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Coronavirus live news: Angela Merkel in quarantine; Spain set to extend state of emergency Coronavirus live news: Angela Merkel in quarantine; Spain set to extend state of emergency
(32 minutes later)
German chancellor in self-isolation after her doctor tests positive for coronavirus; reports say 360 more people have died in Italy; first two cases in GazaGerman chancellor in self-isolation after her doctor tests positive for coronavirus; reports say 360 more people have died in Italy; first two cases in Gaza
Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Gakharia has announced that the government is shutting down the municipalities of Marneuli and Bolnisi, south to capital city of Tbilisi, as reportedly the Georgian healthcare authorities could not identify the source for the latest case confirmed in Marneuli. This follows the country’s declaration of a state of emergency yesterday.
Brazil has just announced its latest coronavirus statistics. Twenty five dead and 1,546 confirmed cases as of today. That is up from 18 and 1,128 yesterday.South-east Brazil has so far borne the brunt of the crisis and of the fatalities 22 were in Brazil’s most populous state, São Paulo and three in the neighbouring state of Rio de Janeiro.
Both states are now in a state of partial shutdown with São Paulo set to enter a two-week period of quarantine on Tuesday. Streets were eerily empty on Sunday in parts of Rio although supermarkets and some shops remain open.Brazil’s far-right president - whose response to the crisis has been widely criticised - has attacked the governors of Rio and São Paulo - who he sees as potential presidential rivals in the 2022 election - for the drastic steps they are taking.“They are creating a climate of terror,” by trying to shut airports and keep people at home, Bolsonaro said on Saturday.
But there have now been five nights of protests against Bolsonaro’s administration and his handling of coronavirus here and many observers believe his reaction has already wrecked any hope of re-election.
McDonald’s has said it is closing all its UK and Ireland restaurants from Monday night. In a statement, its UK CEO, Paul Pomroy, said: “I am incredibly grateful to our brilliant employees who have been working hard to continue to serve you safely in difficult circumstances.
“Over the last 24 hours, it has become clear that maintaining safe social distancing whilst operating busy takeaway and Drive Thru restaurants is increasingly difficult and therefore we have taken the decision to close every restaurant in the UK and Ireland by 7pm on Monday 23 March.
“We will be working closely with community groups across the UK and Ireland to distribute food from our restaurants to those most in need, and ahead of closing tomorrow evening, will ensure frontline health workers and emergency services personnel do not have to pay for any food or drink in our restaurants on sight of their work pass.
“Take care of one another in these unprecedented times, we look forward to seeing you again as soon as it is safe for us to reopen.”
Paul Pomroy
Our Australian team have launched their blog today to follow all the developments there.Our Australian team have launched their blog today to follow all the developments there.
NHS healthcare workers received a round of applause and flowers from Tesco staff in a show of support for their work against the pandemic.NHS healthcare workers received a round of applause and flowers from Tesco staff in a show of support for their work against the pandemic.
Tesco told the PA news agency that staff at stores across the country independently decided to make the gesture as part of the ‘NHS hour’ it has introduced. This will allow healthcare workers to arrive an hour earlier every Sunday to buy supplies.Tesco told the PA news agency that staff at stores across the country independently decided to make the gesture as part of the ‘NHS hour’ it has introduced. This will allow healthcare workers to arrive an hour earlier every Sunday to buy supplies.
Grenada has reported its first case of coronavirus, local sources report. The patient is said to have recently travelled from the UK.Grenada has reported its first case of coronavirus, local sources report. The patient is said to have recently travelled from the UK.
A 95-year-old Czech man infected with the new coronavirus has died, the country’s first victim of the pandemic, the chief of the Czech crisis committee said.A 95-year-old Czech man infected with the new coronavirus has died, the country’s first victim of the pandemic, the chief of the Czech crisis committee said.
Reuters reports that the patient is said to have been suffering from a series of other conditions.Reuters reports that the patient is said to have been suffering from a series of other conditions.
The Czech Republic has reported 1,120 cases of coronavirus infection.The Czech Republic has reported 1,120 cases of coronavirus infection.
The Costa Rican government has announced 17 more Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 134. President Carlos Alvarado said the virus how now spread to all parts of the country and urged Costa Ricans not to drop their guard against the virus.The Costa Rican government has announced 17 more Covid-19 cases, bringing the total to 134. President Carlos Alvarado said the virus how now spread to all parts of the country and urged Costa Ricans not to drop their guard against the virus.
There is still hope coronavirus can be contained in the Central American country amid a nationwide lockdown. Costa Rica has the second largest outbreak in the region behind Panama, where cases have surged over the weekend to 245 and three deaths.There is still hope coronavirus can be contained in the Central American country amid a nationwide lockdown. Costa Rica has the second largest outbreak in the region behind Panama, where cases have surged over the weekend to 245 and three deaths.
Further north, Guatemala has started an eight day curfew to prevent the spread of the virus after the country recorded 17 cases on Saturday.Further north, Guatemala has started an eight day curfew to prevent the spread of the virus after the country recorded 17 cases on Saturday.
From PA Media: A fourth patient diagnosed with Covid-19 in Ireland has died. The patient is reported to have had an underlying condition.From PA Media: A fourth patient diagnosed with Covid-19 in Ireland has died. The patient is reported to have had an underlying condition.
Syria’s health minister Nizar Yazigi has announced the country’s first confirmed coronavirus case, AP reports.Syria’s health minister Nizar Yazigi has announced the country’s first confirmed coronavirus case, AP reports.
The Archbishop of Canterbury has started a call to prayer on Twitter amidst the pandemic.The Archbishop of Canterbury has started a call to prayer on Twitter amidst the pandemic.
The International Olympic Committee is considering a postponement of Tokyo 2020, with four weeks until it has to make a decision.The International Olympic Committee is considering a postponement of Tokyo 2020, with four weeks until it has to make a decision.
The BBC reports the IOC saying that cancellation is “not on the agenda”, but a ‘scaled-down’ Games will be considered.The BBC reports the IOC saying that cancellation is “not on the agenda”, but a ‘scaled-down’ Games will be considered.
France’s coronavirus death toll rose by 112 on Sunday to 674, senior health official Jerome Salomon said. The number of confirmed infections increased by 1,559 to 16,018, according to Reuters.France’s coronavirus death toll rose by 112 on Sunday to 674, senior health official Jerome Salomon said. The number of confirmed infections increased by 1,559 to 16,018, according to Reuters.