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Coronavirus live updates: Italy-wide lockdown comes into force Coronavirus live updates: Italy-wide lockdown comes into force
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UK and US had worst days trading since 2008 GFC; Global cases near 110,000; Grand Princess passengers disembark. Follow the latest news.UK and US had worst days trading since 2008 GFC; Global cases near 110,000; Grand Princess passengers disembark. Follow the latest news.
Moldova has banned all foreigners from entering by plane from any country affected by the coronavirus. In Greece this morning, the infection rate has risen from 84 to 89 overnight, according to the country’s health ministry.
The ban took effect on Tuesday, three days after the eastern European state reported its first coronavirus case. One of the cases, it said, had been “imported” from London. Medical authorities, who confirmed the first case of the novel virus in Greece on 23 February, described the condition of a 65-year-old man battling pneumonia in a hospital isolation unit in the western port city of Patras as being “very serious.” He had been among a group of Greeks who contracted coronavirus after travelling to Israel and Egypt on a tour of religious sites.
Announcing it late on Monday, Prime Minister Ion Chicu said the country could not completely ban flights, but that only Moldovan citizens would be permitted to board planes departing for Moldova from virus-infected countries. Of the total, 27 were hospitalised in specialist units and 57 were in isolation at home, the health ministry said.
It was not immediately clear how the ban would be implemented. Well over 100 countries and territories have reported cases of the new coronavirus, Covid-19.Moldova’s first case, a 48-year-old woman, was critically ill with acute respiratory failure, the health ministry said on Tuesday. She had been hospitalised after arriving from Italy by plane on Saturday. On Monday, it was confirmed that a 40-year-old woman on Lesbos had also been infected following a trip to Israel. Local authorities ordered the school attended by her two children in the resort town of Plomari to be closed amid fears of an outbreak on the island, which is hosting 27,000 migrants and refugees – most in appalling conditions in Moria, the reception centre outside Mytilene, the port capital. MPs have called for the local health system, already vastly overstretched, to be bolstered with more doctors, saying Mytilene’s hospital barely has room to cope with six coronavirus patients raising the spectre of meltdown if more people test positive.
The French culture minister Franck Riester has tested positive for the coronavirus. He said he self quarantining. Riester is the first high profile French politician to confirm he has tested positive, but five MPs from the Assemblée National and two other parliamentary members of staff are among those who have the virus. The rise in numbers came as the first case of coronavirus was also confirmed in the Turkish-run breakaway republic of northern Cyprus. Turkey’s Anadolu news agency reported that a German woman, on holiday in the rump state, had contracted the virus. On Monday, authorities in the island’s internationally recognised south announced the first two cases of coronavirus, including a prominent heart surgeon believed to have been infected on a recent trip to London.
The French health authority in its daily briefing on Monday evening said there were now 1,412 cases in France a jump of 286 on the previous day. There have been 25 deaths: 10 women, 15 men. Of those who have died, 21 were aged over 70. There are seven clusters of virus cases including a new one at Ajaccio, capital of Corsica where 38 new cases have been confirmed. Moldova has banned all foreigners from entering by plane from any country affected by the coronavirus. The ban took effect on Tuesday, three days after the eastern European state reported its first coronavirus case.
France is still at Stage 2 of its disease alert, but officials admit that Stage 3 is looking increasingly inevitable. Announcing the move late on Monday, the prime minister, Ion Chicu, said the country could not completely ban flights, but that only Moldovan citizens would be permitted to board planes departing for Moldova from virus-infected countries.
As the whole of Italy goes into lockdown, there are some reassuring signs that measures are starting to work. Across the 11 towns that went into quarantine over two weeks ago, the number of cases is beginning to fall. It was not immediately clear how the ban would be implemented. More than 100 countries and territories have reported cases of the new coronavirus, Covid-19.
Moldova’s first case, a 48-year-old woman, was critically ill with acute respiratory failure, the health ministry said on Tuesday. She had been hospitalised after arriving from Italy by plane on Saturday.
The French culture minister, Franck Riester, has tested positive for the coronavirus. He said he is self-quarantining. Riester is the first high-profile French politician to confirm he has tested positive, but five MPs from the Assemblée National and two other parliamentary members of staff are among those who have the virus.
The French health authority in its daily briefing on Monday evening said there were now 1,412 cases in France, a jump of 286 on the previous day. There have been 25 deaths: 10 women and 15 men. Of those who have died, 21 were aged over 70. There are seven clusters of virus cases including a new cluster at Ajaccio, capital of Corsica, where 38 new cases have been confirmed.
France is still at stage 2 of its disease alert, but officials admit that stage 3 is looking increasingly inevitable.
As the whole of Italy goes into lockdown, there are some reassuring signs that measures are starting to work. Across the 11 towns that went into quarantine more than two weeks ago, the number of cases is beginning to fall.
“In the province of Lodi, and even more so, in Codogno, there’s a net reduction in the number of positive cases,” said Giulio Galleria, the welfare councillor for Lombardy, the region worst affected.“In the province of Lodi, and even more so, in Codogno, there’s a net reduction in the number of positive cases,” said Giulio Galleria, the welfare councillor for Lombardy, the region worst affected.
The 38-year-old man from Codogno who was Italy’s first locally transmitted case, was also moved out of intensive care on Monday. The number of people to have so far overcome the virus is 724. The 38-year-old man from Codogno, who was Italy’s first locally transmitted case, was moved out of intensive care on Monday. The number of people to have so far overcome the virus is 724.
Virgin Atlantic has called on the European Commission and UK flight slots co-ordinator to relax rules amid the coronavirus outbreak, PA reports. Virgin Atlantic has called on the European commission and UK flight slots co-ordinator to relax rules amid the coronavirus outbreak, PA Media reports.
Chief executive Shai Weiss said: “Last month Virgin Atlantic and industry partners committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050. Its chief executive, Shai Weiss, said: “Last month Virgin Atlantic and industry partners committed to achieving net zero carbon by 2050. Passenger demand for air travel has dramatically fallen due to Covid-19 and in some instances we are being forced to fly almost empty planes or lose our valuable slots.
“Passenger demand for air travel has dramatically fallen due to Covid-19 and in some instances we are being forced to fly almost empty planes or lose our valuable slots. “In the aftermath of 9/11 and following the outbreak of Sars, slot rules were quickly relaxed. Yet today, where the demand impact is greater, we only see short-term alleviation on slots used to fly to China and Hong Kong.
“In the aftermath of 9/11 and following the outbreak of Sars, slot rules were quickly relaxed. “Given the almost unprecedented impact on global passenger demand, the UK slot co-ordinator and the European commission need to now urgently relax the rules for the whole summer. Common sense must prevail.”
“Yet today, where the demand impact is greater, we only see short-term alleviation on slots used to fly to China and Hong Kong.
“Given the almost unprecedented impact on global passenger demand, the UK slot co-ordinator and the European Commission need to now urgently relax the rules for the whole summer. Common sense must prevail.”
The UK will see “many thousands of people” contract coronavirus, the deputy chief medical officer told Sky today.The UK will see “many thousands of people” contract coronavirus, the deputy chief medical officer told Sky today.
Dr Jenny Harries said the fatality rate will rise before it drops again in the early stages of the outbreak.Dr Jenny Harries said the fatality rate will rise before it drops again in the early stages of the outbreak.
Speaking to Sky’s Kay Burley @ Breakfast, Harries said:Speaking to Sky’s Kay Burley @ Breakfast, Harries said:
Today so far in coronavirus news:Today so far in coronavirus news:
More than 60 million Italians woke up to lockdown conditions, after the measures imposed on the northern “red zone” were extended to the whole country.More than 60 million Italians woke up to lockdown conditions, after the measures imposed on the northern “red zone” were extended to the whole country.
Markets rallied after Donald Trump proposed ‘huge’ economic measures. On Monday, the US and UK stock markets both suffered their worst daily slump since the 2008 financial crisis. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average has plunged by more than 2,000 points, closing down 7.8%.Markets rallied after Donald Trump proposed ‘huge’ economic measures. On Monday, the US and UK stock markets both suffered their worst daily slump since the 2008 financial crisis. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average has plunged by more than 2,000 points, closing down 7.8%.
In the US, passengers started disembarking from the Grand Princess cruise ship at the Port of Oakland in California. There were 21 cases of coronavirus confirmed onboard.In the US, passengers started disembarking from the Grand Princess cruise ship at the Port of Oakland in California. There were 21 cases of coronavirus confirmed onboard.
In Australia, the ASX steadied to be up by almost 3% with less than two hours left to trade, in a dramatic turnaround from the grim picture at the opening, when the benchmark ASX200 index tumbled 3.7%. Australia now has 100 confirmed cases.In Australia, the ASX steadied to be up by almost 3% with less than two hours left to trade, in a dramatic turnaround from the grim picture at the opening, when the benchmark ASX200 index tumbled 3.7%. Australia now has 100 confirmed cases.
Mainland China reported no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases outside of Hubei province, where the outbreak began, for the third straight day, while major Chinese cities remained on alert for imported infections.Mainland China reported no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases outside of Hubei province, where the outbreak began, for the third straight day, while major Chinese cities remained on alert for imported infections.
Chinese president Xi Jinping arrived in Wuhan, in a sign that officials feel the tide has turned in the fight against the outbreak in China.Chinese president Xi Jinping arrived in Wuhan, in a sign that officials feel the tide has turned in the fight against the outbreak in China.
The WHO said the threat of a pandemic is ‘very real’ but stressed the virus could still be controlled.The WHO said the threat of a pandemic is ‘very real’ but stressed the virus could still be controlled.
The death toll globally passed 4,000, and infections are at over 114,000.The death toll globally passed 4,000, and infections are at over 114,000.
France’s culture minister, Franck Riester, became the latest French politician to contract the virus, after several lawmakers were diagnosed in recent days.France’s culture minister, Franck Riester, became the latest French politician to contract the virus, after several lawmakers were diagnosed in recent days.
Cyprus’s largest hospital suspended most services on Tuesday, authorities said, after a medical doctor heading the heart surgical ward tested positive. He is one of two cases.Cyprus’s largest hospital suspended most services on Tuesday, authorities said, after a medical doctor heading the heart surgical ward tested positive. He is one of two cases.
Panama and Mongolia reported their first cases of Covid-19.Panama and Mongolia reported their first cases of Covid-19.
Italian doctors celebrated a small victory in their battle against the coronavirus after a 38-year-old man was moved out of intensive care for the first time since he tested positive on 21 February and opened Italy’s health care crisis as Patient No 1, AP reports.Italian doctors celebrated a small victory in their battle against the coronavirus after a 38-year-old man was moved out of intensive care for the first time since he tested positive on 21 February and opened Italy’s health care crisis as Patient No 1, AP reports.
But in the rest of hard-hit northern Italy, the virus spread continues to grow exponentially. Speaking to SkyTg24, Dr Massimo Galli, head of infectious disease at Milans Sacco hospital, noted that the numbers of infections registered in Lombardy last week were similar to those in Wuhan, China in late January.But in the rest of hard-hit northern Italy, the virus spread continues to grow exponentially. Speaking to SkyTg24, Dr Massimo Galli, head of infectious disease at Milans Sacco hospital, noted that the numbers of infections registered in Lombardy last week were similar to those in Wuhan, China in late January.
Galli noted that Wuhan is a concentrated metropolis of 11 million and Lombardy is spread out. But the numbers tell you that the diffusion is a real possibility, he warned.Also alarming was Italys high fatality rate: With 463 dead and 9,172 infected, Italy’s fatality rate is running at 5% nationwide and 6% in Lombardy, far higher than the 3%-4% estimates elsewhere.Galli noted that Wuhan is a concentrated metropolis of 11 million and Lombardy is spread out. But the numbers tell you that the diffusion is a real possibility, he warned.Also alarming was Italys high fatality rate: With 463 dead and 9,172 infected, Italy’s fatality rate is running at 5% nationwide and 6% in Lombardy, far higher than the 3%-4% estimates elsewhere.
Norwegian Air has temporarily halted its flights to and from Italy because of the coronavirus outbreak, the company said on Tuesday.Norwegian Air has temporarily halted its flights to and from Italy because of the coronavirus outbreak, the company said on Tuesday.
Austria has advised citizens to return home from Italy, its southern neighbour, as the Italian government imposes a nationwide lockdown until next month in a new attempt to beat the coronavirus in Europe’s worst-affected country. “Austrian travellers are urgently advised to return to Austria,” the foreign ministry said on its website on Tuesday.Austria has advised citizens to return home from Italy, its southern neighbour, as the Italian government imposes a nationwide lockdown until next month in a new attempt to beat the coronavirus in Europe’s worst-affected country. “Austrian travellers are urgently advised to return to Austria,” the foreign ministry said on its website on Tuesday.
There’s a new coronavirus meme in town, which matches the illustrations on a coronavirus hand washing advice poster to song lyrics.There’s a new coronavirus meme in town, which matches the illustrations on a coronavirus hand washing advice poster to song lyrics.
Here is Smash Mouth’s All Star:Here is Smash Mouth’s All Star:
A more dystopian-feeling The Beatles’ Nowhere Man:A more dystopian-feeling The Beatles’ Nowhere Man:
Queen’s Under Pressure (aren’t we all):Queen’s Under Pressure (aren’t we all):
In Australia, here is more news on the drive-through coronavirus testing station in Adelaide, South Australia we reported on earlier.In Australia, here is more news on the drive-through coronavirus testing station in Adelaide, South Australia we reported on earlier.
The country’s first drive-through coronavirus testing station has been set up at an Adelaide hospital.The country’s first drive-through coronavirus testing station has been set up at an Adelaide hospital.
It is one of two formal clinics of its kind that exists globally, although a Melbourne doctor runs a solo operation with a similar structure in the car park outside his practice, AAP reports.It is one of two formal clinics of its kind that exists globally, although a Melbourne doctor runs a solo operation with a similar structure in the car park outside his practice, AAP reports.
Patients will drive through the site at the Repatriation Hospital, wind down their windows and be tested directly out of the car window by pathology nurses.Patients will drive through the site at the Repatriation Hospital, wind down their windows and be tested directly out of the car window by pathology nurses.
Those tested will have a swab taken from the back of their throat and nose from the comfort of their driver’s seat.Those tested will have a swab taken from the back of their throat and nose from the comfort of their driver’s seat.
The service is only offered for people referred by their general practitioner.The service is only offered for people referred by their general practitioner.
The station will be open up to nine hours a day, testing patients once every 20 minutes.The station will be open up to nine hours a day, testing patients once every 20 minutes.
South Korea on Tuesday reported fewer than 150 new cases for the first time in two weeks.South Korea on Tuesday reported fewer than 150 new cases for the first time in two weeks.
A total of 131 infections were confirmed on Monday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.A total of 131 infections were confirmed on Monday, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Three more people died, it added, taking the death toll to 54.Three more people died, it added, taking the death toll to 54.
Monday’s final figure marked the fourth consecutive daily fall and was the lowest for a single day since late February.Monday’s final figure marked the fourth consecutive daily fall and was the lowest for a single day since late February.
“The number of new Covid-19 cases has been declining, so we can assess the rate of increase is coming to a standstill,” said Yoon Tae-ho at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters.“The number of new Covid-19 cases has been declining, so we can assess the rate of increase is coming to a standstill,” said Yoon Tae-ho at the Central Disaster Management Headquarters.
But the outbreak was still spreading, he added, warning against any relaxation of containment efforts.But the outbreak was still spreading, he added, warning against any relaxation of containment efforts.
Cyprus’ largest hospital suspended most services on Tuesday, authorities said, after a medical doctor heading the heart surgical ward tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reports. The 64-year-old doctor was one of two individuals first to test positive on the Mediterranean island. He had recently returned from Britain and had contact with patients.Cyprus’ largest hospital suspended most services on Tuesday, authorities said, after a medical doctor heading the heart surgical ward tested positive for coronavirus, Reuters reports. The 64-year-old doctor was one of two individuals first to test positive on the Mediterranean island. He had recently returned from Britain and had contact with patients.
Effective Tuesday, all admissions, outpatient clinics, surgeries and visitations at Nicosia general hospital were suspended for 48 hours, when the situation would be reviewed, the health ministry announced early on Tuesday.Effective Tuesday, all admissions, outpatient clinics, surgeries and visitations at Nicosia general hospital were suspended for 48 hours, when the situation would be reviewed, the health ministry announced early on Tuesday.
The operation of the cardio surgery ward had also been suspended and patients would be gradually discharged, depending on their general health condition, the ministry said.The operation of the cardio surgery ward had also been suspended and patients would be gradually discharged, depending on their general health condition, the ministry said.