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Coronavirus live updates: Merkel warns 70% of Germans at risk if infection not slowed, as cases rise in UK, US and Iran Coronavirus live updates: record rise in cases in UK and Iran, with deaths reported in Ireland and Bulgaria
(32 minutes later)
Two British MPs self-isolate, Bank of England cuts base rate, US cases pass 1,000 and deaths rise sharply again in ItalyTwo British MPs self-isolate, Bank of England cuts base rate, US cases pass 1,000 and deaths rise sharply again in Italy
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has invited the country’s UK deputy medical officer into number 10 Downing Street for a Q&A about coronavirus. Unusually, he is the interviewer rather than the interviewee, although, of course, he did used to be a journalist.
It covers how to wash your hands, whether to wear face masks and more ...
Johnson suggests that other governments under pressure are doing things like cancelling sporting events in decisions which are “not dictated by science”.
Belgium’s health ministry has announced an additional two deaths from covid-19, having earlier reported the country’s first fatality from the virus.
The two men who died were aged 73 and 86. Earlier, the ministry said a 90-year-old woman had died. In total, 314 cases have been confirmed in the country.
A Barclays employee has tested positive for coronavirus in its 5 North Colonnade office in London’s Canary Wharf financial district, the bank has confirmed.
An employee on the ninth floor of the building, which mainly houses Barclays investment bank workers, tested positive for the disease, the bank said.
After Reuters reported the case from a Barclays internal mail, the bank said in a statement:
The bank has told colleagues who sit near the affected person to self-quarantine but is keeping the building and the floor open, the bank said. It is also undertaking a deep clean of the affected floor.
The Barclays employee is the second confirmed case of coronavirus in Canary Wharf, London’s second largest financial district of Canary Wharf, after HSBC sent 100 people home last week following a confirmed diagnosis.
A 66-year-old Bulgarian woman has became the first to die of the coronavirus in the country, its health ministry said today.
The woman was taken to an emergency hospital in Sofia yesterday with severe pneumonia. She was the sixth Bulgarian with a confirmed coronavirus infection.
The country’s first four confirmed cases were only announced on Sunday.
The Irish Times reports that Ireland has recorded its first death from coronavirus.The Irish Times reports that Ireland has recorded its first death from coronavirus.
It says that the patient, understood to be elderly, died in the east of the republic, where they had been treated in recent days after initially presenting with respiratory symptoms.It says that the patient, understood to be elderly, died in the east of the republic, where they had been treated in recent days after initially presenting with respiratory symptoms.
Ireland has 34 confirmed cases to date.Ireland has 34 confirmed cases to date.
Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gave the House oversight committee the latest official figures on the US outbreak - 990 national cases in 38 states plus the District of Columbia, and 31 deaths in the United States.Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), gave the House oversight committee the latest official figures on the US outbreak - 990 national cases in 38 states plus the District of Columbia, and 31 deaths in the United States.
He said the CDC diagnostic test is now in 75 US public health labs in all 50 states, with the capacity in the public health system to test up to 75,000 people.He said the CDC diagnostic test is now in 75 US public health labs in all 50 states, with the capacity in the public health system to test up to 75,000 people.
On 2 March, the administration promised that a million tests would be available by the end of that week. Carolyn Maloney, the committee chair, wanted to know why the actual number is so much lower and why “South Korea can test more people in one day than we tested over the past two months”.On 2 March, the administration promised that a million tests would be available by the end of that week. Carolyn Maloney, the committee chair, wanted to know why the actual number is so much lower and why “South Korea can test more people in one day than we tested over the past two months”.
Redfield said that a test had been developed quickly but added:Redfield said that a test had been developed quickly but added:
Hello, this is Haroon Siddique taking over the blog.Hello, this is Haroon Siddique taking over the blog.
If you want to get in touch, you can do so via the following channels:If you want to get in touch, you can do so via the following channels:
Twitter: @Haroon_SiddiqueTwitter: @Haroon_Siddique
Email: haroon[dot]siddique[at]theguardian[dot]comEmail: haroon[dot]siddique[at]theguardian[dot]com
Travel between Malta and Switzerland, Germany, France and Spain is being banned as from midnight tonight, the government has announced, according to the Times of Malta liveblog.Travel between Malta and Switzerland, Germany, France and Spain is being banned as from midnight tonight, the government has announced, according to the Times of Malta liveblog.
The same restriction already applies for travel from Italy, reports the Times of Malta.The same restriction already applies for travel from Italy, reports the Times of Malta.
Romania has introduced further restrictions to try to limit the spread of coronavirus, with 35 confirmed cases in the country as of Wednesday afternoon, including 15 in the capital, Bucharest, writes my colleague Kit Gillet.Romania has introduced further restrictions to try to limit the spread of coronavirus, with 35 confirmed cases in the country as of Wednesday afternoon, including 15 in the capital, Bucharest, writes my colleague Kit Gillet.
Health authorities in Greece have announced that the number of coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 99 – an increase of 10 since yesterday, writes my colleague Helena Smith.Health authorities in Greece have announced that the number of coronavirus cases in the country has risen to 99 – an increase of 10 since yesterday, writes my colleague Helena Smith.
Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been testifying to the House oversight committee, about the expected timeline on the development of a vaccine, reports my colleague Julian Borger.Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, has been testifying to the House oversight committee, about the expected timeline on the development of a vaccine, reports my colleague Julian Borger.
In the US, the heads of the CDC, and national institutes of health are testifying before the House Oversight Committee.In the US, the heads of the CDC, and national institutes of health are testifying before the House Oversight Committee.
You can watch live here:You can watch live here:
My colleague Julian Borger (@julianborger) is tweeting:My colleague Julian Borger (@julianborger) is tweeting:
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, announced more than C$1bn in spending on Wednesday morning, meant to tackle the looming economic thread of the coronavirus, reports my colleague Leyland Cecco.The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, announced more than C$1bn in spending on Wednesday morning, meant to tackle the looming economic thread of the coronavirus, reports my colleague Leyland Cecco.
The Foreign Office has advised all UK residents in Italy to return home if their travel is not necessary.The Foreign Office has advised all UK residents in Italy to return home if their travel is not necessary.
The FCO statement in full:The FCO statement in full:
The number of coronavirus cases in the UK increases by 83 in 24 hours:The number of coronavirus cases in the UK increases by 83 in 24 hours:
The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in UK stands at 456, up 83 from 373 yesterday.The Department of Health and Social Care has announced that the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in UK stands at 456, up 83 from 373 yesterday.
The department tweeted:The department tweeted:
Here’s a summary of the events so far today:Here’s a summary of the events so far today:
A 53-year-old British woman has become the eighth UK citizen to die after contracting coronavirus. She died in Bali, according to Indonesia’s health ministry.A 53-year-old British woman has become the eighth UK citizen to die after contracting coronavirus. She died in Bali, according to Indonesia’s health ministry.
The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a £30bn package to try ease the impact of coronavirus and promised the NHS “whatever it needs” to tackle the crisis. In his first budget Sunak said statutory sick pay will be available to anyone advised to self-isolate, and that sick notes will be available through the 111 service.The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced a £30bn package to try ease the impact of coronavirus and promised the NHS “whatever it needs” to tackle the crisis. In his first budget Sunak said statutory sick pay will be available to anyone advised to self-isolate, and that sick notes will be available through the 111 service.
The Bank of England has cut interest rates in an emergency move to bolster the economy against the outbreak. The monetary policy committee voted unanimously to slash the bank rate from 0.75% to 0.25% at its first unscheduled meeting since the depths of the 2008 financial crisisThe Bank of England has cut interest rates in an emergency move to bolster the economy against the outbreak. The monetary policy committee voted unanimously to slash the bank rate from 0.75% to 0.25% at its first unscheduled meeting since the depths of the 2008 financial crisis
Brexit talks due to take place in London next week have been thrown into doubt because of coronavirus. Michael Gove told MPs that fresh concerns about the safety of the talks had been raised by EU officials.Brexit talks due to take place in London next week have been thrown into doubt because of coronavirus. Michael Gove told MPs that fresh concerns about the safety of the talks had been raised by EU officials.
A member of staff of the health minister, Nadine Dorries, has also tested positive for the virus, but there are no plans to test other ministers. Dorries has complained of harassment by the media as she recovers at home from the virus.A member of staff of the health minister, Nadine Dorries, has also tested positive for the virus, but there are no plans to test other ministers. Dorries has complained of harassment by the media as she recovers at home from the virus.
Iran announced a record increase in cases to 9,000 as the country’s death toll from the virus increased to 354. Friday prayers have been cancelled for a third week in a row.Iran announced a record increase in cases to 9,000 as the country’s death toll from the virus increased to 354. Friday prayers have been cancelled for a third week in a row.
More than 130 UK passengers from the quarantined cruise ship Grand Princess are on a flight back to Britain. A staff member at the headquarters of the Office for National Statistics in Newport, Wales.More than 130 UK passengers from the quarantined cruise ship Grand Princess are on a flight back to Britain. A staff member at the headquarters of the Office for National Statistics in Newport, Wales.
Spain has confirmed 2,002 cases and 47 deaths, Belgium has announced its first coronavirus death, and Turkey confirmed its first case. German chancellor Angela Merkel warned that up to 70% of the population will be infected unless measures can be found to slow the spread of the outbreak. Poland is to close its schools.Spain has confirmed 2,002 cases and 47 deaths, Belgium has announced its first coronavirus death, and Turkey confirmed its first case. German chancellor Angela Merkel warned that up to 70% of the population will be infected unless measures can be found to slow the spread of the outbreak. Poland is to close its schools.
States of emergency have been declared in Michigan and Massachusetts, as the number of Covid-19 cases in the US passed 1000. Three security officers have tested positive at California’s San Jose airport.States of emergency have been declared in Michigan and Massachusetts, as the number of Covid-19 cases in the US passed 1000. Three security officers have tested positive at California’s San Jose airport.
China has reported only 24 new cases and 22 new deaths nationally, including a record low of 13 cases in Wuhan. Lockdowns have been partially lifted in the Hubei province, and key industries will be allowed to resume in Wuhan.China has reported only 24 new cases and 22 new deaths nationally, including a record low of 13 cases in Wuhan. Lockdowns have been partially lifted in the Hubei province, and key industries will be allowed to resume in Wuhan.
Some consternation among people watching the budget that the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, does not appear to be following NHS guidelines to cough and sneeze into a handkerchief.Some consternation among people watching the budget that the UK foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, does not appear to be following NHS guidelines to cough and sneeze into a handkerchief.
Instead of sticking to the mantra “catch it, kill it, bin it” Raab was seen coughing repeatedly into his hand.Instead of sticking to the mantra “catch it, kill it, bin it” Raab was seen coughing repeatedly into his hand.
The UK chancellor has promised the NHS “whatever it needs” in terms of funding to tackle the spread of coronavirus in Wednesday’s budget.The UK chancellor has promised the NHS “whatever it needs” in terms of funding to tackle the spread of coronavirus in Wednesday’s budget.
PA Media reports:PA Media reports:
Rishi Sunak set out plans for the health service in his budget and pledged security and support for those who are sick and unable to work due to the spread of Covid-19.Rishi Sunak set out plans for the health service in his budget and pledged security and support for those who are sick and unable to work due to the spread of Covid-19.
He said: “Whatever extra resources our NHS needs to cope with coronavirus it will get … Whether it’s millions of pounds or billions of pounds, whatever it needs, whatever it costs, we stand behind our NHS.”He said: “Whatever extra resources our NHS needs to cope with coronavirus it will get … Whether it’s millions of pounds or billions of pounds, whatever it needs, whatever it costs, we stand behind our NHS.”
He offered support to any workers who become too ill to work, with new measures including the ability to obtain a sick note by contacting 111 rather than having to visit a GP.He offered support to any workers who become too ill to work, with new measures including the ability to obtain a sick note by contacting 111 rather than having to visit a GP.
And he said those working in the gig economy or who are self-employed will get quicker and easier access to benefits.And he said those working in the gig economy or who are self-employed will get quicker and easier access to benefits.
Sunak said he was setting aside a £5bn emergency response fund to support the NHS and other public services, adding that he “will go further if necessary”.Sunak said he was setting aside a £5bn emergency response fund to support the NHS and other public services, adding that he “will go further if necessary”.
His pledge comes after the government said there were no plans to test any ministers, including Boris Johnson, for Covid-19 after the health minister Nadine Dorries announced she had the virus.His pledge comes after the government said there were no plans to test any ministers, including Boris Johnson, for Covid-19 after the health minister Nadine Dorries announced she had the virus.
PHE said it had assessed the risk of Dorries’ individual close contacts and only those with symptoms need to self-isolate. For each Covid-19 case, a risk assessment is carried out and advice tailored to that group, said a spokeswoman.PHE said it had assessed the risk of Dorries’ individual close contacts and only those with symptoms need to self-isolate. For each Covid-19 case, a risk assessment is carried out and advice tailored to that group, said a spokeswoman.