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Coronavirus live updates: Singapore reports first two fatalities, deaths jump in Spain and Italy Coronavirus news: Spain death toll passes 1,300 as Singapore reports first two deaths – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Spain death pass 1,000, Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latest Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latest
The coronavirus crisis has sparked a ferocious political row in Brazil, pitting far-right president Jair Bolsonaro against a legion of critics from across the political spectrum and sparking nightly protests against what many see as Bolsonaro’s weak response. But there have also been powerful expressions of solidarity and support for the healthcare workers battling the pandemic. Spain’s death toll surpass 1,300. The latest death toll is an increase from 1,002 on Friday, according to the country’s health ministry. The number of registered cases in the country rose to 24,926 on Saturday from 19,980 in the previous tally announced on Friday
This video was shot last night in one of Latin America’s biggest favelas, Rocinha in Rio, and shows the level of support for Brazil’s doctors and nurses as the situation worsens. Pakistan and Vietnam suspend international flights. Pakistan will suspend international flights for two weeks, the civil aviation authority said. Cargo and diplomatic flights will be exempt. Vietnam said it would be suspending all inbound international flights, but did not give a timeframe.
The vast hillside favela is home to upwards of 100,000 Brazilians and is among the low-income Latin American communities experts fear could be worst affected by coronavirus given the high population density. European Union Commission to suspend budget rules. The EU executive moved to formalise an agreement reached by EU finance ministers to suspend budget rules that put limits on borrowing so that governments have a free hand in fighting the coronavirus.
Spain’s death toll from the coronavirus epidemic soared on Saturday to 1,326 according to the country’s Health Ministry latest data. The latest death toll is an increase from 1,002 on Friday. Iran suggests social distancing measures could end in three weeks. President Hassan Rouhani said social distancing measures to combat the coronavirus outbreak in the country will only need to be applied for two to three weeks as he expects the crisis to ease by then.
Reuters reports that the number of registered cases in the country rose to 24,926 on Saturday from 19,980 in the previous tally announced on Friday Bangkok closes its shopping malls. All shopping centres in Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, will be temporarily closed, it was announced on Saturday, as the country reported its biggest leap in cases yet. Shopping centres, except for supermarkets, will be closed from Sunday until 12 April in an attempt to stop the outbreak from spreading further.
Hotels in central London will offer beds to rough sleepers to help protect them against coronavirus, PA reports. Jeremy Hunt called for NHS staff to have the protective equipment they need. The former health secretary Jeremy Hunt shared his concerns that not all NHS staff were receiving the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
Presenter Fiona Phillips tests positive for the coronavirus, while Lewis Hamilton goes into self-isolation. Phillips told her fans not to panic on Twitter. The 59-year-old breakfast TV star was inundated with messages of support after she made the announcement. Lewis Hamilton has revealed he has been in self-isolation but is showing no symptoms of the coronavirus after attending an event with Idris Elba and Sophie Trudeau.
Major UK supermarkets have been asked to set aside supplies for food banks after a tumultuous few days in which several emergency food aid charities closed and others struggled to meet rocketing demand from people hit by the fallout from coronavirus.
Many food banks said they were finding it impossible to replenish food stocks, even as thousands more people turned to them for help, and others said they had been overwhelmed as hundreds of elderly volunteer regulars were forced to go into self-isolation.
Hungary’s government is seeking to indefinitely extend a coronavirus-related state of emergency that would allow rule by decree, as well as introduce prison sentences of up to five years for those who spread false information about the pandemic.
Hungary’s anti-migration prime minister, Viktor Orbán, has long been accused of democratic backsliding and critics are likely to portray the move as trying to take advantage of a crisis. The government said the measures were necessary in case a large number of MPs became ill and parliament was unable to function. “The government is required to adopt responsible decisions and to introduce, if necessary, unusual and unfamiliar restrictions. Observing these measures, remaining united and maintaining discipline are our most important tasks,” said a government statement.
The bill is due to be put before parliament on Monday. Although Orbán’s Fidesz party has the 2/3 majority required to pass it, bringing it to a vote out of schedule requires a 4/5 majority, Hungarian news outlets reported, meaning the country’s liberal opposition may be able to block it.
So far, central and eastern European countries have moved quickly to implement stricter lockdowns and travel restrictions at an earlier stage than western European nations, with most of the region still reporting relatively low levels of coronavirus infections. Hungary is so far reporting 103 cases and four deaths. However, there is concern that the low numbers could be due to underreporting and low testing levels, with the real figures much higher.
The mayor of the London borough Newham has written to the government asking for powers to be given to local councils so they can take action against businesses seeking to profit from a national crisis.
Rokhsana Fiaz, the Labour mayor, called on residents to tell the council about a business they think is acting unfairly during the coronavirus outbreak.
Lewis Hamilton has revealed he has been in self-isolation but is showing no symptoms of the coronavirus after attending an event with Idris Elba and Sophie Trudeau.
“There’s been some speculation about my health, after I was at an event where two people later tested positive for coronavirus,” Hamilton wrote on Instagram. “I wanted to let you know that I’m doing well, feeling healthy and working out twice a day. I have zero symptoms, and it’s now been 17 days since I saw Sophie and Idris. I have been in touch with Idris and happy to hear he is OK.”
He added: “I did speak to my doctor and double checked if I needed to take a test but the truth is, there is a limited amount of tests available and there are people who need it more than I do, especially when I wasn’t showing any symptoms at all. So what I’ve done is keep myself isolated this past week, actually since practice was cancelled last Friday and kept my distance from people.”
The actor Elba and Trudeau, the wife of the Canadian prime minister, have both since tested positive for Covid-19. Hamilton met the pair at an event in London on 4 March before flying out to Melbourne for the first race of the Formula One season, which was called off last Friday morning.
The coronavirus crisis has sparked a ferocious political row in Brazil, pitting its far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro, against a legion of critics from across the political spectrum and sparking nightly protests against what many see as Bolsonaro’s weak response. There have also been powerful expressions of solidarity and support for the healthcare workers battling the pandemic.
This video was shot last night in one of Latin America’s biggest favelas, Rocinha, in Rio, and shows the level of support for Brazil’s doctors and nurses as the situation worsens.
The vast hillside favela is home to upwards of 100,000 Brazilians and is among the low-income Latin American communities experts fear could be worst affected by coronavirus, given the high population density.
The death toll now stands at 1,326, while there are 1,612 people in intensive care. A total of 2,125 people have recovered from the virus.
According to the latest figure from Spain’s health ministry, the country now has 24,926 confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, up from 19,980 on Friday.
The statistics show that more than a third of all of the country’s cases are in the Madrid region, where there are 8,921 cases and where there have been 804 deaths.
Hotels in central London will offer beds to rough sleepers to help protect them against coronavirus, PA Media reports.
An initial trial will take place over the weekend, offering 300 rooms to vulnerable people known to homelessness charities. The mayor’s office is working with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) to block book rooms, at a discounted rate, for the next 12 weeks.An initial trial will take place over the weekend, offering 300 rooms to vulnerable people known to homelessness charities. The mayor’s office is working with Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) to block book rooms, at a discounted rate, for the next 12 weeks.
Rough sleepers are significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions - including respiratory problems - than the wider population. They are also far less likely to be able to follow Public Health England advice on self-isolation, social distancing and hand-washing. Rough sleepers are significantly more likely to have underlying health conditions, including respiratory problems, than the wider population. They are also far less likely to be able to follow Public Health England advice on self-isolation, social distancing and hand-washing.
On Saturday, national homelessness charity Crisis launched In this together, a campaign to raise funds to support people who are homeless in the outbreak. Money raised will help to keep Crisis’ services running - and those of local grassroots homelessness charities who are struggling in these unprecedented circumstances. On Saturday, national homelessness charity Crisis launched In this together, a campaign to raise funds to support people who are homeless in the outbreak. Money raised will help to keep Crisis’s services running – and those of local grassroots homelessness charities which are struggling in these unprecedented circumstances.
Pakistan and Vietnam have suspended international flights in a bid to contain the coronavirus pandemic.Pakistan and Vietnam have suspended international flights in a bid to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Pakistan will suspend international flights for two weeks, the civil aviation authority said. Cargo and diplomatic flights will be exempt.Pakistan will suspend international flights for two weeks, the civil aviation authority said. Cargo and diplomatic flights will be exempt.
Vietnam said it would be suspending all inbound international flights, but did not give a timeframe.Vietnam said it would be suspending all inbound international flights, but did not give a timeframe.
The Pakistan civil aviation authority said in a statement:The Pakistan civil aviation authority said in a statement:
Pakistan has reported three deaths and 481 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.Pakistan has reported three deaths and 481 confirmed cases of the coronavirus.
“[Vietnam] will suspend all the flights carrying foreign passengers to minimise the number of people coming to the country,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in the statement. Vietnam’s coronavirus cases rose to 92 on Saturday, with no death, according to the Ministry of Health.“[Vietnam] will suspend all the flights carrying foreign passengers to minimise the number of people coming to the country,” Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in the statement. Vietnam’s coronavirus cases rose to 92 on Saturday, with no death, according to the Ministry of Health.
The Scottish finance secretary, Kate Forbes, called on the UK government to scrap tax and excise duties on alcohol that is being used to make hand sanitiser.The Scottish finance secretary, Kate Forbes, called on the UK government to scrap tax and excise duties on alcohol that is being used to make hand sanitiser.
Distilleries across the country, such as Brewdog and Leith Gin, have been switching production away from their usual products to make hand-cleaning gels.Distilleries across the country, such as Brewdog and Leith Gin, have been switching production away from their usual products to make hand-cleaning gels.
Forbes said she was “heartened” to see so many companies playing their part to replenish stocks. She added that in these “exceptional” times “where it is clear that alcohol is being provided for the purpose of hygiene, sanitisation and medical use it should not be subject to excise or tax as a default”.Forbes said she was “heartened” to see so many companies playing their part to replenish stocks. She added that in these “exceptional” times “where it is clear that alcohol is being provided for the purpose of hygiene, sanitisation and medical use it should not be subject to excise or tax as a default”.
In her letter to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, Forbes wrote: “I hope you agree the fewest barriers possible should be in place to support the Covid-19 response.In her letter to the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, Forbes wrote: “I hope you agree the fewest barriers possible should be in place to support the Covid-19 response.
“In this time of uncertainty and national crisis, I am heartened by the many generous offers of support from organisations and industries who believe they can help the NHS.“In this time of uncertainty and national crisis, I am heartened by the many generous offers of support from organisations and industries who believe they can help the NHS.
“There are, for example, offers from the producers of alcoholic drinks, to turn their focus and activities towards the provision of hand sanitiser, and this is my reason for writing to you.”“There are, for example, offers from the producers of alcoholic drinks, to turn their focus and activities towards the provision of hand sanitiser, and this is my reason for writing to you.”
Forbes added: “Given the exceptional circumstances the country is facing and the need to protect our key workers at this time, we would like to see the greatest flexibility applied - where it is clear that alcohol is being provided for the purpose of hygiene, sanitisation and medical use it should not be subject to excise or tax as a default.”Forbes added: “Given the exceptional circumstances the country is facing and the need to protect our key workers at this time, we would like to see the greatest flexibility applied - where it is clear that alcohol is being provided for the purpose of hygiene, sanitisation and medical use it should not be subject to excise or tax as a default.”
Air raid sirens echoed across Amman early on Saturday to mark the start of a nationwide curfew affecting 10 million Jordanian citizens to combat the spread of coronavirus.Air raid sirens echoed across Amman early on Saturday to mark the start of a nationwide curfew affecting 10 million Jordanian citizens to combat the spread of coronavirus.
In one of the strictest measures yet, Jordan has ordered all shops to close and everyone to stay off the streets until at least Tuesday, when it plans to announce specific times for shopping. The army said anyone violating the curfew, which restricts movement beyond emergencies and essential services, could be jailed for up to a year.In one of the strictest measures yet, Jordan has ordered all shops to close and everyone to stay off the streets until at least Tuesday, when it plans to announce specific times for shopping. The army said anyone violating the curfew, which restricts movement beyond emergencies and essential services, could be jailed for up to a year.
Wholesale traders at New Covent Garden market in London are launching fruit, veg and essential item boxes for delivery to the public, following a catastrophic collapse in regular orders from restaurant chains and pubs as a result of the closures ordered by the government.Wholesale traders at New Covent Garden market in London are launching fruit, veg and essential item boxes for delivery to the public, following a catastrophic collapse in regular orders from restaurant chains and pubs as a result of the closures ordered by the government.
Normally the market’s 150-plus traders supply the capital’s vast food service network, from Michelin-starred establishments through to airlines, cruise ships, hotels, pubs and even food for the animals at London zoo.Normally the market’s 150-plus traders supply the capital’s vast food service network, from Michelin-starred establishments through to airlines, cruise ships, hotels, pubs and even food for the animals at London zoo.
Companies such as Nature’s Choice, Fresh Connect, LinkClass, EA Williams, IA Harris and Premier Food Service have refocused their efforts, and are seeking to avoid waste, by offering to deliver the freshest and best quality produce direct to homes in and around London.Companies such as Nature’s Choice, Fresh Connect, LinkClass, EA Williams, IA Harris and Premier Food Service have refocused their efforts, and are seeking to avoid waste, by offering to deliver the freshest and best quality produce direct to homes in and around London.
The move comes as traditional national veg box services such as Riverford and Abel & Cole have buckled under the strain of exceptional demand.The move comes as traditional national veg box services such as Riverford and Abel & Cole have buckled under the strain of exceptional demand.
An NHS trust in Cambridge has begun to send patients that have recovered from the coronavirus home, Cambridge News reports.
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trusts said they had been “inundated” with offers of support and money amid the coronavirus epidemic.
Mike More, the chairman of the Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, thanked the local community in a statement. “The world is changing around us, both inside and outside of our hospital walls. I would like to publicly recognise the immense efforts of our NHS staff and volunteers. Many have offered to work extra hours to help out, and others have been redeployed to where they are most urgently needed.”
More added the trust has starting to send some patients home – with and without underlying health issues – who had been successfully treated for coronavirus.
Manchester United and Manchester City have donated a combined £100,000 to local food banks in a joint initiative between the clubs to fight the threat of coronavirus to the most vulnerable.
The move comes after Fans Supporting Foodbanks told the Guardian on Thursday it was launching a fund with MUFC Foodbanks to help schemes in the area.
In a joint statement, City and United said: “We are proud of the role our supporters play in helping local food banks and recognise the increased strain likely to be placed on these charities by the impact of coronavirus. We are pleased to come together with our fans to help vulnerable members of society in a City United.”
She told her fans not to panic on Twitter
The 59-year-old breakfast TV star was inundated with messages of support after she made the announcement.
John Bird, the founder of the Big Issue magazine, has announced that it will be going digital during the coronavirus pandemic due to fears that street vendors could be put at risk.
In a post on Twitter on Saturday, Bird wrote: “With heavy heart I have had to say to Big Issue vendors “your wellbeing comes first, so no selling on the streets. You have to be indoors. Out of harm’s way.”
He called on people to buy the magazine online to continue to support vendors.
Jake Knowles-Jenssen, a 27-year-old British freelancer, sent a photo from outside the normally bustling Ostbahnhof as Bavaria’s stricter measures come into effect.
He said that up until midnight last night restaurants could open until 6pm and only non-essential shops were closed, but people were still out in large numbers. Bavarian leader, Markus Söder, responded with stricter restrictions.
“Now we can only go out for essential food or exercise alone. Police will enforce and you have to justify your reasons for being outside your home,” he said.
Knowles-Jenssen moved to Germany in January.
UK supermarket chain Morrisons has announced a number of measures to support frontline staff responding to the coronavirus epidemic and the most vulnerable groups affected by the crisis.
Morrisons said it would take on staff from Marie Curie and CLIC Sargent charity shops, whose doors may close because of the coronavirus. It announced on Saturday that it would take on up to 500 colleagues to help the elderly and vulnerable in stores across the UK.
Matthew Reed, the chief executive of Marie Curie, said: “Every day and night Marie Curie nurses and doctors continue to care for people at the end of the lives. As we face into this national emergency, communities, business and charities need to work together more than ever.”
It comes as Lidl announced it would be giving away thousands of bunches of Mother’s Day flowers to NHS workers and worthy causes.
Ryan McDonnell, the chief commercial director at Lidl GB, said: “This Mother’s Day, we wanted to redistribute this surplus supply and show our thanks and appreciation to those working tirelessly through these extraordinary times. We hope that our beautiful bunches will help raise the spirits of those who receive them.”
Convenience retailer the Co-op will next week donate £1.5m worth of food to FareShare, to help boost plummeting stocks at food banks which have suffered a huge slump in donations.
FareShare – the UK’s largest hunger fighting charity - supports over 11,000 charities and community groups, including food banks. The Co-op has pledged £1.5m of essential food products which will be split amongst FareShare’s 23 regional centres and then supplied to a network of local community groups across the country.
Food banks remain a lifeline for those who rely on the donations to feed their families and demand is set to grow as the number of people who unexpectedly find themselves out of work increases.
The Co-op has also announced measures to combat holiday hunger in pupils caused by unplanned school closures. Some 6,500 students across 25 Co-op academy schools who currently have free school meals will be given a £20 voucher for every week that schools remain shut.
The European Union commission moved to formalise an agreement reached by EU finance ministers to suspend budget rules that put limits on borrowing so that governments have a free hand in fighting the coronavirus, Reuters reports.
The European Union executive proposed late on Friday to activate the ‘general escape clause’ in the rules to respond to the pandemic that has caused lockdowns in most EU countries and the closure of Europe’s borders.
“It will allow member states to undertake measures to deal adequately with the crisis, while departing from the budgetary requirements that would normally apply under the European fiscal framework,” the Commission said.
EU rules say that governments have to keep cutting their budget deficits until they reach balance or surplus and have to reduce public debt every year to bring it below 60% of GDP.
Once the Commission proposal is formally accepted by EU finance ministers at their next meeting, government spending to fight the coronavirus will be excluded from Commission calculations of deficit and debt.
UK car parking firm NCP is offering free parking to all NHS staff to help them to get to work at a time when slimmed-down transport networks are offering limited services.
NHS workers can access the offer directly via the NCP website and pre-book their space each time they need to park. The offerapplies to more than 150 locations across the UK and is available to book any time up to an hour before arrival.
The offer will run until the end of April and then be reviewed. NCP currently already offers discounted rates for NHS workers all year round in many car parks located near a hospital.
Stephen Barclay, the Treasury chief secretary, said that providing protection for the the self-employed during the coronavirus outbreak would be “operationally” difficult to deliver, following criticism that current UK government plans to underwrite the wages of millions of workers did not cover freelancers, contractors and the self-employed.
Barclay said the self-employed would benefit from measures such as the deferral of self-assessment tax requirements, holidays for mortgage payers and the strengthening of the welfare “safety net”.
“We are looking at operationally what we can roll out to people,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. “The main thing we have done is twofold: it is to support the economy as a whole, because the best thing for people who are self-employed as for all people is to sustain the economy and ensure that we can return with those viable businesses, and alongside that strengthen the safety net.”
When asked whether the government would come forward with measures specifically for the self-employed, he said: “I come back to this underlying point about operationally what is difficult to do and what can be delivered to the timescales were are working to.”
For some comic relief, Guardian media editor Jim Waterson has talked to the man behind the WhatsApp audio clip poking fun at coronavirus misinformation.
Billy McLean, a 29-year-old Londoner who works in software sales, is the man responsible for a spoof WhatsApp audio clip that claimed the Ministry of Defence was about to requisition Wembley Stadium to cook the world’s biggest lasagne. He told the Guardian that his “viral” success highlighted the risks of believing everything that gets sent to you on the messaging service.