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Coronavirus: patient with underlying health conditions becomes first fatality in UK – latest updates Coronavirus: patient with underlying health conditions becomes first fatality in UK – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson warns coronavirus likely to significantly spread in UK; Iran limits travel as 3,500 infected; California declares state of emergencyBoris Johnson warns coronavirus likely to significantly spread in UK; Iran limits travel as 3,500 infected; California declares state of emergency
The seven new cases of coronavirus detected in Ireland include the first confirmed case of community transmission, since the patient had not travelled to an infected area.
The case of community transmission is a man in Cork with an underlying medical condition. He had not travelled to Italy or been in contact with other confirmed cases.
He is being treated at Cork University Hospital, which announced it was cancelling outpatient appointments on Friday.
Ireland’s chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said the country remains in the containment phase, but warned it is a “rapidly evolving situation” and urged a “national effort” to stymie potential spread.
The Health Service Executive said in a statement on Thursday night it was working rapidly to identify any contacts the patients may have had to prevent further spread.
One of the cases confirmed on Wednesday – a member of a family of four in the west of Ireland – is a health professional, it has emerged.
Four of the latest cases are travel related from northern Italy, involving four males from the east of the country. Two are associated with close contact with a confirmed case and involve two females in the west of the country.
The seventh case is a male, who the Department of Health have described as being “associated with Cork University Hospital” and that is the first case of community transmission. A risk assessment is under way at the hospital.
There are now 13 confirmed covid-19 cases in the Republic of Ireland, as well as three in Northern Ireland - bringing the total number of cases on the island to 16.
There are 142 Britons stranded on another Princes Cruises ship, off the coast of California, and the passengers are being tested for the coronavirus.
The cruise operator said groups of guests and crew were being tested after a passenger on an earlier voyage died and at least one other became infected.
It confirmed that 142 UK nationals - made up of 121 passengers and 21 crew - were on board the Grand Princess, which was carrying a total of 3,533 people.
There had so far been no confirmed cases of Covid-19 on board, and that fewer than 100 people had been identified for testing, according to the operator.
“Public health officials have advised that no guests will be permitted to disembark until all results have been received,” it said.
“Out of an abundance of caution, all guests who have been identified for testing have been asked to remain in their staterooms.”
Japanese authorities said last week that a British tourist who had been on board another of the company’s cruise ships, the Diamond Princess - which was quarantined in Japan - had died after contracting coronavirus.
Meanwhile, it has emerged that three passengers on the Grand Princess’ previous voyage have been confirmed to have the new virus, and one of them became California’s first fatality from the illness yesterday, after it disembarked hundreds at four Mexican ports last month.
US health officials are working to track down other passengers who have returned home, but when Mexican health officials have not yet been notified by their counterparts, the Associated Press reported.
A child at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool has tested positive for coronavirus, the hospital is reported to have confirmed. The BBC said that the age and sex of the child was unknown.A child at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool has tested positive for coronavirus, the hospital is reported to have confirmed. The BBC said that the age and sex of the child was unknown.
Liverpool council tweeted that two more cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in Liverpool, bringing the total to three. “One is a known contact of an existing patient and the other has recently returned from Italy,” it said. “The patients are receiving specialist treatment.”Liverpool council tweeted that two more cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed in Liverpool, bringing the total to three. “One is a known contact of an existing patient and the other has recently returned from Italy,” it said. “The patients are receiving specialist treatment.”
Public Health England reportedly said the child was not the first in the UK to be diagnosed with the virus.Public Health England reportedly said the child was not the first in the UK to be diagnosed with the virus.
Seven new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland today, bringing the total number of cases to 13, according to Irish media. A further three cases have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.Seven new cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the Republic of Ireland today, bringing the total number of cases to 13, according to Irish media. A further three cases have been confirmed in Northern Ireland.
People who have returned to the UK from any part of Italy in the past fortnight are being advised to self-isolate if they begin to feel unwell.People who have returned to the UK from any part of Italy in the past fortnight are being advised to self-isolate if they begin to feel unwell.
Previously, the advice applied only to travellers who had visited the northern regions where the first deaths from the coronavirus were recorded, but the government has now announced that the guidance is being extended to cover the whole country.Previously, the advice applied only to travellers who had visited the northern regions where the first deaths from the coronavirus were recorded, but the government has now announced that the guidance is being extended to cover the whole country.
Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, said the move was needed because of the evolving situation in Italy. He told a press conference earlier this evening:Prof Chris Whitty, England’s chief medical officer, said the move was needed because of the evolving situation in Italy. He told a press conference earlier this evening:
The number of confirmed covid-19 cases in Australia has climbed past 50, and include a baby diagnosed in South Australia and a tourist in the Northern Territory.The number of confirmed covid-19 cases in Australia has climbed past 50, and include a baby diagnosed in South Australia and a tourist in the Northern Territory.
In New South Wales, Epping Boys high school in Sydney’s north will be closed on Friday after a student tested positive, and 61 staff at Sydney’s Ryde Hospital have been placed in self-isolation after 56 patients were identified as close or casual contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case.In New South Wales, Epping Boys high school in Sydney’s north will be closed on Friday after a student tested positive, and 61 staff at Sydney’s Ryde Hospital have been placed in self-isolation after 56 patients were identified as close or casual contacts of a confirmed Covid-19 case.
At Liverpool hospital, 23 staff and five patients have been identified as potential close contacts of a confirmed case. Elsewhere, in Brisbane and Sydney, nursing home staff have been forced into isolation after coming into contact with the virus.At Liverpool hospital, 23 staff and five patients have been identified as potential close contacts of a confirmed case. Elsewhere, in Brisbane and Sydney, nursing home staff have been forced into isolation after coming into contact with the virus.
The federal government announced new travel control measures affecting South Korea, and New South Wales authorities have said they were trying to contact 70 doctors who attended a radiology conference with a man diagnosed with the virus.The federal government announced new travel control measures affecting South Korea, and New South Wales authorities have said they were trying to contact 70 doctors who attended a radiology conference with a man diagnosed with the virus.
Australia’s chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, has warned the worst-case scenario for Australia was “millions of people being infected over a period of several weeks”. However, he said the country’s public health systems were well prepared if widespread outbreaks occurred.Australia’s chief medical officer, Professor Brendan Murphy, has warned the worst-case scenario for Australia was “millions of people being infected over a period of several weeks”. However, he said the country’s public health systems were well prepared if widespread outbreaks occurred.
Two major sponsors of Crufts, believed to be the world’s biggest dog show, have told staff not to attend the event – which began today.Two major sponsors of Crufts, believed to be the world’s biggest dog show, have told staff not to attend the event – which began today.
Pet food firms Royal Canin UK and James Wellbeloved asked employees to avoid the four-day event “unless it is business critical”, according to the BBC.Pet food firms Royal Canin UK and James Wellbeloved asked employees to avoid the four-day event “unless it is business critical”, according to the BBC.
Crufts, which takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, has 20,000 competitors and their pets coming from all over the world.Crufts, which takes place at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, has 20,000 competitors and their pets coming from all over the world.
Last year, 27,000 dogs attended the event, with 21,000 competing, including 3,611 from overseas, 413 of which were from Italy.A spokesman from Mars Petcare, the parent company of Royal Canin UK and James Wellbeloved, said:Last year, 27,000 dogs attended the event, with 21,000 competing, including 3,611 from overseas, 413 of which were from Italy.A spokesman from Mars Petcare, the parent company of Royal Canin UK and James Wellbeloved, said:
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers said:The Association of Pet Dog Trainers said:
Crufts’ organisers The Kennel Club said the event in Birmingham would still go ahead, with “enhanced measures” to protect visitors.Crufts’ organisers The Kennel Club said the event in Birmingham would still go ahead, with “enhanced measures” to protect visitors.
Precautions would include hand sanitiser stations at entrances, toilets and catering areas, as well as additional signage. In a statement on its website, the club said Defra had not advised them to cancel the event.Precautions would include hand sanitiser stations at entrances, toilets and catering areas, as well as additional signage. In a statement on its website, the club said Defra had not advised them to cancel the event.
The European parliament has cancelled its planned session in Strasbourg next week after being told that that the health risks to MEPs and staff would be “significantly higher” if it took place as plannedThe European parliament has cancelled its planned session in Strasbourg next week after being told that that the health risks to MEPs and staff would be “significantly higher” if it took place as planned
The parliament’s president, David Sassoli, did not mention the coronavirus outbreak. He said:The parliament’s president, David Sassoli, did not mention the coronavirus outbreak. He said:
Here’s a summary of today’s biggest developments in the global coronavirus outbreak.Here’s a summary of today’s biggest developments in the global coronavirus outbreak.
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has tweeted his condolences to the family of the first person to die in the UK with coronavirus.The health secretary, Matt Hancock, has tweeted his condolences to the family of the first person to die in the UK with coronavirus.
Has the coronavirus mutated into a more deadly strain? Here’s a myth buster by Hannah Devlin, the Guardian science correspondent, which also examines the protective value of face masks and whether it’s easy to catch the virus.Has the coronavirus mutated into a more deadly strain? Here’s a myth buster by Hannah Devlin, the Guardian science correspondent, which also examines the protective value of face masks and whether it’s easy to catch the virus.
Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, has indicated that the huge effort to limit the spread and impact of Covid-19 will soon move from trying to contain it, the first of the four phases of the response, to seeking to delay its transmission and thus limit the number of people who contract it.Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, has indicated that the huge effort to limit the spread and impact of Covid-19 will soon move from trying to contain it, the first of the four phases of the response, to seeking to delay its transmission and thus limit the number of people who contract it.
“We are moving from a primarily contain model to a primarily delay model,” he said. However, many of the tactics remain the same in both phases, such as identifying carriers and tracing people they have been in contact with, he continued.“We are moving from a primarily contain model to a primarily delay model,” he said. However, many of the tactics remain the same in both phases, such as identifying carriers and tracing people they have been in contact with, he continued.
“That pushes the disease further from the winter pressure period, further out from the period when people have upper respiratory tract infections, and it buys us time to better understand the virus and start the research into vaccines and things like that,” Whitty said.“That pushes the disease further from the winter pressure period, further out from the period when people have upper respiratory tract infections, and it buys us time to better understand the virus and start the research into vaccines and things like that,” Whitty said.
Ministers will decide when the campaign to tackle the virus moves officially from “contain” to “delay”, Whitty added. The latter phase is deemed appropriate when health officials and ministers decide the virus is circulating so widely in the community that containment is no longer the right response.Ministers will decide when the campaign to tackle the virus moves officially from “contain” to “delay”, Whitty added. The latter phase is deemed appropriate when health officials and ministers decide the virus is circulating so widely in the community that containment is no longer the right response.
The delay phase could involve some of the measures set out in the government’s coronavirus action plan on Tuesday, such as shutting schools, encouraging much greater homeworking and banning large gatherings such as sports and music events. However, Whitty told MPs on Thursday morning that closing schools may only have “a marginal effect” on the spread of Covid-19, because children are not badlyaffected by it.The delay phase could involve some of the measures set out in the government’s coronavirus action plan on Tuesday, such as shutting schools, encouraging much greater homeworking and banning large gatherings such as sports and music events. However, Whitty told MPs on Thursday morning that closing schools may only have “a marginal effect” on the spread of Covid-19, because children are not badlyaffected by it.
No details have been given about the unnamed woman who has died but it is understood that she was in her 70s and had recently spent time in and out of the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading for long-term health conditions. She died early on Thursday morning.No details have been given about the unnamed woman who has died but it is understood that she was in her 70s and had recently spent time in and out of the Royal Berkshire hospital in Reading for long-term health conditions. She died early on Thursday morning.
Starbucks branches in the UK will be “pausing the use of personal cups” as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus, PA media reports.Starbucks branches in the UK will be “pausing the use of personal cups” as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus, PA media reports.
The company announced it would “continue to honour existing discounts” for anyone who brought reusable tumblers but that its drinks would be served in paper cups. It added that the 5p charge for disposable cups will be temporarily suspended.The company announced it would “continue to honour existing discounts” for anyone who brought reusable tumblers but that its drinks would be served in paper cups. It added that the 5p charge for disposable cups will be temporarily suspended.
Of the 115 confirmed cases across the UK so far, it remains unknown how 10 of them came to be infected, including seven of the 25 who were diagnosed in the last 24 hours.Of the 115 confirmed cases across the UK so far, it remains unknown how 10 of them came to be infected, including seven of the 25 who were diagnosed in the last 24 hours.
However, tracing the contacts of people whose illness is initially a mystery should reduce that number, officials said.However, tracing the contacts of people whose illness is initially a mystery should reduce that number, officials said.
Global health experts have said the first death in the UK from the coronavirus is not unexpected and fits in with the pattern seen elsewhere.Global health experts have said the first death in the UK from the coronavirus is not unexpected and fits in with the pattern seen elsewhere.
Prof Keith Neal, emeritus professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, said: “This unfortunate death is not unexpected given the number of cases and given we know that older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk. It changes nothing about the spread of Covid-19 in the UK.”Prof Keith Neal, emeritus professor of the epidemiology of infectious diseases at the University of Nottingham, said: “This unfortunate death is not unexpected given the number of cases and given we know that older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk. It changes nothing about the spread of Covid-19 in the UK.”
Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: “The first UK death is sad to note, but fits in with the pattern we have seen elsewhere, namely that the patient was older in age with existing health difficulties.Dr Michael Head, a senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said: “The first UK death is sad to note, but fits in with the pattern we have seen elsewhere, namely that the patient was older in age with existing health difficulties.
“We can expect to see a small number of further deaths in the UK in the coming weeks, as case numbers increase and vulnerable populations become exposed. Infection control and public health measures are particularly important in institutional populations, such as the elderly in care homes.”“We can expect to see a small number of further deaths in the UK in the coming weeks, as case numbers increase and vulnerable populations become exposed. Infection control and public health measures are particularly important in institutional populations, such as the elderly in care homes.”