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 29 Version 30
Coronavirus news: almost 800 new deaths in Italy in one day Coronavirus news: 53 more people die in UK, taking toll to 233
(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
Man charged with making fake coronavirus treatment kits
A man had appeared in court charged with making counterfeit coronavirus treatment kits and sending them across the world, City of London Police said.
Officers from the force’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) arrested Frank Ludlow, 59, of West Sussex, in a post office near to his home address on Friday and he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday charged with one count each of fraud by false representation, possession of articles for use in fraud and unlawfully manufacturing a medicinal product. He was remanded in custody until April 20.
Police said his arrest followed a joint investigation with the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the US Food and Drug Administration which was triggered when US customs officers intercepted a package on March 18 containing 60 fake kits labelled as “Anti-Pathogenic treatment” and sent from the UK.
US vice-president Mike Pence has said he will be tested for coronavirus after his aide tested positive for Covid-19.
Pret a Manger closes UK stores
High street coffee chain Pret a Manger has just announced that it will be closing all its 550 UK stores from this evening.
On Wednesday, it switched to a takeaway model and closed seating areas, later telling staff it was cutting working hours and pay by a quarter as customers followed government advice to stay at home to dampen the spread of coronavirus.
In a message to customers today, Pret’s chief executive, Pano Christou, said:
On the UK’s coronavirus death toll, NHS England said in a statement:
The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 233 after NHS England said a further 53 people had died in England after testing positive.The coronavirus death toll in the UK has reached 233 after NHS England said a further 53 people had died in England after testing positive.
The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Italy rose by 793 to 4,825 on Saturday, officials said.The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in Italy rose by 793 to 4,825 on Saturday, officials said.
It is the largest daily rise in absolute terms since the contagion emerged a month ago.It is the largest daily rise in absolute terms since the contagion emerged a month ago.
On Thursday, Italy overtook China as the country to register most deaths from the virus.On Thursday, Italy overtook China as the country to register most deaths from the virus.
The total number of cases in Italy rose to 53,578 from a previous 47,021, an increase of 13.9%, the Civil Protection Agency said.The total number of cases in Italy rose to 53,578 from a previous 47,021, an increase of 13.9%, the Civil Protection Agency said.
The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy remains in a critical situation, with 3,095 deaths and 25,515 cases.The hardest-hit northern region of Lombardy remains in a critical situation, with 3,095 deaths and 25,515 cases.
Of those originally infected nationwide, 6,072 had fully recovered on Saturday compared to 5,129 the day before.Of those originally infected nationwide, 6,072 had fully recovered on Saturday compared to 5,129 the day before.
There were 2,857 people in intensive care against a previous 2,655.There were 2,857 people in intensive care against a previous 2,655.
President Trump introduces vice-president Mike Pence who has been leading the US’ coronavirus taskforce.President Trump introduces vice-president Mike Pence who has been leading the US’ coronavirus taskforce.
“He has not slept much. Maybe a tiny bit ... maybe a little. But not much,” Trump said.“He has not slept much. Maybe a tiny bit ... maybe a little. But not much,” Trump said.
White House press briefing beginsWhite House press briefing begins
Donald Trump has begun providing an update on the coronavirus at a White House press conference.Donald Trump has begun providing an update on the coronavirus at a White House press conference.
A Guardian correspondent is at the briefing. Follow the latest developments on our US coronavirus blog:A Guardian correspondent is at the briefing. Follow the latest developments on our US coronavirus blog:
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.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 personne”.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 personne”.
In a statement, the church said worshippers should not enter in groups of more than 10 and maintain a distance of at least 2 metres between each other.In a statement, the church said worshippers should not enter in groups of more than 10 and maintain a distance of at least 2 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.“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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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: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.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.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.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.”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.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 BosniaFirst 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.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.“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.Bosnia has declared a state of emergency over the coronavirus outbreak.
It has so far reported 90 infections.It has so far reported 90 infections.
Algeria said on Saturday that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had risen to 139 from 95.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.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.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.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.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.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:In a statement, Dr Frank Atherton, the chief medical officer for Wales, said: