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Coronavirus: four more deaths announced in US – as it happened Four more deaths announced in US – as it happened
(about 2 hours later)
South Korea reports almost 500 new cases and a second person dies in the US as UK ministers hold emergency meetingSouth Korea reports almost 500 new cases and a second person dies in the US as UK ministers hold emergency meeting
Thanks for following our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak today. We are about to close this live blog, but you can pick up our live coverage here.Thanks for following our live coverage of the coronavirus outbreak today. We are about to close this live blog, but you can pick up our live coverage here.
In the meantime, here’s a summary of the key points so far:In the meantime, here’s a summary of the key points so far:
Italy’s death toll has risen to 52, with 1,835 confirmed casesItaly’s death toll has risen to 52, with 1,835 confirmed cases
The US has now recorded six fatalities from the virus, with 75 confirmed casesThe US has now recorded six fatalities from the virus, with 75 confirmed cases
WHO chief says: “We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures.”WHO chief says: “We have never before seen a respiratory pathogen that is capable of community transmission, but which can also be contained with the right measures.”
UK supermarkets have drawn up plan to “feed the nation” as coronavirus spreads. Confirmed cases stand at 39.UK supermarkets have drawn up plan to “feed the nation” as coronavirus spreads. Confirmed cases stand at 39.
The virus outbreak has reached more than 60 countries.The virus outbreak has reached more than 60 countries.
The level of risk of contracting coronavirus within Europe has been raised from moderate to high.The level of risk of contracting coronavirus within Europe has been raised from moderate to high.
Australia’s chief medical officers will meet on Tuesday to discuss if extra measures are needed to combat outbreak.Australia’s chief medical officers will meet on Tuesday to discuss if extra measures are needed to combat outbreak.
You can follow our new liveblog here:You can follow our new liveblog here:
The republican broadcaster Scottie Nell Hughes told the BBC’s Emily Maitlis that president Trump “believes he is stepping up with leadership” by having appointed vice president Mike Pence as the person in charge of the outbreak, and his housing minister, Ben Carson, as one of the experts on his coronavirus task force.The republican broadcaster Scottie Nell Hughes told the BBC’s Emily Maitlis that president Trump “believes he is stepping up with leadership” by having appointed vice president Mike Pence as the person in charge of the outbreak, and his housing minister, Ben Carson, as one of the experts on his coronavirus task force.
The Australian market has opened up more than 1%, its first rise after more than a week of falls caused by concerns over the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak.The Australian market has opened up more than 1%, its first rise after more than a week of falls caused by concerns over the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
This morning’s increase follows relief rallies on overseas markets that saw the US S&P500 index soar by 4.6% and the UK’s FTSE book a more modest 1.1% rise.This morning’s increase follows relief rallies on overseas markets that saw the US S&P500 index soar by 4.6% and the UK’s FTSE book a more modest 1.1% rise.
It comes ahead of a meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia this afternoon at which the futures market expects interest rates to be cut from 0.75%, which is already a record low, to 0.5%.Futures market trades imply a 100% chance of a rate cut today, according to ASX data.It comes ahead of a meeting of the Reserve Bank of Australia this afternoon at which the futures market expects interest rates to be cut from 0.75%, which is already a record low, to 0.5%.Futures market trades imply a 100% chance of a rate cut today, according to ASX data.
Further out, traders expect the official cash rate to drop to 0.25% by July.Further out, traders expect the official cash rate to drop to 0.25% by July.
Jonathan Ashworth MP, the shadow health secretary, told BBC Newsnight the NHS “will struggle” to cope with an escalation of the Covid-19 outbreak, because of “ten years of cutbacks”.Jonathan Ashworth MP, the shadow health secretary, told BBC Newsnight the NHS “will struggle” to cope with an escalation of the Covid-19 outbreak, because of “ten years of cutbacks”.
The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has written an analysis about the government’s scramble to respond convincingly to the challenges the coronavirus outbreaks poses.The BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg has written an analysis about the government’s scramble to respond convincingly to the challenges the coronavirus outbreaks poses.
She writes:She writes:
The UK government will launch a major public information campaign later this week, as it aiming to set out clear steps the public can take to limit the spread of the virus, a No 10 spokesperson has said.The UK government will launch a major public information campaign later this week, as it aiming to set out clear steps the public can take to limit the spread of the virus, a No 10 spokesperson has said.
The spokesperson added that a new bill will be published in the coming weeks “to ensure the government has all the necessary powers to prepare for and tackle the coronavirus outbreak.”The spokesperson added that a new bill will be published in the coming weeks “to ensure the government has all the necessary powers to prepare for and tackle the coronavirus outbreak.”
They added that, should the virus spread, the government might encourage more home working and discourage unnecessary travel as part of a “social distancing” strategy that could delay the peak of the outbreak until later in the year, potentially helping combat the virus in warmer weather conditions.They added that, should the virus spread, the government might encourage more home working and discourage unnecessary travel as part of a “social distancing” strategy that could delay the peak of the outbreak until later in the year, potentially helping combat the virus in warmer weather conditions.
In Australia, the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has just held a press conference in Melbourne to update the public about efforts to prepare the health system for any coronavirus spread throughout the community. It follows news from NSW on Monday that there had been two cases of community transmission, including the first case that could not be immediately traced back to direct contact with an infected person.While there is no immediate threat of widespread community risk, Australian doctors are preparing.Andrews said there were now 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, including nine in Victoria.“While we are doing what we can to contain COVID-19, we are also preparing to take more targeted action if, as expected, the virus starts impacting more Victorians,” he said. “We are working closely with the Commonwealth and our response is being guided by the very best expert advice.”In Australia, the Victorian premier Daniel Andrews has just held a press conference in Melbourne to update the public about efforts to prepare the health system for any coronavirus spread throughout the community. It follows news from NSW on Monday that there had been two cases of community transmission, including the first case that could not be immediately traced back to direct contact with an infected person.While there is no immediate threat of widespread community risk, Australian doctors are preparing.Andrews said there were now 33 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Australia, including nine in Victoria.“While we are doing what we can to contain COVID-19, we are also preparing to take more targeted action if, as expected, the virus starts impacting more Victorians,” he said. “We are working closely with the Commonwealth and our response is being guided by the very best expert advice.”
The government is currently monitoring and investigating cases as they occur, and working with the primary care sector to ensure it has the appropriate clinical knowledge, response and capacity available to treat patients. The government is communicating with at-risk groups, such as the elderly.The government is currently monitoring and investigating cases as they occur, and working with the primary care sector to ensure it has the appropriate clinical knowledge, response and capacity available to treat patients. The government is communicating with at-risk groups, such as the elderly.
There is also preparation for hospital surge management. The state government is providing $6m to the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity working with the Burnet Institute and other experts to fast-track new treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. There are efforts around the world to develop a vaccine, and any vaccine is likely to be the result of a global effort.There is also preparation for hospital surge management. The state government is providing $6m to the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity working with the Burnet Institute and other experts to fast-track new treatments and vaccines for COVID-19. There are efforts around the world to develop a vaccine, and any vaccine is likely to be the result of a global effort.
Australia’s attorney general Christian Porter said the laws used to detain people at airports and other entry points could also be used to stop people elsewhere, as the government attempts to keep a lid on the coronavirus spread in Australia.Australia’s attorney general Christian Porter said the laws used to detain people at airports and other entry points could also be used to stop people elsewhere, as the government attempts to keep a lid on the coronavirus spread in Australia.
“It’s very likely that these laws will get used on a larger scale,” Porter told ABC radio RN on Tuesday morning.“It’s very likely that these laws will get used on a larger scale,” Porter told ABC radio RN on Tuesday morning.
“And it’s very likely that Australians will encounter practices and instructions and circumstances that they have not had to encounter before,” he said.“And it’s very likely that Australians will encounter practices and instructions and circumstances that they have not had to encounter before,” he said.
My colleagues Jasper Jolly and Rebecca Smithers have written a story about how the UK’s supermarket sector is bracing for panic buying, should the coronavirus threat worsen in the UK.My colleagues Jasper Jolly and Rebecca Smithers have written a story about how the UK’s supermarket sector is bracing for panic buying, should the coronavirus threat worsen in the UK.
This just in from the Washington Post’s Aaron Blake:This just in from the Washington Post’s Aaron Blake:
And this from Reuters’ Jeff Mason:And this from Reuters’ Jeff Mason:
London mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a statement aiming to “reassure Londoners” in regard to the outbreak.London mayor Sadiq Khan has issued a statement aiming to “reassure Londoners” in regard to the outbreak.
Khan said:Khan said:
Khan stressed that people with symptoms should not go to their GP or an A&E unit and call 111 for advice instead.Khan stressed that people with symptoms should not go to their GP or an A&E unit and call 111 for advice instead.
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, told NBC News that the coronavirus outbreak had “likely reached pandemic proportions”.Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a member of the White House coronavirus taskforce, told NBC News that the coronavirus outbreak had “likely reached pandemic proportions”.
Fauci said:Fauci said:
Asked whether concerned members of the public were reacting correctly by getting off public transport if a co-passenger coughed, Fauci said: “No, no. Getting off is not going to help.”Asked whether concerned members of the public were reacting correctly by getting off public transport if a co-passenger coughed, Fauci said: “No, no. Getting off is not going to help.”
In response to the question of whether people should stop attending sporting events and concerts, he said:In response to the question of whether people should stop attending sporting events and concerts, he said:
Australia’s top medical officers will meet on Tuesday to consider whether mass gatherings such as sporting events should be cancelled as the country grapples with the first two cases of community transmission of coronavirus.Australia’s top medical officers will meet on Tuesday to consider whether mass gatherings such as sporting events should be cancelled as the country grapples with the first two cases of community transmission of coronavirus.
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – made up of Australia’s chief medical officers – will meet to consider whether it was necessary to introduce bans on mass gatherings including large sport and entertainment events.The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee – made up of Australia’s chief medical officers – will meet to consider whether it was necessary to introduce bans on mass gatherings including large sport and entertainment events.
It comes after officials in New South Wales on Monday confirmed a 53-year-old health worker and 41-year-old woman as the first two cases of patient-to-patient transfer in the country.It comes after officials in New South Wales on Monday confirmed a 53-year-old health worker and 41-year-old woman as the first two cases of patient-to-patient transfer in the country.
The woman was believed to have contracted the virus from her brother, who had recently returned from Iran. However officials expressed concern about the origin of the health worker’s illness; he had not recently travelled to an affected country and had not knowingly been in contact with an infected person. Previously, the only people with the virus in Australia were those who had contracted it in other countries.The woman was believed to have contracted the virus from her brother, who had recently returned from Iran. However officials expressed concern about the origin of the health worker’s illness; he had not recently travelled to an affected country and had not knowingly been in contact with an infected person. Previously, the only people with the virus in Australia were those who had contracted it in other countries.
The city of San Antonio in the US state of Texas has declared a state of emergency, the Houston Chronicle reports.The city of San Antonio in the US state of Texas has declared a state of emergency, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a public health emergency on Monday afternoon local time to keep more than 120 coronavirus evacuees from a cruise ship quarantined at an airforce base at the outskirts of San Antonio until further notice, and banned new evacuees from entering the city.Mayor Ron Nirenberg declared a public health emergency on Monday afternoon local time to keep more than 120 coronavirus evacuees from a cruise ship quarantined at an airforce base at the outskirts of San Antonio until further notice, and banned new evacuees from entering the city.
The cruise ship evacuees were originally to be released Monday.The cruise ship evacuees were originally to be released Monday.
My colleagues Matthew Weaver, Denis Campbell and Severin Carrell have written up a story about the latest Covid-19 developments in the UK, and how the outbreak could test NHS resources.My colleagues Matthew Weaver, Denis Campbell and Severin Carrell have written up a story about the latest Covid-19 developments in the UK, and how the outbreak could test NHS resources.