Latest on coronavirus
Six medical workers are among the latest victims in China of the novel coronavirus as the death toll nears 1,400. Here are the latest developments.
Death toll nears 1,400
The death toll from China’s epidemic nears 1,400, according to authorities, with six medical workers among the victims. Nearly 64,000 people are now recorded as having fallen ill in China. Officials reveal that 1,716 health workers had been infected as of Tuesday, underscoring the risks doctors and nurses have taken due to shortages of protective gear. Japan reports its first death of an infected person – the third fatality outside mainland China after the Philippines and Hong Kong. More than 500 people have now been contaminated in around 30 countries outside China, which includes the autonomous territories of Hong Kong and Macao.
US changes tone
After initially praising Beijing for its response to the virus, Washington says it feels let down by a lack of transparency from China. Larry Kudlow, a senior White House economic official, contradicts President Donald Trump’s upbeat message towards Beijing, expressing disappointment that it has declined Washington’s offer to send experts to China. China has defended its record on transparency towards the international community in its response to the spread of the new virus.
Passengers exit ship off Japan coast
evacuating a quarantined cruise ship off Japan’s coast, letting 11 passengers aged 80 and over or in poor health off the Diamond Princess who have tested negative for the virus. More than 200 people on board the ship, the biggest centre of the virus outside China, have been diagnosed with the virus since it arrived off Japan on February 3 and was placed in quarantine.
Airline revenues hit hard
The outbreak could mean a reduction of $4-5bn in worldwide airline revenue, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) says. The UN agency reports that 70 airlines have cancelled all international flights in and out of China and 50 others have reduced their operations.