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 30 Version 31
Coronavirus live news: Lombardy death toll reportedly jumps by 319 in a day; Spain to close all hotels Coronavirus live news: WHO tells Africa to 'prepare for worst'; Lombardy death toll reportedly jumps by 319 in a day
(32 minutes later)
Tourists told to leave Spain; worldwide cases pass 200,000; infections in New York up 695. Follow the latest updates Spain closes hotels; Portugal declares state of emergency; worldwide cases pass 200,000. Follow the latest updates
Donald Trump, the United States president, has announced that he will invoke a federal provision that allows the government to marshal the private sector in response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Associated Press reports.
Trump, now describing himself as a wartime president, said he would sign the Defense Production Act “in case we need it” as the government bolsters resources for an expected surge in cases of the virus.
The Defense Production Act gives the president powers to direct domestic industrial production to provide essential materials and goods needed in a national security crisis.
It allows the president to require businesses and corporations to prioritise and accept contracts for required materials and services. It also allows the president to provide incentives for the domestic industrial base to expand the production and supply of critical materials and goods, according to a March 2 report by the Congressional Research Service.
Trump also said he will expand the nation’s testing capacity and deploy a Navy hospital ship to New York City, which is rapidly becoming the centre of a pandemic that has rattled the U.S. economy and rewritten the rules of American society.
A second ship will be deployed to the West Coast.
Cuba has come to the rescue of a British cruise ship rejected by port officials across the Caribbean for weeks, allowing more than 1,000 people on board ashore, including five confirmed to be infected with coronavirus.
The Associated Press reports that the Braemar arrived in the port of Mariel early on Wednesday morning, with medical workers in protective gear taking passengers from the ship to Jose Marti international airport.
Sailing the Caribbean since late February, the Braemar had already been turned away by the Dominican Republic, Barbados and the Bahamas. Cuba said it is allowing the passengers to transit as an act of humanitarian solidarity.
Ramón Castillo, head of the company of pilots of ports of the Republic of Cuba, told a press conference:
Most of the 682 passengers were expected to arrive in London on Thursday morning on planes chartered by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, while those with the coronavirus or flu-like symptoms were being flown to a British military base on a separate plane.
It comes as Cuba announced its first death from the coronavirus, a 61-year-old Italian tourist who was one of 10 confirmed cases on the island.
If you are following the latest coronavirus updates and you want to watch the World Health Organisation press conference hit ‘play’ on the player at the top of the blog to see the live feed.If you are following the latest coronavirus updates and you want to watch the World Health Organisation press conference hit ‘play’ on the player at the top of the blog to see the live feed.
The World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is telling Africa “to prepare for the worst and prepare today” as he holds a press conference on the latest developments on the global coronavirus pandemic.The World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus is telling Africa “to prepare for the worst and prepare today” as he holds a press conference on the latest developments on the global coronavirus pandemic.
The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 104 after NHS England said a further 32 people had died in England after testing positive.The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 104 after NHS England said a further 32 people had died in England after testing positive.
This brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 99. The patients were aged between 59 and 94 years old and had underlying health conditions.This brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in England to 99. The patients were aged between 59 and 94 years old and had underlying health conditions.
Follow the UK coronavirus liveblog for more details:Follow the UK coronavirus liveblog for more details:
The president of Portugal has declared a state of emergency over the spread of Covid-19, subject to approval by the country’s parliament.The president of Portugal has declared a state of emergency over the spread of Covid-19, subject to approval by the country’s parliament.
The country has 642 confirmed cases of Covid-19 so far, and two patients have died, according to a Reuters tally. The number of cases has risen by 194 since Monday.The country has 642 confirmed cases of Covid-19 so far, and two patients have died, according to a Reuters tally. The number of cases has risen by 194 since Monday.
The Portuguese victims of the virus include the president of the board of directors of Santander Portugal, António Vieira Monteiro, who was hospitalised after returning from a holiday in Italy.The Portuguese victims of the virus include the president of the board of directors of Santander Portugal, António Vieira Monteiro, who was hospitalised after returning from a holiday in Italy.
Two of his children have also been diagnosed with Covid-19.Two of his children have also been diagnosed with Covid-19.
The first victim, Mário Veríssimo, an 80-year-old former masseur, died on Monday.The first victim, Mário Veríssimo, an 80-year-old former masseur, died on Monday.
Here’s the latest public service announcement from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who says he will now start to publish daily videos on exercises that older people can do at home to stay fit.Here’s the latest public service announcement from Arnold Schwarzenegger, who says he will now start to publish daily videos on exercises that older people can do at home to stay fit.
Uruguay has reported 50 cases of coronavirus, a disproportionately large amount for this small South American nation of under 3.5 million inhabitants. (Argentina, next door, with a population of 45 million, has only 79 reported cases).Uruguay has reported 50 cases of coronavirus, a disproportionately large amount for this small South American nation of under 3.5 million inhabitants. (Argentina, next door, with a population of 45 million, has only 79 reported cases).
Doctors are talking of an “explosive growth” in numbers, say local press reports, after the first four cases were reported only last Friday.Doctors are talking of an “explosive growth” in numbers, say local press reports, after the first four cases were reported only last Friday.
About 20 of the cases have been traced back to a single socialite from the capital city of Montevideo who went to a 500-guest wedding the same night after she returned from Spain on 7 March.About 20 of the cases have been traced back to a single socialite from the capital city of Montevideo who went to a 500-guest wedding the same night after she returned from Spain on 7 March.
The woman in question, Carmela Hontou, who has been diagnosed with the virus, has been giving interviews defending her assistance and adding that she also had lunch with her 84-year-old mother upon arrival and went to a lunch the next day “where there were also a lot of people.”The woman in question, Carmela Hontou, who has been diagnosed with the virus, has been giving interviews defending her assistance and adding that she also had lunch with her 84-year-old mother upon arrival and went to a lunch the next day “where there were also a lot of people.”
Asked by a reporter if she didn’t consider it unwise to mingle in large crowds, given her situation, Hontou answered: “That’s ridiculous, plus, do you know how many people came in that plane?”Asked by a reporter if she didn’t consider it unwise to mingle in large crowds, given her situation, Hontou answered: “That’s ridiculous, plus, do you know how many people came in that plane?”
Audio WhatsApp messages by friends of the woman and other wedding guests have circulated widely in Uruguay, expressing disbelief and anger at her attitude. The authorities have also intervened in the case of Hontou’s two sons, after security guards at her building reported to the authorities Tuesday that they have been allegedly visiting their mother and then going about their business as usual in Montevideo.Audio WhatsApp messages by friends of the woman and other wedding guests have circulated widely in Uruguay, expressing disbelief and anger at her attitude. The authorities have also intervened in the case of Hontou’s two sons, after security guards at her building reported to the authorities Tuesday that they have been allegedly visiting their mother and then going about their business as usual in Montevideo.
Uruguay is awaiting the delivery of 20,000 test kits to deal with the situation, say press reports. Although some private clinics have kits, the government clinic that centralizes results is reportedly working with a five-day delay before confirming cases.Uruguay is awaiting the delivery of 20,000 test kits to deal with the situation, say press reports. Although some private clinics have kits, the government clinic that centralizes results is reportedly working with a five-day delay before confirming cases.
The only nation with legal marijuana in Latin America, and with legal abortion, apart from Cuba, has not yet imposed a nationwide quarantine, although the SMU Uruguayan doctor’s union has asked the government for this and other drastic measures to contain the spread.The only nation with legal marijuana in Latin America, and with legal abortion, apart from Cuba, has not yet imposed a nationwide quarantine, although the SMU Uruguayan doctor’s union has asked the government for this and other drastic measures to contain the spread.
Uruguay has meanwhile suspended classes for two weeks, closed shopping malls and ordered the suspension of flights from the US starting Wednesday and from Europe starting Friday.Uruguay has meanwhile suspended classes for two weeks, closed shopping malls and ordered the suspension of flights from the US starting Wednesday and from Europe starting Friday.
In Lombardy 319 people coronavirus patients have died in a single day, two sources with access to the data have told Reuters.In Lombardy 319 people coronavirus patients have died in a single day, two sources with access to the data have told Reuters.
The sources said the number of new cases in the region, which includes Italy’s financial capital Milan, had increased by almost 1,500, with the tally of confirmed cases rising above 17,700.The sources said the number of new cases in the region, which includes Italy’s financial capital Milan, had increased by almost 1,500, with the tally of confirmed cases rising above 17,700.
The latest national death toll figures are due to be released later in the day. On Tuesday, the country-wide tally stood at 2,503.The latest national death toll figures are due to be released later in the day. On Tuesday, the country-wide tally stood at 2,503.
Jesse McKinley, Albany bureau chief for the NY Times, is live tweeting New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily coronavirus address to the state.Jesse McKinley, Albany bureau chief for the NY Times, is live tweeting New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily coronavirus address to the state.
Nepal is to close its borders completely to anyone - even its own nationals - arriving in the country from Europe, west Asia, the gulf states and other countries badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.Nepal is to close its borders completely to anyone - even its own nationals - arriving in the country from Europe, west Asia, the gulf states and other countries badly hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.
The ban will come into effect from midnight on Friday and remain in place until 15 April, according to the Kathmandu Post. Movement to and from China, however, remains open.The ban will come into effect from midnight on Friday and remain in place until 15 April, according to the Kathmandu Post. Movement to and from China, however, remains open.
Rajan Pokhrel, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, said:Rajan Pokhrel, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, said:
Sri Lanka is closing all international airports to arriving passenger flights, the US state department has reported on Twitter.Sri Lanka is closing all international airports to arriving passenger flights, the US state department has reported on Twitter.
Sebastian Piñera, the president of Chile, has declared a 90-day state of emergency to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country.Sebastian Piñera, the president of Chile, has declared a 90-day state of emergency to curb the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
While specific details are yet to be announced, these measures could see the restriction of transport and the prohibition of public gatherings. The military is authorised to uphold these regulations when required.While specific details are yet to be announced, these measures could see the restriction of transport and the prohibition of public gatherings. The military is authorised to uphold these regulations when required.
This is the second state of emergency that Piñera has applied in under 6 months. In October, the President called for an 8-day state of emergency to repress protests over rising costs of living. The unrest has continued for over five months — over a hundred were seen marching in Santiago’s Plaza Italia as recently as Monday. Such demonstrations are now expected to come to an abrupt halt over Covid-19 concerns.This is the second state of emergency that Piñera has applied in under 6 months. In October, the President called for an 8-day state of emergency to repress protests over rising costs of living. The unrest has continued for over five months — over a hundred were seen marching in Santiago’s Plaza Italia as recently as Monday. Such demonstrations are now expected to come to an abrupt halt over Covid-19 concerns.
While many in the country understand the necessity to ensure public wellbeing, there is great distrust in Piñera, who has a 12% approval rating. Over 30 have been killed and thousands have suffered injuries caused by the state’s harsh repression on protesters — it is a troubling time to see the government assume greater power.While many in the country understand the necessity to ensure public wellbeing, there is great distrust in Piñera, who has a 12% approval rating. Over 30 have been killed and thousands have suffered injuries caused by the state’s harsh repression on protesters — it is a troubling time to see the government assume greater power.
Responding to protesters’ demands, Piñera established a vote to change the country’s referendum last November. Originally set for the end of April, it is likely the referendum will be postponed.Responding to protesters’ demands, Piñera established a vote to change the country’s referendum last November. Originally set for the end of April, it is likely the referendum will be postponed.
There are currently 238 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Chile, with 0 deaths.There are currently 238 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Chile, with 0 deaths.
The wedding of Princess Beatrice, the Queen’s granddaughter, has been postponed until next year because of the Covid-19 outbreak, Sun executive editor Dan Wootton reports on Twitter.The wedding of Princess Beatrice, the Queen’s granddaughter, has been postponed until next year because of the Covid-19 outbreak, Sun executive editor Dan Wootton reports on Twitter.