This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/17/coronavirus-live-news-updates-uk-us-australia-europe-france-italy-who-self-isolation-travel-bans-borders-latest-update

The article has changed 47 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Coronavirus live news: Californians told to 'shelter in place' as NZ launches historic spending package Coronavirus live news: Californians told to 'shelter in place' as NZ launches historic spending package
(32 minutes later)
French told to stay inside; WHO chief urges widespread testing; markets plummet. Follow the latest updatesFrench told to stay inside; WHO chief urges widespread testing; markets plummet. Follow the latest updates
China has begun using Xiaotangshan Hospital in Beijing to screen and test people arriving from overseas for Covid-19 . It was originally built to combat Sars in 2003 and has more than 1,000 beds.
Researchers at the University of Queensland could begin clinical trials on coronavirus sufferers - using HIV and malaria tablets - in Australian hospitals by the end of March.
The trials would be based on test tube results that showed the drugs had effectively treated infections of the COVID-19 virus.
Professor David Paterson from the University of Queensland’s Centre for Clinical Research told Sky News the drugs were already licensed for use in Australila and had “a good safety record”
“This is not a new vaccine that has to be developed from scratch,” he said.
“So we’re finalising the protocol of how we’re going to do it right now, it will go to hospital ethics committees hopefully by Friday and hopefully by the end of next week we will have our first patients enrolled.
“How quickly the study gets finished will depend on how many patients we see but it could be as soon as three months that we know which of these treatments - the HIV drug, the malaria drug or the two put together - is actually the best.
“What we want to do is we want to get in early, as soon as a person is diagnosed in hospital with a case of COVID-19, and we want to stop them going down that path that leads them to an intensive care unit admission ... and unfortunately death.”
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.
There’s a new social media challenge in town, the #stayhomechallenge, in which members of society reflect soberly on the difficulties of social distancing and self-isolation:There’s a new social media challenge in town, the #stayhomechallenge, in which members of society reflect soberly on the difficulties of social distancing and self-isolation:
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has updated its advice for pregnant women.The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists has updated its advice for pregnant women.
The College says there is a lack of detailed information about the impact of Covid-19 infection on pregnant women and their babies, given the recent and novel nature of the virus.The pregnancy advice is therefore also based on learnings from influenza infection, and also the medical response to the SARS epidemic in 2003.“Some babies born to women with symptoms of coronavirus in China have been born prematurely,” the College states. “It is unclear whether coronavirus was the causative factor, or the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell. Newborn babies and infants do not appear to be at increased risk of complications from the infection.“At the moment there is no evidence that the virus is carried in breastmilk and, therefore, the well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of COVID-19 through breastmilk.“Pregnant women are advised to avoid all non-essential overseas travel.”The College says there is a lack of detailed information about the impact of Covid-19 infection on pregnant women and their babies, given the recent and novel nature of the virus.The pregnancy advice is therefore also based on learnings from influenza infection, and also the medical response to the SARS epidemic in 2003.“Some babies born to women with symptoms of coronavirus in China have been born prematurely,” the College states. “It is unclear whether coronavirus was the causative factor, or the doctors made the decision for the baby to be born early because the woman was unwell. Newborn babies and infants do not appear to be at increased risk of complications from the infection.“At the moment there is no evidence that the virus is carried in breastmilk and, therefore, the well-recognised benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of COVID-19 through breastmilk.“Pregnant women are advised to avoid all non-essential overseas travel.”
In Australia, only 90 MPs will come to the capital, Canberra, next week for parliamentary sittings.In Australia, only 90 MPs will come to the capital, Canberra, next week for parliamentary sittings.
Ahead of an expected further crack-down on large group gatherings aimed at slowing the spread of the disease, the Coalition and Labor have agreed to limit the number of MPs coming to Canberra.Ahead of an expected further crack-down on large group gatherings aimed at slowing the spread of the disease, the Coalition and Labor have agreed to limit the number of MPs coming to Canberra.
Under the arrangement, which was thrashed out between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese in a phone discussion on Tuesday morning, 30 pairs will be agreed between the two parties, meaning 60 of Parliament’s 151 MPs will stay in their electorates.Under the arrangement, which was thrashed out between Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Labor leader Anthony Albanese in a phone discussion on Tuesday morning, 30 pairs will be agreed between the two parties, meaning 60 of Parliament’s 151 MPs will stay in their electorates.
It is unclear how each side will decide which MPs come to Canberra and which will stay in their electorates.It is unclear how each side will decide which MPs come to Canberra and which will stay in their electorates.
The move comes after the presiding officers of Parliament announced a range of measures to limit the number of visitors to capital hill, including restrictions on sponsored pass holders, and the closure of public galleries.The move comes after the presiding officers of Parliament announced a range of measures to limit the number of visitors to capital hill, including restrictions on sponsored pass holders, and the closure of public galleries.
“Game of Thrones” actor Kristofer Hivju, who played the beloved character Tormund Giantsbane on the HBO series, announced on his Instagram page that he has tested positive for coronavirus and will be isolating himself at his home in his native Norway.“Game of Thrones” actor Kristofer Hivju, who played the beloved character Tormund Giantsbane on the HBO series, announced on his Instagram page that he has tested positive for coronavirus and will be isolating himself at his home in his native Norway.
This, for those who might need their GoT memories jogged (we know a fair bit has happened in the world since), is Tormund:This, for those who might need their GoT memories jogged (we know a fair bit has happened in the world since), is Tormund:
In Australia, the Sydney Opera House has announced it will cancel all public performances starting today, march 17, until March 29th, after which it “will reevaluate based on the latest health advice and developments in the evolving Covid-19 situation.”In Australia, the Sydney Opera House has announced it will cancel all public performances starting today, march 17, until March 29th, after which it “will reevaluate based on the latest health advice and developments in the evolving Covid-19 situation.”
“At this stage, public areas of the site including precinct food and beverage outlets, tours and retail will continue to operate.”“At this stage, public areas of the site including precinct food and beverage outlets, tours and retail will continue to operate.”
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.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.
The order came Monday following a 14% increase in positive coronavirus cases in California, with 335 reported and six deaths. More than a third of all positive cases were in Santa Clara county, the home of Silicon Valley, as well as two deaths. San Francisco has had 40 positive cases.The order came Monday following a 14% increase in positive coronavirus cases in California, with 335 reported and six deaths. More than a third of all positive cases were in Santa Clara county, the home of Silicon Valley, as well as two deaths. San Francisco has had 40 positive cases.
More than 6.7 million people live in San Francisco and the five counties issuing the order – Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The order, which goes into effect at midnight Tuesday until 7 April, does not confine residents to their home unless they have permission to leave, as the lockdown orders in Italy and China do, but directs them to stay inside unless absolutely necessary.More than 6.7 million people live in San Francisco and the five counties issuing the order – Santa Clara, San Mateo, Marin, Contra Costa and Alameda counties. The order, which goes into effect at midnight Tuesday until 7 April, does not confine residents to their home unless they have permission to leave, as the lockdown orders in Italy and China do, but directs them to stay inside unless absolutely necessary.
A bit more on New Zealand’s massive stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic now. Just to give you an idea of how this compares to packages announced in other wealthy countries around the world, Grant Robertson, the NZ finance minister described it in the below terms.A bit more on New Zealand’s massive stimulus package in response to the coronavirus pandemic now. Just to give you an idea of how this compares to packages announced in other wealthy countries around the world, Grant Robertson, the NZ finance minister described it in the below terms.
He said the stimulus package totalling 4% of New Zealand’s GDP was bigger than:He said the stimulus package totalling 4% of New Zealand’s GDP was bigger than:
Australia’s (2.2% of Australia’s GDP)Australia’s (2.2% of Australia’s GDP)
Britain’s (0.6% of Britain’s GDP)Britain’s (0.6% of Britain’s GDP)
Ireland’s (0.9% of Ireland’s GDP)Ireland’s (0.9% of Ireland’s GDP)
Singapore’s (1.3% of Singapore’s GDP)Singapore’s (1.3% of Singapore’s GDP)
New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has urged New Zealanders to adopt the “east coast wave” instead of the traditional handshake, and has demonstrated the greeting on national television to ensure citizens are onboard.New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern has urged New Zealanders to adopt the “east coast wave” instead of the traditional handshake, and has demonstrated the greeting on national television to ensure citizens are onboard.
The full story, should you wish to be informed before adopting the nod yourself, below:The full story, should you wish to be informed before adopting the nod yourself, below:
New Zealand’s government has announced a 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.New Zealand’s government has announced a 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.
“This package is one of the largest in the world on a per capita basis,” Grant Robertson, the finance minister, told reporters at New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday.“This package is one of the largest in the world on a per capita basis,” Grant Robertson, the finance minister, told reporters at New Zealand’s parliament on Tuesday.
Mainland China had 21 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Monday, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday, up from 16 a day earlier. The death toll from the outbreak was up by 13 from the previous day. Hubei province accounted for twelve pf these deaths, with 11 of these in Wuhan, the provincial capital. The number of imported cases of the virus in mainland China reached 143 as of Monday, up 20 from a day earlier.Mainland China had 21 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections on Monday, the National Health Commission said on Tuesday, up from 16 a day earlier. The death toll from the outbreak was up by 13 from the previous day. Hubei province accounted for twelve pf these deaths, with 11 of these in Wuhan, the provincial capital. The number of imported cases of the virus in mainland China reached 143 as of Monday, up 20 from a day earlier.
The official China Daily said in an editorial on Tuesday that the rest of the world should learn from China and follow the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment in order to halt the global spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports.The official China Daily said in an editorial on Tuesday that the rest of the world should learn from China and follow the principles of early detection, early quarantine and early treatment in order to halt the global spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports.
Though the coronavirus was first discovered last year in the city of Wuhan, where officials initially tried to cover up the outbreak, China has sought to emphasise the positive role it has played in controlling the global spread of the disease.Though the coronavirus was first discovered last year in the city of Wuhan, where officials initially tried to cover up the outbreak, China has sought to emphasise the positive role it has played in controlling the global spread of the disease.
With the number of new domestic cases dwindling, China has now turned its attention to controlling new infections coming into the country from overseas, where the pandemic continues to spread. China Daily said Singapore, Japan and South Korea had all “based their responses on the experience and lessons drawn from China’s successful battle with the virus,” and China was now “proactively sharing” its best practices.With the number of new domestic cases dwindling, China has now turned its attention to controlling new infections coming into the country from overseas, where the pandemic continues to spread. China Daily said Singapore, Japan and South Korea had all “based their responses on the experience and lessons drawn from China’s successful battle with the virus,” and China was now “proactively sharing” its best practices.
Chinese President Xi Jinping told United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week that China’s efforts to control the outbreak had given the world “precious time” to formulate their own responses. China and the United States have been in a war of words about the pandemic, with many senior U.S. government officials, including President Donald Trump, continuing to refer to Covid-19 as the “Chinese virus”.Chinese President Xi Jinping told United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week that China’s efforts to control the outbreak had given the world “precious time” to formulate their own responses. China and the United States have been in a war of words about the pandemic, with many senior U.S. government officials, including President Donald Trump, continuing to refer to Covid-19 as the “Chinese virus”.
In less exasperating US news, an LA-based songwriter has launched an online Social Distancing Festival “made to celebrate and showcase the work of the many artists around the world who have been affected by the need for social distancing.”In less exasperating US news, an LA-based songwriter has launched an online Social Distancing Festival “made to celebrate and showcase the work of the many artists around the world who have been affected by the need for social distancing.”
The founder of the project, Nick Green, writes of his reasons for launching the project, which will live stream events and alert people to other live streams, including tonight’s performance of the opera Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York (starting now, 7:30pm ET, for the opera fans among you):The founder of the project, Nick Green, writes of his reasons for launching the project, which will live stream events and alert people to other live streams, including tonight’s performance of the opera Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera in New York (starting now, 7:30pm ET, for the opera fans among you):
US president Donald Trump has posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”:US president Donald Trump has posted a tweet referring to Covid-19 as “the Chinese Virus”:
The Costa Rican president says predictive models on the virus are “not that precise”.The Costa Rican president says predictive models on the virus are “not that precise”.
The Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado has told the Guardian it is “hard to say” whether the coronavirus outbreak in Central America can be controlled and has cautioned that predictive models for the spread of virus are “not that precise”. On Monday, Costa Rica declared a state of emergency over the global pandemic and announced it would close their borders to foreign nationals that do not reside in the country from the end of Wednesday. Speaking to the Guardian hours after the announcement, President Alvarado said he expected the economic hit from the virus on the popular ecotourism destination to be temporary. He said:The Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado has told the Guardian it is “hard to say” whether the coronavirus outbreak in Central America can be controlled and has cautioned that predictive models for the spread of virus are “not that precise”. On Monday, Costa Rica declared a state of emergency over the global pandemic and announced it would close their borders to foreign nationals that do not reside in the country from the end of Wednesday. Speaking to the Guardian hours after the announcement, President Alvarado said he expected the economic hit from the virus on the popular ecotourism destination to be temporary. He said:
When asked whether he believes Central America could control the spread of the virus, President Alvarado said:When asked whether he believes Central America could control the spread of the virus, President Alvarado said:
All cricket in Australia has been cancelled, including the Sheffield Shield final, with NSW declared champions.All cricket in Australia has been cancelled, including the Sheffield Shield final, with NSW declared champions.
“Cricket Australia has today announced the cancellation of the Marsh Sheffield Shield final and recommended that all cricket played within the community is ceased for the remainder of the 2019-20 season in response to the global coronavirus pandemic,” a statement read.“Cricket Australia has today announced the cancellation of the Marsh Sheffield Shield final and recommended that all cricket played within the community is ceased for the remainder of the 2019-20 season in response to the global coronavirus pandemic,” a statement read.
NSW were awarded the title after leading the Sheffield Shield competition through nine rounds having won six, lost two and drawn one. Their nearest rivals Victoria had posted just three wins.NSW were awarded the title after leading the Sheffield Shield competition through nine rounds having won six, lost two and drawn one. Their nearest rivals Victoria had posted just three wins.