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Coronavirus updates: Canada closes borders to foreigners, as WHO tells countries to 'test, test, test' – live news Coronavirus updates: Canada closes borders to foreigners, as WHO tells countries to 'test, test, test' – live news
(32 minutes later)
Director-general of World Health Organization says ‘We cannot fight a fire blindfolded’; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest newsDirector-general of World Health Organization says ‘We cannot fight a fire blindfolded’; US measures ramped up; Germany closes shops. Follow the latest news
Sergeant exams for police officers which had been scheduled to take place in large venues around the country tomorrow have now been cancelled.
The College of Policing said in a statement:
The Scottish government is calling on people to avoid all but essential contact in a rapid escalation to the response to the outbreak that will see also elective hospital procedures postponed.
The first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, told a press briefing on Monday afternoon that Scotland is now on the cusp of a “rapid escalation” of coronavirus. The government is expecting to see a doubling of cases every few days and will step up the measures it needs to take to protect the most vulnerable.
The additional measures “reflect the seriousness of the situation that we face”, Sturgeon said. As well as the advice to ban gatherings of 500 or more people, Scottish residents are being told to socially isolate and stop going to pubs and cafes. And as in England, people showing symptoms should stay at home for seven days, while members of a household where someone has suspected symptoms should stay at home for 14 days.
Jeane Freeman, the Scotland’s secretary for health, confirmed the NHS will be scaling down and postponing elective procedures, such as hip replacement, in order to increase bed capacity.
Over the next few days the Scottish health authorities will be contacting the most vulnerable group in society, specifically people who suffer from compromised immune system, which is around 200,000 people in Scotland, to offer specific tailored advice to shield that group.
“There is no way escaping the fact that what we’re advising people to do will significantly and substantially change life as we know it for a considerable period of time,” Sturgeon told the sober press conference.
Dr Catherine Calderwood, Scotland’s chief medical officer, said: “there is no chief medical officer who wishes ever to be standing here to discuss the measures that we are talking about to the population of Scotland today.”
She added her NHS colleagues and those in social care have “extremely challenging times ahead.”
The actor Idris Elba has announced he has tested positive for Covid-19.
Last week it emerged that Elba met Sophie Grégoire Trudeau at an event in London just over week before she tested positive.
The wife of the Canadian prime minister was photographed at the Wembley Arena We Day event on 4 March alongside the F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and Elba. Video of the event showed Grégoire Trudeau embracing the former Australia prime minister Julia Gillard. A spokeswoman for Gillard said she is self-isolating as a precaution.
On the same day Grégoire Trudeau also went to an International Women’s Day conference attended by the former supreme court president Lady Hale.
Some people are seeing the bright side of being on lockdown.Some people are seeing the bright side of being on lockdown.
Layla McCay the international director of the NHS Confederation shares this video that her mother sent her from Spain.Layla McCay the international director of the NHS Confederation shares this video that her mother sent her from Spain.
The death toll in the UK has increased by 19 to 53 people, according an update from the NHS.The death toll in the UK has increased by 19 to 53 people, according an update from the NHS.
The victims were aged between 94 and 56 years old and had underlying health conditions.The victims were aged between 94 and 56 years old and had underlying health conditions.
NHS England said the patients died at the following hospitals:NHS England said the patients died at the following hospitals:
Barts Health NHS: 1Barts Health NHS: 1
Lewisham and Greenwich NHS: 2Lewisham and Greenwich NHS: 2
Salisbury NHS Foundation: 1Salisbury NHS Foundation: 1
University Hospital of Southampton: 1University Hospital of Southampton: 1
Walsall Healthcare NHS: 1Walsall Healthcare NHS: 1
Wexham Park Hospital: 2Wexham Park Hospital: 2
University College London Hospital NHS Trust: 4University College London Hospital NHS Trust: 4
Mid Cheshire Trust: 1Mid Cheshire Trust: 1
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: 2Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: 2
North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust: 1North Tees & Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust: 1
University Hospitals Birmingham: 1University Hospitals Birmingham: 1
St. Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: 2St. Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust: 2
Total: 19Total: 19
Anders Madsen, a nurse from Greenland’s capital Nuuk, has more on the island’s first case of Covid-19 (see earlier).Anders Madsen, a nurse from Greenland’s capital Nuuk, has more on the island’s first case of Covid-19 (see earlier).
Angela Merkel has announced a raft of further drastic measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Germany, including the closure of places of worship, playgrounds and non-essential shops.Angela Merkel has announced a raft of further drastic measures to curb the spread of the Covid-19 virus in Germany, including the closure of places of worship, playgrounds and non-essential shops.
Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Monday afternoon, the German chancellor issued new guidelines for restricting social gatherings, which the country’s federal state are expected to enforce in the coming days. She said:Speaking at a press conference in Berlin on Monday afternoon, the German chancellor issued new guidelines for restricting social gatherings, which the country’s federal state are expected to enforce in the coming days. She said:
The measures include the closure of bars, clubs, theatres, museums, cinemas, trade fairs and brothels, as well as a ban on services of worship at churches, mosques and synagogues.The measures include the closure of bars, clubs, theatres, museums, cinemas, trade fairs and brothels, as well as a ban on services of worship at churches, mosques and synagogues.
A number of shops will be exempted from the restrictions and may be allowed to open their doors on Sundays, the chancellor said. They include supermarkets, corner stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, post offices, hairdressers, hardware stores and delivery services.A number of shops will be exempted from the restrictions and may be allowed to open their doors on Sundays, the chancellor said. They include supermarkets, corner stores, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, post offices, hairdressers, hardware stores and delivery services.
Restaurants are to open their doors from six am until 6pm.Restaurants are to open their doors from six am until 6pm.
The southern state of Bavaria had already announced on Monday morning it would implement state of emergency measures to the same effect from this Wednesday.The southern state of Bavaria had already announced on Monday morning it would implement state of emergency measures to the same effect from this Wednesday.
Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, says he will close his country’s border to foreigners. Only four Canadian airports will be allowed to accept international flights, he said.Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, says he will close his country’s border to foreigners. Only four Canadian airports will be allowed to accept international flights, he said.
The closure will not apply to commerce or trade, Trudeau said.The closure will not apply to commerce or trade, Trudeau said.
Boris Johnson first daily briefing has come to an end. Here’s a news story on the main points:Boris Johnson first daily briefing has come to an end. Here’s a news story on the main points:
The UK has defended its record on testing in response to that call by the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to ‘test, test, test.”The UK has defended its record on testing in response to that call by the WHO’s director general, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, to ‘test, test, test.”
Tedros told a press conference in Geneva that government’s cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded. Johnson was challenged about this at his Downing Street briefing, but left it to his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty to answer.Tedros told a press conference in Geneva that government’s cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded. Johnson was challenged about this at his Downing Street briefing, but left it to his chief medical officer, Chris Whitty to answer.
Whitty said:Whitty said:
A prison officer at HMP High Down, south London, UK, has tested positive for coronavirus.A prison officer at HMP High Down, south London, UK, has tested positive for coronavirus.
A Prison Service spokesperson said:A Prison Service spokesperson said:
Here’s video of the WHO’s very clear message on testing.
The death toll in Italy from Covid-19 has increased to 2,158, with the announcement of another 349 victims.
Egyptian officials have announced that the country will close its airports and halt all domestic and international air travel from Thursday until the end of March.
The country has banned large gatherings, limited prayer times and curbed many public activities in order to respond to the spread of the disease.
Separately, Egyptian officials and the World Health Organization responded to scientific research published by the Guardian on the likely number of COVID-19 cases in Egypt.
Infectious disease specialists at the University of Toronto detailed how the total number of those infected in Egypt was likely higher than Egypt’s official infection rate, which currently stands at 126. “We estimated an outbreak size of 19,310 cases,” they said, adding that this figure is an average, with the range between 6,270 and 45,070 cases.
The disparity is likely due to a lack of widespread testing, Egypt’s overwhelmingly young population who are less likely to show symptoms, and a reticence among some to self-report their illness. At least 97 foreign nationals reported symptoms of COVID-19 after leaving Egypt since mid-February.
The Canadian scientists findings’ sparked angry rebukes from the Egyptian authorities, including Egypt’s Ministry of Health who denied the report and labelled it “a complete disgrace to health.” The spokesman for Egypt’s Ministry of Health, Khaled Megahed, added the “the ministry announces any cases who test positive for the emerging coronavirus.” He did not respond to further requests for comment by the Guardian.
The World Health Organization in Cairo said it could not verify the methodology used by the Toronto-based researchers. A WHO official told reporters that the organisation draws the data it publishes from hospitals, meaning there are normally reporting delays. “It is possible that there are many other cases with mild symptoms which did not result in hospital visits, and therefore are not detected and reported,” the official said.
The Egyptian authorities have repeatedly threatened anyone they believe is spreading “false news,” about the virus, arresting three on this charge on Monday after three were arrested last week.
Egypt ranks 163rd out of 180 countries on Reporters Sans Frontiers World Press Freedom Index.
Boris Johnson says the government will no longer support mass gatherings in the UK.
Mass gatherings are something “we are now moving emphatically away from”, he said.
He also urged people to stay at home for 14 days if any member of the household is ill.
Full details are on Politics live blog.
Nurses at the Royal Victoria hospital in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in north east England have been forced to lock away masks and hand sanitisers after visitors stole the essential items from the wards.
Hand gels were previously housed at the bottom of each bed, with the masks left outside flu isolation cubicles, but they are now stored in coded offices outside of the ward – leading them to be used less since they are not left in close proximity to care-givers.
Staff nurse Jennie Mitchell told the Guardian:
Many doctors and nurses don’t understand why the UK isn’t doing more to control the spread, writes Prof Devi Sridhar chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh. We need decisive action now, she says.
Boris Johnson is about to give the first daily briefing on the UK’s response to Covid-19. For full details follow Politics live with Andrew Sparrow.
On this blog we will continue to focus on the global response to the pandemic. We will cover any major announcements made by Johnson during the briefing, plus a summary once its over.
As the number of cases of Covid-19 cases rose to 114 in India, the government ordered a shutdown across the capital Delhi from Tuesday.
All gyms, spas and social, political, cultural and religious gatherings of more than 50 people will be suspended until at least 31 March. Weddings, however, are exempt.
Delhi so far has reported seven cases of Covid-19, with one casualty. Schools in Delhi Maharashtra, Tripura, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Jammu and Kashmir also all remain closed. A nationwide closure of all museums and major monuments has also been ordered.
The restrictions on cross border movement have been ramped up and the country’s borders with Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar were all closed over the weekend.
The crackdown on foreigners travelling in India continues. A blanket ban on all travellers from the UK, EU, and Turkey will be enforced from 18 March and today the state of Odisha has ordered all foreigners to register their arrival into state and quarantine themselves for 14 days. The borders of the state of Kerala, where the first cases were reported, remain completely closed.
Hotels and private residences in Mumbai and Delhi are now being converted into private quarantine facilities to cater for the increasing numbers arriving back into India.
For a country with a population of 1.3bn , and where people often live in densely populated areas with poor sanitation, the current rate of Covid-19 infections remains very low and so far there have only been two recorded deaths.
However, there are currently only 52 testing sites across the whole of India and less than 7000 tests have been carried out so far.
• The head of the World Health Organizaion, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has implored governments to test more suspected cases, warning that they cannot fight the pandemic blindfolded.In a strongly-worded attack on governments which have neglected or held back testing, he said: “We have not seen an urgent enough escalation in testing, isolation and contact tracing, which is the backbone of the response.”
• France has warned of a “fast-deteriorating” situation and Spain has requisitioned its private healthcare sector as European governments imposed closures and lockdowns rarely seen outside wartime to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak.Jérôme Salomon, France’s top health official, said on Monday the epidemic in the country was “very worrying”, with the number of cases doubling every three days. “There is a real worry the speed of the outbreak could saturate hospitals,” he said.
• Mounting concerns over a possible global recession have sent financial markets around the world plunging, despite a coordinated effort by central banks to protect growth and jobs, amid the widespread disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak.The escalation of the worst turmoil since the 2008 financial crisis, came as world leaders prepared to hold a G7 video summit on Monday devoted to strengthening the financial markets during the coronavirus pandemic and improving coordination on finding a vaccine.
• Major airlines including British Airways, Ryanair, easyJet and Virgin Atlantic announced a dramatic scaling back of their operations on Monday, with cuts of up to 80% of their services.The moves came as an aviation consultancy warned that the international airline industry will collapse within months, with the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs, unless states worldwide inject billions of dollars of emergency funding to see it through the coronavirus “catastrophe”.
• Britain’s prime minister, Boris Johnson, was preparing to appear at the first of a series of daily news conferences where he was expected to outline the next steps in the UK’s plan to fight the outbreakAhead of the briefing, UK Transport Secretary Grant Shapps rejected criticism the government is being too slow to introduce measures limiting the spread of coronavirus, saying ministers are rigorously following scientific advice rather than “doing things that just sound good”Britain’s armed forces are meanwhile preparing to send thousands of military medics to assist in NHS hospitals in the coming weeks as part of Operation Broadshare – the Ministry of Defence’s response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Finland’s government has proposed emergency legislation to close all its schools and universities from Wednesday.
Announcing the plan, Prime Minister Sanna Marin, said: “You can be [in public], take care of your business, walk through the train station. But everything unnecessary should be stopped, also by private businesses. There would be no point in closing schools if students just gathered at other places.”
There were 272 confirmed coronavirus cases and no linked deaths in Finland as of Monday according to health authority.