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Coronavirus live news: outbreak reaches every US state as Australia says measures could last six months Coronavirus live news: outbreak reaches every US state as Australia says measures could last six months
(32 minutes later)
EU implements strictest travel ban in history; Australian PM declares ‘human biosecurity emergency’; British restaurants and museums close. Follow the latest updates.EU implements strictest travel ban in history; Australian PM declares ‘human biosecurity emergency’; British restaurants and museums close. Follow the latest updates.
This is Martin Farrer taking over the blog for a short time while Helen has a much-deserved break.
We’re keen to inject a bit of optimism into the blog when possible and there is some in a Reuters story about how shares in Fujifilm have jumpped 15% after a Chinese official said the Japanese company’s Avigan anti-flu drug appeared to help coronavirus patients recover.
Fujifilm is obviously best known for its camera equipment but one of its subsidiaries makes a drug called Avigan, which is also known as Favipiravir. The drug was approved for use in Japan in 2014.
Reuters says that Zhang Xinmin, an official at China’s science and technology ministry, told reporters at a news conference on Tuesday that Favipiravir has been effective, with no obvious side-effects, in helping coronavirus patients recover,
A Fujifilm spokeswoman said the company had no comment on the Chinese government’s announcement. Fujifilm manufactures Avigan only on receiving orders from the Japanese government and has no sales target for the drug, she said. Fujifilm shares closed the morning up 14.7% at 5,207 yen, having briefly hit their daily limit high of 5,238 yen.
The pet dog in Hong Kong which grabbed attention after it tested positive for Covid-19 has died after returning home to its owner.
The dog was taken into quarantine in February when its owner was diagnosed with Covid-19.
It returned a “weak positive” result over the course of several tests. Hong Kong radio reported this morning that the dog had finally tested negative and was allowed to go home on Saturday. However the owner told officials on Monday that it had died.
Authorities did not say how the dog had died and the owner refused permission for an autopsy.
The dog never showed symptoms or appeared ill, and a blood test showed it had no antibodies.
Health authorities repeatedly said there was no evidence the dog could pass the disease on to a human, and they urged people to continue to care for their pets. Because the dog showed weak positive results from swabs of its nasal cavity, the concern was that the cavity was likely a contaminated surface.
The US death toll passed 100 as coronavirus reached every state. The global infection rate is approaching 200,000, with 197,830. There have been 7,944 deaths worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Trump’s treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin said unemployment could hit 20% if they didn’t push through a huge economic stimulus as soon as possible. Unemployment peaked at 10% after the financial collapse of 2008. It hit 24.9% in the Great Depression in 1933.
Economists at ratings agency S&P say the much-feared worldwide recession has arrived and they now estimate global GDP will grow 1%-1.5% in 2020 with the risk that it could sink even lower.
California governor Gavin Newsom warned Tuesday that most schools will likely remain closed for the rest of the school year – until the end of August – because of coronavirus.
The World Health Organization called for “aggressive” action in south-east Asia to combat the virus, warning Tuesday that some countries in the region were heading towards community transmission of the deadly disease.
Mainland China reported just one new domestic case in the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday – and a dozen more infections imported from overseas. New cases in Hubei province have now been in the single digits for the past seven days.
Australia stepped up its response, announcing an indefinite new ban on indoor groups of 100 people or more, with exemptions for schools, public transport, universities, prisons, courts, supermarkets and worksites. The prime minister, Scott Morrison, said measures could be in place for six months.
Australia’s Anglican church suspended all services indefinitely.
Nevada governor Steve Sisolak has announced the closure of all non-essential services, including Las Vegas casinos, restaurants and bars.
85,000 prisoners were temporarily released in Iran due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The death toll in Italy rose by 16% in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 2,503. The number of confirmed cases also rose to 31,506.
British cultural buildings closed their doors temporarily. These include the Natural History Museum, the British Museum and the Royal Academy.
The French Open was postponed, along with the European Championship which has been postponed until 2021, Uefa has decided.
The EU is set to endorse the strictest travel ban in its history as France joined Italy and Spain in full lockdown and Donald Trump told Americans to change their behaviour, acknowledging for the first time that beating the coronavirus could take months.
More now on the casinos and other businesses closing in Las Vegas:More now on the casinos and other businesses closing in Las Vegas:
The Democratic governor Steve Sisolak order Tuesday night – a monthlong closure of casinos and other non-essential businesses like bars, movie theaters and gyms – follows similar moves by more than 10 other governors as states scramble to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19.The Democratic governor Steve Sisolak order Tuesday night – a monthlong closure of casinos and other non-essential businesses like bars, movie theaters and gyms – follows similar moves by more than 10 other governors as states scramble to mitigate the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Sisolak’s order gave thousands of businesses a little more than two days prepare. The governor’s order follows an order the mayor of Reno issued Monday night.Sisolak’s order gave thousands of businesses a little more than two days prepare. The governor’s order follows an order the mayor of Reno issued Monday night.
In US election news - and some context for that alarming potential unemployment figure given by US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin earlier:In US election news - and some context for that alarming potential unemployment figure given by US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin earlier:
“This Democratic race isn’t pining for the fjords. It is no more. It has ceased to be. Its metabolic processes are now history. This is an ex-presidential contest.“This Democratic race isn’t pining for the fjords. It is no more. It has ceased to be. Its metabolic processes are now history. This is an ex-presidential contest.
The only reason the news networks could not call the Florida primary as soon as the votes piled up for Joe Biden was because the state’s panhandle voters were still at the polls. Once those polls closed, the obvious was made official: it was a blowout for Biden.The only reason the news networks could not call the Florida primary as soon as the votes piled up for Joe Biden was because the state’s panhandle voters were still at the polls. Once those polls closed, the obvious was made official: it was a blowout for Biden.
The last time we heard from Bernie Sanders after losing big in the last round of primaries, he said he wanted to debate the former vice-president head-to-head, one-on-one, to press his case directly and finally.The last time we heard from Bernie Sanders after losing big in the last round of primaries, he said he wanted to debate the former vice-president head-to-head, one-on-one, to press his case directly and finally.
The only topic the American people want to debate is the coronavirus pandemic and the severe recession that looks like the certain outcome of this quasi-national quarantine. Trump’s treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, told Republican senators on Tuesday that unemployment could hit 20% if they didn’t push through a huge economic stimulus as soon as possible.The only topic the American people want to debate is the coronavirus pandemic and the severe recession that looks like the certain outcome of this quasi-national quarantine. Trump’s treasury secretary, Steve Mnuchin, told Republican senators on Tuesday that unemployment could hit 20% if they didn’t push through a huge economic stimulus as soon as possible.
To put that into context, unemployment peaked at 10% after the financial collapse of 2008. It hit 24.9% in the Great Depression in 1933.To put that into context, unemployment peaked at 10% after the financial collapse of 2008. It hit 24.9% in the Great Depression in 1933.
What’s quarantine without a fun way to pass the time? As pandemic-induced social distancing pushes more and more people to the solitude of the home, self-isolators have started coming up with ways to entertain themselves, their neighbours and strangers around the world through social media.What’s quarantine without a fun way to pass the time? As pandemic-induced social distancing pushes more and more people to the solitude of the home, self-isolators have started coming up with ways to entertain themselves, their neighbours and strangers around the world through social media.
In Australia, popular children’s show Bluey more than doubled its viewership between Monday and Tuesday, as more parents and kids spend time at home, Crikey news reports.In Australia, popular children’s show Bluey more than doubled its viewership between Monday and Tuesday, as more parents and kids spend time at home, Crikey news reports.
In the US, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak has announced the closure of all non-essential services.In the US, Nevada governor Steve Sisolak has announced the closure of all non-essential services.
That includes Las Vegas casinos, restaurants and bars.That includes Las Vegas casinos, restaurants and bars.
In Australia, Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued a public statement “suspending all public church gatherings until further notice”.In Australia, Anglican Archbishop Glenn Davies has issued a public statement “suspending all public church gatherings until further notice”.
The decision has been taken in light of the Australian government’s ban public gatherings of 100 or more people.The decision has been taken in light of the Australian government’s ban public gatherings of 100 or more people.
“We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods,” he added.“We are encouraging all our churches to consider providing their services online or by other communication methods,” he added.
A little more on those China figures now. Mainland China reported just one new domestic case in the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday – and a dozen more infections imported from overseas.A little more on those China figures now. Mainland China reported just one new domestic case in the coronavirus outbreak on Wednesday – and a dozen more infections imported from overseas.
For the second consecutive day there was only one more fresh infection in Wuhan.For the second consecutive day there was only one more fresh infection in Wuhan.
New cases in Hubei province have now been in the single digits for the past seven days.New cases in Hubei province have now been in the single digits for the past seven days.
In recent days, there has been an easing of restrictions in some parts of the province, with China saying it has “basically curbed” the spread of the virus.In recent days, there has been an easing of restrictions in some parts of the province, with China saying it has “basically curbed” the spread of the virus.
An average of 20,000 people are flying into China every day, according to the government, and 10 Chinese provinces and municipalities are imposing mandatory quarantines on those arriving from abroad.An average of 20,000 people are flying into China every day, according to the government, and 10 Chinese provinces and municipalities are imposing mandatory quarantines on those arriving from abroad.
Beijing requires almost all international arrivals to go into 14-day quarantine in designated hotels in the capital.Beijing requires almost all international arrivals to go into 14-day quarantine in designated hotels in the capital.
Guatemala announced Tuesday that it was suspending incoming flights carrying immigrants and asylum seekers sent by the United States, citing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic. The measure covered two flights of Guatemalan deportees scheduled for the day, as well as indefinitely suspending flights carrying people from other Central American nations who were being sent to Guatemala under an asylum cooperation agreement with the United States that is part of Washingtons broader crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico border.Guatemala announced Tuesday that it was suspending incoming flights carrying immigrants and asylum seekers sent by the United States, citing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic. The measure covered two flights of Guatemalan deportees scheduled for the day, as well as indefinitely suspending flights carrying people from other Central American nations who were being sent to Guatemala under an asylum cooperation agreement with the United States that is part of Washingtons broader crackdown on immigration at the US-Mexico border.
The British foreign office has advised its citizens in Myanmar to leave the country if they are able to do so. “This is due to potential pressures on medical facilities and the risk of air routes out of Myanmar being cancelled,” the foreign office said in its updated travel guidance.The British foreign office has advised its citizens in Myanmar to leave the country if they are able to do so. “This is due to potential pressures on medical facilities and the risk of air routes out of Myanmar being cancelled,” the foreign office said in its updated travel guidance.
Some staff and their dependents in the British Embassy are being withdrawn. Core staff will remain to continue critical work including consular assistance.“The worldwide coronavirus outbreak is expected to put significant pressure on Myanmar’s medical facilities. They may not be able to offer routine care,” UK travel guidance warns.Myanmar has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, despite sharing a border with China.A spokesperson for Myanmar’s government recently claimed that people’s “lifestyle and diet” protected them from the disease.Some staff and their dependents in the British Embassy are being withdrawn. Core staff will remain to continue critical work including consular assistance.“The worldwide coronavirus outbreak is expected to put significant pressure on Myanmar’s medical facilities. They may not be able to offer routine care,” UK travel guidance warns.Myanmar has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, despite sharing a border with China.A spokesperson for Myanmar’s government recently claimed that people’s “lifestyle and diet” protected them from the disease.
Thousands of foreign travellers need to leave the northern Philippines by Friday or they will be stranded in the region, which has been placed under quarantine because of a growing number of coronavirus infections, officials said Tuesday.Thousands of foreign travellers need to leave the northern Philippines by Friday or they will be stranded in the region, which has been placed under quarantine because of a growing number of coronavirus infections, officials said Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte declared an enhanced community quarantine on the main island of Luzon that requires millions of people to stay mostly at home and restricts land, air and sea travel to fight the Covid-19 disease.President Rodrigo Duterte declared an enhanced community quarantine on the main island of Luzon that requires millions of people to stay mostly at home and restricts land, air and sea travel to fight the Covid-19 disease.
The drastic moves announced by Duterte on Monday night, which include the suspension of mass transport, caught many by surprise and sparked traffic jams and confusion in many areas. Hundreds of taxis were stopped by police along metropolitan Manilas main EDSA highway for violating the transport ban and made to wait for hours in long rows on the sidelines. Many drivers said they were unaware of the ban and were eventually allowed to leave without fines.The drastic moves announced by Duterte on Monday night, which include the suspension of mass transport, caught many by surprise and sparked traffic jams and confusion in many areas. Hundreds of taxis were stopped by police along metropolitan Manilas main EDSA highway for violating the transport ban and made to wait for hours in long rows on the sidelines. Many drivers said they were unaware of the ban and were eventually allowed to leave without fines.
The Philippines has reported 187 cases of infections, according to the Department of Health, which confirmed Tuesday that one of its officials was among those infected. Fourteen people have died, the highest toll in Southeast Asia.Transport Undersecretary Raul del Rosario said foreign tourists and travelers can opt to leave Luzon, where Manila is located, within 72 hours to avoid being stranded, because all flights from the region will be suspended.When the deadline arrives, they will have no option because all flights, domestic and international, will be canceled, del Rosario told a news conference.Many passengers jammed Manilas main airport Tuesday. Some airlines have already canceled flights, complicating the problems of outbound travellers.The Philippines has reported 187 cases of infections, according to the Department of Health, which confirmed Tuesday that one of its officials was among those infected. Fourteen people have died, the highest toll in Southeast Asia.Transport Undersecretary Raul del Rosario said foreign tourists and travelers can opt to leave Luzon, where Manila is located, within 72 hours to avoid being stranded, because all flights from the region will be suspended.When the deadline arrives, they will have no option because all flights, domestic and international, will be canceled, del Rosario told a news conference.Many passengers jammed Manilas main airport Tuesday. Some airlines have already canceled flights, complicating the problems of outbound travellers.