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 27 Version 28
Coronavirus news: Thousands more beds and 20,000 extra staff to aid fight in UK – 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
Leaders of Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre, revered as the site of Jesus’s crucifixion and burial, urged worshippers on Saturday to maintain social distancing to help fight the coronavirus.
Church leaders at the ancient holy site in Jerusalem’s walled Old City called on visitors to “avoid any act of devotion that might include physical contact such as touching and kissing the stones, touching icons, vestments and the personnel.”
In a statement, the church said worshippers should not enter in groups of more than 10 and ought to maintain a distance of at least two metres between each other.
“The Holy Sepulchre is the ultimate place of hope. Hope that faith will defeat doubt, light will defeat darkness and life will triumph over death,” it added.
With the usually busy Easter holiday approaching, the coronavirus crisis has led to a sharp decline in the number of visitors to the Holy Land. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is a particular favourite among pilgrims and tourists.
Other sacred sites have ordered similar precautions, including the Church of the Annunciation in Nazareth and in Bethlehem, revered as Jesus’s birthplace, the Church of the Nativity has shut down entirely.
Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque, Islam’s third holiest site, has limited Friday prayers to the open outdoor areas of the mosque compound - one of the most sensitive spots in the Middle East - which Muslims refer to as the Noble Sanctuary and Jews call the Temple Mount.
At the Western Wall, the holiest site in Judaism where Jews are allowed to pray, religious authorities have instructed the faithful to refrain from holding mass prayers and from kissing the stones of the ancient wall which abuts the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary complex.
Israel has reported 883 confirmed cases of coronavirus to date and one death.
The Palestinians have confirmed 52 cases in the occupied West Bank and none in the Gaza Strip.
Alejandro Giammattei, the president of Guatemala, has ordered an eight-day curfew from Sunday to stem the spread of coronavirus in the Central American country.
My colleague Helena Smith has this update on the coronavirus response in Albania:
Albania has resorted to deploying the army to enforce a curfew that began at 1pm local time on Saturday – the country’s latest bid to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The measure, set to last 40 hours, was implemented after citizens continued to openly flout orders to stay at home. To date 76 people in the former Stalinist state have contracted the virus. Two deaths have also been recorded.
With some 120,000 people having returned from Italy – like Greece, host to a large Albanian community – prior to the country cutting air and sea links with its neighbour on 9 March, there are mounting fears over the ability of the nation’s health system to cope in the event of a sudden surge in confirmed coronavirus cases.
The prime minister, Edi Rama said authorities wouldn’t hesitate to use force if the curfew was violated. “Everyone will stay inside after 13:00,” he said. “Police and armed forces will use force against whoever breaks the law, including pensioners, and will use water canons and teargas if need be.”
Prior to the lockdown, Albanians had failed to uphold the appeals of authorities to social distance with news agencies in Tirana, the capital, describing joggers going out in groups to exercise, the elderly playing dominoes in the street and people converging on supermarkets with scant attention to those next to them.
First coronavirus death in Bosnia
A woman has became the first to die of the coronavirus in Bosnia, the manager of a hospital in the north-western town of Bihać said on Saturday.
“The first victim is an elderly woman who died in the hospital even before her test for coronavirus showed positive. She had a history of chronic diseases,” Hajrudin Havic said.
Bosnia has declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.
It has so far reported 90 infections.
Algeria said on Saturday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had risen to 139 from 95.
The country has stopped international and domestic travel, closed mosques, cafes and restaurants and told half of state employees to stay at home to try to limit the spread of the virus.
Turkey imposed a partial curfew on Saturday for citizens over the age of 65 and those with chronic diseases, effective as of midnight, as part of measures against the coronavirus outbreak.
Details of the curfew would be announced later, the interior ministry said in a statement.
Earlier on Saturday, Turkey suspended flights with 46 more countries and banned picnics and barbecues, after the number of cases roughly doubled every day for a week.
A further two people have died in Wales after contracting coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths there to five, health officials have said.
In a statement, Dr Frank Atherton, the chief medical officer for Wales, said:
Brazil’s far-right president is facing fierce criticism for what is widely seen as his chaotic and cavalier response to the coronavirus crisis.Brazil’s far-right president is facing fierce criticism for what is widely seen as his chaotic and cavalier response to the coronavirus crisis.
But governors of some of Brazil’s most important states are taking drastic action amid warnings that the country’s health service could collapse because of coronavirus in the coming weeks.But governors of some of Brazil’s most important states are taking drastic action amid warnings that the country’s health service could collapse because of coronavirus in the coming weeks.
The governor of São Paulo state, João Doria, has just announced that it will begin a 15-day quarantine from this Tuesday.The governor of São Paulo state, João Doria, has just announced that it will begin a 15-day quarantine from this Tuesday.
“This will mean the order to close all non-essential commerce and services,” João Doria told reporters according to the Folha de São Paulo newspaper.“This will mean the order to close all non-essential commerce and services,” João Doria told reporters according to the Folha de São Paulo newspaper.
São Paulo is Brazil’s most economically important and populous state - home to more than 44 million of the country’s 209 million citizens. Its capital is the megacity of São Paulo which someone in the region of 20 million residents.São Paulo is Brazil’s most economically important and populous state - home to more than 44 million of the country’s 209 million citizens. Its capital is the megacity of São Paulo which someone in the region of 20 million residents.
An Irish naval vessel is being transformed into a Covid-19 testing centre.An Irish naval vessel is being transformed into a Covid-19 testing centre.
The LE Samuel Beckett is berthed at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the Liffey River in Dublin city centre.The LE Samuel Beckett is berthed at Sir John Rogerson’s Quay on the Liffey River in Dublin city centre.
Hundreds of cases of the virus have been recorded in Ireland.Hundreds of cases of the virus have been recorded in Ireland.
Army engineers provided power and lighting for the vessel, while others erected tents along the quayside close to the central bank.Army engineers provided power and lighting for the vessel, while others erected tents along the quayside close to the central bank.
It is part of a major effort by the defence forces to support the health service’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.It is part of a major effort by the defence forces to support the health service’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Canada’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 13 from 12 the previous day, with confirmed cases rising to 1,099, a government official said on Saturday.Canada’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak has risen to 13 from 12 the previous day, with confirmed cases rising to 1,099, a government official said on Saturday.
The government has tested around 83,000 people for Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, the official said.The government has tested around 83,000 people for Covid-19, the disease caused by the virus, the official said.
In the past 24 hours the coronavirus death toll in Lombardy, Italy’s worst-affected region, has risen by more than by 546 to 3,095, according to official figures.In the past 24 hours the coronavirus death toll in Lombardy, Italy’s worst-affected region, has risen by more than by 546 to 3,095, according to official figures.
Good afternoon, it’s Aaron Walawalkar here taking over on the live blog from my colleague Aamna Mohdin.Good afternoon, it’s Aaron Walawalkar here taking over on the live blog from my colleague Aamna Mohdin.
I’ll be bringing you all the latest coronavirus developments. If there’s anything I miss, please message me on Twitter @AaronWala. I’ll try to read everything but may not be able to respond to all messages given the overwhelming interest.I’ll be bringing you all the latest coronavirus developments. If there’s anything I miss, please message me on Twitter @AaronWala. I’ll try to read everything but may not be able to respond to all messages given the overwhelming interest.
There is deep concern among hospitality industry workers on zero-hours contracts who are unable to work now that bars have been closed, a representative of bar workers in the capital has said.There is deep concern among hospitality industry workers on zero-hours contracts who are unable to work now that bars have been closed, a representative of bar workers in the capital has said.
Drew Mallins, founder of the London Bartenders’ Association, says measures announced yesterday to ensure 80% of employees’ wages will be paid by the government were welcome but there is still a lack of clarity for those on zero-hours contracts, which is causing anxiety.Drew Mallins, founder of the London Bartenders’ Association, says measures announced yesterday to ensure 80% of employees’ wages will be paid by the government were welcome but there is still a lack of clarity for those on zero-hours contracts, which is causing anxiety.
The Facebook group for the LBA, which has more than 30,000 members, has been awash with worried bar workers over the last two weeks, Mallins said. The association is calling for the government to provide clarity for those not covered by the measures.The Facebook group for the LBA, which has more than 30,000 members, has been awash with worried bar workers over the last two weeks, Mallins said. The association is calling for the government to provide clarity for those not covered by the measures.
Mallins has also been working with the Drinks Trust, the UK charity for the drinks industry, which is working to provide mental health resources for workers.Mallins has also been working with the Drinks Trust, the UK charity for the drinks industry, which is working to provide mental health resources for workers.
“We think it’s highly likely there will be people in the industry whose mental health problems will be exacerbated by the crisis,” he said. “They have also got a HR expert on board and they will be answering questions from the membership.”“We think it’s highly likely there will be people in the industry whose mental health problems will be exacerbated by the crisis,” he said. “They have also got a HR expert on board and they will be answering questions from the membership.”
On a positive note, he said some bars are finding ways to continue operating in London by providing food and drink to take away.On a positive note, he said some bars are finding ways to continue operating in London by providing food and drink to take away.
“Lots of bartenders are really creative so they are doing things like bottled cocktails for delivery. There has been a rush to get listed on delivery apps and websites,” he said.“Lots of bartenders are really creative so they are doing things like bottled cocktails for delivery. There has been a rush to get listed on delivery apps and websites,” he said.
More than 500 travellers from the UK and Ireland are stranded in Peru as the window for repatriation closes.More than 500 travellers from the UK and Ireland are 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.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’s response caused alarm. He said:When asked if there will continue to be flights available throughout the state of emergency, Martos’s 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.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.“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!”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 50 of its 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.John Lewis will be closing all 50 of its 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 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’s physical and online shops.The online site will continue to operate as normal, alongside Waitrose’s physical and online shops.
Chairman Sharon White said: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 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 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.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:Matt Hancock, the health secretary, said:
Sir Simon Stevens, the NHS’s chief executive, hailed the deal with the private sector, saying: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: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.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.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.Bosnia has declared a nationwide state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak. The country has so far reported 90 cases.