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Coronavirus live updates: UK death toll rises to six as Italy-wide lockdown comes into force Coronavirus live updates: UK death toll rises to six as Italy-wide lockdown comes into force
(32 minutes later)
BA and Ryanair cancel flights as countries take stronger measures to fight spread of virusBA and Ryanair cancel flights as countries take stronger measures to fight spread of virus
This is Damien Gayle taking over the coronavirus live blog now for the next few hours, as Asia goes to sleep, Europe moves into the late afternoon and the Americas wake up.
As usual I’ll be aggregating the most important news about the developing outbreak from the Guardian’s staff, the news wire agencies, social media and other sources.
Please let me know if you have any news or tips you think I should be including in our coverage, either at damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
The UN is asking for urgent donations to prepare for the health needs of displaced people affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
UNHCR has said it is looking for an initial $33m “to boost the preparedness, prevention and response activities to address the immediate public health needs of refugees prompted by COVID-19.”
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, said:
Government figures on the geographical spread of the virus reveal new and increased cases in 23 council areas of England, according to analysis by the Guardian’s data team.The geographical figures, now released daily with a 24 delay to allow for verification, show eight areas where the virus has been detected for the first time.
They are: Dudley, Enfield, North Somerset, Suffolk, Sunderland, Sutton, Waltham Forrest, Wolverhampton and Havering where two new cases were confirmed.Most of the areas report increases of one case, but in Camden and Oldham new cases doubled from two to four, and in Southwark and Nottinghamshire they increased from three to five.The other areas reporting increases in cases were: Barnet, Bolton, Brighton, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Surrey, Torbay, and Warwickshire.
The total number of Covid-19 cases in the UK jumped to 373, as of 9am on Tuesday, up from 319 at the same time on Monday.
A sixth patient in the UK died after testing positive for coronavirus. The man was in his early 80s and had underlying health conditions, the West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed.
British Airways and Ryanair have cancelled all international flights to and from Italy, following the Italian government’s decision to place the entire country on lockdown came into effect on Tuesday.
The start of the UK peak of the coronavirus epidemic is expected within the next fortnight, England’s deputy chief medical officer Dr Jenny Harries said. She added that the UK would see “many thousands of people” contract the virus.
A number of universities including Harvard, NYU and Trinity College Dublin have moved lectures online in a bid to tackle the spread of the virus.
Victims of race hate crimes in the UK have been urged to come forward after a Chinese student’s jaw was dislocated in a street attack.
EU countries are holding a conference call at 4pm today to decide on next steps in relation to coronavirus. They are considering a co-ordinated response in relation to managing the risk.
Among the subjects that are expected to be discussed are borders, health screening and the international effort to contain the virus. One source said the EU had to take the lead given the response of Donald Trump.
Despite the country having no recorded cases of Covid-19 so far, these bus passengers in Rwanda aren’t taking any chances.Despite the country having no recorded cases of Covid-19 so far, these bus passengers in Rwanda aren’t taking any chances.
As British airlines axed flights to and from Italy, pressure is mounting for the UK to ramp up its strategy to combat the coronavirus.As British airlines axed flights to and from Italy, pressure is mounting for the UK to ramp up its strategy to combat the coronavirus.
St. Peter’s Square and St. Peter’s Basilica have been closed to tourists and guided groups because of coronavirus but individual members of the faithful can enter the basilica to pray, the Vatican said. St Peter’s Square and St Peter’s Basilica have been closed to tourists and guided groups because of coronavirus but individual members of the faithful can enter the basilica to pray, the Vatican said.
A statement said the Vatican would also be closing its post office in the square, which draws many tourists, as well as its bookstore and photo service. A cafeteria inside the Vatican for employees would also close. All measures will remain in effect until 3 April.A statement said the Vatican would also be closing its post office in the square, which draws many tourists, as well as its bookstore and photo service. A cafeteria inside the Vatican for employees would also close. All measures will remain in effect until 3 April.
A total of 373 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday, up by 54 from 319 at the same point on Monday, the Department of Health has said.A total of 373 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Tuesday, up by 54 from 319 at the same point on Monday, the Department of Health has said.
Twenty-seven people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Scotland as of Tuesday morning, an increase of four from yesterday.Twenty-seven people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Scotland as of Tuesday morning, an increase of four from yesterday.
Scottish authorities have carried out 2,234 tests, of which 2,207 were confirmed negative.Scottish authorities have carried out 2,234 tests, of which 2,207 were confirmed negative.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, warned of a “significant outbreak” across the UK on Monday. She said Scotland was anticipating an increase in the number of positive cases and added that the nation’s rurality would not necessarily protect it from the outbreak.The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, warned of a “significant outbreak” across the UK on Monday. She said Scotland was anticipating an increase in the number of positive cases and added that the nation’s rurality would not necessarily protect it from the outbreak.
The local authority Lothian reported the highest number of positive cases – seven – followed by Grampian, which had six positive cases as of Tuesday morning.The local authority Lothian reported the highest number of positive cases – seven – followed by Grampian, which had six positive cases as of Tuesday morning.
The Scottish government published new workplace guidance this week that provides tips to people working in hotels and hospitality, leisure facilities, entertainment venues and premises used by community groups. The advice includes routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects and basic handwashing.The Scottish government published new workplace guidance this week that provides tips to people working in hotels and hospitality, leisure facilities, entertainment venues and premises used by community groups. The advice includes routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched objects and basic handwashing.
Sony is to delay the release of Peter Rabbit 2 until August amid coronavirus disruption, Variety reports.Sony is to delay the release of Peter Rabbit 2 until August amid coronavirus disruption, Variety reports.
Given the disruptions starting to emerge due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sony has moved to push back the sequel’s launch in the UK and European markets until 7 August.Given the disruptions starting to emerge due to the coronavirus outbreak, Sony has moved to push back the sequel’s launch in the UK and European markets until 7 August.
President Emmanuel Macron of France has issued the following announcement, saying we each have an individual responsibility as we face Covid-19.President Emmanuel Macron of France has issued the following announcement, saying we each have an individual responsibility as we face Covid-19.
The number of Scots diagnosed with coronavirus has increased to 27, the Scottish government confirmed.The number of Scots diagnosed with coronavirus has increased to 27, the Scottish government confirmed.
The total number of positive tests for the disease, known as Covid-19, has risen by four from Monday. So far, there have been 2,234 tests for the virus carried out in Scotland, of which 2,207 were negative.The total number of positive tests for the disease, known as Covid-19, has risen by four from Monday. So far, there have been 2,234 tests for the virus carried out in Scotland, of which 2,207 were negative.
Four new cases of Covid-19 have been detected in Northern Ireland, bringing the total number to 16, PA Media reports.
All four are adults. One case involved recent travel from northern Italy. Three can be traced to a previously reported case that involved recent travel to northern Italy.
A staff member at Aintree University hospital in Liverpool has tested positive for coronavirus. The Liverpool Echo reported the staff member was a male consultant surgeon who had returned from Italy.
A spokesman for Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust did not confirm or deny the report. He said: “A member of staff has been in self-isolation since being confirmed as positive for Covid-19.
“We have contacted all the patients that are identified as coming into contact with the staff member and are working with Public Health England (PHE) and NHS England to inform and advise those who may have come into contact with this individual.
“Aintree University hospital remains open and patients should attend their appointments as planned.”
A sixth patient has died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England has confirmed.
A statement from West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “Sadly, we can confirm that a man who was being cared for at Watford General hospital, and had tested positive for Covid-19, has died.
“The patient, who died in the evening of Monday March 9, was in his early 80s and had underlying health conditions. His family has been informed and our thoughts and condolences are with them at this difficult and distressing time.”
Six people in Brunei have tested positive for the coronavirus after the tiny south-east Asian nation reported its first case a day ago, Reuters reports.
The first coronavirus patient in the sultanate was a 53-year-old Bruneian man who returned from the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, on 3 March and started showing symptoms four days later, Brunei’s health ministry said.
He was one of 90 Bruneians who attended a mass gathering of Islamic missionaries at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur. The health ministry has quarantined more than 20 individuals who came into close contact with the man, and is urging Bruneians who attended the gathering to come forward for testing.
In neighbouring Malaysia, the prime minister’s office said 12 more people tested positive on Tuesday, taking the total to 129.
The Spanish parliament’s lower house has suspended all activities for at least a week after lawmaker Javier Ortega Smith’s party Vox disclosed he was diagnosed with coronavirus, El País newspaper reported.
Ortega Smith, who is also the far-right party’s number two, participated in a large-scale political rally last weekend with the presence of many of the party’s other legislators. He and his 51 fellow lawmakers from the Vox party will work from home.
Reuters said officials in parliament could not immediately confirm the shutdown.
Public Health England has published a breakdown of Covid-19 cases by local authority in England, which can be viewed here.
It comes a week after a U-turn over a controversial decision to withhold information about the spread of the coronavirus.
Apple now says you can use alcohol wipes to clean your phone, after a decade of insisting it will damage the touchscreen if you use anything other than “a soft, lint-free cloth”.
In an update to its support pages, published on Monday, the company has added a specific box-out to answer the question: “Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?” While the update is not specifically linked to coronavirus, it comes as experts around the world highlight the need for sanitation to prevent further spread of the virus.
“Using a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or clorox disinfecting wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, non-porous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces,” the company says. “Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents.”
Users had previously been warned that disinfectant wipes may damage the oleophobic coating on the screen, which helps keep them free of fingerprint smudges.
In Greece, calls are growing for the Greek Orthodox Church to listen to scientists on the issue of how best to deal with Covid-19 after it refused to suspend ecclesiastical services and sacred rites such as holy communion.
Debate over the church’s stance intensified after its governing body objected to any suggestion that the novel coronavirus could be transmitted when worshippers participated in shared rituals such as communion.
In a statement on Monday, the Holy Synod announced “with a sense of responsibility” that it would continue to hold services and conduct the sacrament despite public health concerns raised by the issue of shared chalices.
“For the members of the church, attendance of the divine eucharist and the shared cup of life, of course cannot be a cause of transmission of illness,” the body of senior clerics said in the statement. “Believers of all ages know that attending communion, even in the midst of a pandemic, is both a practical affirmation of self-surrender to the living god and a potent manifestation of love, which vanquishes every human and perhaps justified fear.”
Medical authorities, including the federation representing doctors’ unions, have decried what they described as the obscurantism of clerics invoking religious belief as a bulwark against the virus.
Possibly because of its influence as one of the most powerful institutions in a country where church and state have yet to be separated, the centre-right government has been slow to condemn the stance.
When asked during an interview on state-run TV what Greeks should do, Dora Bakoyannis, the former foreign minister and sister of the prime minister, Kyrakos Mitsotakis, said science had spoken and had to be listened to.
“I am a person who listens to experts and experts are saying very specific things, such as this virus is transmitted through human contact, through saliva etc,” she told the station. “Science has spoken,” she added, welcoming the news that some bishops were considering conducting open air services in the run-up to Orthodox Easter.
While the church has warned the faithful against kissing icons or clerics’ hands – traditions in eastern Orthodoxy – some say it is not enough.
Elias Mossialos, a professor of health policy at the London School of Economics, argued in an article for the Greek daily Ta Nea that the time had come for religious people to follow services on TV. “Vulnerable groups of believers who are the majority of those who go to church,” he wrote, referring to the older generation, “should watch services on television and holy communion should stop for the duration of the epidemic.”
Harvard University has told students not to return to its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the end of spring break on 23 March, when all classes will be conducted online.
Larry Bacow, Harvard’s president, told students and staff in a message this morning that the university is “transitioning to virtual instruction for graduate and undergraduate classes” and that non-essential gatherings will be limited to 25 people.
“To our students, I know it will be difficult to leave your friends and your classrooms. We are doing this not just to protect you but also to protect other members of or community who may be more vulnerable to this disease than you are,” Bacow said.
The full statement can be read here.
Trinity College Dublin is closing its lecture halls and other buildings amid the coronavirus threat.
In a statement posted on the university’s website, it said: “From tomorrow morning (Wednesday 11th), all lectures will be delivered online for the rest of the semester rather than physically in a lecture hall.
“However, tutorials, seminars and laboratory practicals will all continue to be given in the usual fashion while using social distancing protocols. This will allow Trinity to maintain continuity of teaching and learning while minimising the need to bring together students in large groups.
“This will slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus, but further measures may be necessary and these arrangements will be kept under continuous review.”