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Coronavirus live news: Trump says UK may be included in travel ban as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic' Coronavirus live news: Trump says UK may be included in travel ban as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic'
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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
The former chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Clare Gerada, has confirmed she contracted the virus – and is now recovering:
Emotional scenes are playing out across Italy as people sing Italian songs, as well as the national anthem, from their balconies in a show of solidarity as they remain in lockdown country grapples to contain a coronavirus outbreak.
In Naples, neighbours sang along to a song by the Neapolitan singer, Andrea Sannino, called ‘Abbracciame’ (Hug me), while in Turin the choice was a classic by the late Domenico Mudugno, ‘Meraviglioso’ (wonderful).
In Milan, Rome and other places, people sang along to the national anthem Inno di Mameli. Italians have been told to “stay at home” until 3 April.
Mauritania has confirmed its first case, according to AFP. The agency reported that the country’s health minister, Mohamed Nedhirou Ould Hamed, said the case involved a recently returned foreigner who tested positive on Friday. In a televised address, he said:Mauritania has confirmed its first case, according to AFP. The agency reported that the country’s health minister, Mohamed Nedhirou Ould Hamed, said the case involved a recently returned foreigner who tested positive on Friday. In a televised address, he said:
A statement from the health ministry, also released on Friday, said the man was an “expatriate” who had flown into Mauritania from Europe on Monday. He isolated himself after a friend in Europe tested positive for the virus. Health officials discovered he was feverish on Friday morning and he was confirmed positive for coronavirus later in the evening.A statement from the health ministry, also released on Friday, said the man was an “expatriate” who had flown into Mauritania from Europe on Monday. He isolated himself after a friend in Europe tested positive for the virus. Health officials discovered he was feverish on Friday morning and he was confirmed positive for coronavirus later in the evening.
The health minister also promised, in his televised address, that the government would stop charter flights coming to Mauritania from France.The health minister also promised, in his televised address, that the government would stop charter flights coming to Mauritania from France.
The West African state of Guinea registered its first coronavirus case on Friday too. And Senegal, which shares a border with Mauritania, registered 11 new coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing its total number to 19. Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Nigeria have all also recently registered coronavirus cases.The West African state of Guinea registered its first coronavirus case on Friday too. And Senegal, which shares a border with Mauritania, registered 11 new coronavirus infections on Friday, bringing its total number to 19. Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Nigeria have all also recently registered coronavirus cases.
Eswatini, the land-locked southern African country formerly known as Swaziland, has reported its first confirmed case, its minister of health has said.Eswatini, the land-locked southern African country formerly known as Swaziland, has reported its first confirmed case, its minister of health has said.
A 33-year-old woman, who returned from the United States at the end of February and then travelled to Lesotho before returning home to eSwatini, is currently in isolation, Lizzie Nkosi added.A 33-year-old woman, who returned from the United States at the end of February and then travelled to Lesotho before returning home to eSwatini, is currently in isolation, Lizzie Nkosi added.
The French health minister has announced an increase of 800 cases in the last 24 hours. Olivier Véran said the evolution of the spread of the virus was “rapid and real”:The French health minister has announced an increase of 800 cases in the last 24 hours. Olivier Véran said the evolution of the spread of the virus was “rapid and real”:
Véran added that 98% of those who have tested positive have since recovered.Véran added that 98% of those who have tested positive have since recovered.
France has banned gatherings of more than 100 people across the country as schools began closing on Friday for an indefinite period. The previous maximum was more than 1,000 people.France has banned gatherings of more than 100 people across the country as schools began closing on Friday for an indefinite period. The previous maximum was more than 1,000 people.
The Eiffel Tower, Château de Versailles, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou have closed. The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, said there would be no Sunday masses held in churches on the Paris region.The Eiffel Tower, Château de Versailles, Louvre, Musée d’Orsay and Centre Pompidou have closed. The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, said there would be no Sunday masses held in churches on the Paris region.
Thousands of jobs are set to go at the Dutch national airline, KLM, as it deals with the impact of the outbreak, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.Thousands of jobs are set to go at the Dutch national airline, KLM, as it deals with the impact of the outbreak, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.
Its chief executive, Pieter Elbers, said KLM will shed as many as 2,000 jobs and ask personnel to work shortened hours, while grounding its fleet of six Boeing 747s from 1 April.Its chief executive, Pieter Elbers, said KLM will shed as many as 2,000 jobs and ask personnel to work shortened hours, while grounding its fleet of six Boeing 747s from 1 April.
The airline’s top official said the job cuts mainly included part-time workers, those destined for retirement and natural attrition.The airline’s top official said the job cuts mainly included part-time workers, those destined for retirement and natural attrition.
A cruise ship has been docked in isolation in northeastern Brazil after two passengers were found to have symptoms resembling that of the new coronavirus, local authorities say.A cruise ship has been docked in isolation in northeastern Brazil after two passengers were found to have symptoms resembling that of the new coronavirus, local authorities say.
According to the Associated Press, the Brazilian state of Pernambuco’s health secretariat decided to keep the ship – with its 318 passengers and 291 crew members – in isolation in the capital of Recife on Thursday. Officials have not released the name of the ship.According to the Associated Press, the Brazilian state of Pernambuco’s health secretariat decided to keep the ship – with its 318 passengers and 291 crew members – in isolation in the capital of Recife on Thursday. Officials have not released the name of the ship.
Some passengers had disembarked before officials decided to isolate the ship and Brazil’s health authority asked tourist agencies to facilitate the return of those people. Authorities took action to prevent additional passengers from leaving.Some passengers had disembarked before officials decided to isolate the ship and Brazil’s health authority asked tourist agencies to facilitate the return of those people. Authorities took action to prevent additional passengers from leaving.
The first passenger suspected of having the virus was described as a 78-year-old man who displayed respiratory problems. Officials said the man was taken from the ship to a private clinic for treatment and testing for the coronavirus.The first passenger suspected of having the virus was described as a 78-year-old man who displayed respiratory problems. Officials said the man was taken from the ship to a private clinic for treatment and testing for the coronavirus.
Authorities reported a second possible case on Friday. That passenger had a fever and difficulty breathing, so was moved to a private health unit onshore to undergo the coronavirus test.Authorities reported a second possible case on Friday. That passenger had a fever and difficulty breathing, so was moved to a private health unit onshore to undergo the coronavirus test.
The result of the tests will dictate whether the ship’s passengers are placed into quarantine, the state’s health secretary, André Longo, said in an interview with the Globo television network.The result of the tests will dictate whether the ship’s passengers are placed into quarantine, the state’s health secretary, André Longo, said in an interview with the Globo television network.
The former Nato secretary general, Javier Solana, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, a source has told Reuters, adding that his health was evolving positively and that he had been put under observation as a precaution.The former Nato secretary general, Javier Solana, has been admitted to hospital after testing positive for coronavirus, a source has told Reuters, adding that his health was evolving positively and that he had been put under observation as a precaution.
Solana, 77, served in the role from 1995 to 1999, as European Union high representative for foreign affairs from 1999 to 2009 and was Spain’s foreign minister under prime minister Felipe González from 1992 to 1995. He attended an event with the current Spanish foreign minister, Arancha González Laya, on Monday.Solana, 77, served in the role from 1995 to 1999, as European Union high representative for foreign affairs from 1999 to 2009 and was Spain’s foreign minister under prime minister Felipe González from 1992 to 1995. He attended an event with the current Spanish foreign minister, Arancha González Laya, on Monday.
The US death toll has risen to 47 after six more deaths were reported in Washington state and a further one was reported in Colorado – the first in that state. Local authorities said a woman in her 80s who had underlying health issues has died.The US death toll has risen to 47 after six more deaths were reported in Washington state and a further one was reported in Colorado – the first in that state. Local authorities said a woman in her 80s who had underlying health issues has died.
Ukraine is closing its borders to foreigners for at least two weeks and will stop all flights, as it reported its first Covid-19 fatality on Friday.Ukraine is closing its borders to foreigners for at least two weeks and will stop all flights, as it reported its first Covid-19 fatality on Friday.
Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of the country’s Security and Defence Council, said the measure will take effect in 48 hours. Minutes later, Ukraine announced the news that a woman in her 70s, who lived in north-west Zhytomyr region and was suffering from double pneumonia after a trip to Poland, had died.Oleksiy Danilov, the secretary of the country’s Security and Defence Council, said the measure will take effect in 48 hours. Minutes later, Ukraine announced the news that a woman in her 70s, who lived in north-west Zhytomyr region and was suffering from double pneumonia after a trip to Poland, had died.
The country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, asked elderly people to remain at home and asked employers to let workers work from home, wherever possible. He alsoasked Ukrainians who were on holiday or who work abroad to return home by the time the travel ban comes into effect.The country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, asked elderly people to remain at home and asked employers to let workers work from home, wherever possible. He alsoasked Ukrainians who were on holiday or who work abroad to return home by the time the travel ban comes into effect.
Danilov said all Ukrainians would be allowed to return to the country, and those coming back from the nations most affected by the pandemic will have to be quarantined. The ban on foreigners would only be waived for diplomatic workers, he said.Danilov said all Ukrainians would be allowed to return to the country, and those coming back from the nations most affected by the pandemic will have to be quarantined. The ban on foreigners would only be waived for diplomatic workers, he said.
Norway has introduced travel restrictions designed to combat the spread of the virus. Ullensaker municipality has said on its website:Norway has introduced travel restrictions designed to combat the spread of the virus. Ullensaker municipality has said on its website:
Norwegians arriving at Gardermoen airport, located outside Oslo, will immediately be sent home into quarantine.Norwegians arriving at Gardermoen airport, located outside Oslo, will immediately be sent home into quarantine.
Ireland is advising its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution before deciding to travel to other EU member states due to action over the spread of the coronavirus, the country’s foreign minister says.Ireland is advising its citizens to exercise a high degree of caution before deciding to travel to other EU member states due to action over the spread of the coronavirus, the country’s foreign minister says.
Ireland has previously only urged against all travel to Italy and advised avoiding non-essential travel to China, Iran and Spain.Ireland has previously only urged against all travel to Italy and advised avoiding non-essential travel to China, Iran and Spain.
The Associated Press is reporting that a second person who was at Mar-a-Lago with Trump last weekend has tested positive for coronavirus. The agency is citing a Republican party official who it says spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private health matters.The Associated Press is reporting that a second person who was at Mar-a-Lago with Trump last weekend has tested positive for coronavirus. The agency is citing a Republican party official who it says spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss private health matters.
The person attended a Trump fundraising at the president’s Florida resort on Sunday.Trump also spent time last weekend with a Brazilian official who tested positive just days later.The person attended a Trump fundraising at the president’s Florida resort on Sunday.Trump also spent time last weekend with a Brazilian official who tested positive just days later.
A deal has been reached for an aid package and Democrats in the House of Representatives will soon pass it, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said.A deal has been reached for an aid package and Democrats in the House of Representatives will soon pass it, the House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said.
Pelosi and the treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, have been negotiating since Thursday on a multi-billion US dollar package that aims to limit the economic fallout from the pandemic, which has infected 138,000 people worldwide, killed more than 5,000 and closed down schools, sports arenas, theatres and offices across America.Pelosi and the treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin, have been negotiating since Thursday on a multi-billion US dollar package that aims to limit the economic fallout from the pandemic, which has infected 138,000 people worldwide, killed more than 5,000 and closed down schools, sports arenas, theatres and offices across America.
The bill would provide for free coronavirus testing and two weeks of paid sick and family leave for those affected by the virus, Pelosi said earlier in the day. It also would expand safety-net programs that help people weather economic downturns.The bill would provide for free coronavirus testing and two weeks of paid sick and family leave for those affected by the virus, Pelosi said earlier in the day. It also would expand safety-net programs that help people weather economic downturns.
Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress have waited to hear from the president before weighing in on the measure. Pelosi does not need their support to pass legislation out of the House but it is unlikely to get far in the Republican-controlled Senate without bipartisan support.Trump’s fellow Republicans in Congress have waited to hear from the president before weighing in on the measure. Pelosi does not need their support to pass legislation out of the House but it is unlikely to get far in the Republican-controlled Senate without bipartisan support.
The International Monetary Fund has advised all staff at its Washington, DC headquarters to work from home until further notice after an employee was diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, a spokesman has said.The International Monetary Fund has advised all staff at its Washington, DC headquarters to work from home until further notice after an employee was diagnosed with Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, a spokesman has said.
The fund said it also has suspended all mission travel to European countries designated as Level 3 community spread areas by the Centers for Disease Control, but it “remains fully operational and stands ready to serve its members.”The fund said it also has suspended all mission travel to European countries designated as Level 3 community spread areas by the Centers for Disease Control, but it “remains fully operational and stands ready to serve its members.”