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Coronavirus live updates: Italy-wide lockdown comes into force Coronavirus live updates: Italy-wide lockdown comes into force
(32 minutes later)
UK and US had worst days trading since 2008 GFC; Global cases near 110,000; Grand Princess passengers disembarkUK and US had worst days trading since 2008 GFC; Global cases near 110,000; Grand Princess passengers disembark
Kazakhstan has barred entry to travellers from Italy over coronavirus and is adding France, Germany, and Spain to the list from March 12, Reuters reports chief sanitary doctor Zhandarbek Bekshin has said. There are so far reported no cases in the country.
Lebanon has recorded its first death from the coronavirus, local broadcasters said, adding that the patient had been in quarantine since returning from Egypt.
The government has halted flights for non-residents from epicentres of the virus, shut schools and warned against public gatherings as the total number of cases rose to 41 this week.
Stormont’s leaders have cancelled plans to travel to the United States later this week to attend St Patrick’s events in Washington DC, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill said.
Ms O’Neill and First Minister Arlene Foster were due to fly to the US capital on Wednesday. They had already cancelled the New York leg of their itinerary.
“We remain in the containment stage, however as leaders of the Executive we have decided to suspend our travel to the United States this week since our full attention is on civil contingency planning around the coronavirus outbreak and protecting public health,” said Ms O’Neill.
“We are fully engaged in the Cobra meetings alongside England, Scotland and Wales in assessing the response to the outbreak on advice from our chief medical officer.
“There is all-Ireland co-ordination between health and medical professionals on a daily basis also. I am in regular contact with Tanaiste Simon Coveney and health ministers north and south are also working closely.”
The Czech Republic is to close schools indefinitely and ban events hosting more than 100 people in new measures to contain the coronavirus, its prime minister said on Tuesday.
The country has reported 40 cases of coronavirus since detecting the first infections on 1 March. In most cases, the virus appeared in people coming from northern Italy, the worst-hit area of Europe.
“Our paramount task is the health of our citizens,” Prime Minister Andrej Babis told a news conference. “We understand this will be very unpleasant for people, but we want to prevent, by all means, what happened in Italy from happening here.”
Officials said the measures were decided after a Prague taxi driver was diagnosed with the disease, the first case where the source of infection could not be identified.
The new measures will close schools and universities, but not kindergartens, from Wednesday. A ban from Tuesday night on events ranges from film and theatre to other cultural, sports and religious gatherings.
The Czech government has already banned flights with Italy, and issued mandatory quarantines for thousands returning from vacation in the southern European country.On Monday, it banned hospital and retirement home visits, and started border checks including taking temperatures and testing any foreign travellers feeling ill.
British Airways has cancelled all flights to and from Italy, Reuters is reporting.
The European Commissioner for crisis management, Janez Lenarčič, has told MEPs sitting in Brussels that “the economic cost of coronavirus will be significant”.
He said: “We are well aware that exceptional times require exceptional measures and this is such a time. This situation calls for a coherent response and solidarity and cooperation are essential”.
Great Ormond Street children’s hospital has cancelled surgery on children with serious heart problems for two weeks after a health professional there contracted the coronavirus.
The London hospital, which treats seriously ill children from all over the UK, has also cancelled outpatient clinics for under-18s with cardiac conditions.
It is the latest NHS hospital which has had to curtail its services because a member of staff has tested positive for the virus. Last weekend Southampton general hospital had to close its surgical high dependency unit to new admissions after a health professional was found to have the virus.
Great Ormond Street did not name the health professional involved in a statement it posted on its website on Monday or indicate if it was a doctor, nurse or other member of staff.
It is one of the best-known hospitals in the world and treats some children from overseas, especially the Middle East. It is one of the NHS’s network of dedicated children’s hospitals. It has featured in many television documentaries, including the 2015 BBC series Great Ormond Street.
In its statement it said only that: “A healthcare professional who works in our cardiology department has tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).
“We would like to reassure our families that anybody who came into close contact with this individual is being informed and will be offered advice.”
It added: “The majority of services are unaffected and all essential treatment is being carried out, and to ensure patient and staff safety the cardiology department will not be carrying out non-essential cardiac procedures including surgery and outpatients.
“This is for a period of two weeks from Monday 9 March and will be subject to daily review. Any patient affected by this change will be contacted directly.”
The hospital did not say if any patients or other staff were now in isolation following the health worker’s diagnosis.
Its statement said only that: “The trust is working with Public Health England and implementing NHS guidance to control risk from the virus. Patients and staff should continue to attend appointments normally and come into work unless they are unwell or advised not to.”
The president of the European parliament, David Sassoli, has said he will work from home for the next two weeks after visiting Italy on the weekend.The president of the European parliament, David Sassoli, has said he will work from home for the next two weeks after visiting Italy on the weekend.
Sassoli, who is from Florence, said in a statement: “The new advice introduced by the Italian government extends the protected area to the whole national territory. This has important consequences for the behaviour of Italian MEPs.Sassoli, who is from Florence, said in a statement: “The new advice introduced by the Italian government extends the protected area to the whole national territory. This has important consequences for the behaviour of Italian MEPs.
“For this reason, I have decided after having been in Italy over the last weekend, as a precaution, to follow the indicated measures and to exercise my function as President from my home in Brussels in compliance with the 14 days indicated by the health protocol.“For this reason, I have decided after having been in Italy over the last weekend, as a precaution, to follow the indicated measures and to exercise my function as President from my home in Brussels in compliance with the 14 days indicated by the health protocol.
“Covid-19 obliges everyone to be responsible and to be cautious. It is a delicate moment for all of us. Parliament will continue to work to exercise its duties. No virus can block democracy.”“Covid-19 obliges everyone to be responsible and to be cautious. It is a delicate moment for all of us. Parliament will continue to work to exercise its duties. No virus can block democracy.”
Poland’s government has decided to cancel all mass events due to the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said.Poland’s government has decided to cancel all mass events due to the coronavirus outbreak, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki has said.
“At this morning’s meeting we took a decision to call off all mass events,” Morawiecki told a news conference.“At this morning’s meeting we took a decision to call off all mass events,” Morawiecki told a news conference.
The central European country of 38 million people has reported 17 cases of Covid-19.The central European country of 38 million people has reported 17 cases of Covid-19.
A call centre in Belfast has closed for deep cleaning after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19, PA Media reports.A call centre in Belfast has closed for deep cleaning after a staff member tested positive for Covid-19, PA Media reports.
About 1,000 people work at the Halifax operation in the Gasworks area of the city. It is understood staff have been asked to self-isolate, work from home or from a contingency site.About 1,000 people work at the Halifax operation in the Gasworks area of the city. It is understood staff have been asked to self-isolate, work from home or from a contingency site.
Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, said: “The Belfast Gasworks building has been temporarily closed to allow for the appropriate areas of the site to be cleaned, after a colleague based there was diagnosed with Covid-19.Lloyds Banking Group, which owns Halifax, said: “The Belfast Gasworks building has been temporarily closed to allow for the appropriate areas of the site to be cleaned, after a colleague based there was diagnosed with Covid-19.
“Our priority is the wellbeing of the individual, as well as the colleagues and visitors to the building. We’re closely monitoring the developing situation and continue to follow official guidelines.”“Our priority is the wellbeing of the individual, as well as the colleagues and visitors to the building. We’re closely monitoring the developing situation and continue to follow official guidelines.”
Pope Francis has urged Catholic priests on Tuesday to “have the courage” to go out and help those sickened by the novel coronavirus, hours after Italy was placed on a nationwide lockdown.Pope Francis has urged Catholic priests on Tuesday to “have the courage” to go out and help those sickened by the novel coronavirus, hours after Italy was placed on a nationwide lockdown.
“Let us pray to the Lord also for our priests, that they may have the courage to go out and visit the sick … and to accompany the medical staff and volunteers in the work they do,” the pontiff said during a mass in Vatican City.“Let us pray to the Lord also for our priests, that they may have the courage to go out and visit the sick … and to accompany the medical staff and volunteers in the work they do,” the pontiff said during a mass in Vatican City.
St Peter’s Square in the Vatican was almost empty on Tuesday with only a few dozen people walking around, most of them without masks.St Peter’s Square in the Vatican was almost empty on Tuesday with only a few dozen people walking around, most of them without masks.
The Italian government has asked for people not to travel if they can avoid it and to avoid contact with the sick.The Italian government has asked for people not to travel if they can avoid it and to avoid contact with the sick.
Officials passed a decree late Monday extending nationwide restrictive measures that had been put in place at the weekend in the hardest-hit northern regions.Officials passed a decree late Monday extending nationwide restrictive measures that had been put in place at the weekend in the hardest-hit northern regions.
The restrictions – including checkpoints on roads and in railway stations – are set to remain until 3 April.The restrictions – including checkpoints on roads and in railway stations – are set to remain until 3 April.
Italy is the epicentre of the European virus outbreak, with more than 9,000 cases and 463 deaths so far.Italy is the epicentre of the European virus outbreak, with more than 9,000 cases and 463 deaths so far.
In Greece this morning, the infection rate has risen from 84 to 89 overnight, according to the country’s health ministry.In Greece this morning, the infection rate has risen from 84 to 89 overnight, according to the country’s health ministry.
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.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.
Of the total, 27 were hospitalised in specialist units and 57 were in isolation at home, the health ministry said.Of the total, 27 were hospitalised in specialist units and 57 were in isolation at home, the health ministry said.
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.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 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 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.
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.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.
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.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.
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.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.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 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.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.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.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 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 Media reports.
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.
“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.
“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.
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:
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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here is Smash Mouth’s All Star:
A more dystopian-feeling The Beatles’ Nowhere Man:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
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.