “particularly important given the lack of coronavirus vaccine”.
The first minister said that wider planning for a significant outbreak in coming weeks was underway, including escalation plans for the NHS. “I have a lot of confidence in the plans and procedures that are in place,” she said.
She said that steps that will be taken will be informed and guided by best possible advice, and that she wouldn’t rule anything out at this stage.
However, she also said that the public “have a big part to play” in stopping the spread of the virus by following public health guidelines.
You can read more about the new cases in the US from my colleague Amanda Holpuch in New York.
Brazil has so far confirmed only two cases of coronavirus - both Brazillian citizens who had been in Italy.But a report in one of the country’s leading newspapers this Sunday says there are now 252 suspected cases - 136 of them in the state of São Paulo and 19 in Rio de Janeiro.According to the Estado de São Paulo newspaper, the suspected cases are people who have not just symptoms but have also had contact with a suspected case or a travel history connected to coronavirus.
Angola has announced that it will ban citizens from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria from entering the country.Angola has announced that it will ban citizens from China, South Korea, Italy, Iran, Nigeria, Egypt and Algeria from entering the country.
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 ban will only apply to those who have travelled directly from those countries, and has been implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Mexico have confirmed a fifth case of the virus, located in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas.Mexico have confirmed a fifth case of the virus, located in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas.
The patient is a young woman who was studying in Milan, Italy, like another of Mexico’s confirmed cases. The woman tested positive for the virus on Saturday but is asymptomatic, state health authorities said.
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.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.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.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.”“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.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.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.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: Across Australia, there have now been 29 confirmed cases:
9 in Queensland9 in Queensland
4 in New South Wales 6 in New South Wales
9 in Victoria9 in Victoria
3 in South Australia3 in South Australia
2 in Western Australia2 in Western Australia
Out of these, 15 have recovered, one has died and the rest are in a stable condition.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.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.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.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.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.”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 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.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.
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.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: “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.