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This week, the case incidence continued to be low in the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Figure 1). From 5 to 11 February, three new confirmed cases were reported in Beni Health Zone, North Kivu Province. All three cases have epidemiological links to a transmission chain originating in Aloya Health Area, Mabalako Health Zone, with possible nosocomial exposure in Beni. The most recent case reported from Beni Health Zone on 11 February was isolated one day after symptom onset. Early detection of cases reduces the probability of transmission of EVD in the community and significantly improves the clinical outcome for the patients. In the past 21 days (22 January to 11 February 2020), 12 confirmed cases, including three community deaths, were reported from four health areas within two active health zones in North Kivu Province (Figure 2, Table 1): Beni (n=11) and Mabalako (n=1). It has been 42 days since Katwa Health Zone has reported new cases. The continued reduction of geographic spread of EVD cases and the declining trend in case incidence observed in the past 21 days are encouraging; however, these improvements remain fragile and should not be interpreted as an indication that response efforts can be reduced. Continued vigilance is essential to improve infection prevention and control in health care facilities, as well as ensuring early identification and follow up of cases and contacts. View the full article

Coronavirus: Brighton GP practice closes after staff member tests positive 33 minutes ago Share this with Facebook Share this with Messenger Share this with Twitter Share this with Email Share Related Topics Coronavirus outbreak Image copyrightPA WIRE A GP practice in Brighton has been temporarily closed after a staff member tested positive for coronavirus. Patients at the city's County Oak medical centre have been advised to contact the NHS 111 phone service if they have concerns. Two of the eight people diagnosed in the UK are understood to be GPs. The Department of Health has called the virus a "serious and imminent threat" to public health, but the overall risk to the population is "moderate". However, the risk to individuals is low, the department said. A school in Southampton has also closed over concerns about the virus. St Mary's Independent School said the "precautionary" three-day closure came after "members of the school community" became ill, having recently travelled to China. Brackley Medical Centre in Northamptonshire was also closed as a precautionary measure, but later reopened. There have been more than 40,000 cases of the virus globally, mostly in China. The total number of deaths in China is now 1,011. Coronavirus: How worried should we be? A visual guide to the coronavirus outbreak Coronavirus super-spreaders: Why are they important? Four new UK cases were announced on Monday - taking the total number of people infected in the UK to eight. Two of the new cases are understood to be GPs - one of whom works at the County Oak medical centre. A sign put up at the surgery said it had been closed "for extensive cleaning as a precautionary measure" and would be open as soon as possible, hopefully on Tuesday afternoon. One of the eight UK cases is a British man who caught the virus at a conference in Singapore and travelled to a ski resort in France. He was diagnosed in Brighton, and is being treated at St Thomas' Hospital in London. He has been linked to five of the other cases. Image copyrightEDDIE MITCHELL Image captionCounty Oak Medical Centre In addition to the eight cases in the UK, five British nationals tested positive in France following the Brighton man's trip to the ski resort. A British man has also been diagnosed with coronavirus in Majorca after coming into contact with a carrier in France. Tedros Adhanom - director general of the World Health Organization - told a press conference on Monday that cases such as those in the UK and France "could be the spark that becomes a bigger fire". "But for now, it's only a spark," he said. "Our objective remains containment." Meanwhile, the Department of Health has introduced new measures in England that mean those in quarantine will not be free to leave their accommodation, and can be forcibly sent into isolation if they pose a threat. The move comes after a passenger on the first UK flight from Wuhan, who is being held in quarantine on the Wirral, had been "threatening to abscond" despite signing a contract agreeing to the isolation period. What are the symptoms of coronavirus and what can help stop its spread? The main signs of infection are fever (high temperature) and a cough as well as shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. Frequent hand washing with soap or gel, avoiding close contact with people who are ill and not touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands, can help cut the risk of infection. Catching coughs and sneezes in a tissue, binning it and washing your hands can minimise the risk of spreading disease. Anyone experiencing symptoms, even if mild, after travelling from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau, is advised to stay indoors and call the NHS 111 phone service. What is the government doing? The main focus is on rapidly identifying people with the disease and taking them to specialist hospitals for treatment in isolation. They are then tracing anybody who has come into close contact with patients to make sure they know the signs of the disease and what to do. Arrowe Park Hospital, on the Wirral, and Kents Hill Park conference centre, in Milton Keynes, have been designated as "isolation" facilities in the UK. Evacuees from Wuhan who travelled to the UK on two flights chartered by the Foreign Office are currently in quarantine at those locations. Image copyrightEPA Image captionPassengers on Sunday's flight from Wuhan were taken to Kents Hill Park conference centre, in Milton Keynes Getty Images Spread of coronavirus 40,000+cases of the virus globally 908deaths in China, as of Sunday 9 February 27other countries, at least, it has spread to 1%of people infected go on to die, it's estimated Sources: China National Health Commission, WHO Collaborating Centre for Infectious Disease Modelling Coronavirus: Your travel rights explained Your questions answered One British man, who asked to remain anonymous, has described his journey to quarantine in Milton Keynes after flying back from Wuhan. He said he and his wife, who is a Chinese national, had been in a town in Hubei province and were unable to reach Wuhan to fly back to the UK - but the Foreign Office organised a coach to pick them up. He said he was "relieved to have been able to get out", and compared scenes in Hubei with "something out of a post-apocalyptic movie". How serious is the threat? A statement published on the Department of Health website earlier on Monday said the "incidence or transmission of novel coronavirus constitutes a serious and imminent threat to public health". However, Whitehall sources say that announcement was made to help enforce the new quarantine powers. BBC health editor Hugh Pym said the "over dramatic" language was likely to have been used for "obscure legal reasons". The department confirmed on Twitter that the risk to the public has not changed. That risk has been declared as "moderate" - a level which allows the government to plan for all eventualities, officials say. Ultimately, the government maintains that the risk to individuals remains "low". https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-51447761

'Super-spreader' brought coronavirus from Singapore to Sussex via France Businessman appears to have unwittingly passed bug to at least 11 Britons in three countries Haroon Siddique Mon 10 Feb 2020 08.02 EST Last modified on Mon 10 Feb 2020 18.07 EST Shares 504 The businessman is now in an isolation unit at St Thomas’ hospital in London. Photograph: Hollie Adams/Getty Images Three weeks ago, when knowledge of the coronavirus was still in its infancy, a middle-aged man from Hove, East Sussex, travelled to Singapore for a sales conference. The event, organised by his firm, Servomex, was a chance to sharpen up sales skills and network with colleagues from other countries in the plush surrounds of the five-star Grand Hyatt hotel, where rooms can cost £1,000 a night. The trip exposed the Sussex businessman to the Wuhan coronavirus and in the days after the conference it is believed he passed the bug to at least 11 Britons in three countries, prompting concerns about the danger posed by so-called super-spreaders. The unnamed man, the first Briton to have tested positive for coronavirus, attended the sales conference from 20 to 22 January. He was among 94 delegates – out of a total of 109 – who travelled from abroad. The foreign delegates included one from Wuhan, the Chinese city at the centre of the outbreak. Guardian Today: the headlines, the analysis, the debate - sent direct to you Read more Advertisement After the conference, the Briton travelled to the French ski resort of Les Contamines-Montjoie near Mont Blanc, where he stayed with his family between 24 and 28 January. He flew back to the UK on a busy easyJet flight from Geneva to Gatwick. Still oblivious to the fact he had the virus, which has a two-week incubation period, he returned home and on the evening of 1 February he visited a local pub, The Grenadier, in Hove. It was only after being informed by the conference organisers that another delegate had contracted the virus that he alerted the public health authorities and subsequently tested positive. As protocol dictates, a scramble began to identify all those with whom he had been in contact to ascertain whether they too had been infected. Five workers at The Grenadier were instructed to self-isolate. The man’s travels in the intervening period multiplied the number of people he had potentially infected, and cases linked to him began to emerge. On Saturday, the French health minister, Agnès Buzyn, said five British citizens, including a nine-year-old child, had tested positive for the coronavirus. They had stayed in a chalet in Les Contamines-Montjoie, which had been visited by the businessman from Hove. Buzyn said another six UK nationals were being kept under observation in French hospitals, and two schools the nine-year-old visited were being shut as a precaution. On Sunday, more cases linked to the businessman emerged. Public Health England (PHE) said another patient in the UK had tested positive after the virus was passed on in France from another already confirmed UK case. It was announced that a British man living in Mallorca, who had been in Les Contamines-Montjoie with his family until 29 January, had also tested positive. Advertisement On Monday, it was confirmed that a further four people in the UK – three men and a woman in Brighton – had tested positive for coronavirus. The chief medical officer, Prof Chris Whitty, said all were “known contacts of a previously confirmed UK case, and the virus was passed on in France”. Dr Andrew Freedman, a reader in infectious diseases at Cardiff University, said: “This is not particularly surprising but it does appear that the index case has passed on the infection to an unusually large number of contacts. As such, he could be termed a super-spreader.” Share your story Share your stories If you have been affected or have any information, we'd like to hear from you. You can get in touch by filling in the form below, anonymously if you wish or contact us via WhatsApp by clicking here or adding the contact +44(0)7867825056. Only the Guardian can see your contributions and one of our journalists may contact you to discuss further. Tell us The Hove businessman is in an isolation unit at St Thomas’s hospital in London, having been transferred from Brighton on Thursday. The effort to identify and – where necessary – isolate and test people who may have been in contact with him continues. Those potentially at risk include passengers who sat near him on flight EZS8481 from Geneva to Gatwick on 28 January. Dr Nick Phin, a deputy director of the National Infection Service at PHE, said: “Our priority is speaking to those people who have had close and sustained contact with confirmed cases so that we can advise them on what they can do to limit the spread of the virus.” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/10/super-spreader-brought-coronavirus-from-singapore-to-sussex-via-france

British coronavirus ‘superspreader’ may have infected at least 11 people in three countries A worker in protective clothing cleans the floor of a pharmacy attached to the County Oak Medical Center in Brighton, England, after it closed following reports that a staff member was infected with the coronavirus. (Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images) By Karla Adam Feb. 10, 2020 at 9:55 p.m. EST LONDON — The story of a traveling British businessman who appears to have passed the coronavirus to Britons in at least three countries has prompted concerns over a "superspreader," who could play an outsize role in transmitting the infection. A British national, who has not been named, may have unwittingly spread the virus to at least 11 people in the course of his travels from Singapore to France to Switzerland to England, according to public health authorities and accounts in the British media. Infected Britons in England, France and Spain probably caught the virus from him. The businessman, one of the first British nationals to test positive for the virus, works for the gas analysis company Servomex, according to the Guardian. He traveled to Singapore for work Jan. 20 and departed Jan. 22, the paper reported. He is thought to have contracted the virus while he was there. AD As of Monday, China reported 908 deaths and about 40,000 cases of the coronavirus, as the epidemic continues to worsen. Eight cases have been confirmed in Britain. The coronavirus can spread quickly between humans, usually through close person-to-person contact and respiratory droplets. Authorities in the U.K. and beyond are scrambling to trace the businessman’s tracks from the time he caught the virus to when he tested positive in Britain several days later. From Singapore, he reportedly stopped at a French ski resort, boarded a flight, dropped by a pub in his hometown and may have gone to a medical clinic. Authorities are getting in touch with those who may have come into close contact with him. Researchers say that the incubation period for the virus can last from about three to 14 days. A view of Les Contamines-Montjoie, near Mont Blanc in the French Alps, where five British nationals have tested positive for the coronavirus. (Alex Martin/AFP/Getty Images) After leaving Singapore, the businessman visited a chalet in Les Contamines-Montjoie, a ski resort in the French Alps. According to the French Health Ministry, five British citizens, including a 9-year-old, also stayed at the chalet and tested positive for the virus. The Guardian reported that French authorities shut two schools the 9-year-old visited. Six other British nationals have been hospitalized for observation. AD On Sunday, French health officials announced two new cases linked to the ski resort. “We learned that there were two other cases linked to this cluster, two adults — one who was diagnosed in the United Kingdom and the other who was diagnosed in Mallorca — linked to a stay in the apartment in Les Contamines-Montjoie,” Jerome Salomon, a senior health official, said in a televised statement, Reuters reported. On Monday, British officials announced that four more people in Britain tested positive for the coronavirus. Chris Whitty, chief medical officer for England, said that the “new cases are all known contacts of a previously confirmed U.K. case, and the virus was passed on in France.” After spending time at the chalet in the Alps, the businessman traveled to Geneva, where he caught a flight to London’s Gatwick Airport on Jan. 28. Nearly 200 people were on board the plane. AD EasyJet, a discount airline, said that 183 passengers and six crew members were on the flight and that health authorities have contacted the passengers who were seated near the man in question. “[A]lthough the risk to others on board the flight is very low, crew who operated the flight have been advised to monitor their health for a 14 day period since the flight in line with Public Health England advice,” the airline said in a statement. “The original flight was 13 days ago and none are displaying any symptoms.” The businessman is reportedly from Hove, a town that neighbors Brighton. Together the two places are known as Brighton and Hove. On Monday, the BBC reported that a doctor’s clinic in Brighton had been temporarily closed after one of its staff members tested positive for the virus. As of Monday afternoon, authorities in Britain had carried out 1,114 tests for the virus. Eight came back positive. AD Adam Kucharski, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said that it was “reassuring from a control point of view that these cases are linked.” In the U.K. at the moment, he said, “we are not seeing five, 10 cases appearing that we’ve got no idea where they have come from.” On average, he said, those who are infected might pass it along to two people. Because coronavirus is spread via droplets that do not travel far, it would not be unusual for someone infected traveling by plane not to pass it to many — or any — other passengers. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/british-coronavirus-super-spreader-may-have-infected-at-least-11-people-in-three-countries/2020/02/10/016e9842-4c14-11ea-967b-e074d302c7d4_story.html

Toro, Ana (CDC/OD/OADC) <[email protected]> Mon 2/10/2020 10:19 PM CDC Confirms 13th Case of 2019 Novel Coronavirus CDC today confirmed another infection with 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in the United States that was detected in California. The patient who was under a federal quarantine order recently returned from Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019. This brings the total of number of 2019-nCoV cases in the United States to 13. CDC is conducting a thorough contact investigation of the person who has tested positive to determine contacts and to assess if those contacts had high risk exposures. For the latest information on the outbreak, visit CDC’s Novel Coronavirus 2019 website. Yes, it was one of the evacuees from Wuhan. It is in San Diego. MCAS Miramar Thanks, Ana Ana Toro, MA, APR Public Affairs Officer Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Office of the Associate Director for Communication Division of Public Affairs, News Media Branch, Office of the Director Support [email protected] Telework: Tuesday and Friday

From 29 January to 4 February four new confirmed cases were reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. View the full article

Media advisory February 2, 2020, OTTAWA, ON – The Government of Canada will hold a media availability to provide an update on the novel coronavirus (referred to as 2019-nCoV). Date February 3, 2020 Time 12:00 PM (EST) Location National Press Theatre 150 Wellington Street Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5A4 The media availability will also be held by teleconference. Toll-free (Canada/US) dial-in number: 1-866-805-7923 Passcode: 4653525# Contacts Media Inquiries: Media Relations Public Health Agency of Canada 613-957-2983 [email protected]

DOH REVEALS MORE NEGATIVE 2019-NCOV CASES; CONFIRMS FIRST NCOV ARD DEATH IN PH Press Release / 2 February 2020 The Department of Health (DOH) and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) today revealed that as of yesterday, February 1, 2020, twenty-four (24) patients under investigation (PUIs) tested negative for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) while two (2) tested positive. Samples from four (4) other PUIs are currently being tested at RITM. The two confirmed cases are the previously-announced 38-year-old Chinese female and her companion, a 44-year-old Chinese male who were both admitted for isolation and supportive treatment at San Lazaro Hospital in Sta. Cruz, Manila. Both patients are from Wuhan, China and arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong last January 21, 2020. The second confirmed case was admitted for pneumonia last January 25, 2020 after experiencing fever, cough, and sore throat. DOH also confirmed that the 44-year-old male died yesterday, February 1, 2020. Over the course of the patient’s admission, he developed severe pneumonia due to viral and bacterial infections (S. pneumoniae and Influenza B). In his last few days, the patient was stable and showed signs of improvement, however, the condition of the patient deteriorated within his last 24 hours resulting in his demise. “I would like to emphasize that this is an imported case with no evidence of local transmission. We are currently working with the Chinese Embassy to ensure the dignified management of the remains according to national and international standards to contain the disease,” Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III said. DOH is assuring the public that all measures needed to contain the spread of the virus is being strictly implemented and followed. San Lazaro Hospital has implemented rigorous infection control protocols while caring for these patients. Both patients were isolated following strict isolation standards, and all health personnel who came in contact with them practiced stringent infection control measures and wore appropriate personal protective equipment. The Epidemiology Bureau (EB) of the Department is currently conducting contact tracing of passengers aboard the flights of the two positive cases. EB has secured the manifestos of the flights and is in close coordination with the concerned airlines. Contact tracing activities are ongoing in Cebu and Dumaguete, and in other places where the patients stayed and traveled to. “The Philippine Government has already implemented a temporary travel ban for travelers coming from China, Macao, and Hong Kong. DOH is monitoring every development on the 2019-nCoV very closely and is taking proactive measures to contain the spread of this virus in our country. This health event is fast-evolving and fluid. We are continuously recalibrating our plans and efforts as the situation develops,” Duque assured. “We are providing the public with constant updates and advisories as frequently as possible, so all I ask from the public now is to heed the advisories from official DOH channels and to refrain from sharing unverified and unvalidated information. I assure the public that we will keep you abreast of any information that we have,” he added. Currently, there are no reports of community spread of the virus within the country. However, the public is still reminded to practice prevention measures such as proper hand hygiene and observance of cough etiquette. As of 12 NN yesterday, February 1, 2020, DOH has reported five (5) additional patients under investigation (PUIs), bringing the total recorded number of PUIs to thirty-six (36). Twenty-three (23) PUIs are currently admitted and isolated, while ten (10) have been discharged under strict monitoring. DOH also reported a total of two (2) confirmed cases with one (1) mortality. The previously-reported PUI mortality was found to be negative for 2019-nCoV. "The new developments warrant a more diligent approach in containing the threats of the 2019-nCoV. The Department of Health is continuously improving and scaling up its public health measures and reminds the public to remain calm and vigilant," Secretary Duque concluded. https://www.doh.gov.ph/press-release/DOH-reveals-more-negative-2019-nCoV-cases-confirms-first-nCoV-ARD-death-in-PH

On 9 and 13 January 2020, the National IHR Focal Point of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reported an additional two (2) laboratory-confirmed cases of Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) to WHO. The link below provides details of the 2 reported cases: View the full article

Conte, first two coronavirus cases confirmed in Italy These are two Chinese tourists traveling to Rome. They are hospitalized in Spallanzani. Conte: 'There is no cause for panic and alarm.' Their hotel room has been sealed Coronavirus is an alarm in Italy. Two cases have been identified in Rome. "The two confirmed cases are two Chinese tourists who have come to our country, the first two confirmed cases of Coronavirus." So the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte at a press conference at Palazzo Chigi. "We are vigilant and very careful: we have not been caught unprepared," said the prime minister. Air traffic to and from China has been closed, the Prime Minister said. " Spallanzani is the Bible in this area. There is no reason to create panic and social alarm ." "Careful checks are underway to reconstruct the route" of the two Chinese tourists, the first ascertained cases of Coronavirus in Italy, "to isolate their passageways, to avoid absolutely any further risk compared to that already established". So the Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in a press conference at Palazzo Chigi with the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza. "The onset of Coronavirus cases in Italy is" a fairly normal fact if we think of statistics, since there are already ten cases in Europe. It was quite probable, our scientists had said so for a long time ". Health Minister Roberto Speranza says at Palazzo Chigi." The situation is serious but there is no need to alarm, the situation is totally under control "the minister explains. " I am confident that the situation will remain confined," said the premier. "Minister Speranza has already adopted an ordinance that closes air traffic to and from China. We are the first EU country to adopt such a precautionary measure." The two Chinese tourists, the first ascertained cases of Coronavirus in Italy, are "hospitalized in isolation, are in good condition, it makes us think that there are no people exposed". The scientific director of Spallanzani of Rome Giuseppe Ippolito said during a press conference at Palazzo Chigi assuring that "at the moment there seems to be no risk" of outbreaks. The hotel room in the center of Rome where the Chinese couple now hospitalized in the Spallanzani hospital had stayed in the last few days. The couple of tourists rescued yesterday at the hotel in via Cavour had been in Italy for about 10 days. The room where the husband and wife were staying was sealed to allow ASL to carry out decontamination. Health surveillance has already been activated on people who came into contact with the couple hospitalized at the national institute of infectious diseases Spallanzani. All the measures foreseen by the protocols have been taken both for some people of the hotel and for the other members of the group of tourists. At the moment they are all asymptomatic and do not cause concern"The Lazio Region Health Department communicates in a note.

Statement on the second meeting of the International Health Regulations (2005) Emergency Committee regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 (n-CoV) on 30 January 2020 https://www.who.int/news-room/detail/30-01-2020-statement-on-the-second-meeting-of-the-international-health-regulations-(2005)-emergency-committee-regarding-the-outbreak-of-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)The second meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by the WHO Director-General under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) regarding the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV in the People’s Republic of China, with exportations to other countries, took place on Thursday, 30 January 2020, from 13:30 to 18:35 Geneva time (CEST). The Committee’s role is to give advice to the Director-General, who makes the final decision on the determination of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The Committee also provides public health advice or suggests formalTemporary Recommendations as appropriate.Proceedings of the meeting Members and advisors of the Emergency Committee were convened by teleconference.The Director-General welcomed the Committee and thanked them for their support. He turned the meeting over to the Chair, Professor Didier Houssin.Professor Houssin also welcomed the Committee and gave the floor to the Secretariat.A representative of the department of Compliance, Risk management, and Ethics briefed the Committee members on their roles and responsibilities.Committee members were reminded of their duty of confidentiality and their responsibility to disclose personal, financial, or professional connections that might be seen to constitute a conflict of interest. Each member who was present was surveyed and no conflicts of interest were judged to be relevant to the meeting. There were no changes since the previous meeting. The Chair then reviewed the agenda for the meeting and introduced the presenters.Representatives of the Ministry of Health of the People’s Republic of China reported on the current situation and the public health measures being taken.There are now 7711 confirmed and 12167 suspected cases throughout the country. Of the confirmed cases, 1370 are severe and 170 people have died. 124 people have recovered and been discharged from hospital.The WHO Secretariat provided an overview of the situation in other countries. There are now 82 cases in 18 countries. Of these, only 7 had no history of travel in China. There has been human-to-human transmission in 3 countries outside China. One of these cases is severe and there have been no deaths.At its first meeting, the Committee expressed divergent views on whether this event constitutes a PHEIC or not. At that time, the advice was that the event did not constitute a PHEIC, but the Committee members agreed on the urgency of the situation and suggested that the Committee should continue its meeting on the next day, when it reached the same conclusion. This second meeting takes place in view of significant increases in numbers of cases and additional countries reporting confirmed cases.Conclusions and adviceThe Committee welcomed the leadership and political commitment of the very highest levels of Chinese government authorities, their commitment to transparency, and the efforts made to investigate and contain the current outbreak. China quickly identified the virus and shared its sequence, so that other countries could diagnose it quickly and protect themselves, which has resulted in the rapid development of diagnostic tools.The very strong measures the country has taken include daily contact with WHO and comprehensive multi-sectoral approaches to prevent further spread. It has also taken public health measures in other cities and provinces; is conducting studies on the severity and transmissibility of the virus and sharing data and biological material. The country has also agreed to work with other countries who need their support. The measures China has taken are good not only for that country but also for the rest of the world.The Committee acknowledged the leading role of WHO and its partners.The Committee also acknowledged that there are still many unknowns, cases have now been reported in five WHO regions in one month, and human-to-human transmission has occurred outside Wuhan and outside China.The Committee believes that it is still possible to interrupt virus spread, provided that countries put in place strong measures to detect disease early, isolate and treat cases, trace contacts, and promote social distancing measures commensurate with the risk. It is important to note that as the situation continues to evolve, so will the strategic goals and measures to prevent and reduce spread of the infection. The Committee agreed that the outbreak now meets the criteria for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and proposed the following advice to be issued as Temporary Recommendations.The Committee emphasized that the declaration of a PHEIC should be seen in the spirit of support and appreciation for China, its people, and the actions China has taken on the frontlines of this outbreak, with transparency, and, it is to be hoped, with success. In line with the need for global solidarity, the committee felt that a global coordinated effort is needed to enhance preparedness in other regions of the world that may need additional support for that. Advice to WHOThe Committee welcomed a forthcoming WHO multidisciplinary technical mission to China, including national experts. The mission should review and support efforts to investigate the animal source of the outbreak, the clinical spectrum of the disease and its severity, the extent of human-to-human transmission in the community and in healthcare facilities, and efforts to control the outbreak. This mission will provide information to the international community to aid in understanding the situation and its impact and enable sharing of experience and successful measures.The Committee wished to re-emphasize the importance of studying the possible source, to rule out ongoing hidden transmission.The Committee also emphasized the need for enhanced surveillance in regions outside Hubei, including pathogen genomic sequencing, to understand whether local cycles of transmission are occurring The Committee would welcome strong leadership to engage in the discussion about proportionality in control measures, particularly with regard to potentially damaging travel and trade restrictions. WHO should continue to use its networks of technical experts to assess how best this outbreak can be contained globally.WHO should provide intensified support for preparation and response, especially in vulnerable countries and regions.Measures to ensure rapid development and access to potential vaccines, diagnostics, antiviral medicines and other therapeutics for low- and middle-income countries should be developed.WHO should continue to provide all necessary technical and operational support to respond to this outbreak, including with its extensive networks of partners and collaborating institutions, to implement a comprehensive risk communication strategy, and to allow for the advancement of research and scientific developments in relation to this novel coronavirus.WHO should continue to explore the advisability of creating an intermediate level of alert between the binary possibilities of PHEIC or no PHEIC, in a way that does not require reopening negotiations on the text of the IHR (2005). The Director-General declared that the outbreak of 2019-nCoV constitutes a PHEIC, accepted the Committee’s advice and issued this advice as Temporary Recommendations under the IHR (2005). To the People’s Republic of ChinaContinue to: Implement a comprehensive risk communication strategy to regularly inform the population on the evolution of the outbreak, the prevention and protection measures for the population, and the response measures taken for its containment. Enhance rational public health measures for containment of the current outbreak. Ensure the resilience of the health system and protect the health workforce. Enhance surveillance and active case finding across China. Collaborate with WHO and partners to conduct investigations to understand the epidemiology and the evolution of this outbreak and measures to contain it. Share full data on all human cases. Strengthen the efforts to identify a zoonotic source of the outbreak, and particularly the potential for ongoing circulation with WHO as soon as it becomes available. Conduct exit screening at international airports and ports, with the aim of early detection of symptomatic travelers for further evaluation and treatment, while minimizing interference with international traffic. To all countriesIt is expected that further international exportation of cases may appear in any country. Thus, all countries should be prepared for containment, including active surveillance, early detection, isolation and case management, contact tracing and prevention of onward spread of 2019-nCoV infection, and to share full data with WHO. Technical advice is available on the WHO website [LINK]. Countries are reminded that they are legally required to share information with WHO under the IHR (2005). Countries should place particular emphasis on reducing human infection, prevention of secondary transmission and international spread, and contributing to the international response though multi-sectoral communication and collaboration and active participation in increasing knowledge on the virus and the disease, as well as advancing research. The Committee acknowledged that, in general, evidence has shown that restricting the movement of people and goods during public health emergencies may be ineffective and may divert resources from other interventions. Further, restrictions may interrupt needed aid and technical support, may disrupt businesses, and may have negative effects on the economies of countries affected by the emergencies. However, in certain specific circumstances, measures that restrict the movement of people may prove temporarily useful, such as in settings with limited response capacities and capabilities, or where there is high intensity of transmission among vulnerable populations. In such situations, countries should perform risk and cost-benefit analyses before implementing such restrictions to assess whether the benefits would outweigh the drawbacks. Countries must inform WHO about any travel measures taken, as required by the IHR. Countries are cautioned against actions that promote stigma or discrimination, in line with the principles of Article 3 of the IHR. The Committee asked the Director-General to provide further advice on these matters and, if necessary, to make new case-by-case recommendations, in view of this rapidly evolving situation. To the global communityAs this is a new coronavirus, and it has been previously shown that similar coronaviruses required substantial efforts to enable regular information sharing and research, the global community should continue to demonstrate solidarity and cooperation, in compliance with Article 44 of the IHR (2005), in supporting each other on the identification of the source of this new virus, its full potential for human-to-human transmission, preparedness for potential importation of cases, and research for developing necessary treatment.Provide support to low- and middle-income countries to enable their response to this event, as well as to facilitate access to diagnostics, potential vaccines and therapeutics.Under Article 43 of the IHR, States Parties implementing additional health measures that significantly interfere with international traffic (refusal of entry or departure of international travellers, baggage, cargo, containers, conveyances, goods, and the like, or their delay, for more than 24 hours) are obliged to send to WHO the public health rationale and justification within 48 hours of their implementation. WHO will review the justification and may request countries to reconsider their measures. WHO is required to share with other States Parties the information about measures and the justification received. The Emergency Committee will be reconvened within three months or earlier, at the discretion of the Director-General. The Director-General thanked the Committee for its work.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Declares a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

Dear journalists, Please note that the press briefing will be delayd We expect to begin at 20:30 Geneva time Thank you for understanding INTERNATIONAL HEALTH REGULATIONS EMERGENCY COMMITTEE ON NOVEL CORONAVIRUS IN CHINA INVITATION TO A VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE The Emergency Committee on the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) is re-convened by the World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusThe meeting is planned to start today at 13:30 Geneva time and the press conference tentatively scheduled for 20:30 Geneva timeThe Committee will advise the Director-General on whether the outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), and what recommendations should be made to manage it.The Director-General’s decision, following the Committee’s advice, will be made public on WHO’s website and via a press conference (details below). The recommendations will also be made public.WHAT: Virtual Press Conference for journalists and live webcast. An audio file of the press conference will be distributed to journalists shortly after the conference ends. A transcript will follow.HOW: The virtual press conference will be broadcast live on WHO Twitter account @WHO and Facebook pageWHEN: Today, Thursday 30 January 2020, at 20:30 Geneva time (please note the press conference may be delayed if the meeting does not conclude on time).WHERE: Journalists can dial-in or attend the press conference in person in Salle C (5TH floor). The room will be accessible from 17:00.UN Palais journalists do not need to be accredited. Those outside wanting to attend in person should request media accreditation by contacting Carla Drysdale at [email protected] and register at http://indico.un.org/e/EmergencyCommittee/Jan2020/3If you would like to register in advance, please email scanned press card and official photo ID.WHO: Speakers to be confirmed ahead of the press conference How to access the Virtual Press Conference – 30 January 2020 at 20:30Please try to call in at least 10 minutes before the conference begins in order to be registered correctly. From the list below, please use the number closest to you. If you have problems with a number, try the toll number from a neighbouring country or call Switzerland: +41 44 580 6522, or France +33 1 70709502, or United States +1 855 402 7766. You can also use a VoIP programme such as Skype to call the US toll-free: +1 877 423 0830On connecting, type PIN code: on your telephone keypad and then record your name and media outlet and then press again the # key. Please note, only participants who have clearly identified themselves and their media outlet will be able to ask questions.To ask a question during the question and answer session, registered participants should type 01 on their telephone keypad, this will place you in the queue to ask questions.International access numbers Toll free toll Australia +61284058534 Austria +4319286161 Belgium +3224019516 Brazil +551138788013 Bulgaria +35929358132 Canada 18552409492 +14162164179 China +864008982828 Croatia 08009640 Czech Republic +420225439716 Denmark +4582333179 Estonia +3726868832 Finland +358981710375 France 0805639972 +33170709502 Germany (Frankfurt) 08008050102 (DE) 08008050115 (EN) +4969201744220 (DE) +4969201744210 (EN) Hong Kong +85230773573 Hungary +3612355214 Iceland 8008322 Ireland +35314475418 Israel +97237207677 India +912261875202 Italy +390236006663 Japan +81344556498 Latvia 80004473 Luxemburg +35227302111 Malaysia +60320531808 Mexico +525550913011 Netherlands +31207168020 Norway +4723500271 Poland +48225844205 Portugal +351213164197 Romania +40216550893 Russia +74956469313 Saudi Arabia 8008143583 Serbia 0800190539 Singapore +6564298399 Slovakia +421250112036 Slovenia +38618888475 South Africa +27216724121 South Korea +827076860214 Spain +34914142009 Sweden +46850644386 Switzerland 0800001875 +41445806522 Thailand 0018008524707 Turkey +902123755126 United Kingdom 08002794054 +442030092470 United States +18774230830 Background links: List of members of the Emergency Committee can be found here:https://www.who.int/ihr/procedures/novel-coronavirus-2019/ec-22012020-members/en/ International Health Regulationshttp://www.who.int/topics/international_health_regulations/en/ Q&A on the International Health Regulationshttp://www.who.int/features/qa/emergency-committees/en/ Information on Novel Coronavirushttps://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 Media contacts Tarik Jašarević: Mob: +41 793 676 214; Tel: +41 22 791 5099; E-mail: [email protected] Fadéla Chaib: Mob: +41794755556 ; Tel: + 41227913228; Email: [email protected] Christian Lindmeier: Mob: +41 79 5006552; Tel: +41 22 791 1948; Email: [email protected] Or [email protected] The virtual press conference will be broadcast live on WHO Twitter account @WHO and Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WHO

WHO Emergency Committee Thursday January 30th

Press Release For Immediate Release Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 Contact: CDC Media Relations (404) 639-3286 CDC Confirms Person-to-Person Spread of New Coronavirus in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has spread between two people in the United States, representing the first instance of person-to-person spread with this new virus here. Previously, all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019. However, this latest 2019-nCoV patient has no history of travel to Wuhan, but shared a household with the patient diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection on January 21, 2020. Recognizing early on that the 2019-nCoV could potentially spread between people, CDC has been working closely with state and local partners to identify close contacts of confirmed 2019-nCoV cases. Public health officials identified this Illinois resident through contact tracing. Both patients are in stable condition. “Given what we’ve seen in China and other countries with the novel coronavirus, CDC experts have expected some person-to-person spread in the US,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “We understand that this may be concerning, but based on what we know now, we still believe the immediate risk to the American public is low.” Limited person-to-person spread with 2019-nCoV has been seen among close contacts of infected travelers in other countries where imported cases from China have been detected. The full picture of how easily and sustainably the 2019-nCoV spreads is still unclear. Person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum, with some viruses being highly contagious (like measles) and other viruses being less so. MERS and SARS, the other two coronaviruses that have emerged to cause serious illness in people, have been known to cause some person-to-person spread. With both those viruses, person-to-person spread most often occurred between close contacts, such as healthcare workers and those caring for or living with an infected person. CDC has been proactively preparing for the introduction of 2019-nCoV in the U.S. for weeks, including: First alerting clinicians on January 8 to be on the look-out for patients with respiratory symptoms and a history of travel to Wuhan, China. Developing guidance for preventing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from spreading to others in homes and communities. Developing guidance for clinicians for testing and management of 2019-nCoV, as well as guidance for infection control of patients hospitalized or being evaluated by a health care provider. CDC is working closely with Illinois health officials and other local partners. A CDC team has been on the ground since the first 2019-nCoV-positive case was identified and is supporting an ongoing investigation to determine whether further spread with this virus has occurred. It is likely there will be more cases of 2019-nCoV reported in the U.S. in the coming days and weeks, including more person-to-person spread. CDC will continue to update the public as we learn more about this coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Right now, 2019-nCoV has not been found to be spreading widely in the United States, so CDC deems the immediate risk from this virus to the general public to be low. However, risk is dependent on exposure, and people who are in contact with people with 2019-nCoV are likely to be at greater risk of infection and should take the precautions outlined in CDC’s guidance for preventing spread in homes and communities. For the general public, no additional precautions are recommended at this time beyond the simple daily precautions that everyone should always take. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed. Right now, CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China. For more information about the current outbreak in China, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. For travel health information, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/pneumonia-china. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety, and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.

Press Release For Immediate Release Thursday, Jan. 30, 2020 Contact: CDC Media Relations (404) 639-3286 CDC Confirms Person-to-Person Spread of New Coronavirus in the United States The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed that the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) has spread between two people in the United States, representing the first instance of person-to-person spread with this new virus here. Previously, all confirmed U.S. cases had been associated with travel to Wuhan, China, where an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by this novel coronavirus has been ongoing since December 2019. However, this latest 2019-nCoV patient has no history of travel to Wuhan, but shared a household with the patient diagnosed with 2019-nCoV infection on January 21, 2020. Recognizing early on that the 2019-nCoV could potentially spread between people, CDC has been working closely with state and local partners to identify close contacts of confirmed 2019-nCoV cases. Public health officials identified this Illinois resident through contact tracing. Both patients are in stable condition. “Given what we’ve seen in China and other countries with the novel coronavirus, CDC experts have expected some person-to-person spread in the US,” said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “We understand that this may be concerning, but based on what we know now, we still believe the immediate risk to the American public is low.” Limited person-to-person spread with 2019-nCoV has been seen among close contacts of infected travelers in other countries where imported cases from China have been detected. The full picture of how easily and sustainably the 2019-nCoV spreads is still unclear. Person-to-person spread can happen on a continuum, with some viruses being highly contagious (like measles) and other viruses being less so. MERS and SARS, the other two coronaviruses that have emerged to cause serious illness in people, have been known to cause some person-to-person spread. With both those viruses, person-to-person spread most often occurred between close contacts, such as healthcare workers and those caring for or living with an infected person. CDC has been proactively preparing for the introduction of 2019-nCoV in the U.S. for weeks, including: First alerting clinicians on January 8 to be on the look-out for patients with respiratory symptoms and a history of travel to Wuhan, China. Developing guidance for preventing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) from spreading to others in homes and communities. Developing guidance for clinicians for testing and management of 2019-nCoV, as well as guidance for infection control of patients hospitalized or being evaluated by a health care provider. CDC is working closely with Illinois health officials and other local partners. A CDC team has been on the ground since the first 2019-nCoV-positive case was identified and is supporting an ongoing investigation to determine whether further spread with this virus has occurred. It is likely there will be more cases of 2019-nCoV reported in the U.S. in the coming days and weeks, including more person-to-person spread. CDC will continue to update the public as we learn more about this coronavirus. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Right now, 2019-nCoV has not been found to be spreading widely in the United States, so CDC deems the immediate risk from this virus to the general public to be low. However, risk is dependent on exposure, and people who are in contact with people with 2019-nCoV are likely to be at greater risk of infection and should take the precautions outlined in CDC’s guidance for preventing spread in homes and communities. For the general public, no additional precautions are recommended at this time beyond the simple daily precautions that everyone should always take. It is currently flu and respiratory disease season, and CDC recommends getting vaccinated, taking everyday preventive actions to stop the spread of germs, and taking flu antivirals if prescribed. Right now, CDC recommends travelers avoid all nonessential travel to China. For more information about the current outbreak in China, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html. For travel health information, visit https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/watch/pneumonia-china. ### U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety, and security. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute, or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts located throughout the United States and the world.

From 22 to 28 January five new confirmed cases were reported in the ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. View the full article

51 new cases of pneumonia confirmed by new coronavirus infection in Henan Beijing News Express According to the Henan Provincial Health and Health Committee, from 04:00 to 25 January 2020, 10 cities (counties) reported 51 new confirmed cases of pneumonia caused by new coronavirus infection. The first confirmed cases were reported in Anyang and Luohe. Among them: 3 in Anyang and 3 in Luohe. Among the newly confirmed cases in other cities, there were 12 cases in Zhengzhou City, 1 in Pingdingshan City, 2 in Xinxiang City, 1 in Sanmenxia City, 1 in Zhoukou City, 5 in Zhumadian City, 7 in Nanyang City, and 16 in Xinyang City. As of 24:00 on January 25, the Henan Provincial Health and Health Commission had received 83 confirmed cases of pneumonia, 11 severe cases, and 1 death in 11 cities (counties) in the province. Of which: 20 cases were confirmed in Zhengzhou, 1 in Luoyang, 2 in Pingdingshan, 3 in Anyang, 3 in Xinxiang, 3 in Luohe, 2 in Sanmenxia, 15 in Nanyang, 22 in Xinyang, and Zhumadian There were 7 cases in Guangzhou and 5 cases in Zhoukou; among the deaths, 1 was in Nanyang. At present, 993 close contacts have been traced, 45 people have been released from medical observation, 3 were suspected, and 945 people are still receiving medical observation. Edit Yang Li http://www.bjnews.com.cn/news/2020/01/26/679538.html

Confirmed nCoV Cases Increases to 83 in Henan

Wuhan virus: Malaysia confirms 4 cases, 3 patients related to Singapore's first confirmed case 1 of 2 Malaysian health officers screen arriving passengers with thermal scanners at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, on Jan 21, 2020.PHOTO: AFP PUBLISHED JAN 25, 2020, 12:01 PM SGT UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO FACEBOOKTWITTER Hazlin Hassan Malaysia Correspondent KUALA LUMPUR - Four people have been confirmed to have the Wuhan coronavirus in Malaysia. Three were initially confirmed by Malaysian Health Minister Dzulkefly Ahmad on Saturday (Jan 25) - marking the first cases of the potentially deadly disease in Malaysia. Hours later, a fourth case was confirmed by Health Ministry Director-General Noor Hisham Abdullah, Reuters reported. The first three Chinese citizens, who entered Malaysia via Johor Baru, are the wife, 65, and grandsons of a 66-year-old man from Wuhan, who is currently being treated in Singapore for the same virus. The children are aged 11 and two. “The three positive cases are related to the 66-year-old man from Wuhan, China who was confirmed positive (for the virus) in Singapore,” Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly told a news conference. The fourth case is a 40-year-old man from Wuhan, China, who was part of a tour group that travelled by bus to the southern state of Johor from Singapore on Wednesday, Noor Hisham said. The man had suffered from fever the next day and sought treatment at a hospital in Johor. Tests by Malaysia’s Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre confirmed he was suffering from the coronavirus. Get exclusive insights of Asia from our network of correspondents Keep up with the latest in the region with the ST Asian Insider newsletter, delivered to your inbox every weekday Sign up “He is currently experiencing fever and cough, but his condition is stable,” Noor Hisham said in a statement. The three earlier patients have since been transferred to Sungai Buloh Hospital in Selangor, and are being treated in isolation wards, he said. All three are in stable condition and exhibiting light symptoms such as a dry cough, he added. The boys’ mother, who tested negative for the virus, is staying in the hospital to take care of them. The patients were reported to have boarded a plane from Guangzhou to Singapore on Jan 20, said Dr Dzulkefly. The 66-year-old man and his son tested positive for the virus and were admitted to hospital in Singapore on Jan 22. Asian Insider: Ground Zero Wuhan - China battles to contain new coronavirus | The Straits Times There were a total of nine people in the group who were travelling together with the first male patient: his wife, son, daughter-in-law, two grandsons and another family of four comprising husband and wife and two children. Apart from the 66-year-old man and his son who were hospitalised in Singapore, the seven other travellers were allowed to leave Singapore and on Jan 23 travelled to Johor, where they were quarantined while awaiting test results for the virus. Related Story Wuhan virus: Key moments of the outbreak so far Related Story Wuhan virus: China sets up high-level team to lead fight against outbreak as death toll rises to 41 Related Story Wuhan virus: Johor Health Dept meets with Tourism Ministry, tour operators to draw up guidelines Related Story Wuhan virus: No new confirmed cases in Singapore after the three announced earlier, says MOH Initial tests had found that they were not exhibiting fever or any other symptoms. Apart from the three confirmed cases, the other travellers tested negative for the virus and were sent back to China on Saturday morning, said Minister Dzulkefly. Despite the spread of the disease globally, Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that the government did not plan to ban China tourists from entering the country. “We will not block (China’s tourists) but we will check them, we will make sure,” he told reporters. “We are able to detect very early stages (of the virus) even if there is no increase in their temperature but there is evidence they suffer from this virus,” he said. Malaysia has designated several hospitals nationwide to handle such cases, and prepared isolation wards. Doctors and nurses will wear personal protection equipment to ensure safety. “We will intensify our level of preparedness, we are on high alert,“ said Dr Dzulkefly, adding that the Finance Ministry has also pledged additional funds in the event of an outbreak. The ministry urged Malaysians to avoid travelling to China and advised the public to maintain personal hygiene, avoid crowded areas, farms, live animal markets, slaughterhouses and eating raw meat. Malaysia Airports said in a statement today that it was working closely with the ministry to screen international passengers at its airports, including carrying out thermal screening and allocating special medical bays for quarantine purposes. It also reminded travellers to be safe and wear a mask at all times and to use hand sanitiser. https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-confirms-first-cases-of-wuhan-coronavirus-infection

Malaysia cluster 65F 11M and 2M linked to Singapore cluster 66M 37M

Three cases of coronavirus confirmed in NSW, one in Victoria as death toll rises in China Updated about 9 hours ago Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. This video file cannot be played.(Error Code: 224003) VIDEO: A video published to Chinese social media allegedly shows bodies in a Wuhan hospital. (ABC News) RELATED STORY: Doctor treating coronavirus has died in China, state media says RELATED STORY: China has locked down more than 20 million people. Here's what that means RELATED STORY: How the coronavirus started in China — and why that's actually a saving grace New South Wales Health says they have confirmed three case of the deadly coronavirus, bringing the national number to four. Key points: A Chinese man in his 50s is being isolated in a Melbourne hospital with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus Another three cases have been confirmed in NSW The virus has so far killed at least 41 people in China and sickened more than a thousand more All three NSW cases are being treated in hospitals across Sydney. They are men aged in their 30s, 40s and 50s and contracted the illness in China. One of the men arrived in Australia on January 6 and another arrived on January 19. The third man arrived on January 20 but only presented to hospital the following day. Chief Medical Officer Dr Kerry Chant says she does not believe they were contagious on the flight to Australia as their symptoms did not become apparent until they were in Sydney. Dr Chant says details of the January 20 flight will be released in the coming days. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard says four other cases are currently under investigation. Some of those being tested are children. The first Australian case of coronavirus was confirmed earlier today with a man being held under isolation in a Melbourne hospital as health authorities warn more people are likely to be carrying the disease. News of the case came as Chinese authorities said the death toll from the outbreak of the new strain of the virus had jumped to 41, with 1,287 confirmed cases. NSW Health have tested and cleared 12 people. The Melbourne patient is a Chinese man in his 50s who recently spent time in the city of Wuhan, where the deadly outbreak is believed to have originated in an illegal wildlife market. He is in a stable condition at the Monash Medical Centre. His case has sparked concerns among health officials that more people with the virus may have arrived in Australia before Wuhan was locked down. "Given the number of cases that have been found outside of China and the significant traffic from Wuhan city in the past to Australia it was not unexpected that we would get some cases," Australia's Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy said. "The risk to Australia I think is more in those people who travelled in the week up to last Thursday when the travel ban was put in place. But he moved to reassure the public that the risk from the disease was low. "Unless you have come into contact with someone who is unwell from that part of China, there is no need for concern," Professor Murphy said. Melbourne patient's GP failed to raise red flag China's coronavirus lockdown Chinese cities covering more than 20 million people have been placed into lockdown. The Melbourne coronavirus patient spent two weeks in Wuhan before coming to Australia, arriving in Melbourne on China Southern Airlines flight CZ321 from Guangzhou on the morning of Sunday, January 19, and has been with his family since then. The first leg of his trip was from Wuhan to Guangzhou. All the other passengers who were on the man's flight are being contacted and his family is being closely monitored for any signs of illness. This morning Victorian health authorities said it was "highly likely" more coronavirus infections would be confirmed, but said the risk of the disease spreading from person to person in the general community was low. Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos said "the gentleman and the family did everything right." "He exhibited no symptoms on the flight and when he did experience some symptoms of illness they contacted the GP on Thursday, they called ahead and he was double-masked when he presented to the GP clinic. "He was not confirmed to have coronavirus by the GP. The family contacted the Monash Medical Centre on Friday, they called ahead of time and again he was masked before he turned up at [emergency] and [was] immediately put into isolation." Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. VIDEO: Victorian authorities confirm Australia's first coronavirus case (ABC News) Victoria's deputy chief health officer Angie Bone said she was concerned that the GP did not link a person coming from Wuhan and a respiratory virus with a possible case of coronavirus, but she was "very glad that the family then brought extra help the following day when he clearly wasn't getting any better." Dr Bone said the state would increase messaging to GPs and the doctor would be contacted and asked to monitor his own health. Four people in South Australia are also being tested for the virus, but health authorities say the chances they have the virus are low. Federal and state health ministers took part in a teleconference this afternoon to discuss Australia's response to the case. Entire cities in lockdown in China Europe's first three cases were confirmed in France on Friday, with two patients being hospitalised in Paris and the other in the south-western city of Bordeaux. Should Australians be worried? Australia has a number of measures to help stop the spread of coronavirus — but with warnings the disease has a week-long incubation period, carriers could already be in the country. On the eve of the Lunar New Year, transportation has been shut down in at least 13 Chinese cities with a combined population of some 36 million people. At least eight hospitals in Wuhan issued public calls for donations of masks, goggles, gowns and other protective medical gear, according to notices online. China's Government announced it was sending in military medics to Wuhan. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the new coronavirus an "emergency in China" but stopped short of declaring it of international concern. Symptoms include fever, difficulty breathing and coughing. Most of the fatalities have been elderly people, many with pre-existing conditions, the WHO said. PHOTO: China is swiftly building a 1,000-bed hospital dedicated to patients infected with the virus. (AP: Chinatopix) Thailand has confirmed four cases, Malaysia has three, Japan, South Korea and the United States have confirmed two cases each, while Taiwan and Singapore have reported one each. Indian authorities say an Indian nurse working in Saudi Arabia has also been infected, but Saudi health authorities say there has been no cases in the country so far. Airports worldwide are screening passengers arriving from China, with the US warning travellers to exercise increased caution in China. Hong Kong, which has two confirmed cases, is turning two holiday camps into quarantine stations as a precaution. Taiwan has banned anyone from Wuhan from going to the island. Australians urged not to travel to Wuhan and Hubei The Federal Government has raised travel advice for the province of Hubei, which includes the city of Wuhan, in China to the highest level, due to the threat posed by the coronavirus. Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. VIDEO: Australia's chief medical officer provides update on coronavirus (ABC News) The level four warning urges Australians not to travel to the region. What is a coronavirus? Here's what we know about the novel coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV, and how worried you should be. Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Chinese authorities had restricted travel in at least five Hubei cities and Australians going there may not be able to leave until restrictions are lifted. Travellers are being warned that the level of assistance the Government can provide is limited. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australians should be assured that all necessary procedures were "swinging into place". "The confirmation today by Victorian authorities of the coronavirus case was a matter that had been anticipated," Mr Morrison said. "The Australian Government, of course, has been taking this issue incredibly seriously and we have activated all the necessary precautions and procedures. "I want to assure Australians our officials, our medical experts, clinicians, our border security officials and agencies, our biosecurity professionals, are working closely together at a Commonwealth and state level. "I'd urge Australians to go about their day, to go about their business, with the knowledge that professionals and experts — that are there to provide the support that is needed in times like this — are on the job." On Thursday the Prime Minister said Australia was well equipped in the event of an outbreak of coronavirus, and masks could be made available. "There are over 10 million protective masks in the national stockpile," Mr Morrison said. Earlier in the week the Chinese Government stopped all transport out of Wuhan. The last Wuhan flight to arrive in Australia landed in Sydney on Thursday morning, with patients met by health authorities on arrival. That precaution will continue to be put in place at all Australian airports for flights that arrive from China. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-25/first-confirmed-coronavirus-case-australian-as-china-toll-rises/11900428

First Four nCoV Cases Confirmed in Australia ex China

Epidemic situation of new coronavirus infection on January 24, 2020 2020-01-24 At 04:00 on January 23, 27 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) reported 259 new confirmed cases and 8 new deaths. 6 new cases were cured and discharged. 19 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) reported 680 new suspected cases. A total of 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) reported epidemics nationwide, and 4 provinces (autonomous regions) including Inner Mongolia, Shaanxi, Gansu and Xinjiang were added. 　　As of 24:00 on January 23, the National Health and Health Commission has received a total of 830 confirmed cases of pneumonia of new coronavirus infection in 29 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities), including 177 severe cases and 25 deaths, including 24 cases in Hubei Province 1 case in Hebei Province. 34 patients have been cured and discharged. A total of 1072 suspected cases were reported in 20 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities). 　　A total of 5 confirmed cases were received from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, including 2 in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, 2 in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and 1 in Taiwan. 　　A total of 9 confirmed cases were reported from abroad, including 3 in Thailand (2 cases have been cured), 1 in Japan (have been cured), 1 in South Korea, 1 in the United States, 2 in Vietnam, and 1 in Singapore. 　　At present, 9507 people have been traced, 1087 people have been released from medical observation, and 8420 people are still receiving medical observation. Source: National Health and Medical Commission official website http://www.chinacdc.cn/jkzt/crb/zl/szkb_11803/jszl_11809/202001/t20200124_211411.html