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Coronavirus updates: New York, New Jersey and Connecticut in lockdown as global death toll passes 6,500 - live news Coronavirus updates: all non-essential foreign travel to EU set to be banned for 30 days – live news
(32 minutes later)
US measures ramped up; Spain takes over private healthcare providers; UK cases jump by more than 170 overnight. Follow the latest newsUS measures ramped up; Spain takes over private healthcare providers; UK cases jump by more than 170 overnight. Follow the latest news
Guardian reader Clare Finnigan noticed that Paperchase in London appears to be banning cash payments. A sign on the window of a store in Islington’s Upper Street said it is only accepting credit card payments to “protect our customers and colleagues”.
In the UK, routine inspections for hospitals, GP surgeries and care homes have been suspended so health and care workers can concentrate efforts on battling coronavirus.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) announced it has temporarily paused inspections of health and care organisations where there are no immediate safety concerns.
The move was welcomed by health leaders, some of whom had warned that inspections could divert attention away from clinical care.
Ian Trenholm, chief executive of the CQC, said:
The NHS Confederation said frontline staff will “breathe a sigh of relief” as the NHS faces “the greatest challenge in its history”. The British Medical Association (BMA) said the decision was “common sense”.
A major push to provide provide food supplies and mental health support to older Irish residents – Britain’s oldest ethnic group and the most likely to already feel isolated even before the impact of the coronavirus pandemic - is being launched in London.
The switching of existing services at the London Irish Centre to door to door deliveries coincided with the news that a food bank used by vulnerable people in the same part of the city is closing to minimise the risk of coronavirus infection“We had our last lunch club at the centre today for the many older people who come and there was a look of shock on their faces but the response from people wanting to get involved in what we’re going to be doing has been incredible,” said Brian Hanley, Director of Community Services at the centre.
Hanley, whose colleagues work with 2,400 vulnerable people a year to provide benefits advice service, lunch clubs and a befriending service, said that an analysis had shown the Irish in Britain were likely to be older than members of other communities, have long term health conditions and live alone.
“What we’re doing is making plans to redirect all of our resources and services for the community and target it at those most in need over the coming months. We’re talking about a generation who moved to Britain in the 1950s and played a major part in building up London’s infrastructure, the NHS and more but who have high levels of need now.”
The centre, which has cancelled St Patrick’s day events that were due to take place there, requires donations and volunteers. Its coronavirus effort ranges from food deliveries of home-cooked food through to telephone calls and advice from a qualified nurse.
It comes after there was shock today/Monday when Islington Food Bank announced it was closing to the public from march 23. “We understand that we provide a service to vulnerable people who may need us now more than ever, but still feel this is the best way to keep our volunteers and clients safe and minimise the risk of infection,” it said in a statement.
The EU is proposing suspending all non-essential travel for 30 days, the president of the EU commission has announced.
Italy’s top flight football league, Serie A, is considering splitting the current campaign over two seasons.
Northern Ireland has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 since Sunday taking its total to 52 cases, Stormont health minister Robin Swann said.Northern Ireland has recorded seven new cases of Covid-19 since Sunday taking its total to 52 cases, Stormont health minister Robin Swann said.
The health authorities have expanded their definition of cases of the virus.The health authorities have expanded their definition of cases of the virus.
Swann said 88 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were available and there were plans to expand that to 126 adult beds.Swann said 88 intensive care unit (ICU) beds were available and there were plans to expand that to 126 adult beds.
At least 36 people have now died in the UK after being diagnosed with coronavirus, after Wales confirmed its first death.At least 36 people have now died in the UK after being diagnosed with coronavirus, after Wales confirmed its first death.
The patient, who was in their sixties and had underlying health conditions, died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.The patient, who was in their sixties and had underlying health conditions, died at Wrexham Maelor Hospital.
Across the UK, 1,543 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday. However, many thousands more are estimated to have been infected.Across the UK, 1,543 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday. However, many thousands more are estimated to have been infected.
Over 200 British and American passengers are among 609 people on a cruise ship in isolation in Recife in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, Dom Phillips reports from Brazil.Over 200 British and American passengers are among 609 people on a cruise ship in isolation in Recife in the north-eastern Brazilian state of Pernambuco, Dom Phillips reports from Brazil.
Two passengers have been removed for coronavirus testing from the Silver Shadow - a Canadian male passenger, aged 78, tested positive and an Irish woman tested negative, local media reported.Two passengers have been removed for coronavirus testing from the Silver Shadow - a Canadian male passenger, aged 78, tested positive and an Irish woman tested negative, local media reported.
Sailing from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale after stopping in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, the Silver Shadow docked in Recife on March 12 and has been isolated there since the Canadian passenger left the ship, felt sick and was taken to a local private hospital.Sailing from Buenos Aires to Fort Lauderdale after stopping in Rio de Janeiro and Salvador, the Silver Shadow docked in Recife on March 12 and has been isolated there since the Canadian passenger left the ship, felt sick and was taken to a local private hospital.
According to a ship’s manifest seen by The Guardian, there are 109 British passengers – 62 female and 47 male – among the 318 passengers and eight British nationals among the 291 crew. There are also 103 US passengers.According to a ship’s manifest seen by The Guardian, there are 109 British passengers – 62 female and 47 male – among the 318 passengers and eight British nationals among the 291 crew. There are also 103 US passengers.
A spokeswoman for the ship’s owners Silversea, part of the Royal Caribbean group, said:A spokeswoman for the ship’s owners Silversea, part of the Royal Caribbean group, said:
Olimar Cardoso, Pernambuco director of Brazil’s sanitary vigilance agency, ANVISA, told reporters on Saturday that passengers are only allowed to circulate around the ship in small groups and meals are left outside their cabins. “It is a situation nobody likes to go through,” he said.Olimar Cardoso, Pernambuco director of Brazil’s sanitary vigilance agency, ANVISA, told reporters on Saturday that passengers are only allowed to circulate around the ship in small groups and meals are left outside their cabins. “It is a situation nobody likes to go through,” he said.
A spokesman for the British embassy said it is working closely with Royal Caribbean on “how best to get British nationals home.” The US Consulate in Recife said it is “in contact with Brazilian authorities regarding the well-being and safety of U.S. passengers”.A spokesman for the British embassy said it is working closely with Royal Caribbean on “how best to get British nationals home.” The US Consulate in Recife said it is “in contact with Brazilian authorities regarding the well-being and safety of U.S. passengers”.
A Pernambuco government spokesman said it has been meeting with health ministry, embassies and the navy to find a “safe way to return everyone to their countries.”A Pernambuco government spokesman said it has been meeting with health ministry, embassies and the navy to find a “safe way to return everyone to their countries.”
In Germany the federal government has announced the closure of a range of non-essential retail outlets in its latest bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.In Germany the federal government has announced the closure of a range of non-essential retail outlets in its latest bid to curb the spread of coronavirus.
There are hopes supermarket delivery services could ease tensions by getting supplies to those advised to self isolate and also avoid lots of people going to shops for their supplies, Vikram Dodd reports.There are hopes supermarket delivery services could ease tensions by getting supplies to those advised to self isolate and also avoid lots of people going to shops for their supplies, Vikram Dodd reports.
But on Monday morning they were buckling under the pressure.But on Monday morning they were buckling under the pressure.
Sainsburys had no delivery slots for the next three weeks, Ocado was closed to new customers and had introduced a “virtual queue” for existing customers and Waitrose was off line altogether.Sainsburys had no delivery slots for the next three weeks, Ocado was closed to new customers and had introduced a “virtual queue” for existing customers and Waitrose was off line altogether.
An estimated 140,000 people have been laid off in Ireland since emergency measures to combat coronavirus were introduced four days ago, according to national broadcaster RTE.An estimated 140,000 people have been laid off in Ireland since emergency measures to combat coronavirus were introduced four days ago, according to national broadcaster RTE.
This is a combination of 70,000 restaurant workers, 50,000 pub and bar staff, and around 20,000 crèche and childcare workers. it reported.This is a combination of 70,000 restaurant workers, 50,000 pub and bar staff, and around 20,000 crèche and childcare workers. it reported.
This is a huge shock to the economy and triple them monthly unemployment numbers in the 2010 crash and possibly gives a glimpse of the consequences to come if the UK’s follows EU countries and moves to close schools and introduce curfews on restaurants and bars.This is a huge shock to the economy and triple them monthly unemployment numbers in the 2010 crash and possibly gives a glimpse of the consequences to come if the UK’s follows EU countries and moves to close schools and introduce curfews on restaurants and bars.
The minister for social protection said they had 20,000 applications for benefits on Friday alone.The minister for social protection said they had 20,000 applications for benefits on Friday alone.
As the prime minister prepares for the first of what are to be daily briefings on the developing coronavirus situation in the UK, here’s the Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins on why he thinks that they may only make things worse.As the prime minister prepares for the first of what are to be daily briefings on the developing coronavirus situation in the UK, here’s the Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins on why he thinks that they may only make things worse.
Moscow has banned all public events with more than 50 participants in a new measure to stop the coronavirus that will also have a chilling effect on anti-Kremlin protests, Andrew Roth reports from Moscow.
The ban comes less than a week after Vladimir Putin endorsed amendments to Russia’s constitution that would allow him to run for a fifth and sixth terms as president, potentially prolonging his time in the Kremlin until 2036.
Dozens were arrested this weekend as Muscovites lined up to protest the move in individual pickets, the only protest actions allowed in Russia without prior approval from the government.
The government had already banned large events of more than 5,000 people.The Kremlin had scheduled a 22 April vote to endorse the constitutional amendments, but has signalled that it may be postpone it because of the spread of the virus.
The ban was announced on Monday as Moscow closed schools, sport academies and other educational institutions until 12 April.
Russia said that it has registered 93 cases of coronavirus, marking a jump of nearly 50% in the last 24 hours.
Humanitarian organisations are warning of the risk of “carnage” when the coronavirus reaches the millions of people currently living in cramped refugee camps and other sites hosting displaced people, Damian Carrington reports.
Syria, Yemen and Venezuela in particular danger, they say, with Iran, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Greece also at risk.
The lack of medical facilities at such sites and the poor health of the refugees means Covid-19 infection is likely to have a more serious health impact, according to UOSSM, which provides free medical aid to the people of Syria and runs 12 hospitals and 120 clinics.
Dr Hussam Al Fakir, chairman of UOSSM International, said:
The Syrian medical system already suffers from a shortage of masks, gloves, gowns, disinfectant and thermal scanners, Al Fakir said. and other medical supplies. He called on the international community to immediately provide supplies to prevent a further humanitarian catastrophe.
Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council, said:
Iran is already a coronavirus hotspot and a coronavirus case was reported last week on the Greek island of Lesbos, which hosts the overcrowded Moria refugee camp. Syria’s government says there have been no officially registered cases of the virus so far, nor has Yemen reported cases. But cases have been reported in the neighboring nations of Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Israel and Turkey.
The Norwegian Refugee Council, one of the major NGOs helping refugees worldwide, has warned that the coronavirus will decimate refugee communities if countries do not act now, Jon Henley reports.
Jan Egeland, the organisation’s secretary general, said:
Egeland,a former senior United Nations official for humanitarian affairs, said millions of conflict-affected people were living in cramped refugee and displacement sites with desperately poor hygiene and sanitation facilities.
He called for national contingency planning to include vulnerable communities inside countries’ borders and more flexibility from donors so that humanitarian organisations could scale up water, sanitation and hygiene facilities “and take other necessary actions to help avoid a catastrophe”. Coronavirus “doesn’t discriminate or play politics”, Egeland said.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo has announced wide-reaching measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in the north-east United States.
Iceland has tested a higher proportion of citizens than any other country, the government announced on Monday, saying its findings yielded “valuable insights” into the behaviour of the coronavirus, Jon Henley, the Guardian’s Europe correspondent, reports.
With a population of just over 364,000, Iceland has tested 2,868 people, most of them without symptoms of infection – a rate of 7,879 per million inhabitants, compared with 5,077 per million in South Korea and 2,065 in Italy.
It has so far confirmed a total of 180 cases and no deaths.
The government said the testing, performed by a private company, deCode Genetics, and the public healthcare system, “give a strong indication that efforts to limit the spread of the virus have been effective”.
Iceland’s containment measures have so far focused on testing, contact tracing of infections, social distancing, public education around the importance of hand hygiene, voluntary self-quarantine and strict measures at care institutions.
Of the country’s diagnosed cases, it said at least 100 of those infected contracted the virus while travelling abroad, mostly in high-risk areas in the European Alps, while 31 cases were traced to direct transmission from individuals who became infected outside Iceland.
Thorolfur Gudnason, Iceland’s chief epidemiologist, said about half of the cases that had been diagnosed are from individuals who had been quarantined.
A spike in the number of Covid-19 cases in recent days has prompted closures across Canada, including schools, business-and even the courts, Leyland Cecco reports from Toronto. The country has recorded at least 314 cases, up from 193 on 13 March.
As the number of infections increased over the weekend, driven in large part by community transmission, the province of Alberta chose to shut down all public schools, joining a number of other provinces.
But in a move underscoring the level of concern, the province left open the possibility of keeping schools closed for the remainder of the school year. The province’s chief medical officer of health, Dr Deena Hinshaw, said:
On Sunday evening, Ontario’s court system announced all proceedings in criminal and civil courts would be adjourned until June at the earliest. The courts did make an exception for “urgent matters”, saying those cases would be heard.
The province’s superior court of justice said on its website:
Federal prisons have banned in-person visits with inmates, allowing only video and telephone conversations.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau is expected to address the nation at 1pm EST.
Amid the panic buying sweeping UK supermarkets, some people are trying to make a massive profit by selling toilet roll and hand sanitiser online, Josh Halliday, the Guardian’s north of England correspondent, reports.The Guardian found one UK-based eBay user selling a 72-pack of Andrex toilet roll for £84.99 on Monday morning – triple its retail price.The same user, who appears to be based in the Midlands, appears to have bulk bought dozens of cleaning products and uploaded them all to eBay at huge mark-ups since Saturday night.
They include a 48 pack of Andrex loo roll for £59.99 - triple its retail price of £18 - and Wilko anti-bacterial wipes for £10.95, nearly ten times the retail price of £1. This seller and eBay have been contacted for comment.There appears to be no shortage of people willing to pay such extortionate prices: an auction for a 72-pack of Andrex toilet roll had reached £51 on eBay by Monday morning - nearly double its retail price of £27 – with over five hours of bidding still to go.
Other sellers were also getting in on the profiteering. One seller had flogged dozens of Regina 9-pack toilet rolls (RRP £2.49) for up to £12.99 since Saturday night. Another had sold 18 packs of Andrex for £8.50 –more than triple its retail price of £2.50.
Coronavirus has even reached Greenland. The island which largely falls inside the Arctic Circle and has a population of 56,000, reported its first case in the capital Nuuk.
The patient has been placed in isolation, according to an announcement by the Greenland government. Credit for the tip goes to Anders Madsen, a Nuuk nurse and Guardian subscriber.
The family of a talented 88-year-old church choir singer who died after catching coronavirus have appealed for acts of kindness to be carried out in his memory, my colleague Simon Murphy reports.
Darrell Blakeley, who died on Friday evening at a Manchester hospital, is thought to have been infected following contact at a restaurant with someone who had recently returned from a skiing trip to Italy.
The pensioner, among 35 coronavirus deaths in the UK, fell ill with sepsis following the meeting earlier this month and was placed in quarantine because of his contact with the skier – however, he initially tested negative for Covid-19.
There have been a total of 1,543 positive tests for coronavirus in the UK as of 9am on Monday, up from 1,372 at the same time on Sunday, the Department of Health said.
Officials said 44,105 people have been tested in the UK, of which 42,562 were confirmed negative and 1,543 were confirmed as positive.