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Coronavirus live update: Australia reports first cases of community transmission Coronavirus live update: Australia reports first cases of community transmission
(33 minutes later)
Sister of man who returned to Australia from Iran and a medical worker are infected, as Indonesia reports first two cases of virus. Follow the latest newsSister of man who returned to Australia from Iran and a medical worker are infected, as Indonesia reports first two cases of virus. Follow the latest news
It’s been a very busy news day on this live coverage of coronavirus. Here are the main points:
Australia has announced their first two cases of local transmission of Covid-19.
Two people have now died in the US – both in Washington state – and New York state has recorded its first case of Covid-19.
Indonesia reports its first two cases of Covid-19.
South Korea infections pass 4,000, with 22 fatalities.
China reports 202 new cases, 42 new deaths.
Italy has confirmed 34 deaths from the virus.
Iran raised its death toll from 43 to 54 with confirmed infections rising by more than half to 978.
Nike’s will close its European headquarters in the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday after an employee was infected with the coronavirus, Dutch news agency ANP said.Nike’s will close its European headquarters in the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday after an employee was infected with the coronavirus, Dutch news agency ANP said.
Citing an internal email, ANP reported overnight that the office in Hilversum would be disinfected. The employee was staying home in isolation for 14 days, it said. Roughly 2,000 Nike employees from 80 countries work at the site.Citing an internal email, ANP reported overnight that the office in Hilversum would be disinfected. The employee was staying home in isolation for 14 days, it said. Roughly 2,000 Nike employees from 80 countries work at the site.
A Nike representative could not immediately be reached for comment. Dutch health authorities have reported 10 coronavirus infections since 28 February.A Nike representative could not immediately be reached for comment. Dutch health authorities have reported 10 coronavirus infections since 28 February.
Chant is talking about the risk in Iran and from people who have been to Iran: “It’s probably equivalent (risk) to the risk we have seen in Wuhan” – the centre of the outbreak in China.Chant is talking about the risk in Iran and from people who have been to Iran: “It’s probably equivalent (risk) to the risk we have seen in Wuhan” – the centre of the outbreak in China.
Kerry Chant is now talking about how they identify close contacts with confirmed cases.Kerry Chant is now talking about how they identify close contacts with confirmed cases.
She says health authorities are working through the process of getting in touch with contacts of people diagnosed.She says health authorities are working through the process of getting in touch with contacts of people diagnosed.
There’s particular concern with regards to the health worker who has been diagnosed and who he has been in contact with.There’s particular concern with regards to the health worker who has been diagnosed and who he has been in contact with.
She says it wouldn’t be surprising if the health care worker had been in contact with people over 65 years of age.She says it wouldn’t be surprising if the health care worker had been in contact with people over 65 years of age.
Hazzard has taken the floor again. He tells people he is not changing anything he is doing at the moment in his day to day life.Hazzard has taken the floor again. He tells people he is not changing anything he is doing at the moment in his day to day life.
He suggests people stop shaking hands as a greeting, and instead pat each other on the back.He suggests people stop shaking hands as a greeting, and instead pat each other on the back.
“It would be sensible not to shake hands”.“It would be sensible not to shake hands”.
Hazzard also tells people to “exercise some degree of caution” when kissing.Hazzard also tells people to “exercise some degree of caution” when kissing.
We’re now hearing from Kerry Chant, the chief medical officer for the state of New South Wales.We’re now hearing from Kerry Chant, the chief medical officer for the state of New South Wales.
She applauds the family for coming forward to be tested. Both members are now in Westmead hospital in Sydney.She applauds the family for coming forward to be tested. Both members are now in Westmead hospital in Sydney.
She’s now talking about the male healthcare worker. They are unsure how he has acquired the virus. They are now tracing his close contacts. The infected man is in ICU.She’s now talking about the male healthcare worker. They are unsure how he has acquired the virus. They are now tracing his close contacts. The infected man is in ICU.
Brad Hazzard, the New South Wales health minister is now speaking. He confirms that there are three new cases of Covid-19 in the case, taking the total to 9.Brad Hazzard, the New South Wales health minister is now speaking. He confirms that there are three new cases of Covid-19 in the case, taking the total to 9.
One of the new cases was a man who arrived from Iran on Saturday, the day before the travel ban on entry from Iran began. The man’s sister has also been confirmed as having the virus. She had not travelled to Iran so, he says it appears she caught the infection in NSW.One of the new cases was a man who arrived from Iran on Saturday, the day before the travel ban on entry from Iran began. The man’s sister has also been confirmed as having the virus. She had not travelled to Iran so, he says it appears she caught the infection in NSW.
“It’s likely that the transmission has occurred from her brother,” Hazzard says.“It’s likely that the transmission has occurred from her brother,” Hazzard says.
A 53-year-old health worker has also tested positive.A 53-year-old health worker has also tested positive.
Hazzard says that case is likely the second likely case of “person-to-person transmission”.Hazzard says that case is likely the second likely case of “person-to-person transmission”.
The health worker has continued worked and NSW health is now looking at where he has been working and who he has been working with.The health worker has continued worked and NSW health is now looking at where he has been working and who he has been working with.
He says there are no indications that anyone else is infected at the moment.He says there are no indications that anyone else is infected at the moment.
We are about to hear from the health minister in the Australian state of New South Wales, Brad Hazzard, and the state’s chief health officer, Kerry Chant.We are about to hear from the health minister in the Australian state of New South Wales, Brad Hazzard, and the state’s chief health officer, Kerry Chant.
Australia now has 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The numbers are moving very quickly ... the last four (at least) cases of the virus were in people entering the country from Iran.Australia now has 30 confirmed cases of coronavirus. The numbers are moving very quickly ... the last four (at least) cases of the virus were in people entering the country from Iran.
Australia reported its first death from the virus on Sunday – a 78-year-old passenger who was repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.Australia reported its first death from the virus on Sunday – a 78-year-old passenger who was repatriated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan.
The state of Tasmania recorded its first case of Covid-19 today. That person had returned from Iran.The state of Tasmania recorded its first case of Covid-19 today. That person had returned from Iran.
We understand that this first case of transmission between people is from a patient to a doctor, and we will confirm that shortly.We understand that this first case of transmission between people is from a patient to a doctor, and we will confirm that shortly.
All other cases have been people who have contracted the virus outside Australia.All other cases have been people who have contracted the virus outside Australia.
The confirmation of two coronavirus cases in Indonesia - the first to be reported in the world’s fourth most populous country - follows mounting concern that the country is failing to identify transmission of the virus.The confirmation of two coronavirus cases in Indonesia - the first to be reported in the world’s fourth most populous country - follows mounting concern that the country is failing to identify transmission of the virus.
Health experts have warned that the lack of confirmed patients in Indonesia, a country of 272 million people, was surprising, especially given its close links to China.Health experts have warned that the lack of confirmed patients in Indonesia, a country of 272 million people, was surprising, especially given its close links to China.
Last month, researchers at Harvard University analysed air traffic from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated, and concluded case numbers were lower than expected. They also raised concerns about other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Cambodia. At the time, Indonesian health minister Terawan Agus Putranto called the study “insulting”.Last month, researchers at Harvard University analysed air traffic from Wuhan, the Chinese city where the outbreak originated, and concluded case numbers were lower than expected. They also raised concerns about other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Cambodia. At the time, Indonesian health minister Terawan Agus Putranto called the study “insulting”.
Further concerns were raised when New Zealand and Malaysia reported that patients who tested positive for their disease within their borders had recently traveled to Indonesia.Further concerns were raised when New Zealand and Malaysia reported that patients who tested positive for their disease within their borders had recently traveled to Indonesia.
On Saturday, Ary Hermawan of the Jakarta Post, questioned whether officials were being transparent, adding that the government appeared more worried “about the social and economic impact of a mass hysteria created by the virus outbreak than the outbreak itself”.On Saturday, Ary Hermawan of the Jakarta Post, questioned whether officials were being transparent, adding that the government appeared more worried “about the social and economic impact of a mass hysteria created by the virus outbreak than the outbreak itself”.
Indonesia’s Balitbangkes, the sole agency tasked with testing suspected coronavirus patients, had only concluded around 140 lab tests, he wrote. “To put things in perspective, as of 26 February, the United Kingdom has conducted 7,132 tests, 13 of which have come back positive.”Indonesia’s Balitbangkes, the sole agency tasked with testing suspected coronavirus patients, had only concluded around 140 lab tests, he wrote. “To put things in perspective, as of 26 February, the United Kingdom has conducted 7,132 tests, 13 of which have come back positive.”
Details of the two cases confirmed by officials on Monday are not yet known, though Indonesian President Joko Widodo said both patients were Indonesians and that they had been hospitalised.Details of the two cases confirmed by officials on Monday are not yet known, though Indonesian President Joko Widodo said both patients were Indonesians and that they had been hospitalised.
On Sunday Australia updated its travel restrictions for people arriving from Iran.On Sunday Australia updated its travel restrictions for people arriving from Iran.
You need to isolate yourself in your home or hotel if you have been:You need to isolate yourself in your home or hotel if you have been:
in or transited through Iran on or after 1 March 2020in or transited through Iran on or after 1 March 2020
transited through mainland China (not including Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan) in the past 14 days.transited through mainland China (not including Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan) in the past 14 days.
It also advises to self-isolate if you have been:It also advises to self-isolate if you have been:
in contact with a person sick with COVID-19 infectionin contact with a person sick with COVID-19 infection
in mainland China in the past 14 daysin mainland China in the past 14 days
We are hearing reports that Australian health authorities say there has been the first case of community transmission in the country. We are expecting a news conference from the health authorities in the state of New South Wales shortly.
On the reports of empty shelves in Coles and Woolworths as a result of people stockpiling food in Australia as a result of coronavirus, both supermarkets say there has been an increase in long-life product sales but say they’re well equipped.
A spokeswoman for Coles said the company had boosted deliveries this week to increase stock of long-life food and healthcare products.
“Like many retailers, we currently have a shortage of some antibacterial handwashes and hand sanitiser products due to high customer demand. We are continuing to work with our suppliers to maintain availability for customers.”
A spokesman for Woolworths said they’ve been restocking shelves after the weekend.
“We’ve seen a sharp increase in demand for long life pantry items and household staples in recent days, which has led to partial stock shortages across some of our stores,” he said.
“We have good stock levels to draw on in our distribution centres and will continue working closely with our suppliers to maintain supply.”
In case some of you may have missed this from Friday, the New England Journal of Medicine published its latest report on the coronavirus, in which it extracted data regarding 1,099 patients with laboratory-confirmed Covid-19 from 552 hospitals in 30 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China through January 29, 2020.
You can read the whole study here, but here are the main points:
The median age of the patients was 47 years and 41.9% of the patients were female.
0.9% of the patients were younger than 15 years of age.
5% were admitted to intensive care, and 1.4% died.
Only 1.9% of the patients had a history of direct contact with wildlife.
The most common symptoms were fever (43.8% on admission and 88.7% during hospitalisation) and cough (67.8%).
Among the overall population, 23.7% had at least one coexisting illness (e.g. hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
On admission, the degree of severity of Covid-19 was categorised as non-severe in 926 patients and severe in 173 patients.
The median incubation period was 4 days.
Many did not have abnormal radiologic findings (X-ray/CT scan).
A majority of the patients (58.0%) received intravenous antibiotic therapy, and 35.8% received oseltamivir therapy.
Oxygen therapy was administered in 41.3% and mechanical ventilation in 6.1%; higher percentages of patients with severe disease received these therapies
Thailand has reported one new coronavirus case, bringing the total number of such cases in the country to 43 since January, a senior health official said on Monday.
The new case is a 22-year-old Thai woman who works with another Thai patient, a Thai driver for foreign tourists, Sukhum Kanchanaphimai, the permanent secretary of the health ministry, said in a news conference.
So far 31 coronavirus patients have recovered and returned home and 11 are still being treated in hospitals.
We are hearing that the Australian state of Tasmania has its first coronavirus case, a 40-year-old man who travelled from Iran, via Melbourne to Launceston. People on the same flight as the man are being contacted by health authorities. He arrived in Tasmania on Saturday, prior to restrictions on entry from Iran being introduced.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Monday two Indonesians had tested positive for coronavirus, marking the first confirmed cases in the world’s fourth most populous country.
The two had been hospitalised, Widodo told reporters at the presidential palace in Jakarta. He did not specify where the patients were being treated.
Shares across Asia Pacific have returned to positive territory after a week of heavy losses on the hope of stimulus measures from central banks.
In Japan the Nikkei is up 1.4% and the Hang Seng in Hong Kong has risen 0.9%. In Shanghai the Composite is up nearly 3% while Seoul is 0.9% to the good. Australia’s ASX200 is still off 1% but that’s an improvement on earlier when it plunged 2.7%. The Aussie dollar, a China proxy, has been under pressure for weeks but recovered slightly to US65.25c.
The FTSE100 is expected to bounce by 1.89% this morning, according to futures trading. Wall Street is seen opening up 0.34%.
The US Fed is widely expected to cut rates by 50 basis points when its policy makers meet on 17-18th of this month – if not before. It’s priced in, as traders say.
Australia’s Reserve Bank will most likely get there first with a cut of at least 0.25% when it convenes its monthly monetary policy tomorrow. The Bank of Japan said on Monday that it would take all action possible to stabilise financial markets.
US bond yields, which we talked about earlier, have recovered a bit as well. It’s a crucial part of the markets equation. Allianz chief economist Mohamed El-Erian says it shows there will be a lot of volatility around when the European and US markets start up later.
And in case you’re wondering, the Vix volatility index, sometimes called the “fear index”, is up slightly to 40.11.
Australian officials have been telling people there’s no need to stock up on essentials due to the coronavirus. But it would seem many are not listening.
Below are some pictures from Woolworths supermarket in Northbridge, on Sydney’s lower North Shore. The photos were taken at around 3pm. A store employee said many of the aisles in the photos had been empty for a few hours. One shopper said it was so busy it felt like trying to buy goods on Christmas eve.
The Chinese city of Shenzen, which borders Hong Kong, has identified its first case of imported coronavirus.
The China Daily says the male patient surnamed Sun, 35, flew from London to Hong Kong on 27 February, where he took a ferry to cross the Shekou port to arrive in Shenzhen the next day, according to the Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission.
Sun has been working in Bristol in the United Kingdom for the past two years and has not traveled to Hubei before, the outlet said.
Beijing reported two imported coronavirus cases from Iran on Sunday, the first in the capital since the outbreak began in Wuhan. Ningxia Hui autonomous region confirmed two imported cases from Iran last week.
Sumo wrestling has become the latest sport to be affected by the coronavirus outbreak, after officials decided that the spring tournament would be held behind closed doors.
“To those many who were looking forward to this, we are sorry for this huge inconvenience,” Hakkaku, the chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, told reporters.
“There were various viewpoints, but there was an absolute desire to hold it for the sake of the fans.”
The tournament, which opens in Osaka next Sunday, will be televised by public broadcaster NHK, but will be canceled if a wrestler is found to have contracted the virus, Hakkaku added, according to Kyodo news agency.
The decision to ban spectators from the 15-day tournament - one of six major sumo competitions held throughout the year - comes after Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, said sports and cultural events should be cancelled or scaled down until the middle of the month.Preseason baseball games are being played in empty stadiums through to 15 March, while Japan’s professional football league said that all 94 matches scheduled to run through to the same date would be postponed. Rugby’s Top League has postponed 16 matches, while the Japan Racing Association is holding horse races without spectators, and keirin cycling races are being held behind closed doors until 11 March.
On Sunday, just a few hundred elite runners took part in the Tokyo Marathon, after 38,000 amateur runners were told they would not be able to participate. Members of the public had been discouraged from turning out to watch the race, which last year drew more than a million spectators.
While Tokyo 2020 organisers insist there are no plans to cancel this summer’s Olympics, the coronavirus has disrupted preparations for the Games, due to open on 24 July. Last week, Tokyo postponed training for Olympic volunteers and Toshiro Muto, chief executive of the organising committee, said it would scale back the torch relay, due to begin in Fukushima in late March.