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Coronavirus live updates: UK health minister tests positive as stock markets wobble again Coronavirus live updates: UK health minister tests positive as stock markets wobble again
(32 minutes later)
UK death toll rises to six as Italy lockdown comes into force, Greece and Spain close schools. Follow latest newsUK death toll rises to six as Italy lockdown comes into force, Greece and Spain close schools. Follow latest news
Paraguay’s government has moved to close all educational establishments and has banned meetings of large numbers of people.
The announcement came this evening following the confirmation of a second case of coronavirus in the landlocked South American nation. Just hours after this announcement, this figure was updated to five confirmed cases.
Health minister Julio Mazzoleni said:
Mazzoleni added that classes in all levels of the country’s education system will be suspended for a period of 15 days. Government officials were adamant that work activities would continue and supermarkets would remain open.
Alongside the five confirmed cases, 18 people have presented symptoms of the illness and are under observation. A further 100 people who have not presented symptoms are being monitored.
Paraguay’s first two cases of coronavirus were diagnosed in people who had contracted the illness in other countries—Argentina and Ecuador—before travelling into Paraguay.
While they have yet to confirm, officials stated that community transmission of the illness is now possibly taking place.
The coronavirus arrives in a country that has been battling with one of its worst ever dengue fever outbreaks over recent months. The mosquito-borne illness has caused at least 34 deaths and infected an estimated 137,000 people, pushing the country’s healthcare system to its limits.
UK health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive to Covid-19
To the United Kingdom now, where the junior health minister, Nadine Dorries, has tested positive to Covid-19.
The diagnosis has prompted concerns about the potential spread of the virus at Westminster. Dorries attended a reception at Downing Street for International Women’s Day last week, where prime minister Boris Johnson and his fiancee Carrie Symonds were in attendance.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Dorries said:
More details here.
From Reuters:
Australian Medical Association welcomes health funding for Covid-19
The national president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Tony Bartone, has welcomed the announcement from the Australian government on Wednesday morning for $2.4bn in additional health funding to manage the coronavirus.
In particular, Dr Bartone says the AMA welcomes the announcement of a new medicare item number for Telehealth which will encourage doctors to manage patients with Covid-19 remotely.
He said it would ensure that well patients felt confident in attending their GP for other health concerns, with patients who suspect they have Covid-19 managed via telehealth or in the 100 specialist respiratory clinics that are being stood up.
He said that would help keep the “spread of the virus in the community down to an absolute minimum”.
Bartone said it was also important to make sure that the messaging to both doctors and the community on Covid-19 was clear and consistent.
‘No point’ in testing Australians who have not travelled or had contact with a confirmed case: chief medical officer
For Australian readers who are just joining us, the Australian chief medical officer, professor Brendan Murphy, had some strong words for Australians who he says are putting a “burden on the system” by trying to get a test for coronavirus when they are not at risk of the disease.
Murphy, standing alongside prime minister Scott Morrison in Canberra, said:
Murphy said they were working to build up testing capacity in Australia to ensure the same-day return of results, and that there was “no value” in testing people who were asymptomatic. That’s because people who are incubating the virus can return a negative result but get the disease later — a false negative, basically.
Murphy again:
The Australian market is continuing to slide, falling by about 1.3% shortly after 11am.The Australian market is continuing to slide, falling by about 1.3% shortly after 11am.
Airline Qantas, which has cut its international capacity by a quarter because of the coronavirus, has again been hammered, plunging more than 9% to make it the biggest loser among the top 200 companies listed on the ASX in trading so far today.Airline Qantas, which has cut its international capacity by a quarter because of the coronavirus, has again been hammered, plunging more than 9% to make it the biggest loser among the top 200 companies listed on the ASX in trading so far today.
Nickel producer Western Areas is the second-biggest loser, shedding about 7.7%, and fellow miner Newcrest has the third-biggest drop of the morning, off about 6.9%Nickel producer Western Areas is the second-biggest loser, shedding about 7.7%, and fellow miner Newcrest has the third-biggest drop of the morning, off about 6.9%
But pretty much all sectors are down, with only health care in the black so far.But pretty much all sectors are down, with only health care in the black so far.
The benchmark ASX200 index fell 0.59% shortly after trade opened on Wednesday morning.The benchmark ASX200 index fell 0.59% shortly after trade opened on Wednesday morning.
Overnight, Australian time, US markets were up around 5% but the London exchange’s FTSE index recorded a small fall of 0.1%.Overnight, Australian time, US markets were up around 5% but the London exchange’s FTSE index recorded a small fall of 0.1%.
Good morning and welcome to our continued live coverage of the coronavirus crisis. The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, is expected to make an announcement shortly about the establishment of pop-up fever clinics.Good morning and welcome to our continued live coverage of the coronavirus crisis. The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, is expected to make an announcement shortly about the establishment of pop-up fever clinics.
This is how things currently stand.This is how things currently stand.
The number of deaths associated with the coronavirus outside of mainland China has passed 1,000. Globally, according to AFP, there have been more than 117,339 cases and 4,251 deaths across 107 countries and territories.The number of deaths associated with the coronavirus outside of mainland China has passed 1,000. Globally, according to AFP, there have been more than 117,339 cases and 4,251 deaths across 107 countries and territories.
Italy has recorded its highest one day death toll since the outbreak began, with 168 deaths recorded in 24-hours. That’s a 36% increase, and brings the death toll in Italy to 631. The total number of cases in Italy increased by 10.7% to 10,149. The country is on lockdown until 3 April.Italy has recorded its highest one day death toll since the outbreak began, with 168 deaths recorded in 24-hours. That’s a 36% increase, and brings the death toll in Italy to 631. The total number of cases in Italy increased by 10.7% to 10,149. The country is on lockdown until 3 April.
The Dark Mofo festival in Tasmania has been cancelled over coronavirus fears.The Dark Mofo festival in Tasmania has been cancelled over coronavirus fears.
The Victorian government has stood up its state emergency control centre to manage the coronavirus outbreak. Three new cases — all people who had recently flown in from the United States — were confirmed overnight, bringing the number of cases to 21. Two schools have also been closed after a staff member tested positive. Some 1,039 people were tested at seven screening clinics around the state yesterday, and there have been 14,500 calls to the Victorian coronavirus hotline.The Victorian government has stood up its state emergency control centre to manage the coronavirus outbreak. Three new cases — all people who had recently flown in from the United States — were confirmed overnight, bringing the number of cases to 21. Two schools have also been closed after a staff member tested positive. Some 1,039 people were tested at seven screening clinics around the state yesterday, and there have been 14,500 calls to the Victorian coronavirus hotline.
Southern Cross University will close its Lismore and Gold Coast campuses after a visiting staff member from the Philippines tested positive for the virus. The number of confirmed cases in NSW has risen to 61, with six more cases reported overnight.Southern Cross University will close its Lismore and Gold Coast campuses after a visiting staff member from the Philippines tested positive for the virus. The number of confirmed cases in NSW has risen to 61, with six more cases reported overnight.
A UK government minister has tested positive for the virus. Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedford and a junior health minister, was confirmed to have tested positive on Tuesday evening.A UK government minister has tested positive for the virus. Nadine Dorries, MP for Mid Bedford and a junior health minister, was confirmed to have tested positive on Tuesday evening.
A sixth person has died of Covid-19 in the UK and the total number of cases have reached 373. England’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, says the UK’s coronavirus epidemic will begin to peak in the next two weeks.A sixth person has died of Covid-19 in the UK and the total number of cases have reached 373. England’s deputy chief medical officer, Dr Jenny Harries, says the UK’s coronavirus epidemic will begin to peak in the next two weeks.
You can get in touch on twitter by following me @callapilla or via email on calla.wahlquist@theguardian.comYou can get in touch on twitter by following me @callapilla or via email on calla.wahlquist@theguardian.com