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Coronavirus live updates: death toll in Italy passes 1,000 Coronavirus live updates: Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta tests positive
(32 minutes later)
Stock markets plunge again; number of cases nears 130,000 around world; Canadian PM Justin Trudeau self-isolating. Follow the latest newsStock markets plunge again; number of cases nears 130,000 around world; Canadian PM Justin Trudeau self-isolating. Follow the latest news
The Premier League has released a statement:
“In light of Arsenal’s announcement tonight confirming that their first-team coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for COVID-19, the Premier League will convene an emergency club meeting tomorrow morning regarding future fixtures.”
As it stands all Premier League matches are scheduled to go ahead as planned this weekend.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has tested positive for coronavirus. In a statement the club said Arsenal employees who have had recent close contact with Arteta will now self isolate and that they expect this to be a significant number of people from the London Colney training centre including the full first-team squad and coaching staff, as well as a smaller number of people from our Hale End Academy which we have also temporarily closed as a precaution.
Managing director Vinai Venkatesham said: “The health of our people and the wider public is our priority and that is where our focus is. Our thoughts are with Mikel who is disappointed but in good spirits. We are in active dialogue with all the relevant people to manage this situation appropriately, and we look forward to getting back to training and playing as soon as medical advice allows.”
You can read the full statement here: https://www.arsenal.com/news/club-statement-covid-19
The Tribeca Film Festival, which was due to take place in New York from April 15 to 26, has been postponed, although organisers did not confirm an alternative date.The Tribeca Film Festival, which was due to take place in New York from April 15 to 26, has been postponed, although organisers did not confirm an alternative date.
Disturbing satellite images have emerged that show Iran has dug mass graves in the city of Qom. The pictures suggest that the coronavirus outbreak is more serious than the Iranian authorities are admitting.Disturbing satellite images have emerged that show Iran has dug mass graves in the city of Qom. The pictures suggest that the coronavirus outbreak is more serious than the Iranian authorities are admitting.
Julian Borger has the full story:Julian Borger has the full story:
Here’s a video of Democratic presidential hopefuls Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders slamming President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreakHere’s a video of Democratic presidential hopefuls Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders slamming President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak
Hospital bosses are delighted with Boris Johnson’s continued insistence that school closures would not help combat coronavirus.Hospital bosses are delighted with Boris Johnson’s continued insistence that school closures would not help combat coronavirus.
“This decision will obviously be welcomed by the NHS and those leading organisations at the frontline of caring for patients with the coronavirus”, said a senior leader in the NHS.“This decision will obviously be welcomed by the NHS and those leading organisations at the frontline of caring for patients with the coronavirus”, said a senior leader in the NHS.
“We are in a very fast moving and unprecedented situation and trust leaders are working hard to ensure that they have the plans, resources and capacity to respond to the inevitable increase in cases and key to that is having enough staff in place. This is one less issue to have to manage at this stage, but they are clearly planning ahead and looking at how they can continue to provide patient care if the situation does change.”“We are in a very fast moving and unprecedented situation and trust leaders are working hard to ensure that they have the plans, resources and capacity to respond to the inevitable increase in cases and key to that is having enough staff in place. This is one less issue to have to manage at this stage, but they are clearly planning ahead and looking at how they can continue to provide patient care if the situation does change.”
Two hours before Johnson’s press conference Richard Beeken, chief executive of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, tweeted his view -- which is widely-shared in the NHS:Two hours before Johnson’s press conference Richard Beeken, chief executive of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, tweeted his view -- which is widely-shared in the NHS:
One senior hospital executive told me recently that trusts are acutely concerned about school closures because that could produce a very difficult “double whammy” of large numbers of staff off to look after their children at the same time as hospitals are suddenly being hit by a really significant surge in patients left seriously ill by Covid-19.One senior hospital executive told me recently that trusts are acutely concerned about school closures because that could produce a very difficult “double whammy” of large numbers of staff off to look after their children at the same time as hospitals are suddenly being hit by a really significant surge in patients left seriously ill by Covid-19.
Boris Johnson’s government was not the only one to get a hammering today from a senior health official for its handling of the virus outbreak. Dr Anthony Fauci, a top federal health official, has said that the U.S lag in coronavirus testing is a failing, and claimed improvements are needed. Experts say the U.S simply isn’t testing enough people.Boris Johnson’s government was not the only one to get a hammering today from a senior health official for its handling of the virus outbreak. Dr Anthony Fauci, a top federal health official, has said that the U.S lag in coronavirus testing is a failing, and claimed improvements are needed. Experts say the U.S simply isn’t testing enough people.
“The system is not really geared to what we need right now”, said Fauci. “That is a failing. It is a failing, lets admit it.” Large-scale testing is a critical part of tracking the spread of infectious diseases and allocating resources for treatment. The lack of comprehensive figures means U.S. health providers could quickly be overwhelmed by undetected cases.“The system is not really geared to what we need right now”, said Fauci. “That is a failing. It is a failing, lets admit it.” Large-scale testing is a critical part of tracking the spread of infectious diseases and allocating resources for treatment. The lack of comprehensive figures means U.S. health providers could quickly be overwhelmed by undetected cases.
As of this afternoon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was reporting about 1,260 U.S. illnesses, a number that trailed independent researchers, who are adding reports from individual states more quickly. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles this week estimated that the true count of infections was close to 9,000 about two weeks ago.As of this afternoon, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was reporting about 1,260 U.S. illnesses, a number that trailed independent researchers, who are adding reports from individual states more quickly. Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles this week estimated that the true count of infections was close to 9,000 about two weeks ago.
Markets have continued to plummet today as the US and UK stock exchanges suffered their worst performance since Black Monday in 2008. Read our full report here:Markets have continued to plummet today as the US and UK stock exchanges suffered their worst performance since Black Monday in 2008. Read our full report here:
My colleague Leylan Cecco reports that Canada’s most populous province will shut down schools for two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. All publicly funded schools in Ontario will be shut down from March 14 until April 5, 2020.My colleague Leylan Cecco reports that Canada’s most populous province will shut down schools for two weeks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus. All publicly funded schools in Ontario will be shut down from March 14 until April 5, 2020.
“We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe,” the province said in a statement this afternoon, the day before schools closed for a one week spring break. The advice to shutter all schools came from Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, who also called on people to refrain from attending large events in the coming days.“We recognize the significant impact this decision will have on families, students, schools, as well as the broader community, but this precaution is necessary to keep people safe,” the province said in a statement this afternoon, the day before schools closed for a one week spring break. The advice to shutter all schools came from Ontario’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Williams, who also called on people to refrain from attending large events in the coming days.
The surprise decision follows remarks from premier Doug Ford earlier today that appeared out of step with the cautious messaging from neighbouring provinces.The surprise decision follows remarks from premier Doug Ford earlier today that appeared out of step with the cautious messaging from neighbouring provinces.
“I just want the families and their children to have a good time. Go away, have a good time, enjoy yourself,” he told reporters Thursday. “We’re going to be monitoring the situation as it changes every single day.”“I just want the families and their children to have a good time. Go away, have a good time, enjoy yourself,” he told reporters Thursday. “We’re going to be monitoring the situation as it changes every single day.”
Ontario now has 59 cases of the coronavirus.Ontario now has 59 cases of the coronavirus.
Our Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly has just followed a press conference in Berlin headed by Angela Merkel, which followed hours of heated discussion between the leaders of Germany’s 16 Länder at an emergency meeting over what steps Germany’s biggest economy should be taking, after the number of people with coronavirus rose to 2695 and the number of dead, rose to six.Our Berlin correspondent Kate Connolly has just followed a press conference in Berlin headed by Angela Merkel, which followed hours of heated discussion between the leaders of Germany’s 16 Länder at an emergency meeting over what steps Germany’s biggest economy should be taking, after the number of people with coronavirus rose to 2695 and the number of dead, rose to six.
Many Germans were glued to livestreams of the press conference, expecting and hoping to hear some decisive measures, such as the closure of schools and kindergartens across the country. What they got was a sense of urgency which we have not heard up until now. In short, the meeting’s participants concluded that Germany is now in crisis mode, with a plan to be unrolled with immediate effect to restructure the country’s hospitals in order to boost the number of intensive care beds (currently there are 28,000 of them, 25,000 of which are equipped with respiratory apparatus). All non-urgent operations are to be postponed. The state will offer financial help to the health insurance companies to ensure this happens, Merkel said.Many Germans were glued to livestreams of the press conference, expecting and hoping to hear some decisive measures, such as the closure of schools and kindergartens across the country. What they got was a sense of urgency which we have not heard up until now. In short, the meeting’s participants concluded that Germany is now in crisis mode, with a plan to be unrolled with immediate effect to restructure the country’s hospitals in order to boost the number of intensive care beds (currently there are 28,000 of them, 25,000 of which are equipped with respiratory apparatus). All non-urgent operations are to be postponed. The state will offer financial help to the health insurance companies to ensure this happens, Merkel said.
She appealed to Germans to restrict social contact as much as possible. She also advised on the cancellation of all gatherings which are not strictly necessary. She said the next “4, 5 weeks” would be “very very crucial in determining the question as to what happens next”.She appealed to Germans to restrict social contact as much as possible. She also advised on the cancellation of all gatherings which are not strictly necessary. She said the next “4, 5 weeks” would be “very very crucial in determining the question as to what happens next”.
Markus Söder, premier of Bavaria and the leader of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, admitted that the situation was “far more dramatic than we had thought even one or two weeks ago”. He said that the government’s quick introduction of so-called ‘Kurzarbeit’ - or work reduction policies introduced at the height of the banking crisis, which ensure workers receive their wages, and see employers compensated by the state “send an important signal to German businesses”. He coined a phrase used by Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank at the height of the Euro crisis, “we will do whatever it takes”.Markus Söder, premier of Bavaria and the leader of the Christian Social Union in Bavaria, admitted that the situation was “far more dramatic than we had thought even one or two weeks ago”. He said that the government’s quick introduction of so-called ‘Kurzarbeit’ - or work reduction policies introduced at the height of the banking crisis, which ensure workers receive their wages, and see employers compensated by the state “send an important signal to German businesses”. He coined a phrase used by Mario Draghi, president of the European Central Bank at the height of the Euro crisis, “we will do whatever it takes”.
Although many Germans had hoped or expected they might do, the leaders did not decide on:Although many Germans had hoped or expected they might do, the leaders did not decide on:
- a universal policy on closing schools, kindergartens and universities, although Söder did announce this evening that Bavaria (which currently has 500 people with coronavirus, and one death) will do so from tomorrow, becoming the first state to do so.- a universal policy on closing schools, kindergartens and universities, although Söder did announce this evening that Bavaria (which currently has 500 people with coronavirus, and one death) will do so from tomorrow, becoming the first state to do so.
- Neither did it decide on the closure of German borders (though it will control them including checking temperatures).- Neither did it decide on the closure of German borders (though it will control them including checking temperatures).
- Neither did it decide to stop flights to and from Italy.- Neither did it decide to stop flights to and from Italy.
Should schools in Britain shut? Interestingly, although other countries such as Italy and Ireland are doing that, there appears to be no groundswell of medical or scientific opinion in the UK that it should follow suit.Should schools in Britain shut? Interestingly, although other countries such as Italy and Ireland are doing that, there appears to be no groundswell of medical or scientific opinion in the UK that it should follow suit.
There are slightly mixed opinions among experts surveyed by the Science Media Centre (https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/), but no one urging immediate closures like those seen elsewhere.There are slightly mixed opinions among experts surveyed by the Science Media Centre (https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/), but no one urging immediate closures like those seen elsewhere.
“Not closing schools seems understandable to me”, said Dr Jennifer Rohn, a cell biologist at University College London. “Children will be the least likely to be affected and therefore the least likely to be shedding virus, which is directly proportional to more serious symptoms. In contrast, if you close schools you’re keeping a very large number of parents away from work. As long as it is deemed feasible to keep workplaces open, it’s probably better not to harm the economy further in this way.”“Not closing schools seems understandable to me”, said Dr Jennifer Rohn, a cell biologist at University College London. “Children will be the least likely to be affected and therefore the least likely to be shedding virus, which is directly proportional to more serious symptoms. In contrast, if you close schools you’re keeping a very large number of parents away from work. As long as it is deemed feasible to keep workplaces open, it’s probably better not to harm the economy further in this way.”
Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, is more sceptical. “I would like to see a bit more about why they’re not closing schools and banning large events. We do know, in general, that school holidays lead to a marked reduction of transmission in infections and at the end of school holidays, infection rates take off. Every mother and father knows that when kids go back to school they’re going to get hammered by colds and flus and sore throats.”Paul Hunter, professor of medicine at the University of East Anglia, is more sceptical. “I would like to see a bit more about why they’re not closing schools and banning large events. We do know, in general, that school holidays lead to a marked reduction of transmission in infections and at the end of school holidays, infection rates take off. Every mother and father knows that when kids go back to school they’re going to get hammered by colds and flus and sore throats.”
He would like to know more about how ministers and government advisers reached their decision. “I’m sure it’s based on good quality science. But we don’t know what that science is. The science isn’t being shared with us in a way that makes it easy for us to understand the logical basis for all of this. I would hope that more of the information and science that the government is relying on to make these decisions would be made available so we could interrogate it and see if it’s valid.”He would like to know more about how ministers and government advisers reached their decision. “I’m sure it’s based on good quality science. But we don’t know what that science is. The science isn’t being shared with us in a way that makes it easy for us to understand the logical basis for all of this. I would hope that more of the information and science that the government is relying on to make these decisions would be made available so we could interrogate it and see if it’s valid.”
Dr Charlotte Jackson, from the UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, points out that school closures have proven effective against outbreaks in the past.Dr Charlotte Jackson, from the UCL Institute of Clinical Trials and Methodology, points out that school closures have proven effective against outbreaks in the past.
“There are examples from the UK and elsewhere of school closures reducing transmission of influenza. During the 2009 flu pandemic, the UK saw a reduction in cases following the closure of schools for the summer holiday, and an increase when schools reopened in the autumn. There are also studies from various other settings, including France, Hong Kong and Mexico, suggesting reductions in transmission of seasonal or pandemic influenza associated with school closures. Social distancing measures in general did seem to slow down transmission in US cities during the 1918 flu pandemic”, she says.“There are examples from the UK and elsewhere of school closures reducing transmission of influenza. During the 2009 flu pandemic, the UK saw a reduction in cases following the closure of schools for the summer holiday, and an increase when schools reopened in the autumn. There are also studies from various other settings, including France, Hong Kong and Mexico, suggesting reductions in transmission of seasonal or pandemic influenza associated with school closures. Social distancing measures in general did seem to slow down transmission in US cities during the 1918 flu pandemic”, she says.
However, that does not mean that they would help delay the spread of the Coronavirus, she adds. “With the current coronavirus outbreak, countries have generally used lots of control measures at the same time (this also happened during the 1918 flu pandemic) so it’s difficult to separate any effects of school closures from other interventions. I wouldn’t like to comment definitively on whether closures would be effective for this particular virus.”However, that does not mean that they would help delay the spread of the Coronavirus, she adds. “With the current coronavirus outbreak, countries have generally used lots of control measures at the same time (this also happened during the 1918 flu pandemic) so it’s difficult to separate any effects of school closures from other interventions. I wouldn’t like to comment definitively on whether closures would be effective for this particular virus.”
What about Boris Johnson’s new policy of advising schools against overseas trips? Deenan Pillay, professor of virology at UCL, says: “Banning overseas school trips is a difficult one, but remember that any trips involve groups of people going to airports, going on boats and coaches and living together, and since this virus is ubiquitous now, anything like that is likely to increase acquisition of the virus. We know that children are less likely to get severe disease from coronavirus, but they nevertheless are likely, if they do get infection, to spread to others. It’s a sensible measure before closing the schools”.What about Boris Johnson’s new policy of advising schools against overseas trips? Deenan Pillay, professor of virology at UCL, says: “Banning overseas school trips is a difficult one, but remember that any trips involve groups of people going to airports, going on boats and coaches and living together, and since this virus is ubiquitous now, anything like that is likely to increase acquisition of the virus. We know that children are less likely to get severe disease from coronavirus, but they nevertheless are likely, if they do get infection, to spread to others. It’s a sensible measure before closing the schools”.
(With thanks to the Science Media Centre).(With thanks to the Science Media Centre).
A further update from Spain: The government has announced that another member of the cabinet has tested positive for coronavirus. Spain’s territorial policy minister, Carolina Darias, tested positive for the virus after all cabinet members and staff working in close proximity were tested after Spain’s equality minister, Irene Montero, was confirmed to have Covid-19. Darias is doing well, the government said in a statement, and was the only person to test positive.
Here’s a photo of Queen Letizia, who is also being tested, meeting Montero last week:
My colleague Sam Jones reports that the Spanish government will inject €14bn into the economy to help the country’s businesses weather the coronavirus storm, and will direct €2.8bn of funds to regional governments to help them deal with the health emergency.
The measures were announced this afternoon by prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, as the number of confirmed cases of the virus rose to 3,004. So far, the virus has claimed 84 lives in Spain.
“These are difficult moments but we will overcome then,” said Sánchez. “We will overcome this with unity and responsibility from all.”Spain’s tourist industry - which provides 11% of its GDP - could be badly hit by the outbreak. According to the Spanish hoteliers’ confederation, reservations were already down 20-30%, in particular for holidays in Catalonia, Valencia and the Balearic and Canary Islands, in February compared with last year. Hotel bookings were down 24% in Madrid and 20% in Barcelona.The prime minister will be conducting all his meetings by videoconferencing after it emerged that Spain’s equality minister, Irene Montero had tested positive for the virus. Her partner, the deputy prime minister, Pablo Iglesias, is in quarantine. Every member of the cabinet is being tested for the virus - as are King Felipe and Queen Letizia after the queen participated in a joint event with Montero last Friday. Although the central government has been criticised for its initially slow response to the epidemic, regional governments have been putting their own preventative measures in place, with most of Spain’s autonomous regions - including Madrid, Catalonia and the Basque country - shutting down schools.
Some sad news for US basketball fans: the NCAA has cancelled both men’s and women’s tournaments.
BT has announced that its Chief Executive Philip Jansen has contracted coronavirus.
Here’s a statement from the company:
“Philip Jansen, Chief Executive, BT Group has late this afternoon tested positive for COVID-19 and as a result has followed the Public Health England protocols to self-isolate.
BT is now working closely with Public Health England to undertake a full deep clean of relevant parts of its Group headquarters and will ensure those employees who have had contact with Philip are appropriately advised.
Philip Jansen said: “Having felt slightly unwell I decided as a precaution to be tested. As soon as the test results were known I isolated myself at home.”
“I’ve met several industry partners this week so felt it was the responsible thing to do to alert them to this fact as soon as I could.”
“Given my symptoms seem relatively mild, I will continue to lead BT but work with my team remotely over the coming week. There will be no disruption to the business.”
My colleague David Agren in Mexico City reports that a top Mexican health official insisted today there was no need to cancel upcoming festivals, concerts and sporting events, even as Covid-19 continues spreading and countries struggle to contain the pandemic.
Speaking at a morning press conference with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, undersecretary of health Hugo López-Gatell said cancelling large events – such as the annual San Marcos Fair, the largest state fair in Mexico – would occur on a case-by-case basis, according to risk.
“If we stay disciplined, we can come up with an orderly scheme for cancellations or restrictions on public places, according to the risk,” López-Gatell said. The government, he added, wanted to avoid “significant economic impacts for canceling [events] without prior notice.”
A massive music festival and full slate of pro-football matches will occur of the weekend in Mexico – at a time when such events are being cancelled in other countries. López Obrador also still plans to hold campaign-style rallies southern Guerrero state on Saturday and Sunday.
The annual Tianguis Turistico – an massive tourism tradeshow – was postponed Thursday, however, as foreign attendees cancelled their trips to the city of Mérida, according to local media.
The resistance call off events comes as the man known as AMLO comes under criticism for his Covid-19 response – and AMLO politicises the issue. On Wednesday, he accused his opponents of “wanting Mexicans to be infected” so they can “blame us for everything.”
Mexico has confirmed only 12 cases of coronavirus and tested just 324 individuals as of March 11. AMLO said Thursday said the country would spend what it had to address the pandemic, though critics allege his austerity measures and changes in government purchasing of pharmaceuticals have crippled the health system.
“The Covid-19 pandemic couldn’t arrive at worse moment [for Mexico] with a collapsed healthcare system and a growing economic crisis,” said Xavier Tello, a healthcare consultant in Mexico City.
Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has announced that the country will close schools and universities immediately to delay the spread of the virus.He said preschools and kindergartens would remain open.“The potential number of deaths is very high, and we must take action to prevent that,” Netanyahu said in a prime-time televised speech from his office in Jerusalem.Israel has already taken relatively stringent measures, including forcing anyone arriving in the country, from any part of the world, to self-isolate for at least 14 days.There have been 109 confirmed cases in Israel, some serious, but with no deaths.Currently head of an interim administration, Netanyahu has also called for an emergency unity government to deal with the crisis. Three elections within the past year – the latest one on 2 March – have led to a political deadlock, with no side coming out ahead.Netanyahu asked the opposition leader, Benny Gantz, to help him form a unity government, which he said would last only a limited time to tackle coronavirus.
Glastonbury ticket holders will be pleased to know that the festival’s organisers have said they were “working hard” to ensure the event goes ahead despite the pandemic. Kendrick Lamar has been announced as Glastonbury’s third headliner.
The US rapper joins Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney at the top of the bill for the festival’s 50th anniversary edition in June, while Diana Ross will (hopefully) play the Sunday legend’s slot.
A ray of sunshine perhaps in this dark picture is that the coronavirus crisis may lead to a slump in global carbon emissions this year. A word of warning however has come from the International Energy Agency, the global energy watchdog. Their executive director Fatih Birol has said the outbreak could spell a slowdown in the world’s clean energy transition unless governments use green investments to help support economic growth through the global slowdown.
My colleague Jillian Ambrose has the full story:
Within minutes of Leo Varadkar’s announcement on Thursday of closures and restrictions shoppers packed supermarkets across Ireland to stock up on toiletries, tinned food, pasta, rice and other products.
“A fresh supply of toilet paper on the shelves, all gone, pasta, going, wipes, forget about it,” said a manager at SuperValu in Dun Laoghaire, south Dublin, as people with full trollies and baskets queued at cash registers.
Similar scenes played out across the country. Several supermarkets briefly closed to restock. “As a result of unprecedented numbers of customers in some stores this afternoon we had to put some health and safety measures in place,” said a Tesco spokesperson.
Retail Excellence, an industry representative, asked people to stop posting images on social media of empty shelves, saying it was sensationalising the issue.
Authorities urged people to stay calm and not stockpile, saying supply chains were robust. “People do not need to panic buy. Supermarkets & shops will remain open. Stockpiling could cause problems - please don’t do it,” tweeted Heather Humphreys, the business and enterprise minister.
The industry group Retail Ireland warned that distribution networks were not designed to deal with widespread bulk buying. “It is important that consumers behave responsibly and don’t buy more than they need.”
German-owned chain Lidl reported significantly stronger sales but in a statement said its supply chain could cope. “We’re confident of maintaining supply of key lines as consumer demand remains high and our stores are continuing to receive deliveries as planned.”
In the US, the professional baseball season is going to be delayed by two weeks because of Covid-19