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Coronavirus live updates: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Europe shuts schools, sporting world in crisis Coronavirus live updates: Justin Trudeau's wife tests positive, Europe shuts schools, sporting world in crisis
(32 minutes later)
First case at UN headquarters; Australian Grand Prix cancelled, Italy deaths pass 1,000. Follow the latest news.First case at UN headquarters; Australian Grand Prix cancelled, Italy deaths pass 1,000. Follow the latest news.
The Australian market has come roaring back in afternoon trade to be less than 2% down for the day.
It’s not entirely clear what’s caused the dramatic turnaround, but the most likely answer is that the Reserve Bank has pumped $8.2bn into short-term bank funding this morning.
The AFR reports that the funding package was designed to head off a looming credit squeeze caused by market panic over the coronavirus crisis and US president Donald Trump’s cack-handed response to it.
Benchmark index the ASX200 fell as much as 8% on Friday but by 3pm was surging upwards to be just 1.78% below Thursday’s closing price.
South Korea reported more recoveries from the coronavirus than new infections on Friday for the first time since the country’s first patient was confirmed on 20 January, raising hopes that Asia’s biggest epidemic outside China may be slowing.
The Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) said 110 new cases had been confirmed on Thursday - compared to 114 a day earlier - taking the total to 7,979. But 177 fully recovered patients were released the same day, it added.Officials said the number of new infections in Daegu, the southern city at the centre of the outbreak, and the neighbouring province of North Gyeongsang had declined “dramatically”, but there were concerns over a spike in cases at a call centre in Seoul, where 102 people have tested positive, and a government office in the administrative capital Sejong.Daegu and North Gyeongsang account for about 90% of cases in South Korea, with 60% of infections linked to the Daegu branch of the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, a secretive religious sect with 210,000 followers.Despite the encouraging news, the country’s prime minister, Chung-Sye-kyun, who is leading efforts to contain the outbreak in Daegu, warned against complacency. “The battle against the coronavirus has now become a global fight going far beyond Daegu,” he said.The 110 cases detected Thursday, and reported by the KCDC on Friday, was the lowest number of daily infections in more than two weeks, and well below the 500-600 daily increases reported early this month. One death was confirmed on Thursday, bringing the country’s total to 67.Sixty-one of the latest cases were from Daegu, while 17 and 13 were in Sejong and Seoul, respectively.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has just tweeted about his wife Sophie’s confirmed case of Covid-19:
Here is the official (2015) guidance video from the World Health Organization on how to wash those hands of yours.
The WHO says:
“Hand hygiene, either with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand rub, is one of the best ways to avoid getting sick and spreading infections to others. Indeed, hand hygiene is an easy, inexpensive, and effective mean to prevent the spread of germs and keep everyone healthy.”
More official WHO tips here.
The last of Apple’s 42 stores in China reopened Friday, as the country slowly goes back to work following weeks of quarantine that forced the closure of businesses, AFP reports.The last of Apple’s 42 stores in China reopened Friday, as the country slowly goes back to work following weeks of quarantine that forced the closure of businesses, AFP reports.
The firm announced on February 1 that it would shut all its stores, corporate offices and contact centres across the mainland as the epidemic rapidly spread.The firm announced on February 1 that it would shut all its stores, corporate offices and contact centres across the mainland as the epidemic rapidly spread.
Apple’s stores have gradually been reopening over the past few days and a spokeswoman for the company told AFP the remaining few would throw their doors open Friday.Apple’s stores have gradually been reopening over the past few days and a spokeswoman for the company told AFP the remaining few would throw their doors open Friday.
The company’s website shows its stores now have “special operating hours”.The company’s website shows its stores now have “special operating hours”.
As we report the latest coronavirus news today, please send me any tips or relevant news on Twitter @helenrsullivan.As we report the latest coronavirus news today, please send me any tips or relevant news on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison is due to speak speak shortly, following reports that the government has been advised mass gatherings should be cancelled. We’re also hoping for an update on the economy, following a 6% drop on the ASX200.Australian prime minister Scott Morrison is due to speak speak shortly, following reports that the government has been advised mass gatherings should be cancelled. We’re also hoping for an update on the economy, following a 6% drop on the ASX200.
The Guardian is tracking global infections below:The Guardian is tracking global infections below:
Australia’s Central Coast has confirmed its first coronavirus case, the ABC reports:Australia’s Central Coast has confirmed its first coronavirus case, the ABC reports:
In Australia, Queensland state health says there are now 35 cases in the state, as of Friday 13 March.In Australia, Queensland state health says there are now 35 cases in the state, as of Friday 13 March.
The statement does not say how many cases are new but out understanding is that this means there are eight new cases, up from 27 yesterday.The statement does not say how many cases are new but out understanding is that this means there are eight new cases, up from 27 yesterday.
The statement says:The statement says:
In Australia, expert health advice reportedly given to the prime minister and state premiers says all gatherings of more than 500 people across Australia should be cancelled immediately to halt the spread of coronavirus.In Australia, expert health advice reportedly given to the prime minister and state premiers says all gatherings of more than 500 people across Australia should be cancelled immediately to halt the spread of coronavirus.
Government leaders met in Parramatta on Friday for a Council of Australian Governments meeting, where chief health officers told them urgent social distancing measures were necessary to slow the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.Government leaders met in Parramatta on Friday for a Council of Australian Governments meeting, where chief health officers told them urgent social distancing measures were necessary to slow the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The advice is unconfirmed, but, if correct, would appear to mandate the closure of schools and universities, as well as sporting events and concerts.The advice is unconfirmed, but, if correct, would appear to mandate the closure of schools and universities, as well as sporting events and concerts.
The Guardian has contacted government authorities seeking their response.The Guardian has contacted government authorities seeking their response.
As the Catholic and Mormon churches close services over coronavirus fears, a Catholic church in Hong Kong has started streaming its mass to worshipers online. Similar arrangements have been made in Singapore and elsewhere at various churches, temples and mosques.As the Catholic and Mormon churches close services over coronavirus fears, a Catholic church in Hong Kong has started streaming its mass to worshipers online. Similar arrangements have been made in Singapore and elsewhere at various churches, temples and mosques.
With an iPad on a small tripod, Father Thomas Law of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in downtown Hong Kong is broadcasting mass to worshippers to their homes via online streaming as a way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports.With an iPad on a small tripod, Father Thomas Law of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church in downtown Hong Kong is broadcasting mass to worshippers to their homes via online streaming as a way to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports.
The church was formerly packed during daily morning mass and on Sundays, but the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has suspended mass and liturgies since Feb. 15 in line with government health guidelines promoting social distancing. Many churches in Hong Kong have taken their services online due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the Chinese-ruled city, which has reported 130 cases and three deaths.The church was formerly packed during daily morning mass and on Sundays, but the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong has suspended mass and liturgies since Feb. 15 in line with government health guidelines promoting social distancing. Many churches in Hong Kong have taken their services online due to the rising number of coronavirus cases in the Chinese-ruled city, which has reported 130 cases and three deaths.
These are the most recent figures from China, where we are expecting detail soon on new infections and the number of infections that are from Wuhan, specifically.
Mainland China reported eight new cases of the virus on March 12, continuing a decline after 15 new cases on March 11th.
There were seven new deaths.
In the US, Barack Obama has tweeted about the coronavirus:
US president Donald Trump also took to Twitter to share a helpful update:
Metro Manila, home to 12 million people, is preparing for a lockdown that will be imposed from Sunday in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
All schools will be closed, mass gatherings suspended, and many public sector workers told to stay home, following a spike in cases in the Philippines.
President Rodrigo Duterte has also imposed a ban on domestic land and sea travels to and from Manila, which will begin on 15 March and last 30 days.
The number of cases in the country has risen from 10 on Sunday to 52 by Thursday evening, and there is concern about the virus spreading rapidly through cramped slum areas.
Metro Manila, also known as the National Capital Region, includes 16 cities, including Manila.
On Thursday, Duterte was tested for the virus, though he has not experienced symptoms. Five people in the country have now died after becoming infected.
Here is what we know so far about Callum Hudson-Odoi’s coronavirus diagnosis and the implications for Chelsea and the Premier League.
Chelsea’s full squad have gone into self-isolation after winger Hudson-Odoi tested positive to the coronavirus, the club said in a statement. Hudson-Odoi displayed cold symptoms on Monday morning and has stayed away from the club since then. His test result was returned on Thursday night. The club said despite testing positive, the 19-year-old was “doing well and looking forward to returning to the training ground as soon as it is possible”. The Blues have also closed two buildings at their training facility. PA media reports Chelsea are scheduled to play at Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon but the match looks unlikely to proceed. The remainder of the Premier League season, in fact, is in doubt with the League to hold a meeting on Friday to determine a course of action in response to the coronavirus.
Tom Hanks has tweeted a photograph of himself and Rita Wilson, after the pair confirmed yesterday that they had tested positive for coronavirus.
In the image Hanks writes:
“Hello folks. Rita Wilson and I want to thank everyone here Down Under who are taking such good care of us. We have Covid-19 and are in isolation so we do not spread it to anyone else. There are those for whom it could lead to a very serious illness. We are taking it one day at a time... Remember, despite all the current events, there is no crying in baseball. Hanx.”
The baseball line is from his 1992 film A League of Their Own:
More on Sophie Gregoire Trudeau’s positive coronavirus diagnosis now from the Guardian’s Leyland Cecco.
The wife of Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to the United Kingdom.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau announced Thursday evening that she had tested positive for the coronavirus and plans to remain in isolation for the next two weeks. Her symptoms have been described as mild.
“Although I’m experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of the virus, I will be back on my feet soon,” she said in a statement. “Being in quarantine at home is nothing compared to other Canadian families who might be going through this and for those facing more serious health concerns.”
The prime minister remains “in good health with no symptoms” according to his office, but will work in remotely for the next two weeks. He plans to address Canadians on Friday.
Chelsea player Callum Hudson-Odoi has tested positive for coronavirus, the club reports. We understand that Hudson-Odoi is first Premier League player to be infected.
The club wrote on its website:
While most major sporting events have been canceled, mushers in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race are continuing their 1,000-mile march west across Alaska, AP reports.
Officials with the world’s most famous sled dog race announced Thursday they have postponed post-race events in response to the new coronavirus. The Iditarod has postponed both the awards banquet set for 22 March and the meet the mushers event set for 21 March, both in Nome, where the winner is expected some time next week.
Gabon and Ghana confirmed their first cases of coronavirus on Thursday, becoming the ninth and tenth countries in sub-Saharan Africa to register positive cases.
The region has so far been less badly hit by coronavirus than Europe or China. Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Cameroon, Togo, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Democratic Republic of Congo have also registered cases. In a statement, Gabon’s government said its case was a 27-year-old Gabonese man who had returned from France on 8 March. Ghana’s health ministry said its two cases were people who had returned recently from Norway and Turkey. “These are imported cases of Covid-19. Both patients are currently being kept in isolation and are stable,” the ministry said in a statement. Sub-Saharan Africa did not confirm its first coronavirus infection until Feb. 28 in Nigeria, but experts warn that rising cases could test already fragile health systems.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife Sophie has tested positive for coronavirus, AP reports. This story is breaking. We will have further details soon.
We reported earlier that Prime Minister Trudeau was self-isolating after his wife returned from a visit to the UK with flu-like symptoms, including a fever.