This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/02/coronavirus-live-updates-china-latest-news-us-australia-deaths-markets-italy-iran-update-cases

The article has changed 49 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 44 Version 45
Coronavirus: four more deaths announced in US – live updates Coronavirus: four more deaths announced in US – live updates
(33 minutes later)
South Korea reports almost 500 new cases and a second person dies in the US as UK ministers hold emergency meetingSouth Korea reports almost 500 new cases and a second person dies in the US as UK ministers hold emergency meeting
The Australian market has opened up more than 1%, its first rise after more than a week of falls caused by concerns over the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
This morning’s increase follows relief rallies on overseas markets that saw the US S&P500 index soar by 4.6% and the UK’s FTSE book a more modest 1.1% rise.
It comes ahead of a meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia this afternoon at which the futures market expects interest rates to be cut from 0.75%, which is already a record low, to 0.5%.Futures market trades imply a 100% chance of a rate cut today, according to ASX data.
Further out, traders expect the official cash rate to drop to 0.25% by July.
Jonathan Ashworth MP, the shadow health secretary, told BBC Newsnight the NHS “will struggle” to cope with an escalation of the Covid-19 outbreak, because of “ten years of cutbacks”.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has written an analysis about the government’s scramble to respond convincingly to the challenges the coronavirus outbreaks poses.
She writes:
The UK government will launch a major public information campaign later this week, as it aiming to set out clear steps the public can take to limit the spread of the virus, a No 10 spokesperson has said.
The spokesperson added that a new bill will be published in the coming weeks “to ensure the government has all the necessary powers to prepare for and tackle the coronavirus outbreak.”
They added that, should the virus spread, the government might encourage more home working and discourage unnecessary travel as part of a “social distancing” strategy that could delay the peak of the outbreak until later in the year, potentially helping combat the virus in warmer weather conditions.
In Australia, the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has just held a press conference in Melbourne to update the public about efforts to prepare the health system for any coronavirus spread throughout the community. It follows news from NSW on Monday that there had been two cases of community transmission, including the first case that could not be immediately traced back to direct contact with an infected person.While there is no immediate threat of widespread community risk, Australian doctors are preparing.Andrews said there were now 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, including nine in Victoria.“While we are doing what we can to contain COVID-19, we are also preparing to take more targeted action if, as expected, the virus starts impacting more Victorians,” he said. “We are working closely with the Commonwealth and our response is being guided by the very best expert advice.”In Australia, the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has just held a press conference in Melbourne to update the public about efforts to prepare the health system for any coronavirus spread throughout the community. It follows news from NSW on Monday that there had been two cases of community transmission, including the first case that could not be immediately traced back to direct contact with an infected person.While there is no immediate threat of widespread community risk, Australian doctors are preparing.Andrews said there were now 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, including nine in Victoria.“While we are doing what we can to contain COVID-19, we are also preparing to take more targeted action if, as expected, the virus starts impacting more Victorians,” he said. “We are working closely with the Commonwealth and our response is being guided by the very best expert advice.”
The government is currently monitoring and investigating cases as they occur, and working with the primary care sector to ensure it has the appropriate clinical knowledge, response and capacity available to treat patients. The government is communicating with at-risk groups, such as the elderly.The government is currently monitoring and investigating cases as they occur, and working with the primary care sector to ensure it has the appropriate clinical knowledge, response and capacity available to treat patients. The government is communicating with at-risk groups, such as the elderly.
There is also preparation for hospital surge management. The state government is providing $6m to the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity working with the Burnet Institute and other experts to fast-track new treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. There are efforts around the world to develop a vaccine, and any vaccine is likely to be the result of a global effort.There is also preparation for hospital surge management. The state government is providing $6m to the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity working with the Burnet Institute and other experts to fast-track new treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. There are efforts around the world to develop a vaccine, and any vaccine is likely to be the result of a global effort.
Australia’s attorney general Christian Porter said the laws used to detain people at airports and other entry points could also be used to stop people elsewhere, as the government attempts to keep a lid on the coronavirus spread in Australia.Australia’s attorney general Christian Porter said the laws used to detain people at airports and other entry points could also be used to stop people elsewhere, as the government attempts to keep a lid on the coronavirus spread in Australia.
“It’s very likely that these laws will get used on a larger scale,” Porter told ABC radio RN on Tuesday morning.“It’s very likely that these laws will get used on a larger scale,” Porter told ABC radio RN on Tuesday morning.
“And it’s very likely that Australians will encounter practices and instructions and circumstances that they have not had to encounter before,” he said.“And it’s very likely that Australians will encounter practices and instructions and circumstances that they have not had to encounter before,” he said.
My colleagues Jasper Jolly and Rebecca Smithers have written a story about how the UK’s supermarket sector is bracing for panic buying, should the coronavirus threat worsen in the UK.My colleagues Jasper Jolly and Rebecca Smithers have written a story about how the UK’s supermarket sector is bracing for panic buying, should the coronavirus threat worsen in the UK.
This just in from the Washington Post’s Aaron Blake:This just in from the Washington Post’s Aaron Blake:
And this from Reuters’ Jeff Mason:And this from Reuters’ Jeff Mason:
London mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a statement aiming to “reassure Londoners” in regard to the outbreak.London mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a statement aiming to “reassure Londoners” in regard to the outbreak.
Khan said:Khan said:
Khan stressed that people with symptoms should not go to their GP or an A&E unit and call 111 for advice instead.Khan stressed that people with symptoms should not go to their GP or an A&E unit and call 111 for advice instead.
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, told NBC News that the coronavirus outbreak had “likely reached pandemic proportions”.Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, told NBC News that the coronavirus outbreak had “likely reached pandemic proportions”.
Fauci said:Fauci said:
Asked whether concerned members of the public were reacting correctly by getting off public transport if a co-passenger coughed, Fauci said: “No, no. Getting off is not going to help.”Asked whether concerned members of the public were reacting correctly by getting off public transport if a co-passenger coughed, Fauci said: “No, no. Getting off is not going to help.”
In response to the question of whether people should stop attending sporting events and concerts, he said:In response to the question of whether people should stop attending sporting events and concerts, he said:
Australia’s top medical officers will meet on Tuesday to consider whether mass gatherings such as sporting events should be cancelled as the country grapples with the first two cases of community transmission of coronavirus.Australia’s top medical officers will meet on Tuesday to consider whether mass gatherings such as sporting events should be cancelled as the country grapples with the first two cases of community transmission of coronavirus.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – made up of Australia’s chief medical officers – will meet to consider whether it was necessary to introduce bans on mass gatherings including large sport and entertainment events.The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – made up of Australia’s chief medical officers – will meet to consider whether it was necessary to introduce bans on mass gatherings including large sport and entertainment events.
It comes after officials in New South Wales on Monday confirmed a 53-year-old health worker and 41-year-old woman as the first two cases of patient-to-patient transfer in the country.It comes after officials in New South Wales on Monday confirmed a 53-year-old health worker and 41-year-old woman as the first two cases of patient-to-patient transfer in the country.
The woman was believed to have contracted the virus from her brother, who had recently returned from Iran. However officials expressed concern about the origin of the health worker’s illness; he had not recently travelled to an affected country and had not knowingly been in contact with an infected person. Previously, the only people with the virus in Australia were those who had contracted it in other countries.The woman was believed to have contracted the virus from her brother, who had recently returned from Iran. However officials expressed concern about the origin of the health worker’s illness; he had not recently travelled to an affected country and had not knowingly been in contact with an infected person. Previously, the only people with the virus in Australia were those who had contracted it in other countries.
The city of San Antonio in the US state of Texas has declared a state of emergency, the Houston Chronicle reports.The city of San Antonio in the US state of Texas has declared a state of emergency, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a public health emergency on Monday afternoon local time to keep more than 120 coronavirus evacuees from a cruise ship quarantined at an airforce base at the outskirts of San Antonio until further notice, and banned new evacuees from entering the city.Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a public health emergency on Monday afternoon local time to keep more than 120 coronavirus evacuees from a cruise ship quarantined at an airforce base at the outskirts of San Antonio until further notice, and banned new evacuees from entering the city.
The cruise ship evacuees were originally to be released Monday.The cruise ship evacuees were originally to be released Monday.
My colleagues Matthew Weaver, Denis Campbell and Severin Carrell have written up a story about the latest Covid-19 developments in the UK, and how the outbreak could test NHS resources.My colleagues Matthew Weaver, Denis Campbell and Severin Carrell have written up a story about the latest Covid-19 developments in the UK, and how the outbreak could test NHS resources.
Four more people in Washington state have died from coronavirus, officials have said.
This brings the total number of US fatalities to six.
At a news conference Monday Jeff Duchin from Public Health Seattle & King County said five of the deaths were people from King County and one was a person from Snohomish County, north of Seattle, AP reported.
Researchers said earlier that the virus may have been circulating for weeks undetected in Washington state.
Here my colleague Amanda Holpuch’s story:
Most of Google’s 8,000 staff and contractors in Ireland have been told to work from home tomorrow after a member of staff reported flu-like symptoms, RTE reports.
While the worker is only vaguely suspected to have the virus, it is understood that the company decided to test having all staff work remotely in case the situation surrounding the coronavirus escalates.
A Google spokesperson said:
The Formula One season-opening Australian Grand Prix will go ahead on 15 March despite a rising threat of becoming infected with coronavirus, my colleague Giles Richards reports.
The Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed because of the outbreak and infection from the virus has now spread throughout Europe where the F1 teams are based.
The French health chief, Jérôme Salomon, corrected earlier reports that there had been four deaths from coronavirus in France, and reduced the number down to three.
There are now 191 cases confirmed in the country. The third death was an 89-year-old woman who was declared positive for the virus after a postmortem examination.
Salomon said that for 75% of cases in France there was a clear chain of transmission that could be identified. Across France, 12 regions have reported cases, five of which have more than 10 infected people.
Asked why certain events, like the Paris half marathon had been cancelled, Salomon said it was a “rational, scientific response”. “It’s not a question of whether people are confined (in a space) or not, it’s a question of proximity,” he said.
East and North Hertfordshire NHS trust now says that a clinician at the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre who had tested positive for the virus has since been given the all-clear. Its update suggest that Public Health England may need to revise down their total by one. An update on the trust’s website said:
Nick Phin, deputy director at the National Infection Service at Public Health England, said:
While airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights in response to the outbreak, the Six Nations rugby competition organisers have said no additional match postponements were planned for the time being.
England’s men’s match in Italy is expected to go ahead on 14 March. However, organisers said the women’s and under-20s fixtures between the two countries could be relocated.
The UK government has been advised to provide “resilience” training for teenagers so they can help support the authorities in civil contingencies like floods or the coronavirus outbreak, according to PA Media.
A report by the Royal United Services Institute military thinktank said the nation’s teens represented an “untapped” resource when it came to dealing with emergencies.
It called for 16- to 18-year-olds to be offered training during the school holidays in “crisis preparedness” and “emergency response”.
Hello, I’m taking over from my colleague Frances Perraudin. I have compiled a short overview of today’s developments regarding the coronavirus outbreak.
A majority of Britons are not taking any extra steps to reduce their risk of contracting coronavirus such as washing their hands or using a hand sanitiser, a new survey has found.
Only 35% of Britons have improved their personal hygiene in those ways in a bid to protect themselves against the virus, according to new YouGov research.
Other findings from the pollster’s survey of 1,618 British adults show strong public support for the government’s handling of the outbreak so far, a widespread belief that the NHS will be able to cope if large numbers of people become unwell with Covid-19 and – so far – a lack of fear about the virus, which first arrived in Britain in late January.
YouGov’s findings show that:
• Overall 35% of those questioned are washing their hands more regularly, 14% are avoiding public places and 14% are not touching objects in public such as lift buttons.
• However, 54% are not taking any extra precautions.
• While 24% are “fairly” or “very” scared about the prospect of contracting Covid-19, 70% are “not scared”.
• A majority – 54% – think the government is handling coronavirus well, and people of all party loyalties are more likely to think that the government has been doing well rather than badly, while only 16% say handling has been “bad”.
• Almost two-thirds (64%) are confident the NHS will respond well to a major outbreak but 29% are not confident.
• 62% feel they have enough information about what to do if they suspect they may have become infected.
Asked what measures the government should take to try and contain coronavirus 65% want anyone who has been in contact with an infected patient to be quarantined, 50% want all flights from mainland China banned and 36% support the potential ban on sporting events, concerts and other large gatherings that Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer, said last week may become necessary.
The BBC’s political editor Laura Kuenssberg has interviewed Boris Johnson about the country’s preparedness for the coronavirus outbreak. She started by asking him what the worst case scenario was. He responded:
He said the government would be announcing further protective measures in the morning. Kuenssberg asked if the prime minister could give a sense of the kind of numbers that could be affected by the virus. He said: