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/21/coronavirus-live-updates-deaths-jump-in-spain-and-italy-millions-locked-down-in-us

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 25 Version 26
Coronavirus news: UK government gives daily briefing – live updates Coronavirus news: Thousands more beds and 20,000 extra staff to aid fight in UK – live updates
(32 minutes later)
Italy deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latestItaly deaths pass 4,000; More US states, including New York, tell people to stay home; Dow Jones falls 900 points. Follow the latest
A number of peers including Floella Benjamin, Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, John Birt, Rowan Williams, and Lola Young have written a letter calling on the chancellor to put in place emergency funds to support the self-employed during the coronavirus pandemic. More than 500 travellers from UK and Ireland are currently stranded in Peru as the window for repatriation closes.
In a live TV interview on Friday night on Canal N, the main Peruvian national TV channel, defence minister Walter Martos stated that Peru’s borders would close completely and they will “close all airports” from Saturday night 21 March.
When asked if there will continue to be flights available throughout the state of emergency, Martos’ response caused alarm. He said:
There are fears this will leave more than 500 UK and Irish nationals stranded throughout Peru in a desperate situation.
“The government squandered their window of opportunity with inaction”, says Anwen Greenaway from Oxford.
In a letter to the British Embassy in Peru, Fred Fransis, a stranded traveller in Peru, said: “It seems that a big opportunity has been missed. A week has passed with no solution regarding repatriation while other countries have succeeded. The situation has developed into a crisis. Reports here are that all borders will be strictly closed tomorrow Sunday and no more repatriation flights afterwards. There is only one day left for action on your part!”
John Lewis will be closing all of its 50 shops temporarily from Monday, the first time in the 155-year history of the business that it will not open its shop doors for customers.
The company confirmed it will be closing the shops as a result of the impact of the coronavirus.
The online site will continue to operate as normal, alongside Waitrose physical and online shops.
Chairman Sharon White said:
The NHS has struck a deal with private hospitals to provide thousands more beds, ventilators and extra healthcare staff from next week to aid in the fight against coronavirus.
The extra resources, which include nearly 20,000 staff, will also help the NHS deliver other urgent operations and cancer treatments.
The deal with independent hospitals is thought to be the first of its kind and will include the provision of 8,000 hospital beds across England, nearly 1,200 more ventilators, more than 10,000 nurses, over 700 doctors and over 8,000 other clinical staff.
Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said:
Sir Simon Stevens, the NHS’s chief executive, hailed the deal with the private sector, saying:
David Hare, the chief executive of the Independent Healthcare Providers Network, said:
A Bosnian man became the first to die of the coronavirus in the Balkan country, Reuters reports.
The death was confirmed by the manager of a hospital in the north-western town of Bihac.
Bosnia has declared a nationwide state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak. The country has so far reported 90 cases.
A number of peers including Floella Benjamin, Melvyn Bragg, Joan Bakewell, John Birt, Rowan Williams and Lola Young have written a letter calling on the chancellor to put in place emergency funds to support the self-employed during the coronavirus pandemic.
The letter notes:The letter notes:
Tesco has today announced that it will be giving a 10% bonus to its workers in stores, distribution centres and customer engagement centres across the country.Tesco has today announced that it will be giving a 10% bonus to its workers in stores, distribution centres and customer engagement centres across the country.
The bonus will be backdated to Monday 9 March for all permanent colleagues, who will receive the increased hourly pay rate till 1 May, when the company will review the situation.The bonus will be backdated to Monday 9 March for all permanent colleagues, who will receive the increased hourly pay rate till 1 May, when the company will review the situation.
Jason Tarry, UK and ROI CEO said: Jason Tarry, Tesco’s UK and ROI chief executive, said:
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa rose above 1,000 on Saturday, AP reports, as two heads of state appeared to defy their own travel restrictions.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Africa rose above 1,000 on Saturday, AP reports, as two heads of state appeared to defy their own travel restrictions.
As of Saturday, 40 of Africa’s 54 countries were impacted by the outbreak after Angola confirmed its first cases. Congo reported its first death, while Burkina Faso reported two new ones.As of Saturday, 40 of Africa’s 54 countries were impacted by the outbreak after Angola confirmed its first cases. Congo reported its first death, while Burkina Faso reported two new ones.
Several government ministers in Burkina Faso have tested positive, including the minister of foreign affairs. The West African nation has one of the highest confirmed cases on the continent with 64. On Friday, the president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, announced the country’s two international airports would close for two weeks with the exception for military and cargo.Several government ministers in Burkina Faso have tested positive, including the minister of foreign affairs. The West African nation has one of the highest confirmed cases on the continent with 64. On Friday, the president, Roch Marc Christian Kabore, announced the country’s two international airports would close for two weeks with the exception for military and cargo.
Though Angola also closed its air, land and sea borders this week, Namibian media showed the president, João Lourenço, at the inauguration of Namibian president, Hage Geingob. Also in attendance was Mokgweetsi Masisi, the president of neighbouring Botswana, which this week suspended international travel by all government employees.Though Angola also closed its air, land and sea borders this week, Namibian media showed the president, João Lourenço, at the inauguration of Namibian president, Hage Geingob. Also in attendance was Mokgweetsi Masisi, the president of neighbouring Botswana, which this week suspended international travel by all government employees.
A hearing has been ordered by the high court after Detention Action launched a landmark legal challenge following the government’s written response to the claim. The challenge is thought to be the first Covid-19-related case listed in England and Wales.A hearing has been ordered by the high court after Detention Action launched a landmark legal challenge following the government’s written response to the claim. The challenge is thought to be the first Covid-19-related case listed in England and Wales.
The death toll from patients who tested positive for the coronavirus in Scotland has increased to seven.The death toll from patients who tested positive for the coronavirus in Scotland has increased to seven.
A total of 373 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, new figures from the Scottish government show. The number of cases has increased by 51 in the last 24 hours.A total of 373 people have now tested positive for Covid-19, new figures from the Scottish government show. The number of cases has increased by 51 in the last 24 hours.
The Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS area has the largest number of confirmed cases, with 110 people in the area diagnosed as having it. There are 49 cases in Lanarkshire, 44 in Lothian and 34 in Tayside.The Greater Glasgow and Clyde NHS area has the largest number of confirmed cases, with 110 people in the area diagnosed as having it. There are 49 cases in Lanarkshire, 44 in Lothian and 34 in Tayside.
At the end of the briefing, Eustice reiterated that supermarkets were best placed to judge what stock item limits should be put in place.At the end of the briefing, Eustice reiterated that supermarkets were best placed to judge what stock item limits should be put in place.
“There’s no shortage of food. As I said, food manufacturing has geared up to meet an increase in demand and it is up by 50%.”“There’s no shortage of food. As I said, food manufacturing has geared up to meet an increase in demand and it is up by 50%.”
Asked about possible military involvement in the supply chain, Eustice said:“We are obviously giving increasing thought within government over how we will protect those who may be self-isolating because they are vulnerable and I know more will be said about this in due course.”Asked about possible military involvement in the supply chain, Eustice said:“We are obviously giving increasing thought within government over how we will protect those who may be self-isolating because they are vulnerable and I know more will be said about this in due course.”
Eustice said supermarkets had experienced a surge in demand similar to the Christmas period.Eustice said supermarkets had experienced a surge in demand similar to the Christmas period.
“And food manufacturers have responded by increasing their production by up to about 50%,” he explained, “so there’s no risk of food running out. The challenge we have is getting food to the shelves and keeping it there.”“And food manufacturers have responded by increasing their production by up to about 50%,” he explained, “so there’s no risk of food running out. The challenge we have is getting food to the shelves and keeping it there.”
Asked about possible government intervention restricting food purchases, Eustice said: “The reality is that most of the supermarkets are already, of their own accord, putting limits on certain items so I don’t think it is necessary or appropriate for the government to dictate this.”Asked about possible government intervention restricting food purchases, Eustice said: “The reality is that most of the supermarkets are already, of their own accord, putting limits on certain items so I don’t think it is necessary or appropriate for the government to dictate this.”
Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said at the daily Downing Street briefing that there was plenty of food in the supply chain. The issue is around people and lorries.Helen Dickinson, the chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said at the daily Downing Street briefing that there was plenty of food in the supply chain. The issue is around people and lorries.
She added there was £1bn more food in people’s houses than there was three weeks ago. “So we should make sure we eat some of it.”She added there was £1bn more food in people’s houses than there was three weeks ago. “So we should make sure we eat some of it.”