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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’
Egypt has registered seven new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number to 67, its health ministry has said.
Of the total number, at least 45 cases have been detected on a River Nile cruise ship in the popular tourist destination of Luxor, and a German tourist who died in a hospital in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada.
Of the registered cases, 27 people have recovered and eight have been released from a quarantine hospital – including six Egyptians and two foreigners, the health ministry added.
The number of cases in Costa Rica has increased to 22, up from 13, the Central American country’s health ministry has said.
The US State Department has decided to suspend non-essential travel and will only permit mission-critical trips, three sources have told Reuters.
One, who spoke to the news agency on condition of anonymity, said decisions about travel by employees stationed abroad would be made by US embassies and consulates, while Washington-based staff must obtain approval from their bureau. The agency did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
In France, the health minister Olivier Véran said that, because the virus is not spreading in a uniform way, we have to have specific approach ready everywhere to adapt to the situation.
He outlined two new clusters: in Corsica and around Montpelier in the south of the country, where all schools would be closed until 29 March. Vulnerable people are advised to stay at home.
There would be no external visits to old peoples’ homes for “several weeks”, he said, and “all measures will be taken to make situation more simple for the elderly and their relatives”.
Jérôme Salomon gave the updated figures in France. There are now 2,281 confirmed cases in 10 main cluster in France and 48 deaths, 25 male and 23 female.
Hancock sought to set out advice for staff as he said parliament would stay open. According to parliamentary staff union representatives, they should be allowed to work from home and have not yet been told how to handle thousands of visitors to Westminster during the coronavirus crisis.
Max Freedman, the chair of Unite’s parliamentary branch which represents MPs’ staff, has told the Guardian:
A joint letter to the Commons Speaker Sir Lyndsay Hoyle from the Prospect union, as well as the GMB and PCS unions, demands “clear guidance” on how parliamentary staff, including tourists guides and security guards, can minimise the risk of infection.
Ken Gall, chair of the joint union committee across parliament, wrote that there were many unanswered questions for Parliamentary staff.
While parliamentary staff are still expected to travel to Westminster, at least two government departments have told some staff to work remotely on Friday in preparation for asking thousands of civil servants to stay away from central London offices if the disease spreads dramatically, Whitehall sources have confirmed.
As No 10 begins preparations for allowing most civil servants to work from home, some staff at both the Department of Health and Social Care and the Cabinet Office have been told to stay away but continue to work, sources have said. A cabinet office spokesperson has said:
Referring to the announcement of the latest deaths in the UK, the chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty, has said:
He refers to the “seventh” and “eighth” deaths – they are the seventh and eighth on UK soil. Two more British people have died while abroad.
Responding to Hunt’s assertion that England’s deputy chief medical officer had said the peak for UK cases could come within the next fortnight, Hancock replied that Dr Jenny Harries had actually said the climb towards the peak is expected to intensify within the next couple of weeks – and it could go on climbing for months.
The former health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, asks Hancock if he believes the virus can still be contained in the UK.The former health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, asks Hancock if he believes the virus can still be contained in the UK.
Hancock says the WHO’s decision to designate the outbreak as a pandemic means that organisation believes it will spread throughout the world.Hancock says the WHO’s decision to designate the outbreak as a pandemic means that organisation believes it will spread throughout the world.
Responding to Ashworth’s question about more stringent measures, Hancock says different countries are at different stages and some are not following the science – though he would not seek to criticism them for that. Responding to Ashworth’s question about more stringent measures, Hancock says different countries are at different stages and some are not following the science – though he would not seek to criticise them for that.
The health secretary says the UK government will follow the scientific advice and “do the right thing at the right time”.The health secretary says the UK government will follow the scientific advice and “do the right thing at the right time”.
Responding, Hancock says parliamentary staff who are unwell – but unsure whether or not they’ve been in contact with Dorries – should call 111.Responding, Hancock says parliamentary staff who are unwell – but unsure whether or not they’ve been in contact with Dorries – should call 111.
The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, is now on his feet responding to Hancock’s statement. He asks the health secretary to convey his best wishes to Dorries and her staff.The shadow health secretary, Jonathan Ashworth, is now on his feet responding to Hancock’s statement. He asks the health secretary to convey his best wishes to Dorries and her staff.
He thanks Hancock for the updated advice and agrees that MPs must be able to scrutinise the government.He thanks Hancock for the updated advice and agrees that MPs must be able to scrutinise the government.
Ashworth asks for clarification on guidance for those on the parliamentary estate who are ill but are not sure whether or not they’ve come into contact with Dorries – should they get tested? And he says Labour is supportive of the chief medical officer and agrees with the government that its actions should be determined by the science.Ashworth asks for clarification on guidance for those on the parliamentary estate who are ill but are not sure whether or not they’ve come into contact with Dorries – should they get tested? And he says Labour is supportive of the chief medical officer and agrees with the government that its actions should be determined by the science.
But he asks for more detail on when the UK will move to the next phase of its four-part plan and take more stringent measures to enforce social distancing.But he asks for more detail on when the UK will move to the next phase of its four-part plan and take more stringent measures to enforce social distancing.
The health secretary says regular meetings of the UK government’s civil contingencies committee Cobra are taking place, including one to be chaired by the prime minister on Thursday, and that the government will do whatever it takes to battle the spread of the virus.The health secretary says regular meetings of the UK government’s civil contingencies committee Cobra are taking place, including one to be chaired by the prime minister on Thursday, and that the government will do whatever it takes to battle the spread of the virus.
Hancock says he knows people will be concerned by the WHO’s decision to term the outbreak a pandemic today and reiterates the advice to people showing symptoms to seek medical help and to everyone to wash their hands thoroughly.Hancock says he knows people will be concerned by the WHO’s decision to term the outbreak a pandemic today and reiterates the advice to people showing symptoms to seek medical help and to everyone to wash their hands thoroughly.
Hancock says the latest scientific advice will be followed when decided whether or not to continue on this course. He also says experts are meeting daily to determine what is the best advice to give to government. Hancock says the latest scientific advice will be followed when deciding whether or not to continue on this course. He also says experts are meeting daily to determine what is the best advice to give to government.
The health secretary also wishes Nadine Dorries well, saying experts are tracing those who’ve been in close contact with her since last Thursday.The health secretary also wishes Nadine Dorries well, saying experts are tracing those who’ve been in close contact with her since last Thursday.
The World Health Organization has declared a coronavirus pandemic, as it expressed concern “about alarming levels of inaction”. The director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the number of cases outside China has increased 13-fold in the past two weeks and there are now 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 people have lost their lives.The World Health Organization has declared a coronavirus pandemic, as it expressed concern “about alarming levels of inaction”. The director-general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the number of cases outside China has increased 13-fold in the past two weeks and there are now 118,000 cases in 114 countries and 4,291 people have lost their lives.
The number of UK citizens who have died has risen to 1o, after three more deaths were announced. They were: a patient in their 70s being treated for underlying health conditions died in Dudley, an elderly patient being treated for a number of serious underlying health conditions has died in Warwickshire and a 53-year-old woman died in Indonesia.The number of UK citizens who have died has risen to 1o, after three more deaths were announced. They were: a patient in their 70s being treated for underlying health conditions died in Dudley, an elderly patient being treated for a number of serious underlying health conditions has died in Warwickshire and a 53-year-old woman died in Indonesia.
The number of UK cases rose by 87 in 24 hours to 460. They include 387 in England, 36 in Scotland, including its first community transmission, 19 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland.The number of UK cases rose by 87 in 24 hours to 460. They include 387 in England, 36 in Scotland, including its first community transmission, 19 in Wales and 18 in Northern Ireland.
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 UK 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 UK 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.
The death toll from the coronavirus in Italy rose from 631 to 827 in a day. 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.The death toll from the coronavirus in Italy rose from 631 to 827 in a day. 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.
India and Kuwait have effectively banned foreign visitors. Guatemala has banned Europeans from entry, despite the central American country being yet to record a case.India and Kuwait have effectively banned foreign visitors. Guatemala has banned Europeans from entry, despite the central American country being yet to record a case.
Belgium announced its first three coronavirus deaths, Ireland Sweden and Bulgaria each reported their first death, while Turkey, confirmed its first case.Belgium announced its first three coronavirus deaths, Ireland Sweden and Bulgaria each reported their first death, while Turkey, confirmed its first case.
The 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.The 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, Greece and Ukraine all announced they were closing schools.Poland, Greece and Ukraine all announced they were closing 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.
Saudi Arabia said it is closing cinemas while Lebanon said it was shutting cafes and restaurants. Washington state in the US, Hungary and Ukraine were among the places to ban public gatherings over a certain size.Saudi Arabia said it is closing cinemas while Lebanon said it was shutting cafes and restaurants. Washington state in the US, Hungary and Ukraine were among the places to ban public gatherings over a certain size.
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.
The UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, is addressing the Commons.The UK health secretary, Matt Hancock, is addressing the Commons.
He says parliament will stay open. The House of Commons may need to function differently but the government must be scrutinised, he tells MPs.He says parliament will stay open. The House of Commons may need to function differently but the government must be scrutinised, he tells MPs.
NHS England has announced that another person has died after testing positive for coronavirus. They are the eighth to die in the UK, the authorities say. Two more British people have also died abroad.NHS England has announced that another person has died after testing positive for coronavirus. They are the eighth to die in the UK, the authorities say. Two more British people have also died abroad.
Dr Catherine Free, the medical director at George Eliot Hospital NHS trust has said:Dr Catherine Free, the medical director at George Eliot Hospital NHS trust has said:
Referring to the eighth death to be announced, Diane Wake, the chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS foundation trust, has said:Referring to the eighth death to be announced, Diane Wake, the chief executive of the Dudley Group NHS foundation trust, has said:
A seventh patient has died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England said. Two UK citizens had previously been announced to have died overseas – one in Japan and one in Bali.A seventh patient has died in the UK after testing positive for coronavirus, NHS England said. Two UK citizens had previously been announced to have died overseas – one in Japan and one in Bali.