Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: Air India Flight With 119 Indians from Quarantined Japan Ship Reaches Delhi; IAF Globemaster Brings Back 112

Expect Tokyo Olympics to Go Ahead as Scheduled Despite Coronavirus Concerns, Says Rijiju | Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju today said he expects this year's Tokyo Olympics to go ahead smoothly despite fears being expressed over the fate of the Games amid the novel coronavirus threat. "Virus China mein hai, Tokyo mein Nahi (the virus is in China not Tokyo)," Rijiju said in response to questions about the Games on the sidelines of a workshop to sensitise Indian athletes about Japanese etiquette and culture here. 

The Olympic Games are scheduled to be held in July-August this year but a senior IOC member Dick Pound has said that the event might have to be cancelled if the deadly coronavirus outbreak is not brought under control by May. 

Golfers Molinari, Gagli Quarantined in Oman | Italian golfers Edoardo Molinari and Lorenzo Gagli have been quarantined in Muscat and forced to pull out of the Oman Open starting today over fears they may have the coronavirus. Gagli suffered flu-like symptoms during the week and as Molinari, the older brother of former British Open winner Francesco, was his roommate both have been placed in isolation as a precautionary measure. Read the full story here.

China City Offers $1,400 Reward for Coronavirus Patients Who Report to Authorities | Qianjiang, a city in China's Hubei province, the epicentre of the global coronavirus epidemic, will pay residents as much as 10,000 yuan ($1,425.96) if they proactively report symptoms of the illness and it is confirmed after testing. It is the latest of a number of regions to offer cash rewards to encourage members of the public to volunteer for medical checks.

Denmark Confirms 1st Coronavirus Case |  Denmark has confirmed its first coronavirus infection in a man who returned from a ski holiday in northern Italy, the Danish health authority said today. The man was put in isolation in his own home.

People wearing protective face masks, following an outbreak of the coronavirus, are seen in front of the Giant Olympic rings at the waterfront area at Odaiba Marine Park in Tokyo, Japan.

Formula One Faces Testing Times over Coronavirus Threat | Formula One teams were trying to focus on the second session of winter testing in Barcelona while casting worrying glances towards the spread of coronavirus with the message: "We are concerned, but there's no need to panic". As veteran driver Robert Kubica steered his Alfa Romeo to the day's best time at Montmelo, talk in the paddock was of growing fears over the spread of the virus which has killed over 2,700 people and infected more than 80,000 in 34 countries. The F1 world championship, which gets under way in Melbourne on March 15, had already lost the Chinese Grand Prix from its schedule.

Trump Faces Credibility Test as He Plays Down Coronavirus Threat | President Donald Trump faces a critical personal challenge in grappling with the new coronavirus outbreak: Asking Americans to believe him after he and some of his top advisers have contradicted federal scientists in playing down the threat. Keenly aware of the stakes not just for public health but also his credibility, Trump conducted a lengthy press conference yesterday evening aimed at reassuring everyone that he has the crisis well in hand. Trump surrounded himself with his administration's top health experts. And he encouraged Americans to be prepared for the virus' potential spread.

76 Indians, 36 Foreigners Evacuated from Coronavirus-hit Wuhan Taken to ITBP Quarantine Facility |  The 76 Indians and 36 foreigners evacuated from coronavirus-affected Wuhan city of China this morning were being taken to an ITBP facility in the national capital for quarantine, officials said. "The evacuees will go through a thermal screening procedure at the tarmac of the airport after which they will be kept at our facility in Chhawla area for quarantine," a spokesperson of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said.

Yesterday, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government is keeping a close watch on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the Indian economy. The government is "closely monitoring" the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the economy, she said during a meeting of the heads of the PSU banks.

Gwyneth Paltrow Sleeps with Mask on | Actress Gwyneth Paltrow recently shared a stressful selfie wearing an N95 mask on a plane on her way to Paris to caution her fans to protect themselves from coronavirus. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, "En route to Paris. Paranoid? Prudent? Panicked? Placid? Pandemic? Propaganda? Paltrow’s just going to go ahead and sleep with this thing on the plane. I’ve already been in this movie. Stay safe. Don’t shake hands. Wash hands frequently." Read the full story here.

Saudi Arabia has had no cases of the coronavirus but it has been spreading in some neighbouring countries. The ministry did not specify people from which countries would be impacted but said the kingdom's health authorities would determine where the outbreak constituted a danger. Saudi Arabia's top tourism official said this week 400,000 tourist visas had been issued since their launch in October and the country aims to attract 100 million annual visits in 2030.

Saudi Arabia Suspends Entry for Umrah Pilgrimage, Tourism A0mid Coronavirus | Saudi Arabia today suspended foreigners' entry for the Umrah pilgrimage and tourism from countries where the new coronavirus has spread, as a growing number of cases outside China deepened fears of a pandemic. The ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement that the suspensions were temporary but provided no timeframe for their expiry. It was unclear if the haj pilgrimage, which is scheduled to begin in late July, would be impacted. Entry is also suspended for visits to the Prophet's Mosque in Medina.

IAF Aircraft Brings Back 76 Indians, 36 Foreigners from China's Coronavirus-hit Wuhan |  An Indian Air Force aircraft on Thursday evacuated 76 Indians and 36 foreign nationals from the coronavirus-hit Chinese city of Wuhan. The C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft was sent to Wuhan yesterrday and it carried 15 tonnes of medical supplies for coronavirus-affected people in China. On its return, the aircraft brought back 112 people including 23 citizens from Bangladesh, six from China, two each from Myanmar and the Maldives and one each from South Africa, the US and Madagascar. Earlier, India had evacuated around 650 Indians from Wuhan in two Air India flights.

Pakistan Closes Border with Iran | Pakistan has closed its border with Iran where at least 19 people have died from the virus. A spokesperson for the Sindh Health Department said the Karachi victim had come from Iran on February 20. He and his family have been placed in quarantine and the Health Department is in the process of examining all the passengers that he travelled with, the spokesman said. Speaking to Dawn News TV, the spokesperson said the man had started showing symptoms while he was in Iran. His tests were carried out on Wednesday at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), he said, adding that they have informed the federal government, the World Health Organisation and other partners about it.

Meanwhile, in Pakistan, television channels reported that one of the patients was 22-year-old Syed Raza from Karachi. He was admitted to Agha Khan Hospital with his immediate family members. Mirza said 15 suspected cases of the virus are currently under investigation while 100 have tested negative for the virus. Mirza urged the public to go to hospitals if they start experiencing any of the symptoms and contact the government helpline 1166. He said due to the measures taken by the government to prevent the spread of the virus, Pakistan is the last country in the region where COVID-19 has been reported.  We are on the right track. With Allah's blessings, this (virus) will not take the form of an outbreak in Pakistan," he said, adding that measures are in place to prevent an outbreak. 

Romania Reports 1st Coronavirus Case | Romania reported its first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus yesterday — a man who was in contact with an Italian who visited the country last week. "The patient, who is in good health and is showing no symptoms, will be transferred to Bucharest's hospital of infectious diseases," Health Minister Victor Costache told a press conference. Seven other people who live at the same address as the man in the southeastern Gorj county have all tested negative but will be quarantined for 14 days as a precaution, emergency department official Raed Arafat said.

South Korea Reports 334 New Coronavirus Cases, Total 1,595 | South Korea reported 334 new coronavirus cases today, taking its total to 1,595, still the largest in the world outside China, where the disease first emerged. No new deaths had occurred, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a statement, with the toll remaining at 12.

US, South Korea Postpone Joint Exercises over Virus | The US and South Korean militaries today postponed forthcoming joint exercises due to the coronavirus outbreak, they said, as the Asian country reported 334 new cases, taking its total to 1,595. The decision to delay the training was made after Seoul declared its highest "severe" alert level over the virus, Combined Forces Command said, adding the postponement was "until further notice". The United States has 28,500 troops in South Korea to protect it against the nuclear-armed North, many of them based south of Seoul at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek —Washington's biggest overseas military facility.

Facebook Bans Ads with False Claims about Coronavirus |  Facebook yesterday that it is banning ads that make false claims about products tied to the new coronavirus. It said it is removing ads that feature a product and imply a limited supply, seeking create a sense of urgency in their mention of coronavirus. Ads that guarantee a cure or prevention are also banned, it said. For instance, ads for face masks that claim the products are 100% guaranteed to prevent the spread of the virus are not allowed, the company said. The ban went into effect this week. 

Mike Pence to Lead Efforts against Coronavirus in US | US President Donald Trump yesterday announced that his deputy Mike Pence will lead the administration efforts against coronavirus in the country. Hours after returning from India, Trump on Wednesday held a series of meetings to take stock of the situation in the United States. "We are doing really well and Mike is going to be the in-charge. Mike will report back to me, but he's got a certain talent for this," Trump told reporters.

This morning, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar notifies that an Air India flight landed in Delhi from Tokyo (Japan), carrying 119 Indians and five nationals from Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa and Peru who were quarantined on board Diamond Princess ship due to Coronavirus or COVID19. "Appreciate facilitation of Japanese authorities," says Jaishankar.

Globemaster landed at 6:45 am today from China with 112 evacuees, including 36 foreign nationals. All evacuees will be taken to the ITBP quarantine facility in Chhawla, Delhi after their thermal screening.

China Reports 29 More Coronavirus Deaths, Lowest Since January | China reported 29 more deaths today from the new coronavirus epidemic, the lowest daily figure in almost a month, and the number of fresh infections rose slightly. The death toll now stands at 2,744 in mainland China, according to the National Health Commission. The daily tally of fatalities has fallen for three straight days now, hitting the lowest mark since January 29, when 26 new deaths were reported.
The commission reported 433 new cases, with all but 24 in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak that first emerged in December in its capital, Wuhan. There are now nearly 78,500 cases in total.

Pakistan Confirms Its First 2 Cases of Coronavirus | Pakistan confirmed its first two cases of the novel coronavirus as the deadly infection reached the country despite all out efforts to keep it away. "We have two confirmed cases of the coronavirus and both patients are under treatment as per clinical standard protocols and they are stable at the moment," Dr Zafar Mirza, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Health, told reporters in Quetta late on Wednesday night. He said there was "no need to panic" as the "things are under control".  "One case has been reported from Sindh while the second one was confirmed in the Federal areas," he said, adding that both patients had returned from Iran recently.  

Ship Was Put Under Quarantine Since Feb 5 | The Diamond Princess ship was put under quarantine by Government of Japan on February 5, 2020 for 14 days until February 19, 2020 as one of the passengers who had disembarked from the ship had tested positive for COVID-19. The quarantine period was extended by the Government of Japan as the crew members were performing their regular duties during the initial quarantine period of 14 days.

3 Crew Members Stay Back in Quarantined Ship | Three Indian crew members didn't board the special flight and conveyed their wish to continue their stay on-board the Cruise ship to complete the period of extended quarantine put in place by the Government of Japan. Out of the total 138 Indian nationals originally on-board the Diamond Princess, 16 Indian crew members have tested positive for Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) and are receiving necessary medical care and treatment at onshore medical facilities in Japan. Embassy of India in Tokyo has established contact with these individuals and is continuously following-up on their recovery.

119 Indians on Board Quarantined Ship Off Japan Coast Brought Back in Special Flight | A special Air India flight arrived in New Delhi from Tokyo today bringing back 119 Indian nationals (113 crew members and 6 passengers) who were on-board the Diamond Princess Cruise ship docked off at Yokohama in Japan.  In line with India’s neighbourhood first policy and Indo-Pacific vision, the special flight also evacuated five foreign nationals, two Sri Lankans, one Nepalese, one South African and one Peruvian. All the evacuees will undergo a 14-day quarantine at the quarantine facility set up by the Indian Army in Manesar, Haryana.