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Coronavirus live updates: US cases rise beyond 1,000 as Japan outbreak spikes Coronavirus live updates: US cases pass 1,000 as UK health minister tests positive
(32 minutes later)
UK health minister Nadine Dorries tests positive as deaths rise sharply again in Italy. Follow latest news Cases spike in Japan, Australia announces health spending and deaths rise sharply again in Italy. Follow latest news
Google has told all its staff in North America to work from home, in an internal memo seen by Bloomberg News.
Earlier this month, the tech giant had already told workers in Seattle to work from home, as well as Dublin in Ireland.
But now, all staff across the continent will be “recommended” not to go into the office unless necessary until at least April 10.
Global rideshare company Uber has just sent an email to users, saying that it will give any of its drivers who contract Covid-19, or who are forced to self-isolate “financial assistance”.
Uber – like other companies in the gig economy – insists that its drivers are independent contractors, not employees, which in many jurisdictions means they are not entitled to sick leave, hourly minimum wages, and other entitlements.
However, in many jurisdictions, the provision of sick leave can be a key indicator of whether a person is an employee or a contractor, and could force their workers to be reclassified.
Regardless, the email from CEO Dara Khosrowshahi says that “Any driver or delivery person who is diagnosed with COVID-19 or is individually asked to self-isolate by a public health authority will receive financial assistance for up to 14 days while their account is on hold.”
The email also says that Uber may “temporarily suspend the accounts of riders or drivers confirmed to have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19”.
“We understand that you may be relying more on food delivery right now. If you prefer, you can leave a note in the Uber Eats app to ask your delivery person to leave your food at the door.”
The Australian market looks to be closing in on a fall of about 3% for the day amid scepticism about Donald Trump’s ability to rescue the US economy and renewed warnings Australia is likely to fall into a recession this year.
Movement tomorrow will depend on what the US market does overnight and market reaction to a stimulus package expected from the Australian government.
Meanwhile, the corporate regulator has postponed its annual shindig, which was to be held in Sydney in a fortnight.
The Australian Securities and Investments Commission said it made the decision to postpone the forum due to “the uncertain availability of international and interstate speakers and delegates and the evolving situation surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)”.
In Greece, the confirmation of one case of Covid-19 on the island of Lesbos has sparked concerns among aid workers. Roughly 20,000 asylum seekers live near the Moria refugee camp, with little access to medical care.
Correspondents Katy Fallon and Harriet Grant reported from the camp:
The outbreak of Covid-19 means Japan will scale down major commemorations of the March 2011 disasters – when an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit Fukushima.The outbreak of Covid-19 means Japan will scale down major commemorations of the March 2011 disasters – when an earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster hit Fukushima.
Correspondent Justin McCurry has more:Correspondent Justin McCurry has more:
Hong Kong’s flaghip airline, Cathay Pacific, has reported a huge drop in profits for 2019 as a result of political unrest, and predicted a loss for the first half of 2020.Hong Kong’s flaghip airline, Cathay Pacific, has reported a huge drop in profits for 2019 as a result of political unrest, and predicted a loss for the first half of 2020.
From Agence France-Presse:From Agence France-Presse:
On Wednesday the airline reported an attributable profit of HK$1.7 billion (US$220 million) for 2019, a significant drop from the HK$2.3 billion it made in 2018.On Wednesday the airline reported an attributable profit of HK$1.7 billion (US$220 million) for 2019, a significant drop from the HK$2.3 billion it made in 2018.
And it warned of slipping into the red as airlines around the world suffer the huge travel disruptions caused by the rapid global spread of the deadly coronavirus. “We expect to incur a substantial loss for the first half of 2020,” chairman Patrick Healy said.And it warned of slipping into the red as airlines around the world suffer the huge travel disruptions caused by the rapid global spread of the deadly coronavirus. “We expect to incur a substantial loss for the first half of 2020,” chairman Patrick Healy said.
“The outbreak of COVID-19 since January 2020 has resulted in a challenging operational environment, and will adversely impact the group’s financial performance and liquidity position,” the airline said in a statement.“The outbreak of COVID-19 since January 2020 has resulted in a challenging operational environment, and will adversely impact the group’s financial performance and liquidity position,” the airline said in a statement.
The last time the airline made a loss was in the first half of 2018. It then embarked on a major overhaul that brought the carrier back into the black but Cathay has found itself hammered by events beyond its control.The last time the airline made a loss was in the first half of 2018. It then embarked on a major overhaul that brought the carrier back into the black but Cathay has found itself hammered by events beyond its control.
Panama has confirmed its first death from Covid-19, according to the health ministry via Reuters.Panama has confirmed its first death from Covid-19, according to the health ministry via Reuters.
There are also seven new cases of individuals testing positive for the virus in the Central American nation.There are also seven new cases of individuals testing positive for the virus in the Central American nation.
Australia’s Reserve Bank has said it is too early to predict whether Australia’s economy will shrink in the June quarter, but that low interest rates could help cushion the blow of the global outbreak.Australia’s Reserve Bank has said it is too early to predict whether Australia’s economy will shrink in the June quarter, but that low interest rates could help cushion the blow of the global outbreak.
From AAP:From AAP:
Back in Australia, the Northern Territory government has finalised its plan to manage a potential outbreak of Covid-19 in remote Indigenous communities.Back in Australia, the Northern Territory government has finalised its plan to manage a potential outbreak of Covid-19 in remote Indigenous communities.
A combination of overcrowded housing, poor infrastructure, distance from hospitals and a large percentage of the population with relevant co-morbidities places residents of remote communities “at risk for severe disease from Covid-19”.A combination of overcrowded housing, poor infrastructure, distance from hospitals and a large percentage of the population with relevant co-morbidities places residents of remote communities “at risk for severe disease from Covid-19”.
More on this from Guardian Australia’s Indigenous affairs editor, Lorena Allam:More on this from Guardian Australia’s Indigenous affairs editor, Lorena Allam:
You can read the full story here:You can read the full story here:
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.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.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 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.”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.
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.
“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.
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.
“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”.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
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:
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison is expected to announce a national stimulus package on Thursday.
Jamaica’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.
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.