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Coronavirus updates: global infections outstrip China cases as US ramps up response - live news Coronavirus updates: global infections outstrip China cases as US ramps up response - live news
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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.
Here is the latest from Andrew Roth, the Guardian’s Moscow correspondent, on developments in Russia.
Russia on Monday announced the closure of its border with Belarus, one of the country’s last open land borders, as the government rolled out a new series of measures to combat the further spread of coronavirus in the country.
A new government commission to coordinate Russia’s response to the virus announced a 300 billion ruble (£3.25 billion) plan that included some relief for those who would lose wages while under quarantine, according to the business daily Vedomosti.
So far, Russia has registered just 63 cases of coronavirus, and has not attributed any deaths to the disease. It isn’t clear whether that is due to low rates of testing or if early border closures helped prevent the disease’s spread. Many of the identified cases were carried by recent travelers to Italy, with the first in-country transmissions registered late last week.
Attendance at Moscow schools has been made non-compulsory and Moscow universities have been advised to move to remote learning schemes. Meanwhile, several major museums said they would temporarily close due to the epidemic.
Ukraine has said that it will close its borders entirely this week in order to prevent further transmissions of the disease. The country has registered just a handful of cases but has seen its first death from the disease, a 71-year-old woman who died last week.
An infectious diseases expert in Hong Kong has cautioned against aiming for “herd immunity” in response to the coronavirus pandemic, warning that the result could be that the medical system is “paralysed”, Helen Davidson reports.
Hong Kong University professor Yuen Kwok-yung, reportedly told local radio on Monday that the approach, suggested by the UK’s chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, was risky.
Yuen said some western countries had taken an “old-style approach” like they were taking children to a party with a child who had measles.
On Sunday Matt Hancock, the UK health secretary, denied herd immunity was government policy.
Hong Kong is among a handful of countries seen as having run a successful virus response. The region of about 7.5m people feared its close proximity and ties to mainland China would see the virus quickly spread. But border closures, testing and community measures were enacted relatively quickly, and it has confirmed fewer than 150 cases of the virus. Four people have died.
Concerns have now turned to people from other nations bringing it back in. During the past fortnight 26 of 46 new cases were all confirmed to be imported.
Yuen said he expected the number of infections in the US and Britain to increase in the next four to eight weeks, and urged any arrivals from those countries to go under home surveillance.
From Thursday anyone arriving from the UK, Ireland, and the US must self quarantine for 14 days. The requirement already applies to the Schengen nations in Europe, Egypt, Iran, mainland China, and parts of Japan and South Korea.
While the UK government is yet to call for widespread school closures in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak, French schools in London have decided to close their doors, French Morning London reports.
Parents were told of the decision, taken collectively by heads and under the direction of the cultural section of the French embassy, in an email sent around on Sunday night.
The French embassy tweeted a notice about it last night. Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, has provided this translation:
Kate Osborne, the Labour MP for Jarrow said she has been diagnosed with coronavirus following a period of self-isolation and subsequent testing.
Her diagnosis follows that of Nadine Dorries, the junior health minister, who had had a number of political engagements before developing symptoms and self-isolating.
Here is a fuller report of Shapps’s comments on UK breakfast television this morning, by Peter Walker, my colleague on the politics team.
Grant Shapps, the transport secretary, has used a morning broadcast round to insist the UK is not lagging behind other nations in measures to limit the spread of coronavirus and is following scientific advice rather “doing things that just sound good”.
He told Sky News:
Shapps said he would be at a meeting of the government’s Cobra emergency committee later on Monday, at which more measures could be decided:
The UK was arguably at a slightly different stage of the virus outbreak than some other countries in Europe, Shapps added, and should thus not always do things at the same time. He said:
On the troubles faced by airlines such as Easyjet, which announced more “significant cancellations” on Monday, Shapps said viable companies would be offered help, for example on deferring tax, to help them cope with the global disruption. He said:
The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has been on Sky News this morning talking about the “lots of different options” that the UK government has to help the aviation industry get through the crisis.The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has been on Sky News this morning talking about the “lots of different options” that the UK government has to help the aviation industry get through the crisis.
It comes after Virgin Atlantic boss called for a multibillion-pound bailout of the industry, which has been hammered by travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.It comes after Virgin Atlantic boss called for a multibillion-pound bailout of the industry, which has been hammered by travel restrictions aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Shapps said:Shapps said:
Asked if a bailout of airlines was on the table, Mr Shapps said:Asked if a bailout of airlines was on the table, Mr Shapps said:
On BBC Breakfast, Shapps described the spread of coronavirus as an “international crisis”.On BBC Breakfast, Shapps described the spread of coronavirus as an “international crisis”.
Shapps said the Government’s approach was driven by science and evidence.Shapps said the Government’s approach was driven by science and evidence.
He added:He added:
Jerome Salomon, France’s top health official, has said his country is struggling to curb the spread of coronavirus, after many Parisians ventured out in large numbers on Sunday despite official advice to stay at home.Jerome Salomon, France’s top health official, has said his country is struggling to curb the spread of coronavirus, after many Parisians ventured out in large numbers on Sunday despite official advice to stay at home.
He told France Inter radio:He told France Inter radio:
The number of deaths in France from the coronavirus increased by more than a third on Sunday to 127 and over 5,400 have been infected.The number of deaths in France from the coronavirus increased by more than a third on Sunday to 127 and over 5,400 have been infected.
Sources told Reuters on Sunday that France is preparing an order that would put its inhabitants under partial lockdown to combat the pandemic, a move that would tighten further restrictions on public life. nam)Sources told Reuters on Sunday that France is preparing an order that would put its inhabitants under partial lockdown to combat the pandemic, a move that would tighten further restrictions on public life. nam)
A online support network is being established for funeral directors in London, “in anticipation of a significant amount of pressure being placed on funeral services in the coming months.”A online support network is being established for funeral directors in London, “in anticipation of a significant amount of pressure being placed on funeral services in the coming months.”
The online network is the initiative of London-based “modern funeral service” Poetic Endings. Its founder, Louise Winter, said she and colleagues would use “remote working technology to come together to create a community to support each other in the months ahead and to provide a coordinated and highly efficient response.”The online network is the initiative of London-based “modern funeral service” Poetic Endings. Its founder, Louise Winter, said she and colleagues would use “remote working technology to come together to create a community to support each other in the months ahead and to provide a coordinated and highly efficient response.”
According to their webpage:According to their webpage:
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 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 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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: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.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.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.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.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.