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Coronavirus: WHO plays down pandemic fears after seventh person dies in Italy – as it happened WHO plays down pandemic fears after seventh person dies in Italy – as it happened
(about 1 hour later)
Latest updates amid alarm over sudden rise in cases in Italy and Iran This blog is closed
We will now be closing this live blog. You can find all of our most recent stories about the outbreak on our coronavirus page.We will now be closing this live blog. You can find all of our most recent stories about the outbreak on our coronavirus page.
The effect of the coronavirus outbreak on the Italian economy could be “very strong, the country’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte warns.The effect of the coronavirus outbreak on the Italian economy could be “very strong, the country’s prime minister Giuseppe Conte warns.
Italy is struggling to contain the Europe’s largest coronavirus outbreak, whose epicentre is in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, the industrial and financial heartlands of the country.Italy is struggling to contain the Europe’s largest coronavirus outbreak, whose epicentre is in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, the industrial and financial heartlands of the country.
The US department of homeland security’s top official on the White House’s coronavirus task force has sought help on social media accessing a map about the virus.The US department of homeland security’s top official on the White House’s coronavirus task force has sought help on social media accessing a map about the virus.
Ken Cuccinelli, the DHS acting deputy secretary, first asked on Twitter if a link to the map stopped working for other people (it worked for the Guardian). In a second post, he said it looked like he couldn’t access it because it was behind a paywall.Ken Cuccinelli, the DHS acting deputy secretary, first asked on Twitter if a link to the map stopped working for other people (it worked for the Guardian). In a second post, he said it looked like he couldn’t access it because it was behind a paywall.
“Seems like bad timing to stop helping the world with this (previously) useful resource,” tweeted the senior member of the Trump administration. “Here’s hoping it goes back up soon.”“Seems like bad timing to stop helping the world with this (previously) useful resource,” tweeted the senior member of the Trump administration. “Here’s hoping it goes back up soon.”
The death toll in Europe’s largest coronavirus outbreak has risen to seven on Monday and new cases climbed above 220 as Italy shut down much of its wealthy north to curb the disease’s spread.The death toll in Europe’s largest coronavirus outbreak has risen to seven on Monday and new cases climbed above 220 as Italy shut down much of its wealthy north to curb the disease’s spread.
Italian shares tumbled more than 5%, the biggest daily drop in almost four years, on worries the flare-up could cause a recession, while worried residents emptied supermarket shelves to stock up on essentials.Italian shares tumbled more than 5%, the biggest daily drop in almost four years, on worries the flare-up could cause a recession, while worried residents emptied supermarket shelves to stock up on essentials.
Authorities in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, the industrial and financial heartlands of Italy, shut schools, universities, museums and cinemas for at least a week, and banned public gatherings including the famed Venice carnival.Authorities in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto, the industrial and financial heartlands of Italy, shut schools, universities, museums and cinemas for at least a week, and banned public gatherings including the famed Venice carnival.
In Lombardy, close to Italy’s business capital Milan, nearly 50,000 people have been placed under effective quarantine, as measures were adopted for 10 towns, as well as a further one in neighbouring Veneto.In Lombardy, close to Italy’s business capital Milan, nearly 50,000 people have been placed under effective quarantine, as measures were adopted for 10 towns, as well as a further one in neighbouring Veneto.
“To be honest, nobody thought the spread would be so aggressive,” Lombardy regional governor Attilio Fontana told 102.5 RTL radio, predicting, however that the virus would regress in days due to the emergency measures.“To be honest, nobody thought the spread would be so aggressive,” Lombardy regional governor Attilio Fontana told 102.5 RTL radio, predicting, however that the virus would regress in days due to the emergency measures.
Local authorities announced four new deaths on Monday – three men in their 80s and a 62-year-old. Three previous fatalities recorded since Friday were also elderly people. All those who have died had underlying health problems.Local authorities announced four new deaths on Monday – three men in their 80s and a 62-year-old. Three previous fatalities recorded since Friday were also elderly people. All those who have died had underlying health problems.
Lombardy remained the worst hit region with 172 confirmed cases, while neighbouring Veneto had 33 infections, including four in Venice, which had been packed with tourists before its carnival was curtailed two days ahead of schedule.Lombardy remained the worst hit region with 172 confirmed cases, while neighbouring Veneto had 33 infections, including four in Venice, which had been packed with tourists before its carnival was curtailed two days ahead of schedule.
At national level, 27 people were in intensive care, 101 hospitalised and 94 being monitored at home, officials said.At national level, 27 people were in intensive care, 101 hospitalised and 94 being monitored at home, officials said.
Earlier reports from Ansa incorrectly put the death toll at seven and were corrected to six later on Monday. Local authorities have now clarified that the toll has since risen to seven people.Earlier reports from Ansa incorrectly put the death toll at seven and were corrected to six later on Monday. Local authorities have now clarified that the toll has since risen to seven people.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there were 14 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country, Reuters reported. These did not include the 39 cases who were among those evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the city of Wuhan.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said there were 14 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the country, Reuters reported. These did not include the 39 cases who were among those evacuated from the Diamond Princess cruise ship and the city of Wuhan.
The agency said the 14 confirmed cases included two new cases reported from Humboldt and Sacramento counties, in California.The agency said the 14 confirmed cases included two new cases reported from Humboldt and Sacramento counties, in California.
On Friday, the CDC reported 13 cases among those within the country and 21 cases from among the repatriated Americans and said they were preparing for the possibility of the spread of the virus through US communities that would force the closure of schools and businesses.On Friday, the CDC reported 13 cases among those within the country and 21 cases from among the repatriated Americans and said they were preparing for the possibility of the spread of the virus through US communities that would force the closure of schools and businesses.
American public health officials have also warned that cases among the repatriated citizens will likely increase.American public health officials have also warned that cases among the repatriated citizens will likely increase.
All nations must work together to fight the spread of the coronavirus and prevent a crisis with “dramatic consequences” for global health and the world economy, the UN’s secretary general, António Guterres, has said.All nations must work together to fight the spread of the coronavirus and prevent a crisis with “dramatic consequences” for global health and the world economy, the UN’s secretary general, António Guterres, has said.
Guterres, speaking to reporters during a visit to the World Health Organisation (WHO) centre for managing emergencies, called for full funding of the body’s appeal for $675m (£522m) to cover its overall response for three months. Following a briefing with the WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and other senior officials, Guterres said:Guterres, speaking to reporters during a visit to the World Health Organisation (WHO) centre for managing emergencies, called for full funding of the body’s appeal for $675m (£522m) to cover its overall response for three months. Following a briefing with the WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and other senior officials, Guterres said:
He said the decline in new cases of coronavirus in China was a good trend which he hoped could be maintained.He said the decline in new cases of coronavirus in China was a good trend which he hoped could be maintained.
The World Health Organization has played down fears of a coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, despite sudden serious outbreaks in Italy and Iran, but some experts said they believed it was now inevitable.The World Health Organization has played down fears of a coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, despite sudden serious outbreaks in Italy and Iran, but some experts said they believed it was now inevitable.
“Using the word pandemic now does not fit the facts, but it may certainly cause fear,” said the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at a briefing.“Using the word pandemic now does not fit the facts, but it may certainly cause fear,” said the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, at a briefing.
We are not there yet, said Tedros. “What we see are epidemics in different parts of the world affecting different countries in different ways.”We are not there yet, said Tedros. “What we see are epidemics in different parts of the world affecting different countries in different ways.”
Other experts said it was hard to believe that COVID-19 would not now spread worldwide.Other experts said it was hard to believe that COVID-19 would not now spread worldwide.
“We now consider this to be a pandemic in all but name, and it’s only a matter of time before the World Health Organization starts to use the term in its communications,” said Dr Bharat Pankhania, from the University of Exeter Medical School.“We now consider this to be a pandemic in all but name, and it’s only a matter of time before the World Health Organization starts to use the term in its communications,” said Dr Bharat Pankhania, from the University of Exeter Medical School.
Austria has said it will stop people suspected of carrying the coronavirus from crossing its border, after parts of northern Italy were put into lockdown over the weekend following a surge in cases.Austria has said it will stop people suspected of carrying the coronavirus from crossing its border, after parts of northern Italy were put into lockdown over the weekend following a surge in cases.
The Austrian government released a travel warning for affected areas of Lombardy and Veneto, following a meeting of the government’s coronavirus taskforce that included the chancellor, Sebastian Kurz.The Austrian government released a travel warning for affected areas of Lombardy and Veneto, following a meeting of the government’s coronavirus taskforce that included the chancellor, Sebastian Kurz.
“As far as the borders and cross-border traffic are concerned, we will proceed as follows: we will further tighten warning systems with our neighbours, we will immediately order a stop in the event of suspected cases, as happened last night,” Kurz said on Monday.“As far as the borders and cross-border traffic are concerned, we will proceed as follows: we will further tighten warning systems with our neighbours, we will immediately order a stop in the event of suspected cases, as happened last night,” Kurz said on Monday.
The Trump administration is considering asking Congress for emergency funding to ramp up the US response to coronavirus, Reuters reports.The Trump administration is considering asking Congress for emergency funding to ramp up the US response to coronavirus, Reuters reports.
“We need some funding here to make sure that we ... protect all Americans, that we keep us safe,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Fox News.“We need some funding here to make sure that we ... protect all Americans, that we keep us safe,” White House spokesman Hogan Gidley said on Fox News.
Asked how much funding the administration might ask Congress to approve, Gidley later said that there was no announcement yet on the amount.Asked how much funding the administration might ask Congress to approve, Gidley later said that there was no announcement yet on the amount.
Politico and the Washington Post, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the planning, had reported the administration may request $1bn funding from Congress. An administration official told Reuters the amount was still being finalised, and the request could go to lawmakers this week.Politico and the Washington Post, citing unnamed individuals familiar with the planning, had reported the administration may request $1bn funding from Congress. An administration official told Reuters the amount was still being finalised, and the request could go to lawmakers this week.
There have been 13 cases of people diagnosed with the virus in the US and 21 cases among Americans repatriated on evacuation flights from WuhanThere have been 13 cases of people diagnosed with the virus in the US and 21 cases among Americans repatriated on evacuation flights from Wuhan
Here’s a summary of Monday’s events:Here’s a summary of Monday’s events:
Six people are now confirmed to have died from coronavirus in Italy, which has had the worst outbreak in Europe with 219 confirmed cases. The Italian government has introduced stringent internal travel restrictions, closing off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.Six people are now confirmed to have died from coronavirus in Italy, which has had the worst outbreak in Europe with 219 confirmed cases. The Italian government has introduced stringent internal travel restrictions, closing off the worst-hit areas in the northern regions of Lombardy and Veneto.
Several European countries including Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and Serbia have advised their citizens against travelling to the affected areas in Italy. Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy. Stock markets in Europe closed the day more than 3.5% down amid virus fears.Several European countries including Croatia, Hungary, Ireland and Serbia have advised their citizens against travelling to the affected areas in Italy. Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy. Stock markets in Europe closed the day more than 3.5% down amid virus fears.
Iran has denied trying to cover up the full extent of the outbreak after a reformist website reported 50 deaths from the virus. The deputy health minister said 12 people had died from the virus.Iran has denied trying to cover up the full extent of the outbreak after a reformist website reported 50 deaths from the virus. The deputy health minister said 12 people had died from the virus.
South Korean cases spiked to over 760, as several countries imposed travel bans, and some airlines cancelled routes to Seoul. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq reported their first cases – all involving people who had come from Iran.South Korean cases spiked to over 760, as several countries imposed travel bans, and some airlines cancelled routes to Seoul. Afghanistan, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq reported their first cases – all involving people who had come from Iran.
A team from the World Health Organization was due to visit Iran on Tuesday. The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the sudden increase in cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea as “deeply concerning”.A team from the World Health Organization was due to visit Iran on Tuesday. The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the sudden increase in cases in Italy, Iran and South Korea as “deeply concerning”.
China reported 150 new deaths from the virus, with one outside Hubei province. Infections rose by 409 (398 in Hubei) to 77,150. Four Chinese provinces lowered their alert levels on the virus, including Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou. The WHO said it was encouraged by the decline in new cases in China.China reported 150 new deaths from the virus, with one outside Hubei province. Infections rose by 409 (398 in Hubei) to 77,150. Four Chinese provinces lowered their alert levels on the virus, including Yunnan, Guangdong, Shanxi and Guizhou. The WHO said it was encouraged by the decline in new cases in China.
The death toll for the coronavirus in Italy stands at six, rather than seven as was initially reported.The death toll for the coronavirus in Italy stands at six, rather than seven as was initially reported.
The Lombardy regional government has denied reports that a person with the coronavirus had died at Brescia’s Civili hospital.The Lombardy regional government has denied reports that a person with the coronavirus had died at Brescia’s Civili hospital.
Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy, in an attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has led to a dozen northern Italian towns being put into lockdown.Austria is considering reintroducing border controls with Italy, in an attempt to contain the coronavirus outbreak that has led to a dozen northern Italian towns being put into lockdown.
Italian authorities have said they will impose fines on anyone entering or leaving restricted areas. More than 200 people have contracted the virus and six people have died.Italian authorities have said they will impose fines on anyone entering or leaving restricted areas. More than 200 people have contracted the virus and six people have died.
The European commission announced on Monday that it would send experts to Italy from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in a joint mission with the World Health Organization.The European commission announced on Monday that it would send experts to Italy from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in a joint mission with the World Health Organization.
The EU executive also announced a €232m (£195m) package to deal with the virus, although some of the funds have yet to be signed off.The EU executive also announced a €232m (£195m) package to deal with the virus, although some of the funds have yet to be signed off.
European markets have closed for trading, with all major indices having lost 3.5% or more amid fears about coronavirus spreading to Europe.European markets have closed for trading, with all major indices having lost 3.5% or more amid fears about coronavirus spreading to Europe.
Our business blog has more.Our business blog has more.
Officials are now saying there have been six coronavirus deaths in Italy, not seven. We’ll have more details soon.Officials are now saying there have been six coronavirus deaths in Italy, not seven. We’ll have more details soon.
Japanese health officials and experts on a government panel have acknowledged that the quarantine of the virus-hit cruise ship Diamond Princess was not perfect, AP reports.Japanese health officials and experts on a government panel have acknowledged that the quarantine of the virus-hit cruise ship Diamond Princess was not perfect, AP reports.
The officials said Japanese health authorities faced tough challenges in dealing with a foreign-operated ship that required international negotiations, in the absence of established rules to deal with such a crisis.The officials said Japanese health authorities faced tough challenges in dealing with a foreign-operated ship that required international negotiations, in the absence of established rules to deal with such a crisis.
“The ship was not designed to be a hospital. The ship was a ship,” said Shigeru Omi, a former regional director for the World Health Organization. He added: “Of course isolation was not ideal as would be expected from a hospital, so in my view although the isolation was somehow effective, to a large extent it was not perfect.”“The ship was not designed to be a hospital. The ship was a ship,” said Shigeru Omi, a former regional director for the World Health Organization. He added: “Of course isolation was not ideal as would be expected from a hospital, so in my view although the isolation was somehow effective, to a large extent it was not perfect.”