February 15 coronavirus news

By Jessie Yeung, Steve George and Amy Woodyatt, CNN

Updated 7:51 p.m. ET, February 15, 2020
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2:38 p.m. ET, February 15, 2020

First case of coronavirus involving Westerdam cruise ship confirmed, a US citizen

From CNN’s Kocha Olarn in Bangkok and Sharif Paget in Atlanta

The Westerdam cruise ship is seen past Cambodian policemen as it approaches port in Sihanoukville, Cambodia's southern coast, on February 13.
The Westerdam cruise ship is seen past Cambodian policemen as it approaches port in Sihanoukville, Cambodia's southern coast, on February 13. Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP/Getty Images

The first case of coronavirus involving the Westerdam cruise ship was confirmed by Malaysia on Saturday, after an 83-year-old US citizen tested positive, according to a report from state media Bernama.

Several Asian countries refused to let the Westerdam dock in their ports before being allowed to disembark in Cambodia on Friday. The cruise ship, which had a total of 1,455 guests and 802 crew onboard was not under quarantine, Holland America Line said last week.  

All passengers and crew members onboard the cruise ship were allowed to return to their respective countries by the Cambodian government after they successfully passed through health screenings. 

The US citizen and her husband, also American, were found to have symptoms as soon as they landed at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Cambodia, Bernama added. They were referred to the Sungai Buloh hospital for examination, which concluded that the woman tested positive while her husband, age 85, tested negative.

The husband is still undergoing treatment and observation at the hospital for his symptoms.

The total tally of confirmed cases in Malaysia is now up to 22, according to a report from state media Bernama. 

CNN has reached out to the State Department for a comment.

1:31 p.m. ET, February 15, 2020

US cruise ship passengers urged to disembark, return to US

From CNN's Shawn Notitngham

US citizens aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship docked in Japan will undergo extensive screening and a 14 day quarantine period should they choose to disembark.

On Saturday, US passengers received an email from the State Department urging them to leave the ship and return to the United States. There are currently some 400 US citizens aboard the Diamond Princess.

The State Department will provide chartered flights for those who choose to leave. Passengers choosing to fly back aboard the charter will be screened before they leave the ship and monitored by medical personnel during their return to the US, according to a news release from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Once back in the country, passengers will undergo a 14 day quarantine period at either Travis Air Base in California or Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas. The passengers returning from Japan will be housed separately from those evacuated from China at the same bases.

More context: So far at least 24 Americans aboard the ship have tested positive for the novel coronavirus aboard the ship. Americans who have already tested positive for coronavirus, as well as those showing symptoms of the virus, will not be able to board the charter aircraft back to the United States, and will continue to receive treatment in Japan.

 

3:43 p.m. ET, February 15, 2020

Hopes dashed for cruise ship couple from US hoping to evacuate

From CNN’s Will Ripley

Rebecca Frasure and her husband, Kent, aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Rebecca Frasure and her husband, Kent, aboard the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship. CNN

An American couple from Oregon who traveled in the Diamond Princess cruise ship that's docked at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama have had their hopes of coming home dashed.

Rebecca Frasure has tested positive for the virus, which means she can’t board a flight to the US and has to remain in quarantine at a nearby hospital.

Her husband Kent remains on the cruise ship and it's unclear what he will do.

“It was like a punch in the gut. I was so sure that this was going to come out negative. I was so sure that this was going to come out negative,” Rebecca Frasure told CNN.

Getting out: The US is sending charter planes to evacuate US citizens and their families Sunday evening local time. Those who choose to fly back on the planes will be quarantined for 14 days once they arrive.

11:12 a.m. ET, February 15, 2020

Japan "appreciates" American Diamond Princess evacuation plan

From CNN’s Yoko Wakatsuki in Tokyo

The Japanese government said it “appreciates” the US decision to offer voluntary evacuation to American citizens and their immediate family on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.

“The Government of Japan believes that the measures taken by the US government will help mitigate the Government of Japan’s burden regarding medical response in the ‘Diamond Princess’ and appreciates such measures," the ministry said.

The Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, is seen at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama port on February 14.
The Diamond Princess cruise ship, with around 3,600 people quarantined onboard due to fears of the new coronavirus, is seen at the Daikoku Pier Cruise Terminal in Yokohama port on February 14. Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images

Evacuation flights: The United States is sending charter planes to evacuate US citizens and their families Sunday evening local time. Those who choose to fly back on the evacuation planes will be quarantined for 14 days once they arrive.

9:58 a.m. ET, February 15, 2020

Japan confirms 3 more coronavirus cases

From CNN’s Yoko Wakatsuki in Tokyo

Japanese officials report another three cases of coronavirus, totaling nine new cases Saturday not from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

These cases are in addition to the 67 reported earlier today from the Diamond Princess.

9:28 a.m. ET, February 15, 2020

Condition of Chinese tourist who died in France "deteriorated rapidly" after hospitalization

From CNN’s Max Ramsay in London

The Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales (Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit) of the Bichat hospital in Paris, France, on January 25.
The Service des Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales (Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit) of the Bichat hospital in Paris, France, on January 25. Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

The condition of the Chinese novel coronavirus patient who died in France had “deteriorated rapidly” after being hospitalized on Jan. 25, French Health Minister Agnès Buzyn said Saturday, adding that he had been kept under intensive care for several days.

“His condition had deteriorated rapidly and he had been in a critical condition under intensive care for several days,” Buzyn said.

The patient in question was a Chinese tourist from Hubei Province, who arrived in France on Jan. 16. The patient was kept under strict isolation after being hospitalized just days after his arrival, Buzyn added.

Buzyn confirmed that the patient’s daughter has also tested positive to Coronavirus and is being treated at the Bichat hospital in Paris, but should be released from hospital soon. 

“Her state of health is no longer a cause of concern and she should be able to leave the hospital soon,” Buzyn said.

By the numbers: There are 11 cases of coronavirus have so far been confirmed in France, according to the Health Ministry. Of these, four patients have been cured and discharged, one patient has died, and six remain in hospital in non-severe conditions.

11:27 a.m. ET, February 15, 2020

Hong Kong’s public hospitals have "tight" supply of protective gear

From Chermaine Lee in Hong Kong

A medical worker wearing protective gear waits to take the temperature of people entering Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong on February 4.
A medical worker wearing protective gear waits to take the temperature of people entering Princess Margaret Hospital in Hong Kong on February 4. Anthony Wallace/AFP/Getty Images

The supply of medical protective gear in Hong Kong’s public hospitals is “tight," officials said in a press conference on Saturday.

The protective gear for public hospitals — including face masks and protective clothing — is estimated to be enough for the next month, and authorities are looking to purchase more in different countries, according to Hospital Authority Chief Manager for Patient Safety and Risk Management, Dr Sara Ho.

Ho cited difficulties in procuring the equipment, noting that some countries set export restrictions on such products. She added that even though some orders were made, the goods were not delivered on schedule.

Coronavirus in Hong Kong: There have been 56 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in Hong Kong and one death.

9:57 a.m. ET, February 15, 2020

Japan has 9 more confirmed coronavirus cases

From CNN’s Junko Oguro in Tokyo

There are nine more people in Japan, not on the Diamond Princess ship, who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Japanese Mistry of Health, Labour, and Welfare said Saturday.

One person is a surgeon in his 50s who works at same hospital where another doctor tested positive earlier, in Wakayama Prefecture. Eight others are in Tokyo. Seven of them had close contact with a taxi driver who was found to be infected, the ministry said.

8:51 a.m. ET, February 15, 2020

First coronavirus patient dies in Europe

From CNN’s Max Ramsay

A picture taken on January 25, 2020 shows the entrance of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit of the Bichat Hospital in Paris.
A picture taken on January 25, 2020 shows the entrance of the Infectious and Tropical Diseases Unit of the Bichat Hospital in Paris. Alain Jocard/AFP/Getty Images

A Chinese tourist who tested positive for the novel coronavirus has become the first person to die in the outbreak in Europe.

The patient, who was 80 years old, had been receiving treatment at the Bichat Hospital in Paris since January 25, according to a statement from French Health Minister Agnes Buzyn.