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Coronavirus live news: Italy deaths up by 475, biggest jump anywhere in a single day Coronavirus live news: Italy deaths up by 475, biggest jump anywhere in a single day
(32 minutes later)
Spain closes hotels; Portugal declares state of emergency; worldwide cases pass 200,000. Follow the latest updatesSpain closes hotels; Portugal declares state of emergency; worldwide cases pass 200,000. Follow the latest updates
Oxfam is closing its 600 high street shops from Saturday, it has announced. The charity said the decision was made to “protect the health of its staff, volunteers and customers”, adding its online store would remain open. Its deputy trading director, Anne Webb, said:
A second person – a 61-year-old man – has died in Turkey, the country’s health minister has announced. Fahrettin Koca said the number of confirmed cases has nearly doubled to 191 from 98 a day earlier.
The London Underground’s 24-hour weekend night Tube service is closing with immediate effect.
The move will help restrict non-essential travel to bars and restaurants, as the prime minister contemplates a crackdown. It also comes among increased staff anger at the risk of working on Tube lines at night to serve passengers ignoring public health advice to avoid gatherings.
The service operates on Friday and Saturday nights on the Northern, Central and Victoria lines, as well as parts of the London Overground. The Waterloo and City line will also be suspended from Thursday night in response to declining demand and staff availability.
Another Brazilian minister has tested positive for Covid-19, the country’s president Jair Bolsonaro has announced.
The energy minister, Admiral Bento Albuquerque, is the second government minister to contract the virus. The institutional security minster General Augusto Heleno’s first test was positive, while the press secretary Fabio Wajngarten has also become infected.
On Wednesday, Bolsonaro hosted a press conference on the pandemic flanked by nine ministers and top officials – all wearing masks which they removed when talking.
He attacked the media, called Tuesday’s home-based, pan-bashing protests against him “an expression of democracy” and defended defying medical advice to mingle with demonstrators last Sunday.
As “leader of Brazilian nation, I have to be at the front together with my people,” said Bolsonaro, a former army captain.
But he did little to assuage fears the pandemic could overwhelm Brazil’s health service when he said it “is unable to accept a considerable quantity” of people sick with Covid-19. Brazilian states have reported 393 confirmed cases. The defence minister, General Fernando Azevedo e Silva, said:
The health minister, Luiz Mandetta, warned of “tough days” ahead, explaining that reducing the challenge ahead from the size of Mount Everest to a more scaleable Brazilian mountain demanded the cooperation of the population.
Costa Rica has recorded its largest single day rise in confirmed cases, spiking from 50 on Tuesday to 69 on Wednesday. The ages of known Covid-19 patients range from 8 years old to 87 in the Central American country.
In an emotional message, the country’s health minister Daniel Salas pleaded with Costa Ricans to stay away from public spaces and take the government’s social distancing policies seriously.
The UK’s transport secretary has met with airline representatives to try to work out how to get stranded citizens home amid a host of border closures around the world.The UK’s transport secretary has met with airline representatives to try to work out how to get stranded citizens home amid a host of border closures around the world.
Grant Shapps also said the Department for Transport and the Treasury are working on a plan to support the struggling industry. Tim Alderslade, the chief executive Airlines UK, has said:Grant Shapps also said the Department for Transport and the Treasury are working on a plan to support the struggling industry. Tim Alderslade, the chief executive Airlines UK, has said:
People are being reminded to get some exercise despite the UK government’s call for the country to be largely put into lockdown.People are being reminded to get some exercise despite the UK government’s call for the country to be largely put into lockdown.
The chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty said it was important that both children and adults still take exercise while in social isolation.The chief medical officer for England, Prof Chris Whitty said it was important that both children and adults still take exercise while in social isolation.
Asked if it was safe for a few people to kick a ball about, ProfWhitty said:Asked if it was safe for a few people to kick a ball about, ProfWhitty said:
He said the UK was in for the “long haul” in terms of social distancing measures.He said the UK was in for the “long haul” in terms of social distancing measures.
The head of a major children’s charity has stressed the importance of school time to keeping children safe after the government announced vulnerable children would be exempt from its schools closure plan.The head of a major children’s charity has stressed the importance of school time to keeping children safe after the government announced vulnerable children would be exempt from its schools closure plan.
Anna Edmundson, the head of policy and public affairs at the children’s charity NSPCC, said:Anna Edmundson, the head of policy and public affairs at the children’s charity NSPCC, said:
Baltic states have deployed ships, a train and a plane to repatriate hundreds of citizens stuck at the border between Germany and Poland after Warsaw banned foreign nationals over the coronavirus, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency reports.Baltic states have deployed ships, a train and a plane to repatriate hundreds of citizens stuck at the border between Germany and Poland after Warsaw banned foreign nationals over the coronavirus, the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency reports.
A ship from Germany docked at the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda Wednesday, hours after a train arrived in the central city of Kaunas, said Aldona Griniene; a spokeswoman for the nation’s transport ministry.A ship from Germany docked at the Lithuanian port of Klaipeda Wednesday, hours after a train arrived in the central city of Kaunas, said Aldona Griniene; a spokeswoman for the nation’s transport ministry.
Vilnius also sent a military transport plane to airlift dozens of people from Germany who were unable to cross into Poland earlier this week. More ships are scheduled in the coming days, AFP reports.Vilnius also sent a military transport plane to airlift dozens of people from Germany who were unable to cross into Poland earlier this week. More ships are scheduled in the coming days, AFP reports.
The Queen carried out her weekly audience with the prime minister on the phone. Boris Johnson was due to have a face-to-face meeting with the monarch at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The Palace confirmed the audience took place by telephone.The Queen carried out her weekly audience with the prime minister on the phone. Boris Johnson was due to have a face-to-face meeting with the monarch at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday. The Palace confirmed the audience took place by telephone.
Zuckerberg also defended Facebook’s position on coronavirus misinformation, saying he didn’t view the site’s clampdown as an attack on free speech – but that it didn’t mean the site should take the same tack about political misinformation.Zuckerberg also defended Facebook’s position on coronavirus misinformation, saying he didn’t view the site’s clampdown as an attack on free speech – but that it didn’t mean the site should take the same tack about political misinformation.
Facebook is crucial in times of social distancing, Zuckerberg argued, noting that he himself was now working from home and limiting contact with others.Facebook is crucial in times of social distancing, Zuckerberg argued, noting that he himself was now working from home and limiting contact with others.
To that end, the company is going to roll out a feature designed to encourage the sort of grassroots organising that the site has already seen.To that end, the company is going to roll out a feature designed to encourage the sort of grassroots organising that the site has already seen.
Facebook is launching a new coronavirus “information centre” at the top of every newsfeed and every Instagram feed, its chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has said.Facebook is launching a new coronavirus “information centre” at the top of every newsfeed and every Instagram feed, its chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has said.
As with current warnings on the social network, the centre will be filled with information from national health services. But it will also have articles videos and posts aimed at encouraging social distancing and preventing the spread of the virus.As with current warnings on the social network, the centre will be filled with information from national health services. But it will also have articles videos and posts aimed at encouraging social distancing and preventing the spread of the virus.
It launches tomorrow in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the UK and the US. Zuckerberg said:It launches tomorrow in Italy, France, Germany, Spain, the UK and the US. Zuckerberg said:
The United States is suspending all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services as of Wednesday in most countries worldwide due to the pandemic, a State Department spokeswoman has said.The United States is suspending all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa services as of Wednesday in most countries worldwide due to the pandemic, a State Department spokeswoman has said.
She did not clarify which or how many countries are halting services, but said US missions abroad will continue to provide emergency visa services “as resources allow” – and that the services to US citizens will remain available. Missions will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, the spokeswoman said, without giving a date.She did not clarify which or how many countries are halting services, but said US missions abroad will continue to provide emergency visa services “as resources allow” – and that the services to US citizens will remain available. Missions will resume routine visa services as soon as possible, the spokeswoman said, without giving a date.
Meanwhile, in New York, the governor has announced new controls:Meanwhile, in New York, the governor has announced new controls:
Two more people have died in Brazil, the Sao Paulo state health authority has announced. That brings the death toll in the country to three. The two people were 65 and 80 years old, the Sao Paulo Health Secretariat said.Two more people have died in Brazil, the Sao Paulo state health authority has announced. That brings the death toll in the country to three. The two people were 65 and 80 years old, the Sao Paulo Health Secretariat said.
And the country’s health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, said more restrictive measures may be needed, as he acknowledged that the number of cases in Brazil was worse than the official tally of 291 suggested because a significant number have not yet been counted.And the country’s health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, said more restrictive measures may be needed, as he acknowledged that the number of cases in Brazil was worse than the official tally of 291 suggested because a significant number have not yet been counted.
In the UK, the shadow foreign minister Lloyd Russell-Moyle has announced he’s tested positive.In the UK, the shadow foreign minister Lloyd Russell-Moyle has announced he’s tested positive.
In a Facebook post, the Labour MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven said he received the test results this afternoon – after six days of waiting.In a Facebook post, the Labour MP for Kemptown and Peacehaven said he received the test results this afternoon – after six days of waiting.
Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mews and the Queen’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh are to all close their doors to visitors.Windsor Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mews and the Queen’s Galleries in London and Edinburgh are to all close their doors to visitors.
The Royal Collection Trust announced the tourist attractions would shut temporarily from Saturday. Royal Collection shops will also close as a precaution because of the pandemic. Refunds will be issued to those who have pre-booked tickets, the trust said.The Royal Collection Trust announced the tourist attractions would shut temporarily from Saturday. Royal Collection shops will also close as a precaution because of the pandemic. Refunds will be issued to those who have pre-booked tickets, the trust said.
In the UK, manufacturers of hand sanitisers and gels are to have their applications for the alcohol needed for production fast-tracked, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.In the UK, manufacturers of hand sanitisers and gels are to have their applications for the alcohol needed for production fast-tracked, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.
Demand for such products has increased sharply since the outbreak; leading to some shortages. But current rules mean any manufacturer wanting to make the products must put in applications for using denatured alcohol, like ethanol, which takes 45 working days. HMRC has said it will pushing them through in five days instead.Demand for such products has increased sharply since the outbreak; leading to some shortages. But current rules mean any manufacturer wanting to make the products must put in applications for using denatured alcohol, like ethanol, which takes 45 working days. HMRC has said it will pushing them through in five days instead.
As many as 24,000 former healthcare workers have contacted the Irish health service to offer their help after the country’s government issued a call to arms.As many as 24,000 former healthcare workers have contacted the Irish health service to offer their help after the country’s government issued a call to arms.
Retired doctors, nurses, therapists and university students with sufficient skills to register with the health service have been calling in, Reuters reports.Retired doctors, nurses, therapists and university students with sufficient skills to register with the health service have been calling in, Reuters reports.
The health minister, Simon Harris, has promised there will be no financial limits to the recruitment programme and no constraint on the numbers to be hired, telling prospective candidates: “Your country needs you.”The health minister, Simon Harris, has promised there will be no financial limits to the recruitment programme and no constraint on the numbers to be hired, telling prospective candidates: “Your country needs you.”
In the UK, education authorities are trying to work out how to live up to the prime minister’s promise that qualifications will be delivered despite end-of-year exams being cancelled.In the UK, education authorities are trying to work out how to live up to the prime minister’s promise that qualifications will be delivered despite end-of-year exams being cancelled.
Clare Marchant, the chief executive of the university admissions service Ucas, has said:Clare Marchant, the chief executive of the university admissions service Ucas, has said: