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Coronavirus live updates: UK to hold emergency meeting while Australia reports first community transmission Coronavirus live updates: UK holds emergency meeting while Australia reports first community transmission
(32 minutes later)
Virus continues to spread with Indonesia reporting first two casesVirus continues to spread with Indonesia reporting first two cases
Portugal registered its first two cases of the new coronavirus on Monday, SIC television channel reported. Reuters reports:
An escalation in the coronavirus outbreak could cut global economic growth in half and plunge several countries into recession this year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has warned.
Sounding the alarm as the disease spreads around the world and rattles investors, the OECD said global GDP growth could plunge this year to as little as 1.5%, almost half the 2.9% rate it forecast before the outbreak took hold.
Against a backdrop of already weak GDP growth, the economies of Japan and the eurozone could slide into recession this year, it added, while warning that failure in the UK’s post-Brexit trade talks with the EU also represented a significant downside risk.
The influential Paris-based group – which represents the 36 most advanced economies – urged governments around the world to take greater steps to work together, calling for an international response as Covid-19 spreads.
Ireland’s chief medical officer has defended the decision to close a secondary school after it was confirmed a student was diagnosed with coronavirus.
Dr Tony Holohan said the move to shut the school for two weeks was a “proportionate measure”. PA Media reports:
The global death toll from the coronavirus outbreak exceeded 3,000 on Monday as South Korea reported almost 500 new cases of the disease and a second person died in the US, Justin McCurry, the Guardian’s Tokyo correspondent, reports.
Covid-19 has now infected more than 88,000 people and spread to more than 60 countries after first emerging in China late last year. Indonesia, which has so far claimed to be virus-free, registered its first two cases on Monday.
More than two months on, most cases and deaths are still confined to China, whose health commission reported 202 new infections on Monday – the lowest daily rise since late January – and 42 new deaths. Hubei province, where the outbreak has been concentrated, recorded 196 of the 202 new cases and all of the new deaths.
The death toll in China rose to 2,912, but it is also creeping up in other countries. Iran has the second highest number of deaths, with 54, Australia reported its first Covid-19 death over the weekend. Infections nearly doubled over the weekend in Italy – Europe’s hardest-hit country with nearly 1,700 cases.
The number of cases in the US rose to at least 76 with two deaths, both in Washington state. The second victim was a man in his 70s who died on Saturday in a nursing home where several other people are infected, local health authorities said.
Authorities in China have closed the first of 16 hospitals specially built in Wuhan to tackle the coronavirus epidemic, the Chinese state broadcaster CCTV has said. According to Reuters:
Paul Cosford, the emeritus medical director of Public Health England, who we reported earlier as telling Good Morning Britain that the UK could expect to see widespread coronavirus infection “fairly soon”, has also been speaking on the Today programme this morning.Paul Cosford, the emeritus medical director of Public Health England, who we reported earlier as telling Good Morning Britain that the UK could expect to see widespread coronavirus infection “fairly soon”, has also been speaking on the Today programme this morning.
Cosford told today that there will come a point “where we reduce social contact if we see more widespread transmission”.Cosford told today that there will come a point “where we reduce social contact if we see more widespread transmission”.
Cosford said, however, that it was important that people remembered the infection was mild in most cases.Cosford said, however, that it was important that people remembered the infection was mild in most cases.
People in Israel are voting in a national election today and the government has set up 16 special voting booths for roughly 5,000 people who are in precautionary home isolation, Oliver Holmes, the Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent, reports. The polling stations are small tents made of plastic sheeting, with staff in full protective suits.People in Israel are voting in a national election today and the government has set up 16 special voting booths for roughly 5,000 people who are in precautionary home isolation, Oliver Holmes, the Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent, reports. The polling stations are small tents made of plastic sheeting, with staff in full protective suits.
Ten Israelis in total have contracted the virus and have been quarantined. The health ministry, however, has said it does not see a threat to the general public from voting today and urged people to go out.Ten Israelis in total have contracted the virus and have been quarantined. The health ministry, however, has said it does not see a threat to the general public from voting today and urged people to go out.
Police are also on alert as there are fears some people might spread false reports about coronavirus to suppress votes for their opponents.Police are also on alert as there are fears some people might spread false reports about coronavirus to suppress votes for their opponents.
India said on Monday two people in the country had tested positive for coronavirus. According to Reuters:India said on Monday two people in the country had tested positive for coronavirus. According to Reuters:
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 150 on Monday from 129 on Sunday, Reuters reports the Robert Koch Institute for disease control as saying.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has risen to 150 on Monday from 129 on Sunday, Reuters reports the Robert Koch Institute for disease control as saying.
Iraq has detected two new coronavirus patients, both of whom had recently visited Iran, the Health Ministry said on Monday, bringing the total cases recorded so far to 21, Reuters reports. The news agency goes on:Iraq has detected two new coronavirus patients, both of whom had recently visited Iran, the Health Ministry said on Monday, bringing the total cases recorded so far to 21, Reuters reports. The news agency goes on:
Public Health England’s emeritus medical director, Paul Cosford, says the UK can expect to see widespread coronavirus infection “fairly soon.” Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Cosford said:Public Health England’s emeritus medical director, Paul Cosford, says the UK can expect to see widespread coronavirus infection “fairly soon.” Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Cosford said:
In the UK, Jonathon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, says he would support shutting down cities to control the spread of coronavirus.In the UK, Jonathon Ashworth, the shadow health secretary, says he would support shutting down cities to control the spread of coronavirus.
Ahead of a meeting of the government’s Cobra national security committee this morning, to be chaired by the prime minister, Ashworth told BBC Breakfast this morning that he wanted greater clarity from the government about its next steps.Ahead of a meeting of the government’s Cobra national security committee this morning, to be chaired by the prime minister, Ashworth told BBC Breakfast this morning that he wanted greater clarity from the government about its next steps.
He said Labour would support shutting down cities to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the UK, “if the medical advice and the scientific advice is to take measures along those lines.” Ashworth went on:He said Labour would support shutting down cities to prevent the spread of Covid-19 within the UK, “if the medical advice and the scientific advice is to take measures along those lines.” Ashworth went on:
Concern is growing among campaigners that vital UN climate talks will be derailed by the coronavirus outbreak, while government officials are working to find ways round the problem, reports Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s environment correspondent.Concern is growing among campaigners that vital UN climate talks will be derailed by the coronavirus outbreak, while government officials are working to find ways round the problem, reports Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s environment correspondent.
This year’s UN talks on the climate are the most important since the Paris agreement in 2015, as the world is now far adrift of the Paris goals and the Cop26 summit – scheduled for Glasgow this November – is seen as one of the last chances to put nations back on track to avoid climate breakdown.This year’s UN talks on the climate are the most important since the Paris agreement in 2015, as the world is now far adrift of the Paris goals and the Cop26 summit – scheduled for Glasgow this November – is seen as one of the last chances to put nations back on track to avoid climate breakdown.
But while the talks will take place over a fortnight in November, the frantic round of global diplomacy required to reach a settlement is already under way and is being affected by the outbreak of the virus. Campaigners fear that preparations are being hampered by both the travel restrictionsand the urgent demands the outbreak is putting on governments’ time and resources.But while the talks will take place over a fortnight in November, the frantic round of global diplomacy required to reach a settlement is already under way and is being affected by the outbreak of the virus. Campaigners fear that preparations are being hampered by both the travel restrictionsand the urgent demands the outbreak is putting on governments’ time and resources.
China, the world’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, is the key player in the climate talks. As the US is withdrawing from the Paris accord, whether or not China takes on strong new commitments on carbon will help determine whether Cop26 (the conference of the parties) is a success. But with the coronavirus taking hold across the country, the climate is likely be much less of a priority.China, the world’s biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions, is the key player in the climate talks. As the US is withdrawing from the Paris accord, whether or not China takes on strong new commitments on carbon will help determine whether Cop26 (the conference of the parties) is a success. But with the coronavirus taking hold across the country, the climate is likely be much less of a priority.
Italy also plays a vital role in this year’s talks as the country is officially co-host of Cop26 and some key pre-meetings are planned there.Italy also plays a vital role in this year’s talks as the country is officially co-host of Cop26 and some key pre-meetings are planned there.
Normally, at this stage before crunch climate talks, officials and politicians from the host nation would be convening meetings in key countries.Normally, at this stage before crunch climate talks, officials and politicians from the host nation would be convening meetings in key countries.
A member of the council that advises Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, has died today after falling sick with Covid-19, the Associated Press reports, citing Iranian state radio.A member of the council that advises Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, has died today after falling sick with Covid-19, the Associated Press reports, citing Iranian state radio.
Expediency council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 71, died at a Tehran hospital of the virus, making him the the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic’s leadership.Expediency council member Mohammad Mirmohammadi, 71, died at a Tehran hospital of the virus, making him the the first top official to succumb to the illness that is affecting members of the Islamic Republic’s leadership.
The council advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as settles disputes between the supreme leader and parliament, according to AP. The agency’s report continues:The council advises Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as well as settles disputes between the supreme leader and parliament, according to AP. The agency’s report continues:
A school in London, UK, Wimbledon College, is to close for at least a week and undergo a deep clean after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.A school in London, UK, Wimbledon College, is to close for at least a week and undergo a deep clean after a member of staff tested positive for coronavirus.
According to a letter to parents, the member of staff, who had recently travelled to Italy, was last in school on 25 February and has not had contact with pupils since the new half-term began.According to a letter to parents, the member of staff, who had recently travelled to Italy, was last in school on 25 February and has not had contact with pupils since the new half-term began.
“However, as some staff members are now classed as close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 they are required to self-isolate as a precautionary measure for 14 days,” the letter says. As a result, the school is low on staff and must close.“However, as some staff members are now classed as close contacts of a confirmed case of Covid-19 they are required to self-isolate as a precautionary measure for 14 days,” the letter says. As a result, the school is low on staff and must close.
G7 countries will take “concerted action” to limit the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on economic growth and their finance ministers will discuss by phone this week how best to act, the French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, said on Monday.G7 countries will take “concerted action” to limit the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on economic growth and their finance ministers will discuss by phone this week how best to act, the French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, said on Monday.
According to Reuters:According to Reuters:
A medical worker from the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is one of three people confirmed to have coronavirus in Hertfordshire, UK, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has confirmed.The trust said the risk to patients and staff at the centre in Northwood is very low. Patients were told they should continue to attend appointments. In a statement on its website, the trust said:A medical worker from the Mount Vernon Cancer Centre is one of three people confirmed to have coronavirus in Hertfordshire, UK, the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has confirmed.The trust said the risk to patients and staff at the centre in Northwood is very low. Patients were told they should continue to attend appointments. In a statement on its website, the trust said:
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from London, where concerns are beginning to grow about the domestic spread of Covid-19, following a weekend in which the number of people infected in the UK climbed to 36.This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog from London, where concerns are beginning to grow about the domestic spread of Covid-19, following a weekend in which the number of people infected in the UK climbed to 36.
Later this morning, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, is to chair a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra national security committee regarding the coronavirus. There is “little doubt” coronavirus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK, Johnson will tell those signing off the government’s battle plan to fight the disease. That’s expected at about 10.30am.Later this morning, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, is to chair a meeting of the UK government’s Cobra national security committee regarding the coronavirus. There is “little doubt” coronavirus will present a “significant challenge” for the UK, Johnson will tell those signing off the government’s battle plan to fight the disease. That’s expected at about 10.30am.
Also today, a leading union is to warn that outsourced hospital staff, including cleaners, porters and caterers, are being forced to work while ill because of lack of sick pay, even in the face of the coronavirus crisis.Also today, a leading union is to warn that outsourced hospital staff, including cleaners, porters and caterers, are being forced to work while ill because of lack of sick pay, even in the face of the coronavirus crisis.
As usual, throughout the day I will be posting the latest coronavirus news from the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, while also keeping you notified of the latest breaking news from the wire agencies. But I can’t do it all without your help, so if you have any news, tips, questions or suggestions, please let me know, either via email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.As usual, throughout the day I will be posting the latest coronavirus news from the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, while also keeping you notified of the latest breaking news from the wire agencies. But I can’t do it all without your help, so if you have any news, tips, questions or suggestions, please let me know, either via email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.