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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
(30 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.
The small central American country of Honduras is in a state of near total lockdown after the six coronavirus infections were discovered in the country, Reuters reports.
The Honduran government has sent public and private sector workers home, temporarily called off flights, and suspended public transport to halt the spread of the virus.
The measures will be in effect for seven days, the government said, bolstering a drive by a number of Central American countries to stop coronavirus.
Exceptions to the public sector suspensions include people working in healthcare, emergency services, security and national defence, customs, migration, ports and airports.
In the private sector, banks, hospitals, pharmaceutical firms, gas stations, freight operators and a few other sectors will continue to operate, the government said.
Boris Johnson, the UK prime minister, is to address the nation on the coronavirus threat again today, amid widespread criticism of the measures so far taken by his government to tackle the outbreak.
The last time Johnson spoke directly to Britons he told us all that many of our loved ones would die, before promptly disappearing from sight over the weekend. Government plans have since been drip fed to the public through media articles, some official, some unattributed, many contradictory.
However, as my colleague Andrew Sparrow reported last night, on Monday afternoon Johnson will hold the first of what are intended to be daily ministerial press conferences on the crisis.
On Monday afternoon he will also chair another Cobra meeting, where ministers will discuss measures that would dramatically escalate the steps being taken by the UK to tackle the virus.
Hello this is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog now from London. As usual I’ll be publishing all the latest updates on the developing pandemic, of which Europe is now the centre, from the Guardian’s network of correspondents, as well as aggregating the most important news from the wires and from social media.
As usual, of course, I’ll be relying on you, the readers, to send in any information about what is happening in your part of the world, as well as any tips or suggestions for coverage you might have. You can reach me at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle. I can’t guarantee a reply to every message but I’ll do my best to look through everything I’m sent.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. I’ll now be handing over to my colleague Damien Gayle.
Just a quick note before I go:
As we continue to report on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, we’re looking for stories of how this unprecedented crisis has affected couples, families, friends and communities.
If you’ve been separated from a loved one by lockdowns, have had to cancel your wedding or miss an important family event, we’d like to hear from you. We’re always interested in hearing what you may have done in response, too, or how you and your loved ones (and neighbours) are supporting each other in these trying times.
Please do include photographs if you can and are happy for us to use them.
Send me a message on Twitter @helenrsullivan, tag me in a tweet of your own (if you’re happy for us to include it in the blog), or email me: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
The Malaysian government is under pressure to impose tougher restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus after a major spike in cases was reported on Sunday, when 190 new infections were confirmed.The Malaysian government is under pressure to impose tougher restrictions to stop the spread of the coronavirus after a major spike in cases was reported on Sunday, when 190 new infections were confirmed.
The majority of the new cases were linked to a gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur that was attended by 16,000 people, including around 1,500 people from neighbouring countries. Brunei and Singapore have also identified cases linked to the event.The majority of the new cases were linked to a gathering at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur that was attended by 16,000 people, including around 1,500 people from neighbouring countries. Brunei and Singapore have also identified cases linked to the event.
The Malaysian government is racing to identify attendees but some experts say officials must adopt a stronger approach. Lee Boon Chye, the country’s former deputy health minister, said in a statement that “the number of cases and contacts is enormous and it is unlikely MOH (Ministry of Health) is able to track and isolate all”.The Malaysian government is racing to identify attendees but some experts say officials must adopt a stronger approach. Lee Boon Chye, the country’s former deputy health minister, said in a statement that “the number of cases and contacts is enormous and it is unlikely MOH (Ministry of Health) is able to track and isolate all”.
Containment is no longer possible, he said.Containment is no longer possible, he said.
There is also growing concern about a Hindu gathering that attracted 30,000 people in Penang state on 8 March.There is also growing concern about a Hindu gathering that attracted 30,000 people in Penang state on 8 March.
Malaysian MP Charles Santiago said in a statement that the government must act before it is too late:Malaysian MP Charles Santiago said in a statement that the government must act before it is too late:
Lee recommended a ban on gatherings for one month including the suspension of “all activities including religious, social, sports activities. School, college, university, kindergarten”.Lee recommended a ban on gatherings for one month including the suspension of “all activities including religious, social, sports activities. School, college, university, kindergarten”.
China has suffered even deeper economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic than predicted, with figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday showing factory production inside the country dropped at the fastest pace seen in three decades.China has suffered even deeper economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic than predicted, with figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday showing factory production inside the country dropped at the fastest pace seen in three decades.
Financial analysts have said the economic impact of the pandemic may have cut China’s growth in half during the first quarter.Financial analysts have said the economic impact of the pandemic may have cut China’s growth in half during the first quarter.
Industrial output fell 13.5% in January-February, compared with 2019, which ING economist Iris Pang told AFP was the first contraction since January 1990, when industrial production shrank 21.1%.Industrial output fell 13.5% in January-February, compared with 2019, which ING economist Iris Pang told AFP was the first contraction since January 1990, when industrial production shrank 21.1%.
Year-on-year, fixed asset investment fell 24.5%, private sector investment fell 26.4%, and retail sales shrank 20.5%.Year-on-year, fixed asset investment fell 24.5%, private sector investment fell 26.4%, and retail sales shrank 20.5%.
“Judging by the data, the shock to China’s economic activity from the coronavirus epidemic is greater than the global financial crisis,” Zhang Yi, chief economist at Zhonghai Shengrong Capital Management told Reuters.“Judging by the data, the shock to China’s economic activity from the coronavirus epidemic is greater than the global financial crisis,” Zhang Yi, chief economist at Zhonghai Shengrong Capital Management told Reuters.
Today’s Coronavirus latest: at a glanceToday’s Coronavirus latest: at a glance
In the UK, here is the Guardian’s front page for the UK on Monday, 17 March 2020:In the UK, here is the Guardian’s front page for the UK on Monday, 17 March 2020:
The Financial Times:The Financial Times:
The Independent leads with the headline “No.10 bows to pressure for daily TV briefings,” as Boris Johnson announced that he will hold daily ministerial press conferences on the crisis in an attempt to shore up public confidence in the government’s handling of the pandemic.The Independent leads with the headline “No.10 bows to pressure for daily TV briefings,” as Boris Johnson announced that he will hold daily ministerial press conferences on the crisis in an attempt to shore up public confidence in the government’s handling of the pandemic.
The Telegraph focuses on the penalties Britons could face for refusing quarantine:The Telegraph focuses on the penalties Britons could face for refusing quarantine:
The Times looks at what the banks are doing to save the global economy:The Times looks at what the banks are doing to save the global economy:
As the Daily Mail sounds the call to “pull together for our elderly, Britain!”As the Daily Mail sounds the call to “pull together for our elderly, Britain!”
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.“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.
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.
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.
“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.
“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.
“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.
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.
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
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.
“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.
Public sector employees in WA will also get access to 20 days of sick leave if they need to stay home.