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Coronavirus latest updates: US slashes interest rates as states go into lockdown Coronavirus latest updates: US slashes interest rates as states 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
New Zealand’s education ministry is asking principals to consider how they will teach students online if schools are forced to close due to the virus.
In a memo to head teachers, the ministry said officials would call every school on Monday and Tuesday to find out what support teachers would need to enact online learning, according to Radio New Zealand.
The ministry will ask principals about students’ access to devices and the internet at home, RNZ said. There has not yet been any suggestion from either the ministry or New Zealand’s government that school closures are expected or inevitable at this stage. The country has eight cases of Covid-19.
In the US, Massachusetts has become the latest state in the US to close its schooling system in a bid to mitigate the spread of Covid-19.
The state’s governor Charlie Baker has just announced that public and private schools will be closed from Tuesday until 6 April. Baker also announced that the state has banned gatherings of 25 people or more. “With the steps we are taking today, we can ensure residents can still access key state services while taking necessary precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19,” he said. The news comes just hours after South Carolina took similar measures to close it public schools until the end of March, and California announced it would enforce closure of bars and nightclubs, as well as limiting the capacity of restaurants. New York City also announced today that public schools will close. 24 states have now announced some form of school closure in the wake of the crisis.
A clinical trial evaluating a vaccine designed to protect against the new coronavirus will begin Monday, according to a US government official.The first participant in the trial will receive the experimental vaccine on Monday, the official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the trial has not been publicly announced yet.
The National Institutes of Health is funding the trial, which is taking place at a Kaiser Permanente research facility in Washington state, the official said.
Biden and Sanders emphasise threat of coronavirus as Trump downplays
As the next Democratic debate is about to begin, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders have sought to underscore the seriousness of the coronavirus pandemic, while Trump consistently downplayed the health threat.
Earlier this evening, at a White House press conference, Trump said the government has “tremendous control” over the virus. In contrast, Dr Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said moments later that the worst of the crisis was still yet to come in the US.
In contrast, Joe Biden delivered a speech Thursday afternoon saying Americans need to take serious steps and listen to medical experts to help combat the virus.
“We lead by science,” Biden said. “Downplaying it, being overly dismissive, or spreading misinformation is only going to hurt us and further advantage the spread of the disease.”
Bernie Sanders said in a Friday speech that the crisis demonstrated the need for the Medicare for all healthcare system he has championed, arguing the policy could save lives during the pandemic.
“We cannot live in a nation where if you have the money you get the treatment you need to survive, but if you’re working-class or poor, you get to the end of the line,” Sanders said.
“In my view, the most cost effective way to reform our dysfunctional and cruel system is to move to a Medicare for all, single-payer healthcare system. ... And I think in the midst of this crisis, more and more Americans understand the truth of that.”
In more football news, in Australia football will continue despite fears over the spread of the coronavirus, but the remainder of the A-League season and next weekend’s W-League grand final will be played behind closed doors.
FFA announced on Monday that fans will not be able to attend the remaining six rounds of the men’s competition and the women’s title decider between Melbourne City and Sydney FC.
“This is an unprecedented time and extremely complex for the sport and society at large,” FFA CEO James Johnson said.
Here is how the football world is coping with coronavirus – with the help of home workouts, soap and face masks:
In another sign of the turmoil in the travel industry, Hanover-based holiday firm TUI Group announced last night it was temporarily suspending the “vast majority of all travel operations until further notice”.
This includes TUI’s package holidays, cruises and hotel operations. “This temporary suspension is aimed at contributing to global governmental efforts to mitigate the effects of the spread of the Covid-19,” said TUI, which also plans to apply for ‘state aid guarantees’ to support its business.
The US Federal Reserve announced it is cutting its benchmark interest rate to near zero and said it would buy US$700bn in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities as it attempts to head off a severe slowdown.
New York City will close the largest public school system in the US on Monday, sending more than 1.1 million children home in hopes of curbing the spread of coronavirus, the city’s mayor announced on Sunday, calling it a “very troubling moment”.
UK over-70’s will be asked to self-isolate for up to four months, in order to protect them from the virus, he told Sky’s Sophy Ridge on Sunday.
UK health secretary Matt Hancock said Britain has not ruled out following other countries and closing restaurants, bars and other shops to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
British police will have powers to arrest Covid-19 patients not self-isolating, the health secretary has confirmed.
Boris Johnson plans to hold daily ministerial press conferences on the crisis, in an attempt to shore up public confidence in the government’s handling of the pandemic.
Iran recorded the highest number of deaths in a single day from coronavirus on Saturday, with 113 new deaths in the past 24 hours, meaning the country’s death toll from the coronavirus has reached 724. There are 13,938 people infected across the country.
Spain reports deaths have jumped in a day to 288. The number of deaths in Spain from the coronavirus have more than doubled in a day, to 288, with the number of infections near 8,000.
People in Norway have been ordered to leave their countryside cabins and return to their homes, due to fears rural hospitals could be overwhelmed, according to Norwegian media.
Nike is set to close all of its stores in the United States and several other countries to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The US embassy and the British Foreign Office are advising their non-resident citizens to leave Argentina quickly while flights are still open.
The death toll in Italy increased by 25% to 1,809 from 1,441 on Sunday – a rise of 368. The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 24,747 from 21,157 on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tested negative for coronavirus, his office said in a statement on Sunday.
Louis Vuitton owner LVMH has said its cosmetics unit would manufacture large quantities of hand disinfectant gel to help stave off a nationwide shortage across France as the coronavirus continues to spread.
South Africa has declared a national disaster and introduced a series of drastic measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Luxembourg on Sunday followed its neighbours France and Belgium in closing bars and restaurants to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
California governor Gavin Newsom has directed the closure of all bars, wineries, nightclubs and brewpubs in the state and called for all seniors age 65 years or older to stay in home isolation to curb the spread of coronavirus.
The US now has more than 2,900 cases in 49 states, Vice-President Mike Pence said in a press briefing on Sunday evening.
Lawyers acting for the mother of a child who has asthma and attends a primary school in County Armagh are planning to launch a judicial review of the Stormont government’s decision not to close schools in Northern Ireland.
Goldman Sachs has downgraded its US growth forecast for the first and second quarters in the wake of the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
In a note sent on Sunday, the US bank said it now sees real gross domestic product growth of 0% in the first three months of the year, from its original estimate of 0.7% expansion. For the second quarter, it sees US growth contracting to -5.0% from its initial forecast of 0%. Goldman raised its third-quarter US GDP estimate to 3% from 1% originally. “We expect US economic activity to contract sharply in the remainder of March and throughout April as virus fears lead consumers and businesses to continue to cut back on spending such as travel, entertainment, and restaurant meals,” Goldman said in its latest research note.
Apart from the impact on consumer spending, Goldman said it also revised its growth forecasts as significant supply chain disruptions have grown.
Fed chair Jerome Powell has wrapped up his Sunday night press conference after the central bank’s surprise announcement of another rate cut. The early reviews are ominous.
Interest rates are already close to zero so the latest cuts may not make a huge difference.
“There is room for us to do what we need to do,” Powell said.
But Dow futures - an indication of which way the markets may go tomorrow - are down.
Michael Antonelli, market strategist at RW Baird, doesn’t think stock markets will rally until there is better news on containment of Covid-19.
Stage editor Chris Wiegand has the latest from the theatre world:Stage editor Chris Wiegand has the latest from the theatre world:
The Old Vic, Arcola, Turbine and Bunker theatres in London are among the first UK theatres to suspend productions due to coronavirus.The Old Vic, Arcola, Turbine and Bunker theatres in London are among the first UK theatres to suspend productions due to coronavirus.
The Old Vic has suspended the last two weeks of its run of Endgame, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming. In a tweet on Sunday night, the theatre said they had “no reason to disagree with current scientific and government advice on coping with coronavirus” but explained that “it is becoming increasingly impractical to sustain business as usual”. All other upcoming Old Vic productions, including 4000 Miles starring Timothée Chalamet, remain scheduled to go ahead.The Old Vic has suspended the last two weeks of its run of Endgame, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Alan Cumming. In a tweet on Sunday night, the theatre said they had “no reason to disagree with current scientific and government advice on coping with coronavirus” but explained that “it is becoming increasingly impractical to sustain business as usual”. All other upcoming Old Vic productions, including 4000 Miles starring Timothée Chalamet, remain scheduled to go ahead.
The Arcola in east London announced that it is suspending all public performances until further notice and said the impact of COVID-19 is a critical threat “to the livelihoods of all those who work in the arts”. On Twitter, the theatre announced “we do not believe that it is practical or responsible for us to stage shows while people’s lives are at risk”. The Arcola explained that the majority of its income comes from theatregoers and called for donations to ensure that it “stays thriving, long after this crisis is past”. The Arcola in east London announced that it is suspending all public performances until further notice and said the impact of Covid-19 is a critical threat “to the livelihoods of all those who work in the arts”. On Twitter, the theatre announced “we do not believe that it is practical or responsible for us to stage shows while people’s lives are at risk”. The Arcola explained that the majority of its income comes from theatregoers and called for donations to ensure that it “stays thriving, long after this crisis is past”.
The Turbine theatre, which opened at Battersea Power Station last summer, has cancelled all performances until 18 April. The Bunker, which is housed in a former underground car park in London Bridge, has cancelled a week of performances which featured almost 100 artists and was due to start on Monday. “This is not a decision taken lightly,” they said. “We have spent months organising this week; at the last count we had 94 people involved in our week and to have to cancel the day before we begin is soul destroying. But we have to put our artists’ safety first.”The Turbine theatre, which opened at Battersea Power Station last summer, has cancelled all performances until 18 April. The Bunker, which is housed in a former underground car park in London Bridge, has cancelled a week of performances which featured almost 100 artists and was due to start on Monday. “This is not a decision taken lightly,” they said. “We have spent months organising this week; at the last count we had 94 people involved in our week and to have to cancel the day before we begin is soul destroying. But we have to put our artists’ safety first.”
On Saturday, the Young Vic cancelled two performances of Nora: A Doll’s House due to a member of the company self-isolating as a precaution. The Young Vic said it would make a further announcement about the show on Monday morning.On Saturday, the Young Vic cancelled two performances of Nora: A Doll’s House due to a member of the company self-isolating as a precaution. The Young Vic said it would make a further announcement about the show on Monday morning.
Major theatres in Ireland, France, Germany and Italy – as well as New York’s Broadway – have been closed since last week.Major theatres in Ireland, France, Germany and Italy – as well as New York’s Broadway – have been closed since last week.
Reporter Joe Parkin Daniels has this from Bogota, Colombia:Reporter Joe Parkin Daniels has this from Bogota, Colombia:
Venezuela has announced a “collective quarantine”, after cases of Covid-19 in the troubled South American nation jumped to 17 on Sunday evening.Venezuela has announced a “collective quarantine”, after cases of Covid-19 in the troubled South American nation jumped to 17 on Sunday evening.
“There is no other option,” president Nicolas Maduro said in a televised statement. “We either go into quarantine or the pandemic could brutally and tragically bring down our country.”“There is no other option,” president Nicolas Maduro said in a televised statement. “We either go into quarantine or the pandemic could brutally and tragically bring down our country.”
Maduro ordered the quarantine in six states and the capital Caracas, though said that transport, health and food delivery would continue.Maduro ordered the quarantine in six states and the capital Caracas, though said that transport, health and food delivery would continue.
Venezuela - which boasts the largest proven oil reserves on the planet - is already mired in social and economic turmoil, with shortages in basic goods and medical supplies widespread and runaway hyperinflation.Venezuela - which boasts the largest proven oil reserves on the planet - is already mired in social and economic turmoil, with shortages in basic goods and medical supplies widespread and runaway hyperinflation.
Public health experts warn that the country is far from ready to handle any outbreak amid an already collapsing health system.Public health experts warn that the country is far from ready to handle any outbreak amid an already collapsing health system.
Colombia, which neighbours Venezuela to the west, closed its border on Saturday, worried that the former could become the epicentre of an outbreak in South America.Colombia, which neighbours Venezuela to the west, closed its border on Saturday, worried that the former could become the epicentre of an outbreak in South America.
Colombia, which has 34 cases of Covid-19, has also announced strict measures. On Sunday evening president Ivan Duque announced that schools would be closed from Monday on, adding to a ban on foreign visitors announced earlier on Sunday.Colombia, which has 34 cases of Covid-19, has also announced strict measures. On Sunday evening president Ivan Duque announced that schools would be closed from Monday on, adding to a ban on foreign visitors announced earlier on Sunday.
London’s French Lycée and its satellite schools have decided to close from Monday following concerns from parents.London’s French Lycée and its satellite schools have decided to close from Monday following concerns from parents.
The decision affects over 4,000 children in South Kensington and other locations.The decision affects over 4,000 children in South Kensington and other locations.
In a statement, the school said: “This is a difficult decision. Rest assured that we will monitor its impact on each family and remain at your disposal to answer questions and support you.”In a statement, the school said: “This is a difficult decision. Rest assured that we will monitor its impact on each family and remain at your disposal to answer questions and support you.”
Serbia has introduced a state of emergency to halt the spread of coronavirus, president Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday after meeting top government and health officials in Belgrade.Serbia has introduced a state of emergency to halt the spread of coronavirus, president Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday after meeting top government and health officials in Belgrade.
Vucic said he was acting in line with legal provisions that allow him to declare a state of emergency in the absence of a sitting parliament, which was disbanded ahead of April 26 general elections.Vucic said he was acting in line with legal provisions that allow him to declare a state of emergency in the absence of a sitting parliament, which was disbanded ahead of April 26 general elections.
“From this very moment we have a state of emergency,” Vucic said in a televised address, adding that the government will formulate the “harshest measures” soon.“From this very moment we have a state of emergency,” Vucic said in a televised address, adding that the government will formulate the “harshest measures” soon.
He said that the fight “against an invisible adversary” will be aimed at the protection of the elderly, who are particularly at risk from the outbreak.He said that the fight “against an invisible adversary” will be aimed at the protection of the elderly, who are particularly at risk from the outbreak.
Vucic said kindergartens, schools and universities will be closed until the end of the semester.Vucic said kindergartens, schools and universities will be closed until the end of the semester.
Health authorities in the Balkan country have so far reported 46 cases of infection and tested 283 people. There have been no fatalities, but two patients are in a serious condition.Health authorities in the Balkan country have so far reported 46 cases of infection and tested 283 people. There have been no fatalities, but two patients are in a serious condition.
Vucic warned that from Monday the military will be guarding hospitals, while police will be monitoring those quarantined or in self-isolation for 14 or 28 days. Those who violate quarantine may face jail terms of up to three years, he said.Vucic warned that from Monday the military will be guarding hospitals, while police will be monitoring those quarantined or in self-isolation for 14 or 28 days. Those who violate quarantine may face jail terms of up to three years, he said.
The Czech Republic tightened restrictions on Sunday to combat the new coronavirus outbreak, banning people from moving around except for work, essential shopping and other necessary activities until 24 March.The Czech Republic tightened restrictions on Sunday to combat the new coronavirus outbreak, banning people from moving around except for work, essential shopping and other necessary activities until 24 March.
Prime Minister Andrej Babis said the new measures would take effect from midnight, adding the government recommended that those who can work from home or take holidays.Prime Minister Andrej Babis said the new measures would take effect from midnight, adding the government recommended that those who can work from home or take holidays.
The country of 10.7 million has confirmed 253 cases of the virus with no deaths reported so far.The country of 10.7 million has confirmed 253 cases of the virus with no deaths reported so far.
The restrictions come a day after the government closed most shops and restaurants for at least 10 days. Other measures include a ban on nearly all international travel from Monday, and closing schools.The restrictions come a day after the government closed most shops and restaurants for at least 10 days. Other measures include a ban on nearly all international travel from Monday, and closing schools.
The University of Nottingham will move all teaching online from 23 March in response to the coronavirus outbreak.The University of Nottingham will move all teaching online from 23 March in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The east Midlands university asked its students to remain calm and said:The east Midlands university asked its students to remain calm and said:
Reporter Patrick Greenfield has this from Costa Rica:Reporter Patrick Greenfield has this from Costa Rica:
The Costa Rican health ministry has announced that there are now 35 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Central American country.The Costa Rican health ministry has announced that there are now 35 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Central American country.
Of those cases, 30 are Costa Rican nationals and 5 are foreigners ranging from 10 to 87 years old. According to the update, 450 people have tested negative for the virus.Of those cases, 30 are Costa Rican nationals and 5 are foreigners ranging from 10 to 87 years old. According to the update, 450 people have tested negative for the virus.
The coronavirus epidemic in the UK will last until next spring and could lead to 7.9 million people being hospitalised, a secret Public Health England (PHE) briefing for senior NHS officials reveals.The coronavirus epidemic in the UK will last until next spring and could lead to 7.9 million people being hospitalised, a secret Public Health England (PHE) briefing for senior NHS officials reveals.
Boris Johnson will seek to shore up public confidence in the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday by holding the first of what are intended to be daily ministerial press conferences on the crisis.Boris Johnson will seek to shore up public confidence in the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday by holding the first of what are intended to be daily ministerial press conferences on the crisis.
Three cases of coronavirus have been confirmed on the Pacific island of Guam, the second territory in the region to have confirmed cases of the virus.
All three confirmed cases are currently in isolation. Preliminary investigation has indicated that all three had travel connections—two recently traveled to the Philippines and the third had a family member who recently returned from Japan.The Guam department of public health and social services was working to identify people who had been in close contact with the three people over the last 14 days.
Guam also declared a state of emergency, including a 14-day suspension of non-essential government operations, school closures, closure of senior citizen centres and self-isolation for people returning from travel.
The announcement follows the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in the Pacific region last week, when French Polynesia announced that a politician, Maina Sage, had been diagnosed with the virus.
Sage had recently travelled to Paris and had met with France’s culture minister, who has since been diagnosed with Covid-19.
Regional organisations and Pacific governments are preparing for more cases of Covid-19 in the islands region. Many citizens in small island developing states are fearful of the potential stress on medical services.
An epidemic of measles across the Pacific last year highlighted the potential for transmission of infectious diseases, adding to existing burdens on public health systems from non-communicable diseases.
The leader of one of England’s leading school chains has broken ranks and called for this summer’s A-levels and GCSE exams to be scraped until 2021, and for students to repeat the whole school year if necessary.
Hamid Patel of the Blackburn-based Star Academies trust says the UK government needs to immediately announce that exams are off the table:
Read the full story here.
In New Zealand border restrictions went into place at 1am on Monday morning, with all arrivals to the country - including New Zealand citizens, having to self-isolate.
Prime minister Jacinda Ardern said the government had enforcement powers for self-isolation which it would enact if anyone proved reluctant. Anyone arriving from the Pacific Islands is exempt from the restrictions.
Meanwhile the country’s national airline carrier Air New Zealand is slashing 85% of its international flights in the next few months, and has placed itself in a trading halt.
Around the country more than 8,000 people are in self-isolation, including three government MPs. Later this week restrictions on mass gatherings are expected to be announced, as well as a financial stimulus package in the billions.
Our legal affairs correspondent Owen Bowcott has this from Northern Ireland:
Lawyers acting for the mother of a child who has asthma and attends a primary school in County Armagh are planning to launch a judicial review of the Stormont government’s decision not to close schools in Northern Ireland.
Darragh Mackin, a solicitor at Phoenix Law, said that the girl suffers underlying health problems, including severe asthma and is at a greater risk of harm should she contract the coronavirus.
He added: “It is clear that the respective public bodies have each failed in their respective obligations to our client, and indeed all children, by continuing to require their attendance at school in circumstances in which they would be at an increased risk of contracting the condition.
There is no time for any further delay. The necessary policies and decisions all need to be taken in a manner that recognises the real and immediate risk.
“The wider international community has spoken. Their advice cannot and should not be ignored.
“It is a deplorable situation when a mother has to initiate urgent legal proceedings to ensure that her child, and indeed children across the jurisdiction, are afforded the necessary protections and safeguards required under law.”
Sam Gelder here. That’s all from Martin Pengelly reporting on the White House briefing, so I’m back and will be catching up with the latest from across the world.
The anchors are going straight to Trump’s claim at the top of the press conference that “we have tremendous control over” the virus – and then to Dr Anthony Fauci saying, later in the briefing, that “the worst is yet ahead of us” and the response the US manages will determine how bad that “worst” will be.
Along with reports of clampdowns on social life in California and school closures in New York, and the Fed’s decision to slash interest rates close to zero, expect plenty of coverage of the president’s apparent contradiction by his top public health expert.
Last question, a White House aide shouts. If it is the last question it is about economic efforts to combat damage from the outbreak and whether enough has been done.
Pence says the administration strongly supports the House legislation passed on Saturday and “no American worker should worry about missing a pay cheque if they’re feeling ill.” There are of course gaps and worries and competing corporate interests which will affect the extension of paid leave which the House bill provides.
On the economy as a whole, Pence says “we’re in just the first few innings of this effort” but vital industries will be supported. It’s vague – of course it is.
There will be a morning briefing on Monday, Pence says, and a health briefing in the afternoon, and he appeals for Americans to keep up hygiene best practices. He salutes the task force members too, of course.
And we’re out, with a few shouted questions following Pence out of the door.
Pence is back up, and asked about the testing process and the work with tech companies including Google and that vexed issue of the diagnostic website.
“At some point early in the week there will be a website that goes up,” Pence says, where people can fill out a questionnaire to see if they might have coronavirus.
Adm Brett Giroir, assistant health secretary, describes the aims of the website project and the testing.
There will be approximately 1.9m tests rolled out to laboratories this week, he says. There’s no precise timeline but it’s an “absolute priority”, he says.
“I’m not going to say that the lab testing issue is over,” he says, but the focus will now be how to get people actually tested.
Pence is asked about possible shortages of hospital beds and ventilators and how the White House is planning to stop Americans “dying” and “suffocating”. He says he’ll call on health secretary Alex Azar but pauses first to praise the public-private partnership again.
Here’s former labor secretary Robert Reich on that subject:
Azar starts by praising the people on the podium behind him, then says any pandemic “runs the risk of exceeding our healthcare capacity”. Which seems obvious. He goes on to outline stockpiling and procedural preparations without mentioning many actual numbers.
“We have tremendous supplies but we want to acquire more,” he says, adding that for national security purposes he will not disclose “concrete numbers” of things like, yes, ventilators. A recent Johns Hopkins study suggested the national stock of those was nowhere near enough to cope with what may be coming.
Now we’re on to social distancing – and whether a national lockdown might be on the way while the president tells Americans to “relax”.
Pence hails Trump’s “decisive leadership early on”, to do with travel restrictions on China and now Europe, the UK and Ireland. Of course he does.
He calls on Dr Fauci, who says he meant what he said on the shows this morning about the need for social distancing to be strictly enforced and followed. “Anything and everything we’ll consider.”
He is asked for examples.
No bars or restaurants? “Could be, could be.”
He wants the press to let the new guidelines come out tomorrow, then ask questions.