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Coronavirus live updates: UK death toll rises to six as Italy-wide lockdown comes into force Coronavirus live updates: number of deaths outside China passes 1,000 as Italy records highest one-day toll
(32 minutes later)
BA and Ryanair cancel flights, Greece and Spain close schools, as universities in US and Ireland among those moving lectures online UK death toll rises to six as Italy lockdown comes into force, Greece and Spain close schools, and universities in US and Ireland move lectures online
Authorities in Berlin have announced the closure of all theatres, concert halls and its three opera houses to dampen the spread of coronavirus, until at least the end of the Easter holidays on April 19, Kate Connolly reports.
Berlin has also become the 7th of Germany’s 16 states to ban gatherings of 1000 people or more. Angela Merkel, the German chancellor has said authorities should be strict about implementing the bans, insisting at a meeting of her CDU parliamentary group this afternoon that all non essential events should be cancelled with immediate effect.
She said the fact that Bundesliga matches were going ahead empty stadiums “is not the worst that can happen to this country.”
Separately, the head of Poland’s army, Jaroslaw Mika, has tested positive for coronavirus following a visit to German troops, according to the Polish defence ministry. He and his aides are all in quarantine.
Meanwhile leading German economists say that Europe’s largest economy is heading for a recession. “Unfortunately we’re expecting Germany to go into recession in the first half of the year,” the head of the Kiel Institute for World Economy, (IfW), Gabriel Felbermayr.
Other leading economists have voiced the same concerns.
The 27 EU leaders are currently taking part in a teleconference summit on the coronavirus outbreak.
A press conference is due to take place at its conclusion, however it is not yet clear what time that will be. Watch this space.
Here’s some more analysis of those coronavirus infection figures released earlier by the Department of Health and Social Care, from my colleague Matthew Weaver, showing that it is now present in all but two of London’s 32 boroughs.
There are now 91 confirmed cases in the capital spread over every borough with the exception of Bexley and Newham.
The latest council breakdown, which is based on Monday’s figures, shows confirmed cases in six boroughs for the first time. They are: Barking and Dagenham, Croydon, Greenwich, Haringey, Islington, Richmond upon Thames.
Eleven inmates have died in Italy after a series of prison riots erupted over new restrictions imposed by the government to contain the outbreak of coronavirus, Lorenzo Tondo, a Guardian correspondent in Italy, reports.
Tensions have sparked on Sunday when detainees were informed that the new emergency decree banned visits from relatives to reduce infections.
Eight of the deaths stemmed from rioting at Modena’s prison, where all but one victim is thought to have died of overdoses after inmates raided the jail’s pharmacy.
The other person is thought to have died of smoke inhalation after matrasses were set alight during the protests.
Prisoners in Pavia on Monday took two prison officers hostages for hours as other jail riots were also sparked in Salerno, Naples, Alessandria, Vercelli, Bari, Palermo, Foggia and Frosinone.
Inmates fear also of being infected with coronavirus, said Italy’s prison service unions.
In Foggia, several inmates have managed to get out after tearing up a gate at the block house. Police are still trying to track down 23 inmates who escaped during unrest at the complex, as 11 other fugitives were tracked down overnight.
Order was restored at many of the prisons on Tuesday, although riots and protests continued at several others. In Palermo, 400 inmates are said to have taken control of part of the complex.
The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has jumped by 168 to 631, an increase of 36%, the Civil Protection Agency said on Tuesday, the largest rise in absolute numbers since the contagion came to light on 21 February, Reuters reports.
The total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus in Europe, rose to 10,149 from a previous 9,172, an increase of 10.7%.
The head of the agency said that, of those originally infected, 1,004 had fully recovered compared to 724 the day before. Some 877 people were in intensive care against a previous 733.
Angry British tourists have accused British Airways of leaving them “stranded” in Italy after it suspended flights to and from the country because of Coronavirus with Ryanair due to follow suit on Saturday, Lisa O’Carroll reports.
One called the abrupt decision to axe all 60 BA routes as “disgraceful leaving tourists and business travellers scrambling for alternative flights and road transport after Italy imposed a nationwide lockdown to stem the spread of the virus.
Another said “Ryanair has gone up in my estimation” after the airline said it would continue with flights up to and including Friday and may also put on more flights to repatriate the marooned.
A UK passenger told reporters she felt “dumped” by the airline, while another said they had now ordered a taxi to Austria tomorrow morning to escape but were now worried they might get stopped on the border without health certificates, something Slovenia is already demanding.
The coronavirus death toll outside China has now passed 1,000, Agence-France Presse reports on its Twitter feed. More soon.
Local media in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reported the first case of coronavirus in the vast central African state, Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent, reports.Local media in the Democratic Republic of Congo have reported the first case of coronavirus in the vast central African state, Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent, reports.
A foreigner who flew into Kinshasa, the capital, from Belgium tested positive on arrival and has since been isolated. Officials say that measures were being taken to identify and test anyone who had been in contact with the traveller, with potential quarantine if necessary. The male traveller had not shown any symptoms on leaving Europe, it was reported.A foreigner who flew into Kinshasa, the capital, from Belgium tested positive on arrival and has since been isolated. Officials say that measures were being taken to identify and test anyone who had been in contact with the traveller, with potential quarantine if necessary. The male traveller had not shown any symptoms on leaving Europe, it was reported.
The DRC’s minister of health has asked people to remain calm and follow the recommended measures to ensure good hygiene.The DRC’s minister of health has asked people to remain calm and follow the recommended measures to ensure good hygiene.
Like several other African nations, the DRC has said it will quarantine any arrivals from China, Iran, Iraq, Germany, France and Italy.Like several other African nations, the DRC has said it will quarantine any arrivals from China, Iran, Iraq, Germany, France and Italy.
The coronavirus is spreading across the continent, though the vast majority of the near 100 cases so far detected are in Egypt and Algeria. There have been seven cases in South Africa, among a group who travelled to Italy to ski.The coronavirus is spreading across the continent, though the vast majority of the near 100 cases so far detected are in Egypt and Algeria. There have been seven cases in South Africa, among a group who travelled to Italy to ski.
Though local conditions vary, experts fear that weak health systems in many African nations will undermine the official response to the disease. Youthful populations may, however, prove more resilient.Though local conditions vary, experts fear that weak health systems in many African nations will undermine the official response to the disease. Youthful populations may, however, prove more resilient.
The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has reported 31 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, making a total of 173.The governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, has reported 31 new confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state, making a total of 173.
Cuomo also announced that he had deployed the national guard to New Rochelle, north of New York City, which has been identified as a coronavirus hot spot, CNBC reports. Schools in the district will be closed from two weeks from Thursday, he said.Cuomo also announced that he had deployed the national guard to New Rochelle, north of New York City, which has been identified as a coronavirus hot spot, CNBC reports. Schools in the district will be closed from two weeks from Thursday, he said.
North-east Texas has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the Longview News-Journal reports.North-east Texas has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, the Longview News-Journal reports.
“The patient traveled within the continental United States, has mild illness and has continued self-isolation in their home,” the paper reports.“The patient traveled within the continental United States, has mild illness and has continued self-isolation in their home,” the paper reports.
Cyprus has announced emergency measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, a day after two people on the island were revealed to have contracted coronavirus, Helena Smith, the Guardian’s Athens correspondent, reports.Cyprus has announced emergency measures to combat the spread of Covid-19, a day after two people on the island were revealed to have contracted coronavirus, Helena Smith, the Guardian’s Athens correspondent, reports.
Following a cabinet meeting, the government announced that schools in Nicosia, the capital, would be temporarily closed and football matches – one of the former British colony’s most popular team sports – held behind closed doors.Following a cabinet meeting, the government announced that schools in Nicosia, the capital, would be temporarily closed and football matches – one of the former British colony’s most popular team sports – held behind closed doors.
Gatherings of more than 75 people will also be prohibited. With church services being included in the ban, president Nicos Anastasiades called the head of the church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, to inform him of the decision – in sharp contrast to Greece, where fierce debate has been ignited by the church’s insistence on holding services, including the sacrament of holy communion despite public health fears.Gatherings of more than 75 people will also be prohibited. With church services being included in the ban, president Nicos Anastasiades called the head of the church, Archbishop Chrysostomos, to inform him of the decision – in sharp contrast to Greece, where fierce debate has been ignited by the church’s insistence on holding services, including the sacrament of holy communion despite public health fears.
“All mass events, assemblies, concerts, and parades in public venues are cancelled,” the island’s health minister, Constantinos Ioannou, told reporters.“All mass events, assemblies, concerts, and parades in public venues are cancelled,” the island’s health minister, Constantinos Ioannou, told reporters.
Speaking after the four-hour cabinet meeting, Ioannou said four of the checkpoint crossings connecting the island’s internationally recognised Greek south with the Turkish-run north will remain closed at least until next week, protests notwithstanding.Speaking after the four-hour cabinet meeting, Ioannou said four of the checkpoint crossings connecting the island’s internationally recognised Greek south with the Turkish-run north will remain closed at least until next week, protests notwithstanding.
The breakaway state announced its first case of Covid-19 earlier on Tuesday, saying a German woman holidaying in the north had tested positive for the virus.The breakaway state announced its first case of Covid-19 earlier on Tuesday, saying a German woman holidaying in the north had tested positive for the virus.
The University of Cyprus said it would also halt classes until 25 March. The government had taken the extraordinary measure of calling for people flying into the island to self–isolate for 14-days – in echoes of a similar move announced by Israel on Monday.The University of Cyprus said it would also halt classes until 25 March. The government had taken the extraordinary measure of calling for people flying into the island to self–isolate for 14-days – in echoes of a similar move announced by Israel on Monday.
The UK and Greece, originally among those countries listed for the obligatory quarantine period, were eventually removed from the list when it was realised that the measure was likely to have a disastrous effect on the economy.The UK and Greece, originally among those countries listed for the obligatory quarantine period, were eventually removed from the list when it was realised that the measure was likely to have a disastrous effect on the economy.
Kensington and Chelsea in London is the UK local authority with the biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections, according to data just released by the Department of Health and Social Care.Kensington and Chelsea in London is the UK local authority with the biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections, according to data just released by the Department of Health and Social Care.
DHSC just updated its breakdown of cases by local authority, which now shows the number of cases in each area as of 9am this morning. Five new cases were detected in Kensington and Chelsea, one of the UK’s wealthiest areas, bringing the total in the borough to 13.DHSC just updated its breakdown of cases by local authority, which now shows the number of cases in each area as of 9am this morning. Five new cases were detected in Kensington and Chelsea, one of the UK’s wealthiest areas, bringing the total in the borough to 13.
The area with the most cases overall remains Hertfordshire, with three new cases bringing the total in the county to 16.The area with the most cases overall remains Hertfordshire, with three new cases bringing the total in the county to 16.
Barnet, Southwark and Tower Hamlets in London have also registered three new cases apiece, as has Hampshire on the south coast.Barnet, Southwark and Tower Hamlets in London have also registered three new cases apiece, as has Hampshire on the south coast.
These are the local authorities with the most cases so far:These are the local authorities with the most cases so far:
Hertfordshire 16Hertfordshire 16
Kensington and Chelsea 13Kensington and Chelsea 13
Devon 13Devon 13
Hampshire 10Hampshire 10
Barnet 8Barnet 8
Southwark 8Southwark 8
Brighton and Hove 8Brighton and Hove 8
The NHS’s 111 online website appears not to have been updated to take account of the latest public health information on coronavirus stating that travellers returning to the UK from Italy should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, my colleague Ben Quinn reports.The NHS’s 111 online website appears not to have been updated to take account of the latest public health information on coronavirus stating that travellers returning to the UK from Italy should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic, my colleague Ben Quinn reports.
In an indication of how public health systems are struggling to keep up with a fast-moving crisis, those who visit the online equivalent of the NHS telephone helpline and indicate that they have returned from Italy end up being advised that they do not need to speak to anybody as they have not been to a place that means they need to need to self-isolate.In an indication of how public health systems are struggling to keep up with a fast-moving crisis, those who visit the online equivalent of the NHS telephone helpline and indicate that they have returned from Italy end up being advised that they do not need to speak to anybody as they have not been to a place that means they need to need to self-isolate.
The out-of-date guidance is on a “quiz” that members of the public can use and which takes them through questions asking, for example, if they have been to China’s Hubei province in the last 14 days.The out-of-date guidance is on a “quiz” that members of the public can use and which takes them through questions asking, for example, if they have been to China’s Hubei province in the last 14 days.
It comes after the entire state of Italy was designated on Monday in British governmenthealth guidance as being in “category 1”, along with Iran, Hubei and some parts of South Korea.It comes after the entire state of Italy was designated on Monday in British governmenthealth guidance as being in “category 1”, along with Iran, Hubei and some parts of South Korea.
Travellers coming from those areas and countries are told they should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic. It advises them to go home to their destination and self isolate.Travellers coming from those areas and countries are told they should self-isolate, even if asymptomatic. It advises them to go home to their destination and self isolate.
Parents in and around Madrid were urgently trying to arrange impromptu childcare on Tuesday following the regional government’s decision to close all schools in the area for a fortnight in an effort to arrest the spread of the coronavirus, reports the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent Sam Jones.Parents in and around Madrid were urgently trying to arrange impromptu childcare on Tuesday following the regional government’s decision to close all schools in the area for a fortnight in an effort to arrest the spread of the coronavirus, reports the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent Sam Jones.
Spain has so far confirmed 1,646 cases of the virus – 782 of them in the Madrid region – and 35 deaths. On Monday evening, the regional government said that all nurseries, schools and universities would closed their doors on Wednesday and remain shut until 23 March.Spain has so far confirmed 1,646 cases of the virus – 782 of them in the Madrid region – and 35 deaths. On Monday evening, the regional government said that all nurseries, schools and universities would closed their doors on Wednesday and remain shut until 23 March.
On Tuesday, the central government announced its own countermeasures, banning all public events involving more than 1,000 people in Madrid, two areas of the Basque country, and the neighbouring region of La Rioja. It also announced a ban on all flights from Italian airports.On Tuesday, the central government announced its own countermeasures, banning all public events involving more than 1,000 people in Madrid, two areas of the Basque country, and the neighbouring region of La Rioja. It also announced a ban on all flights from Italian airports.
The announcements came as the far-right Vox party apologised for holding a 9,000-person rally in Madrid on Sunday and confirmed that its general secretary had tested positive for the coronavirus and had gone into voluntary quarantine.The announcements came as the far-right Vox party apologised for holding a 9,000-person rally in Madrid on Sunday and confirmed that its general secretary had tested positive for the coronavirus and had gone into voluntary quarantine.
Andrew Cuomo, the New York governor, is giving his regular coronavirus update.
The testing crisis in the United States continues, with the governor of North Carolina warning that his state has only enough supplies left to test 300 more people.
The comments by Roy Cooper came as the US Senate’s top democrat warned that the country was “far behind” in testing people for the new coronavirus and said the Trump administration should make ramping up that capability its highest priority in fighting the outbreak.
“This is a healthcare crisis, it demands a healthcare solution,” Senator Chuck Schumer, a Democrat, said on the floor of the Senate as lawmakers considered measures to protect the economy from a sharp contraction due to the outbrea, according to Reuters.
A total of 761 confirmed cases of the coronavirus were confirmed nationwide as of late Tuesday morning, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University. There have been 27 U.S. coronavirus-related deaths, most of them in Washington state.
Transport for London, which controls much of the public transport in the UK capital, has announced an enhanced cleaning regime across the bus and tube networks.
Cleaning across both networks will now use “additional substances that kill viruses and bacteria on contact”. According to the announcement:
The transport union the TSSA welcomed the move, which comes as its general secretary, Manuel Cortes, wrote to Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, calling on him to implement similar measures to those being employed by TfL. Cortes said:
Despite warnings over mass gatherings and the spread of the coronavirus, the mayor of a small town in France has defended a record-breaking rally of people dressed as Smurfs that went ahead in France over the weekend.
Just a day before French authorities banned all gatherings of more than 1,000 people, in a bid to contain the virus, more than 3,500 painted their faces blue and donned the cartoon characters’ liberty cap-style headgear for the gathering in Landerneau, western France.
The Smurf rally drew criticism particularly from the media in Italy, which is battling Europe’s most intense outbreak. But Patrick Leclerc, the mayor of Landerneau, said:
In Greece, the government has just announced that all schools and universities in the whole country will shut down for the next 14 days.
All schools, universities, daycare centres and other educational establishments will close from tomorrow. Greece has so far reported 89 confirmed cases of coronavirus but no deaths.
Announcing the move, Vassilis Kikilias, the health minister, was quoted by Reuters as saying:
With its limited social safety net, the US seems to outside observers to be particularly vulnerable to an outbreak of coronavirus. Sam Levin, one of the Guardian’s US correspondents, has spoken to California’s homeless organisations, which say they lack the resources and government support to stop the spread of infections.
Malta has confirmed its fifth case of Covid-19, the Times of Malta reports, after an existing patient’s daughter tested positive for the coronavirus.
The 16-year-old was reported to be in good health. She and her father, 49, had been on a ski trip to Trentino Alto Adige in Italy between 23-27 February, returning via Treviso.
Her mother tested negative for the 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 24 council areas of England, according to analysis by the Guardian’s data team.The geographical figures, now released daily with a 24-hour 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, Cornwall, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Surrey, Torbay and Warwickshire.