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Coronavirus latest updates: Italy death toll up by 368 as flight bans and lockdowns increase globally Coronavirus latest updates: Trump gives briefing as Ohio and Illinois go into lockdown
(32 minutes later)
Number of UK deaths rises to 35 while other countries introduce stricter new measuresNumber of UK deaths rises to 35 while other countries introduce stricter new measures
Trump repeats that he does not want Americans to hoard or panic-buy food supplies – they can afford to relax and have a nice dinner, he says.
He goes on to thank the task force members crowding the podium behind him, many – including Dr Deborah Birx, who Amanda Holpuch profiled here and who had an introduction to bumpy Trump press conferences on Friday.
Trump leaves to “make some calls” and does not take questions.
US business editor Dominic Rushe has more on the Fed news:
He starts by saying the Federal Reserve have made him “very happy” by lowering interest rates to 0.25%, which is a story just breaking across the wires. On the subject, treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin was on the shows this morning, batting away questions about whether the administration is worried about a coronavirus-enhanced recession.
He also thanks Google for “substantiating what I said on Friday” about a website for self-diagnosis of Covid-19, which the press said was inaccurate. Trump claims he was right all along but it still seems Google, or a company related to it, is actually testing its website in the Bay Area of California and not rolling it out nationally.
The president also reels off a list of CEOs of grocery and supply chain companies who he spoke to today, about public panic-buying and how to avoid it.
Here comes Donald Trump.
Speaking of which:
As the briefing gets going and Mike Pence likely seeks to offer reassuring words, it’s worth considering that Dr Anthony Fauci, a very senior Trump administration official, said on CNN this morning that “Yes, it is possible” thousands, hundreds of thousands or millions of Americans could die as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Here’s more of Fauci:
Fauci told various morning shows he was in favour of more strict restrictions on social gatherings such as those adopted in Ohio and elsewhere, where bars and restaurants are being closed.
It’s breaking elsewhere that New York governor Andrew Cuomo wants New York City public schools closed this week. They are still open at the moment, unlike such systems in other big cities:
Martin Pengelly here in New York, taking over to cover an imminent White House briefing from Vice-President Mike Pence and members of his coronavirus task force.
It’s probably worth pointing out while we wait for the presser to start that the James S Brady Briefing Room, where it will be held, is notoriously not very roomy and thus entirely unsuited to social distancing. When full, the press practically sit in each other’s laps.
Before yesterday’s briefing members of the press had their temperatures taken and one was turned away. That was the briefing at which Donald Trump revealed that he had taken a coronavirus test, which was later reported to have been negative.
There have been a lot of reports about how often Trump and other officials including Dr Anthony Fauci, a top public health official, have touched their faces and shaken hands with each other during recent briefings. Here’s one.
Here’s some Guardian US coronavirus content to read up on as the briefing begins:
Cannabis smokers queued up outside Dutch “coffee shops” on Sunday after the government ordered their closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.Cannabis smokers queued up outside Dutch “coffee shops” on Sunday after the government ordered their closure due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Customers lined up in their dozens as they tried to beat a 6pm deadline for the closure of the marijuana cafes and stockpile supplies for what could be weeks of lockdown.Customers lined up in their dozens as they tried to beat a 6pm deadline for the closure of the marijuana cafes and stockpile supplies for what could be weeks of lockdown.
“For maybe for the next two months we’re not able to get some weed so it should be nice to at least have some in the house,” Jonathan, a Dutch buyer, said outside The Point coffee shop in The Hague.“For maybe for the next two months we’re not able to get some weed so it should be nice to at least have some in the house,” Jonathan, a Dutch buyer, said outside The Point coffee shop in The Hague.
The queues built up minutes after the Dutch health and education ministers gave a televised press conference announcing the closure of many businesses, along with all Dutch schools.The queues built up minutes after the Dutch health and education ministers gave a televised press conference announcing the closure of many businesses, along with all Dutch schools.
British horse racing is likely to go behind closed doors from next week, initially until the end of March but potentially for much longer, following a recommendation of the industry’s Covid-19 working party which will be considered on Monday by racing’s senior executives.British horse racing is likely to go behind closed doors from next week, initially until the end of March but potentially for much longer, following a recommendation of the industry’s Covid-19 working party which will be considered on Monday by racing’s senior executives.
For the full story click here.For the full story click here.
Illinois has joined Ohio in ordering all bars and restaurants to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, CNN has reported.Illinois has joined Ohio in ordering all bars and restaurants to close due to the coronavirus outbreak, CNN has reported.
A British athlete has told the Guardian the International Olympic Committee must act decisively by postponing the Tokyo 2020 Games because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.A British athlete has told the Guardian the International Olympic Committee must act decisively by postponing the Tokyo 2020 Games because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guy Learmonth, who captained the GB team at the European Indoor Championships last year and is hoping to be picked in the 800m, has become the first British athlete to warn the risks of going to Tokyo in July are not worth it in the current climate.Guy Learmonth, who captained the GB team at the European Indoor Championships last year and is hoping to be picked in the 800m, has become the first British athlete to warn the risks of going to Tokyo in July are not worth it in the current climate.
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
In the US, Ohio governor Mike DeWine announced on Twitter that all bars and restaurants will close in the state from 9pm on Sunday.In the US, Ohio governor Mike DeWine announced on Twitter that all bars and restaurants will close in the state from 9pm on Sunday.
The decision comes amid growing pressure for state and city governments to act as the number of coronavirus infections in the US rises. As of Sunday afternoon there were more than 3,000 cases in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Washington, DC.The decision comes amid growing pressure for state and city governments to act as the number of coronavirus infections in the US rises. As of Sunday afternoon there were more than 3,000 cases in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and Washington, DC.
Boris Johnson has discussed the coronavirus pandemic with Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.Boris Johnson has discussed the coronavirus pandemic with Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“The prime minister spoke to Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman this afternoon about the coronavirus pandemic,” Downing Street said.“The prime minister spoke to Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman this afternoon about the coronavirus pandemic,” Downing Street said.
“The prime minister updated the crown prince on the steps the UK is taking, driven by scientific advice, to tackle the spread of the virus.“The prime minister updated the crown prince on the steps the UK is taking, driven by scientific advice, to tackle the spread of the virus.
“Both leaders agreed on the need for an internationally co-ordinated response to the outbreak, particularly on developing a vaccine and limiting the economic disruption caused by the pandemic.“Both leaders agreed on the need for an internationally co-ordinated response to the outbreak, particularly on developing a vaccine and limiting the economic disruption caused by the pandemic.
“They resolved to work closely on this, including through the G20 presidency which Saudi Arabia holds this year.”“They resolved to work closely on this, including through the G20 presidency which Saudi Arabia holds this year.”
In Australia, the University of Queensland has has announced it will halt all classes for a week, as the number of Covid-19 infections in the state rise.
Vice-chancellor Peter Høj announced that all coursework would pause at the Brisbane-based university – including in person and online lectures and classes. This comes after the government on Sunday warned against all non-essential static gatherings of 500 people or more.
The university has approximately 53,000 student and 2,800 full-time equivalent staff, and is a member of Australia’s “Group of Eight”, a body of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious universities.
Three students at UQ have so far tested positive for Covid-19.
Urban Outfitters announced on Sunday it was closing all of its stores globally until at least 28 March.
“The health and wellbeing of our community is always our number one priority, from our dedicated staff, partners and suppliers to you, our customer,” the fashion store said in a statement. “With this in mind, we have decided to close all our stores globally.”
Staff will continued to be paid, the company said.
Australian Associated Press is reporting that Woolworths, one of Australia’s two big supermarket chains, will open its doors only to the elderly and disabled for an hour on Tuesday morning. Woolworths will open its doors exclusively to the elderly and people with disabilities for a dedicated shopping hour, after panic buying due to the coronavirus stripped shelves of essentials items.
Most of its supermarkets across the nation will open to the vulnerable only from 7am to 8am, beginning on Tuesday.
Panic buying in recent weeks sparked by the spread of Covid-19 in Australia has seen supermarkets stripped of toilet paper, pasta and tinned and other dried goods.
“The move has been prompted by the unprecedented demand in supermarkets over the past week, which has seen many elderly and vulnerable people in the community missing out on vital items they may need when they shop,” Woolworths announced on Monday.
The managing director, Claire Peters, said despite the retailer’s attempts to quickly restock shelves, many elderly customers had continued to miss out.
“This temporary measure will give them, and those with a disability, the opportunity to shop before our stores officially open - helping them obtain the essential items they need most in a less crowded environment,” Peters said.
Access will be granted if the shopper has a relevant government issued concession card.All other shoppers will be granted access after 8am.
“Now - more than ever - we need to be kind to each other,” Peters said.
Six care home residents in Scotland have been diagnosed with coronavirus.
Highgate Care Home in North Lanarkshire said it had put in place “strict infection control measures” after it identified the positive cases of Covid-19.
Staff, residents and their families are being informed.
John Kirk, managing director of the care home, said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of our residents and colleagues is of paramount importance. As such, we are committed to doing everything we can to keep them safe.
“We are working closely with all the relevant bodies, including NHS Lanarkshire and Health Protection Scotland, as we implement our comprehensive contingency plan, which includes closing the home to all but absolutely essential visitors, and continuing to take steps to ensure the highest standards of hygiene and infection control.”
France’s Public Health Authority on Sunday reported there are 36 new deaths from coronavirus, taking the total to 127, and said there had been an increase of more than 1,000 cases.
The updated figure follows confirmation earlier on Sunday that the death toll had risen from 91 to 120.
The number of cases had risen to 5,423 cases, up from 4,449 on Saturday.
A number of schools in Scotland are closing from Monday due to coronavirus outbreaks.
Dunblane High School has closed to all pupils and staff after a pupil tested positive for Covid-19. Stirling Council said a deep clean of the school will take place immediately.
Isobel Mair School and Nursery in Newton Mearns and Murroes Primary School in Angus have also been closed after the emergence of coronavirus cases linked to their communities. Shetlands Islands Council previously said that some of its schools would be closed for the whole week for “operational and resilience reasons”.
Scotland has 153 confirmed cases of coronavirus, according to the latest figures. One person has died after testing positive.
Over in Spain police have been fining cyclists, and army specialists in protective suits have been spraying disinfectant in train stations.
It comes after the country imposed severe limits on public life and the coronavirus death toll more than doubled overnight.
Spaniards, house-bound by law since Saturday, emerged onto balconies and stood at windows on Sunday evening to whoop, cheer and beep horns to salute emergency services dealing with Europe’s second-worst outbreak after Italy.
The government’s official coronavirus death toll rose by 152 overnight to 288. The number infected rose by 2,000 new cases to 7,753.
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro took selfies with supporters and celebrated the thousands of protestors gathering in major cities on Sunday, just days after he had called for a suspension of the demonstrations due to the spreading coronavirus.
Bolsonaro appeared to shrug off the advice of medical experts suggesting he remain isolated after several members of his delegation to Florida recently tested positive for the virus.
Bolsonaro strode down the ramp of the presidential palace in a Brazilian football shirt and met a throng of his hardcore supporters at the front gate, where he bumped fists, grabbed cell phones to take pictures and leaned in for selfies with the crowd.
“Although I suggested (a postponement), I can’t order anything because this protest isn’t mine,” Bolsonaro said.
The White House on Sunday urged Americans against “hoarding” as thousands flocked to supermarkets to stock up on essentials, saying US supply chains were strong and leaders were working together to ensure food supplies are available.
President Donald Trump held a phone call with more than two dozen grocery store and supply chain executives from across the country, White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement.
“The president reminded the participants that this is an all-of-America approach and each of their stores and the stores they support can help Americans feel calm and safe when shelves are stocked with the items they need,” Deere said.
Luxembourg on Sunday followed its neighbours France and Belgium in closing bars and restaurants to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
Prime Minister Xavier Bettel said that, from midnight, bars and restaurants would be closed but grocery shops, pharmacies and other essential businesses could remain open.
He called on citizens to limit their movements to travelling to work, food shopping, medical appointments and visits to help the elderly.
The over-65s - who are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 - were urged to stay at home to reduce the risk of infection.
“They must cancel their activities and limit what is not essential,” Bettel said after an emergency meeting of his government.
Swimming pools, museums, sports centres, night clubs, libraries and cinemas are also to be closed to try to stop the transmission of the virus.
The tiny Grand Duchy has reported 77 cases of the virus and one death so far.