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Coronavirus live updates: UK to hold emergency meeting while Australia reports first community transmission Coronavirus live updates: UK to hold emergency meeting while Australia reports first community transmission
(31 minutes later)
Virus continues to spread with Indonesia reporting first two casesVirus continues to spread with Indonesia reporting first two cases
India said on Monday two people in the country had tested positive for coronavirus. According to Reuters:
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 150 on Monday from 129 on Sunday, Reuters reports the Robert Koch Institute for disease control as saying.
Iraq has detected two new coronavirus patients, both of whom had recently visited Iran, the Health Ministry said on Monday, bringing the total cases recorded so far to 21, Reuters reports. The news agency goes on:
Public Health England’s emeritus medical director, Paul Cosford, says the UK can expect to see widespread coronavirus infection “fairly soon.” Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Cosford said:
In the UK, Jonathon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, says he would support shutting down cities to control the spread of coronavirus.
Ahead of a meeting of the government’s Cobra national security committee this morning, to be chaired by the prime minister, Ashworth told BBC Breakfast this morning that he wanted greater clarity from the government about its next steps.
He said Labour would support shutting down cities to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the UK, “if the medical advice and the scientific advice is to take measures along those lines.” Ashworth went on:
Concern is growing among campaigners that vital UN climate talks will be derailed by the coronavirus outbreak, while government officials are working to find ways round the problem, reports Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s environment correspondent.Concern is growing among campaigners that vital UN climate talks will be derailed by the coronavirus outbreak, while government officials are working to find ways round the problem, reports Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s environment correspondent.
This year’s UN talks on the climate are the most important since the Paris agreement in 2015, as the world is now far adrift of the Paris goals and the Cop26 summit – scheduled for Glasgow this November – is seen as one of the last chances to put nations back on track to avoid climate breakdown.This year’s UN talks on the climate are the most important since the Paris agreement in 2015, as the world is now far adrift of the Paris goals and the Cop26 summit – scheduled for Glasgow this November – is seen as one of the last chances to put nations back on track to avoid climate breakdown.
But while the talks will take place over a fortnight in November, the frantic round of global diplomacy required to reach a settlement is already under way and is being affected by the outbreak of the virus. Campaigners fear that preparations are being hampered by both the travel restrictionsand the urgent demands the outbreak is putting on governments’ time and resources.But while the talks will take place over a fortnight in November, the frantic round of global diplomacy required to reach a settlement is already under way and is being affected by the outbreak of the virus. Campaigners fear that preparations are being hampered by both the travel restrictionsand the urgent demands the outbreak is putting on governments’ time and resources.
China, the world’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, is the key player in the climate talks. As the US is withdrawing from the Paris accord, whether or not China takes on strong new commitments on carbon will help determine whether Cop26 (the conference of the parties) is a success. But with the coronavirus taking hold across the country, the climate is likely be much less of a priority.China, the world’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, is the key player in the climate talks. As the US is withdrawing from the Paris accord, whether or not China takes on strong new commitments on carbon will help determine whether Cop26 (the conference of the parties) is a success. But with the coronavirus taking hold across the country, the climate is likely be much less of a priority.
Italy also plays a vital role in this year’s talks as the country is officially co-host of Cop26 and some key pre-meetings are planned there.Italy also plays a vital role in this year’s talks as the country is officially co-host of Cop26 and some key pre-meetings are planned there.
Normally, at this stage before crunch climate talks, officials and politicians from the host nation would be convening meetings in key countries.Normally, at this stage before crunch climate talks, officials and politicians from the host nation would be convening meetings in key countries.
A member of the council that advises Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, has died today after falling sick with Covid-19, the Associated Press reports, citing Iranian state radio.A member of the council that advises Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, has died today after falling sick with Covid-19, the Associated Press reports, citing Iranian state radio.
Expediency council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 71, died at a Tehran hospital of the virus, making him the the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic’s leadership.Expediency council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 71, died at a Tehran hospital of the virus, making him the the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic’s leadership.
The council advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as settles disputes between the supreme leader and parliament, according to AP. The agency’s report continues:The council advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as settles disputes between the supreme leader and parliament, according to AP. The agency’s report continues:
A school in London, UK, Wimbledon College, is to close for at least a week and undergo a deep clean after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.A school in London, UK, Wimbledon College, is to close for at least a week and undergo a deep clean after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
According to a letter to parents, the member of staff, who had recently travelled to Italy, was last in school on 25 February and has not had contact with pupils since the new half-term began.According to a letter to parents, the member of staff, who had recently travelled to Italy, was last in school on 25 February and has not had contact with pupils since the new half-term began.
“However, as some staff members are now classed as close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 they are required to self-isolate as a precautionary measure for 14 days,” the letter says. As a result, the school is low on staff and must close.“However, as some staff members are now classed as close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 they are required to self-isolate as a precautionary measure for 14 days,” the letter says. As a result, the school is low on staff and must close.
G7 countries will take “concerted action” to limit the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on economic growth and their finance ministers will discuss by phone this week how best to act, the French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, said on Monday.G7 countries will take “concerted action” to limit the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on economic growth and their finance ministers will discuss by phone this week how best to act, the French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, said on Monday.
According to Reuters:According to Reuters:
A medical worker from the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is one of three people confirmed to have coronavirus in Hertfordshire, UK, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has confirmed.The trust said the risk to patients and staff at the centre in Northwood is very low. Patients were told they should continue to attend appointments. In a statement on its website, the trust said:A medical worker from the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is one of three people confirmed to have coronavirus in Hertfordshire, UK, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has confirmed.The trust said the risk to patients and staff at the centre in Northwood is very low. Patients were told they should continue to attend appointments. In a statement on its website, the trust said:
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from London, where concerns are beginning to grow about the domestic spread of Covid-19, following a weekend in which the number of people infected in the UK climbed to 36.This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from London, where concerns are beginning to grow about the domestic spread of Covid-19, following a weekend in which the number of people infected in the UK climbed to 36.
Later this morning, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, is to chair a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra national security committee regarding the coronavirus. There is “little doubt” coronavirus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK, Johnson will tell those signing off the government’s battle plan to fight the disease. That’s expected at about 10.30am.Later this morning, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, is to chair a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra national security committee regarding the coronavirus. There is “little doubt” coronavirus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK, Johnson will tell those signing off the government’s battle plan to fight the disease. That’s expected at about 10.30am.
Also today, a leading union is to warn that outsourced hospital staff, including cleaners, porters and caterers, are being forced to work while ill because of lack of sick pay, even in the face of the coronavirus crisis.Also today, a leading union is to warn that outsourced hospital staff, including cleaners, porters and caterers, are being forced to work while ill because of lack of sick pay, even in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
As usual, throughout the day I will be posting the latest coronavirus news from the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, while also keeping you notified of the latest breaking news from the wire agencies. But I can’t do it all without your help, so if you have any news, tips, questions or suggestions, please let me know, either via email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.As usual, throughout the day I will be posting the latest coronavirus news from the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, while also keeping you notified of the latest breaking news from the wire agencies. But I can’t do it all without your help, so if you have any news, tips, questions or suggestions, please let me know, either via email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
It’s been a very busy news day on this live coverage of coronavirus. Here are the main points:
Australia has announced its first two cases of local transmission of Covid-19.
Two people have 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.
South Korea infections pass 4,000, with 22 fatalities.
China reports 202 new cases, with 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 will close its European headquarters in the Netherlands on Monday and Tuesday after an employee was infected with the coronavirus, the 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 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.
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. 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.
She says it wouldn’t be surprising if the healthcare 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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
“It’s likely that the transmission has occurred from her brother,” Hazzard says.
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”.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
You need to isolate yourself in your home or hotel if you have been:
in 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.
It also advises to self-isolate if you have been:
in contact with a person sick with COVID-19 infection
in mainland China in the past 14 days