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Coronavirus live updates: US cases pass 1,000 as UK health minister tests positive Coronavirus live updates: US cases pass 1,000 and UK health minister tests positive
(32 minutes later)
Cases spike in Japan, Australia announces health spending and deaths rise sharply again in Italy. Follow latest newsCases spike in Japan, Australia announces health spending and deaths rise sharply again in Italy. Follow latest news
Key industries in Wuhan will resume, the provincial government of Hubei province has said, according to Reuters.
A statement from the government said industries like public transport, medical supply and producers of daily necessities will be allowed to return to work.
Other industries that impact national or global supply chains can also return to work with permission from relevant authorities, the notice said.
Here’s a video of Australia’s chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, explaining some misconceptions over Covid-19.
Google has told all its staff in North America to work from home, in an internal memo seen by Bloomberg News.Google has told all its staff in North America to work from home, in an internal memo seen by Bloomberg News.
Earlier this month, the tech giant had already told workers in Seattle to work from home, as well as Dublin in Ireland.Earlier this month, the tech giant had already told workers in Seattle to work from home, as well as Dublin in Ireland.
But now, all staff across the continent will be “recommended” not to go into the office unless necessary until at least April 10.But now, all staff across the continent will be “recommended” not to go into the office unless necessary until at least April 10.
Global rideshare company Uber has just sent an email to users, saying that it will give any of its drivers who contract Covid-19, or who are forced to self-isolate “financial assistance”.Global rideshare company Uber has just sent an email to users, saying that it will give any of its drivers who contract Covid-19, or who are forced to self-isolate “financial assistance”.
Uber – like other companies in the gig economy – insists that its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, which in many jurisdictions means they are not entitled to sick leave, hourly minimum wages, and other entitlements.Uber – like other companies in the gig economy – insists that its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, which in many jurisdictions means they are not entitled to sick leave, hourly minimum wages, and other entitlements.
However, in many jurisdictions, the provision of sick leave can be a key indicator of whether a person is an employee or a contractor, and could force their workers to be reclassified.However, in many jurisdictions, the provision of sick leave can be a key indicator of whether a person is an employee or a contractor, and could force their workers to be reclassified.
Regardless, the email from CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says that “Any driver or delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is individually asked to self-isolate by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for up to 14 days while their account is on hold.”Regardless, the email from CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says that “Any driver or delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is individually asked to self-isolate by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for up to 14 days while their account is on hold.”
The email also says that Uber may “temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19”.The email also says that Uber may “temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19”.
“We understand that you may be relying more on food delivery right now. If you prefer, you can leave a note in the Uber Eats app to ask your delivery person to leave your food at the door.”“We understand that you may be relying more on food delivery right now. If you prefer, you can leave a note in the Uber Eats app to ask your delivery person to leave your food at the door.”
The Australian market looks to be closing in on a fall of about 3% for the day amid scepticism about Donald Trump’s ability to rescue the US economy and renewed warnings Australia is likely to fall into a recession this year.The Australian market looks to be closing in on a fall of about 3% for the day amid scepticism about Donald Trump’s ability to rescue the US economy and renewed warnings Australia is likely to fall into a recession this year.
Movement tomorrow will depend on what the US market does overnight and market reaction to a stimulus package expected from the Australian government.Movement tomorrow will depend on what the US market does overnight and market reaction to a stimulus package expected from the Australian government.
Meanwhile, the corporate regulator has postponed its annual shindig, which was to be held in Sydney in a fortnight.Meanwhile, the corporate regulator has postponed its annual shindig, which was to be held in Sydney in a fortnight.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said it made the decision to postpone the forum due to “the uncertain availability of international and interstate speakers and delegates and the evolving situation surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”.The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said it made the decision to postpone the forum due to “the uncertain availability of international and interstate speakers and delegates and the evolving situation surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”.
In Greece, the confirmation of one case of Covid-19 on the island of Lesbos has sparked concerns among aid workers. Roughly 20,000 asylum seekers live near the Moria refugee camp, with little access to medical care.In Greece, the confirmation of one case of Covid-19 on the island of Lesbos has sparked concerns among aid workers. Roughly 20,000 asylum seekers live near the Moria refugee camp, with little access to medical care.
Correspondents Katy Fallon and Harriet Grant reported from the camp:Correspondents Katy Fallon and Harriet Grant reported from the camp:
The outbreak of Covid-19 means Japan will scale down major commemorations of the March 2011 disasters – when an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit Fukushima.The outbreak of Covid-19 means Japan will scale down major commemorations of the March 2011 disasters – when an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit Fukushima.
Correspondent Justin McCurry has more:Correspondent Justin McCurry has more:
Hong Kong’s flaghip airline, Cathay Pacific, has reported a huge drop in profits for 2019 as a result of political unrest, and predicted a loss for the first half of 2020.Hong Kong’s flaghip airline, Cathay Pacific, has reported a huge drop in profits for 2019 as a result of political unrest, and predicted a loss for the first half of 2020.
From Agence France-Presse:From Agence France-Presse:
On Wednesday the airline reported an attributable profit of HK$1.7 billion (US$220 million) for 2019, a significant drop from the HK$2.3 billion it made in 2018.On Wednesday the airline reported an attributable profit of HK$1.7 billion (US$220 million) for 2019, a significant drop from the HK$2.3 billion it made in 2018.
And it warned of slipping into the red as airlines around the world suffer the huge travel disruptions caused by the rapid global spread of the deadly coronavirus. “We expect to incur a substantial loss for the first half of 2020,” chairman Patrick Healy said.And it warned of slipping into the red as airlines around the world suffer the huge travel disruptions caused by the rapid global spread of the deadly coronavirus. “We expect to incur a substantial loss for the first half of 2020,” chairman Patrick Healy said.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 since January 2020 has resulted in a challenging operational environment, and will adversely impact the group’s financial performance and liquidity position,” the airline said in a statement.“The outbreak of COVID-19 since January 2020 has resulted in a challenging operational environment, and will adversely impact the group’s financial performance and liquidity position,” the airline said in a statement.
The last time the airline made a loss was in the first half of 2018. It then embarked on a major overhaul that brought the carrier back into the black but Cathay has found itself hammered by events beyond its control.The last time the airline made a loss was in the first half of 2018. It then embarked on a major overhaul that brought the carrier back into the black but Cathay has found itself hammered by events beyond its control.
Panama has confirmed its first death from Covid-19, according to the health ministry via Reuters.Panama has confirmed its first death from Covid-19, according to the health ministry via Reuters.
There are also seven new cases of individuals testing positive for the virus in the Central American nation.There are also seven new cases of individuals testing positive for the virus in the Central American nation.
Australia’s Reserve Bank has said it is too early to predict whether Australia’s economy will shrink in the June quarter, but that low interest rates could help cushion the blow of the global outbreak.Australia’s Reserve Bank has said it is too early to predict whether Australia’s economy will shrink in the June quarter, but that low interest rates could help cushion the blow of the global outbreak.
From AAP:From AAP:
Back in Australia, the Northern Territory government has finalised its plan to manage a potential outbreak of Covid-19 in remote Indigenous communities.Back in Australia, the Northern Territory government has finalised its plan to manage a potential outbreak of Covid-19 in remote Indigenous communities.
A combination of overcrowded housing, poor infrastructure, distance from hospitals and a large percentage of the population with relevant co-morbidities places residents of remote communities “at risk for severe disease from Covid-19”.A combination of overcrowded housing, poor infrastructure, distance from hospitals and a large percentage of the population with relevant co-morbidities places residents of remote communities “at risk for severe disease from Covid-19”.
More on this from Guardian Australia’s Indigenous affairs editor, Lorena Allam:More on this from Guardian Australia’s Indigenous affairs editor, Lorena Allam:
You can read the full story here:You can read the full story here:
Massachusetts has also declared a state of emergency, after Michigan did the same earlier tonight. State governor Charlie Baker said they were declaring it to “support the commonwealth’s response”. The state has 92 presumptive positive cases, according to CNN.Massachusetts has also declared a state of emergency, after Michigan did the same earlier tonight. State governor Charlie Baker said they were declaring it to “support the commonwealth’s response”. The state has 92 presumptive positive cases, according to CNN.
The state of Western Australia have said they are boosting their capacity for coronavirus testing, opening up eight new collection centres for people to submit samples for testing – only after those referred by their GP.The state of Western Australia have said they are boosting their capacity for coronavirus testing, opening up eight new collection centres for people to submit samples for testing – only after those referred by their GP.
Health authorities have also increased their mobile collection service, and now have “five vehicles available in Perth to take at-home samples for patients who have a GP referral, but feel too unwell to leave home”. There are also 29 rural collection centres.Health authorities have also increased their mobile collection service, and now have “five vehicles available in Perth to take at-home samples for patients who have a GP referral, but feel too unwell to leave home”. There are also 29 rural collection centres.
Health minister Roger Cook said those who attended the collection centres would have their sample “tested straight away, and their results processed as a priority.”Health minister Roger Cook said those who attended the collection centres would have their sample “tested straight away, and their results processed as a priority.”