This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/16/coronavirus-live-updates-us-cdc-events-europe-lockdown-uk-deaths-australia-france-italy-spain-update-latest-news
The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Next version
Version 11 | Version 12 |
---|---|
Coronavirus live updates: global infections outstrip China cases as US ramps up response | Coronavirus live updates: global infections outstrip China cases as US ramps up response |
(32 minutes later) | |
New York closes schools; CDC advises against gatherings of more than 50 people, US Fed cuts interest rates to near zero; deaths jump in Europe. Follow the latest news. | New York closes schools; CDC advises against gatherings of more than 50 people, US Fed cuts interest rates to near zero; deaths jump in Europe. Follow the latest news. |
In UK news, the coronavirus could lead to 7.9 million people being hospitalised, a secret Public Health England (PHE) briefing for senior NHS officials has revealed. Health chiefs tackling the virus admitted that they expect Covid-19 to circulate for another 12 months. On Monday the PM, Boris Johnson, will start his daily press briefings on the outbreak. | |
We’ll be posting today’s British front pages shortly. | |
Abigail Disney, grand daughter of Walt Disney Co’s co-founder Roy Disney, slammed a Twitter post showing a huge crowd at Sunday night’s showing of ‘Happily Ever After’, a fireworks show in Florida’s Disney Magic Kingdom theme park, Reuters reports. “Are you fucking kidding me??” she said in a comment. | |
She was re-tweeting a post from WDW News Today saying “Current crowds at the Magic Kingdom for tonight’s showing of Happily Ever After... DisneyWorld” and with two pictures showing scores of people present. Abigail Disney’s tweet garnered over 10,000 likes and 2,000 retweets in under two hours. Many Twitter users criticised Disney over the WDW News Today tweet and said the parks should have been shut down because of the coronavirus epidemic. Reuters could not immediately verify if the pictures were from Sunday night. WDW News Today is not affiliated to the Walt Disney Co, according to a disclosure on its Twitter page. Disney did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. The company had announced last Thursday that it will be closing its theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Paris Resort, beginning at the close of business on Sunday, March 15, through the end of the month. The Magic Kingdom park is located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. | |
Hospitals in Nagoya city in Japan’s industrial heartland have more coronavirus patients than they can treat, forcing transfers to nearby areas and offering a glimpse of the challenges the outbreak poses for a country with a huge elderly population, Reuters reports. | |
Japan has closed schools and cancelled public events, which experts say has helped prevent an explosive spread of the virus. But because testing hasn’t been widespread, some medical experts say the extent of infection is understated, and a surge could yet happen. | |
“If the numbers rise further, we won’t be able to cope, so we will either have to ask nearby prefectures to help, or tell those with lighter symptoms to stay at home,” a prefecture official in Nagoya told Reuters. Confirmed coronavirus cases in Nagoya, the capital of Aichi prefecture, totalled 98 as of Sunday, the official said, far exceeding the city’s 27 beds at hospitals that meet conditions for patients with the highly contagious disease. Aichi, home to Toyota Motor Corp, is Japan’s second-hardest hit prefecture, with 121 confirmed coronavirus cases so far. It has a total of 161 beds capable of handling patients with such a disease. Of those, 105 were in use as of Sunday, the official said. | |
Thank you to everyone who has sent messages through to us today. Have any tips, good news or stories I may have missed? Send me a message on Twitter @helenrsullivan. | |
British unions representing gig workers have attacked “paltry” offers of sick pay for delivery couriers affected by coronavirus that could push them to keep working to stay financially afloat rather than self-isolate. | |
Here is our full story on the Australian sharemarket’s tumble today. | |
The ASX dove 9.7% on Monday, the biggest one-day fall in decades for the benchmark ASX200 index, wiping out nearly four years of gains. | |
About 30% of the value of Australian shares has been wiped out in less than a month due to coronavirus-inspired panic selling, with an index that hit a peak of 7162 on 20 February closing trade on Monday at 5002. | |
A market that is now trading at levels last seen in March 2016 was dragged down on Monday by collapsing entertainment, travel and education stocks, but every sector shared in the pain. | |
Monday’s fall is the biggest since at least 1987’s Black Monday stock market crash. | |
Australia’s doctors are warning that the country’s failure to stockpile a commonly-used chemical reagent needed for coronavirus testing is contributing to shortages in the midst of the current pandemic. | |
The Australian Medical Association has warned a common reagent that is critical in the testing of coronavirus is facing supply issues because of the huge demand on Australian laboratories due to Covid-19. | |
In Thailand, villagers scouring a dark cave in Ratchaburi for bat guano are undaunted by scientists’ suggestion that it could be behind a coronavirus that has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide, Reuters reports. | In Thailand, villagers scouring a dark cave in Ratchaburi for bat guano are undaunted by scientists’ suggestion that it could be behind a coronavirus that has infected more than 150,000 people worldwide, Reuters reports. |
The source of the virus remains a matter of debate after it emerged in China late last year, but some scientists believe it could have originated in bats before passing to humans, perhaps being transferred through another animal. They start work after dark, when millions of chittering bats stream out of the cave to hunt for food. Some of those who have been collecting for decades, earning less than $1 for each bucketload, say they have never had any health issues. Guano collection began generations ago, when the abbot then in charge of the temple asked villagers to help clean the cave. At $6 a bucket, the guano, rich in chemicals such as nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, brings in the bulk of the temple’s earnings from farmers keen to boost crops and improve the taste of fruit. | The source of the virus remains a matter of debate after it emerged in China late last year, but some scientists believe it could have originated in bats before passing to humans, perhaps being transferred through another animal. They start work after dark, when millions of chittering bats stream out of the cave to hunt for food. Some of those who have been collecting for decades, earning less than $1 for each bucketload, say they have never had any health issues. Guano collection began generations ago, when the abbot then in charge of the temple asked villagers to help clean the cave. At $6 a bucket, the guano, rich in chemicals such as nitrogen, phosphate and potassium, brings in the bulk of the temple’s earnings from farmers keen to boost crops and improve the taste of fruit. |
The Peace Corps is telling its volunteers around the world that it is suspending all operations globally and evacuating all volunteers in light of the spread of the new coronavirus, AP reports. | The Peace Corps is telling its volunteers around the world that it is suspending all operations globally and evacuating all volunteers in light of the spread of the new coronavirus, AP reports. |
In an open letter to volunteers posted Sunday on its website, the federal agency’s director, Jody Olsen, says the decision follows recent evacuations in China and Mongolia due to the outbreak. Olsen says that with evacuations now underway at other posts and travel becoming more challenging by the day, the agency decided to expand the suspension and evacuations. Olsen says the posts are not closing and that the agency looks forward to returning to normal operations when conditions permit.The letter says country directors would be providing more information to volunteers.The Peace Corps was established in 1961 during the Kennedy administration as a government-run volunteer program serving nations around the world. Its website says volunteers perform community work in more than 60 countries today and that more than 235,000 Americans have served in 141 countries since its inception. | In an open letter to volunteers posted Sunday on its website, the federal agency’s director, Jody Olsen, says the decision follows recent evacuations in China and Mongolia due to the outbreak. Olsen says that with evacuations now underway at other posts and travel becoming more challenging by the day, the agency decided to expand the suspension and evacuations. Olsen says the posts are not closing and that the agency looks forward to returning to normal operations when conditions permit.The letter says country directors would be providing more information to volunteers.The Peace Corps was established in 1961 during the Kennedy administration as a government-run volunteer program serving nations around the world. Its website says volunteers perform community work in more than 60 countries today and that more than 235,000 Americans have served in 141 countries since its inception. |
Now, an important addition to your social distancing toolkit: a dystopian reading list. | Now, an important addition to your social distancing toolkit: a dystopian reading list. |
“A good reading list for self-isolation requires several categories. You should read some of the brilliant pandemic novels that everyone is talking about, and some novels about being alone. You should also add some comfort reads, and poetry, and books about people being thoughtful and useful and kind,” writes the Guardian’s Lois Beckett. | “A good reading list for self-isolation requires several categories. You should read some of the brilliant pandemic novels that everyone is talking about, and some novels about being alone. You should also add some comfort reads, and poetry, and books about people being thoughtful and useful and kind,” writes the Guardian’s Lois Beckett. |
An Australian television network entertainment editor has tested positive for the new coronavirus after meeting Tom Hanks wife, Rita Wilson, in Sydney.Hanks and Wilson have been isolated in an Australian hospital since they were both diagnosed with Covid-19 on March 12.Nine Network entertainment editor Richard Wilkins said Monday that he was tested because he met Wilson at the Sydney Opera House on March 7 and again at Nines Sydney studio on March 9. The result came back positive on Sunday, AP reports. | An Australian television network entertainment editor has tested positive for the new coronavirus after meeting Tom Hanks wife, Rita Wilson, in Sydney.Hanks and Wilson have been isolated in an Australian hospital since they were both diagnosed with Covid-19 on March 12.Nine Network entertainment editor Richard Wilkins said Monday that he was tested because he met Wilson at the Sydney Opera House on March 7 and again at Nines Sydney studio on March 9. The result came back positive on Sunday, AP reports. |
“You could’ve knocked me over with a feather last night when I got that call. It took me a couple of minutes to reel from the news that they gave me. But I feel fine. I feel 100%,” Wilkins told Nine by Facetime from his Sydney home. | “You could’ve knocked me over with a feather last night when I got that call. It took me a couple of minutes to reel from the news that they gave me. But I feel fine. I feel 100%,” Wilkins told Nine by Facetime from his Sydney home. |
The 65-year-old journalist said he could only assume that he had been infected by Wilson, a singer and actor. | The 65-year-old journalist said he could only assume that he had been infected by Wilson, a singer and actor. |
“We’re assuming this is from Rita. It may not be. They’ve all said it could be anyone, anywhere, any time, such is the prevalence of this thing,” Wilkins said. Wilkins was one of 37 new case confirmed over 24 hours in New South Wales state, bringing the state total to 171 by Monday. The increase was the largest for Australia’s most populous state in a day. | “We’re assuming this is from Rita. It may not be. They’ve all said it could be anyone, anywhere, any time, such is the prevalence of this thing,” Wilkins said. Wilkins was one of 37 new case confirmed over 24 hours in New South Wales state, bringing the state total to 171 by Monday. The increase was the largest for Australia’s most populous state in a day. |
As countries across the world scramble to close their borders in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, several cruise ships, some laden with thousands of passengers, are stranded on the high seas seeking a port at which they can dock. | As countries across the world scramble to close their borders in response to the global Covid-19 pandemic, several cruise ships, some laden with thousands of passengers, are stranded on the high seas seeking a port at which they can dock. |
In Australia, more now on the measures in Western Australia’s AU$607m (US$375) stimulus package: | In Australia, more now on the measures in Western Australia’s AU$607m (US$375) stimulus package: |
A $402m freeze on household fees and charges until July 1, 2021 at least. That includes electricity, water, motor vehicle charges, emergency services levy and public transport fares. | A $402m freeze on household fees and charges until July 1, 2021 at least. That includes electricity, water, motor vehicle charges, emergency services levy and public transport fares. |
Energy assistance payment doubled from $300 to $600 for vulnerable Western Australians | Energy assistance payment doubled from $300 to $600 for vulnerable Western Australians |
$114m for help for small business, including a one-off grant of $17,500 | $114m for help for small business, including a one-off grant of $17,500 |
Businesses impacted can defer payroll tax payments until July 21 2020. | Businesses impacted can defer payroll tax payments until July 21 2020. |
“We are in uncharted territory and there’s no doubt our economy is going to feel the effects of COVID-19,” WA premier Mark McGowan said. | “We are in uncharted territory and there’s no doubt our economy is going to feel the effects of COVID-19,” WA premier Mark McGowan said. |
“For the first time in 16 years, household fees and charges will be frozen, providing relief and certainty to each and every Western Australian. | “For the first time in 16 years, household fees and charges will be frozen, providing relief and certainty to each and every Western Australian. |
“It’s this relief and certainty that can help give Western Australians the confidence to continue to spend and support our local economy during these times. | “It’s this relief and certainty that can help give Western Australians the confidence to continue to spend and support our local economy during these times. |
Public sector employees in WA will also get access to 20 days of sick leave if they need to stay home. | Public sector employees in WA will also get access to 20 days of sick leave if they need to stay home. |