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Coronavirus live updates: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Europe shuts schools, sport events cancelled Coronavirus live updates: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Europe shuts schools, sport events cancelled
(32 minutes later)
Mount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positiveMount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positive
A further 13 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Wales, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 38, Public Health Wales has announced.
On Friday Dr Robin Howe, incident director for the Covid-19 outbreak response at PHW, said the new cases include four people in the Caerphilly area and two in the Swansea area, the Press Association reported.
Dr Howe said:
Kate Connolly, our correspondent in Berlin, reports that 3,000 people in Germany now have coronavirus. Six people have so far died.
Berlin, Bavaria and two other states are the first to announce the blanket closure of schools and kindergartens. Two others, the worst-hit state of North Rhein Westphalia where over 1,000 are infected, and Rheinland Pfalz, are expected to make similar decisions later today.
Michael Müller, the mayor of Berlin, said public transport is also due to be reduced to a minimum.
In the Bundestag legislation has been passed this morning allowing companies to access compensation if they put their employees on so-called ‘Kurzarbeit’ or reduced working hours, enabling them to continue paying them their full wage. The law in all its detail will be fully enacted within the next ten days.
“We will not leave anyone alone,” Olaf Scholz, the finance minister said. In addition Scholz and the economics minister Peter Altmaier are planning billions of Euros of liquidity help for businesses, in an effort to protect firms and jobs.
Meanwhile the German Football League, the DFL has announced that Bundesliga and second league matches will be halted from next Tuesday until 2 April. Matches this weekend will continue to take place, but without spectators.
This morning at a regular press conference which the head of the Robert Koch Institute, the leading public health and safety body in Germany has been holding for the past two and a half weeks, its director, Lothar Wieler said public health bodies had three aims in their attempts to tackle the virus.
Wieler said Bavaria’s decision to stop visitors to care homes was “a very sensible measure” and that school and kindergarten closures were “a good measure in helping the slowing down” of the virus.
“But then you have to ask who looks after the children,” he said. “The medical staff is mainly made up of females. So a concept needs to be created as to who will look after the children to allow these people to still be able to work”.
Wieler said that between 60-70% of the population would get the virus, due to the fact that it is new, there is no immunity against it, no vaccination against it and no treatment for it” and that “many many people” will have had it already without knowing it, and will have already recovered. Those numbers are unquantifiable, but the more people who get it, long term, the better, as that will increase the immunity levels.
Four-fifths of people will get it very mildly with many not even realising they have it, he added.
One fifth will suffer serious symptoms. That could still amount to millions of people being severely ill at once, hence the repeated stress by health officials on slowing down its stress.
Ireland is to swear in around 325 trainee police officers next week to boost frontline policing as the country adapts to a partial lockdown to delay the spread of coronavirus, reports Rory Carroll in Dublin.
An Garda Síochána, the name of the force, announced on Friday that it would also defer training until further notice and reassign tutors and instructors to operational roles.
The commissioner, Drew Harris, has restricted annual leave and asked senior officers who were due to retire soon to stay on in the national interest.
“The commissioner has designated the ongoing situation as an ‘exceptional event’, the force said in a statement.
Additional duties include showing a visible police presence at shops and pharmacies which have been the scene of panic buying since the government announced restrictions on Thursday. Harris told a media briefing:
The garda training college at Templemore, in county Tipperary, is being considered as a medical centre or quarantine facility.
The staff union for the NHS, the GMB, is calling on the UK government to requisition all private hospital beds if more capacity is needed to treat patients seriously ill as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
In a statement, GMB London called on the government to act now to give itself the legal powers it would need to take control of private sector hospitals. Warren Kenny, GMB London regional secretary, said:
UK rail unions are reporting widespread anger among tube workers and loss of trust in the Transport for London management, amid fears over workers’ exposure to infection on the London Underground, Gwyn Topham, the Guardian’s transport correspondent, reports.
The RMT general secretary Mick Cash said:
A spokesperson said:
A British woman who died in Bali after contracting coronavirus has been named in Australian media as Kimberley Finlayson.A British woman who died in Bali after contracting coronavirus has been named in Australian media as Kimberley Finlayson.
Finlayson died earlier this week in a Bali hospital after coming down with Covid-19 while on holiday with her husband, Ken, who has since tested negative for the virus. She was said to have suffered from a series of pre-existing medical conditions.Finlayson died earlier this week in a Bali hospital after coming down with Covid-19 while on holiday with her husband, Ken, who has since tested negative for the virus. She was said to have suffered from a series of pre-existing medical conditions.
Sanglah Hospital director, Wayan Sudana told 7NEWS.com.au: “Based on information from Bali Health Agency the laboratory test result of the husband of the COVID-19 patient number 25 are complete. The lab test result is negative.” Sanglah Hospital director, Wayan Sudana told 7NEWS.com.au: “Based on information from Bali Health Agency the laboratory test result of the husband of the Covid-19 patient number 25 are complete. The lab test result is negative.”
The Scottish government has opened an advice helpline for businesses following yesterday’s announcement that gatherings over 500 will be advised to cancel from Monday, Aamna Mohdin reports.The Scottish government has opened an advice helpline for businesses following yesterday’s announcement that gatherings over 500 will be advised to cancel from Monday, Aamna Mohdin reports.
Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the government wrote to all planning authorities this week encouraging them to relax their approach to the enforcement of planning restrictions on shop delivery times and opening hours. Economy secretary Fiona Hyslop said the government wrote to all planning authorities this week encouraging them to relax their approach to the enforcement of planning restrictions on shop delivery times and opening hours.
Scotland’s football authorities announced they would “enter discussions” with the Scottish government before deciding whether to postpone matches.Scotland’s football authorities announced they would “enter discussions” with the Scottish government before deciding whether to postpone matches.
In a joint statement, the Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish FA confirmed games would go ahead as planned this weekend. Following the discussion with the Scottish government, the football authorities will “provide clear and unequivocal advice” on what happens to games from next week.In a joint statement, the Scottish Professional Football League and Scottish FA confirmed games would go ahead as planned this weekend. Following the discussion with the Scottish government, the football authorities will “provide clear and unequivocal advice” on what happens to games from next week.
The Scottish FA confirmed they would also take part in a Uefa video conference call on Tuesday to discuss whether Euro 2020 will need to be cancelled.The Scottish FA confirmed they would also take part in a Uefa video conference call on Tuesday to discuss whether Euro 2020 will need to be cancelled.
Scotland are due to face Israel in the UEFA Nations League Play-Off semi-final against Israel on March 26th at Hampden Park. Scotland are due to face Israel in the Uefa Nations League play-off semi-final against Israel on 26 March at Hampden Park.
The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast has been looking at the question of whether the UK National Health Service is fit to tackle the developing coronavirus pandemic.The Guardian’s Today in Focus podcast has been looking at the question of whether the UK National Health Service is fit to tackle the developing coronavirus pandemic.
The NHS is bracing for a major surge in hospital admissions as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, made a firm commitment to helping the NHS get “whatever it needs”.The NHS is bracing for a major surge in hospital admissions as the coronavirus outbreak continues to grow. Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, made a firm commitment to helping the NHS get “whatever it needs”.
Denis Campbell, the Guardian’s health policy editor, tells Rachel Humphreys there is genuine concern among staff that the service will not be able to cope in the event of a sustained crisis of the type being seen in Italy.Denis Campbell, the Guardian’s health policy editor, tells Rachel Humphreys there is genuine concern among staff that the service will not be able to cope in the event of a sustained crisis of the type being seen in Italy.
The Premier League, the Football League and the Women’s Super League and Championship have suspended all matches until 3 April in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Paul MacInnes reports.The Premier League, the Football League and the Women’s Super League and Championship have suspended all matches until 3 April in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Paul MacInnes reports.
An unprecedented development, it follows the revelation overnight that several Premier League clubs have members of staff, including players and coaches, who are displaying symptoms of the virus.An unprecedented development, it follows the revelation overnight that several Premier League clubs have members of staff, including players and coaches, who are displaying symptoms of the virus.
All schools in Croatia are to shut from Monday, the country’s prime minister announced on Friday morning. Andrej Plenkovic told reporters:All schools in Croatia are to shut from Monday, the country’s prime minister announced on Friday morning. Andrej Plenkovic told reporters:
Reuters currently has the country down as having 27 cases, but a reader who sent in details of the schools closures says the most recent figure is 31.Reuters currently has the country down as having 27 cases, but a reader who sent in details of the schools closures says the most recent figure is 31.
From Monday, all schools in the German state of Bavaria will be shut until the end of the Easter holidays on 19 April, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.From Monday, all schools in the German state of Bavaria will be shut until the end of the Easter holidays on 19 April, the Süddeutsche Zeitung reports.
The five week holiday means almost no child in Bavaria will be able to go to school or kindergarten, with emergency care organised in only a few cases, according to the paper.The five week holiday means almost no child in Bavaria will be able to go to school or kindergarten, with emergency care organised in only a few cases, according to the paper.
Bavarian prime minister Markus Söder also announced that he would ban visits to retirement homes and hospitals and that events with more than 100 visitors would be banned unless they were absolutely necessary.Bavarian prime minister Markus Söder also announced that he would ban visits to retirement homes and hospitals and that events with more than 100 visitors would be banned unless they were absolutely necessary.
The climbing season on Mount Everest has been called off amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic, Pete Pattisson reports.The climbing season on Mount Everest has been called off amid fears over the coronavirus pandemic, Pete Pattisson reports.
The Nepal government suspended all mountaineering permits on Thursday and, as we reported earlier, will stop issuing on-arrival tourist visas, dealing a devastating blow to the country’s tourism industry.The Nepal government suspended all mountaineering permits on Thursday and, as we reported earlier, will stop issuing on-arrival tourist visas, dealing a devastating blow to the country’s tourism industry.
Nepal’s tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai told the Guardian, “We will review the decision if the situation improves, but for now everything has been cancelled. Those who have paid for climbing permits will be refunded.”Nepal’s tourism minister Yogesh Bhattarai told the Guardian, “We will review the decision if the situation improves, but for now everything has been cancelled. Those who have paid for climbing permits will be refunded.”
The Chinese government has also cancelled all expeditions from the north side of Everest.The Chinese government has also cancelled all expeditions from the north side of Everest.
The announcement comes as Nepal enters its peak tourist season when tens of thousands of trekkers and mountaineers were expected to test themselves among the highest mountains in the world.The announcement comes as Nepal enters its peak tourist season when tens of thousands of trekkers and mountaineers were expected to test themselves among the highest mountains in the world.
Trekking and climbing are a lucrative and vital source of revenue for Nepal. Last year the government earned over £3.5 million from issuing climbing permits on peaks above 6000 metres, including Everest.Trekking and climbing are a lucrative and vital source of revenue for Nepal. Last year the government earned over £3.5 million from issuing climbing permits on peaks above 6000 metres, including Everest.
Despite its impact, the decision appears to have the support of the tourism industry.Despite its impact, the decision appears to have the support of the tourism industry.
Mingma Sherpa, the director of Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s biggest and arguably most successful expedition company, supported the move. “No doubt our business will suffer but who will be responsible if the virus spreads on the mountain,” he said. “The mountain is here, it’s not moving anywhere. People can come and climb next year.”Mingma Sherpa, the director of Seven Summit Treks, Nepal’s biggest and arguably most successful expedition company, supported the move. “No doubt our business will suffer but who will be responsible if the virus spreads on the mountain,” he said. “The mountain is here, it’s not moving anywhere. People can come and climb next year.”
Nuru Janbu Sherpa, the CEO of International Sherpa Adventure, a trekking and expedition company said, “It’s a positive decision as it will help to contain the spread of the virus. If waiting six months helps to protect people, we have no problem with suspending our business.”Nuru Janbu Sherpa, the CEO of International Sherpa Adventure, a trekking and expedition company said, “It’s a positive decision as it will help to contain the spread of the virus. If waiting six months helps to protect people, we have no problem with suspending our business.”
However, Sherpa warned that the decision will hit many low wage labourers who depend on climbing for their livelihood.However, Sherpa warned that the decision will hit many low wage labourers who depend on climbing for their livelihood.
The mountaineering industry in Nepal has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years. Climbing on Everest was effectively called off following an avalanche in 2014 and the 2015 earthquake. Last year, the government was widely criticised for failing to manage the huge numbers of climbers on the peak, which some claimed contributed to the deaths of 11 mountaineers.The mountaineering industry in Nepal has suffered a series of setbacks in recent years. Climbing on Everest was effectively called off following an avalanche in 2014 and the 2015 earthquake. Last year, the government was widely criticised for failing to manage the huge numbers of climbers on the peak, which some claimed contributed to the deaths of 11 mountaineers.
Nepal has had just one confirmed case of the coronavirus, said Basu Dev Pandey, the director of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease hospital in Kathmandu, but he warned the country was at risk due its location between China and India.Nepal has had just one confirmed case of the coronavirus, said Basu Dev Pandey, the director of the Sukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease hospital in Kathmandu, but he warned the country was at risk due its location between China and India.
In a further blow to the economy, last week Qatar barred entry to travellers from 14 countries, including Nepal, leaving tens of thousands of migrant labourers unable to start work in the emirate. Almost 30% of Nepal’s GDP comes from remittances sent by its migrant workers, who are largely based in the Gulf and Malaysia.In a further blow to the economy, last week Qatar barred entry to travellers from 14 countries, including Nepal, leaving tens of thousands of migrant labourers unable to start work in the emirate. Almost 30% of Nepal’s GDP comes from remittances sent by its migrant workers, who are largely based in the Gulf and Malaysia.
PA Media has more details on the London underground train driver who has tested positive for coronavirus.PA Media has more details on the London underground train driver who has tested positive for coronavirus.
The man, who works on the tube’s Jubilee Line, has been off work this week after returning to the UK from holiday in Vietnam, sources told the news agency. An internal message to staff said the driver, based at the North Greenwich depot, had been self-isolating but had tested positive for Covid-19. The memo said:The man, who works on the tube’s Jubilee Line, has been off work this week after returning to the UK from holiday in Vietnam, sources told the news agency. An internal message to staff said the driver, based at the North Greenwich depot, had been self-isolating but had tested positive for Covid-19. The memo said:
Rail union leaders wrote to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, on Thursday, voicing concern about what advice transport workers are being given. The letter said:Rail union leaders wrote to the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, on Thursday, voicing concern about what advice transport workers are being given. The letter said:
The Scottish government is advising that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled next week, as the number of positive cases jumps to 60 yesterday.Were you planning on attending an event or a trip that might now not go ahead? If so, please get in touch with the Guardian reporter Aamna Mohdin, who is based in Edinburgh, at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com.The Scottish government is advising that gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled next week, as the number of positive cases jumps to 60 yesterday.Were you planning on attending an event or a trip that might now not go ahead? If so, please get in touch with the Guardian reporter Aamna Mohdin, who is based in Edinburgh, at aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com.
Barack Obama is to blame for shortcomings in the United States government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Donald Trump has said.Barack Obama is to blame for shortcomings in the United States government’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, Donald Trump has said.
But not to worry, he has fixed the problems by slashing red tape.But not to worry, he has fixed the problems by slashing red tape.
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.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.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:According to the paper:
You can read more on the Basingstoke Gazette website.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.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 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 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.