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Coronavirus live news: Ohio primary polls ordered to close as French told to stay inside Coronavirus live news: Ohio primary polls ordered to close as French told to stay inside
(32 minutes later)
Ohio governor says voting won’t happen due to ‘health emergency’; NZ launches historic spending package; WHO urges widespread testing. Follow the latest updatesOhio governor says voting won’t happen due to ‘health emergency’; NZ launches historic spending package; WHO urges widespread testing. Follow the latest updates
Everyone is learning as the outbreak evolves and it means we have to find ways of adapting and changing circumstances, the World Health Organisation envoy David Nabarro has said.
Nabarro declined to criticise the UK government when asked about the change in British strategy which was unveiled last night but said he was “really pleased” by the shift.
He was speaking on the morning after Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged the British public to take unprecedented peacetime measures, including avoiding all unnecessary contact and travel and staying away from pubs and theatres, following expert modelling which suggests the approach could cut the estimated coronavirus death toll from 260,000 to 20,000.
“We have to be prepared from what I am calling a change in tack from time to time, even though it’s very distressing, because it’s what people are having to cope with all over the world,” Nabarro told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Good morning from London. This is Ben Quinn picking up the liveblog now.
That’s it from me for today – a special thank you to our readers for the tips and messages. I’m now handing over to my colleague Ben Quinn, who will take you through the next few hours of coronavirus pandemic news.
The Ohio primary was ordered to be delayed on health grounds. The state’s governor, Mike DeWine, had recommended on Monday that in-person voting during Tuesday’s primary elections be postponed.
Global infections passed 180,000. There have been 7,154 deaths, and 79,433 recoveries worldwide.
France tightened its lockdown and orders 100,000 officers to police it, President Emmanuel Macron has told French citizens to “severely restrict movements for the next 15 days at least” and limit social contacts as much as possible.
Asian markets sank Tuesday as investors struggled to pick themselves off the floor following the previous day’s global bloodbath.
India has closed the Taj Mahal, its top tourist site. The financial hub of Mumbai has also ordered offices providing non-essential services to function at 50% staffing levels as efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in South Asia ramped up.
More than 100 Australian doctors are trapped on board a cruise ship that is currently stuck off the coast of Chile after the country banned cruise ships from docking in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Greek Orthodox Church suspended daily services. Against a backdrop of incredulity and consternation, the Greek Orthodox church has, if reluctantly, decided to suspend daily services after a marathon session of its Holy Synod, citing the need to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.
Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, have been released from an Australian hospital, five days after they were diagnosed with the new coronavirus, media reported.
Hundreds of prisoners escaped from prisons in São Paulo state in the South East of Brazil on Monday.
Amazon.com said it would hire 100,000 warehouse and delivery workers in the United States to deal with a surge in online orders, as many consumers have turned to the web to meet their needs during the coronavirus outbreak.
US president Donald Trump posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”. Trump also warned that social upheaval caused by the outbreak could last beyond August.
New Zealand announced an enormous spending package, equivalent to 4% of the country’s GDP in an attempt to fight the effects of Covid-19 on the country’s economy, in what ministers called the most significant peace-time economic plan in the country’s modern history.
Californians were urged to ‘shelter in place’. San Francisco and five other Bay Area counties in California have ordered all residents to shelter-in-place to curb the spread of coronavirus, in a drastic move similar to ones taken in Italy, Spain and China, but the first of its kind in the US. Here is what the order means.
China’s state planner said the economy would return to normal in the second quarter, as the country reported just one case outside Wuhan.
Australia is looking at developing a mass testing process. The country has 415 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The White House recommended isolation. US President Donald Trump told Americans to avoid any gatherings of more than 10 people over the next 15 days and advising all states with evidence of community transmission to close down bars, restaurants, gyms and other facilities.
Here is the very fresh Coronavirus latest: at a glance:
Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, have now both been released from an Australian hospital, five days after they were diagnosed with the new coronavirus, media reported.
Queensland state’s health department would not comment on media reports that the 63-year-old celebrities had been discharged from the Gold Coast University to self-isolate in a rented house.Hanks management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The couple’s son, Chet Hanks posted on Instagram announcing that both were out of hospital and doing well.
“If you went to the grocery story and hoarded all the toilet paper and the water for yourself I think you’re the problem,” he added, urging people to remain calm in the face of the virus.
Rita Wilson has added songs to the “quarantunes playlist” she created during her hospital stay.
South Korea reported 84 new coronavirus cases as of Tuesday, marking a third day in a row that the county has reported fewer than 100 new infections.
South Korea said it plans to tighten border checks for all arrivals from overseas to prevent new virus cases coming into the country.
Podcast: is the UK government moving fast enough on coronavirus?Podcast: is the UK government moving fast enough on coronavirus?
Britain has not joined its European neighbours by shutting schools, closing borders or rolling out mass testing. So why not? Health editor Sarah Boseley looks at the arguments the government is making for its approach.Britain has not joined its European neighbours by shutting schools, closing borders or rolling out mass testing. So why not? Health editor Sarah Boseley looks at the arguments the government is making for its approach.
The US president, Donald Trump, has referred to the global coronavirus outbreak as “the Chinese virus,” escalating a deepening US-China diplomatic spat over the disease.The US president, Donald Trump, has referred to the global coronavirus outbreak as “the Chinese virus,” escalating a deepening US-China diplomatic spat over the disease.
Trump, after giving an address on Monday warning of a possible recession, posted on Twitter: “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!”Trump, after giving an address on Monday warning of a possible recession, posted on Twitter: “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!”
The comment comes as Beijing and Washington appeared to be locked in a game of shifting blame. Last week, outspoken official Zhao Lijian from China’s ministry of foreign affairs accused the US military of bringing the virus to Wuhan. The US summoned Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai over the comment and issued a “stern” warning to Cui.The comment comes as Beijing and Washington appeared to be locked in a game of shifting blame. Last week, outspoken official Zhao Lijian from China’s ministry of foreign affairs accused the US military of bringing the virus to Wuhan. The US summoned Chinese ambassador Cui Tiankai over the comment and issued a “stern” warning to Cui.
In case you missed this earlier, two penguins have been allowed to tour the exhibits at the Chicago aquarium they call home.In case you missed this earlier, two penguins have been allowed to tour the exhibits at the Chicago aquarium they call home.
The Shedd aquarium in Chicago has let its penguins wander around freely after closing to visitors indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak. The aquarium said on social media: ‘While this may be a strange time for us, these days feel normal for animals at Shedd’.The Shedd aquarium in Chicago has let its penguins wander around freely after closing to visitors indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak. The aquarium said on social media: ‘While this may be a strange time for us, these days feel normal for animals at Shedd’.
Unprecedented measures to fight the spread of coronavirus in the UK reverberate across the front pages today, with many newspapers giving prominence to a picture of Boris Johnson’s “your country needs you” gesture:Unprecedented measures to fight the spread of coronavirus in the UK reverberate across the front pages today, with many newspapers giving prominence to a picture of Boris Johnson’s “your country needs you” gesture:
A roundup of the UK’s front pages, below:A roundup of the UK’s front pages, below:
A further 30 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Thailand, bringing its total number of cases to 177, as countries across Southeast Asian witness a fresh wave of infections. A spike in patient numbers across the region – which initially recorded relatively few cases - has increased doubts over a theory that warmer weather may prevent the spread of the virus, Reuters reported last night.A further 30 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Thailand, bringing its total number of cases to 177, as countries across Southeast Asian witness a fresh wave of infections. A spike in patient numbers across the region – which initially recorded relatively few cases - has increased doubts over a theory that warmer weather may prevent the spread of the virus, Reuters reported last night.
Malaysia, which announced sweeping measures to stop the virus on Monday evening, now has 553 reported cases, while in the Philippines, cases rose from six to 140 last week.The Philippines has placed its capital region and the island of Luzon under lockdown, stopping public transport, closing schools and many businesses. The measures have caused chaos for those who still need to travel to and from work, Rappler reported, forcing commuters to scramble onto the backs of crowded trucks.Malaysia, which announced sweeping measures to stop the virus on Monday evening, now has 553 reported cases, while in the Philippines, cases rose from six to 140 last week.The Philippines has placed its capital region and the island of Luzon under lockdown, stopping public transport, closing schools and many businesses. The measures have caused chaos for those who still need to travel to and from work, Rappler reported, forcing commuters to scramble onto the backs of crowded trucks.
In Malaysia, all mass gatherings, including religious activities, have been banned. It follows a surge in infections linked to a gathering of 16,000 people at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur. There is also anxiety about a recent Hindu gathering that attracted 30,000 people.In Indonesia, the country’s most important Muslim body issued a fatwa stating that people should not attend Friday prayers if they live in an area which has a “high or very high transmission potential” but that people in areas with “low potential for transmission” must attend. So far, the country has recorded 134 cases of the disease.Indonesian president Joko Widodo said on Saturday that he had withheld some information about cases to prevent the country from panicking, the Jakarta Post reported. He has rejected calls for a lockdown to be imposed on hard hit areas.In contrast to other countries in Southeast Asia, both Mynamar and Laos have not reported any cases of the virus. Myanmar officials have denied suggestions that there are unreported cases.In Malaysia, all mass gatherings, including religious activities, have been banned. It follows a surge in infections linked to a gathering of 16,000 people at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur. There is also anxiety about a recent Hindu gathering that attracted 30,000 people.In Indonesia, the country’s most important Muslim body issued a fatwa stating that people should not attend Friday prayers if they live in an area which has a “high or very high transmission potential” but that people in areas with “low potential for transmission” must attend. So far, the country has recorded 134 cases of the disease.Indonesian president Joko Widodo said on Saturday that he had withheld some information about cases to prevent the country from panicking, the Jakarta Post reported. He has rejected calls for a lockdown to be imposed on hard hit areas.In contrast to other countries in Southeast Asia, both Mynamar and Laos have not reported any cases of the virus. Myanmar officials have denied suggestions that there are unreported cases.
More than 100 Australian doctors and dentists are trapped on board a cruise ship that is currently stuck off the coast of Chile after the country banned cruise ships from docking in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.More than 100 Australian doctors and dentists are trapped on board a cruise ship that is currently stuck off the coast of Chile after the country banned cruise ships from docking in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Roald Amundsen, owned by cruise company Hurtigruten, is one of several stranded off the Chilean port of Punta Arenas, and has a capacity of less than 500 passengers.The Roald Amundsen, owned by cruise company Hurtigruten, is one of several stranded off the Chilean port of Punta Arenas, and has a capacity of less than 500 passengers.
Chile has banned cruise vessels from docking until September after an elderly passenger on one cruise ship tested positive for coronavirus.Chile has banned cruise vessels from docking until September after an elderly passenger on one cruise ship tested positive for coronavirus.
The country’s health minister, Jaime Mañalich announced the ban on Twitter on Sunday.The country’s health minister, Jaime Mañalich announced the ban on Twitter on Sunday.
In the US, legendary comedian Mel Brooks has made a video with his son Max warning of the dangers posed to the elderly by young people who don’t practice social distancing:In the US, legendary comedian Mel Brooks has made a video with his son Max warning of the dangers posed to the elderly by young people who don’t practice social distancing:
More on India’s response to the coronavirus pandemic now – and in particular its tourism sector.More on India’s response to the coronavirus pandemic now – and in particular its tourism sector.
Tourism has all but ground to a complete halt in India as the country attempts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Most reported cases in India so far have been those who have been abroad or come into contact with people who recently travelled and in response the country has locked its borders.Tourism has all but ground to a complete halt in India as the country attempts to contain the spread of Covid-19. Most reported cases in India so far have been those who have been abroad or come into contact with people who recently travelled and in response the country has locked its borders.
With India’s economy already in a sustained slump, it is likely to have a devastating impact in a country which usually has upwards of 10 million foreign tourists a year, and where tourism accounts for almost 10% of the GDP.With India’s economy already in a sustained slump, it is likely to have a devastating impact in a country which usually has upwards of 10 million foreign tourists a year, and where tourism accounts for almost 10% of the GDP.
All tourist visas have been suspended until 15 April, a deadline which is expected to be extended, and the government has requested that tourists be encouraged to leave the country. Certain states such as Odisha have instructed all foreign tourists to register themselves and be put into mandatory 14 day quarantine when they enter the state, while Kerala and Nagaland remain closed to tourists altogether.All tourist visas have been suspended until 15 April, a deadline which is expected to be extended, and the government has requested that tourists be encouraged to leave the country. Certain states such as Odisha have instructed all foreign tourists to register themselves and be put into mandatory 14 day quarantine when they enter the state, while Kerala and Nagaland remain closed to tourists altogether.
In Goa, a popular holiday destination for Europeans, hotels and resorts have already begun to shut down for the season at least a month earlier than they usually would and the beaches and restaurants are empty.In Goa, a popular holiday destination for Europeans, hotels and resorts have already begun to shut down for the season at least a month earlier than they usually would and the beaches and restaurants are empty.
All India’s national museums and monuments have also been closed, including the Taj Mahal. On Tuesday morning, India reported its third death from Covid-19, a 64-year-old man who died in a Mumbai hospital.All India’s national museums and monuments have also been closed, including the Taj Mahal. On Tuesday morning, India reported its third death from Covid-19, a 64-year-old man who died in a Mumbai hospital.
Here are the latest figures worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.Here are the latest figures worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Global infections have passed 180,000. They currently stand at 182,406Global infections have passed 180,000. They currently stand at 182,406
There have been 7,154 deaths, and 79,433 recoveries. The ten countries with the highest number of confirmed infections so far are:There have been 7,154 deaths, and 79,433 recoveries. The ten countries with the highest number of confirmed infections so far are:
There continue to be more cases and more deaths outside mainland China than inside.There continue to be more cases and more deaths outside mainland China than inside.
The Australian sharemarket has surged back to close up 5.8% for the day, bouncing back after its worst fall since 1987 on Monday.Futures markets are pointing to a strong day ahead for US markets, but they have become a less reliable indicator than usual amid intense volatility on global bourses.The Australian market’s extraordinary rebound on Tuesday was led by mining stocks that have been battered by the Covid-19 outbreak, but banks, other financial stocks, and supermarkets also soared.Grocery wholesaler Metcash was the biggest gainer, skyrocketing by 27%.Airline stocks were smashed as flag carrier Qantas slashed its flights. Qantas dropped 5.3% while rival Virgin Australia plummeted 8.7%.Tuesday’s gains aren’t enough to claw back many of the extraordinary losses experienced by the market over the past three weeks, including Monday’s extraordinary 9.7% tumble. The coronavirus rout means gains since October 2016 have been wiped out.The Australian sharemarket has surged back to close up 5.8% for the day, bouncing back after its worst fall since 1987 on Monday.Futures markets are pointing to a strong day ahead for US markets, but they have become a less reliable indicator than usual amid intense volatility on global bourses.The Australian market’s extraordinary rebound on Tuesday was led by mining stocks that have been battered by the Covid-19 outbreak, but banks, other financial stocks, and supermarkets also soared.Grocery wholesaler Metcash was the biggest gainer, skyrocketing by 27%.Airline stocks were smashed as flag carrier Qantas slashed its flights. Qantas dropped 5.3% while rival Virgin Australia plummeted 8.7%.Tuesday’s gains aren’t enough to claw back many of the extraordinary losses experienced by the market over the past three weeks, including Monday’s extraordinary 9.7% tumble. The coronavirus rout means gains since October 2016 have been wiped out.
Singaporeans rushed to stock up on food on Tuesday amid fears of a disruption in supplies after Malaysia announced the closure of its borders to combat the coronavirus spread, though Singapore’s government said there would be no shortages.Singaporeans rushed to stock up on food on Tuesday amid fears of a disruption in supplies after Malaysia announced the closure of its borders to combat the coronavirus spread, though Singapore’s government said there would be no shortages.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday that Malaysia would shut its borders, restrict internal movement, close schools, universities and most businesses after its tally of coronavirus cases climbed to 553, the highest in Southeast Asia. Muhyiddin said the order would take effect on Wednesday and last for two weeks. Malaysia is a key source of staples for Singapore, which imports more than 90% of its food. Tens of thousands of Malaysians commute every day into the wealthy city-state to work in businesses from restaurants to semiconductor manufacturing. Long queues started forming at some Singapore shops on Tuesday morning, reminiscent of panic-buying a month ago when Singapore raised its alert response level on the coronavirus, although this time around store shelves were well-stocked. Singapore has had 243 cases of the coronavirus, with no deaths.Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced on Monday that Malaysia would shut its borders, restrict internal movement, close schools, universities and most businesses after its tally of coronavirus cases climbed to 553, the highest in Southeast Asia. Muhyiddin said the order would take effect on Wednesday and last for two weeks. Malaysia is a key source of staples for Singapore, which imports more than 90% of its food. Tens of thousands of Malaysians commute every day into the wealthy city-state to work in businesses from restaurants to semiconductor manufacturing. Long queues started forming at some Singapore shops on Tuesday morning, reminiscent of panic-buying a month ago when Singapore raised its alert response level on the coronavirus, although this time around store shelves were well-stocked. Singapore has had 243 cases of the coronavirus, with no deaths.
India has closed the Taj Mahal, its top tourist site. The financial hub of Mumbai has also ordered offices providing non-essential services to function at 50% staffing levels as efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in South Asia ramped up.India has closed the Taj Mahal, its top tourist site. The financial hub of Mumbai has also ordered offices providing non-essential services to function at 50% staffing levels as efforts to control the spread of coronavirus in South Asia ramped up.
Mumbai, a densely populated metropolis of 18 million, also authorised hospital and airport authorities to stamp the wrists of those who have been ordered to self-isolate with indelible ink reading “Home Quarantined” and displaying the date until which the person has been ordered to self-quarantine, Reuters reports.Mumbai, a densely populated metropolis of 18 million, also authorised hospital and airport authorities to stamp the wrists of those who have been ordered to self-isolate with indelible ink reading “Home Quarantined” and displaying the date until which the person has been ordered to self-quarantine, Reuters reports.
The moves, announced late on Monday, come just days after authorities in the city shut down schools, cinemas, malls, gyms and banned mass gatherings.The moves, announced late on Monday, come just days after authorities in the city shut down schools, cinemas, malls, gyms and banned mass gatherings.
India’s western state of Maharashtra, home to Mumbai, has been the hardest hit in India with 39 confirmed coronavirus cases, or about a quarter of the 120 plus confirmed cases in the country. Along with the Taj Mahal, dozens of other protected monuments and museums across in the country including the Ajanta and Ellora caves and religious sites such as the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai, were ordered closed.India’s western state of Maharashtra, home to Mumbai, has been the hardest hit in India with 39 confirmed coronavirus cases, or about a quarter of the 120 plus confirmed cases in the country. Along with the Taj Mahal, dozens of other protected monuments and museums across in the country including the Ajanta and Ellora caves and religious sites such as the Siddhivinayak temple in Mumbai, were ordered closed.
India expanded its travel and visa restrictions on Monday, banning passengers travelling from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom.India expanded its travel and visa restrictions on Monday, banning passengers travelling from member countries of the European Union, the European Free Trade Association, Turkey and the United Kingdom.