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| Coronavirus: global death toll passes 3,000 with more than 88,000 infected – live updates | |
| (33 minutes later) | |
| South Korea reports almost 500 new cases and a second person dies in the US as UK ministers hold emergency meeting | |
| Wall Street’s most famous face is worried. Peter Tuchman, the trader whose Einstein-esque features are the most photographed on the floor of the New York stock exchange (NYSE), has not witnessed a sell-off as bad as this since the 2008 financial crisis. And he thinks it is going to get worse. | |
| “There’s a lot of fear here. A lot of confusion,” Tuchman said at the end of a week when investor panic over the likely impact of the coronavirus had triggered the worst sell-off in US stock markets for a dozen years. | “There’s a lot of fear here. A lot of confusion,” Tuchman said at the end of a week when investor panic over the likely impact of the coronavirus had triggered the worst sell-off in US stock markets for a dozen years. |
| Tuchman has been working at the world’s most famous stock market for 35 years and his picture crops up in media worldwide whenever things go right or wrong. He first rose to prominence in 2008 when a picture of his fretful face came to symbolise panic on the stock markets. There he was just a few short weeks ago, looking happy when the key Dow Jones stock market index crossed 29,000 for the first time. Tuchman was everywhere again last week as US markets crashed. | |
| In the US, health officials in Washington state say that a second person had died from the coronavirus, the Associated Press reports. The victim was a man in his 70s from a nursing facility near Seattle where dozens of people were sick and had been tested for the virus. According to AP: | |
| Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is unhappy after he was excluded from the UK government’s Cobra meeting to discuss the coronavirus outbreak, PA Media reports. | Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is unhappy after he was excluded from the UK government’s Cobra meeting to discuss the coronavirus outbreak, PA Media reports. |
| For the benefit of our international readers, the UK government is led by the Conservative party, while Khan is a member of the opposition Labour party. | For the benefit of our international readers, the UK government is led by the Conservative party, while Khan is a member of the opposition Labour party. |
| Airlines have been suspending flights or modifying service in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters has compiled details of the modifications to services (in alphabetical order): | Airlines have been suspending flights or modifying service in response to the coronavirus outbreak. Reuters has compiled details of the modifications to services (in alphabetical order): |
| Airlines that have cancelled all flights to mainland China | Airlines that have cancelled all flights to mainland China |
| American Airlines – extends suspension of China and Hong Kong flights until 24 April. | |
| Air France – said on 6 February it would suspend flights to and from mainland China for much of March. | |
| Air India – suspends flights to Shanghai, Hong Kong until 30 June. | |
| Air Seoul – South Korean budget carrier suspended China flights from 28 January until further notice. | |
| Air Tanzania – Tanzania’s state-owned carrier, which had planned to begin charter flights to China in February, postponed its maiden flights. | |
| Air Mauritius – Suspended all flights to China and Hong Kong | |
| Austrian Airlines – until end of February. | |
| British Airways – 29 January-31 March. | |
| Delta Airlines – 2 February-30 April. | |
| Egyptair suspended flights on 1 February, but on 20 February said it would resume some flights to and from China starting next week. | |
| El Al Israel Airlines – extended its suspension of flights to Hong Kong and Beijing until 2 May. | |
| Iberia Airlines – Spanish carrier extended its suspension of flights from Madrid to Shanghai, its only route, from 29 February until the end of April. | |
| JejuAir Co Ltd – Korean airline to suspend all China routes starting 1 March. | |
| Kenya Airways – 31 January until further notice. | |
| KLM – said on 2 March it would extend its ban on flights to Chengdu, Hangzhou and Xiamen in China to at least 3 May. The airline expects to resume flights to Beijing and Shanghai on 29 March. | |
| Lion Air – all of February. | |
| LOT – extends flight suspension until 28 March. | |
| Lufthansa – extends China flight cancellations until 24 April. | |
| Oman and Saudia, Saudi Arabia’s state airline, both suspended flights on 2 February until further notice. | |
| Qatar Airways – 1 February until further notice. | |
| Rwandair – 31 January until further notice. | |
| Scoot, Singapore Airlines’ low-cost carrier – 8 February until further notice. | |
| United Airlines – 5 February-23 April. Service to Hong Kong suspended 8 February-23 April. | |
| Vietjet and Vietnam Airlines - suspended flights to mainland China as well as Hong Kong and Macau from 1 February-30 April, in line with its aviation authority’s directive. | |
| Airlines that have cancelled some China flights or modified service | Airlines that have cancelled some China flights or modified service |
| Air Canada – extended the suspension of its flights to Beijing and Shanghai until 27 March. It also suspended its Toronto to Hong Kong flights from 1 March to 27 March, but its Vancouver to Hong Kong route remains active. | |
| Air China – said it would cancel flights to Athens, Greece, from 17 February to 18 March and “adjust” flights between China and the US. On 28 February it resumed flying to Frankfurt from Chengdu, following a 21-day suspension, state-run Xinhua news agency said. | |
| Air New Zealand – suspended Auckland-Shanghai service 9 February-29 March. Reduced capacity on Shanghai route throughout April and Hong Kong route throughout April and May. | |
| ANA Holdings – suspended routes including Shanghai and Hong Kong from 10 February until further notice. | |
| Brussels Airlines - Lufthansa subsidiary said on 28 February it would cut flights to northern Italy by 30% from 2-14 March. | |
| Cathay Pacific Airways – plans to cut a third of its capacity over the next two months, including 90% of flights to mainland China. It has encouraged its 27,000 employees to take three weeks of unpaid leave in a bid to preserve cash. | |
| China Southern Airlines recommenced flights on 25 February to Nairobi from Guangzhou. | |
| Emirates and Etihad – the United Arab Emirates, a major international transit hub, suspended flights to and from China, except for Beijing. | |
| Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways has suspended flights to Hong Kong until 28 March, the airline said on 26 February, citing a drop in demand. | |
| The UAE suspended all flights to mainland China, except Beijing, on 5 February. | |
| Finnair – cancelled all flights to mainland China and decreased the number of flights to Hong Kong until 28 March. | |
| Hainan Airlines – suspended flights between Budapest, Hungary, and Chongqing rom 7 February-27 March. | |
| Kenya’s high court ordered flights from China to be temporarily suspended, following a petition. | |
| Korean Air Lines Co. - The national flag carrier suspended eight routes to China and reduced services on nine Chinese routes between 7 Feb and 22 Feb. | Korean Air Lines Co. - The national flag carrier suspended eight routes to China and reduced services on nine Chinese routes between 7 Feb and 22 Feb. |
| Philippine Airlines – cut the number of flights between Manila and China by more than half. | |
| Qantas Airways – suspended direct flights to China from 1 February. The Australian national carrier halted flights from Sydney to Beijing and Sydney to Shanghai from 9 February-29 March. | |
| Royal Air Maroc - Moroccan airline suspended direct flights to China from 31 January-29 February. On 16 January, it had launched a direct air route with three flights weekly between its Casablanca hub and Beijing. | |
| Russia – all Russian airlines, with the exception of national airline Aeroflot, stopped flying to China from 31 January. Small airline Ikar will also continue flights between Moscow and China. All planes arriving from China will be sent to a separate terminal in the Moscow Sheremetyevo airport. Aeroflot reduced the frequency of flights to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou until 29 February. | |
| Vistara Airlines makes temporary reduction in flights to and from Bangkok and Singapore. | Vistara Airlines makes temporary reduction in flights to and from Bangkok and Singapore. |
| Nordic airline SAS extended its suspension of flights to Shanghai and Beijing until 29 March. | |
| Singapore Airlines – suspended or cut capacity on flights to Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Xiamen and Chongqing, some of which are flown by regional arm SilkAir. | |
| UPS – cancelled 22 flights to China because of the virus and normal manufacturing closures due to the lunar new year holiday. | |
| Virgin Atlantic – extended its suspension of daily operations to Shanghai until 28 March. | |
| Virgin Australia – said it will withdraw from the Sydney-Hong Kong route from 2 March because it was “no longer a viable commercial route” due to growing concerns over the virus and civil unrest in Hong Kong. | |
| Airlines that have modified service on other routes | Airlines that have modified service on other routes |
| Asiana Airlines has decided to halt all flights to Daegu until 9 March, while Korean Air Lines will also suspend flights until 28 March. | Asiana Airlines has decided to halt all flights to Daegu until 9 March, while Korean Air Lines will also suspend flights until 28 March. |
| Air Canada to allow travellers to rebook flights to parts of Italy at no charge. United Airlines adds South Korea to travel waiver list but is not cancelling flights. | Air Canada to allow travellers to rebook flights to parts of Italy at no charge. United Airlines adds South Korea to travel waiver list but is not cancelling flights. |
| Bahrain civil aviation authority suspends all its flights from Dubai and Sharjah airports for 48 hours. | Bahrain civil aviation authority suspends all its flights from Dubai and Sharjah airports for 48 hours. |
| British Airways said it would cancel some flights to and from Italy, Singapore and South Korea, as a result of reduced demand. | British Airways said it would cancel some flights to and from Italy, Singapore and South Korea, as a result of reduced demand. |
| easyJet said on 28 February it would cancel flights, particularly in and out of Italy and cut costs across its business. | |
| El Al Israel Airlines said it would suspend flights to Italy, including Milan and Rome from 28 February to 14 March, and to Bangkok from 2-27 March. It will also delay launching a new route to Tokyo from March until 4 April. | |
| Kazakhstan plans to suspend flights to Iran from 1 March and reduce the number of South Korea flights | Kazakhstan plans to suspend flights to Iran from 1 March and reduce the number of South Korea flights |
| Kuwait’s civil aviation authority halts all its flights to and from South Korea, Thailand, and Italy. Kuwait had earlier suspended all its flights to and from Iraq. | Kuwait’s civil aviation authority halts all its flights to and from South Korea, Thailand, and Italy. Kuwait had earlier suspended all its flights to and from Iraq. |
| Lebanon halted flights for non-residents from countries including China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, the transport ministry said on 28 February. The ban excludes Lebanese citizens and foreign residents of the country. | |
| Lufthansa to cut number of short- and medium-haul flights in response to the accelerated spread of the coronavirus, adding it will suspend flights to Tehran until 30 April. | Lufthansa to cut number of short- and medium-haul flights in response to the accelerated spread of the coronavirus, adding it will suspend flights to Tehran until 30 April. |
| Mongolia’s national emergency commission said on 24 February it had halted all flights from South Korea and would block entry through its borders until 2 March. Mongolia had previously suspended all entries from China. | |
| Oman’s civil aviation authority halted all flights between the sultanate and Iran. | Oman’s civil aviation authority halted all flights between the sultanate and Iran. |
| Royal Jordanian Airlines has suspended flights between Amman and Rome until further notice starting from 26 February. | |
| Russia’s ministry of transport said on 27 February it would suspend some flights to and from Iran, except those operated by its national carrier Aeroflot and Iranian airline Mahan Air. | |
| Tajikistan has suspended all flights to and from Iran until the virus situation there stabilises, the Civil Aviation Agency said on 24 February. | |
| Tunisia may suspend some flights to Italy. | Tunisia may suspend some flights to Italy. |
| Turkish Airlines extended a cancellation of flights to Iranian cities, with the exception to flights to Tehran, until 10 March. | Turkish Airlines extended a cancellation of flights to Iranian cities, with the exception to flights to Tehran, until 10 March. |
| Turkish commercial flights between Turkey and Iran are suspended until further notice. “The Iranian carriers will fly empty to Turkey and be permitted to carry passengers destined for Iran. Turkish passengers will not be transported on these flights,” Turkey’s civil aviation authority announced on its Twitter account. | |
| United Airlines – sharply cutting number of flights to Japan and South Korea as travellers have slashed ticket purchases for those destinations. | |
| Vietnam’s Bamboo Airways suspends flights between Da Nang and Nha Trang to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport, starting on 26 February. | |
| Wizz Air said it would decrease the frequency of its Romania, Poland, Italy and Israel routes, cutting two-thirds of all flights on affected routes over three weeks between 11 March and 2 April. | Wizz Air said it would decrease the frequency of its Romania, Poland, Italy and Israel routes, cutting two-thirds of all flights on affected routes over three weeks between 11 March and 2 April. |
| The number of confirmed cases in France jumped from 100 to 130 in 24 hours to Sunday evening, reports Kim Willsher, the Guardian’s correspondent in Paris. | The number of confirmed cases in France jumped from 100 to 130 in 24 hours to Sunday evening, reports Kim Willsher, the Guardian’s correspondent in Paris. |
| The director general of France’s health service, Jérôme Salomon, gave the latest figures on Sunday evening. Of the 130 people who have contracted the virus, two have died, 116 are in hospital – nine of them in a serious condition – and 12 have recovered after treatment and have returned home. | The director general of France’s health service, Jérôme Salomon, gave the latest figures on Sunday evening. Of the 130 people who have contracted the virus, two have died, 116 are in hospital – nine of them in a serious condition – and 12 have recovered after treatment and have returned home. |
| France has declared it is in “Stage 2” of an epidemic. Stage 1 is attempting to avoid the virus entering the country. Stage 2 is attempting to avoid it spreading. The health authorities would only move to Stage 3 when it was considered impossible to mitigate the spread of the virus and necessary to introduce compulsory collective measures, such as the closure of schools and other public buildings. | France has declared it is in “Stage 2” of an epidemic. Stage 1 is attempting to avoid the virus entering the country. Stage 2 is attempting to avoid it spreading. The health authorities would only move to Stage 3 when it was considered impossible to mitigate the spread of the virus and necessary to introduce compulsory collective measures, such as the closure of schools and other public buildings. |
| Salomon said this would be an “observational and not a political decision”. “This epidemic, as we’ve already seen with the flu or bronchiolitis, is not necessarily homogeneous. That’s why we’ll have a very adapted, pragmatic and reactive attitude depending on the territories,” Salomon said. | Salomon said this would be an “observational and not a political decision”. “This epidemic, as we’ve already seen with the flu or bronchiolitis, is not necessarily homogeneous. That’s why we’ll have a very adapted, pragmatic and reactive attitude depending on the territories,” Salomon said. |
| The new cases include two children aged one year and five years from Alsace in eastern France, who have been hospitalised in Strasbourg along with their 27-year-old mother who also tested positive. Their condition was described as not worrying. | The new cases include two children aged one year and five years from Alsace in eastern France, who have been hospitalised in Strasbourg along with their 27-year-old mother who also tested positive. Their condition was described as not worrying. |
| Salomon says French travellers should avoid journeys abroad outside the European Union unless necessary. He pointed out the death rate worldwide is 3.4% of confirmed cases. | Salomon says French travellers should avoid journeys abroad outside the European Union unless necessary. He pointed out the death rate worldwide is 3.4% of confirmed cases. |
| The Manga and Sci-Fi Show salon planned for next week, which was to have featured giant karaoke and K-pop concerts have been cancelled. | The Manga and Sci-Fi Show salon planned for next week, which was to have featured giant karaoke and K-pop concerts have been cancelled. |
| Several schools and creches have been closed in the Morbihan in Brittany after a cluster of suspected coronavirus cases. This was announced shortly before midnight on Sunday. | Several schools and creches have been closed in the Morbihan in Brittany after a cluster of suspected coronavirus cases. This was announced shortly before midnight on Sunday. |
| Most schools remain open, but students who travelled to areas considered risky, including China and northern Italy, have been asked to self-quarantine for two weeks. | Most schools remain open, but students who travelled to areas considered risky, including China and northern Italy, have been asked to self-quarantine for two weeks. |
| The Louvre will remain closed. The museum’s staff have exercised their “right to withdraw” (their services). Apparently they called a meeting with management after concerns about the number of tourists, reportedly from Asia, entering the museum wearing masks. | The Louvre will remain closed. The museum’s staff have exercised their “right to withdraw” (their services). Apparently they called a meeting with management after concerns about the number of tourists, reportedly from Asia, entering the museum wearing masks. |
| The European commission said there had been 2,100 people infected so far by Coronavirus, including 38 fatalities in 18 member states, as it raised its risk of contraction from low to moderate up to moderate to high, Daniel Boffey reports. | The European commission said there had been 2,100 people infected so far by Coronavirus, including 38 fatalities in 18 member states, as it raised its risk of contraction from low to moderate up to moderate to high, Daniel Boffey reports. |
| Nearly 300 million people have gone back to work in China since the Lunar New Year break as more companies restart business and coronavirus travel restrictions ease, although many small firms are still struggling to find enough workers to run plants, Reuters reports. | Nearly 300 million people have gone back to work in China since the Lunar New Year break as more companies restart business and coronavirus travel restrictions ease, although many small firms are still struggling to find enough workers to run plants, Reuters reports. |
| Indications from China are that the country has managed to get a handle on the coronavirus outbreak, with the numbers of new cases continuing to slow in the country, even as they accelerate elsewhere in the world. According to Reuters: | Indications from China are that the country has managed to get a handle on the coronavirus outbreak, with the numbers of new cases continuing to slow in the country, even as they accelerate elsewhere in the world. According to Reuters: |
| In the UK, cabinet ministers have been attending No 10 Downing Street for a Cobra national security committee meeting chaired by the prime minister, Boris Johnson. | In the UK, cabinet ministers have been attending No 10 Downing Street for a Cobra national security committee meeting chaired by the prime minister, Boris Johnson. |
| Health officials in Ireland are expected to decide on Monday whether to restrict mass gatherings, including the St Patrick’s Day festival, Rory Carroll reports from Dublin. | Health officials in Ireland are expected to decide on Monday whether to restrict mass gatherings, including the St Patrick’s Day festival, Rory Carroll reports from Dublin. |
| The possible curbs come as a secondary school in Dublin closed for two weeks to prevent the spread of infection after a pupil was identified as Ireland’s first case of coronavirus. | The possible curbs come as a secondary school in Dublin closed for two weeks to prevent the spread of infection after a pupil was identified as Ireland’s first case of coronavirus. |
| Health officials ordered the school to close after the student, who had returned recently from a mid-term visit to Italy, was diagnosed over the weekend. He is being treated in isolation at a Dublin hospital. | Health officials ordered the school to close after the student, who had returned recently from a mid-term visit to Italy, was diagnosed over the weekend. He is being treated in isolation at a Dublin hospital. |
| Officials have not named the school, which has about 400 pupils, but several media outlets identified it. Pupils, staff and relatives have been asked to restrict their movements during the two weeks. | Officials have not named the school, which has about 400 pupils, but several media outlets identified it. Pupils, staff and relatives have been asked to restrict their movements during the two weeks. |
| The national public health emergency team is due to review potential curbs on public gatherings, including celebrations in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day on 17 March. | The national public health emergency team is due to review potential curbs on public gatherings, including celebrations in the run-up to St Patrick’s Day on 17 March. |
| Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer at the department of health, told RTE he believed the risk of the Covid-19 infection spreading across Ireland is low. | Tony Holohan, the chief medical officer at the department of health, told RTE he believed the risk of the Covid-19 infection spreading across Ireland is low. |
| Last week, Northern Ireland reported its first confirmed case: a woman who returned from northern Italy, a coronavirus hotspot, via Dublin airport and travelled to Belfast by train. | Last week, Northern Ireland reported its first confirmed case: a woman who returned from northern Italy, a coronavirus hotspot, via Dublin airport and travelled to Belfast by train. |
| Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, and Simon Harris, the health minister, discussed cross-border co-operation in a conference call with Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, the deputy first minister and Robin Swann, the health minister. | Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, and Simon Harris, the health minister, discussed cross-border co-operation in a conference call with Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, Michelle O’Neill, the deputy first minister and Robin Swann, the health minister. |
| Portugal registered its first two cases of the new coronavirus on Monday, SIC television channel reported. Reuters reports: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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: | 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: |