The COVID-2019 Thread

[Dillinger]

A 36-year-old restaurant owner in Bangkok has become the first Singaporean to be diagnosed with Covid-19 in Thailand, the health authorities there confirmed on Wednesday (March 11).

The man, who wants to be known only as Jay, owns Hawaiian restaurant Ohana Poke in the Thai capital and has been keeping his staff, patrons and loved ones updated via his restaurant’s Facebook page.

He tested positive for the coronavirus on Tuesday, and was among six new cases confirmed by the Thai Health Ministry on Wednesday.

'I feel dazed', says Singaporean restaurant owner infected with coronavirus in Thailand, Singapore News & Top Stories - The Straits Times


That Eatigo keeps sending me 50% off dinner notifications too

[Chittychangchang]

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK has now reached 456, the biggest rise in a single day.

The Department of Health confirmed there had been 83 more cases since Tuesday. Six patients with coronavirus have died in hospitals in the UK.

It comes as NHS England plans to expand the number of people it can test in a day to 10,000, up from 1,500.

Confirmation of positive test results will also be sped up with most people receiving them within 24 hours.

The latest person to die with the virus in the UK was a man in his early 80s who had underlying health conditions.

Meanwhile, a 53-year-old British woman has become the first person with Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, to die in Indonesia, according to local media reports.

It is not clear whether the woman - who was reportedly critically ill with multiple health conditions - died due to the virus.

Image copyright PA MEDIA Racegoers pass a sign referencing how to protect yourself and others from getting sick following the Coronavirus outbreak ahead on day one of the Cheltenham Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse
Image caption Racegoers at the Cheltenham Festival are being provided with advice and hand sanitiser
Image copyright PA MEDIA Lab technicians handle suspected COVID-19 samples as they carry out a diagnostic test for coronavirus in the microbiology laboratory inside the Specialist Virology Centre at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff
Image caption Lab technicians handle suspected COVID-19 samples at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales
According to the latest figures from the Department of Health, so far 27,476 people have been tested in the UK as of 9:00 GMT on Wednesday.

The figures show 387 of the confirmed cases are in England, 36 are in Scotland, 18 are in Northern Ireland and 15 are in Wales.

It is the largest day on day jump, with cases more than doubling in four days.

Of the cases in England, London has the highest number, with 104. South-east England is the next highest infected area, with 60 cases, followed by south-west England with 44 cases.

Banner image reading 'more about coronavirus'
LIVE UPDATES: Virus cases rise rapidly in Europe and US
EASY STEPS: How to keep safe
A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
GETTING READY: How prepared is the UK?
TRAVEL PLANS: What are your rights?
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Earlier, Chancellor Rishi Sunak delivered the Budget and pledged the NHS would get "whatever resources it needs" during the crisis - whether it needed "millions of pounds or billions".

He said workers who fell ill would be able to get a sick note by ringing 111 rather than visiting a GP, and people who were self-employed who were off work because of the virus would be eligible for benefits from day one.

For businesses, Mr Sunak promised a temporary coronavirus loan scheme to help small and medium-sized companies and said the government would rebate firms with up to 250 people for the cost of statutory sick pay.

Advice to tourists in Italy
The Foreign Office has issued a travel update for British nationals in Italy, urging all remaining tourists to contact their airline operators and return back to the UK.

People were still able to leave Italy without restrictions and airports were still open, the Foreign Office added.

Italy is the European country worst-hit by the coronavirus outbreak, with the whole of the country currently in lockdown.

Earlier this week, tourist Hannah Butcher from Newbury, who was in Rome, said it was "the weirdest holiday" she had ever been on, with one-in one-out rules to get into shops and families having to sit apart in restaurants.

Image copyright EPA Passengers must make a self-certification in order to depart from Rome at the "Leonardo Da Vinci" airport, in Rome, Italy,
Image caption The Italian authorities have told tourists to end their travels and return home
The UK is currently in the "contain" phase of its four-part plan to deal with coronavirus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to give a statement to MPs later.

In other developments:

About 135 British passengers and crew members from the Grand Princess cruise ship in the port of Oakland, California - which was quarantined after an outbreak of coronavirus on board - will land in Birmingham later on Wednesday. They will be tested and, if the results are negative, go into self-isolation
The chief executive of NHS England Sir Simon Stevens announced plans to invite "up to 18,000 third year undergraduate nurses to help out on the frontline"
Uber has said any driver or delivery person with coronavirus will receive "financial assistance for up to 14 days" - although it is not clear how much
Health minister and Conservative MP Nadine Dorries has tested positive for the virus. A Labour MP and a constituent who came in to contact with her are self-isolating and the building where she held her constituency surgery is being deep cleaned. The government said there were no plans to test any ministers or the prime minister, Boris Johnson
The Bank of England earlier announced an emergency cut in interest rates from 0.75% to 0.25% in response to the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak
Manchester City's Premier League match against Arsenal on Wednesday has been postponed as several Arsenal players are in self-isolation after coming into contact with Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who tested positive for the virus

[Luigi]

And to think it's only starting.

[harrybarracuda]

A British woman with myriad preexisting conditions died in Bali. She arrived late last month so they aren't sure if she got it there or brought it with her.

I'm willing to take a wild guess what Indonesia will say.

[fishlocker]

Sadly I'd say the cat is out of the bag. Almost spooky to be...





the fish.

[harrybarracuda]

Qatar has suddenly exploded into life.

From 24 to 262 in one day.

Interestingly:

15:41 GMT - Qatar records 238 new cases of coronavirus

The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Qatar jumped from 24 to 262 in one day, Qatar's health ministry said.
All the 238 new cases are expatriates who had interacted with people previously identified as infected, the ministry said in a statement.

Qatar records 238 new cases of coronavirus: Live updates | News | Al Jazeera

I would not be surprised if it is one of those overcrowded labour camps full of South Asians working on construction projects like the World Cup.

[Luigi]

Coronavirus: COVID-19 outbreak declared pandemic by World Health Organisation


The coronavirus outbreak has now been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO).


WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: We are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity


Coronavirus: COVID-19 outbreak declared pandemic by World Health Organisation | World News | Sky News

[PlanK]

This is not the flu.

This is the flu. It's just the hard-working Chinese immigrant version of the flu, not the layabout local welfare bludger that won't get off the couch type of flu.

[harrybarracuda]

This is the flu. It's just the hard-working Chinese immigrant version of the flu, not the layabout local welfare bludger that won't get off the couch type of flu.

No it's not, it's the stupid fucking chinky eating every bit of wildlife they think can make their tiny dicks bigger until they open the door to something new and virulent flu.

[Troy]

No it's not, it's the stupid fucking chinky eating every bit of wildlife they think can make their tiny dicks bigger until they open the door to something new and virulent flu.

That's right 'arry, you tell them where the monster lies....

Meanwhile back on planet earth....

This virus is getting out of control in countries outside of China and there is a time lag in each one. If we take China and the time from start to peak the it looks like 4 months. That means it is going to be May before some countries in Europe peak. Given current figures that is going to mean quite a large number of deaths. One can only hope that the immune system prevents further infections once the body has dealt with the initial infection.

GIven the current situation, I've decided to fly to Thailand and sit this one out in Nakhon Nowhere....

[Takeovers]

Just from the evening news here in Germany. It is expected that 60-70% of all citizens will be infected. The goal will be to limit the rate of infection so that not too many come down with it at the same time. Especially for the high risk groups, people over 60/65, people with heart defects, lung diseases or diabetes. The disease should not spread too fast in this group so the intensive care units are not overwhelmed.

Sounds like they expect the disease can not be controlled completely. Vaccinations will be available too late. They now try for damage control. We are in a very early stage of the development with only 1000 people infected but there seems to be no hope to avoid widespread infection. The only positive is that for children and healthy adults the disease is not a big threat, when infected.

[misskit]

^^ An article which explains why controlling the spread now is important.


What is 'flatten the curve'?

The chart that shows how critical it is for everyone to fight coronavirus spread


The phrase refers to a so-called epidemic curve that is commonly used to visualize why public and individual efforts to contain the spread of the virus are crucial.

What is '''flatten the curve'''? The chart that shows how critical it is for everyone to fight coronavirus spread

[David48atTD]

Just from the evening news here in Germany. It is expected that 60-70% of all citizens will be infected. The goal will be to limit the rate of infection so that not too many come down with it at the same time. Especially for the high risk groups, people over 60/65, people with heart defects, lung diseases or diabetes. The disease should not spread too fast in this group so the intensive care units are not overwhelmed.

Sounds like they expect the disease can not be controlled completely. Vaccinations will be available too late. They now try for damage control. We are in a very early stage of the development with only 1000 people infected but there seems to be no hope to avoid widespread infection. The only positive is that for children and healthy adults the disease is not a big threat, when infected.

From the above, agreeing with almost everything. In point form ...

• It is expected that 60-70% of all citizens will be infected. (The chief Australian Medical Officer said as much about 10 days ago)
• The goal will be to limit the rate of infection so that not too many come down with it at the same time. Especially for the high risk groups, people over 60/65, people with heart defects, lung diseases or diabetes.
• The disease should not spread too fast in this group so the intensive care units are not overwhelmed.

• Sounds like they expect the disease can not be controlled completely.
• Vaccinations will be available too late. They now try for damage control.

• We are in a very early stage of the development with only XXXX people infected
• ... but there seems to be no hope to avoid widespread infection.

• The only positive is that for children and healthy adults the disease is not a big threat, when infected.

[snakeeyes]

^
All the old boys living in Thailand are fooked .

[sabang]

When life hands you lemons:-

The Australian government has just announced a stimulus package in the wake of Covid. Everyone receiving welfare- job seekers, dole bludgers, pensioners, disabled etc- will receive a one off $500 (10,000Bht) cash payment. Other entitlements are not affected. Should buy a fair bit of toilet paper.

More irksome, Air Asia have suspended all flights from Oz to Thailand. Kinda thrown my holiday plans up in the air.

[David48atTD]

More irksome, Air Asia have suspended all flights from Oz to Thailand. Kinda thrown my holiday plans up in the air.

BANGKOK, 11 March 2020 - Thai AirAsia X (flight XJ) will be suspending its service connecting Bangkok to Brisbane, Australia effective 7 April 2020, as part of its route rationalisation initiatives and Covid-19 outbreak situation


In order to assist our guests with bookings on Bangkok - Brisbane from 7 April 2020, to make alternate travel arrangements and to minimise the inconvenience, affected guests will be offered the following options:


1. Move flight: Change to a new travel date on the same route prior to route suspension on 7 April 2020, without any additional cost and subject to seat availability; OR

2. Reroute: One time reroute to alternative destination Gold Coast (operated by Airasia X Malaysia) via Kuala Lumpur (KUL) , within 30 calendar days of the original travel date without any additional cost and subject to seat availability.

3. Credit account: Retain the value of your booking in a Credit Account linked with your BIG member account as provided by guest for future travel with AirAsia. A valid BIG member account is mandatory for Credit Account option and it can be redeemed within 90 calendar days from the date of issue; OR

4. Full refund: Obtain a full refund in the amount equivalent to the original booking.

Travel Advisory : Thai AirAsia X (XJ) Suspends Flights Bangkok-Brisbane Route — AirAsia Newsroom

Other Routes ... News — AirAsia Newsroom

[sabang]

Yes, can still connect via KL, or even Bali- if that lasts. But what sort of restrictions might we face at the other end, from my beloved Thai gov't & bureaucracy? And when we return, for that matter. I'm taking a wait and see attitude. This too shall pass.

[Dillinger]

BANGKOK, 11 March 2020 - Thai AirAsia X (flight XJ) will be suspending its service connecting Bangkok to Brisbane, Australia effective 7 April 2020, as part of its route rationalisation initiatives and Covid-19 outbreak situation

So much for the 499 ringgit, one year of free Air Asia X flights promotion you sent me, Noober

I wonder how much Tony Fernandez raked in from that.

[Dillinger]

The footballer, Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic.

Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him

COVID-19, urgent communication - Juventus.com

[misskit]

The new coronavirus can live in the air for several hours and on some surfaces for as long as two to three days, tests by U.S. government and other scientists have found.


Their work, published Wednesday, doesn’t prove that anyone has been infected through breathing it from the air or by touching contaminated surfaces, researchers stress.


For this study, researchers used a nebulizer device to put samples of the new virus into the air, imitating what might happen if an infected person coughed or made the virus airborne some other way.


They found that viable virus could be detected up to three hours later in the air, up to four hours on copper, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to two to three days on plastic and stainless steel.

MORE
Tests show new virus lives on some surfaces for up to 3 days

[panama hat]

Fewer people at the airport here . . . a few masks but that's about it.

[sabang]

I spoke too soon-

The Australian government has just announced a stimulus package in the wake of Covid. Everyone receiving welfare- job seekers, dole bludgers, pensioners, disabled etc- will receive a one off $500 (10,000Bht) cash payment. Other entitlements are not affected. Should buy a fair bit of toilet paper.

It's just been confirmed the payment is $750, aka 15,000 Bht. Nice to be aussie.
(even if the Sth Pacific peso is plummetting like a stone)


Coronavirus stimulus package: Here'''s what it means for you

[Luigi]

Foked if I'd be sitting around some transfer-hub without a mask and little gay gloves whilst splathering on alcohol gel.


Sofa + park + Food Panda, here.

[Luigi]

Damn.


Donald Trump bans all travel from mainland Europe to US for 30 days


Donald Trump has suspended all flights from mainland Europe to the US for 30 days following the spread of coronavirus cases across the continent.


The US president said the sanctions will come into effect from midnight - but will not apply to flights from the UK.




He blamed the European Union for not acting quickly enough to address the outbreak of the virus and said US clusters were "seeded" by European travellers.


The president said the US would monitor the situation to determine if travel could be reopened earlier.


Mr Trump said "we are marshalling the full power" of the government and private sector to protect the American people.

Coronavirus: Donald Trump bans all travel from mainland Europe to US for 30 days | World News | Sky News

[aging one]

Just saw this headline.. In the states it seems all sporting events are going to be played with no spectators.. But here university sport days are going on. Makes you wonder..
TOM HANKS, RITA WILSONTEST POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS