The coronavirus outbreak shows no sign of slowing after more than 5,000 new cases were reported.
More people in the UK may need to self-isolate in a bid to stop the spread of the deadly disease, the chief executive of the NHS warned as more than 80 people were allowed to leave quarantine following 14 days in isolation.
Meanwhile, it emerged the woman who is the UK’s ninth case of the virus took an Uber to A&E after she developed symptoms of coronavirus, also known as Covid-19.
Two staff from Lewisham hospital, in south London, are now in isolation at home after coming into contact with the woman, who contracted the virus in China before flying back to the UK.
Coronavirus kills six health workers
At least 1,716 health workers have been infected by the coronavirus and six of them have died, China's National Health Commission vice minister, Zeng Yixin, has said.
Mr Zeng said the number of infected medical staff was increasing.
Chinese officials and hospitals have repeatedly noted a shortage of protective equipment such as face masks.
First repatriated French nationals leave quarantine
The first group of French nationals repatriated from China due to the coronavirus outbreak have returned to the outside world after two weeks in quarantine.
None of the 181 involved - who had been flown home from Wuhan, the epicentre of the epidemic - tested positive for the virus, local health officials said.
"There have been no problems ...but people are happy that it's over," Marc Zyltman, Red Cross head at the southern holiday resort of Carry-Le-Rouet where they were quarantined, said.
A further 157 people remain in quarantine in southern France, of whom 122 will be allowed home on 16 February and the remainder on 23 February.
France has recorded 11 cases of the virus.
No case for cancelling or moving Tokyo games
The International Olympic Committee has been advised by the World Health Organisation that there is no case for contingency plans to cancel or relocate the Tokyo 2020 Olympics over the coronavirus outbreak, according to the IOC's Coordination Commission head.
"Advice that we have received externally from WHO is that there is no case for any contingency plans of cancelling the Games or moving the Games," John Coates told reporters.
The Summer Olympics are due to be held in Tokyo from 24 July.
China's National Health Commission has recorded 121 new deaths and 5,090 new cases of coronavirus on the mainland, taking the total number of infected people to 63,851.
Some 55,748 people are undergoing treatment and 1,380 have died from the virus.
The latest toll takes into account some deaths that had been double counted in Hubei, the epicentre of the virus, the health commission said.
UK coronavirus case 'attended Westminster conference'
One of the UK's coronavirus cases reportedly attended a conference with more than 200 delegates in central London.
One of the UK's coronavirus cases reportedly attended a conference with more than 200 delegates in central London.
The patient attended the UK Bus Summit at the QEII Centre in Westminster on 6 February.
Transport Times, the conference organiser, emailed attendees on Thursday afternoon on the instruction of Public Health England (PHE), informing them that a person confirmed to have the virus had been at the event, according to the Financial Times.
The email enclosed a letter from PHE saying delegates should take no action if they were well but to stay indoors, avoid contact with others and call NHS 111 if they developed symptoms such as a fever or cough.
"While the degree of contact you may have had with the case at the summit is unlikely to have been significant, we are taking a precautionary approach and informing you," the letter said.
The bus conference listed about 250 delegates from the nationwide bus and transport industry.
NHS says more people may need to self-isolate
Many more people in the UK may need to self-isolate to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the chief executive of the NHS has said.
Speaking after more than 80 people quarantined at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral were allowed to leave following 14 days in isolation, Sir Simon Stevens said: "As our first group of guests leaves Arrowe Park Hospital, we want to thank them for the highly responsible, pragmatic and stoical way they have played their part in keeping both themselves and others safe.
"They have set an important example, recognising that over the coming weeks many more of us may need to self-isolate at home for a period to reduce this virus's spread."
The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said those quarantined had been given a clean bill of health and people "can be reassured that their departure presents no risk to the public".
Japan vows to step up testing and containment efforts
Japan has vowed to step up testing and containment efforts after suffering its first coronavirus death.
The biggest cluster of infections outside China is on a cruise liner quarantined in a Japanese port, with 218 people on board confirmed as infected and taken off to hospital.
On Friday, some of the ship's passengers were allowed to disembark - with priority given to older passengers who have been confined to windowless cabins - to complete their quarantine on shore.
A woman in her 80s living in Kanagawa prefecture, west of Tokyo, became Japan's first fatality from the virus, the health ministry said on Thursday. She had been transferred between hospitals as her condition worsened and was only confirmed as having the coronavirus after her death.
Public Health England comments on news of coronavirus case attending Westminster conference
"While the degree of contact conference delegates may have had with the case is unlikely to have been significant, we have taken a precautionary approach and informed them of the situation."
"One of our main priorities has been to identify any people who we think have been in close contact with confirmed cases of Covid-19 to provide public health advice, as they may be at slightly increased risk of catching the virus," said Dr Yimmy Chow, consultant in health protection at Public Health England.
"While the degree of contact conference delegates may have had with the case is unlikely to have been significant, we have taken a precautionary approach and informed them of the situation."
Singapore has reported nine new coronavirus cases, its biggest daily jump, taking the total to 67, local media reported.
China's president tells Communist Party to fix problems exposed by outbreak
Xi Jinping, China's president, has told the ruling Communist Party to fix various problems, loopholes and weaknesses exposed during the coronavirus outbreak, state TV reported.
Xi Jinping, China's president, has told the ruling Communist Party to fix various problems, loopholes and weaknesses exposed during the coronavirus outbreak, state TV reported.
"To ensure people's life safety and health is a major task of our party's governance," Mr Xi was quoted as saying at a meeting of a committee on deepening reforms.
He also said Beijing would move to improve medical insurance and treatment systems for major diseases.
Plane held at Heathrow over coronavirus fears
A passenger plane was held at Heathrow this morning after a passenger was suspected of having coronavirus.
"Just landed @heathrow T2 and captain has announced that someone on the plane has suspected #coronavirus," Neeraj Malhotra tweeted.
"Noone allowed to leave the plane! waiting for doctor confirmation expected either way. person isolated at the back of the plane. 🤞🏽false alarm!"
The United Airlines plane, flight 901, arrived in London from San Francisco. Passengers were later allowed to disembark, Sky News reported.
Vietnam turns away cruiseship
Vietnam has turned away a German-owned cruise ship with more than 1,000 passengers on board over coronavirus fears, state media reported.
Authorities in Quang Ninh province, home to the UNESCO world heritage site Ha Long Bay, decided on Tuesday not to allow passengers of the ship AIDAvita to disembark on Thursday, the official Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported.
"The vessel has docked in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, which have all reported coronavirus cases," VNA said.
"Not allowing AIDIvita's passengers to disembark is just a temporary solution to prevent the intrusion of diseases," VNA cited a local official as saying.
"The vessel has docked in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore, which have all reported coronavirus cases," VNA said.
"Not allowing AIDIvita's passengers to disembark is just a temporary solution to prevent the intrusion of diseases," VNA cited a local official as saying.
United Airlines comments on suspected coronavirus case
Following reports of a suspected coronavirus case on a flight from San Francisco to Heathrow, which landed this morning, United Airlines said in a statement: "Our team at London Heathrow Airport is providing assistance related to United flight 901 (San Francisco-London Heathrow) today, following reports of an individual becoming unwell onboard.
"The safety of our customers and employees is our highest priority and we continue to work closely with local authorities."
Dutch airline apologies for note barring passengers from using toilet due to coronavirus
KLM has apologised after a passenger accused the airline of barring Koreans from using a plane toilet over coronavirus fears, Cathy Adams writes.
A crew member had posted a handwritten note in Korean, which said “lavatory for crew members only”, on a toilet door.
Images of the sign sparked outcry in South Korea – as it was not also written in English.
KLM apologises after Korean-only note barring passengers from using plane toilets sparks outcry
‘You owe my friend and Korea a HUGE apology,’ – one Twitter commentatorHong Kong pledges handouts to hospitals and businesses
Carrie Lam has pedged handouts totalling HK$25bn (£2.5bn) to the Hospital Authority and businesses grappling with the coronavirus outbreak.
The leader of the Chinese-ruled city said the government would provide HK$4.7bn (£464m) to the Hospital Authority in addition to a series of one-off payments to retailers and others impacted by the outbreak.
Hong Kong has 56 confirmed cases of the virus, which has killed one person in the city.
Vietnam has denied a second cruise ship permission to dock amid fears of coronavirus infections on board, Reuters reported.
US firms in Vietnam hit by supply chain issues
US manufacturing firms operating in Vietnam are suffering supply chain issues due to the coronavirus outbreak, according to a survey of American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) members in Vietnam, the business chamber said.
"More than half of our members in the manufacturing sector are experiencing difficulty sourcing supplies/materials due to disruptions from the coronavirus," said AmCham executive director, Adam Sitkoff.
More than one-third of members say current supply chain disruptions are already seriously impacting their company's global operations, the statement said, adding that the biggest challenges are securing alternative materials and goods, along with inventory management.
"Supply chain disruptions and travel restrictions are and will continue to impact many business sectors," Mr Sitkoff said.
MP attended summit with attendee who tested positive for coronavirus
A Labour MP has said he attended the UK bus summit in London, where there was another attendee who tested positive for coronavirus, and has called the NHS for an assessment.
Alex Sobel, for Leeds North West, tweeted: "I attended the UK bus summit on the 6 Feb, where there was an attendee who has tested positive for coronavirus.
"Whilst I have been informed that I am at very low risk, I have called 111 to be formally assessed."
He added: "Just to be clear I'm not exhibiting any symptoms."
A Labour MP has said he attended the UK bus summit in London, where there was another attendee who tested positive for coronavirus, and has called the NHS for an assessment.
Alex Sobel, for Leeds North West, tweeted: "I attended the UK bus summit on the 6 Feb, where there was an attendee who has tested positive for coronavirus.
"Whilst I have been informed that I am at very low risk, I have called 111 to be formally assessed."
He added: "Just to be clear I'm not exhibiting any symptoms."
Mr Sobel, the Labour MP for Leeds North West who attended a conference with another attendee who later tested positive for coronavirus, said he had cancelled all engagements until after the 14-day incubation period.
He added: "If you think you may have been in contact with someone who has coronavirus, self-isolate and call 111 for an assessment more here."
No new coronavirus cases in UK
There have been no new coronavirus cases recorded in the UK after nearly 3,000 people were tested for the disease.
Nine people have tested positive so far.
