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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
(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.
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 brief 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.
Global deaths and infections from the coronavirus surpassed those inside China for the first time since the beginning of the outbreak.
The US Centers for Disease Control advised that events of 50 people or more be cancelled or postponed throughout the United States.
The US Federal Reserve announced it would cut its benchmark interest rate to near zero and said it would buy US$700bn in Treasury and mortgage-backed securities as it attempts to head off a severe slowdown.
New York City will close the largest public school system in the US on Monday, and its bars, restaurants and entertainment venues from Tuesday.
The states of California, Ohio, Illinois, Massachusetts and Washington closed their bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, too. Food takeout and delivery are still allowed.
Most of the first hour of the US Democratic debate focused on the coronavirus crisis, as Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders criticised the Trump administration’s response and emphasised the need to confront the crisis and adhere to medical experts’ guidance.
A US sailor aboard a warship ship tested positive for the coronavirus for the first time, the US Navy said on Sunday, as it disclosed the case of a sailor assigned to an amphibious assault ship.
Argentina went into a full official lockdown Sunday evening as President Alberto Fernández announced the closing of the country’s borders to all arrivals, including the closure of its land borders, and the suspension of all classes until March 31.
British over-70’s will be asked to self-isolate for up to four months, in order to protect them from the virus.
Iran recorded the highest number of deaths in a single day from coronavirus on Saturday, with 113 new deaths in the past 24 hours, meaning the country’s death toll from the coronavirus has reached 724. There are 13,938 people infected across the country.
The US embassy and the British Foreign Office are advising their non-resident citizens to leave Argentina quickly while flights are still open.
The death toll in Italy increased by 25% to 1,809 from 1,441 on Sunday – a rise of 368. The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 24,747 from 21,157 on Saturday.
Louis Vuitton owner LVMH has said its cosmetics unit would manufacture large quantities of hand disinfectant gel to help stave off a nationwide shortage across France as the coronavirus continues to spread.
South Africa declared a national disaster and introduced a series of drastic measures to fight the coronavirus outbreak in the country.
Luxembourg on Sunday followed its neighbours France and Belgium in closing bars and restaurants to try to stem the spread of the coronavirus epidemic.
Who won the Biden-Sanders debate? Our panelists weigh in
Jessa Crispin: “For a while, I felt like I was watching a Beckett play, with two old men on stage talking about totally different realities, talking past one another as if they did not even exist within the same space and time. Here was Bernie Sanders, acknowledging how our flawed and deteriorated health system could enable coronavirus to kill hundreds of thousands of Americans. And here was Biden, convinced he was in Independence Day, saying the coronavirus “is like we’re being attacked from abroad” – although a bunch of people getting sick because the government is too timid to ask people not to go to a goddamn St Patrick’s Day bar crawl is not exactly an alien invasion. He talked about sending the military in to deal with it, as if it were a foreign country of brown people, with oil reserves.”
In the US, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker has ordered all schools to close for three weeks starting Tuesday in Boston and across the state, the Boston Globe reports.
Restaurants will remain open for takeout.
Baker has limited public gatherings to 25 people.
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern says it was now likely the country will experience a recession that was worse than the 2008 global financial crisis.New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern says it was now likely the country will experience a recession that was worse than the 2008 global financial crisis.
The country today banned mass gatherings of more than 500 people in an attempt to manage the Covid-19 outbreak as Ardern, said “we don’t want to be Italy”, Eleanor Ainge Roy and Charlotte Graham-McLay report.The country today banned mass gatherings of more than 500 people in an attempt to manage the Covid-19 outbreak as Ardern, said “we don’t want to be Italy”, Eleanor Ainge Roy and Charlotte Graham-McLay report.
The measures will not apply to schools or universities but will apply to both indoor and outdoor gatherings.The measures will not apply to schools or universities but will apply to both indoor and outdoor gatherings.
There have been eight cases of coronavirus in New Zealand, and Ardern said it was prudent and “safer” to cancel events such as art shows, music festivals and cultural gatherings. There was no end date for the ban, and Ardern said New Zealanders needed to prepare and adapt “to a new normal”.There have been eight cases of coronavirus in New Zealand, and Ardern said it was prudent and “safer” to cancel events such as art shows, music festivals and cultural gatherings. There was no end date for the ban, and Ardern said New Zealanders needed to prepare and adapt “to a new normal”.
“These are extraordinary circumstances. When we have emergencies, when we have situations that are unprecedented, New Zealanders work together. We are asking you to work together – with a little distance between you.” Ardern said.“These are extraordinary circumstances. When we have emergencies, when we have situations that are unprecedented, New Zealanders work together. We are asking you to work together – with a little distance between you.” Ardern said.
Brad Hazzard says there has been a “dramatic increase” in new cases in the Australian state of New South Wales. He says the infections have risen by 37 to 171 confirmed cases and 1,282 cases are being investigated.Brad Hazzard says there has been a “dramatic increase” in new cases in the Australian state of New South Wales. He says the infections have risen by 37 to 171 confirmed cases and 1,282 cases are being investigated.
Hazzard says of those cases, 67 were acquired overseas but 44 were transmitted locally.Hazzard says of those cases, 67 were acquired overseas but 44 were transmitted locally.
He’s now giving the details of flights which have arrived in Sydney that the health authorities would like to speak to passengers on (in particular rows). He lists the flights as:He’s now giving the details of flights which have arrived in Sydney that the health authorities would like to speak to passengers on (in particular rows). He lists the flights as:
Qantas flight QF8, which arrived in Sydney on 11 March (rows 73-77, 11-15)Qantas flight QF8, which arrived in Sydney on 11 March (rows 73-77, 11-15)
Virgin flight VA2 from Los Angeles, also arriving on 11 March, (rows 2-6)Virgin flight VA2 from Los Angeles, also arriving on 11 March, (rows 2-6)
Emirates flight EK414 from Dubai arriving on 8 March (rows 11-6, 45-49, 58-62)Emirates flight EK414 from Dubai arriving on 8 March (rows 11-6, 45-49, 58-62)
A domestic flight from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney (VA480, rows 1-4, arriving in Sydney on 13 March)A domestic flight from the Sunshine Coast to Sydney (VA480, rows 1-4, arriving in Sydney on 13 March)
In Australia, we are hearing a news conference from the New South Wales health minister, Brad Hazzard.In Australia, we are hearing a news conference from the New South Wales health minister, Brad Hazzard.
He reiterates the new public health measures which say no gathering of more then 500 people are allowed to take place in the state, with penalties of over $11,000 for individuals or $55,000 for corporate offences.He reiterates the new public health measures which say no gathering of more then 500 people are allowed to take place in the state, with penalties of over $11,000 for individuals or $55,000 for corporate offences.
“This is a war against a virus that knows no boundaries. We’re trying to put some boundaries around the transmission,” Hazzard says.“This is a war against a virus that knows no boundaries. We’re trying to put some boundaries around the transmission,” Hazzard says.
South Korea has reported its third day when recoveries have outstripped infections, but a new cluster of infections has surfaced in Seongnam city, south of Seoul. At least 40 members of a Protestant church tested positive, including the pastor, after services on 1 March and 8 March, despite government calls to cancel mass gatherings.South Korea has reported its third day when recoveries have outstripped infections, but a new cluster of infections has surfaced in Seongnam city, south of Seoul. At least 40 members of a Protestant church tested positive, including the pastor, after services on 1 March and 8 March, despite government calls to cancel mass gatherings.
In the country as a whole, 74 new coronavirus infections were reported on Monday, slightly lower than the previous day, health officials said, taking the tally of cases to 8,236, with 75 deaths.In the country as a whole, 74 new coronavirus infections were reported on Monday, slightly lower than the previous day, health officials said, taking the tally of cases to 8,236, with 75 deaths.
New infections have been on a declining trajectory, with the latest figures well below a 29 February peak of 909, and slightly down from 76 on Sunday.New infections have been on a declining trajectory, with the latest figures well below a 29 February peak of 909, and slightly down from 76 on Sunday.
As many as 303 more patients were released after a full recovery, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,137.As many as 303 more patients were released after a full recovery, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said, bringing the total number of recoveries to 1,137.
“For three straight days we have seen more numbers of discharged than newly confirmed, but we should not forget the lessons we’ve learned,” the vice health minister Kim Gang-lip told a briefing.“For three straight days we have seen more numbers of discharged than newly confirmed, but we should not forget the lessons we’ve learned,” the vice health minister Kim Gang-lip told a briefing.
Officials warned that “sporadic outbreaks” continued in the hardest-hit areas, such as the southeastern city of Daegu. The new outbreaks were from unknown sources in other cities, Kim said, adding, “This implies the coronavirus is spreading across the country.”Officials warned that “sporadic outbreaks” continued in the hardest-hit areas, such as the southeastern city of Daegu. The new outbreaks were from unknown sources in other cities, Kim said, adding, “This implies the coronavirus is spreading across the country.”
In New Zealand, at 1am on Monday tough new restrictions came into force on the country’s borders, meaning everyone landing in New Zealand from overseas would be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Those arriving from the Pacific Islands were exempt.In New Zealand, at 1am on Monday tough new restrictions came into force on the country’s borders, meaning everyone landing in New Zealand from overseas would be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Those arriving from the Pacific Islands were exempt.
Prime minister Ardern said the government were committed to enforcing the self-isolation stipulations and anyone who flouted the rules was “not welcome” in New Zealand and would be deported.Prime minister Ardern said the government were committed to enforcing the self-isolation stipulations and anyone who flouted the rules was “not welcome” in New Zealand and would be deported.
It was also an option to “put a police officer on their door” if someone was not adhering to self-isolation rules, Ardern said, which required they largely stayed inside and kept two metres physical distance from others, including family members.It was also an option to “put a police officer on their door” if someone was not adhering to self-isolation rules, Ardern said, which required they largely stayed inside and kept two metres physical distance from others, including family members.
An important and only slightly baffling message from Arnold Schwarzenegger. His advice on social isolation is sound, and his miniature horses are incredible.An important and only slightly baffling message from Arnold Schwarzenegger. His advice on social isolation is sound, and his miniature horses are incredible.
Ecuador’s President Lenín Moreno announced in a televised address on Sunday that all movement of people and vehicles would be restricted from 6am on Tuesday, 17 March. Exceptions would be made to buy food, visit hospitals, commute to and from work, or to care for the sick or elderly.Ecuador’s President Lenín Moreno announced in a televised address on Sunday that all movement of people and vehicles would be restricted from 6am on Tuesday, 17 March. Exceptions would be made to buy food, visit hospitals, commute to and from work, or to care for the sick or elderly.
The police and the armed forces would enforce the measures, Moreno said. “They are measures we should all commit to,” he added.The police and the armed forces would enforce the measures, Moreno said. “They are measures we should all commit to,” he added.
Ecuador has so far confirmed 37 cases of Covid-19, including two deaths.Ecuador has so far confirmed 37 cases of Covid-19, including two deaths.
The Andean country announced on Saturday it would shut its sea, land and air frontiers to all foreign travelers from Sunday while its citizens and foreigners with Ecuadorean residency would have until the end of Monday to return.The Andean country announced on Saturday it would shut its sea, land and air frontiers to all foreign travelers from Sunday while its citizens and foreigners with Ecuadorean residency would have until the end of Monday to return.
In the US, after New York announced that bars, restaurants and entertainment venues should shut to limit the spread of coronavirus, Los Angeles has followed suit. Like New York, LA will allow food takeout and delivery.In the US, after New York announced that bars, restaurants and entertainment venues should shut to limit the spread of coronavirus, Los Angeles has followed suit. Like New York, LA will allow food takeout and delivery.
The state of California, home to LA, has 335 confirmed coronavirus cases.The state of California, home to LA, has 335 confirmed coronavirus cases.
LA mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the executive action takes effect at midnight tonight, in just under four hours’ time.LA mayor Eric Garcetti announced that the executive action takes effect at midnight tonight, in just under four hours’ time.
In Cambodia, more now on the four new cases, which include a four-moth-old infant.
Reuters reports that the baby is the son of a French man who travelled from Paris via Singapore to Phnom Penh and tested positive for the virus earlier on Sunday, the ministry said. His wife tested negative.
A Cambodian man returning from France and two other people returning from the Islamic ceremony in Malaysia also tested positive, bringing the country’s tally of cases to 12, the ministry said.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered citizens not to travel to Europe, the United States and Iran as part of the government’s efforts to curb the spread of the virus which emerged from China late last year and has spread around the world.
He also ordered anyone returning from Europe, the United States and Iran to be quarantined for 14 days on arrival in Cambodia. Travel to and from China, which has reported more than 80,000 infections and most of the global deaths, has not been restricted.
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. I’m 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.
Send me a brief message on Twitter @helenrsullivan, tag me in a tweet of your own (if you’re happy for us to include it in the blog), email me: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com.
German ministers have reacted angrily following reports US president Donald Trump offered a German medical company “large sums of money” for exclusive rights to a Covid-19 vaccine.
“Germany is not for sale,” economy minister Peter Altmaier told broadcaster ARD, reacting to a front page report in Welt am Sonntag newspaper headlined “Trump vs Berlin”.
The newspaper reported Trump offered $1bn to Tübingen-based biopharmaceutical company CureVac to secure the vaccine “only for the United States”.
The German government was reportedly offering its own financial incentives for the vaccine to stay in the country.
The report prompted fury in Berlin. “International co-operation is important now, not national self-interest,” said Erwin Rueddel, a conservative lawmaker on the German parliament’s health committee.
The German health minister, Jens Spahn, said a takeover of CureVac by the Trump administration was “off the table”. CureVac would only develop vaccine “for the whole world”, Spahn said, “not for individual countries”.
Last week, the firm mysteriously announced that CureVac CEO Daniel Menichella had been replaced by Ingmar Hoerr, just weeks after Menichella met Trump, his vice-president Mike Pence and representatives of pharma companies in Washington.
CureVac quoted Menichella on its website as saying shortly after the visit: “We are very confident that we will be able to develop a potent vaccine candidate within a few months.”
On Sunday, CureVac investors said they would not sell the vaccine to a single state.
Cambodia has reported four new cases of coronavirus, including in a four-month-old baby. The new cases bring the country’s total number of confirmed infections to 12.
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took selfies with supporters and celebrated their demonstrations in major cities on Sunday, drawing criticism from congressional leaders for encouraging large gatherings that could worsen the spreading coronavirus, Reuters reports.
Bolsonaro also appeared to shrug off the advice of medical experts suggesting he take precautions after several members of his recent delegation to Florida tested positive for the virus. The president tested negative for the virus, but newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo reported that Bolsonaro’s medical team has suggested he remain isolated until early next week. The paper also reported on Sunday that a seventh member of Bolsonaro’s entourage in Florida had tested positive for the coronavirus, along with four members of the trip’s support team. Bolsonaro strode down the ramp of the presidential palace in a Brazilian soccer jersey and met a throng of protesters at the gate, where he bumped fists, grabbed cell phones to take pictures and leaned in for selfies with the crowd. In streaming video of the encounter from his official Facebook account, Bolsonaro said it was “priceless” to see so many public demonstrations in favor of his agenda, playing down his warnings against them in a Thursday address to the nation.
An update on Australia’s markets now.
After showing some signs of recovery at lunchtime the Australian market is again tanking following the Reserve Bank’s announcement it was ready to wade into the market and start buying government bonds.At around 1.30pm the benchmark ASX200 index was down by about 7.8%.
The RBA and other regulators are trying to avoid a credit freeze. On Friday, the central bank waded into debt markets and spent $8.8bn to keep money flowing, and this morning it said it would be doing more through a program of so-called “quantitative easing” - basically, buying up Australian government bonds and other assets.On the markets, travel stocks have taken a pounding. Brisbane-based Corporate Travel Management, which is under siege by short-sellers, has plunged almost 18% and Flight Centre has fallen 13%.Sydney Airport stock has tumbled almost 16%.But losses have been clawed back at Qantas, which is down just 1.26%. The other Australian-listed airline, Air New Zealand, is in a trading halt after announcing savage capacity cuts and job losses this morning.
Argentina Sunday expelled 270 foreign tourists for refusing to comply with the mandatory two-week self-isolation for new arrivals from countries where coronavirus is widespread, authorities said.
Police Saturday arrested a group of 90 tourists from the downtown Sheraton hotel in the capital city of Buenos Aires who were refusing to comply with the mandatory quarantine, took them to Ezeiza International Airport and Sunday boarded them on flights out of the country.
A further 180 passengers were refused entry on Sunday at the same airport when they refused to accept the mandatory self-isolation as a prerequisite for being allowed to disembark.
In the US, Donald Trump’s campaign has criticised the debate, which has ended, and praised the US president’s coronavirus response.
The president’s reelection campaign has released a statement criticising Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders while praising Trump’s response to the coronavirus crisis.
“Unable to articulate a coronavirus plan, both Bernie and Biden offered little more than plagiarising President Trump’s response, which will now be the model for all future pandemics,” said Kayleigh McEnany, the press secretary of Trump’s campaign.
Both Biden and Sanders criticised Trump’s response to the crisis, accusing the president of dangerously downplaying the health threat and undermining health experts.
Earlier this evening, Trump spoke at a White House press conference and claimed the government has “tremendous control” on the situation, a statement that was contradicted moments later by Dr Anthony Fauci, who said the worst was yet to come in the US.
Australia’s deputy chief medical officer, Paul Kelly, spoke earlier in the country’s capital of Canberra.
He said that Australia now has nearly 300 cases of Covid-19 and five deaths.
He warned that “people over the age of 60 are more susceptible to this disease. And we are finding in the much older age groups 80 and above, the death rate is actually quite high.”
The Australian government today announced that it will prepare a second economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Most readers will know the Morrison government last week unveiled an economic stimulus package worth AU$17bn (US$10.5bn). It wasn’t clear at the time that would be enough, and obviously events are now moving at a clip. The Reserve Bank this morning signalled it is preparing to move to quantitative easing.
I gather the government has begun work today on a second package of measures. People are telling me round two will involve support for business and another round of stimulus for households. Cabinet (the regular one, not the special one, which is the rolling meeting of the prime minister and the premiers) is due to meet tomorrow.