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Coronavirus live updates: UK moves from 'contain' to 'delay' phase, says Sturgeon, as two more die in England Coronavirus live updates: UK enters 'delay' phase as Boris Johnson warns 'many more families will lose loved ones'
(32 minutes later)
Stock markets plunge again; death tolls rise around the world; more countries shut down schools, nurseries and universities. Follow the latest newsStock markets plunge again; death tolls rise around the world; more countries shut down schools, nurseries and universities. Follow the latest news
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England has confirmed the country’s ninth and tenth deaths from coronavirus, both in London. As well as advising that gatherings of 500 people or more be cancelled next week, Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon said overseas school trips should not go ahead and people with symptoms indicative of coronavirus to stay at home for seven days.
Sturgeon told a press briefing that she was articulating a Scottish government position, not a UK wide position, when advising gatherings of 500 people or more to be cancelled. “We will from the start of next week advise the cancellation of mass gatherings of over 500 people that have the potential to have an impact on our frontline emergency services.”
Though this move wouldn’t have a significant impact on the spread of the virus, Sturgeon explained the government issued this advice to reduce the impact on policing and frontline health services during the outbreak.
At first minister questions, Sturgeon said she is specifically referring to events that require policing and ambulance cover. “I am very clear that we are basing the decision on resilience issues and not simply on the action that we require to take to reduce the spread of the virus. It is important that we recognise that those decisions have to be informed by the science but that there are wider implications that we all have to be mindful of,” she explained.
The Scottish government will also be giving advice to local authorities and schools that overseas school trips should be cancelled. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will soon issue advice that aligns with that position, Sturgeon said.
The first minister said schools, colleges and universities throughout the UK are currently not being advised to close. While the government will keep this issue under review, Sturgeon explained that closing schools could lead to children gathering in more informal settings and result in a greater spread of the virus.
She added: “If it gets to the stage where the advice is to close schools, this will not be for a week or two weeks. This will be something that was advised to last throughout the peak of the infection and that is potentially until the summer period.”
The Green party in England and Wales has cancelled its Spring conference. The conference had been due to take place in Brighton on the weekend of 20-22 March.
A statement on the Green party website says:
The local elections are scheduled to be held on Thursday 7 May in about 118 English local councils, eight directly elected mayors in England and 40 police and crime commissioners in England and Wales.
More universities in England say they are stopping in-person lectures and classes and planning to switch to remote learning this month, Richard Adams, the Guardian’s education editor, reports.
The University of Durham and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) have announced that they will move to remote learning where possible, with Durham to begin from 16 March for the last week of term before its Easter holidays begin.
Clare O’Malley, Durham’s global pro-vice-chancellor, told students in an email:
MMU also said it was preparing for the possibility of switching its end of year exams to online assessments. Malcolm Press, the vice-chancellor of MMU, told students:
Rodrigo Duterte, the president of the Philippines, has announced that the whole of Metro Manila, the country’s capital, is to be placed under quarantine, according to reports.
All travel in and out of the capital will be halted from 15 March until 14 April, Duterte said after a meeting with an interagency taskforce on the Philippines’ response to the outbreak, according to a report in ABS-CBN News. The site reported the president as saying:
Concerns are growing that the deportation of migrants from the US and Mexico could accelerate the spread of coronavirus in Central America, after authorities in Honduras suspended repatriation flights and confirmed the first two cases in the country, Jeff Ernst reports for the Guardian.
Honduras became the third country in Central America – and the first in the northern triangle region, which is the largest source of migration to the US – to confirm cases of the virus late on Tuesday.
The cases involved people who had recently returned from Europe, but three men deported from the US also arrived presenting symptoms.
The three deportees, aged between 18 and 26, have been placed in isolation. President Juan Orlando Hernández called for calm, saying on Wednesday: “We cannot allow ourselves to be guided by panic or hysteria.”
Prof Chris Whitty, the chief medical officer for England, has confirmed the country’s ninth and tenth deaths from coronavirus, both in London.
The Brazilian government has confirmed that President Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, has coronavirus just days after meeting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Dom Phillips, in Rio de Janeiro, reports.The Brazilian government has confirmed that President Jair Bolsonaro’s communications secretary, Fabio Wajngarten, has coronavirus just days after meeting Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Dom Phillips, in Rio de Janeiro, reports.
Confirming a newspaper report, it said:Confirming a newspaper report, it said:
It added:It added:
Wajngarten shared photos of himself with Trump and Mike Pence during the trip, as well as Bolsonaro. The two presidents dined on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. In one video, Wajngarten (wearing glasses) is seen just behind Trump and Bolsonaro.Wajngarten shared photos of himself with Trump and Mike Pence during the trip, as well as Bolsonaro. The two presidents dined on Saturday at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. In one video, Wajngarten (wearing glasses) is seen just behind Trump and Bolsonaro.
The US government has been informed “so that they can adopt the necessary cautionary measures”, the statement said. Wajngarten is in home quarantine.The US government has been informed “so that they can adopt the necessary cautionary measures”, the statement said. Wajngarten is in home quarantine.
The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is self-isolating after his wife began suffering from flu-like symptoms after returning from the UK.The Canadian prime minister, Justin Trudeau, is self-isolating after his wife began suffering from flu-like symptoms after returning from the UK.
According to his spokesman, Trudeau “will spend the day in briefings, phone calls and virtual meetings from home, including speaking with other world leaders”.According to his spokesman, Trudeau “will spend the day in briefings, phone calls and virtual meetings from home, including speaking with other world leaders”.
This is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the liveblog now for the next couple of hours, with the latest updates on the developing coronavirus situation.This is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the liveblog now for the next couple of hours, with the latest updates on the developing coronavirus situation.
Please do get in touch if you have any news – particularly anything internationally you think we might have overlooked – as well as any tips or suggestions for our coverage. As usual you can email me at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or reach me via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.Please do get in touch if you have any news – particularly anything internationally you think we might have overlooked – as well as any tips or suggestions for our coverage. As usual you can email me at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or reach me via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
The London School of Economics is to move all teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate students online later this month, becoming the first UK university to do so in the wake of the widespread Covid-19 outbreak, Richard Adams, education correspondent, reports.The London School of Economics is to move all teaching for undergraduate and postgraduate students online later this month, becoming the first UK university to do so in the wake of the widespread Covid-19 outbreak, Richard Adams, education correspondent, reports.
But it said the campus and residential accommodation will remain open as usual, following PHE advice.But it said the campus and residential accommodation will remain open as usual, following PHE advice.
Minouche Shafik, the LSE director, said in a message to students and staff:Minouche Shafik, the LSE director, said in a message to students and staff:
The school, based in central London, is also to postpone graduation ceremonies planned for July, with all public events on campus to be stopped from 23 March.The school, based in central London, is also to postpone graduation ceremonies planned for July, with all public events on campus to be stopped from 23 March.
Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people in Scotland.Scotland’s first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a ban on gatherings of more than 500 people in Scotland.
She also said at the Cobra meeting it was decided that the UK had moved from the “contain” phase into the “delay” phase.She also said at the Cobra meeting it was decided that the UK had moved from the “contain” phase into the “delay” phase.
The London School of Economics has said it will switch to online-only classes and lectures for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses from 23 March, while summer exams will be replaced by online assessments.The London School of Economics has said it will switch to online-only classes and lectures for all undergraduate and taught postgraduate courses from 23 March, while summer exams will be replaced by online assessments.
A spokesperson said:A spokesperson said:
The University of Westminster has announced that it is cancelling its open day for undergraduate applicants scheduled for 14 March.The University of Westminster has announced that it is cancelling its open day for undergraduate applicants scheduled for 14 March.
The university said:The university said:
During the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918, adverts in the Guardian told readers that soap can save lives.During the Spanish Flu outbreak in 1918, adverts in the Guardian told readers that soap can save lives.
Here’s a summary of the latest developments:Here’s a summary of the latest developments:
Boris Johnson is chairing another meeting of the UK government’s emergency committee as the number of people with coronavirus increased by a record 134 to 590. The death toll in the UK increased to eight, after two patients with underlying health conditions died in London.Boris Johnson is chairing another meeting of the UK government’s emergency committee as the number of people with coronavirus increased by a record 134 to 590. The death toll in the UK increased to eight, after two patients with underlying health conditions died in London.
A nursing home in Basingstoke has become the first care home for older people to be hit by the virus. Oakridge House been closed to visitors after a person tested positive. A paramedic in Hertfordshire and a member of staff at a hospital in Liverpool are among those who have tested positive.A nursing home in Basingstoke has become the first care home for older people to be hit by the virus. Oakridge House been closed to visitors after a person tested positive. A paramedic in Hertfordshire and a member of staff at a hospital in Liverpool are among those who have tested positive.
Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from tomorrow. “I know that some of this is coming as a real shock... but we’re doing it for each other,” he said. Malta, Denmark, Norway and Lithuania have introduced similar measures.Ireland’s taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has announced the closure of all schools, colleges and childcare facilities from tomorrow. “I know that some of this is coming as a real shock... but we’re doing it for each other,” he said. Malta, Denmark, Norway and Lithuania have introduced similar measures.
The EU has condemned Donald Trump’s unilateral ban on travel from 26 European countries. The presidents of the European commission and European council defended Europe’s record in managing the pandemic and sharply criticised the White House for its failure to consult its allies.The EU has condemned Donald Trump’s unilateral ban on travel from 26 European countries. The presidents of the European commission and European council defended Europe’s record in managing the pandemic and sharply criticised the White House for its failure to consult its allies.
Stock markets in the US and Europe plunged further after Trump’s travel ban sparked panic from investors. The US benchmark index, the S&P 500, lost 8.2% of its value in 30 minutes, triggering automatic halts in trading on Wall Street for the second time in a week.Stock markets in the US and Europe plunged further after Trump’s travel ban sparked panic from investors. The US benchmark index, the S&P 500, lost 8.2% of its value in 30 minutes, triggering automatic halts in trading on Wall Street for the second time in a week.
India has barred the entry of all foreign tourists for one month starting tomorrow in a bid to contain the coronavirus. The ban on foreign visitors includes foreign nationals of Indian origin.India has barred the entry of all foreign tourists for one month starting tomorrow in a bid to contain the coronavirus. The ban on foreign visitors includes foreign nationals of Indian origin.
Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have announced that they have both tested positive for Covid-19 while filming in Australia.Actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson have announced that they have both tested positive for Covid-19 while filming in Australia.
The chief medical officers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern have instructed doctors to change the way they work to deal with “very abnormal emergency situation”. A letter to doctors waned: “Clinicians may need to depart, possibly significantly, from established procedures in order to care for patients in the highly challenging time-bound circumstances of the peak of an epidemic.”The chief medical officers from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern have instructed doctors to change the way they work to deal with “very abnormal emergency situation”. A letter to doctors waned: “Clinicians may need to depart, possibly significantly, from established procedures in order to care for patients in the highly challenging time-bound circumstances of the peak of an epidemic.”
Every member of the Spanish cabinet is being tested for coronavirus after the country’s equality minister, Irene Montero, became the latest politician to test positive for the virus. The coronavirus death toll in Spain has increased from 47 to 84.Every member of the Spanish cabinet is being tested for coronavirus after the country’s equality minister, Irene Montero, became the latest politician to test positive for the virus. The coronavirus death toll in Spain has increased from 47 to 84.
The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at 126,258, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. There have been 4,638 deaths.The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide now stands at 126,258, according to figures from Johns Hopkins University. There have been 4,638 deaths.
Mainland China reported 15 new infections, eight of which are in Hubei. There have been 11 new deaths, 10 of which were in Hubei.Mainland China reported 15 new infections, eight of which are in Hubei. There have been 11 new deaths, 10 of which were in Hubei.
The NBA has suspended play indefinitely after after a Utah Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for Covid-19.The NBA has suspended play indefinitely after after a Utah Jazz player preliminarily tested positive for Covid-19.
The majority of coronavirus infections may be spread by people who have recently caught the virus and have not yet begun to show symptoms, scientists have found.
An analysis of infections in Singapore and Tianjin in China revealed that two-thirds and three-quarters of people respectively appear to have caught it from others who were incubating the virus but still symptom-free.
The finding has dismayed infectious disease researchers as it means that isolating people once they start to feel ill will be far less effective at slowing the pandemic than had been hoped.
A leading public health expert has launched a devastating critique of the government’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK, saying it is too little too late, lacks transparency and fails to mobilise the public.
Prof John Ashton, a former regional director of public health for north-west England, lambasted a lack of preparation and openness from the government and contrasted Britain’s response to that of Hong Kong.
“Right at the beginning of February, they [Hong Kong] adopted a total approach to this, which is what we should have done five weeks ago ourselves. They took a decision to work to three principles – of responding promptly, staying alert, working in an open and transparent manner,” he told the Guardian.
“Our lot haven’t been working openly and transparently. They’ve been doing it in a (non) smoke-filled room and just dribbling out stuff. The chief medical officer only appeared in public after about two weeks. Then they have had a succession of people bobbing up and disappearing. Public Health England’s been almost invisible.
“Boris Johnson should have convened Cobra himself over a month ago and had regular meetings with the chief medical officer with the evidence. The thing should have been fronted up nationally by one person who could be regarded as the trusted voice and who could have been interrogated regularly. That’s not happened.”
The seaside resort of Knokke-Heist has become the first municipality in Belgium to declare itself to be in “lockdown”.
Sports centres, bars and cinemas must remain closed until 30 April and all cultural events organised by the local authority have been called off.
The mayor of Knokke, Leopold Lippens, said he was acting in the face of prevarication by the central government.
He said: “While the federal government continues to talk, we intervene ourselves. I think about the health of my Knokke people. What the rest of Belgium does, I don’t care.”
The director of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has urged government’s to “double down” on efforts to control the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a briefing today he said:
Colombia has ordered the cancelation of all events of more than 500 people in the latest attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The measures announced by the president, Iván Duque, also include a suspension of transiting cruise ships in the country, and follow protocols put in place on Wednesday that oblige people arriving from China, Italy, France and Spain to go into self-isolation at their homes or hotels for two weeks.
Colombia’s football league will play matches behind closed doors, Duque said, as Colombians begin to stockpile household goods and masks in anticipation of a difficult few months.
Declaring a “sanitary emergency” on Thursday morning, Duque said that “quick and exceptional measures” must be taken. He said those measures will be in place until 30 May.
Colombia, an oil exporter, continues to feel the economic fallout from the pandemic, with its peso (COP) the weakest against the dollar (USD) it has ever been when markets opened on Thursday. Colombia has confirmed nine cases of Covid-19.
Mark Jit, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, told the Guardian that at this stage of the outbreak, the government’s plan appeared to be a sensible approach.
His colleague has criticised the UK response as insufficient (see earlier), but Jit said:
Here’s a roundup on the rapidly changing travel restrictions around the world.
Three Leicester City players have shown symptoms of coronavirus and been placed in self-isolation, manager Brendan Rodgers has said.
A total of 590 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Thursday, up from 456 at the same point on Wednesday, the Department of Health said.
The 134 daily increase is the biggest numerical rise so far, and represents a daily increase of 29.4%
The Conservative MP Andrew Bridgen has confirmed that he is self-isolating after having lunch last week with the health minister Nadine Dorries, who was tested positive for the virus earlier this week.