Another 39 people have tested positive for coronavirus on a cruise ship quarantined in Japan, bringing the total to 175, as China reported another drop in the number of new cases.
The viral infection claimed 97 more lives on Wednesday, pushing the total past 1,100. Some 2,015 new cases reported, the National Health Commission said, declining for a second day, with the total number of cases at 44,653.
Meanwhile, pupils at several schools in Brighton were told they could stay at home after a couple of teachers feared they had come into contact with the virus.
It came as the World Health Organisation announced the coronavirus would be named Covid-19.
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WHO chief thanks Cambodia for letting cruise ship dock despite virus fears
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), has thanked Cambodia for accepting a cruise ship which has been turned away by five countries over fears passengers on board may have coronavirus.
The MS Westerdam, which has more than 2,000 people on board, has been allowed to dock and disembark its passengers in a Cambodian sea port after being refused entry by nearby countries.
“All approvals have been received and we are extremely grateful to the Cambodian authorities for their support,” a statement from Holland American Line, the ship’s operator, said.
The ship is expected to arrive at Sihanoukville, Cambodia, on Thursday morning.
“My sincere thanks to the government of Cambodia and prime minister Hun Sen for clearing the way for Westerdam Cruise ship to dock at Sihanoukville soon,” Mr Tedros said.
“This is a welcome act of solidarity at a time when the world has a window of opportunity to stop coronavirus and avoid stigma and fear.”
China coronavirus death toll rises to 1,116
The death toll from coronavirus in China has risen slightly to 1,116, up by three since this morning, according to figures shared by Deutsche Welle’s William Yang.
The total number of confirmed cases has also risen to 44,742 – up from 44,653 – in the latest release of figures.
However, Tseng Guang, a Chinese infectious disease expert, has said the recent decline in confirmed cases may be due to case registration lagging behind the actual rate of infection.
US businesses feel pressure from coronavirus closures
Many small business owners in the US are facing shortages of products or component because the coronavirus outbreak has forced Chinese suppliers to temporarily shut down.
In a sign of how the outbreak could harm the global economy, US business owners have been left in limbo as many factories in China have been forced to close for weeks.
“There's no guarantee now when they're going to be up and running,” Romy Taormina, a producer of anti-nausea wristbands, told AP.
Some businesses are said to be looking for alternative ways to fill orders and even considering moving their manufacturing to another country in light of the ongoing crisis.
It is unknown how long the current outbreak will last, prompting fears of a prolonged period of disruption like the SARS outbreak which first appeared in China in 2002 and led to a global epidemic which lasted until July 2003.
Additional reporting by AP
Mr Bean impersonator becomes social media star in Wuhan
A Mr Bean impersonator from the UK has become an online celebrity in the virus-hit city of Wuhan after choosing to stay in the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak.
Nigel Dixon, known as Mr Pea, has refused to leave the locked-down area, ignoring advice from family, friends and the UK government, and has instead started filming videos of his experience in the city.
“If I leave Wuhan, it is possible that I could spread the virus to others and I found this would be selfish of me,” Mr Dixon said in one of his videos.
“So I decided to stay and in doing so, I rented an apartment to start my solitary life.”
The Rowan Atkinson character is incredibly popular in Asia, with the comedian recently reprising his role in a film called Top Funny Comedian which was only released in China.
The film, which was released in 2017, also featured an appearance from American boxer Evander Holyfield, according to IMDB.
Local Tory leader apologises after Brighton councillor says health officials ‘hiding something’
Brighton’s Conservative leader Steve Bell has apologised after a fellow councillor accused health officials of “intentionally hiding” information about coronavirus.
Councillor Samer Bagaeen suggested that the number of people infected by the so-called “super spreader”, who has since recovered, could have been much higher than reported.
“I think they have not been straight with everyone from the start and have intentionally hid the implications of the infections,” Mr Bagaeen told The Argus newspaper.
Although Mr Bell did not explicitly refer to Mr Bagaeen, he said recent comments about the outbreak might have caused “unnecessary and avoidable alarm” and apologised on his party’s behalf.
Our reporter Harry Cockburn has the full story below:
Local Tory leader apologises after Brighton councillor said health officials ‘hiding something’ over coronavirus
Samer Bagaeen claimed infection was ‘spiralling out of control’ after five confirmed cases in East Sussex city
Hong Kong Sevens likely to be postponed
The Hong Kong Sevens sporting event scheduled for April is likely to be delayed until November, the South China Morning Post reported.
No reason to cancel major tech conference, Spain says
There is no reason to cancel the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona over corona fears, Spanish health officials have said, despite several major companies pulling out of the event.
Alba Verges, the official in charge of health in the regional government, told a news conference, "There's no reason to cancel any event in Barcelona, like Mobile World Congress."
The national health minister, Salvador Illa, said the government's goal was protecting people's health, but that it would take additional measures if necessary.
Nokia joins companies pulling out of major tech conference
Nokia has joined several other tech companies in pulling out of a major conference amid fears over the coronavirus.
The company joins Facebook, Amazon, LG and Sony, Andrew Griffin reports:
Another major company cancels plans amid coronavirus fears
Organisers insist event will go ahead despite worries over spread of disease
Over 100 coronavirus tests conducted in Scotland
The number of people tested for coronavirus in Scotland has increased by 24 in a day.
Figures from the Scottish government show there had been 106 negative cases north of the border, with no positive results for the strain of coronavirus known as Covid-19.
Figures from the Scottish government show there had been 106 negative cases north of the border, with no positive results for the strain of coronavirus known as Covid-19.
It comes after the number of people in Scotland tested for coronavirus had doubled in 48 hours.
'Super-spreader' issues statement on release from hospital
On his release from hospital, Mr Walsh said: "I'm happy to be home and feeling well.
"I want to give a big thank you to the NHS who have been great throughout and my thoughts are with everyone around the world who continues to be affected by the virus.
"I want to give a big thank you to the NHS who have been great throughout and my thoughts are with everyone around the world who continues to be affected by the virus.
"It's good to be back with my family and I would ask you please to respect our privacy from this point on."
NHS response to super-spreader hospital release
Professor Keith Willett, NHS strategic incident director, said: “I’m pleased to say that - following two negative tests for coronavirus, twenty-four hours apart - Mr Walsh has been discharged from Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, having made a full recovery following his treatment.
“Mr Walsh’s symptoms were mild and he is no longer contagious, and poses no risk to the public, he is keen to return to his normal life and spend time with his family out of the media spotlight.
“I would like to thank the clinical team who treated Mr Walsh in hospital, as well as all the NHS staff who are working hard with other health organisations to limit the spread of coronavirus and treat the small numbers who have contracted the illness.
“Anyone with any health concerns should contact NHS 111.”
No new UK coronavirus cases
Here are the latest coronavirus figures from the Department of Health.
The number of confirmed cases still remains at eight.
Here are the latest coronavirus figures from the Department of Health.
The number of confirmed cases still remains at eight.
There have been 1,758 tests across the UK so far, with 1,750 confirmed negative and eight positive.
UK coronavirus 'super-spreader' released from hospital
Businessman Steve Walsh, the man at the centre of a UK outbreak of coronavirus, has been discharged from hospital and is no longer contagious.
Mr Walsh was being treated at the specialist infectious diseases unit at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London but has now been given the all-clear to return home.
The 53-year-old scout leader, from Hove, in East Sussex, contracted the virus on a business trip to Singapore and is linked to five other people diagnosed with the virus in the UK.
On his way back to the UK from Singapore, he stopped off at a ski region in France, where five other Britons were subsequently infected with the virus, now also known as Covid-19.
Businessman Steve Walsh, the man at the centre of a UK outbreak of coronavirus, has been discharged from hospital and is no longer contagious.
Mr Walsh was being treated at the specialist infectious diseases unit at Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust in London but has now been given the all-clear to return home.
The 53-year-old scout leader, from Hove, in East Sussex, contracted the virus on a business trip to Singapore and is linked to five other people diagnosed with the virus in the UK.
On his way back to the UK from Singapore, he stopped off at a ski region in France, where five other Britons were subsequently infected with the virus, now also known as Covid-19.
'Teaching children good hygiene is best way to stop virus spreading'
A parent from a primary school in Brighton which is allowing pupils to stay home amid coronavirus fears has said they are continuing to send their child to class.
Hangleton Primary School messaged parents on Tuesday saying while there is a low risk for anyone attending school, they will authorise absences for families wishing to self-isolate.
However the parent, who chose to remain anonymous, told PA: "I think that if the virus is around, keeping your child off school probably wouldn't help.
"Teaching your child good hygiene is the best way we can help prevent the virus spreading.
"My daughter is five years old. I have told her not to cuddle anybody like she normally does."
The parent also said they have directed their daughter to drink from a water bottle rather than the fountain and gave her a bottle of hand sanitiser.
They said around half of their daughter's class were not in school on Wednesday.
A parent from a primary school in Brighton which is allowing pupils to stay home amid coronavirus fears has said they are continuing to send their child to class.
Hangleton Primary School messaged parents on Tuesday saying while there is a low risk for anyone attending school, they will authorise absences for families wishing to self-isolate.
However the parent, who chose to remain anonymous, told PA: "I think that if the virus is around, keeping your child off school probably wouldn't help.
"Teaching your child good hygiene is the best way we can help prevent the virus spreading.
"My daughter is five years old. I have told her not to cuddle anybody like she normally does."
The parent also said they have directed their daughter to drink from a water bottle rather than the fountain and gave her a bottle of hand sanitiser.
They said around half of their daughter's class were not in school on Wednesday.
Authorities hunt for patients who came into contact with infected GPs
Health authorities are working to trace a number of patients who came into contact with two GPs diagnosed with the coronavirus in the UK.
One of the doctors had been working as a locum at Worthing Hospital and is among the eight confirmed cases of coronavirus to date.
Public health officials know the pair worked at a nursing home, Worthing A&E and two GP practices between them.
Their direct contact with patients is thought to be limited to around 12 people, although they have come into contact with non-patients and other NHS staff.
Staff at Worthing Hospital received a memo on Tuesday telling them that a member of staff working in the A&E department had been diagnosed with the virus.
It said: "They treated a small number of patients on 4 and 5 February before they became unwell, followed advice and self-isolated."
Chinese man runs 31 miles while under lockdown
A Chinese man has made good use of his time under quarantine by running 31 miles around his living room.
Pan Shancu has run 6,250 laps around a track made up of two large tables set up inside his apartment in Hangzhou, The Guardian reported.
He said each lap was about 8m and he ran more than six thousand in four hours, 48 minutes and 44 seconds.
Chinese Grand Prix officially postponed due to coronavirus outbreak
The Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed due to the outbreak of coronavirus, following a plea from the race promoter to call off the scheduled race on 19 April. More follows…
Cruise ship stranded at sea finally allowed to dock
A cruise ship which has been turned away from five countries over fears someone on board may have the coronavirus has been allowed to dock in Cambodia.
The MS Westerdam, a Holland America Line ship with 1,455 passengers and 802 crew on board, will dock at the sea port of Sihanoukville on Thursday, the company said.
The ship - which says it has no sick passengers - has been turned away from Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, Guam and the Philippines.
Russia discharges second Chinese national
A second Chinese national has been discharged from hospital in the Russian city of Chita after he recovered from a coronavirus infection.
The other patient, also a Chinese national, was said by authorities on Tuesday to have recovered and been released from quarantine in Siberia's Tyumen region.
Russia has isolated hundreds of Russian and Chinese nationals for virus screening upon arrival from China.
All NHS services in Brighon and Hove open after two GP practices closed
Two GP practices in Brighton and Hove had been closed on Tuesday for cleaning over Covid-19 fears, but are now open with some disruption to appointments.
A spokesman for NHS Brighton and Hove CCG added: "All other NHS services in Brighton and Hove are open as usual and measures are in place to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.
"Following the announcement last week that one of the confirmed 2019 Novel Coronavirus cases in the UK is from the Brighton and Hove area, Public Health England is carrying out a thorough risk assessment to trace this individual's movements in the last fortnight."
A statement on the website for County Oak Medical Centre - operator of previously closed Warmdene and Carden surgeries - seeks to reassure patients that the facilities have been "extensively and rigorously cleaned throughout".
It added: "We would like to sincerely thank all patients, carers, colleagues and friends for their patience, understanding and kind words, while we have been dealing with some health and safety concerns at the medical centre.
"Both Warmdene and Carden surgeries would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff for their help and support to bring about a swift re-opening of the practices under difficult circumstances."
