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Coronavirus live news: UK local and mayoral elections postponed to 2021, as global death toll passes 5,000 Coronavirus live news: UK local and mayoral elections postponed to 2021, as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic'
(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
Berlin’s mayor, Michael Müller has announced that the German capital’s public transport system is to be drastically scaled back to an “emergency service” in line with other measures to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, and in order to protect its staff and passengers.
Buses and trams will run a skeletal service from now on, until at least until the end of the easter holiday, with passengers asked to enter buses by the middle door, rather than the front.
Tickets will have to be bought in advance because they will no longer be available from the driver. So far no plans have been publicised over whether the S-Bahn train service which runs through the city, is to be scaled down. Unlike the rest of the transport network, it is owned and operated by the national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn.
A press conference later today will follow a meeting ofBerlin’s senate place this afternoon is expected to make more details known.
Demand for public transport has already fallen, over fears of getting coronavirus. And with schools, kindergartens and most institutions either closed or due to close on Monday, and many people working from home, it is expected demand will further decrease in the coming days.
Meanwhile Deutsche Bahn has said while it has no plans to curtail its train service, passengers with tickets for journeys they now no longer feel able to take, will be able to rebook journeys at a later date at no extra cost.
Mixed messages have been coming out of Mexico today, where health experts expect localised spread of coronavirus to begin in the last week or March or first week of April, according to reports.
By then, health officials say the country will have 20,000 tests ready to go, and private and public labs across the country prepped for testing.
So far, Mexico has 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with no deaths. The biggest threat still lies from people already infected entering the country, which is why the government is considering introducing travel restrictions and extra surveillance on travellers from the US.
“The possible flow of coronavirus would come from the north to the south. If it were technically necessary, we would consider mechanisms of restriction or stronger surveillance,” the deputy health secretary, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, told a news conference last night.
“Mexico wouldn’t bring the virus to the United States, rather the United States would bring it here.”
On the other hand, in response to Donald Trump’s travel ban on 26 European countries, US-bound passengers flying on the national airline, Aeromexico, will from today be required to spend 14 days in Mexico before taking a connecting flight. The airline had already imposed a similar rule for passengers travelling from China. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the announcement unleashed furious reactions on social media with some tweeters accusing the government of prioritising American lives over Mexicans.
Europe is now the world centre for the coronavirus outbreak, according to the WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In a press briefing at WHO headquarters, he said that Europe had more cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined apart from China.
The UK government’s coronavirus strategy and the plan to build up herd immunity is facing mounting growing criticism from the scientific community. More experts are questioning the failure to test more suspected cases and the decision to hold back on the more drastic social distancing measures introduced in many other countries.
Devi Sridhar, professor of global public health at Edinburgh University, says the UK strategy is “dangerous”.
Peter Drobac, a doctor in global health and infectious disease at Oxford University, says the “the UK is really out on a limb”.
Speaking to the BBC he added:
The broadcaster and physicists Prof Brian Cox tweeted his doubts about the lack of testing.
Professor Anthony Costello, a former director at the World Health Organization, outlined his concerns about the herd immunity strategy in a Twitter thread.
Schools in Britain should be kept open until the government calls for their closure, Britain’s health secretary has said.
Gavin Williamson, the education secretary for England, was speaking to the annual conference of the Association of School and College Leaders in Birmingham today, with coronavirus top of the agenda, and the issue of school closures:
“In the overwhelming majority of situations, there is absolutely no need to close a school or send pupils or staff home. Obviously there is action to be taken in the event of a positive test but even then, your local health protection team can help stabilise the situation.
“At present we are clear that the best course of action is to keep schools open unless you are advised to close by Public Health England.
“The chief medical officer has said the impact of closing schools on children’s education will be substantial, but the benefit to public health would not be. The government is particularly mindful of the strain on public services like the NHS that would be caused by key workers having to stay home to look after their children as a result of school closures.
“We will be constantly reassessing this position based on what the chief medical officer and the government chief scientific adviser tell us about whether the evidence would require us to close schools in the best interests of children and the best interests of teachers. Only in line with this clear advice will we take this step.”
Meanwhile, the University of Bristol has ignored the government’s advice and told students that in-person teaching and lectures have been suspended until April, while the summer exam season starting in May will be replaced by assessments. Halls of residence and other parts of the campus will remain open.
The Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has tested negative for the coronavirus, his son told Fox News on Friday following media reports that his father, who recently met with Donald Trump, had tested positive.
“The test is negative,” Eduardo Bolsonaro told Fox News Channel in an interview.
The news follows some confusion today after local media in Brazil reported that Bolsonaro had tested positive.
Bolsonaro himself has lashed out on Twitter at “fake news”.
Switzerland has announced it is closing all schools and is to provide around 10bn Swiss francs in aid for businesses hit by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The situation is difficult,” the Swiss president, Simonetta Sommaruga, told reporters, as the government listed a range of measures to halt the spread of the virus after the number of positive tests in the country ballooned to more than 1,000.
Local elections have been postponed until May next year in England.Local elections have been postponed until May next year in England.
The contest were due to be held in May for 118 councils in England along with eight posts for directly elected mayors, including for the mayor of London.The contest were due to be held in May for 118 councils in England along with eight posts for directly elected mayors, including for the mayor of London.
A councillor in an English village where one of the first UK cases of coronavirus was confirmed has described the government’s strategy of tackling the disease as “a crime against humanity.” A councillor in an English village where one of the first UK cases of coronavirus was confirmed has described the government’s strategy of tackling the disease as “a crime against our country”.
Samantha Flower, who is a member of Boris Johnson’s ruling Conservative Party and also a social care manager for Sheffield City Council, said: “I’m very concerned. They [the UK government] are saying they want as many people to get this disease to create a herd immunisation. But it won’t. My suspicion is that they don’t have the money for social care or NHS so that the weak and the old die. Samantha Flower, who is a member of the Conservative party and a social care manager for Sheffield City council, said: “I’m very concerned. They [the UK government] are saying they want as many people to get this disease to create a herd immunisation. But it won’t. My suspicion is that they don’t have the money for social care or NHS so that the weak and the old die.
“I’m saying that as a Conservative councillor and I don’t care if I get sacked. You judge a society by how they treat their vulnerable people. You judge leadership by how it treats its most vulnerable people.“I’m saying that as a Conservative councillor and I don’t care if I get sacked. You judge a society by how they treat their vulnerable people. You judge leadership by how it treats its most vulnerable people.
“How do we care for them – by saying it would be better for pretty much everyone to get this disease when we know that our loved ones are going to die? It’s not okay.” “How do we care for them – by saying it would be better for pretty much everyone to get this disease when we know that our loved ones are going to die? It’s not OK.”
Flowers is a Conservative councillor on High Peak Borough Council and represents the Derbyshire village of Burbage, where one of the first known UK cases of Coronavirus was confirmed. Burbage primary school and a nearby medical centre were temporarily closed after a parent tested positive for the virus on 27 February, when just 15 cases had been confirmed in the UK.She added: “We could follow the World Health Organisation’s advice and stop this now but the government’s chosen not to. Our prime minister has just said to us ‘your loved ones are going to die’ and that’s not okay. It’s abhorrent. It’s a crime against our country. We have the measures and capabilities to prevent this.“I’m not trying to be an alarmist but the World Health Organisation has set very comprehensive guidance and we’re not following it.” Flower is a Conservative councillor on High Peak borough council and represents the Derbyshire village of Burbage, where one of the first known UK cases of Coronavirus was confirmed. Burbage primary school and a nearby medical centre were temporarily closed after a parent tested positive for the virus on 27 February, when just 15 cases had been confirmed in the UK.She added: “We could follow the World Health Organization’s advice and stop this now but the government’s chosen not to. Our prime minister has just said to us ‘your loved ones are going to die’ and that’s not OK. It’s abhorrent. It’s a crime against our country. We have the measures and capabilities to prevent this.“I’m not trying to be an alarmist but the World Health Organization has set very comprehensive guidance and we’re not following it.”
The global death toll of the coronavirus pandemic has passed 5,000, according to tallies kept by both Johns Hopkins university in the United States and the Reuters news agency. Both source their information from official figures, so the true toll could be higher. The global death toll of the coronavirus pandemic has passed 5,000, according to tallies kept by both Johns Hopkins university in the US and the Reuters news agency. Both source their information from official figures, so the true toll could be higher.
Spain has become the latest country to declare a state of emergency after the number of confirmed cases in the country passed 4,200 and the death toll rose to 120. Spain is the second-worst affected EU country after Italy.Spain has become the latest country to declare a state of emergency after the number of confirmed cases in the country passed 4,200 and the death toll rose to 120. Spain is the second-worst affected EU country after Italy.
The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive on an initial coronavirus test, but his son cautioned against the press jumping to conclusions. Reports claimed the White House was to hold an emergency meeting on the diagnosis after Bolsonaro dined with Trump last week.The president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, tested positive on an initial coronavirus test, but his son cautioned against the press jumping to conclusions. Reports claimed the White House was to hold an emergency meeting on the diagnosis after Bolsonaro dined with Trump last week.
In Britain, 208 more cases of coronavirus have been detected since yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed Covid-19 patients to 798 - a rise of 35%. There have been 10 deaths so far from the virus in the UK. In Britain, 208 more cases of coronavirus have been detected since yesterday, bringing the total number of confirmed Covid-19 patients to 798 – a rise of 35%. There have been 10 deaths so far from the virus in the UK.
The Queen has cancelled forthcoming visits to Cheshire and Camden, London, as a sensible precaution amid the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, as a driver on the London Underground transport network tested positive for Covid-19. The Queen has cancelled forthcoming visits to Cheshire and Camden, London, as a sensible precaution amid the fast-spreading coronavirus outbreak, as a driver on the London underground transport network tested positive for Covid-19.
A number of sports fixtures have been cancelled or postponed, including the Champions League and Europa League, England’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka, the Masters golf tournament, and all professional football in England and Scotland.A number of sports fixtures have been cancelled or postponed, including the Champions League and Europa League, England’s cricket tour of Sri Lanka, the Masters golf tournament, and all professional football in England and Scotland.
France limited public gatherings to no more than 100 people, as countries around Europe brought in a range of stringent measures in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.France limited public gatherings to no more than 100 people, as countries around Europe brought in a range of stringent measures in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.
The first cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Venezuela, where the country’s healthcare system has already been under massive strain in recent years.The first cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in Venezuela, where the country’s healthcare system has already been under massive strain in recent years.
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that the country is suspending classes at public and private schools starting on Monday, Reuters reports.Vice President Delcy Rodriguez said that the country is suspending classes at public and private schools starting on Monday, Reuters reports.
“Early today, two cases were certified,” Rodriguez said in a televised statement. “One 41-year-old citizen was traveling in the United States. The other was traveling in Spain.”The two both arrived on a flight from Spain and both have been put in quarantine, she said.“Early today, two cases were certified,” Rodriguez said in a televised statement. “One 41-year-old citizen was traveling in the United States. The other was traveling in Spain.”The two both arrived on a flight from Spain and both have been put in quarantine, she said.
This is Ben Quinn picking up the liveblog now. You can flag any news tips to me on twitter at @BenQuinn75 or by email on ben.quinn@theguardian.comThis is Ben Quinn picking up the liveblog now. You can flag any news tips to me on twitter at @BenQuinn75 or by email on ben.quinn@theguardian.com
The Queen’s upcoming visits to Cheshire and Camden, in London, have been postponed as a “sensible precaution” amid the coronavirus outbreak, Buckingham Palace said, PA Media reports.The Queen’s upcoming visits to Cheshire and Camden, in London, have been postponed as a “sensible precaution” amid the coronavirus outbreak, Buckingham Palace said, PA Media reports.
A statement said:A statement said:
The death toll of the global coronavirus pandemic has passed 5,000 since the virus was first identified in December, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins university.The death toll of the global coronavirus pandemic has passed 5,000 since the virus was first identified in December, according to a tally kept by Johns Hopkins university.
The site, which has been running an interactive map showing the number of infections reported around the world, reports 5,065 deaths so far, out of 136,929 confirmed cases. The total number of patients that have recovered from the disease is 69,623, Johns Hopkins reports.The site, which has been running an interactive map showing the number of infections reported around the world, reports 5,065 deaths so far, out of 136,929 confirmed cases. The total number of patients that have recovered from the disease is 69,623, Johns Hopkins reports.
The region with the highest death toll so far is the Hubei province of China, where the Covid-19 disease first emerged, with 3,062 deaths, followed by Italy, Europe’s worst affected nation, with 1,016 deaths, then Iran with 514 deaths. All figures are those officially reported.The region with the highest death toll so far is the Hubei province of China, where the Covid-19 disease first emerged, with 3,062 deaths, followed by Italy, Europe’s worst affected nation, with 1,016 deaths, then Iran with 514 deaths. All figures are those officially reported.
Jair Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, has tweeted to say that his father’s coronavirus test is not yet complete.Jair Bolsonaro’s son, Eduardo, has tweeted to say that his father’s coronavirus test is not yet complete.
It appears that although Bolsonaro’s initial test has come back positive, he is awaiting the results of a second, definitive test.It appears that although Bolsonaro’s initial test has come back positive, he is awaiting the results of a second, definitive test.
Meanwhile, however, the Fox Business network is reporting that the White House is due to hold an urgent meeting on Bolsonaro’s positive coronavirus test.Meanwhile, however, the Fox Business network is reporting that the White House is due to hold an urgent meeting on Bolsonaro’s positive coronavirus test.
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Scotland increased to 85 in the latest daily figure, an increase of 25 from yesterday, Aamna Mohdin reports.The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Scotland increased to 85 in the latest daily figure, an increase of 25 from yesterday, Aamna Mohdin reports.
A total of 3,314 Scottish tests have been carried out, of which 3,229 tests were confirmed negative.A total of 3,314 Scottish tests have been carried out, of which 3,229 tests were confirmed negative.
Greater Glasgow and Clyde had the largest number of positive cases, 21, followed by Lothian with 20 cases.Greater Glasgow and Clyde had the largest number of positive cases, 21, followed by Lothian with 20 cases.
The increase in positive cases follows the government’s advice to cancel events with over 500 people to reduce the potential impact on emergency services.The increase in positive cases follows the government’s advice to cancel events with over 500 people to reduce the potential impact on emergency services.
The figures come as the Scottish Conservatives cancelled their spring conference due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was due to take place in Perth in mid-May, but will now be moved to later in the year.The figures come as the Scottish Conservatives cancelled their spring conference due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was due to take place in Perth in mid-May, but will now be moved to later in the year.
Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said:Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw said:
Wales’ Six Nations game at home against Scotland on Saturday became the latest sport event to be postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement comes just hours after the Welsh Rugby Union insisted earlier on Friday the game would “go ahead as planned”.Wales’ Six Nations game at home against Scotland on Saturday became the latest sport event to be postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The announcement comes just hours after the Welsh Rugby Union insisted earlier on Friday the game would “go ahead as planned”.
The organisers of the Boston Marathon have announced that the event is to be postponed until 14 September.The organisers of the Boston Marathon have announced that the event is to be postponed until 14 September.
The Spanish government is to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus epidemic, paving the way for drastic containment measures after the number of confirmed cases in the country passed 4,200 and the death toll rose to 120, Sam Jones reports from Madrid.The Spanish government is to declare a state of emergency in response to the coronavirus epidemic, paving the way for drastic containment measures after the number of confirmed cases in the country passed 4,200 and the death toll rose to 120, Sam Jones reports from Madrid.
In an urgent appearance on Friday afternoon, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the cabinet would convene on Saturday to declare an emergency by activating article 116 of the constitution.In an urgent appearance on Friday afternoon, the prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the cabinet would convene on Saturday to declare an emergency by activating article 116 of the constitution.
Its provisions allow the government to limit the movement of people and vehicles in specified places, to temporarily requisition goods, to take over factories and businesses, to ration the consumption of basic items, and to issue the necessary orders to ensure the provision of services.Its provisions allow the government to limit the movement of people and vehicles in specified places, to temporarily requisition goods, to take over factories and businesses, to ration the consumption of basic items, and to issue the necessary orders to ensure the provision of services.
The article has not been used since 2010, when it was enacted in response to an air traffic controllers’ strike. The state of emergency will initially apply for two weeks, but can be extended with parliamentary approval.The article has not been used since 2010, when it was enacted in response to an air traffic controllers’ strike. The state of emergency will initially apply for two weeks, but can be extended with parliamentary approval.
Spain is the European country most affected by the outbreak after Italy, which has confirmed 15,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths.Spain is the European country most affected by the outbreak after Italy, which has confirmed 15,000 cases and more than 1,000 deaths.
The decision came after the government of neighbouring Portugal also enacted a state of alert as the number of cases in the country reached 78, explaining the situation was now “a fight for our survival and for the protection of Portuguese lives”.The decision came after the government of neighbouring Portugal also enacted a state of alert as the number of cases in the country reached 78, explaining the situation was now “a fight for our survival and for the protection of Portuguese lives”.
As well as ordering the closure of schools and universities, it said the number of customers allowed in bars and restaurants would be reduced.As well as ordering the closure of schools and universities, it said the number of customers allowed in bars and restaurants would be reduced.
The Madrid authorities have not ruled out a lockdown of the capital, the mayor said on Friday morning, as the number of cases in the region reached 2,000.The Madrid authorities have not ruled out a lockdown of the capital, the mayor said on Friday morning, as the number of cases in the region reached 2,000.
José Luia Martínez-Almeida told Antena 3 TV that he had not discarded the idea of locking down the city, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to look at every possible scenario.José Luia Martínez-Almeida told Antena 3 TV that he had not discarded the idea of locking down the city, saying it would be “irresponsible” not to look at every possible scenario.
He added: “We can’t say that it’s going to happen immediately, nor can we say we’ve ruled it out.”He added: “We can’t say that it’s going to happen immediately, nor can we say we’ve ruled it out.”
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.
The mayor 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.The mayor 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.
Hours earlier, authorities in the Basque country had activated a civil protection plan, which allows the regional government to order the confinement of people to stop the spread of the disease.Hours earlier, authorities in the Basque country had activated a civil protection plan, which allows the regional government to order the confinement of people to stop the spread of the disease.
“We need to use all containment and prevention measures as the situation is serious. We’re not over the worst yet,” the Basque president, Iñigo Urkullu, said on Friday morning.“We need to use all containment and prevention measures as the situation is serious. We’re not over the worst yet,” the Basque president, Iñigo Urkullu, said on Friday morning.
The Basque country has confirmed 346 cases of the coronavirus, and here have been 11 deaths.The Basque country has confirmed 346 cases of the coronavirus, and here have been 11 deaths.
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.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.
“No one is allowed out of these affected areas,” the regional government said on Thursday evening.“No one is allowed out of these affected areas,” the regional government said on Thursday evening.
“Only emergency personnel and vehicles bringing fuel and food supplies will be allowed to move around the area.”“Only emergency personnel and vehicles bringing fuel and food supplies will be allowed to move around the area.”
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.
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now warning against all but essential travel to the regions that the Spanish Ministry of Health have designated as areas of community transmission of coronavirus.Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is now warning against all but essential travel to the regions that the Spanish Ministry of Health have designated as areas of community transmission of coronavirus.
They are Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria (both in the Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (in Castilla y León).They are Madrid and La Rioja, and the municipalities of La Bastida and Vitoria (both in the Basque Country) and Miranda de Ebro (in Castilla y León).
Augusta National has not ruled out hosting the Masters later in 2020 after postponing the first major of the year, as scheduled for April, Ewan Murray reports.Augusta National has not ruled out hosting the Masters later in 2020 after postponing the first major of the year, as scheduled for April, Ewan Murray reports.
A statement issued from the club on Friday followed the model of the PGA Tour, which scrapped the Players Championship after just 18 holes and three subsequent tournaments.A statement issued from the club on Friday followed the model of the PGA Tour, which scrapped the Players Championship after just 18 holes and three subsequent tournaments.
The Masters, which began in 1934, has been contested each year since the end of the second world war.The Masters, which began in 1934, has been contested each year since the end of the second world war.