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Coronavirus latest updates: 163 cases confirmed in the UK, including two British Airways staff Coronavirus latest updates: all countries must make containing outbreak 'highest priority', says WHO
(32 minutes later)
First cases reported in Vatican City and Serbia, and first deaths in UK and the Netherlands, as WHO warns of sustained community transmission First cases reported in Vatican City, Peru and Serbia, plus 163 cases confirmed in the UK, including two British Airways staff
Whilst many parts of the travel industry have taken a devastating blow from the coronavirus outbreak, there’s one strand that is doing very nicely, according to a report from Antonia Wilson on the Guardian’s travel desk.
Peru has reported its first confirmed case of coronavirus infection, president Martin Vizcarra said in a televised statement on Friday, according to Reuters.
Vizcarra told viewers that the infected patient is a 25-year-old man who had travelled to Spain, France and the Czech Republic.
The disease is now beginning to spread around South America. Argentina and Chile announced their first confirmed cases this week, while a number of cases have already been confirmed in Brazil.
All countries should make containing the outbreak of Covid-19 their top priority, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday, Reuters reports.
Public Health England has begun publishing a breakdown of confirmed cases of Covid-19 by local authority in England.
According to the webpage: “Public Health England (PHE) will publish data by upper tier local authority, one day in arrears, to allow local public health and health colleagues to plan their services.”
So far no single authority has any more than four cases, with the specific number obscured. But it will be worth checking back as the outbreak develops to see which areas become hotspots.
Ofqual, the examinations regulator for England, has issued an updated statement on coronavirus and the annual exam season, with BTecs, GCSEs and A-levels in England, Wales and Northern ireland starting in May:“We recognise that students, parents, schools and colleges will be concerned about the possible impact of coronavirus on the 2020 summer exam series. Our advice at this time is to continue to prepare for exams and other assessments as normal.“We continue to work closely with exam boards, other regulators and the Department for Education [in England] and we have met to plan for a range of scenarios, as the public would expect. Our overriding priorities are fairness to students this summer and keeping disruption to a minimum.“It is still many weeks until exams start and we will issue updated advice if necessary, giving schools and colleges as much notice as possible.”Ofqual, the examinations regulator for England, has issued an updated statement on coronavirus and the annual exam season, with BTecs, GCSEs and A-levels in England, Wales and Northern ireland starting in May:“We recognise that students, parents, schools and colleges will be concerned about the possible impact of coronavirus on the 2020 summer exam series. Our advice at this time is to continue to prepare for exams and other assessments as normal.“We continue to work closely with exam boards, other regulators and the Department for Education [in England] and we have met to plan for a range of scenarios, as the public would expect. Our overriding priorities are fairness to students this summer and keeping disruption to a minimum.“It is still many weeks until exams start and we will issue updated advice if necessary, giving schools and colleges as much notice as possible.”
A fifth patient has died from Covid-19 in Spain as the number of people infected with coronavirus rose overnight by 102 case to 365, according to the country’s health officials.A fifth patient has died from Covid-19 in Spain as the number of people infected with coronavirus rose overnight by 102 case to 365, according to the country’s health officials.
All the victims so far in the country have been people in high-risk categories, elderly or suffering from a pre-existing condition, AFP quoted Fernando Simon of the Spanish health ministry as saying.All the victims so far in the country have been people in high-risk categories, elderly or suffering from a pre-existing condition, AFP quoted Fernando Simon of the Spanish health ministry as saying.
Madrid and the surrounding area has the highest concentration of cases, at 137, after health officials found clusters at two elderly care centres. Both have since been closed.Madrid and the surrounding area has the highest concentration of cases, at 137, after health officials found clusters at two elderly care centres. Both have since been closed.
Spain reported its first Covid-19 death on Tuesday, although the victim had died weeks earlier, on 13 February, with the illness diagnosed only as a result of a postmortem examination.Spain reported its first Covid-19 death on Tuesday, although the victim had died weeks earlier, on 13 February, with the illness diagnosed only as a result of a postmortem examination.
Lufthansa, Germany’s biggest airline, has just announced it is to cut its flight capacity by 50% iover the next few weeks in order to cope with a slump in demand caused by the coronavirus. Its managers said cutting the flights would help “even out” the financial downturn due to a low rate of bookings and mounting cancellations.Lufthansa, Germany’s biggest airline, has just announced it is to cut its flight capacity by 50% iover the next few weeks in order to cope with a slump in demand caused by the coronavirus. Its managers said cutting the flights would help “even out” the financial downturn due to a low rate of bookings and mounting cancellations.
The number of cases in Germany have climbed to 600 by 3pm local time, reports Kate Connolly in Berlin.The number of cases in Germany have climbed to 600 by 3pm local time, reports Kate Connolly in Berlin.
So far there have been no deaths, while 16 people have recovered, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the foremost advisory body to the German government on health and safety issues. At 7am this morning there had been 534 confirmed cases.So far there have been no deaths, while 16 people have recovered, according to the Robert Koch Institute, the foremost advisory body to the German government on health and safety issues. At 7am this morning there had been 534 confirmed cases.
The government’s announcement that it is to ban the export of its protective clothing including masks, gloves and medical overalls, is being examined closely by officials at the European commission in Brussels, according to a commission spokeswoman, who said the move was being treated with “special urgency”.The government’s announcement that it is to ban the export of its protective clothing including masks, gloves and medical overalls, is being examined closely by officials at the European commission in Brussels, according to a commission spokeswoman, who said the move was being treated with “special urgency”.
According to EU rules, member states have the right to restrict exports within the single market under certain circumstances, including public health concerns. Belgium’s health minister, Maggie De Block, was highly critical of Germany’s decision, telling a meeting of her EU colleagues in Brussels that “this is not in the spirit of the EU” and calling for more solidarity, according to German media.According to EU rules, member states have the right to restrict exports within the single market under certain circumstances, including public health concerns. Belgium’s health minister, Maggie De Block, was highly critical of Germany’s decision, telling a meeting of her EU colleagues in Brussels that “this is not in the spirit of the EU” and calling for more solidarity, according to German media.
Thieves in Germany have been stealing protective masks as well as disinfectant, from trains, hospitals, hotels and public toilets, according to media reports. Large quantities of disinfectant and masks were also stolen from a children’s cancer ward at the Berlin hospital Charité.Thieves in Germany have been stealing protective masks as well as disinfectant, from trains, hospitals, hotels and public toilets, according to media reports. Large quantities of disinfectant and masks were also stolen from a children’s cancer ward at the Berlin hospital Charité.
A workshop for people with disabilities has been training its employees to make the masks to try to meet demand. “We tried out a couple. Now we’ve got the hang of it, we’re turning out as many as we can, we’ve made 100 so far,” Julie Bloedorn of the Workshop Altnoythe in Cloppenburg said.A workshop for people with disabilities has been training its employees to make the masks to try to meet demand. “We tried out a couple. Now we’ve got the hang of it, we’re turning out as many as we can, we’ve made 100 so far,” Julie Bloedorn of the Workshop Altnoythe in Cloppenburg said.
Most German protective masks are imported from China, which has halted the export of them to Germany because of high domestic demand.Most German protective masks are imported from China, which has halted the export of them to Germany because of high domestic demand.
It has been reported that a 24-year-old German who has an online fancy dress shop has made a small fortune, buying up masks from other countries including Poland and China before the growth of the virus, and selling them on for a tidy profit.It has been reported that a 24-year-old German who has an online fancy dress shop has made a small fortune, buying up masks from other countries including Poland and China before the growth of the virus, and selling them on for a tidy profit.
The number of cases in Greece have also jumped today with the health ministry confirming coronavirus had been detected in 15 people – up from 31 on Thursday, reports Helena Smith in Athens.The number of cases in Greece have also jumped today with the health ministry confirming coronavirus had been detected in 15 people – up from 31 on Thursday, reports Helena Smith in Athens.
On Monday, the figure was eight. The new cases could be traced to a pilgrimage taken by a group of travellers to Israel and Egypt – bar three described as people they had come in contact with, the health ministry spokesman, Sotiris Tsiodras, told reporters.On Monday, the figure was eight. The new cases could be traced to a pilgrimage taken by a group of travellers to Israel and Egypt – bar three described as people they had come in contact with, the health ministry spokesman, Sotiris Tsiodras, told reporters.
A 65-year-old man who had also attended the trip, and with whom all 21 of yesterday’s new infections were connected, was in serious condition in a hospital in the western port city of Patras, Tsiodras said.A 65-year-old man who had also attended the trip, and with whom all 21 of yesterday’s new infections were connected, was in serious condition in a hospital in the western port city of Patras, Tsiodras said.
With the continued rise in infections, Greek authorities announced they would extend containment policies in three western regions – Achaia, Ileia and the island of Zakynthos – for another two weeks to try to prevent the outbreak spreading to other parts of the country.With the continued rise in infections, Greek authorities announced they would extend containment policies in three western regions – Achaia, Ileia and the island of Zakynthos – for another two weeks to try to prevent the outbreak spreading to other parts of the country.
In an unprecedented step on Thursday, the government announced it was shutting all schools, cancelling sports events and prohibiting large public gatherings in the regions. Organised tours to and from the areas have also been shelved. Given the spread of infections across Europe, the health ministry says a ban on school trips abroad will also be prolonged until at least the middle of the month.In an unprecedented step on Thursday, the government announced it was shutting all schools, cancelling sports events and prohibiting large public gatherings in the regions. Organised tours to and from the areas have also been shelved. Given the spread of infections across Europe, the health ministry says a ban on school trips abroad will also be prolonged until at least the middle of the month.
The US president just reiterated his lack of concern about the spread of the novel illness in the US, reports Joanna Walters on our US politics liveblog.The US president just reiterated his lack of concern about the spread of the novel illness in the US, reports Joanna Walters on our US politics liveblog.
Perhaps problematic, though is that, to many he’s coming across as casually dismissive and posturing, not measured, and reassuringly presidential.Perhaps problematic, though is that, to many he’s coming across as casually dismissive and posturing, not measured, and reassuringly presidential.
“You have to be calm,” he said at the White House this morning before departing to tour the tornado damage in Tennessee and shortly after signing an $8.3bn emergency spending bill to deal with the virus.“You have to be calm,” he said at the White House this morning before departing to tour the tornado damage in Tennessee and shortly after signing an $8.3bn emergency spending bill to deal with the virus.
“It will go away,” he said. “We have very low numbers [of confirmed cases] compared to many countries throughout the world. Our numbers are lower than almost anyone … deaths, is it 11?” It is.“It will go away,” he said. “We have very low numbers [of confirmed cases] compared to many countries throughout the world. Our numbers are lower than almost anyone … deaths, is it 11?” It is.
“In terms of cases, it’s very very few because we have been very strong at the borders.”“In terms of cases, it’s very very few because we have been very strong at the borders.”
He also said he thinks the financial markets will “really bounce back” from the see-sawing of recent days over concerns that the virus is spreading and on governments’ abilities to contain it.He also said he thinks the financial markets will “really bounce back” from the see-sawing of recent days over concerns that the virus is spreading and on governments’ abilities to contain it.
“This came unexpectedly, it came out of China, we closed it down, we stopped it, it was a very early shutdown,” he added.“This came unexpectedly, it came out of China, we closed it down, we stopped it, it was a very early shutdown,” he added.
There has been no official evidence provided to date that the novel coronavirus illness Covid-19 has been “shut down” in the US.There has been no official evidence provided to date that the novel coronavirus illness Covid-19 has been “shut down” in the US.
Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking over the liveblog - with thanks to Sarah Marsh for keeping us updated with the developments in the global coronavirus outbreak throughout the day.Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking over the liveblog - with thanks to Sarah Marsh for keeping us updated with the developments in the global coronavirus outbreak throughout the day.
As usual I’ll be publishing the latest from the Guardian’s specialist reporters and network of foreign correspondents, as well as the best of the news wires. But I will also be relying on the help of readers, so if you spot any important news or updates, or if you have identified any issues or questions that you think we should be signal boosting, please send me an email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or contact me via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.As usual I’ll be publishing the latest from the Guardian’s specialist reporters and network of foreign correspondents, as well as the best of the news wires. But I will also be relying on the help of readers, so if you spot any important news or updates, or if you have identified any issues or questions that you think we should be signal boosting, please send me an email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or contact me via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
Thank you to everyone who has followed the blog today. I am now going to hand over to Damien Gayle.Thank you to everyone who has followed the blog today. I am now going to hand over to Damien Gayle.
The UK government is to hold a call imminently with supermarket and trade association bosses over food supply, sources have confirmed to PA Media. Representatives from major retailers are set to talk with the environment secretary, George Eustice, before 3pm.Sources said the talks will focus on contingencies for food supply and stockpiling amid the coronavirus outbreak.The UK government is to hold a call imminently with supermarket and trade association bosses over food supply, sources have confirmed to PA Media. Representatives from major retailers are set to talk with the environment secretary, George Eustice, before 3pm.Sources said the talks will focus on contingencies for food supply and stockpiling amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Two British Airways baggage handlers have tested positive for Covid-19, the airline has confirmed. The men are based at Heathrow airport, west London. A spokesman for the airline said: “Public Health England has confirmed that two members of our staff have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. The colleagues have been isolated and are recovering at home.”Two British Airways baggage handlers have tested positive for Covid-19, the airline has confirmed. The men are based at Heathrow airport, west London. A spokesman for the airline said: “Public Health England has confirmed that two members of our staff have tested positive for the Covid-19 virus. The colleagues have been isolated and are recovering at home.”
Baggage handlers work in teams and are responsible for loading, unloading and transporting luggage at airports. They do not generally have any interaction with passengers. British Airways is one of many airlines that has offered unpaid leave to their employees, amid a drop in passenger demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.It has cancelled hundreds of flights on routes to New York and short-haul destinations across Europe.The airline said in a statement: “We continue to closely monitor the situation, and as a precaution we are taking steps to control the costs in our business.”Baggage handlers work in teams and are responsible for loading, unloading and transporting luggage at airports. They do not generally have any interaction with passengers. British Airways is one of many airlines that has offered unpaid leave to their employees, amid a drop in passenger demand due to the coronavirus outbreak.It has cancelled hundreds of flights on routes to New York and short-haul destinations across Europe.The airline said in a statement: “We continue to closely monitor the situation, and as a precaution we are taking steps to control the costs in our business.”
The west African country of Togo has registered its first case of coronavirus, its government said on Friday.The patient is a 42-year-old female resident of the capital, Lome, who had visited Benin, Germany, France and Turkey in late February and early March. She is being treated in isolation and her condition is stable, the government said in a statement.The west African country of Togo has registered its first case of coronavirus, its government said on Friday.The patient is a 42-year-old female resident of the capital, Lome, who had visited Benin, Germany, France and Turkey in late February and early March. She is being treated in isolation and her condition is stable, the government said in a statement.
I will be handing the live blog over shortly to my colleague Damien Gayle. Thanks for all your comments and contributions today, they’ve been really helpful. Please do get in touch with any other news tips of information.I will be handing the live blog over shortly to my colleague Damien Gayle. Thanks for all your comments and contributions today, they’ve been really helpful. Please do get in touch with any other news tips of information.
Email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalist
The latest figures show there are 163 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK – a rise of 47 and the highest day-on-day increase. The Department of Health said more than 20,000 people had been tested for the virus.The latest figures show there are 163 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK – a rise of 47 and the highest day-on-day increase. The Department of Health said more than 20,000 people had been tested for the virus.
Two British Airways staff have tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK. The airline said the pair have been isolated and are recovering at home.Two British Airways staff have tested positive for Covid-19 in the UK. The airline said the pair have been isolated and are recovering at home.
A second death in the UK due to coronavirus is feared after a man died at Milton Keynes University hospital in Buckinghamshire today. The patient tested positive to one of two tests that confirm the illness. A second test has not yet been done.A second death in the UK due to coronavirus is feared after a man died at Milton Keynes University hospital in Buckinghamshire today. The patient tested positive to one of two tests that confirm the illness. A second test has not yet been done.
A temple in Watford, Hertfordshire, has closed after a member of the congregation tested positive with coronavirus, according to a statement on its website.A temple in Watford, Hertfordshire, has closed after a member of the congregation tested positive with coronavirus, according to a statement on its website.
The prime minister, Boris Johnson, said it looked like the UK would face substantial disruption due to the coronavirus. He said: “It looks like there will a substantial period of disruption where we have to deal with this outbreak.” When asked what help would be given to businesses struggling due to the outbreak, Johnson said next week’s budget presented “a big opportunity” for the country.The prime minister, Boris Johnson, said it looked like the UK would face substantial disruption due to the coronavirus. He said: “It looks like there will a substantial period of disruption where we have to deal with this outbreak.” When asked what help would be given to businesses struggling due to the outbreak, Johnson said next week’s budget presented “a big opportunity” for the country.
Boris Johnson has pledged a further £46m for research into a coronavirus vaccine and rapid diagnostic tests.Boris Johnson has pledged a further £46m for research into a coronavirus vaccine and rapid diagnostic tests.
The number of coronavirus cases has reached 100,052, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.The number of coronavirus cases has reached 100,052, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Five more patients have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland.There are two new cases in Fife, one in Grampian, one in Lothian and one in Forth Valley, the Scottish Government said.Five more patients have tested positive for coronavirus in Scotland.There are two new cases in Fife, one in Grampian, one in Lothian and one in Forth Valley, the Scottish Government said.
It is the largest increase in a day since the first case in Scotland was confirmed in Tayside on Sunday evening.It is the largest increase in a day since the first case in Scotland was confirmed in Tayside on Sunday evening.