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Coronavirus live updates: record rise in cases in UK and Iran, with deaths reported in Ireland and Bulgaria Coronavirus live updates: WHO says Covid-19 is pandemic
(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
Tedros says it is a “crisis that affects every sector”. The WHO director-general says:
He says looking at the number of cases reported and number of countries affected “doesn’t tell the full story”.
Swift action can prevent larger clusters and community transmission and even if they fail to do so “they can turn the tide”.
The challenge is not whether countries can change the course of the virus but whether they will, Tedros says.
He says come countries are struggling with a lack of capacity but says some are struggling with a lack of resolve.
The WHO director-general said:
The daily World Health Organization briefing has just begun.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO director-general, says there are now more than 118,000 cases in 114 countries, and 4,291 people have lost their lives.
He says it has reached the stage where it can be described as a pandemic.
Many countries have imposed restrictions on people who have travelled to regions with a high number of coronavirus cases. This guide, updated daily, provides useful information on the different preventative measures being put in place.
Sweden joins a number of countries which reported their first death(s) from covid-19 today.
The elderly patient, who had “an underlying sickness”, died in intensive care at a hospital in the Stockholm region, Reuters reports.
Sweden has around 460 confirmed cases of the virus, the first of which was identified at the end of January.
The regional health authority said that one other patient with coronavirus was being treated in intensive care in the Stockholm region.
With the rapid increase in the number of cases in Sweden in recent days, the Public Health Agency today asked the Swedish government to ban gatherings of over 500 people in a bid to stop the spread of the disease.
Another European country is taking drastic measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. Despite only having one confirmed case to date, Ukraine has said it is closing all educational institutions (which also includes nurseries and universities) from tomorrow until 3 April, the Kyiv Post reports.Another European country is taking drastic measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. Despite only having one confirmed case to date, Ukraine has said it is closing all educational institutions (which also includes nurseries and universities) from tomorrow until 3 April, the Kyiv Post reports.
It also says that gatherings of more than 200 people will be banned. The country has only tested 43 people, 41 of whom have tested negative, with one still being examined.It also says that gatherings of more than 200 people will be banned. The country has only tested 43 people, 41 of whom have tested negative, with one still being examined.
Anthony Fauci, the top US official on infectious disease, testifying to the House oversight committee, urging more aggressive preemptive action in the US:Anthony Fauci, the top US official on infectious disease, testifying to the House oversight committee, urging more aggressive preemptive action in the US:
Greta Thunberg, who was the inspiration for the climate strikes, has urged people to switch to a “digital strike”, given the need to avoid large gatherings to minimise the chances of spreading coronavirus.Greta Thunberg, who was the inspiration for the climate strikes, has urged people to switch to a “digital strike”, given the need to avoid large gatherings to minimise the chances of spreading coronavirus.
The headteacher of a leading grammar school in Essex is in self-isolation after coming into contact with a child’s grandfather who has tested positive for coronavirus, the Echo reports.The headteacher of a leading grammar school in Essex is in self-isolation after coming into contact with a child’s grandfather who has tested positive for coronavirus, the Echo reports.
It says the grandparent attended Westcliff High School for Boys last week and had contact with a small number of teachers, including the headteacher and, as a precaution, the teachers who had direct contact are self-isolating. None have shown any symptoms of the virus, they continue to work from home and the school remains open, it adds.It says the grandparent attended Westcliff High School for Boys last week and had contact with a small number of teachers, including the headteacher and, as a precaution, the teachers who had direct contact are self-isolating. None have shown any symptoms of the virus, they continue to work from home and the school remains open, it adds.
Hungary has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak, closing universities and banning large gatherings, Index.hu reports.Hungary has declared a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak, closing universities and banning large gatherings, Index.hu reports.
It says outdoor events of more than 500 people and indoor events of more than 100 people have been banned. This includes cinemas and theatres but not workplaces and shopping malls, it reports.It says outdoor events of more than 500 people and indoor events of more than 100 people have been banned. This includes cinemas and theatres but not workplaces and shopping malls, it reports.
There is also a ban on school trips abroad. The country has announced 13 confirmed cases so far.There is also a ban on school trips abroad. The country has announced 13 confirmed cases so far.
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.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 ...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”.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. 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.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.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.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: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 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.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.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 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 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.