Frenchman whose wife worked in fish market caught coronavirus in DECEMBER despite no China links leaves - The Sun

A FRENCHMAN is now known to have had coronavirus in December after samples taken late last year were retested and a positive case found. 

Amirouche Hammar, 43, whose symptoms left doctors baffled at the time, came forward after a hospital near Paris said it had found a case of the virus in a sample taken on December 27.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

3

Amirouche Hammar, 43, is now known to have had coronavirus in December

3

The Avicenne hospital in Paris identified a case of the virus when retesting samples

He said he had had to go to hospital because he was suffering "very serious" pains in his chest and difficulty breathing.

Doctors eventually concluded he had a lung infection, and Hammar recovered after spending several days in hospital.

It is not known how Hammar, who has no links to China, where they outbreak began, caught the virus, but his wife does work on the fish counter of a supermarket near Charles de Gaulle airport.

The airport is a major international hub, and it is common for the supermarket to get customers who have recently landed.

The finding suggests that the virus arrived in Europe and began to spread long before it was identified and understood as a public health emergency.

France officially confirmed its first coronavirus case on January 24, exactly four weeks after the sample that has now tested positive was taken.

In an interview with BMFTV, Hammar said he initially thought he had flu, but went to the Avicenne hospital, in the Paris suburbs, after his symptoms became worse.

"At 5am I decided to take my car and I went straight to the hospital," he said.

"I said, 'We must call the doctor right away, something is wrong. I have chest pain'."

He said he had been contacted in the last few days by Dr Yves Cohen, who works at the Avicenne hospital and told he had been "100 per cent positive" for the coronavirus.

Dr Cohen has since explained that researchers at two different hospitals had run new tests on samples from 24 patients originally taken to test for flu.

"He was amazed, he didn't understand how he had been infected," he said.

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"We put the puzzle together and he had not made any trips.

"The only contact that he had was with his wife."

He added that is was too soon to know for sure who was France's "patient zero".

3

France officially confirmed its first coronavirus case on January 24Credit: Getty Images - Getty

France's oldest doctor, 98, refuses to stop seeing coronavirus patients

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2020-05-05 11:44:29Z
52780766910246

Frenchman, 43, reveals he is the 'patient zero' who had coronavirus last December - Daily Mail

Revealed - The Frenchman who had coronavirus in DECEMBER: 43-year-old whose wife works in a fish market suffered 'very serious' chest pains but doctors were baffled

• Amirouche Hammar was in a hospital in the Paris suburbs in December 2019
• The hospital has since re-tested samples and found a positive test for Covid-19
• There were no confirmed cases abroad until Jan 13, and in France until Jan 24 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Tim Stickings For Mailonline

Published: 08:28 BST, 5 May 2020 | Updated: 10:58 BST, 5 May 2020

A 43-year-old Frenchman has revealed himself as the country's potential 'patient zero' who was infected with coronavirus last December.

Amirouche Hammar came forward after a hospital near Paris revealed it had re-tested old flu samples and found a positive test for coronavirus on December 27. 

The result suggests that the virus was spreading in France well before January 24, when the country confirmed its first case.   

Speaking to BFMTV, Hammar said he had suffered 'very serious' chest pains but said doctors had been mystified by his illness before eventually diagnosing a lung infection. 

Amirouche Hammar (pictured) has revealed himself as the French patient who had coronavirus as early as December 27 

It is not clear how Hammar caught the virus, because he has no direct links to China where the outbreak began late last year. 

Hammar's wife works at a supermarket near Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris where passengers are known to go shopping after they land. 

The doctor who revealed the case said the patient's wife had worked at a fish market with colleagues of Chinese origin. 

'We're wondering whether she was asymptomatic,' said Dr Yves Cohen of the Avicenne hospital where Hammar was treated. 

Hammar, who lives in Bobigny, said Dr Cohen had contacted him in recent days and informed him he was '100 per cent positive' for the virus. 

At the time, he had symptoms including a fever, cough and breathing problems which are now known to be symptoms of Covid-19. 

He initially suspected flu, but was puzzled by the symptoms and went to hospital where he was given a breathing mask. 

'At 5am I decided to take my car and I went straight to the hospital,' he said. 

'I said we must call the doctor right away, something is wrong, I have chest pain,' he said, saying it was affecting his breathing. 

Hammar was treated at the Avicenne hospital in the Paris suburbs (pictured) where medics have recently re-tested samples from December and found a coronavirus case 

Dr Yves Cohen, head of resuscitation at several hospitals in Ile-de-France, Paris, said new patient sample testing has confirmed a patient in France had coronavirus on December 27

Medics struggled to identify what was wrong with the 43-year-old, but told him it may be a lung infection and warned that his illness was 'very serious'.

After several days in hospital he returned home and eventually recovered, not realising he had been infected with the new virus. 

China reported the new virus to the World Health Organisation on December 31, but there were no confirmed cases abroad until January 13 and France did not officially record its first until January 24. 

Dr Cohen said scientists at two hospitals had re-tested samples from 24 patients, of which one came back positive. 

The samples had all been collected to detect flu using PCR tests, the same screening process that can also be used to detect the presence of coronavirus. 

Each sample was re-tested several times to ensure there were no errors, he added.  

Dr Cohen said it was too early to say for sure whether Hammar was France's 'patient zero'. 

'He may be the 'patient zero', but perhaps there are others in other regions,' he said. 

'All the negative PCRs for pneumonia must be tested again. The virus was probably circulating.' 

'He was amazed, he didn't understand how he had been infected. We put the puzzle together and he had not made any trips. The only contact that he had was with his wife,' he said.  

Olivier Bouchaud, head of the hospital's infectious diseases department said the virus could have spread 'quietly in the population, without anyone detecting its presence'.

Evidence of earlier infections would confirm what many scientists had already suspected, he said.  

Read more:

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2020-05-05 10:18:04Z
CAIiEKxr998PDnGkV0cizySCj90qGQgEKhAIACoHCAowzuOICzCZ4ocDMN6YowY

Frenchman, 43, reveals he is the 'patient zero' who had coronavirus last December - Daily Mail

Revealed - The Frenchman who had coronavirus in DECEMBER: 43-year-old whose wife works in a fish market suffered 'very serious' chest pains but doctors were baffled

• Amirouche Hammar was in a hospital in the Paris suburbs in December 2019
• The hospital has since re-tested samples and found a positive test for Covid-19
• There were no confirmed cases abroad until Jan 13, and in France until Jan 24 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Tim Stickings For Mailonline

Published: 08:28 BST, 5 May 2020 | Updated: 10:36 BST, 5 May 2020

A 43-year-old Frenchman has revealed himself as the country's potential 'patient zero' who was infected with coronavirus last December.

Amirouche Hammar came forward after a hospital near Paris revealed it had re-tested old flu samples and found a positive test for coronavirus on December 27. 

The result suggests that the virus was spreading in France well before January 24, when the country confirmed its first case.   

Speaking to BFMTV, Hammar said he had suffered 'very serious' chest pains but said doctors had been mystified by his illness before eventually diagnosing a lung infection. 

Amirouche Hammar (pictured) has revealed himself as the French patient who had coronavirus as early as December 27 

It is not clear how Hammar caught the virus, because he has no direct links to China where the outbreak began late last year. 

Hammar's wife works at a supermarket near Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris where passengers are known to go shopping after they land. 

The doctor who revealed the case said the patient's wife had worked at a fish market with colleagues of Chinese origin. 

'We're wondering whether she was asymptomatic,' said Dr Yves Cohen of the Avicenne hospital where Hammar was treated. 

Hammar, who lives in Bobigny, said Dr Cohen had contacted him in recent days and informed him he was '100 per cent positive' for the virus. 

At the time, he had symptoms including a fever, cough and breathing problems which are now known to be symptoms of Covid-19. 

He initially suspected flu, but was puzzled by the symptoms and went to hospital where he was given a breathing mask. 

'At 5am I decided to take my car and I went straight to the hospital,' he said. 

'I said we must call the doctor right away, something is wrong, I have chest pain,' he said, saying it was affecting his breathing. 

Hammar was treated at the Avicenne hospital in the Paris suburbs (pictured) where medics have recently re-tested samples from December and found a coronavirus case 

Dr Yves Cohen, head of resuscitation at several hospitals in Ile-de-France, Paris, said new patient sample testing has confirmed a patient in France had coronavirus on December 27

Medics struggled to identify what was wrong with the 43-year-old, but told him it may be a lung infection and warned that his illness was 'very serious'.

After several days in hospital he returned home and eventually recovered, not realising he had been infected with the new virus. 

China reported the new virus to the World Health Organisation on December 31, but there were no confirmed cases abroad until January 13 and France did not officially record its first until January 24. 

Dr Cohen said scientists at two hospitals had re-tested samples from 24 patients, of which one came back positive. 

The samples had all been collected to detect flu using PCR tests, the same screening process that can also be used to detect the presence of coronavirus. 

Each sample was re-tested several times to ensure there were no errors, he added.  

Dr Cohen said it was too early to say for sure whether Hammar was France's 'patient zero'. 

'He may be the 'patient zero', but perhaps there are others in other regions,' he said. 

'All the negative PCRs for pneumonia must be tested again. The virus was probably circulating.' 

'He was amazed, he didn't understand how he had been infected. We put the puzzle together and he had not made any trips. The only contact that he had was with his wife,' he said.  

Olivier Bouchaud, head of the hospital's infectious diseases department said the virus could have spread 'quietly in the population, without anyone detecting its presence'.

Evidence of earlier infections would confirm what many scientists had already suspected, he said.  

Read more:

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2020-05-05 09:47:29Z
52780766863674

What is the NHS Covid-19 contact-tracing app and how can I download it? - The Sun

LOCKDOWN restrictions could soon begin to ease - and human guinea pigs are supporting the fight to return to normality by testing out the new NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app.

Officials hope the pioneering tech will help the UK overcome the deadly virus - and experts believe high uptake will ensure fresh outbreaks are quickly snuffed out, preventing a second deadly peak.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

2

A new tracing app is currently being trialled on the Isle of WightCredit: EPA

A trial of the voluntary app – provisionally called “NHS – Covid-19” – will start on the Isle of Wight from Tuesday, May 5, when NHS staff on the island will be able to use it before being rolled out to its citizens.

Experts say daily infections would still have to fall further – ideally below 1,000 - before it could work effectively across Britain.

But England's excess death rate is one of the worst in Europe, new figures show.

The government is hiring a team of 18,000 to trace the contacts of anyone infected with the virus.

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is a method used by scientists to slow the spread of infectious outbreaks.

During the pandemic, anyone sufferers might have been in prolonged contact with will be traced.

Those contacts may then be asked to self-isolate.

However, there's some disagreement about what "close contact" might look like.

The Government recommends staying two metres away from others - but the World Health Organisation advises people to stay a metre apart.

The app will capture just distance, rather than time spent with a person and the setting.

Contact tracing is already being used in Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany.

2

A raft of measures will be introduced to control the virus, and social distancing is likely to remain a key methodCredit: Getty Images - Getty

How the new app works

The app will work by using Bluetooth to log when another user’s smartphone has been in close proximity - but will not use up much of your phone's battery life.

If a person develops Covid-19 symptoms, they can report their symptoms to the app and immediately organise a test.

Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff

We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.

We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.

A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”

We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.

The tech automatically sends out an anonymous alert to other users they may have been infected, urging them to self-isolate if necessary – thus stopping further spread.

They will then have the ability to book a coronavirus test.

Experts estimate if 60 per cent of Brits used the app on their phone, then future outbreaks could be prevented.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in the press briefing on May 4 that the app does not hold any personal information, with privacy paramount and has been cleared for cyber security.

When can Brits download the app?

Currently, the app is being trialled, and it's not yet available to members of the public.

A national roll-out is expected in mid-May, when it can be downloaded for free.

NHS bosses say Brits will be able to start using it towards the end of May.

Hancock said people living on the Isle of Wight have been written to with details on how to download the app to their phones.

Residents will test out the tech first.

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Could this be our way out of lockdown?

Contact tracing was important when it came to lifting restrictions in other countries, but only when combined with other measures.

South Korea did not go into lockdown thanks to an early strategy of extensive tracing, combined with mass testing.

If adopted widely enough, contact tracing might help ease UK restrictions.

The government first attempted contact tracing early on in the outbreak, before there were too many cases for it to be effective.

---

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2020-05-05 09:15:28Z
52780757591463

What is the NHS Covid-19 contact-tracing app and how can I download it? - The Sun

LOCKDOWN restrictions could soon begin to ease - and human guinea pigs are supporting the fight to return to normality by testing out the new NHS coronavirus contact-tracing app.

Officials hope the pioneering tech will help the UK overcome the deadly virus - and experts believe high uptake will ensure fresh outbreaks are quickly snuffed out, preventing a second deadly peak.

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

2

A new tracing app is currently being trialled on the Isle of WightCredit: EPA

A trial of the voluntary app – provisionally called “NHS – Covid-19” – will start on the Isle of Wight from Tuesday, May 5, when NHS staff on the island will be able to use it before being rolled out to its citizens.

Experts say daily infections would still have to fall further – ideally below 1,000 - before it could work effectively across Britain.

But England's excess death rate is one of the worst in Europe, new figures show.

The government is hiring a team of 18,000 to trace the contacts of anyone infected with the virus.

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is a method used by scientists to slow the spread of infectious outbreaks.

During the pandemic, anyone sufferers might have been in prolonged contact with will be traced.

Those contacts may then be asked to self-isolate.

However, there's some disagreement about what "close contact" might look like.

The Government recommends staying two metres away from others - but the World Health Organisation advises people to stay a metre apart.

The app will capture just distance, rather than time spent with a person and the setting.

Contact tracing is already being used in Hong Kong, Singapore and Germany.

2

A raft of measures will be introduced to control the virus, and social distancing is likely to remain a key methodCredit: Getty Images - Getty

How the new app works

The app will work by using Bluetooth to log when another user’s smartphone has been in close proximity - but will not use up much of your phone's battery life.

If a person develops Covid-19 symptoms, they can report their symptoms to the app and immediately organise a test.

Join our George Cross campaign for NHS staff

We are urging Sun readers to sign a petition calling for our NHS staff to be awarded the George Cross.

We are backing a proposal by Lord Ashcroft to honour our health heroes with the gallantry gong given for acts of bravery that did not take place in battle.

A No10 spokesman said: “The NHS is doing a fantastic job and the nation will want to find a way to say thank you when we have defeated this virus.” SAS hero Andy McNab added: “The award of a George Cross would show an emotional appreciation.”

We are asking our readers to please sign the petition below.

The tech automatically sends out an anonymous alert to other users they may have been infected, urging them to self-isolate if necessary – thus stopping further spread.

They will then have the ability to book a coronavirus test.

Experts estimate if 60 per cent of Brits used the app on their phone, then future outbreaks could be prevented.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said in the press briefing on May 4 that the app does not hold any personal information, with privacy paramount and has been cleared for cyber security.

When can Brits download the app?

Currently, the app is being trialled, and it's not yet available to members of the public.

A national roll-out is expected in mid-May, when it can be downloaded for free.

NHS bosses say Brits will be able to start using it towards the end of May.

Hancock said people living on the Isle of Wight have been written to with details on how to download the app to their phones.

Residents will test out the tech first.

CORONAVIRUS CRISIS - STAY IN THE KNOW

Don't miss the latest news and figures - and essential advice for you and your family.

To receive The Sun's Coronavirus newsletter in your inbox every tea time, sign up here.
To follow us on Facebook, simply 'Like' our Coronavirus page.

Get Britain's best-selling newspaper delivered to your smartphone or tablet each day - find out more.

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TECH, TRACK AND TRACE

NHS app launched that 'puts easing virus lockdown in hands of public'

VIRAL SPREAD

What is the coronavirus test, track and trace strategy and how does it work?

Could this be our way out of lockdown?

Contact tracing was important when it came to lifting restrictions in other countries, but only when combined with other measures.

South Korea did not go into lockdown thanks to an early strategy of extensive tracing, combined with mass testing.

If adopted widely enough, contact tracing might help ease UK restrictions.

The government first attempted contact tracing early on in the outbreak, before there were too many cases for it to be effective.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock reveals details about the new coronavirus contact-tracing app and Isle of Wight plan

---

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2020-05-05 08:48:04Z
52780757591463

New Zealand PM: No open borders for 'a long time' - NewsClicks

Image copyright
SANKA VIDANAGAMA

Image caption

Tourists leaving Christchurch on a particular flight on 8 April

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the nation won’t have open borders with the remainder of the world for “a long time to come”.

Ms Ardern was talking after attending a part of Australia’s cupboard assembly through video hyperlink.

The assembly mentioned a potential “trans-Tasman bubble”, the place individuals might go between Australia and New Zealand freely, and with out quarantine.

But she stated guests from additional afield weren’t potential any time quickly.

Both Australia and New Zealand have closed their borders to nearly all foreigners as a part of their Covid-19 response.

What did Jacinda Ardern say?

Ms Ardern stated New Zealand and Australia had been discussing a “bubble of sorts between us, a safe zone of travel”.

She confused there was “a lot of work to be done before we can progress…but it’s obviously been floated because of the benefits it would bring”.

But, in response to a query in regards to the nation’s tourism sector, Ms Ardern stated: “We will not have open borders for the rest of the world for a long time to come.”

Tourism is considered one of New Zealand’s largest industries, immediately using nearly 10% of the nation’s workforce, and contributing almost 6% of GDP.

Most guests are from Australia, adopted by China, the US, and the UK.

What is the virus state of affairs in Australia and New Zealand?

Ms Ardern stated any “trans-Tasman bubble” was solely potential due to “the world leading actions” of each nations.

On Tuesday, New Zealand reported no new circumstances for the second day in a row.

It has had fewer than 1,500 confirmed circumstances in whole, and solely 20 deaths. Last week it eased its lockdown from Level four to Level 3.

Australia – which has a inhabitants of round 25 million, 5 instances that of New Zealand – has had nearly 7,000 circumstances and 96 deaths.

But it, too, has “flattened the curve” of infections, and numerous states and territories have additionally eased their lockdowns.

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Media captionSydney seashores re-open for locals’ psychological well being

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2020-05-05 06:13:07Z
CAIiEA-epEi10rbjh-BWv-DZqCwqGQgEKhAIACoHCAowiuGXCzCsiq8DMJvO0gY

New Zealand PM: No open borders for 'a long time' - BBC News

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the country will not have open borders with the rest of the world for "a long time to come".

Ms Ardern was speaking after attending part of Australia's cabinet meeting via video link.

The meeting discussed a possible "trans-Tasman bubble", where people could go between Australia and New Zealand freely, and without quarantine.

But she said visitors from further afield were not possible any time soon.

Both Australia and New Zealand have closed their borders to almost all foreigners as part of their Covid-19 response.

What did Jacinda Ardern say?

Ms Ardern said New Zealand and Australia were discussing a "bubble of sorts between us, a safe zone of travel".

She stressed there was "a lot of work to be done before we can progress...but it's obviously been floated because of the benefits it would bring".

But, in response to a question about the country's tourism sector, Ms Ardern said: "We will not have open borders for the rest of the world for a long time to come."

Tourism is one of New Zealand's biggest industries, directly employing almost 10% of the country's workforce, and contributing almost 6% of GDP.

Most visitors are from Australia, followed by China, the US, and the UK.

What is the virus situation in Australia and New Zealand?

Ms Ardern said any "trans-Tasman bubble" was only possible because of "the world leading actions" of both countries.

On Tuesday, New Zealand reported no new cases for the second day in a row.

It has had fewer than 1,500 confirmed cases in total, and only 20 deaths. Last week it eased its lockdown from Level 4 to Level 3.

Australia - which has a population of around 25 million, five times that of New Zealand - has had almost 7,000 cases and 96 deaths.

But it, too, has "flattened the curve" of infections, and various states and territories have also eased their lockdowns.

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2020-05-05 03:50:57Z
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