China, February 16, 2020, 04:50 PM (IST) /Big PRwire/ — Coronavirus Outbreak LIVE Updates: The death toll from China’s novel coronavirus epidemic jumped to 1,665 on Sunday after 142 more people died, although the number of new cases dropped for a third consecutive day. According to China’s national health commission, there were 2,009 new cases reported across the country — the third day of declining cases after a spike earlier in the week due to a change in the way cases were counted. This brings its total number of confirmed cases to 68,500.

Taiwan Reports First Death From novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

Feb 16, 2020, 05:30 PM (IST) –

Taiwan on Sunday reported the nation’s first death from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), a male in his 60s living in central Taiwan, according to the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC).

India Sending Medical Supplies to China to Contain Coronavirus Outbreak

Feb 16, 2020, 4:50 PM (IST) –

India will soon send a consignment of medical supplies to China to assist Beijing in combating the deadly coronavirus outbreak, Indian Ambassador Vikram Misri said on Sunday as he expressed solidarity with the people of China in their fight against the epidemic.

“As a concrete step to tackle the outbreak, India will soon send a consignment of medical supplies to China,” Misri said, adding that this is a concrete measure which will fully demonstrate the goodwill, solidarity and friendship of the people and Government of India with the Chinese people.

The Novel Coronavirus May Have Started in a Chinese Lab Near Wuhan, Experts Say

Feb 16, 2020, 4:10 PM (IST) –

According to experts, the Novel Coronavirus may have started in a lab where scientists were attacked by bats. , experts say. The paper, titled ‘The possible origins of 2019-nCoV coronavirus’, reports that the lab situated in Wuhan housed 600 bats which attacked and “peed on” scientists.

One researcher at the Wuhan Center for Disease Control (WCDC) named only as JH Tian was urinated on also had bat BLOOD on his skin and was forced to quarantine himself, an academic journal says. The facility is located 300 yards from the infamous Wuhan food market.

Scientists at South China University of Technology in Guangzhou believe the lab could be a possible origin of the deadly pandemic. Written by Botao Xiao and Lei Xiao, the research journal claimed WCDC “hosted animals in laboratories for research purposes”, including 605 bats captured in nearby provinces.

American Passenger From Westerdam Cruise Is Said to Test Positive

Feb 16, 2020, 11:50 am (IST) –

The passenger from the Westerdam Cruise, which docked in Cambodia last week after being turned away elsewhere, was confirmed to have the novel coronavirus virus in Malaysia, officials there said.

5 More Cases in Singapore

Feb 16, 2020, 10:17 am (IST) —

Five more cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Singapore, bringing the total tally of infections in the country to 72, stated health officials, reported CNN. The report added that the the Ministry of Health said that none of the new cases travelled to China recently, but were related to the previous confirmed cases. 

Russian Woman Attempts To Flee Quarantine, Faces Lawsuit

Feb 16, 202010:01 am (IST) –

According to a report by CNN, a Russian attempted to escape a hospital ward where she was isolated because of coronavirus. The woman is now facing a lawsuit after heath authorities filed a case against her for endangering the public, said Russian state media. Alla Ilyina returned from China on January 31 and was at the Botkin Hospital for Infection Diseases in St Petersburg, the CNN report stated. She fled by short-circuiting the electronic lock on the door to her ward, officials said.

Tokyo Olympic Holds Rehearsal Amid Virus Fears

Feb 16, 2020, 9:51 am (IST) –

Tokyo Olympic organisers held a dummy run for the torch relay Saturday as fears over the coronavirus epidemic continue to cast a dark shadow over preparations for this summer’s Games, reported AP. (Image: Reuters/Athit Perawongmetha)

Canada to Evacuate Citizens from Japan Ship

Feb 16, 2020, 9:33 am (IST) –

Canada has chartered a plane to evacuate its citizens onboard the Diamond Princess cruise liner docked in Yokohama, Japan, the Canadian government said, reported Reuters. Canadian passengers who exhibit symptoms of the coronavirus infection will not be permitted to board the flight and will instead be transferred to the Japanese health care system to receive appropriate care, the government said.