The 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) or the Wuhan coronavirus has spread from China to over 20 countries, including the United States, France, and Japan.
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Australia Sees 2 More Cases of Coronavirus, Bringing Total to 12
Australia has confirmed its 11th and 12th cases of coronavirus late Saturday afternoon local time. It marks the first two cases seen in the state of South Australia聽after a couple tested positive for the disease.
The couple are both aged 60 and both recently returned from Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak. According to News Corp, the couple contacted authorities after they suspected they were sick. They also took precautions to self-isolate, and are now in preparation to be admitted to a hospital.
News Corp also reported that another person who had come into contact with the couple has been tested for coronavirus, and results are pending. The person has also put themself in isolation.
UK Withdraws Some Staff from China Embassy, Consulates, Citing Coronavirus
Some staff members are set to leave Britain’s embassy and consulates in China due to the coronavirus, the UK government said on Saturday.
“As of 31 January, some staff and dependants from the British Embassy and Consulates are being withdrawn from China. Essential staff needed to continue critical work will remain,” the statement reads, Reuters reported.
“In the event that the situation deteriorates further, the ability of the British Embassy and Consulates to provide assistance to British nationals from within China may be limited.”
Australia Advises ‘Do Not Travel’ to China, Denies Entry for Those Arriving from China
Australians are being warned to avoid travel to China on Saturday as the country’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, announced that travelers who have left or passed through China will be denied entry.
The exception will be for Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members. However, all travelers among this group will be required to self-isolate for 14 days.
“If you come from mainland China any time from Feb. 1, then you will be required to self-isolate for a period of 14 days,” Morrison said. “For anyone other than Australian citizens, Australian residents, dependants, legal guardians or spouses, then you will not be permitted entry into Australia.”
The warning to avoid travel to China comes from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), which has raised its travel advice to Australian to level 4, which is鈥渄o not travel,” for the whole of mainland China.
Similar measures were announced by the United States on Friday, as its advisory status was also raised to a level four warning鈥攖he highest alert possible of “do not travel” to China.
Air NZ Suspends Flights to Shanghai
“Our teams are currently putting in place alternative travel options for customers impacted by the suspension and they will be contacted directly over the coming week,” Morgan added.
Thailand Confirms First Case of Human-to-Human Transmission
The first case of human-to-human transmission of the coronavirus in Thailand was observed in a Thai taxi driver, health officials said according to the Bangkok Post.
“The Thai person who was infected does not have a record of traveling to China and it is likely that he was infected by a sick traveler from China,” said Tanarak Pipat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, reported the Bangkok Post.
Earlier cases of the new coronavirus in Thailand have involved Chinese tourists or Thais who traveled to China.
Indians From Wuhan Taken to Quarantine Facility
A group of 324 Indians that arrived via an Air India flight at聽Delhi Airport Saturday morning has been sent to quarantine.
Indian news agency ANI reports that the group was taken to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Chhawla Camp in Manesar, where they will be kept in isolation for 14 days while under medical observation.
Chinese authorities barred six Indians from taking the flight to Delhi after it was deemed that the six were suffering from high fevers, according to Indian daily newspaper Economic Times.
The paper reports that another flight is scheduled to leave Delhi today around 12:50 p.m. local time to evacuate Indians from Wuhan.
India confirmed its first and so far only case of coronavirus on Friday morning, which involved a student in Kerala who studied at Wuhan University. The student is in stable condition and is being kept in an isolation ward at a hospital.
Australia’s Qantas Airlines Suspends Flights to China as Country Confirms 10th Case
Australia’s flag carrier Qantas聽announced Saturday local time that it will suspend its two direct services to mainland China (Sydney-Beijing and Sydney-Shanghai) Feb. 9 to March 29.
“This follows entry restrictions imposed by countries including Singapore and the United States, which impact the movement of crew who work across the Qantas International network.
“These entry restrictions pose significant logistical challenges for rostering crew to operate mainland China services, leading to the need to temporarily suspend these flights.
“There is no change to Qantas services to Hong Kong as it’s exempt from current travel restrictions.”
Earlier on Saturday, the total cases of new coronavirus in Australia rose to 10 after a woman in her 20s was confirmed to be infected, according to local reports.
The woman, who lives in Melbourne, Victoria, is now the fourth case of coronavirus in the state. She had traveled to Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, and returned to Australia on Jan. 25. She became ill two days later. She was seen by doctors in a hospital in Melbourne on Jan. 30 and was deemed well enough to stay at home, where she currently remains since being tested.
Click here for updates from聽Jan. 31.
This article is from the Internet:Live Updates on Coronavirus Outbreak: UK Withdraws Some Staff from China Embassy, Consulates, Citing Coronavirus