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Coronavirus latest updates: all countries must make containing outbreak 'highest priority', says WHO Coronavirus latest updates: Italy death toll nears 200 with almost 4,000 cases
(32 minutes later)
First cases reported in Vatican City, Peru and Serbia, plus 163 cases confirmed in the UK, including two British Airways staffFirst cases reported in Vatican City, Peru and Serbia, plus 163 cases confirmed in the UK, including two British Airways staff
All countries should make containing the outbreak of Covid-19 their top priority, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Friday.
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infection has now reached 101,587, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Nevertheless, Donald Trump has said the virus “will go away,” insisting that “we closed it down, we stopped it, it was a very early shutdown.”
In the UK, by contrast, the prime minister, Boris Johnson, said it looked like the UK would face substantial disruption due to the coronavirus.
Johnson has pledged a further £46m for research into a coronavirus vaccine and rapid diagnostic tests.
The latest figures show there are 163 confirmed coronavirus cases in the UK, with 20,000 people tested so far, according to the Department of Health.
The Czech Republic is ordering all nationals returning to the country from Italy to subject themselves to 14 days quarantine, with a fine of up to 3m Czech crowns (£102,000) for anyone who refuses to obey.
According to guidance posted online by the ministry:
The Czech ministry of health estimates that there are about 16,500 Czechs in Italy.
(With thanks to Twitter user @DickSavagecz for help with the translation.)
In the US jails and prisons are on high alert, stepping up inmate screenings, sanitizing jail cells and urging lawyers to scale back in-person visits to prevent the new coronavirus from spreading through their vast inmate populations, the Associated Press reports.
The Guardian’s Rome correspondent, Angela Giuffrida, has written about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, Europe’s worst affected nation.The Guardian’s Rome correspondent, Angela Giuffrida, has written about the impact of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy, Europe’s worst affected nation.
A three-year pact between Russia and the Opec oil producers cartel has collapsed after Moscow refused to support deep cuts to production to stabilise prices in response to the coronavirus crisis, according to a report on Reuters.A three-year pact between Russia and the Opec oil producers cartel has collapsed after Moscow refused to support deep cuts to production to stabilise prices in response to the coronavirus crisis, according to a report on Reuters.
The agency said that Opec responded by immediately ending all curbs on production. According to the Reuters report:The agency said that Opec responded by immediately ending all curbs on production. According to the Reuters report:
Demand for hand sanitiser has reached fever pitch in the UK, with one hospital reporting that and sanitising gel is being stolen by visitors on a daily basis. According to a report by the PA News Agency:Demand for hand sanitiser has reached fever pitch in the UK, with one hospital reporting that and sanitising gel is being stolen by visitors on a daily basis. According to a report by the PA News Agency:
A lot of people have been asking, so here is the answer.A lot of people have been asking, so here is the answer.
A lot of people in the US are on Twitter complaining about how hard it is to get tested for coronavirus there, with the outbreak apparently spreading in the country.A lot of people in the US are on Twitter complaining about how hard it is to get tested for coronavirus there, with the outbreak apparently spreading in the country.
Elise Hu, a host on NPR, tweeted this anonymised message she says is from a friend working in a hospital emergency department.Elise Hu, a host on NPR, tweeted this anonymised message she says is from a friend working in a hospital emergency department.
Others have been tweeting similar stories.Others have been tweeting similar stories.
The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has announced 11 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total in the state up to 33.The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has announced 11 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total in the state up to 33.
“All new cases are connected to the original New Rochelle case,” Cuomo wrote on Twitter. Here’s his thread:“All new cases are connected to the original New Rochelle case,” Cuomo wrote on Twitter. Here’s his thread:
Authorities in Italy have reported 49 new deaths from coronavirus on Friday, and a further 778 infections, bringing the total number of deaths to 197, with 3,916 patients.Authorities in Italy have reported 49 new deaths from coronavirus on Friday, and a further 778 infections, bringing the total number of deaths to 197, with 3,916 patients.
The worst affected region remains Lombardy, with 2008 cases, followed by Emilia Romagna, with 816, according to data published by Italian civil defence. According to Reuters, the cumulative number of cases in Italy totally 4,636 - including those who have since died or recovered.The worst affected region remains Lombardy, with 2008 cases, followed by Emilia Romagna, with 816, according to data published by Italian civil defence. According to Reuters, the cumulative number of cases in Italy totally 4,636 - including those who have since died or recovered.
The international children’s charity World Vision is calling on the UK government to plan for how UK aid will help developing countries prepare for a coronavirus pandemic. Boris Johnson, the prime minister, earlier announced £46m in funding to tackle the outbreak.The international children’s charity World Vision is calling on the UK government to plan for how UK aid will help developing countries prepare for a coronavirus pandemic. Boris Johnson, the prime minister, earlier announced £46m in funding to tackle the outbreak.
Gareth Wallace, the interim head of policy, advocacy and campaigns at World Vision UK, said in a statement:Gareth Wallace, the interim head of policy, advocacy and campaigns at World Vision UK, said in a statement:
While 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.While 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.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.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.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.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.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.”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 Devon has the most confirmed cases, with seven, followed by Brighton, with six. The rest of those listed as having cases have no more than four, with the specific number obscured. It will be worth checking back as the outbreak develops to see which areas become hotspots.So far no single authority Devon has the most confirmed cases, with seven, followed by Brighton, with six. The rest of those listed as having cases have no more than four, with the specific number obscured. 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.