This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/10/coronavirus-update-latest-italy-shutdown-lockdown-who-pandemic-outbreak-quarantine-uk-cases-usa-america-australia-live-news-updates

The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
Coronavirus live updates: Italy under lockdown as WHO says threat of pandemic ‘very real’ 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 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.
The Philippines’ Rappler news reports that AirAsia is offering 6 million seats at a one-way base fare of a single Philippine Peso, which I’ve calculated as roughly one fifth of one US Dollar, or 0.02c.
In other news of the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on the world’s airlines, Boeing Co. shares dropped more than 12% on Monday amid a broader market plunge as pressure mounted on global aviation from the spread of the coronavirus and U.S. regulators said they disagreed with Boeing’s argument about the safety of wiring bundles on the grounded 737 MAX jet. Underscoring the global risks for America’s largest exporter, Ethiopian investigators singled out faulty 737 MAX systems in a new interim report on last year’s crash, the second of two fatal accidents that plunged Boeing into its worst-ever crisis.
Here is a summary of the latest major developments in the coronavirus outbreak – and the economic repercussions – around the world.
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%.
The ASX steadied to be up by almost 1.2% 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%.
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.
The WHO said the threat of a pandemic is ‘very real’ but stressed the virus could still be controlled
Australia now has 100 confirmed coronavirus cases, but has said the focus remains on screening incoming travellers, as there have been very few cases of community transmission.
Panama and Mongolia reported their first cases of the virus.
The death toll passed 4,000, and infections are now at over 113,000.
More than 60 million were placed in lockdown conditions in Italy as the measures imposed on the northern “red zone” were extended to the whole country. The steps announced by the Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte included the suspension of all public gatherings and strict travel restrictions.
Australia’s Qantas airline reduced its international flying capacity by a quarter, grounding eight Airbus A380s and leaving just two of the largest planes in its fleet flying.
Western Australia health minister Roger Cook says there are six confirmed cases in the state, and that the patients are in isolation. He added that the three new WA clinics dedicated to testing for coronavirus “remain busy, as we expected them to be, but so far they’re working... to do some diversion away from our emergency departments.”
He said we will be hearing from WA’s Chief Health Officer at 14:30 western time (17:30 eastern).
In Western Australia, health minister Roger Cook is addressing the media regarding the outbreak in the state.
We “have already seen a school be shut down in New South Wales. So it is inevitable that at some point in Western Australia there will be a child, a student, who will contract the virus,” he says.
In Australia, here’s a wrap of that press conference earlier with chief medical officer Brendan Murphy and health officer Greg Hunt.In Australia, here’s a wrap of that press conference earlier with chief medical officer Brendan Murphy and health officer Greg Hunt.
The key message from the Australian government today is “upscaling”. With 100 confirmed cases now in Australia, the government is upscaling, the states are upscaling, general practitioners are upscaling.The key message from the Australian government today is “upscaling”. With 100 confirmed cases now in Australia, the government is upscaling, the states are upscaling, general practitioners are upscaling.
More concretely, the government is reviewing travel advisories for Australians to Italy, which Hunt said in the press conference just now will be forthcoming in the next 24 hours. It’s also boosting staff to the inundated coronavirus information hotline, that has been struggling with the volume of calls over the past few days.More concretely, the government is reviewing travel advisories for Australians to Italy, which Hunt said in the press conference just now will be forthcoming in the next 24 hours. It’s also boosting staff to the inundated coronavirus information hotline, that has been struggling with the volume of calls over the past few days.
Murphy sought to clarify questions around who should or should not present for testing for the virus.Murphy sought to clarify questions around who should or should not present for testing for the virus.
“Our focus at the moment is testing people who are returned travellers who have acute respiratory symptoms, cough sore throat and the like, and contacts of confirmed cases,” Murphy said.“Our focus at the moment is testing people who are returned travellers who have acute respiratory symptoms, cough sore throat and the like, and contacts of confirmed cases,” Murphy said.
“At the moment we are not recommending that general members of the community with acute respiratory symptoms – colds, flu, and the like – be tested.”“At the moment we are not recommending that general members of the community with acute respiratory symptoms – colds, flu, and the like – be tested.”
Murphy also sought to downplay fears regarding Australia’s status health-wise.Murphy also sought to downplay fears regarding Australia’s status health-wise.
“In Australia, our situation is very much the same as it’s been over the last few days,” he said.“In Australia, our situation is very much the same as it’s been over the last few days,” he said.
There were no recommendations yet for a complete lockdown of any areas of Australia.There were no recommendations yet for a complete lockdown of any areas of Australia.
In Victoria, Australia, authorities have confirmed three new cases of coronavirus in the state, bringing the total number of cases to 18.In Victoria, Australia, authorities have confirmed three new cases of coronavirus in the state, bringing the total number of cases to 18.
The 16th case is a man in his 70s who returned to Melbourne from Singapore on March 6 at 12.15 am on flight EK404, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has confirmed.The 16th case is a man in his 70s who returned to Melbourne from Singapore on March 6 at 12.15 am on flight EK404, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has confirmed.
“The flight manifest of EK404 is being obtained to begin contact tracing of passengers in the same and adjacent rows. He had earlier travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Singapore.”The 17th case is a household contact of a confirmed Victorian case of Covid-19 who returned on the February 28 flight UA60 from the United States.“The flight manifest of EK404 is being obtained to begin contact tracing of passengers in the same and adjacent rows. He had earlier travelled to Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Singapore.”The 17th case is a household contact of a confirmed Victorian case of Covid-19 who returned on the February 28 flight UA60 from the United States.
She is understood to be the first documented case of patient-to-patient transmission in the state, Dr. Sutton confirmed.She is understood to be the first documented case of patient-to-patient transmission in the state, Dr. Sutton confirmed.
The 18th case is a a man in his 70s who arrived home in Melbourne from Los Angeles on March 8 on flight VA24. He presented to hospital for testing immediately and is now isolated at home with one household contact.The 18th case is a a man in his 70s who arrived home in Melbourne from Los Angeles on March 8 on flight VA24. He presented to hospital for testing immediately and is now isolated at home with one household contact.
Contact tracing of passengers in the same and adjacent rows on the flight has begun. Earlier, Victorian authorities said the state’s Coronavirus Hotline (1800 675 398) and Nurse-On-Call Hotline 1300 60 60 24 were experiencing system issues due to extraordinary call volumes.Contact tracing of passengers in the same and adjacent rows on the flight has begun. Earlier, Victorian authorities said the state’s Coronavirus Hotline (1800 675 398) and Nurse-On-Call Hotline 1300 60 60 24 were experiencing system issues due to extraordinary call volumes.
China’s President Xi Jinping has arrived in Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak frist began, on Tuesday morning. Chinese president Xi Jinping has arrived in Wuhan, where the coronavirus outbreak first began, on Tuesday morning.
He is set to inspect epidemic control efforts and visit front line staff such as medical workers, state media reported. His visit to the city marks the first time he has done so since the epidemic started late last year.He is set to inspect epidemic control efforts and visit front line staff such as medical workers, state media reported. His visit to the city marks the first time he has done so since the epidemic started late last year.
With less than two hours of trade left in the day, the ASX has steadied to be up by almost 1.2%.This is a dramatic turnaround from the grim picture at the opening of trade, when the benchmark ASX200 index tumbled 3.7%.US president Donald Trump’s announcement of a stimulus package shortly after 10am, Australian time, reversed what was looking to be a second day of heavy losses.Poor confidence of business managers, revealed in a NAB survey at about 11.30am, could not dent the comeback.All eyes in the market will now be on what Australia’s government decides to include in its stimulus package, due out as soon as Wednesday.With less than two hours of trade left in the day, the ASX has steadied to be up by almost 1.2%.This is a dramatic turnaround from the grim picture at the opening of trade, when the benchmark ASX200 index tumbled 3.7%.US president Donald Trump’s announcement of a stimulus package shortly after 10am, Australian time, reversed what was looking to be a second day of heavy losses.Poor confidence of business managers, revealed in a NAB survey at about 11.30am, could not dent the comeback.All eyes in the market will now be on what Australia’s government decides to include in its stimulus package, due out as soon as Wednesday.
Just doubling back to the beginning of that news conference, Greg Hunt, the Australian health minister, also medical experts were reviewing the status of Italian travel advisories. An update on that is expected in the next 24 hours.Just doubling back to the beginning of that news conference, Greg Hunt, the Australian health minister, also medical experts were reviewing the status of Italian travel advisories. An update on that is expected in the next 24 hours.
Addressing concerns expressed by casual workers or workers who do not have sick cover, Hunt said the attorney general and industrial relations minister, along with the chief medical officer, met at around table with employers and employees to discuss maintaining the workforce and “helping those people who are within the workforce that, at some stage, are affected by the virus in terms of their continuity of employment.”Addressing concerns expressed by casual workers or workers who do not have sick cover, Hunt said the attorney general and industrial relations minister, along with the chief medical officer, met at around table with employers and employees to discuss maintaining the workforce and “helping those people who are within the workforce that, at some stage, are affected by the virus in terms of their continuity of employment.”
I expect we will here more on this in the coming days, given that millions of Australians may not have access to sick cover from their work.I expect we will here more on this in the coming days, given that millions of Australians may not have access to sick cover from their work.
Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt, says this is a once in 50 year challenge and that Australians should take heart from the current understanding that people can only get this disease once. And, as such, this crisis will pass.Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt, says this is a once in 50 year challenge and that Australians should take heart from the current understanding that people can only get this disease once. And, as such, this crisis will pass.
Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt, says efforts to contain the virus so far has been a great community effort.Australia’s health minister, Greg Hunt, says efforts to contain the virus so far has been a great community effort.
The next question is about clinics being set up to treat potential patients. Greg Hunt, Australia’s health minister, says there are four hospitals in the state of Victoria who are operating clinics. The Gold Coast (in the northern state of Queensland) has them, he says and New South Wales is undertaking its own operations.The next question is about clinics being set up to treat potential patients. Greg Hunt, Australia’s health minister, says there are four hospitals in the state of Victoria who are operating clinics. The Gold Coast (in the northern state of Queensland) has them, he says and New South Wales is undertaking its own operations.
He emphasises that people can call state or national hotlines for information.He emphasises that people can call state or national hotlines for information.
Brendan Murphy, the chief medical officer, says the national hotline will be given a very clear script of information and GPs will have access to this too.Brendan Murphy, the chief medical officer, says the national hotline will be given a very clear script of information and GPs will have access to this too.
Prof Brendan Murphy is being asked how testing is done in Australia and he said it’s done by getting a swap from the nose or throat or lung. He says the testing kit is looking for the genetic material of the virus and the current method is very reliable.Prof Brendan Murphy is being asked how testing is done in Australia and he said it’s done by getting a swap from the nose or throat or lung. He says the testing kit is looking for the genetic material of the virus and the current method is very reliable.
The next question is about whether Australia should introduce a large quarantine area like Italy has. done. Greg Hunt, the country’s health minister, says they are following the advice of medical experts. He doesn’t exactly answer the question, but Murphy, the chief medical officer, is now saying he doesn’t think mass quarantine is merited, given the current low level of community transmission.
Brendan Murphy, Australia’s chief medical officer, says that with this type of virus in general, once you have been infected, you are likely to develop immunity.
Both men are asking about whether people can be reinfected. Hunt says: “It is highly unlikely that people can be reinfected.”
Australian health minister, Greg Hunt, and chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, are in Sydney, briefing media on the latest developments in the government’s coronavirus outbreak.
Hunt starts by paying tribute to health workers in Australia.
He has confirmed that there are now 100 cases in Australia.
Prof Murphy is speaking now about the significant outbreak in Italy. He says that’s prompted the Italian authorities to take some fairly significant measures.
Murphy says the most significant outbreak at the moment is the one in northern Sydney.
He’s now talking about who should be tested.
U.S. President Donald Trump has not been tested for the coronavirus, the White House said on Monday, though at least two lawmakers with whom he has recently come into contact have announced they were self-quarantining after attending a conference with a person who had tested positive for the virus, Reuters reports.
“The President has not received Covid-19 testing because he has neither had prolonged close contact with any known confirmed Covid-19 patients, nor does he have any symptoms. President Trump remains in excellent health, and his physician will continue to closely monitor him,” White House spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham said in a statement.
Mongolia said on Tuesday that a French national working in the country has been confirmed to be infected with coronavirus, marking the country’s first case. The National Emergency Commission said in a statement the patient, a 57-year-old man, travelled to Mongolia from France and transited through Moscow. The government has identified 42 people the patient has met with and another 120 individuals who had close contact with the patient, who works for Badrakh Energy in southern Dornogovi province and is in stable condition.
Mongolia has suspended all local travel in Dornogovi province, the commission said.
The infection comes despite stringent border and travel controls imposed by Ulaanbaatar to keep out the virus.Mongolia has halted border crossings from China, imposed travel bans on people from Japan and South Korea until March 11 and suspended schools through end-March. Mongolian President Battulga Khaltmaa and other government officials submitted to a 14-day quarantine in late February after returning home from their visit to China as a precautionary measure.
Emergency workers are still working to find 12 people after a hotel in Quanzhou in Fujian province, used in part as a quarantine centre, collapsed on Saturday night. A total of 18 people have died, according to the latest update.
Part of Beijing Capital Airport is to be sectioned off for flights coming from countries severely affected by the virus so that travellers can be more thoroughly screened, according to a meeting held by officials in Beijing on Monday afternoon. They did not say when this would start.
China’s ministry of emergency management said on Tuesday that three emergency services officials in Tianjin, Shandong, and Henan had died from “overwork”. The ministry said the three “sacrificed themselves on the frontline”. I tweeted about it here.
France’s culture minister, Franck Riester, has become the latest politician to contract the coronavirus, a government colleague said on Monday, after several lawmakers were diagnosed with coronavirus.
Riester is doing well and resting at home, health minister Olivier Veran said on BFM Television. Five French parliamentarians have been diagnosed with the coronavirus, according to media reports on Monday, along with a worker in the National Assembly cafeteria where some or all of the lawmakers may have picked it up. Riester may have caught the virus from one of the five parliamentarians, culture ministry sources said. The stricken minister last met President Emmanuel Macron several days ago, they added. “Nobody has been shaking hands in cabinet meetings for the last two weeks,” Veran said.
Passengers aboard the ill-fated Grand Princess cruise ship, on which 19 crew members and two passengers tested positive for the coronavirus, have made it to dry land, the Guardian’s Mario Koran reports.
Just before noon the ship passed beneath the iconic red beams of the Golden Gate bridge to the applause of passengers.
The ship steamed toward the port of Oakland, where officials fenced off a 10-acre (four hectare) area in preparation of the landing.
The nearly 1,000 passengers who are California residents will head to in-state military bases, while residents of other states will complete the mandatory quarantine at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland in Texas or Dobbins air force base in Georgia, federal health officials said.
Bay-area resident Michelle Heckert, who was quarantined as a passenger on the ship, had been sharing songs about her experience aboard the Grand Princess. She said shipmates she had spoken with seemed to be in generally good spirits despite having to remain in their rooms.
“Most of the passengers I’ve been in contact with seem to be positive or at least trying to remain calm. Our balcony neighbors seem cheery, especially when they can go out and enjoy the sun. It feels like maybe the ship is more calm than outside viewers,” she said.
“Obviously people would love to get off, but we still have 14 days of quarantine, so it’s a bit bittersweet.”
The Seattle-area nursing home at the epicenter of one of the biggest coronavirus outbreaks in the United States said on Monday it had no kits to test 65 employees showing symptoms of the respiratory illness that has killed at least 13 patients at the long-term care center, Reuters reports.
The staff in question, representing more than a third of the Life Care Center’s 180 employees, are out sick with symptoms consistent with coronavirus, and a federal strike team of nurses and doctors is helping to care for 53 patients remaining in the center. With the facility in the Seattle suburb of Kirkland accounting for more than half of the known U.S. coronavirus deaths, and all its patients tested, it was unclear why Life Care lacked diagnostic kits for staff, even as the University of Washington offered to process test samples for them. Twenty-six of 120 patients who were residing at the nursing home as of Feb. 19 have since died, with 13 of 15 autopsies carried conducted to date confirming coronavirus was the cause, Life Care officials said on Monday. Among 53 residents still in the facility as of Monday, results for 31 out of 35 tested have so far come back positive for the coronavirus, they said. Washington as a whole has documented 162 confirmed cases, one of the largest tally of any single U.S. state. The nationwide number has surpassed 600.