February 11 coronavirus news

By Joshua Berlinger, Jenni Marsh and Amy Woodyatt, CNN

Updated 0226 GMT (1026 HKT) February 12, 2020
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2:33 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

Here's a look at where the coronavirus cases are throughout China

The vast majority of coronavirus cases are in mainland China.

There have been a reported 42,708 diagnosed cases of coronavirus in China, with the death toll surpassing 1,017 in China alone, according to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization.

Here's a map showing where the confirmed cases are throughout mainland China, according to WHO data:

One thing to note: These numbers may differ from those reported by Chinese health officials, who report updated totals at different times than the WHO.

1:48 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

American Airlines extends suspension of flights to and from mainland China and Hong Kong

From CNN’s Chris Isidore and Chuck Johnston

Due to a reduction in demand, American Airlines on Tuesday extended its flight cancellations to and from mainland China and Hong Kong amid the coronavirus outbreak.

According to a company statement, the airline is extending the suspensions between mainland China and Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles through April 24. 

Flights from Dallas to Hong Kong are suspended through April 23. Flights between Los Angeles and Hong Kong are suspended through April 23.

“We will continue to evaluate this schedule and make any adjustments as necessary,” the company said.

12:55 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

More than 5,000 people are still stuck on two ships because of coronavirus fears

With travel advisories across the globe, four cruise ships were put in some form of lockdown over growing concerns of the novel coronavirus. 

Here's what you need to know about each ship:

  • Diamond Princess: Quarantined in Japan since February 4, at least 24 Americans are among the 135 people infected with the Wuhan coronavirus aboard the cruise ship, according to the ship's operator Princess Cruises and a CNN tally. The ship is the site of the single largest outbreak of the virus outside of China.
  • Westerdam: More than 2,000 people are stuck on the Westerdam cruise ship, operated by Holland America after it was denied entry to its intended final destination in Japan, despite having no confirmed cases aboard. It has since been denied entry to Taiwan, the Phillippines and most recently Thailand after it planned to dock in the Thai city of Laem Chabang.
  • World Dream: More than 3,600 people were quarantined for five days on this boat in Hong Kong as a precautionary measure after three former passengers tested positive for the coronavirus. No confirmed cases were found. Passengers and crew were cleared to leave over the weekend.
  • The Anthem of the Seas: The vessel was docked in New Jersey for an extra two days after four returning passengers were sent to the hospital to be tested for the coronavirus. The four family members, and another 23 passengers, were all cleared of the virus and the ship set sail on Monday.
3:02 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

CDC experts offer to study the coronavirus, official says

From CNN's Jamie Gumbrecht and Michael Nedelman

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has provided names for a World Health Organization team traveling to China to study the novel coronavirus epidemic, CDC Principal Deputy Director Dr. Anne Schuchat said during a news conference on Tuesday.

Although US experts have not yet traveled to China to study the novel coronavirus outbreak, “my understanding is the latest discussions, that there’s been receptivity” to the offer, Schuchat said.

“It can be very helpful to have outside experts arrive in the midst of an epidemic like this,” Schuchat said, noting that China has “great scientists” and public health experts. “Having some fresh eyes, perhaps who have not lost as much sleep over the past month as the individuals in China, can be helpful.”

Schuchat said CDC experts could assist with areas such as understanding transmission of the virus, identifying the possible animal origin of the virus and evaluating which measures are most effective to contain the spread of the virus.

Here's a look at the latest confirmed cases (and deaths):

12:02 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

Two prisoners are being tested for coronavirus in Britain, official says

Two prisoners are being tested for coronavirus in HMP Bullingdon in Bicester, Oxford, north west of London, a UK official told CNN on Tuesday.

The official said the prisoners are only suspected to have the infection at this stage and are being kept in isolation with access being restricted to one wing where the prisoners are.

As the two prisoners are only being tested for coronavirus, it is “impossible” at this stage to say how it was contracted, the official added.

12:04 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

A coronavirus clinical trial is already underway in China, WHO says

Dr. Michael J. Ryan, executive director of the World Health Organization, said that “one clinical trial is already on the way” in China in an attempt to find a cure to the novel coronavirus, he said at a news conference in Geneva on Tuesday.

Ryan went on to say that the WHO was working with Chinese authorities to implement further clinical trials.

11:30 a.m. ET, February 11, 2020

Errors led to coronavirus patient being sent back to military base, source tells CNN

From CNN's Elizabeth Cohen

Errors by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a hospital in San Diego led to a woman with the novel coronavirus being sent back to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar instead of being sent to isolation at the hospital, according to a health official familiar with the situation.

The woman was among Americans in federal quarantine at the base. She flew to the base on February 5 on a State Department flight evacuating Americans from Wuhan, China. The next day she started experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus and was taken to UC San Diego Health. Three other people who were exhibiting symptoms were also transported to the hospital.

The hospital sent their specimens to a CDC lab in Atlanta for testing. According to the source, the specimens were incorrectly labeled upon arrival and so they were not tested. The CDC lab did not realize the specimens were from the four Miramar patients.

When no results were reported back, CDC staffers mistakenly gave UC San Diego Health the results of four other patients who tested negative. That mistake led to all four Miramar patients being transferred back to the base Sunday afternoon.

After they arrived back at the base, the mistake was discovered and the tests were run on the four Miramar patients. The results for the woman came back positive, and she was transported back to UC San Diego Health on Monday morning, where she remains in isolation. The woman has had a very mild illness, according to the source, with no fever and a slight cough. The other three patients tested negative.

A spokesperson for the hospital could not be immediately reached for comment.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Dr. Anne Schuchat, principal deputy director of the CDC, said "there was a little bit of a mix-up there” around the testing for the Miramar patient. She added that the patient may have had limited contact with other people when she developed symptoms, but the investigation is ongoing.

11:14 a.m. ET, February 11, 2020

Pakistani student's father dies while he is stuck in Wuhan

From CNN’s Sophia Saifi

A Pakistani man who is stuck in Wuhan, China is appealing to his government to evacuate him, telling CNN that his father has died since he has been stuck in the city.

Mir Hassan, 27, is a PhD student studying computer architecture at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan — the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak. 

The city went into lockdown on January 23, and now tens of millions of people are unable to leave the city and the surrounding area, with checkpoints set up on roads, flights canceled and military police blocking train stations despite the suspension of train services.

Hassan told CNN that since he has been stuck in Wuhan, his father has died. 

“My father passed away on Friday, suddenly. He used to call me every day since this crisis broke out asking me to come home. I last spoke to him on Thursday. Friday morning I was messaged by my brother that my father is no more," he said.

Hassan told CNN he has received conflicting information from authorities regarding getting home.

“My university and the officials at the Chinese foreign affairs helpline have said that I have permission to leave. I am alone here, I beseech my government to please evacuate us please, we all want to go home, my mother needs me," he said.
“I have not gotten any assistance from the Pakistani Embassy in Beijing. They keep telling us that the Chinese government is preventing us from leaving, which is not true. The embassy simply needs to issue a non objection certificate to get us out of Wuhan which they are refusing to do," Hassan said.

Asked about Hassan’s plight, Dr. Zafar Mirza, Pakistan’s State Minister of Health told CNN: “We are absolutely saddened by the death of his father and he is very much in our thoughts.” 

Mirza said that authorities have been in touch with Hassan.

“What I know is that the embassy has been in touch with him and we are trying our best to meet his request. I can tell you we are in contact with Chinese authorities to get him out,” Mirza said. 

On Twitter, Mirza assured students in China that authorities were “intensely discussing the situation.” 

Pakistan resumed direct flights to China following a suspension due to the coronavirus outbreak.

12:21 p.m. ET, February 11, 2020

"There is realistic chance" of stopping coronavirus, WHO director-general says

From CNN's Vasco Cotovio

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he believes there is a “realistic chance” of stopping the Wuhan coronavirus.

“If we invest now in rational and evidence-based interventions, we have a realistic chance of stopping the COVID19 outbreak,” he said during a news conference on Tuesday.

“We have to invest in preparedness,” he said, adding that richer countries should help invest in countries with a weaker health system.

The director-general said the virus could “create havoc” if it reaches a country whose health system is not capable of handling such an epidemic.

“I have a great concern that if this virus makes it to a weaker health system it will create havoc,” he said.

He cautioned that the fact that thus far authorities have been able to prevent that, “It doesn’t mean it will not happen — it may.”