Scientists have produced evidence that the pandemic virus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans', raising fresh questions over whether its origins were natural or could have occurred in a laboratory.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 Originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Coronavirus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans': Top vaccine scientist says it could only have come from an animal through a 'freak of nature' - and the possibility it leaked from Wuhan lab MUST be investigated
2344 comments
More than 200 Australians who have been quarantined on Christmas Island for two weeks waiting to be cleared of any symptoms of the deadly coronavirus are due to head home on Monday.
None of those quarantined on Christmas Island have tested positive after being evacuated from the Chinese province of Hubei, the epicentre of the COVID-19 virus.
The federal government, however, is keeping details of their departure under wraps.
5:11pm Feb 16, 2020
Given there is no vaccine to prevent the latest strain of coronavirus, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
As with colds and other seasonal viruses, one of the most important things you can do is wash your hands — and wash them often.
Research shows hand washing significantly helps to prevent illness and the spread of infection.
Hand washing shouldn't just follow toilet use. You should also wash your hands:
after you cough or sneeze,
before you eat and when you prepare food,
after you handle animals,
when you care for someone unwell or visiting someone in hospital
Your handwashing technique is also important — a quick splash under the tap won't cut it.
To get properly germ-free hands, you need to wash them for at least 20 seconds with soap under clean, running water.
When there's no water, a hand sanitiser or gel that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol is your best bet.
Britons on the coronavirus-stricken cruise ship docked off the coast of Japan will be evacuated by plane on Friday, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Wednesday evening. On their return they will be housed in Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. British passengers have had to remain in quarantine until their evacuation flight was put in place, as a total of 621 cases of the the virus were diagnosed on board. It comes as a Japanese disease expert branded the Diamond Princess quarantine a 'major failure', 'completely inadequate' and a 'mistake' as he slammed the 'bureaucrats' in charge. Professor Kentaro Iwata (inset) said he placed himself in a 14-day quarantine for fear of infecting his family after a brief visit on board the Diamond Princess (right) in Yokohama yesterday. The Kobe University infectious diseases expert said conditions on the ship were 'completely chaotic' and violated quarantine rules. His video has racked up more than a million views amid a barrage of criticism of Japanese authorities after 542 people were infected during the lockdown (bottom left passengers leaving this morning after testing negative for the virus). He said the situation on board the vessel was worse than previous outbreaks he had dealt with, such as Ebola in Africa and the 2003 SARS crisis in China, as he feared he would become infected.
The toll grows
"Four Australians who were evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship on Thursday are confirmed to have coronavirus.
On Friday night two Queensland women, aged 54 and 55, tested positive for COVID-19 and will be flown to Brisbane for further treatment.
Earlier on Friday, a 78-year-old man from Western Australia was transferred to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth. His wife will travel with him but then be isolated at home for two weeks.
The other patient is a 24-year-old woman from South Australia, who will be transferred to Royal Adelaide Hospital."
The WHO’s Global Influenza Programme provides global standards for influenza surveillance. In addition, it collects and analyzes virological and epidemiological influenza surveillance data.
Surveillance and monitoring of influenza
Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS)
Not good news ... Diamond Princess coronavirus cases jump by 70, taking total to 355 on the cruise ship.
So far authorities have done 1,219 tests on the approximately 3,700 passengers and crew, with the total number of cases from on board the ship now at 355. One quarantine official who was on board the ship also tested positive during the week. Those testing positive are being transferred to Japanese hospitals.
Full ABC story.