The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in mainland China rose to 490 as of Wednesday, after Hubei, the province where the virus is thought to have originated, reported 65 people had died from the flu-like infection.
China’s National Health Commission said on Wednesday the number of confirmed infections in the country rose to 24,324 after an additional 3,887 people were diagnosed with the virus.
Other countries have rushed to evacuate their citizens from Hubei and its capital city, Wuhan, while many have also imposed extraordinary travel restrictions on travellers to and from China.
Countries outside China continue to report more cases, with Hong Kong and the Philippines reporting one death each from the disease.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for greater solidarity among the international community, and criticised governments for being “well behind” in sharing data on virus cases. He said he had received complete case report forms for only 38 percent of the cases outside China.
Here are the latest updates:
Wednesday, February 5
China races to build more hospitals as coronavirus outbreak grows
Authorities in China have glorified the rush to build two infectious disease hospitals in a matter of days at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak that has now claimed at least 490 lives on the mainland, with live streams showing the construction and the arrival of the first patients at Huoshenshan field hospital in Wuhan on Tuesday.
The 1,000-bed Huoshenshan, or Fire-God Mountain, hospital and the 1,600-bed Leishenshan, or Thunder God Mountain, hospital – which will start taking patients on Thursday – have been the main focus of attention for the country’s state-run media, with round-the-clock coverage.
Less known, however, are the other hospitals now under construction elsewhere in the country to address the shortage of beds and facilities needed to treat the outbreak.
Read story here.
China lab seeks patent on use of Gilead’s coronavirus treatment
A state-run Chinese research institute has applied for a patent on the use of Gilead Sciences’ experimental US antiviral drug, which scientists think could provide treatment for the coronavirus that has killed hundreds and infected thousands.
The Wuhan Institute of Virology of the China Academy of Sciences, based in the city where the outbreak is believed to have originated, said in a statement it applied to patent the use of Remdesivir, an antiviral drug developed by Gilead, to treat the virus.
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine last week reported a coronavirus patient in the United States was found to show an improvement after taking Remdesivir, which is also used to treat infectious diseases such as Ebola.
Uzbekistan evacuates 84 people from China’s Wuhan
Uzbekistan has evacuated 84 people from the Chinese city of Wuhan and will place them in quarantine upon arrival in Tashkent, the Central Asian nation’s state airline said.
Uzbekistan Airways said in a statement the passengers were being accompanied by doctors and specialists with protective equipment.
Philippines confirms third case of coronavirus infection
The Philippines announced on Wednesday that a third person has been tested positive of coronavirus.
The Department of Health said the person is a 60-year-old female from China.
One of the three Chinese nationals with the infection in the Philippines died on Saturday, becoming the first fatality outside of mainland China. There are currently 133 persons with suspected case of the infection, including 115 who have been hospitalised and are under isolation.
Wuhan carries out city-wide sterilisation campaign
Wuhan, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak, has started a city-wide sterilisation campaign in an effort to curb the spread of the infection.
A video posted on social media by the state-owned Global Times showed a truck spraying mists in one city block, and a motorised rickshaw making rounds and shooting thick white fumes in the air at a residential area in the city.
Hong Kong: 30 crew members on cruise ship showing symptoms including fever
The Hong Kong health department has announced that 30 members of a cruise ship, carrying 1,800 people, are showing some symptoms including fever.
The ship docked in Hong Kong earlier on Wednesday, after it was refused entry in Taiwan.
Officials said none of the passengers in the ship came in contact with three mainland Chinese with coronavirus, who were onboard the ship from January 19 to 24.
Vietnam says virus will hurt economy
Vietnam’s gross domestic product in the first quarter of this year will likely slow by 1 percent from a year earlier as a result of the coronavirus and the week-long Lunar New Year holiday, the government said on Wednesday.
Vietnam’s aviation, tourism, agriculture industries and exports are all expected to be harmed by the epidemic, it said in a statement.
“If (the) Chinese economy slowed significantly, it would continue to impact Vietnam,” the statement said.
China is Vietnam’s largest trading partner
Japan prepares ferry to be used as quarantine ship
Japan’s military prepared a chartered ferry on Wednesday to use as a quarantine ship that could house hundreds of suspected coronavirus cases.
The Hakuo was docked at the Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo.
“Around 300 people could comfortably live on the ship and it has a maximum capacity for 500, although that would mean queues for the baths and other facilities,” a Japan Self Defense Force official told Reuters.
Japan has not yet forcibly quarantined people who may carry the coronavirus, including Japanese returning on evacuation flights from Wuhan.
People quarantined on the Hakuo will be confined to quarters for around 10 days and provided with a tablet computer and Wifi to help them pass the time, the Japanese defence official said. Each will be provided with toiletries and other necessities during their stay, with meals brought to their rooms, he added.
Japan to send fourth chartered flight to Wuhan on Thursday
Japan’s Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Wednesday that Japan would send a fourth chartered flight to Wuhan to bring back about 200 people.
The passengers could include Japanese nationals as well as their Chinese spouses, Motegi told reporters. The flight is expected to take place on Thursday.
Tokyo Olympics CEO: “I’m seriously worried” over China virus
Tokyo Olympics organisers on Wednesday said they were increasingly concerned about the disruption the coronavirus is causing ahead of the games, which open in just under six months.
Chief Executive Officer Toshiro Muto sounded a grave note speaking at a meeting with officials of the International Paralympic Committee.
“I am seriously worried that the spread of the infectious disease could throw cold water on the momentum toward the games,” Muto said, speaking in Japanese. “I hope that it will be stamped out as soon as possible.”
Saburo Kawabuchi, the mayor of the Athletes Village where 11,000 Olympians will stay, also betrayed his concerns.
“I truly hope that the infectious disease will die down somehow so that we will be able to operate the Paralympics and Olympics smoothly,” he said. “In the worst case — we will do our utmost for the athletes so that they will be able to concentrate on performing their best.”
New Zealand evacuation flight on way to Auckland from Wuhan
A flight carrying New Zealanders, Australians and citizens of smaller Pacific countries from Wuhan is expected to arrive in Auckland later on Wednesday, authorities said.
The Air New Zealand government-chartered flight is expected to arrive in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, around 6:30pm local time (05:30 GMT).
New Zealand’s foreign ministry said 193 passengers boarded the plane in Wuhan, including 100 New Zealand citizens and permanent residents, 23 Australian citizens and 70 foreign nationals, mostly from the Pacific islands.
UK plans second and final evacuation flight for citizens
Britain’s Foreign Office said late on Tuesday that it would charter another civilian aircraft to evacuate British nationals and their dependants from Wuhan on Sunday. It will be their last chance to leave.
“The Foreign Office is chartering a second and final UK flight with space to help all British nationals and their dependants remaining in Hubei to leave,” Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a statement.
Britain had earlier advised its citizens to leave China if they were able to, to minimise their risk of exposure to the virus.
At least 10 on quarantined cruise ship confirmed with virus
At least 10 people on a cruise ship quarantined in Yokohama have tested positive for the coronavirus, Japan’s Health Minister said on Wednesday.
The Diamond Princess, with 3,700 people on board, was quarantined after a passenger who got off the liner in Hong Kong was diagnosed with the virus.
The number of infected could rise as screening continues.
US may stage additional evacuation flights in China’s virus-hit Wuhan
The Department of State said it may operate additional evacuation flights for US citizens in Wuhan on Thursday.
Source: Al Jazeera and news agencies
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