What’s the latest news with the corona (nCoV-2019) virus

Here’s the latest:

  • As the US announced over the weekend that it plans to evacuate its citizens marooned on the coronavirus-struck Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan, Australian passengers stranded for more than two weeks on board are expected to be evacuated within days, The Australian writes.
  • Frustrated pharmacists have complained to the competition regulator after a major supplier of P2 face masks increased their wholesale price from $2.50 to $38.50 per unit, The SMH reports.
  • Unions are calling on vice-chancellors to guarantee the income of tens of thousands of casual university teachers amid fears they will lose their jobs as student numbers fall due to the coronavirus travel ban. Almost a quarter of the academic workforce is casual.
  • The first Australians evacuated from Wuhan are due to go home from Christmas Island on Monday, via a government charter jet. Just 36 will remain, and they are expected to leave by the middle of the week.
  • France has confirmed its first fatality from the disease.
  • The director of the World Health Organization has called for an end to the stigma and hate surrounding the virus.