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Update News on the Wuhan Coronavirus for February 5, 2020
From DW news:
How Chinese authoritarianism contributed to coronavirus
As coronavirus cases in China continue to increase, the country's leadership is coming under scrutiny for its response. Authorities have been accused of covering up the outbreak when it first emerged.
https://www.dw.com/en/how-chinese-authoritarianism-contributed-to-coronavirus/a-52268341
Coronavirus: New death toll close to 500 — live updates
Hundreds of US nationals landed in California after being evacuated from China's Wuhan due to the coronavirus. The WHO has called for $675 million (€613 million) in donations from UN countries to fight the outbreak.
https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-new-death-toll-close-to-500-live-updates/a-52259803
As coronavirus cases in China continue to increase, the country's leadership is coming under scrutiny for its response. Authorities have been accused of covering up the outbreak when it first emerged.
https://www.dw.com/en/how-chinese-authoritarianism-contributed-to-coronavirus/a-52268341
Coronavirus: New death toll close to 500 — live updates
Hundreds of US nationals landed in California after being evacuated from China's Wuhan due to the coronavirus. The WHO has called for $675 million (€613 million) in donations from UN countries to fight the outbreak.
https://www.dw.com/en/coronavirus-new-death-toll-close-to-500-live-updates/a-52259803
From the BBC:
Coronavirus: Hong Kong to quarantine visitors from mainland China
Hong Kong is to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all visitors from mainland China as it battles to prevent the spread of a coronavirus outbreak.
The policy comes into effect on Saturday but officials refused to close the border entirely, as demanded by medical staff who have gone on strike.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51389490
Coronavirus in Wuhan: ‘We’d rather die at home than go to quarantine’
...My uncle actually died in one of the quarantine points because there are no medical facilities for people with severe symptoms. I really hope my father can get some proper treatment but no-one is in contact with us or helping us at the moment.
I got in touch with community workers several times, but the response I got was, "there's no chance of us getting a bed in the hospital".
...If we follow the government's guidelines, the only place we can go now is to those quarantine points. But if we went, what happened to my uncle would then happen to dad.
So we'd rather die at home.
'The infected population is huge'
There are many families like us around, all facing the same difficulties.
My friend's father was even refused by staff at the quarantine points because he had a high fever.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51379088
How the new coronavirus will finally get a proper name
A group of scientists has been grappling behind closed doors to find a proper term. Now they have told the BBC they are close to announcing it.
So why has it taken so long?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51371770
The Chinese doctor who tried to warn others about coronavirus
In early January, authorities in the Chinese city of Wuhan were trying to keep news of a new coronavirus under wraps. When one doctor tried to warn fellow medics about the outbreak, police paid him a visit and told him to stop. A month later he has been hailed as a hero, after he posted his story from a hospital bed.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51364382
Hong Kong is to impose a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all visitors from mainland China as it battles to prevent the spread of a coronavirus outbreak.
The policy comes into effect on Saturday but officials refused to close the border entirely, as demanded by medical staff who have gone on strike.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51389490
Coronavirus in Wuhan: ‘We’d rather die at home than go to quarantine’
...My uncle actually died in one of the quarantine points because there are no medical facilities for people with severe symptoms. I really hope my father can get some proper treatment but no-one is in contact with us or helping us at the moment.
I got in touch with community workers several times, but the response I got was, "there's no chance of us getting a bed in the hospital".
...If we follow the government's guidelines, the only place we can go now is to those quarantine points. But if we went, what happened to my uncle would then happen to dad.
So we'd rather die at home.
'The infected population is huge'
There are many families like us around, all facing the same difficulties.
My friend's father was even refused by staff at the quarantine points because he had a high fever.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51379088
How the new coronavirus will finally get a proper name
A group of scientists has been grappling behind closed doors to find a proper term. Now they have told the BBC they are close to announcing it.
So why has it taken so long?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51371770
The Chinese doctor who tried to warn others about coronavirus
In early January, authorities in the Chinese city of Wuhan were trying to keep news of a new coronavirus under wraps. When one doctor tried to warn fellow medics about the outbreak, police paid him a visit and told him to stop. A month later he has been hailed as a hero, after he posted his story from a hospital bed.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-51364382
The Chicago Tribune:
Quarantined for two weeks on a cruise ship by coronavirus, passengers try to figure out how to pass the time
Hidden away in her cabin, Masako Ishida reckons she doesn’t face much risk from the coronavirus that has stalked her cruise ship, forcing an onboard quarantine of 3,700 passengers and crew members in the port city of Yokohama.
Ishida, 61, is trying to see the bright side as she faces two long weeks stuck inside the ship. She has a window to gaze out of, unlike some passengers. She, like her two traveling companions — her husband and her mother, both in their 80s — is healthy and not in need of any medications.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-diamond-princess-cruise-ship-coronavirus-20200205-45t3alcvbvhpdeyajsfaurl55y-story.html
Hidden away in her cabin, Masako Ishida reckons she doesn’t face much risk from the coronavirus that has stalked her cruise ship, forcing an onboard quarantine of 3,700 passengers and crew members in the port city of Yokohama.
Ishida, 61, is trying to see the bright side as she faces two long weeks stuck inside the ship. She has a window to gaze out of, unlike some passengers. She, like her two traveling companions — her husband and her mother, both in their 80s — is healthy and not in need of any medications.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-diamond-princess-cruise-ship-coronavirus-20200205-45t3alcvbvhpdeyajsfaurl55y-story.html
From New Zealand:
Wuhan coronavirus evacuation flight: Several people turned away, children vomiting beforehand
St John says several people were turned away from a New Zealand-led evacuation from China yesterday.
Nearly 200 people, mostly New Zealanders, were flown to Auckland airport at about 6pm last night from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus.
All 193 people have arrived safely, the Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12306442
'Foolish decision': Scary response to coronavirus from China's neighbours as death toll hits 492
Leaders of developing countries in Asia have dismissed growing concerns about the coronavirus, despite warnings from health experts that they are the most vulnerable.
The leaders of smaller countries including Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar have chosen to maintain open borders with China, and downplayed or dismissed concerns over the virus's increasingly global reach.
A growing list of countries including Australia, the United States, Russia, Japan, Pakistan and South Korea have barred entry to foreigners who had recently visited Hubei, and in some cases the entire mainland.
...In Myanmar, Buddhist monks broadcast claims that placing seven ground peppercorns on your tongue would ward off the virus, The New York Times reported.
...Perhaps most disturbing was the response from Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, who told a conference he would kick out anyone who was wearing a surgical mask because it was creating an unwarranted climate of fear.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12306172&ref=art_readmore
St John says several people were turned away from a New Zealand-led evacuation from China yesterday.
Nearly 200 people, mostly New Zealanders, were flown to Auckland airport at about 6pm last night from Wuhan, the epicentre of the novel coronavirus.
All 193 people have arrived safely, the Director General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12306442
'Foolish decision': Scary response to coronavirus from China's neighbours as death toll hits 492
Leaders of developing countries in Asia have dismissed growing concerns about the coronavirus, despite warnings from health experts that they are the most vulnerable.
The leaders of smaller countries including Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar have chosen to maintain open borders with China, and downplayed or dismissed concerns over the virus's increasingly global reach.
A growing list of countries including Australia, the United States, Russia, Japan, Pakistan and South Korea have barred entry to foreigners who had recently visited Hubei, and in some cases the entire mainland.
...In Myanmar, Buddhist monks broadcast claims that placing seven ground peppercorns on your tongue would ward off the virus, The New York Times reported.
...Perhaps most disturbing was the response from Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, who told a conference he would kick out anyone who was wearing a surgical mask because it was creating an unwarranted climate of fear.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12306172&ref=art_readmore
The CBC:
Coronavirus 'not something to joke about,' says Ontario passenger charged after flight forced to turn back
An Ontario man who caused a WestJet flight to turn around and fly back to Toronto claims his intent was to create a viral video when he suggested on the plane that he may be sick with the new coronavirus.
"It certainly wasn't a smart thing to do," James Potok, 28, of Vaughan, Ont., north of Toronto, said on Tuesday.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/coronavirus-claim-plane-westjet-flight-diverted-1.5452221
WHO seeking $675M US to respond to growing coronavirus outbreak
The latest:
WHO wants $675M US to help stamp out coronavirus outbreak.
Top official at WHO urges all countries to make evidence-based decisions about travel restrictions.
Hong Kong says all visitors from mainland China will undergo 14-day quarantine.
China says there have been 490 deaths and 24,324 confirmed cases on the mainland.
2 cruise ships under quarantine — 1 off Japan, 1 in Hong Kong.
Canadians in Wuhan told flight out will be later than expected.
B.C. reports a 2nd presumptive case of coronavirus. Woman in her 50s had been in contact with family members who had been in Hubei province, health officials say.
Public Health Agency of Canada says risk to Canadians from coronavirus low.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/who-seeking-675m-us-to-respond-to-growing-coronavirus-outbreak-1.5452362
An Ontario man who caused a WestJet flight to turn around and fly back to Toronto claims his intent was to create a viral video when he suggested on the plane that he may be sick with the new coronavirus.
"It certainly wasn't a smart thing to do," James Potok, 28, of Vaughan, Ont., north of Toronto, said on Tuesday.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/coronavirus-claim-plane-westjet-flight-diverted-1.5452221
WHO seeking $675M US to respond to growing coronavirus outbreak
The latest:
WHO wants $675M US to help stamp out coronavirus outbreak.
Top official at WHO urges all countries to make evidence-based decisions about travel restrictions.
Hong Kong says all visitors from mainland China will undergo 14-day quarantine.
China says there have been 490 deaths and 24,324 confirmed cases on the mainland.
2 cruise ships under quarantine — 1 off Japan, 1 in Hong Kong.
Canadians in Wuhan told flight out will be later than expected.
B.C. reports a 2nd presumptive case of coronavirus. Woman in her 50s had been in contact with family members who had been in Hubei province, health officials say.
Public Health Agency of Canada says risk to Canadians from coronavirus low.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/who-seeking-675m-us-to-respond-to-growing-coronavirus-outbreak-1.5452362
From Australia:
Map shows how quickly panic spread as coronavirus cases confirmed
The moment news broke that a mysterious new virus has emerged in China social media became bombarded with discussion and misinformation about the illness.
A map created by Twitter user Mehdi Moussaid has given insight into how quickly “rumour and panic” over the coronavirus spread in comparison to the confirmed cases of the disease. (Map is in a video at the link)
https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/map-shows-how-quickly-panic-spread-as-coronavirus-cases-confirmed/news-story/19a70ddc0d8313e6a9828ed4c339b259
Inside the Air New Zealand flight that transported hundreds of Aussies out of Wuhan
...The impact of the quarantine has also hit the island hard, with Christmas Island shire president noting the devastating effect the quarantine is having on its burgeoning tourism industry.
Two hundred and forty one Australian citizens and permanent residents were already on the island after arriving from Wuhan by Qantas jet a day earlier.
...“The world is looking at Christmas Island where people are incarcerated for potentially having a communicable disease.
“It’s an extraordinary event and a hysterical response.
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/inside-the-air-new-zealand-flight-that-transported-hundreds-of-aussies-out-of-wuhan/news-story/9aeb2797691b4ada85bde60bd82b845e
Coronavirus can be found on objects like doorknobs, tables and light switches, experts warn
Experts have warned the coronavirus can spread even if your mouth and nose are covered by a protective mask.
Health experts say various common surfaces such as door handles and light switches can transmit the deadly virus if you’re not cleaning these surfaces constantly.
According to Chinese state media, the Guangzhou Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recently found coronavirus on the door handle of an infected patient’s home, proving the virus could survive for several hours outside the body.
A research paper from the US found that regularly washing your hands can cut your risk of developing a respiratory infection by 16 per cent.
According to the Australian government health website, the virus can “most likely” be spread from person to person through direct contact with a person, contact with droplets when a person with a confirmed infection coughs or sneezes — or touching surfaces that have droplets from a cough or sneeze by an infected person, such as “doorknobs or tables”, and then touching your face.
https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/coronavirus-can-be-found-on-objects-like-doorknobs-tables-and-light-switches-experts-warn/news-story/0eaf1d349da0f4e2f2e45c44c53cc26a
The moment news broke that a mysterious new virus has emerged in China social media became bombarded with discussion and misinformation about the illness.
A map created by Twitter user Mehdi Moussaid has given insight into how quickly “rumour and panic” over the coronavirus spread in comparison to the confirmed cases of the disease. (Map is in a video at the link)
https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/social/map-shows-how-quickly-panic-spread-as-coronavirus-cases-confirmed/news-story/19a70ddc0d8313e6a9828ed4c339b259
Inside the Air New Zealand flight that transported hundreds of Aussies out of Wuhan
...The impact of the quarantine has also hit the island hard, with Christmas Island shire president noting the devastating effect the quarantine is having on its burgeoning tourism industry.
Two hundred and forty one Australian citizens and permanent residents were already on the island after arriving from Wuhan by Qantas jet a day earlier.
...“The world is looking at Christmas Island where people are incarcerated for potentially having a communicable disease.
“It’s an extraordinary event and a hysterical response.
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/health-safety/inside-the-air-new-zealand-flight-that-transported-hundreds-of-aussies-out-of-wuhan/news-story/9aeb2797691b4ada85bde60bd82b845e
Coronavirus can be found on objects like doorknobs, tables and light switches, experts warn
Experts have warned the coronavirus can spread even if your mouth and nose are covered by a protective mask.
Health experts say various common surfaces such as door handles and light switches can transmit the deadly virus if you’re not cleaning these surfaces constantly.
According to Chinese state media, the Guangzhou Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recently found coronavirus on the door handle of an infected patient’s home, proving the virus could survive for several hours outside the body.
A research paper from the US found that regularly washing your hands can cut your risk of developing a respiratory infection by 16 per cent.
According to the Australian government health website, the virus can “most likely” be spread from person to person through direct contact with a person, contact with droplets when a person with a confirmed infection coughs or sneezes — or touching surfaces that have droplets from a cough or sneeze by an infected person, such as “doorknobs or tables”, and then touching your face.
https://www.news.com.au/world/asia/coronavirus-can-be-found-on-objects-like-doorknobs-tables-and-light-switches-experts-warn/news-story/0eaf1d349da0f4e2f2e45c44c53cc26a
From Japan:
Ten passengers on quarantined cruise ship test positive for coronavirus
YOKOHAMA – Fear of possible coronavirus infections on a cruise ship carrying about 3,700 people became reality Wednesday as 10 of 31 passengers tested were confirmed to have positive results, fueling unease among officials that the number could go much higher.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/05/national/science-health/quarantined-japanese-cruise-ship-infected-coronavirus/#.XjsPojFKiCg
Japan succeeds in isolating Wuhan coronavirus in step toward vaccine and test kit
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases said Friday that it has succeeded in cultivating and isolating the new coronavirus, first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan, from a person in Japan who has been confirmed to have the virus.
Using the isolated virus, the institute will start work to develop a vaccine and a drug for the coronavirus, as well as a test kit capable of quick diagnosis. It will also offer the isolated virus to researchers and companies, while trying to discover the infection mechanism and promoting research on the toxicity of the virus.
The isolated virus’ gene sequences 99.9 percent matched those released by the Chinese government, according to the Japanese institute.
In the isolated virus, there was no gene mutation leading to higher infectiousness or toxicity, the institute said.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/01/national/science-health/japan-isolating-wuhan-coronavirus-vaccine-test/#.XjsQEjFKiCg
YOKOHAMA – Fear of possible coronavirus infections on a cruise ship carrying about 3,700 people became reality Wednesday as 10 of 31 passengers tested were confirmed to have positive results, fueling unease among officials that the number could go much higher.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/05/national/science-health/quarantined-japanese-cruise-ship-infected-coronavirus/#.XjsPojFKiCg
Japan succeeds in isolating Wuhan coronavirus in step toward vaccine and test kit
The National Institute of Infectious Diseases said Friday that it has succeeded in cultivating and isolating the new coronavirus, first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan, from a person in Japan who has been confirmed to have the virus.
Using the isolated virus, the institute will start work to develop a vaccine and a drug for the coronavirus, as well as a test kit capable of quick diagnosis. It will also offer the isolated virus to researchers and companies, while trying to discover the infection mechanism and promoting research on the toxicity of the virus.
The isolated virus’ gene sequences 99.9 percent matched those released by the Chinese government, according to the Japanese institute.
In the isolated virus, there was no gene mutation leading to higher infectiousness or toxicity, the institute said.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/02/01/national/science-health/japan-isolating-wuhan-coronavirus-vaccine-test/#.XjsQEjFKiCg
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MADISON, Wis. (AP) - A Wisconsin resident has been sickened with a new virus that originated in China and spread across the world, the first case in Wisconsin and the 12th in the country, health officials said Wednesday.
The patient is an adult isolated at their home but state health officials would not say where they are located, their age or any other details. More details about the person’s location will be coming later from the local health department, said Dr. Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer in the Department of Health Services Bureau of Communicable Disease.
https://www.wbay.com/content/news/Wisconsin-confirms-first-case-of-new-coronavirus-567592001.html
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