This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/11/coronavirus-update-live-news-uk-health-minister-italy-lockdown-australia-us-china-stock-markets-outbreak-latest-updates

The article has changed 41 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Coronavirus live updates: US cases rise beyond 1,000 as Japan outbreak spikes Coronavirus live updates: US cases rise beyond 1,000 as Japan outbreak spikes
(32 minutes later)
UK health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive as deaths rise sharply again in Italy. Follow latest newsUK health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive as deaths rise sharply again in Italy. Follow latest news
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.
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.”
Stock markets across the Asia-Pacific are struggling again today as investors appeared to be underwhelmed by the sketchy details offered by the Trump administration about a possible stimulus package.
Australia’s ASX200 is the biggest faller, down 2.2%, while Tokyo is down 1% and Seoul has lost 1.2%. In Hong Kong, shares are down slightly but in Shanghai they’re up 0.3%.
Eleanor Creagh, economist at Saxa Capital Markets in Sydney, said it was difficult to predict where the markets would go because the data about the coronavirus outbreak changed every day and there was a lack of clarity about the extent of the US outbreak.
“As coronavirus spreads around the globe, the economic ramifications are only just beginning. The longer it takes, the more aggressive the measures by governments will become and that drags on the economy and risks a meltdown.
“There are new developments every day but from what we know we are in for a technical recession in Australia. But then there is the knock-on effect on consumers and economic activity. Consumers are becoming more fearful about losing their jobs and that confidence will be hard to restore.”
A student at the City University of New York has been confirmed to have Covid-19, according to the college.A student at the City University of New York has been confirmed to have Covid-19, according to the college.
The student from John Jay College had not returned to campus since developing symptoms, a statement said.The student from John Jay College had not returned to campus since developing symptoms, a statement said.
John Jay College will now also be closed on Wednesday.John Jay College will now also be closed on Wednesday.
“Because the student was on campus only Thursday evening for one class last week and did not develop symptoms until Saturday, we have been advised by state health officials that the risk to our community is low,” they said.“Because the student was on campus only Thursday evening for one class last week and did not develop symptoms until Saturday, we have been advised by state health officials that the risk to our community is low,” they said.
Economists at ratings agency S&P have become the latest to predict Australia will fall into a recession this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, which they say will hit the country harder than the global financial crisis.Economists at ratings agency S&P have become the latest to predict Australia will fall into a recession this year because of the coronavirus outbreak, which they say will hit the country harder than the global financial crisis.
The agency said Australia’s AAA credit rating was “not under immediate threat from the now likely technical recession and the fiscal cost of the government’s imminent stimulus package”.The agency said Australia’s AAA credit rating was “not under immediate threat from the now likely technical recession and the fiscal cost of the government’s imminent stimulus package”.
A recession is usually defined as a six month period in which the economy shrinks. “We believe Australia’s economy will move into recession by June 2020, and grow just 1.2% in 2020 before rebounding,” S&P said in a bulletin to clients.A recession is usually defined as a six month period in which the economy shrinks. “We believe Australia’s economy will move into recession by June 2020, and grow just 1.2% in 2020 before rebounding,” S&P said in a bulletin to clients.
“This is the weakest economic outlook in 20 years and means the Covid-19 outbreak would be a greater economic shock to Australia than the global financial crisis, when growth fell to 1.6% in 2008.”“This is the weakest economic outlook in 20 years and means the Covid-19 outbreak would be a greater economic shock to Australia than the global financial crisis, when growth fell to 1.6% in 2008.”
It said its forecasts didn’t include any impact from a government stimulus package expected tomorrow “because few details are currently available”.It said its forecasts didn’t include any impact from a government stimulus package expected tomorrow “because few details are currently available”.
“A substantial stimulus package would support short-term economic outcomes and may help the country to avoid contractions in the June 2020 quarter and a technical recession,” S&P said. “At the same time, fiscal stimulus would also weaken Australia’s general government budget.”“A substantial stimulus package would support short-term economic outcomes and may help the country to avoid contractions in the June 2020 quarter and a technical recession,” S&P said. “At the same time, fiscal stimulus would also weaken Australia’s general government budget.”
In Australia, the number of cases in New South Wales has risen to 65. Three of the newly diagnosed people are women who returned from Italy together, and one is a man who had contact with a resident of the Dorothy Henderson Lodge – an aged facility where two people have died from the virus.In Australia, the number of cases in New South Wales has risen to 65. Three of the newly diagnosed people are women who returned from Italy together, and one is a man who had contact with a resident of the Dorothy Henderson Lodge – an aged facility where two people have died from the virus.
Australia today announced a travel ban on people passing through Italy.Australia today announced a travel ban on people passing through Italy.
With those new figures out of Florida and Michigan, the US has now reached more than 1000 confirmed Covid-19 cases.With those new figures out of Florida and Michigan, the US has now reached more than 1000 confirmed Covid-19 cases.
A total of at least 1,004 people – across 38 states – have been confirmed to have the new coronavirus, according to the New York Times database. Washington state has the most (279), followed by California (178) and New York (173).A total of at least 1,004 people – across 38 states – have been confirmed to have the new coronavirus, according to the New York Times database. Washington state has the most (279), followed by California (178) and New York (173).
As previously reported, China today has reported only 24 new cases of Covid-19, and 22 deaths nationwide, as well as a record low in new infections in Wuhan.As previously reported, China today has reported only 24 new cases of Covid-19, and 22 deaths nationwide, as well as a record low in new infections in Wuhan.
From Agence France-Presse:From Agence France-Presse:
New cases in Wuhan fell to a new low, with 13 infections reported on Wednesday, while only one other non-imported case was recorded elsewhere in the country.New cases in Wuhan fell to a new low, with 13 infections reported on Wednesday, while only one other non-imported case was recorded elsewhere in the country.
Wuhan and its surrounding province, Hubei, have been under lockdown since late January. But with Hubei reporting zero cases outside Wuhan for several days in a row, the province announced Tuesday that it would allow healthy people in low-risk areas to travel within the province.Wuhan and its surrounding province, Hubei, have been under lockdown since late January. But with Hubei reporting zero cases outside Wuhan for several days in a row, the province announced Tuesday that it would allow healthy people in low-risk areas to travel within the province.
Michigan, who tonight are holding their Democratic primary, have now confirmed their first cases of Covid-19.Michigan, who tonight are holding their Democratic primary, have now confirmed their first cases of Covid-19.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer confirmed that two people had tested positive in a press conference and also declared a state of emergency to slow the spread.Governor Gretchen Whitmer confirmed that two people had tested positive in a press conference and also declared a state of emergency to slow the spread.
Further south, eight new cases have been reported in Florida today, according to the state’s health department. That brings the state to a total of 20 people.Further south, eight new cases have been reported in Florida today, according to the state’s health department. That brings the state to a total of 20 people.
In further cancellation news, RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles has also been cancelled, as per a statement on the official website.In further cancellation news, RuPaul’s DragCon in Los Angeles has also been cancelled, as per a statement on the official website.
The annual gathering of fans and stars from reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race was due to start in May.The annual gathering of fans and stars from reality show RuPaul’s Drag Race was due to start in May.
“DragCon’s first priority is always the health and safety of everyone involved,” organisers said. “Unfortunately, there’s no way for anyone to know what the situation will be like in May.“DragCon’s first priority is always the health and safety of everyone involved,” organisers said. “Unfortunately, there’s no way for anyone to know what the situation will be like in May.
“Due to that uncertainty, and out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided that it’s in the best interest of the talent, staff, and attendees to cancel RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2020. DragCon LA will return in 2021, better than ever.”“Due to that uncertainty, and out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided that it’s in the best interest of the talent, staff, and attendees to cancel RuPaul’s DragCon LA 2020. DragCon LA will return in 2021, better than ever.”
Hi all, it’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to my colleague Calla Wahlquist for her work earlier.Hi all, it’s Naaman Zhou here. Thanks to my colleague Calla Wahlquist for her work earlier.
In Australia, the South Australian government has announced a $350 million government stimulus package in response to bushfires, the drought, and the coronavirus.In Australia, the South Australian government has announced a $350 million government stimulus package in response to bushfires, the drought, and the coronavirus.
The stimulus package includes funding for road and hospital maintenance projects and funds four the tourism industry, AAP reports. The projects have to meet criteria including being able to start in a short period of time, be labour-intensive, or require significant local purchasing of materials.The stimulus package includes funding for road and hospital maintenance projects and funds four the tourism industry, AAP reports. The projects have to meet criteria including being able to start in a short period of time, be labour-intensive, or require significant local purchasing of materials.
Premier Steven Marshall said:Premier Steven Marshall said:
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce a national stimulus package on Thursday.Australian prime minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce a national stimulus package on Thursday.
Jamaica’s first coronavirus case imported from the UKJamaica’s first coronavirus case imported from the UK
Jamaica’s ministry of health and wellness confirmed on Tuesday the island nation’s first imported case of the coronavirus, in its capital city of Kingston.Jamaica’s ministry of health and wellness confirmed on Tuesday the island nation’s first imported case of the coronavirus, in its capital city of Kingston.
From Reuters:From Reuters:
Thanks for joining our live coverage of the coronavirus crisis this morning. I’ll now hand the reins to my colleague, Naaman Zhou.Thanks for joining our live coverage of the coronavirus crisis this morning. I’ll now hand the reins to my colleague, Naaman Zhou.
The cruise ship Grand Princess has docked in San Francisco Bay, Reuters reports:
Arsenal has placed some of its players into self-isolation and postponed a Premier League game with Manchester City scheduled to be held in the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday, the Premier League has said.
Arsenal said an unspecified number of its players met Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakas, who has since been confirmed as having contracted the virus, after their Europa League tie on 27 February. Those players, who have not been named, have been told to go into self isolation for 14 days.
More details here:
Optimism that the pace of new Covid-19 cases is slowing in South Korea has been tempered by reports on Wednesday of a significant number of new infections and concern over a cluster of cases at a call centre in Seoul.The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 242 new cases on Wednesday, up from 131 a day earlier, bringing the total to 7,755. Sixty people have died in the country, the KCDC added.The pace of daily new inflections had shown signs of slowing after health authorities tested of 210,000 members of a religious sect that has been linked to more than 60% of South Korea’s total recorded infections.But the government is still on high alert over new clusters of infections, including a call center in Seoul where 90 infections have been confirmed, according to the Yonhap news agency.The call centre infection is the biggest Covid-19 infection cluster so far in the South Korean capital, which is home to 10 million people and with a wider metropolitan population of 25 million.Of the 242 new cases reported on Wednesday, 131 were in the city of Daegu — where a branch of the sect is located — and nearby North Gyeongsang province, the KCDC said.
Australian stockmarket down 2.1%
The Australian stockmarket has continued to slide as the reality that Donald Trump may not be able to deliver all that he has promised in his stimulus package crystallises in the minds of traders, who were yesterday only too willing to believe he could deliver.
At about 1pm the benchmark ASX200 index was down more than 2.1%.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions has called for all workers in Australia to be guaranteed two weeks paid special leave in case they are forced to self-isolate as a result of Covid-19, or in the case of a broader business shutdown.
The ACTU passed the resolution unanimously at its meeting in Merimbula on Wednesday.
In a statement, ACTU secretary Sally McManus said:
McManus said one in three workers in Australia did not have access to paid leave.
China has updated its official figures on the spread of the coronavirus and reported 24 new confirmed cases, 22 new deaths (all in Hubei province) and 31 suspected cases.
That brings the total number of confirmed cases to 80,778 and the number of suspected cases to 285. Thirteen of the new confirmed cases were in Wuhan, in Hubei province, six were in Beijing, two in Shanghai, one in Shandong and one in Gansu. Nineteen of the 22 new deaths occurred in Wuhan, China’s National Health Commission reported.
Even Australia’s chief medical officer professor Brendan Murphy, right, occasionally struggles with the directive not to touch his face.
In case you missed this announcement earlier, the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, has announced details of a $2.4bn health package and warned of “difficult times and days” ahead for Australia’s health system as it deals with a surge in demand linked to the coronavirus outbreak.
Morrison said Australia’s “world class” health system remained well prepared to deal with the crisis.
The package unveiled by the government on Wednesday includes:
$615.4m for primary care measures, including telehealth services and 100 new pop-up clinics,
$100m for the aged care sector,
$1.1 billion to increase the country’s stockpiles of masks, pharmaceuticals and other personal protective equipment.
$30m for a new national information campaign,
$30m for workforce training,
$30m on the research response to the virus.
About $1.2 billion of the total package will be spent before the end of June. Morrison said that the plan was designed to match demand, and urged the community to “work together” to get through the coming months. Health minister Greg Hunt also moved to clarify remarks he made on Sunday about the need for testing, saying people without symptoms and those who had not travelled or been in contact with someone affected by the virus did not need to get tested.
He said:
The Australian health department has updated its daily figures on the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19.
As of 11am on Wednesday, there are 112 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Australia. This figure includes three people who died after being diagnosed with the virus, and 24 people who are reported to have recovered. That’s up from 100 on Tuesday.
The national Australian figures are 60 cases in NSW (NSW figures say 61), 15 in Queensland, six in South Australia, two in Tasmania, 15 in Victoria (Victorian authorities put this figure at 21), four in Western Australia and 10 associated with the Diamond Princess cruise ship.
Eighteen of the people with coronavirus have either recently travelled to Iran or are a contact of someone who has, 15 have a direct or indirect travel link to Wuhan in China.
Some 39 cases have a direct or indirect travel link to the US, The United Arab Emirates, the UK, Italy, Iceland, Singapore, Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Nepal, Egypt, Austria, France, Spain, and Hong Kong.
Twenty-seven people who have been diagnosed with the disease, including two people who have died, did not have a reported history of overseas travel. Eight of these cases, including the deaths of two elderly residents, are associated with the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care home in northwest Sydney. Two are linked to attendance at a health workshop. Seventeen other people with the disease were close contacts of other known cases.
Coronavirus risk at US investigative journalism conference
The Investigative Reporters and Editors organisation, America’s leading association of investigative reporters, has announced that an attendee to their annual National Institute of Computer Assisted Reporting (Nicar) conference has tested presumptively positive for Covid-19.
The conference, held in New Orleans, attracted hundreds of investigative reporters and journalism students from around the US (including this reporter), and indeed other international journalist. It took place between 4 March and 8 March.
IRE executive director Doug Haddix issued a statement on Tuesday evening confirming that the attendee “has mild symptoms and is expected to make a full recovery” and had taught a “hands-on class” at the conference.
More from the release:
Louisiana diagnosed its first case of Covid-19 on Monday, with state governor John Bel Edwards confirming two further cases today.