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Coronavirus news: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Australia limits gatherings, sport in crisis - live updates Coronavirus news: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Australia limits gatherings, sport in crisis - live updates
(32 minutes later)
First case at UN headquarters; Australian home affairs minister infected; schools close across EuropeFirst case at UN headquarters; Australian home affairs minister infected; schools close across Europe
In the UK, a hospital left a patient with coronavirus on a ward of critical ill patients while she was being tested, according to a local newspaper report.
The Basingstoke Gazette reports that it was told by an employee of Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital that the woman, who was showing coronavirus symptoms, was moved into a ward with critically unwell women.
According to the paper:
You can read more on the Basingstoke Gazette website.
England’s tour of Sri Lanka has been officially called off due to the global spread of the coronavirus, Ali Martin reports.
The decision was announced by the England and Wales Cricket Board and their Sri Lankan counterparts on Friday morning while Joe Root’s players were out in the middle playing the second day of their final warm-up fixture in Colombo.
The two-match series, part of the World Test Championship, was due to start in Galle next Thursday. But with England supporters due to begin travelling out to the island in the coming days, and apparent unease among the squad about the situation, a postponement became inevitable.
The World Health Organisation is using its Twitter feed to highlight the important role that women play - often unpaid and unrecognised - in handling outbreaks such as the current Covid-19 pandemic.
Uefa has postponed all Champions League and Europa League fixtures next week because of the coronavirus, the Guardian’s sport desk reports.
Two Europa League games, those between Sevilla and Roma as well as Inter and Getafe, had already been postponed this week and on Thursday next week’s game between Manchester City and Real Madrid was suspended.
On Friday morning the European governing body announced that all games next week had been suspended.
Authorities in Madrid, the capital of Spain, have not ruled out a lockdown of the capital, the mayor said on Friday, as the number of cases in the region reached 2,000, Sam Jones reports from the city.Authorities in Madrid, the capital of Spain, have not ruled out a lockdown of the capital, the mayor said on Friday, as the number of cases in the region reached 2,000, Sam Jones reports from the city.
José Luia Martínez-Almeida told Antena 3 TV that he had not discarded the idea of locking downthecity, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to look at every possible scenario. He added:José Luia Martínez-Almeida told Antena 3 TV that he had not discarded the idea of locking downthecity, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to look at every possible scenario. He added:
The mayor also suspended licenses for terraces and seating areas outside bars and cafés in the capital, urging owners to shut them down before it became mandatory.The mayor also suspended licenses for terraces and seating areas outside bars and cafés in the capital, urging owners to shut them down before it became mandatory.
He said “stricter measures would be needed” to halt the spread of the virus, adding that children’s play areas in parks would be closed from Friday.He said “stricter measures would be needed” to halt the spread of the virus, adding that children’s play areas in parks would be closed from Friday.
On Thursday night, the regional government of Catalonia ordered around 70,000 people in four municipalities in the Barcelona region to remain in their homes for a fortnight after a steep increase in Coronavirus cases in the area.On Thursday night, the regional government of Catalonia ordered around 70,000 people in four municipalities in the Barcelona region to remain in their homes for a fortnight after a steep increase in Coronavirus cases in the area.
Igualada, Vilanova del Camí, Santa Margarida de Montbui and Òdena have been placed in lockdown after the number of cases linked to a hospital in Igualada rose to 58 on Thursday. The regional government said on Thursday evening:Igualada, Vilanova del Camí, Santa Margarida de Montbui and Òdena have been placed in lockdown after the number of cases linked to a hospital in Igualada rose to 58 on Thursday. The regional government said on Thursday evening:
The move comes almost a week after neighbourhoods in a small town in the northern region of La Rioja were placed in lockdown after a cluster of cases was traced to a funeral in the nearby Basque Country.The move comes almost a week after neighbourhoods in a small town in the northern region of La Rioja were placed in lockdown after a cluster of cases was traced to a funeral in the nearby Basque Country.
The government of the Czech Republic has also declared a state of emergency, restricting the opening hours of restaurants and cafes, closing gyms and sports facilities, and requiring people returning from high risk countries to quarantine themselvs.The government of the Czech Republic has also declared a state of emergency, restricting the opening hours of restaurants and cafes, closing gyms and sports facilities, and requiring people returning from high risk countries to quarantine themselvs.
According to a report in Prague Morning, the rules will permit restaurants and cafes to open only between 6am and 8pm, while refreshments at shopping centres will be banned altogether.According to a report in Prague Morning, the rules will permit restaurants and cafes to open only between 6am and 8pm, while refreshments at shopping centres will be banned altogether.
Those organising weddings have been asked to keep their guest lists to a maximum of 30 people, while funerals may be attended to 100 people. According to prime minister Andrej Babis:Those organising weddings have been asked to keep their guest lists to a maximum of 30 people, while funerals may be attended to 100 people. According to prime minister Andrej Babis:
“We are also banning theatre, music, film and other performances, sports, cultural, religious, community, dancing, traditional events and other meetings.”“We are also banning theatre, music, film and other performances, sports, cultural, religious, community, dancing, traditional events and other meetings.”
The Czech government will also require people returning from all high-risk countries to quarantine themselves, widening a requirement so far only applied to those returning from Italy, foreign minister Tomas Petricek said on Twitter on Friday.The Czech government will also require people returning from all high-risk countries to quarantine themselves, widening a requirement so far only applied to those returning from Italy, foreign minister Tomas Petricek said on Twitter on Friday.
The list includes Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the US, Prague Morning reported.The list includes Austria, Belgium, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, and the US, Prague Morning reported.
Bulgaria has become the latest European country to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.Bulgaria has become the latest European country to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.
The country’s parliament voted unanimously on to declare the state of emergency until 13 April after the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 23.The country’s parliament voted unanimously on to declare the state of emergency until 13 April after the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 23.
It will allow for travel bans to and from countries with large coronavirus outbreaks, the closing of schools and universities, and permit police to intervene when imposed isolation of infected people is not observed.It will allow for travel bans to and from countries with large coronavirus outbreaks, the closing of schools and universities, and permit police to intervene when imposed isolation of infected people is not observed.
The government also plans a revision of the 2020 state budget to allocate more funds to support the healthcare system, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told deputies.The government also plans a revision of the 2020 state budget to allocate more funds to support the healthcare system, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov told deputies.
In news that will be worrying for those of us who travel on the Tube to work every morning, a London Underground driver has tested positive for coronavirus, sources told PA.In news that will be worrying for those of us who travel on the Tube to work every morning, a London Underground driver has tested positive for coronavirus, sources told PA.
Earlier this week we reported that Transport for London had stepped up cleaning protocols across its Tube and bus networks.Earlier this week we reported that Transport for London had stepped up cleaning protocols across its Tube and bus networks.
The Portuguese government has put the country on a “state of alert” and ordered the closure of schools and universities as the number of cases reached 78, Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent reports.The Portuguese government has put the country on a “state of alert” and ordered the closure of schools and universities as the number of cases reached 78, Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent reports.
It said the move was intended to ensure that “civil protection and security forces” were ready to react to the situation “promptly”.It said the move was intended to ensure that “civil protection and security forces” were ready to react to the situation “promptly”.
The government said the opening hours of shopping centres would be limited to avoid overcrowding and that the number of customers in bars and restaurants would be limited.The government said the opening hours of shopping centres would be limited to avoid overcrowding and that the number of customers in bars and restaurants would be limited.
It added: “This is a fight for our survival and for the protection of Portuguese lives.”It added: “This is a fight for our survival and for the protection of Portuguese lives.”
The country’s football league was also suspended.The country’s football league was also suspended.
Irish authorities are reportedly trying to identify 10,000 beds around Ireland as a contingency for coronavirus, Rory Carroll reports from Dublin.Irish authorities are reportedly trying to identify 10,000 beds around Ireland as a contingency for coronavirus, Rory Carroll reports from Dublin.
The Health Service Executive is attempting to source beds in hospitals, hotels, military barracks, student accommodation and other sites for a possible surge in cases, according to RTE.The Health Service Executive is attempting to source beds in hospitals, hotels, military barracks, student accommodation and other sites for a possible surge in cases, according to RTE.
The National Public Health Emergency Team said the delay phase measures announced on Thursday – such as closing schools and universities and banning big public gatherings – may slow infections so that 200 people a week catch the virus over five weeks instead of 500 people a week catching the virus over two weeks. The goal is to give health services and society time to handle the pandemic.The National Public Health Emergency Team said the delay phase measures announced on Thursday – such as closing schools and universities and banning big public gatherings – may slow infections so that 200 people a week catch the virus over five weeks instead of 500 people a week catching the virus over two weeks. The goal is to give health services and society time to handle the pandemic.
Simon Harris, the health minister, on Friday said environmental health workers would meet people returning from Spain and Italy. He asked such people to not go to work and curb social interactions for two weeks. “It is not quite self-isolate, but to restrict their movements.”Simon Harris, the health minister, on Friday said environmental health workers would meet people returning from Spain and Italy. He asked such people to not go to work and curb social interactions for two weeks. “It is not quite self-isolate, but to restrict their movements.”
Ireland has 70 confirmed cases. Northern Ireland has 20.Ireland has 70 confirmed cases. Northern Ireland has 20.
Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, said the region would close schools at some point.Arlene Foster, Northern Ireland’s first minister, said the region would close schools at some point.
The Premier League are expected to convene at 10.30am to determine what happens next.The Premier League are expected to convene at 10.30am to determine what happens next.
This is an unprecedented time but all 20 clubs will need to come to an unanimous decision for any action to be taken and government officials are also being kept in the loop.This is an unprecedented time but all 20 clubs will need to come to an unanimous decision for any action to be taken and government officials are also being kept in the loop.
The EFL board are likely to follow action taken by the Premier League, who at 9.30pm on Thursday said all of this weekend’s games would “go ahead as scheduled” before, an hour later, releasing a statement confirming Friday morning’s emergency meeting.The EFL board are likely to follow action taken by the Premier League, who at 9.30pm on Thursday said all of this weekend’s games would “go ahead as scheduled” before, an hour later, releasing a statement confirming Friday morning’s emergency meeting.
In terms of press conferences, Jürgen Klopp’s has been canned, as has Frank Lampard’s. Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe, however, are scheduled to speak as planned imminently.In terms of press conferences, Jürgen Klopp’s has been canned, as has Frank Lampard’s. Steve Bruce and Eddie Howe, however, are scheduled to speak as planned imminently.
Read more on our football live blog:Read more on our football live blog:
Egypt has reported its first Covid-19 death of an Egyptian citizen, hundreds of miles away from Luxor, the city at the centre of outbreaks of the virus, Ruth Michaelson reports from Cairo.
According to state media and the Egyptian ministry of health, a 60-year-old woman in the Nile Delta town of Mansoura “was administered a PCR test and tested positive for the coronavirus on Wednesday evening,” after arriving at a local chest hospital with acute pneumonia.
Mansoura is 465 miles away from the ancient city of Luxor, where increasing numbers of tourists have reported infection after departure.
The woman was transferred to quarantine and died Thursday night. It is unclear why her positive test result for COVID-19 was only added to official infection rates following her death. The Egyptian Ministry of Health subsequently reported 80 total infections since mid-February, including 20 they say have since recovered and left hospital.
The death of the woman in Mansoura is the second death in Egypt, the most populous country in the Middle East. A German tourist transferred from Luxor to a hospital in the resort town Hurghada died last Sunday from the virus.
The outbreak in Mansoura shows that the virus is spreading inside Egypt. “The 13 new coronavirus cases include six who showed no symptoms and had contracted the virus after coming into contact with people who previously tested positive,” said government-owned outlet Al-Ahram.
Egypt’s health ministry continued to update the number of official cases, but has not regularly named the location of infections. The country’s minister for education announced earlier this week that schools were banned from trips in the governorates of Luxor, Aswan and Hurghada due to outbreaks of the virus.
The ministry also announced that a school in the central district of Zamalek would close and parents and teachers self-isolate for a fortnight “as a precautionary measure, after a parent of one of the school students was in contact with a foreigner who tested positive for coronavirus.”
As the disease shows signs of spreading, some in Cairo attempted to retain a sense of business as usual even as Egypt was battered by a freak storm forcing many to stay indoors. Certain bars and clubs in Cairo announced they would test patrons temperatures on entry.
School classes in Belgium have been suspended from Monday, as the the country’s national security council implemented a number of measures to combat the spread of coronavirus.
Other measures include the closure of all restaurants and bars by midnight and the cancellation of all recreational, cultural and sporting events while restaurants, bars, cafés and nightclubs are ordered to shut at midnight until 3 April.
Pharmacies and grocery shops will remain open as normal, while other shops must close at weekends, Eurativ.com reports.
The health minister of Kazakhstan has announced that two Kazakh citizens have tested positive for coronavirus the first cases of the disease in the Central Asian country, after returning to the country from Germany.
The patients are staying in a specialised hospital in Almaty, Kazakhstan’s biggest city, Reuters reports him as saying.
The British clinical psychologist Simon Baron Cohen has revealed on Twitter that he has advised all staff in his laboratory to work from home.
Baron Cohen, who is professor of developmental psychopathology at the University of Cambridge, included a link in his tweet to a Medium article that claimed that just one day’s delay to implementing social distancing measures could increase the spread of coronavirus by up to 40%.
Could the US president’s daughter, Ivanka Trump, be infected with coronavirus? She was pictured last week standing next to Australian home affairs minister Peter Dutton, whose diagnosis was revealed today.
The UK government’s chief scientific officer Sir Patrick Vallance has appeared on BBC Radio 4’s agenda setting news programme Today to defend the measures announced last night by the prime minister, Boris Johnson, to combat the spread of Covid-19 in the UK.
Many people had criticised the measures, which appeared comparatively relaxed compared to those taken by other countries, even in Europe, as too little, too late. But Vallance said that the government’s reasoning was “based on which interventions are going to have the biggest effect.”
He said the government’s plan was to reduce the peak of the epidemic, “pull it down and broaden it,” which he said everyone agreed was the best approach.
The government wanted to encourage “herd immunity” among the population, Vallance said, suggesting that it would be worse to suppress the disease completely then for it to return in the autumn
The UK cabinet minister who went into self-isolation earlier this week has tested negative.
Anne Marie Trevelyan, the secretary of state for international development, said she would nevertheless self-isolate for seven days.
All major public events have been banned in Kenya after it confirmed the first case of coronavirus in east Africa.
The patient is a woman who had returned to the country from the United States via the UK.
Health Minister Mutahi Kagwe told reporters on Friday morning
Kagwe told a news conference the government had suspended all public gatherings, sporting events, open-air religious meetings and “all events that are of a huge public nature”, Reuters reported. He also warned traders that “This is not the time to make abnormal profits by charging abnormal prices”.
All rugby fixtures in France have been suspended.
In the UK, a student at the University of Hertfordshire who has tested positive for coronavirus was a resident of campus student halls, the Guardian has been told.
A reader, the parent of another student, has written in to say that students are fearful because the university has said it will not close. Deep cleaning is taking place at the infected student’s flat, the Guardian was told.
According to a statement on the university website: