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Coronavirus live updates: WHO declares Covid-19 a pandemic while Italy death toll jumps by 196 Coronavirus live updates: WHO declares Covid-19 a pandemic while Italy death toll jumps by 196
(32 minutes later)
World Health Organization chief says number of cases reported and number of countries affected ‘doesn’t tell the full story’World Health Organization chief says number of cases reported and number of countries affected ‘doesn’t tell the full story’
The Guatemalan health minister, Hugo Monroy, said on Wednesday the country will ban the entry of European citizens in an attempt to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Central American country, which has yet to confirm any cases of the virus, will block the entry of Europeans starting tomorrow, Monroy told a news conference.
The country’s director of civil aviation will communicate the ban to airlines, Monroy added, underlining that it applied to citizens from across Europe.
“This is done simply to prevent the introduction of the coronavirus to our country,” Monroy said.
Alberto Volpe, a 33-year-old, was feverish when he flew from Milan to Gatwick on Sunday after being forced to return home from a skiing holiday in Chamonix due to an injury to his girlfriend.
He said:
The governor of Washington, USA, Jay Inslee, has today prohibited gatherings of more than 250 people and said he may soon close schools to slow the spread of coronavirus in a state suffering the deadliest outbreak in the United States.
The ban on gatherings applies to King, Snohomish and Pierce Counties in the Seattle area and is aimed at sports, concerts and other cultural events, Inslee told a press conference.
Washington state has reported over a quarter of the more than 1,000 U.S. coronavirus cases and the majority of the 31 deaths, putting pressure on Inslee to slow the virus’ spread to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed.
He said:
The Democratic governor, who has clashed with President Donald Trump over his response to coronavirus, also faces pressure from parents and health experts to close all schools in the hard-hit greater-Seattle area.
Inslee said he had asked all school districts in the state to make contingency plans for possible closures within the next several days.
A member of staff at a care home in Northamptonshire for people with learning disabilities and those with physical disabilities and mobility issues has tested positive for Covid-19, the Northamptonshire Telegraph reports.
There have been fears about the impact the virus could have should it take hold in a care home in the UK, particularly one where there are older people and/or those with underlying health conditions which make them more susceptible to Covid-19.
In the US, 19 deaths out of a nationwide total of 31 to date were linked to one suburban Seattle nursing home.
Saudi Arabia announced today it will close cinemas until further notice to try to halt the spread of coronavirus, its state news agency has reported.
One of the world’s largest livestock exhibitions and rodeos is being shut down early in Houston, Texas, USA, “in the interest of public health”.
It was supposed to run until 22 March.
A retired intensive care doctor claims the government plans to increase coronavirus testing are “way too late” after he and his friends were repeatedly refused test despite falling ill following an Austrian skiing trip.
Six of the group, from Chichester, suffered severe flu-like symptoms after a trip to Ischgl in Austria, earlier this month, he said. The resort is classed as a virus risk area by some countries, including Iceland and Norway, but not the UK. As a result all of the group have been denied tests by the NHS 111 service. It has also closed bars as a precaution.
The 55 year-year-old former doctor, who gave his name only as Andrew, said he had also fallen ill at an earlier trip to the same resort in January:
Here is some expert reaction on WHO’s declaration of a coronavirus pandemic:Here is some expert reaction on WHO’s declaration of a coronavirus pandemic:
Prof Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said:Prof Mark Woolhouse, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at the University of Edinburgh, said:
Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said:Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, said:
Dr Nathalie MacDermott, NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) academic clinical lecturer, King’s College London, said:Dr Nathalie MacDermott, NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) academic clinical lecturer, King’s College London, said:
Lebanon has announced sweeping measures to curtail the spread of the virus, closing all restaurants and cafes until further notice, banning flights from Iran and Italy and citizens from France, Egypt and Spain, and giving Lebanese citizens four days to return home from France, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Germany, Spain and the UK.Lebanon has announced sweeping measures to curtail the spread of the virus, closing all restaurants and cafes until further notice, banning flights from Iran and Italy and citizens from France, Egypt and Spain, and giving Lebanese citizens four days to return home from France, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Germany, Spain and the UK.
The country recorded it’s 61st case of the virus on Wednesday and second death attributed to coronavirus. There are suspicions that the virus may have taken broader hold in the community and fears that the embattled country’s health system may not be able to cope.The country recorded it’s 61st case of the virus on Wednesday and second death attributed to coronavirus. There are suspicions that the virus may have taken broader hold in the community and fears that the embattled country’s health system may not be able to cope.
Officials have faced criticism for maintaining an airbridge with Iran – a pilgrimage and trade destination for the country’s Shia sect. Iran has experienced the worst corona outbreak in the Middle East and has been the hub for much of its regional spread.Officials have faced criticism for maintaining an airbridge with Iran – a pilgrimage and trade destination for the country’s Shia sect. Iran has experienced the worst corona outbreak in the Middle East and has been the hub for much of its regional spread.
The closure of restaurants adds to the country’s already dire economic situation. This week it defaulted on debt payments for the first time and had a total collapse in tourism and significant capital flight offshore in the past four months.The closure of restaurants adds to the country’s already dire economic situation. This week it defaulted on debt payments for the first time and had a total collapse in tourism and significant capital flight offshore in the past four months.
A major fair for the gaming industry, E2 2020 in Los Angeles, has joined the long list of events that have fallen victim to attempts to minimise the spread of coronavirus.A major fair for the gaming industry, E2 2020 in Los Angeles, has joined the long list of events that have fallen victim to attempts to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
The organisers said in a statement:The organisers said in a statement:
The death toll from the coronavirus in Italy has risen from 631 to 827 in a day, Reuters reports. At the same time, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country rose by more than 2,000, from 10,149 on Tuesday to 12,462 today, it says.The death toll from the coronavirus in Italy has risen from 631 to 827 in a day, Reuters reports. At the same time, the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the country rose by more than 2,000, from 10,149 on Tuesday to 12,462 today, it says.
The European commission has sought to deflect criticism of a lack of solidarity within the EU, provoked by a decision by Germany and France to put export controls on masks amid a shortage.The European commission has sought to deflect criticism of a lack of solidarity within the EU, provoked by a decision by Germany and France to put export controls on masks amid a shortage.
Following a phone call on Wednesday afternoon, the Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, issued a joint statement calling for “any restrictive measure by member states to be first discussed at the European level, so that vital supplies go where they are needed most, the internal market functions properly and any unjustified obstacle is avoided”.Following a phone call on Wednesday afternoon, the Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, and the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, issued a joint statement calling for “any restrictive measure by member states to be first discussed at the European level, so that vital supplies go where they are needed most, the internal market functions properly and any unjustified obstacle is avoided”.
The statement also emphasised that the country was at the “forefront” of the crisis and that there would be further coordination with the 26 other member states as the epidemic was formally described as a pandemic by the WHO.The statement also emphasised that the country was at the “forefront” of the crisis and that there would be further coordination with the 26 other member states as the epidemic was formally described as a pandemic by the WHO.
Vietnam had already announced suspension of its visa waiver programme for UK citizens but the UK embassy there says it has imposed more restrictions on visitors from the UK.Vietnam had already announced suspension of its visa waiver programme for UK citizens but the UK embassy there says it has imposed more restrictions on visitors from the UK.
On social media. there are lots of Britons claiming there is in effect a blanket ban on issuing visas for Vietnam to UK citizens.On social media. there are lots of Britons claiming there is in effect a blanket ban on issuing visas for Vietnam to UK citizens.
A petition calling for the government to consider closing schools across the UK because of coronavirus has risen to more than 250,000 signatures in the six days since it was launched.The petition hosted on parliament’s website calls for the government “to at least consider closing schools/colleges down in the coming weeks or as soon as possible, in addition to taking necessary actions to prevent further spread”.A petition calling for the government to consider closing schools across the UK because of coronavirus has risen to more than 250,000 signatures in the six days since it was launched.The petition hosted on parliament’s website calls for the government “to at least consider closing schools/colleges down in the coming weeks or as soon as possible, in addition to taking necessary actions to prevent further spread”.
The petition, launched by a user named Sami Attout, argues:The petition, launched by a user named Sami Attout, argues:
The petition has easily met the 100,000-signatures requirement needed for parliament to schedule a debate on the topic.With Poland, Greece and Ukraine joining Italy in closing all schools and universities, there has been speculation that authorities in the UK will take similar action once the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases hits a certain level.The petition has easily met the 100,000-signatures requirement needed for parliament to schedule a debate on the topic.With Poland, Greece and Ukraine joining Italy in closing all schools and universities, there has been speculation that authorities in the UK will take similar action once the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases hits a certain level.
Other countries including France and Germany have opted to keep most schools open, despite having more confirmed cases than the UK.The Department for Education in England said possible measures such as school closures “will be continually kept under review and the impact of all measures will be carefully considered”.Other countries including France and Germany have opted to keep most schools open, despite having more confirmed cases than the UK.The Department for Education in England said possible measures such as school closures “will be continually kept under review and the impact of all measures will be carefully considered”.
A further four people in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus – bringing the total number of Welsh cases to 19, its chief medical officer has said.A further four people in Wales have tested positive for coronavirus – bringing the total number of Welsh cases to 19, its chief medical officer has said.
Dr Frank Atherton said three of the new cases – two from the Powys area and one from the Swansea area – had returned to Wales from northern Italy.Dr Frank Atherton said three of the new cases – two from the Powys area and one from the Swansea area – had returned to Wales from northern Italy.
A fourth person from the Caerphilly area has no history of travel to another country where the virus is present, and is not known to have had contact with anyone else with it.A fourth person from the Caerphilly area has no history of travel to another country where the virus is present, and is not known to have had contact with anyone else with it.
Earlier today, it was confirmed a worker at the Office for National Statistics in Newport had tested positive for the virus.Earlier today, it was confirmed a worker at the Office for National Statistics in Newport had tested positive for the virus.
The number of positive cases of the coronavirus in Scotland was 36 as of Wednesday morning, including the first case of the virus being transmitted within the community, up nine in 24 hours.
Previously, the cases of the virus have been traced to people travelling to affected areas. According to official Scottish figures 2,316 tests have been carried out.
The country’s chief medical officer, Catherine Calderwood, said:
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 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 that 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 about 460 confirmed cases of the virus, the first of which was identified at the end of January. The regional health authority said 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 more than 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.
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:
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.
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.