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/18/coronavirus-live-news-updates-outbreak-us-states-uk-australia-europe-eu-self-isolation-lockdown-latest-update

The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 16 Version 17
Coronavirus live news: global infections near 200,000 as WHO urges aggressive action in south-east Asia Coronavirus live news: Belgium goes into lockdown as global infections near 200,000
(32 minutes later)
EU implements strictest travel ban in history; outbreak reaches every US state; Australian PM declares ‘human biosecurity emergency’. Follow the latest updates.EU implements strictest travel ban in history; outbreak reaches every US state; Australian PM declares ‘human biosecurity emergency’. Follow the latest updates.
Sune Engel Rasmussen, middle east corespondent for the Wall Street Journal and formally of this parish, has tweeted the results of a study from Iran’s Sharif University which reveal Belgium is the latest country to go into lockdown, with citizens asked to stay at home and limit contact to their closest family, writes Jennifer Rankin.
If Iranians cooperate with government guidelines now, 12,000 are likely to die From noon local time (CET), all non-essential shops and open-air markets will close and people will be expected to work at home.
If they cooperate in a limited way, 110,000 are likely to die Employers who require staff to be on site but cannot ensure social distancing face fines and even closure.
If there is no cooperation the outbreak is likely to peak in June and cause 3.5m deaths. The measures are similar to those adopted by France24 hours earlier, but looser. People will be able to visit supermarkets, pharmacies, medical professionals, banks, post offices and bookshops.
Supermarkets must limit the number of customers to one per 10 square metres, meaning people are likely to have to queue outside, where they must also observe social distancing by standing well apart.
Going out for a walk or a run, or riding a bike is allowed, “even encouraged”, the authorities say, as long as people observe a distance of one and a half metres from anyone who is not a member of their household.
The restrictions, which are unprecedented in peacetime, were agreed on Tuesday night by Belgium’s national security council, which includes the prime minister, Sophie Wilmès, deputy prime ministers, other senior politicians and the security services.
Wilmès, appointed by the king on Monday to form a permanent government, after 15 months of caretaker administrations, said social distancing did not have to mean no social contact, stressing the role technology could play to keep people together.
She said:
Belgium has had 1,085 cases of Covid-19 and 10 people have died, according to the latest figures in Belgian media.
This blog will retain a global focus. For news relating more specifically to the UK please do also keep an eye on our UK coronavirus liveblog.
Sune Engel Rasmussen, Middle East corespondent for the Wall Street Journal and formerly of this parish, has tweeted the results of a study from Iran’s Sharif University, which reveal:
If Iranians cooperate with government guidelines now, 12,000 are likely to die.
If they cooperate in a limited way, 110,000 are likely to die.
If there is no cooperation the outbreak is likely to peak in June and cause 3.5 million deaths.
Rasmussen has also reported on Iran’s worshippers attempting to break into holy shrines and mosques, defying Iranian leaders who are trying to bar access to religious sites because of coronavirus.Rasmussen has also reported on Iran’s worshippers attempting to break into holy shrines and mosques, defying Iranian leaders who are trying to bar access to religious sites because of coronavirus.
Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s taoiseach, has won praise for a national address on Tuesday night that made grim predictions and called for sacrifice, responsibility and solidarity, writes Rory Carroll.Leo Varadkar, Ireland’s taoiseach, has won praise for a national address on Tuesday night that made grim predictions and called for sacrifice, responsibility and solidarity, writes Rory Carroll.
Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary care, University of Oxford, has written a thread giving an insight into the round-the-clock work going on to tackle coronavirus among scientists at the moment.Trisha Greenhalgh, professor of primary care, University of Oxford, has written a thread giving an insight into the round-the-clock work going on to tackle coronavirus among scientists at the moment.
She writes:She writes:
The Central Epidemic Command Center in Taiwan has announced 23 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total in the country to 100 since the outbreak began.The Central Epidemic Command Center in Taiwan has announced 23 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, bringing the total in the country to 100 since the outbreak began.
Taiwan will bar all foreign nationals from entering Taiwan from Thursday. All Taiwanese citizens and foreign nationals with the necessary documentation who arrive in Taiwan from overseas will be required to be quarantined at home for 14 days, Chen said.Taiwan will bar all foreign nationals from entering Taiwan from Thursday. All Taiwanese citizens and foreign nationals with the necessary documentation who arrive in Taiwan from overseas will be required to be quarantined at home for 14 days, Chen said.
People in Taiwan who have been in or transited through Europe, Turkey, Egypt or Dubai between March 5 and 14 will be required to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days, effective immediately.People in Taiwan who have been in or transited through Europe, Turkey, Egypt or Dubai between March 5 and 14 will be required to quarantine themselves at home for 14 days, effective immediately.
Readers in Taiwan can follow the Focus Taiwan website for live updates.Readers in Taiwan can follow the Focus Taiwan website for live updates.
A baby has tested positive for Covid-19 at the James Paget University hospital in Gorleston in Norfolk, the trust has said.A baby has tested positive for Covid-19 at the James Paget University hospital in Gorleston in Norfolk, the trust has said.
Two other positive cases have been identified at the hospital and all three were already being treated in isolation.Two other positive cases have been identified at the hospital and all three were already being treated in isolation.
A hospital spokesman said: “An extensive ‘contact tracing’ exercise is now under way by Public Health England to trace anyone who might have had close (face-to-face) contact.A hospital spokesman said: “An extensive ‘contact tracing’ exercise is now under way by Public Health England to trace anyone who might have had close (face-to-face) contact.
“Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and what to do if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case.”“Close contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and what to do if they become unwell in the 14 days after they had contact with the confirmed case.”
Prof Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London, one of the lead authors on a paper that predicted about 250,000 people could die if the UK did not switch tactics, has said he has symptoms of Covid-19.Prof Neil Ferguson from Imperial College London, one of the lead authors on a paper that predicted about 250,000 people could die if the UK did not switch tactics, has said he has symptoms of Covid-19.
The number of coronavirus cases has risen in France to 7,730, which is 1,097 more than the previous 24 hours, writes my colleague Kim Willsher.The number of coronavirus cases has risen in France to 7,730, which is 1,097 more than the previous 24 hours, writes my colleague Kim Willsher.
“There have been 175 deaths, an increase of 27 in a day. Jérôme Salomon, director of the French health authority, said 7% of those infected were under 70 years old. Of the sick, 699 are in intensive care, but 5,000 patients have recovered or are being treated at home. There are 2,575 patients still in hospital, but more than 600 people have been successfully treated and allowed to go home in the last 24 hours alone.“There have been 175 deaths, an increase of 27 in a day. Jérôme Salomon, director of the French health authority, said 7% of those infected were under 70 years old. Of the sick, 699 are in intensive care, but 5,000 patients have recovered or are being treated at home. There are 2,575 patients still in hospital, but more than 600 people have been successfully treated and allowed to go home in the last 24 hours alone.
The French PM, Édouard Philippe, spoke on television last night: he warned the government was drawing up the necessary regulations to increase fines for those found breaking the national “confinement” from €38 to €135. This has now been published in the Official Journal so is in now in force. “Stay at home”, he told French citizens.The French PM, Édouard Philippe, spoke on television last night: he warned the government was drawing up the necessary regulations to increase fines for those found breaking the national “confinement” from €38 to €135. This has now been published in the Official Journal so is in now in force. “Stay at home”, he told French citizens.
In the south of France, the influx of Parisians trying to escape to second homes has led to anger in certain places. There is a picture in the Sud Ouest newspaper of a large tag at Cap Ferrat reading: “Paris go home virus”, with the paper reporting that locals are annoyed that many Parisians have arrived from the capital, possibly with the virus.In the south of France, the influx of Parisians trying to escape to second homes has led to anger in certain places. There is a picture in the Sud Ouest newspaper of a large tag at Cap Ferrat reading: “Paris go home virus”, with the paper reporting that locals are annoyed that many Parisians have arrived from the capital, possibly with the virus.
The Qantas Group has announced it is slashing international capacity by 90% and domestic capacity by 60% until the end of May, according to the website Airline.net.The Qantas Group has announced it is slashing international capacity by 90% and domestic capacity by 60% until the end of May, according to the website Airline.net.
The cuts will be phased in from the end of this month with routes to be affected announced within the next few days. The move will mean 150 aircraft will be grounded, including most of the wide-body fleet.The cuts will be phased in from the end of this month with routes to be affected announced within the next few days. The move will mean 150 aircraft will be grounded, including most of the wide-body fleet.
Rebecca Smithers writes:Rebecca Smithers writes:
Meanwhile, the British government’s new rules on ‘social distancing’ are now starting to have a huge impact on the high street, in addition to large-scale restaurant and pub closures.Meanwhile, the British government’s new rules on ‘social distancing’ are now starting to have a huge impact on the high street, in addition to large-scale restaurant and pub closures.
The coffee chain Pret a Manger (which has 530 branches in the UK) has just announced that it is switching to a takeaway-only format from today, which means customers cannot sit inside to eat their purchases. It said that deliveries will continue through Deliveroo, “but the key priority is to try to reduce points of contact in shops and to miniimse the time it takes for people to get the food they need and leave safely and quickly”. Surplus food will continue to be donated to the homeless at the end of the day. And to help frontline healthworkers helping to fight coronavirus, it is offering free hot drinks and a 50% discount on all other purchases to NHS workers.The coffee chain Pret a Manger (which has 530 branches in the UK) has just announced that it is switching to a takeaway-only format from today, which means customers cannot sit inside to eat their purchases. It said that deliveries will continue through Deliveroo, “but the key priority is to try to reduce points of contact in shops and to miniimse the time it takes for people to get the food they need and leave safely and quickly”. Surplus food will continue to be donated to the homeless at the end of the day. And to help frontline healthworkers helping to fight coronavirus, it is offering free hot drinks and a 50% discount on all other purchases to NHS workers.
The department store Selfridges will close its four physical stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester from 7pm this evening, after initially saying it would shorten opening hours.The department store Selfridges will close its four physical stores in London, Birmingham and Manchester from 7pm this evening, after initially saying it would shorten opening hours.
It tweeted that it had made the decision “with a heavy heart” but would continue online deliveries through Selfridges.com. It is understood that at least three members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus in its London flagship store on Oxford Street.It tweeted that it had made the decision “with a heavy heart” but would continue online deliveries through Selfridges.com. It is understood that at least three members of staff have tested positive for coronavirus in its London flagship store on Oxford Street.
The National Trust in the UK has said it is aiming to open as many of its gardens and parks throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland so give people a space to “refresh and relax” during this period of social distancing.
This is Lexy Topping taking over the global coronavirus live blog in the UK office. Thanks to my colleague Helen Sullivan for her efforts.
If you are aware of news stories from around the globe that you think we should cover on the liveblog, please get in touch. I’m on alexandra.topping@theguardian.com and @lexytopping on Twitter.
There is more trouble ahead for financial markets, which are set for another volatile day as the selling frenzy of the past two weeks continued in Asia Pacific on Wednesday, when Australia’s main index lost 6.4%. More significantly, US futures trading suggest renewed losses on Wall Street when markets open in New York later.
Amazon workers say the hectic pace of work amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is devastating for their physical and mental health as they try to keep up with massive new demand.
The global death toll is nearing 8,000. The number of deaths from coronavirus around the world has risen to 7,948, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. Infections, meanwhile, are nearing 200,000: there are 198,006 recorded cases worldwide.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday suspended work in most of the private sector for 15 days and directed businesses to implement work-from-home policies to stop the spread of the coronavirus that has infected 171 people in the kingdom.
Travellers are scrambling to reach home, after nations began closing their borders, airlines cut flights and governments urged their citizens to return. On Tuesday, Australia joined Canada, New Zealand, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates in calling back its citizens.
The WHO has called for aggressive action in south-east Asia. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO’s regional director, said the response in the region needed to be “scaled up”. Hours later, Thailand recorded a jump in cases of nearly 20% to 212.
The US death toll passed 100, as coronavirus reached every state. California governor Gavin Newsom warned that most schools in the state will likely remain closed for the rest of the school year – until the end of August – because of coronavirus.
There is treatment hope in Japan. Medical authorities in China have said a drug used in Japan to treat new strains of influenza appeared to be effective in coronavirus patients, Japanese media said on Wednesday.
‘Dozens’ of sick and elderly patients have tested positive for coronavirus at South Korea hospital.
Non residents have been banned from Taiwan. Authorities have said non-residents will be banned from entering the country from midnight. The restrictions exclude diplomats and holders of alien resident certificates.
Two Canadian provinces have called a state of emergency, including the country’s most populous province, Ontario.
Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, stepped up the country’s response to the coronavirus crisis by announcing sweeping new measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, a global do-not-travel order, and strict new rules for visiting aged care homes.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert is not among the prisoners released in Iran. British-Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert has not been reported among the 85,000 prisoners temporarily released from Iranian jails out of fear coronavirus could sweep through the country’s overcrowded prisons.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for now. My colleague Alexandra Topping will be taking over today’s live coronavirus pandemic coverage.
‘They don’t care about safety’: Amazon workers struggle with pandemic demand
As the coronavirus spreads across America, many workers are being directed to work from home but staff at Amazon and Whole Foods are being squeezed to keep up with increasing demand caused by Americans stockpiling food and household products.
Amazon is the US’s largest online retailer and it also owns Whole Foods, the largest natural foods grocer in the US, and fifth largest overall in the world.
Workers say the hectic pace of work amid the ongoing coronavirus outbreak is devastating for their physical and mental health as they try and keep up with massive new demand. They also have to deal with their own worries and problems coping with the pandemic.
Pakistan’s prime minister has urged calm after its tally of coronavirus cases rose to 245, while Sri Lanka sealed itself off and shut its stock market on Wednesday, fuelling fears that South Asian countries are struggling to stem the pandemic.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Indian subcontinent rose overnight to 482 as authorities across the region imposed travel restrictions to block the fast- fast-spreading disease that has infected nearly 200,000 people worldwide and killed nearly 8,000 people. There are fears that inadequate health facilities will be overwhelmed in many parts of the poor, crowded region. Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan, in a late Tuesday address to the nation, urged citizens to remain calm and not rush to get tested. “Even the U.S. doesn’t have the resources to test everyone who comes,” he said. “Only those with intense symptoms should go to hospital.” “There is no need to worry. We will fight this as a nation. And God-willing, we will win this war,” Khan said.
US clothing retailer Gap Inc and luxury department store operator Neiman Marcus will close their stores for two weeks, joining other retailers in a vast effort to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
Gap will temporarily shut all Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap, Janie and Jack and Intermix stores across North America, starting 19 March, the company said in a statement on Wednesday. In a separate release, Neiman Marcus said it would shut all Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Last Call stores in the United States, effective immediately. Both retailers said they will keep their websites operating for shoppers and provide pay and benefits to store associates affected by the closures during the two-week period. Numerous retailers including Tiffany & Co, Macy’s Inc, L Brands Inc, Ralph Lauren and American Eagle Outfitters announced temporary store closures on Tuesday, joining Nike Inc and Nordstrom Inc, which made similar announcements in recent days. The United States has seen a sharp increase in virus cases, with more than 6,469 infected and at least 109 deaths, as of Wednesday.
Saudi Arabia on Wednesday suspended work in most of the private sector for 15 days and directed businesses to implement work-from-home policies to stop the spread of the coronavirus that has infected 171 people in the kingdom.
The human resource ministry directed businesses in the largest Arab economy to close their main offices, reduce staff levels at secondary locations, and take measures to limit contact between workers and monitor them for symptoms of infection. It outlined exceptions for companies providing vital food and health services as well as utility services for government agencies. Pregnant women, workers over 55 and those with severe pre-existing conditions must be given 14 days additional leave. The move is the latest in a series of drastic measures by Saudi authorities to combat the outbreak, including closing mosques, schools, restaurants, coffee shops and malls as well as halting international flights and cancelling the Umrah pilgrimage. More than 1,000 infections and one death have been reported in the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council – many linked to travel to neighbouring Iran, which is an epicentre for the outbreak in the Middle East.
The latest now on the Japanese drug deemed “effective” on Covid-19 patients:
Medical authorities in China have said a drug used in Japan to treat new strains of influenza appeared to be effective in coronavirus patients, Japanese media said on Wednesday.
Zhang Xinmin, an official at China’s science and technology ministry, said favipiravir, developed by a subsidiary of Fujifilm, had produced encouraging outcomes in clinical trials in Wuhan and Shenzhen involving 340 patients.
“It has a high degree of safety and is clearly effective in treatment,” Zhang told reporters on Tuesday.
Patients who were given the medicine in Shenzhen turned negative for the virus after a median of four days after becoming positive, compared to a median of 11 days for those who were not treated with the drug, public broadcaster NHK said.
In addition, X-rays confirmed improvements in lung condition in about 91% of the patients who were treated with favipiravir, compared to 62% or those without the drug.
Fujifilm Toyama Chemical, which developed the drug – also known as Avigan – in 2014, has declined to comment on the claims.
Doctors in Japan are using the same drug in clinical studies on coronavirus patients with mild to moderate symptoms, hoping it will prevent the virus from multiplying in patients.
But a Japanese health ministry source suggested the drug was not as effective in people with more severe symptoms. “We’ve given Avigan to 70 to 80 people, but it doesn’t seem to work that well when the virus has already multiplied,” the source told the Mainichi Shimbun.
In South Korea, dozens of sick and elderly hospital patients have tested positive for coronavirus, the BBC reports. We’ll have more on this soon.
Here now is today’s latest coronavirus pandemic news, at a glance:
The global death toll is nearing 8,000. The number of deaths from coronavirus around the world has risen to 7,948, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. Infections, meanwhile, are nearing 200,000: there are 198,006 recorded cases worldwide.
Travellers are scrambling to reach home, after nations began closing their borders, airlines cut flights and governments urged their citizens to return. On Tuesday, Australia joined Canada, New Zealand, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates in calling back its citizens.
The WHO has called for aggressive action in south-east Asia. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, WHO’s regional director, said the response in the region needed to be “scaled up”. Hours later, Thailand recorded a jump in cases of nearly 20% to 212.
The US death toll passed 100, as coronavirus reached every state. California governor Gavin Newsom warned that most schools in the state will likely remain closed for the rest of the school year – until the end of August – because of coronavirus.
There is treatment hope in Japan. Shares in the Japanese firm Fujifilm have shot up after medical authorities said a drug developed to treat new strains of influenza appeared to be effective in coronavirus patients.
There is more trouble ahead for financial markets, which are set for another volatile day as the selling frenzy of the past two weeks continued in Asia Pacific on Wednesday where Australia’s main index lost 6.4%. More significantly, US futures trading suggest renewed losses on Wall Street when markets open in New York later.
Non residents are banned from Taiwan. Authorities have said non-residents will be banned from entering the country from midnight. The restrictions exclude diplomats and holders of alien resident certificates.
Two Canadian provinces have called a state of emergency, including the country’s most populous province, Ontario.
Australia’s prime minister, Scott Morrison, stepped up the country’s response to the coronavirus crisis by announcing sweeping new measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus, including a ban on indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, a global do-not-travel order, and strict new rules for visiting aged care homes.
Kylie Moore-Gilbert is not among the prisoners released in Iran. British-Australian academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert has not been reported among the 85,000 prisoners temporarily released from Iranian jails out of fear coronavirus could sweep through the country’s overcrowded prisons.
In Australia, we are getting some more details on how faith communities will manage the government ban on gatherings of more than 100 people.
The Lebanese Muslim Association is temporarily suspending all activities at its mosques and prayer halls from Thursday morning. It is encouraging prayer at home. Additional activities and the night prayer during Ramadan will also be suspended. Religious counselling and other services will be offered online and over the phone.
The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney earlier today suspended all church gatherings until further notice. He is encouraging churches to provide their services and sermons online or via other communication methods. Easter services will not take place and he will record a video of a Good Friday and Easter Sunday sermon.
Sydney synagogues have also suspended services after a recommendation from the Sydney Beth Din.
The Permanent Committee of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference was meeting today to determine its response.