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Coronavirus live updates: fourth death confirmed in UK, as head of New York's airports tests positive Coronavirus live updates: fourth death confirmed in UK, as head of New York's airports tests positive
(32 minutes later)
With cases spiking sharply across Europe and emergency measures in place from California to Saudi Arabia, investors have sent shares tumblingWith cases spiking sharply across Europe and emergency measures in place from California to Saudi Arabia, investors have sent shares tumbling
Residents recount what it feels like to be in Milan, Italy’s financial and economic capital, during lockdown to the Guardian’s Jon Henley and Lorenzo Tondo:
Erika, 30:
Natalie, a French woman who has lived in Milan for 30 years:
Ryanair has announced it will suspend all domestic flights to red zones in Italy – from and to the airports of Bergamo, Milano Malpensa, Parma e Treviso. The suspension will start today at midnight until 8 April.
Pregnant women do not appear to be more susceptible to the consequences of coronavirus than the general population and there is no evidence that the virus can pass to a baby during pregnancy, according to national guidance published by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The guidance says that, as a precautionary approach, pregnant women with suspected or confirmed coronavirus when they go into labour are being advised to attend an obstetric unit for birth but their birth plan should be followed as closely as possible.
At the moment there is no evidence that the virus can be carried in breastmilk, so it is felt the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of coronavirus through breastmilk.
The full guidance on Covid-19 infection and pregnancy can be found here.
At the press conference Boris Johnson says he is no longer shaking hands. At his press conference last week, he said he was still shaking hands with people.
At his press conference, asked about panic buying, Boris Johnson urges anyone thinking of stockpiling to “behave responsibly” and to think of others.
Back in Geneva, Dr Michael Ryan, from the WHO says the real tragedy and moral dilemma that healthcare workers will face in coming days if they do not have personal protective equipment, is whether to treat a covid-19 patient in front of them.
He says:
But he says China and South Korea have shown “an element of controlability” which gives him hope.
His colleague Dr Maria Van Kerkhove says:
But she says there is an opportunity in countries which have had very few or no cases.
She cites the example of Wuhan and “drastic action” in Singapore which has reduced transmission.
At the press conference in Downing Street Prof Chris Whitty, the UK government’s chief medical adviser, has been speaking.
Whitty says soon coronavirus will spread “really quite fast”.
Whitty says within about 10 to 14 days the government will advise people with even minor respiratory tract infections or a fever to self-isolate. But is because by that point the chances of their having coronavirus will be much higher than they are now.
At the press conference in London Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, says it is important to introduce measures to delay the spread of coronavirus “at the right time in the right combinations”.At the press conference in London Sir Patrick Vallance, the UK government’s chief scientific adviser, says it is important to introduce measures to delay the spread of coronavirus “at the right time in the right combinations”.
Boris Johnson has just starting giving a press conference in London about coronavirus. Earlier today he chaired a meeting of Cobra, the UK government’s emergency committee to discuss this.Boris Johnson has just starting giving a press conference in London about coronavirus. Earlier today he chaired a meeting of Cobra, the UK government’s emergency committee to discuss this.
Johnson says the UK is still “in the contain phase of the outbreak”. But he says the scientists have said “containment is extremely unlikely to work on its own.”Johnson says the UK is still “in the contain phase of the outbreak”. But he says the scientists have said “containment is extremely unlikely to work on its own.”
He says the government is not preparing to move to the “delay” phase of the coronavirus action plan.He says the government is not preparing to move to the “delay” phase of the coronavirus action plan.
There is further coverage of the press conference here, on Andrew Sparrow’s UK politics live blog.There is further coverage of the press conference here, on Andrew Sparrow’s UK politics live blog.
More than 58,600 people have recovered in China, says Dr Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO. She says that more than 80% globally will recover.More than 58,600 people have recovered in China, says Dr Maria Van Kerkhove of the WHO. She says that more than 80% globally will recover.
In China, 80% of cases have had a mild or moderate infection. Mild can include a mild form or pneumonia, says Van Kerkhove.In China, 80% of cases have had a mild or moderate infection. Mild can include a mild form or pneumonia, says Van Kerkhove.
Diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory disease are among the risk factors for death, she says.Diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and chronic respiratory disease are among the risk factors for death, she says.
Mortality in people aged over 80 with coronavirus from Chinese data is 20%, says Van Kerkhove, although she says the figure is not based on the latest statistics.Mortality in people aged over 80 with coronavirus from Chinese data is 20%, says Van Kerkhove, although she says the figure is not based on the latest statistics.
Asked about use/or lack of it of the word pandemic, Dr Michael Ryan, from the WHO, says that countries like Singapore and China have “demonstrated real success in turning the disease around”.Asked about use/or lack of it of the word pandemic, Dr Michael Ryan, from the WHO, says that countries like Singapore and China have “demonstrated real success in turning the disease around”.
Tedros adds:Tedros adds:
Ryan says a number of countries have imposed restrictions on import of personal protective equipment. He describes such “hoarding”, preventing material reaching those who need, it as something we’d like to avoid.Ryan says a number of countries have imposed restrictions on import of personal protective equipment. He describes such “hoarding”, preventing material reaching those who need, it as something we’d like to avoid.
Dr Maria Van Kerkhove says transmission in health facilities has not been a major driver of the spread of the virus.Dr Maria Van Kerkhove says transmission in health facilities has not been a major driver of the spread of the virus.
Ryan says:Ryan says:
Tedros says only a handful of countries have signs of sustained community transmission.Tedros says only a handful of countries have signs of sustained community transmission.
Of the four countries with the most cases, China is bringing its outbreak under control and there is also a decline in new cases in South Korea, he says. Tedros praises Italy’s aggressive measures:
Tedros praises Italy’s aggressive measures.
The World Health Organization is currently giving a press conference (you can watch the live feed at the top of this page).The World Health Organization is currently giving a press conference (you can watch the live feed at the top of this page).
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general, says the world “is not at the mercy” of the virus. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general, says the world “is not at the mercy” of the virus. He says with decisive, early action the spread of the virus can be slowed.
He says with decisive, early action the spread of the virus can be slowed. Most people with the virus will recover, he says, pointing to China where he says 70% have recovered. Tedros also highlights that 93% of cases are from four countries.
Most people with the virus will recover, he says, pointing to China where he says 70% have recovered.
Tedros also highlights that 93% of cases are from four countries.
Closing schools and cancelling mass gatherings in countries can be considered in countries where the virus is rife, he says.Closing schools and cancelling mass gatherings in countries can be considered in countries where the virus is rife, he says.
Here are the main points from Matt Hancock’s response to the urgent question on coronavirus in the House of Commons just now:Here are the main points from Matt Hancock’s response to the urgent question on coronavirus in the House of Commons just now:
Hancock said there had now been four deaths from coronavirus in the UK. The fourth fatality has only just been announced.Hancock said there had now been four deaths from coronavirus in the UK. The fourth fatality has only just been announced.
He said as of this morning there had been 319 cases in the UK.He said as of this morning there had been 319 cases in the UK.
The UK would “make the right choices of which action to pursue at the right moment”, he said. It would be a mistake to act too early, he said, adding:The UK would “make the right choices of which action to pursue at the right moment”, he said. It would be a mistake to act too early, he said, adding:
He said the number of cases in China and South Korea was still rising, but at a slowing rate. But he said the number of cases in Iran, Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany was growing. In Italy there were 1,492 more cases overnight, and 102 more deaths.He said the number of cases in China and South Korea was still rising, but at a slowing rate. But he said the number of cases in Iran, Italy, Switzerland, France and Germany was growing. In Italy there were 1,492 more cases overnight, and 102 more deaths.
Public Health England had tested nearly 25,000, and the time taken to carry out tests was being reduced, he said.Public Health England had tested nearly 25,000, and the time taken to carry out tests was being reduced, he said.
He said the government was making available an extra £46m to find a vaccine and develop more rapid diagnostic tests.He said the government was making available an extra £46m to find a vaccine and develop more rapid diagnostic tests.
Hancock said the NHS was “well prepared”, with record numbers of doctors and nurses.Hancock said the NHS was “well prepared”, with record numbers of doctors and nurses.
An extra 700 people had been taken on to help the 111 phone line take calls, he said.An extra 700 people had been taken on to help the 111 phone line take calls, he said.
Responding to coronavirus was a “national effort” and everyone would have to play their part, Hancock said. For members of the public, that meant washing hands and following public health advice. But it could also mean volunteering, he said.Responding to coronavirus was a “national effort” and everyone would have to play their part, Hancock said. For members of the public, that meant washing hands and following public health advice. But it could also mean volunteering, he said.
He said the government would soon bring forward emergency legislation to help people and services deal with the outbreak. The bill would be “temporary and proportionate”, he said.He said the government would soon bring forward emergency legislation to help people and services deal with the outbreak. The bill would be “temporary and proportionate”, he said.
The government was taking action to help Britons on the Grand Princess cruise ship, off the coast of California, to come home.The government was taking action to help Britons on the Grand Princess cruise ship, off the coast of California, to come home.
You can see Hancock’s statement in full on our UK politics live blog.You can see Hancock’s statement in full on our UK politics live blog.
More than 111,600 people have been infected by coronavirus across the world, and 3,884 have died, according to the latest Reuters tally.More than 111,600 people have been infected by coronavirus across the world, and 3,884 have died, according to the latest Reuters tally.
Here is our video explainer featuring the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, on what we can do to protect ourselves.Here is our video explainer featuring the Guardian’s health editor, Sarah Boseley, on what we can do to protect ourselves.
Madonna has cancelled shows in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday due to restrictions imposed over the coronavirus outbreak, the promoter Live Nation has told Reuters.Madonna has cancelled shows in Paris on Tuesday and Wednesday due to restrictions imposed over the coronavirus outbreak, the promoter Live Nation has told Reuters.
On Sunday France banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people as the death toll and number of coronavirus infections continued to rise.On Sunday France banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people as the death toll and number of coronavirus infections continued to rise.
The Guardian’s film editor, Catherine Shoard, reports that the organisers of the Cannes film festival continue to plan for the event to go ahead, despite France’s ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people.The Guardian’s film editor, Catherine Shoard, reports that the organisers of the Cannes film festival continue to plan for the event to go ahead, despite France’s ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people.