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Coronavirus updates: New Zealand announces lockdown as Canada withdraws from Olympics Coronavirus updates: New Zealand announces lockdown as Canada withdraws from Olympics
(32 minutes later)
European treatment trial launched; almost one in three Americans told to stay home; first confirmed case in Syria. Follow the latest newsEuropean treatment trial launched; almost one in three Americans told to stay home; first confirmed case in Syria. Follow the latest news
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan, for today. I will now be leaving you in the washed and capable hands of colleague Ben Quinn.
People are taking to social media to vent their frustration after airline Emirates announced it would suspend all flights for two weeks in response to the United Arab Emirates’ decision to suspend all inbound and outbound passenger flights and the transit of airline passengers.
Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide are approaching 15,000, Johns Hopkins University reports, with the current toll at 14,706. Confirmed cases of Covid-15 reached 339,259 on Monday, with the number of recoveries currently amounting to just under a third of these, at 98,834.
Emirates has suspended all passenger flights for two weeks starting from 25 March 2020.
Losing your sense of smell could be used as a key clinical indicator in otherwise symptom-free carriers of Covid-19, according to doctors and scientists.
Harvey Weinstein tested positive for Coronavirus, Reuters reports. The head of the New York state corrections officers union confirmed late on Sunday that the former movie producer, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has tested positive for the Covid-19.
China saw a drop in its daily tally of new coronavirus cases,reversing four straight days of higher figures, as the capital Beijing ramped up measures to contain the number of infections arriving from abroad.
Canada said it will not send athletes to Tokyo Olympics, New Zealand said it would consider boycotting Tokyo 2020 and Australia told its olympic athletes to prepare for the games to be held next year, in 2021 – all in the wake of Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, saying postponement could be an option.
Olympic Organising Committee chief executive of the Toshiro Muto said later that: “All options are open,” and that he cannot say at this point whether the olympics will be held this year or not, Reuters reports, and that it is frustrating to hear the organising committee does not care enough about athletes.Olympics president Yoshiro Mori says the biggest concern is the cost of cancelling the games.
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced the entire country should prepare for self isolation, as the country prepares to move to the highest alert level later this week.
Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to enact broad restrictions, Reuters reports.
A European clinical trial involving some 3,200 people has been launched to test four possible experimental coronavirus treatments.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tests positive for coronavirus.
Germany banned meetings of over two people, they are about work on slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Spain plans to extend its state of emergency for another 15 days until April 11.
Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide are approaching 15,000, Johns Hopkins University reports, with the current toll at 14,706.Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide are approaching 15,000, Johns Hopkins University reports, with the current toll at 14,706.
Confirmed cases of Covid-15 reached 339,259 on Monday, with the number of recoveries currently amounting to just under a third of these, at 98,834.Confirmed cases of Covid-15 reached 339,259 on Monday, with the number of recoveries currently amounting to just under a third of these, at 98,834.
Here is the global top ten for confirmed cases (a reminder that this is in part dependent on testing rates):Here is the global top ten for confirmed cases (a reminder that this is in part dependent on testing rates):
Emirates has again changed its decision on flights, temporarily suspending all passenger services for two weeks starting from 25 March 2020, the airline has just announced.Emirates has again changed its decision on flights, temporarily suspending all passenger services for two weeks starting from 25 March 2020, the airline has just announced.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to our customers and travellers. These measures are in place to contain the spread of Covid-19, and we hope to resume services as soon as feasible,” it said in a statement.“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused to our customers and travellers. These measures are in place to contain the spread of Covid-19, and we hope to resume services as soon as feasible,” it said in a statement.
Earlier today the Dubai carrier reversed a previous announcement suspending all passenger flights, saying it is going to continue flying to 13 destinations, including the the U.S., the UK, Japan, Australia and Canada.Earlier today the Dubai carrier reversed a previous announcement suspending all passenger flights, saying it is going to continue flying to 13 destinations, including the the U.S., the UK, Japan, Australia and Canada.
More now on the Tokyo OlympicsMore now on the Tokyo Olympics
Earlier today, Canada said it would not send athletes to Tokyo Olympics, New Zealand said it would consider boycotting the games and Australia told its olympic athletes to prepare for the games to be held next year, in 2021 – all in the wake of Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, saying postponement could be an option.Earlier today, Canada said it would not send athletes to Tokyo Olympics, New Zealand said it would consider boycotting the games and Australia told its olympic athletes to prepare for the games to be held next year, in 2021 – all in the wake of Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, saying postponement could be an option.
Now, chief executive of the Olympic Organising Committee Toshiro Muto says, “All options are open,” and that he cannot say at this point whether the olympics will be held this year or not, Reuters reports, and that it is frustrating to hear the organising committee does not care enough about athletes.Now, chief executive of the Olympic Organising Committee Toshiro Muto says, “All options are open,” and that he cannot say at this point whether the olympics will be held this year or not, Reuters reports, and that it is frustrating to hear the organising committee does not care enough about athletes.
Olympics president Yoshiro Mori says the biggest concern is the cost of cancelling the games.Olympics president Yoshiro Mori says the biggest concern is the cost of cancelling the games.
This virus is ravaging rich countries. What happens when it hits the poor ones?This virus is ravaging rich countries. What happens when it hits the poor ones?
“If we are concerned about the failure to contain the virus in western Europe and the US, multiples of that horror await in the developing world. With few means of medical intervention, and several other risk factors such as malnutrition, high population densities, communal living and lack of access to water and washing facilities, the rates of mortality could dwarf what has been seen so far in the west. And economically, the virus risks ushering in an ice age. There are no war chests, no stimulus packages, no insurance payouts.”“If we are concerned about the failure to contain the virus in western Europe and the US, multiples of that horror await in the developing world. With few means of medical intervention, and several other risk factors such as malnutrition, high population densities, communal living and lack of access to water and washing facilities, the rates of mortality could dwarf what has been seen so far in the west. And economically, the virus risks ushering in an ice age. There are no war chests, no stimulus packages, no insurance payouts.”
Now for the UK front pages kicking off this almost-final week of March, 2020 – a very long month so far.Now for the UK front pages kicking off this almost-final week of March, 2020 – a very long month so far.
The Guardian leads with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s warning that the UK public must stop congregating in public or face new coronavirus enforcement measures within 24 hours.The Guardian leads with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s warning that the UK public must stop congregating in public or face new coronavirus enforcement measures within 24 hours.
Here is that full story:Here is that full story:
The Financial Times is focussed on Spain, which currently has the fourth-highest number of confirmed cases worldwide:The Financial Times is focussed on Spain, which currently has the fourth-highest number of confirmed cases worldwide:
Brits are “partying hard online” following the closure of pubs, the Daily Star reports:Brits are “partying hard online” following the closure of pubs, the Daily Star reports:
Papua New Guinea will enter into a two-week state of emergency on Tuesday after the country confirmed its first case of Covid-19, as the Pacific region recorded its first death from the virus.Papua New Guinea will enter into a two-week state of emergency on Tuesday after the country confirmed its first case of Covid-19, as the Pacific region recorded its first death from the virus.
The Papua New Guinea government confirmed late on Friday evening that its first case of coronavirus is a foreign mine worker who entered the country on 13 March and travelled to Lae.The Papua New Guinea government confirmed late on Friday evening that its first case of coronavirus is a foreign mine worker who entered the country on 13 March and travelled to Lae.
Prime minister, James Marape, said that though there was no evidence of community transmission so far, the country would declare a state of emergency for 14 days, beginning on Tuesday 24 March.Prime minister, James Marape, said that though there was no evidence of community transmission so far, the country would declare a state of emergency for 14 days, beginning on Tuesday 24 March.
The measures to be introduced include stopping all domestic flights, further to a previous ban on incoming international flights; no movement from one province to another for a 14-day period except for approved cargo, medicine and security personnel; the bringing froward of school holidays to start on Monday 23 March; all non-essential workers to stay at home; and for all people who arrived in Papua New Guinea from 7 March to report in to a government hotline.The measures to be introduced include stopping all domestic flights, further to a previous ban on incoming international flights; no movement from one province to another for a 14-day period except for approved cargo, medicine and security personnel; the bringing froward of school holidays to start on Monday 23 March; all non-essential workers to stay at home; and for all people who arrived in Papua New Guinea from 7 March to report in to a government hotline.
The state of emergency in Papua New Guinea – the largest Pacific Island nation – comes as cases have spread across some countries in the region over the weekend and the region recorded its first death from Covid-19 in Guam.The state of emergency in Papua New Guinea – the largest Pacific Island nation – comes as cases have spread across some countries in the region over the weekend and the region recorded its first death from Covid-19 in Guam.
The Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem will be entirely closed to the public starting today.The Al-Aqsa mosque compound in Jerusalem will be entirely closed to the public starting today.
It is the first time since 1967 that Islam’s third holiest site would be closed to worshippers due to a directive from the Waqf, the Muslim foundation that runs the compound, Al-Aqsa mosque director Sheikh Omar al-Kisswani told AFP.It is the first time since 1967 that Islam’s third holiest site would be closed to worshippers due to a directive from the Waqf, the Muslim foundation that runs the compound, Al-Aqsa mosque director Sheikh Omar al-Kisswani told AFP.
Several hundred people attended the main weekly prayers at the compound on Friday after the mosque itself was closed by the Waqf in response to the virus outbreak - a stark drop from the 30,000 who usually attend, as coronavirus prevention measures kept most away.Several hundred people attended the main weekly prayers at the compound on Friday after the mosque itself was closed by the Waqf in response to the virus outbreak - a stark drop from the 30,000 who usually attend, as coronavirus prevention measures kept most away.
Only mosque employees will be able to continue to pray on the esplanade outside the mosque, Sunday’s statement added.Only mosque employees will be able to continue to pray on the esplanade outside the mosque, Sunday’s statement added.
Jordan is the custodian of the compound, known by Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, or Holy Sanctuary, and Temple Mount by Jews, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.Jordan is the custodian of the compound, known by Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif, or Holy Sanctuary, and Temple Mount by Jews, which includes the Al-Aqsa mosque and the Dome of the Rock.
In Jordan, meanwhile, more than 1,100 people have been arrested for violating a curfew imposed over the weekend:In Jordan, meanwhile, more than 1,100 people have been arrested for violating a curfew imposed over the weekend:
In Turkey, nine more people had died by Sunday night, bringing the country’s death toll to 30. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that 289 people tested positive for Covid-19 Sunday. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is now at least 1,236.In Turkey, nine more people had died by Sunday night, bringing the country’s death toll to 30. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Twitter that 289 people tested positive for Covid-19 Sunday. The total number of confirmed cases in the country is now at least 1,236.
Elsewhere in the middle east: Saudi Arabia will impose a nationwide curfew starting on Monday after reporting a jump of almost a quarter in coronavirus cases, while the United Arab Emirates will suspend all passenger and transit flights to and from the country.Elsewhere in the middle east: Saudi Arabia will impose a nationwide curfew starting on Monday after reporting a jump of almost a quarter in coronavirus cases, while the United Arab Emirates will suspend all passenger and transit flights to and from the country.
In case you missed this – Syria on Sunday confirmed its first case of the coronavirus after weeks of rejecting opposition allegations that the disease had already reached a country with a wrecked health system.In case you missed this – Syria on Sunday confirmed its first case of the coronavirus after weeks of rejecting opposition allegations that the disease had already reached a country with a wrecked health system.
Iraq’s government has extended a curfew on travel in and out of Baghdad until 28 March as part of strict measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.Iraq’s government has extended a curfew on travel in and out of Baghdad until 28 March as part of strict measures to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.
Iran’s death toll has reached 1,685 with 129 deaths in the past 24 hours, the health ministry’s spokesman told state TV on Sunday, adding that the total number of infected people in Iran had reached 21,638.Iran’s death toll has reached 1,685 with 129 deaths in the past 24 hours, the health ministry’s spokesman told state TV on Sunday, adding that the total number of infected people in Iran had reached 21,638.
Wuhan eases coronavirus lockdown as restrictions intensify outside ChinaWuhan eases coronavirus lockdown as restrictions intensify outside China
Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak in China, has begun to loosen its two-month lockdown on citizens as more countries issued new restrictions to contain the pandemic.Wuhan, the centre of the coronavirus outbreak in China, has begun to loosen its two-month lockdown on citizens as more countries issued new restrictions to contain the pandemic.
On Monday, small groups of residents in the central Chinese city were leaving their residential compounds, going to grocery stores and walking along the streets for the first time in weeks. At the weekend, the first train arrived in the city ferrying more than 1,000 workers from elsewhere in the province back to the city for work.On Monday, small groups of residents in the central Chinese city were leaving their residential compounds, going to grocery stores and walking along the streets for the first time in weeks. At the weekend, the first train arrived in the city ferrying more than 1,000 workers from elsewhere in the province back to the city for work.
On Sunday, local authorities said residents could begin returning to work if they did not have a temperature and could provide a green health code, signifying their virus-free status as well as a certificate from their employer. Officials said the city would be “gradually” reopened and public transportation would resume.On Sunday, local authorities said residents could begin returning to work if they did not have a temperature and could provide a green health code, signifying their virus-free status as well as a certificate from their employer. Officials said the city would be “gradually” reopened and public transportation would resume.
Non-residents, those stranded in Wuhan since the stringent travel restrictions went into effect on 23 January, could also begin applying to leave the city, city authorities said.Non-residents, those stranded in Wuhan since the stringent travel restrictions went into effect on 23 January, could also begin applying to leave the city, city authorities said.
Here is a wrap of the day’s biggest coronavirus pandemic news:Here is a wrap of the day’s biggest coronavirus pandemic news:
It’s been another brutal day on international financial markets after the US Senate failed to agree a US$1 trillion rescue package for the American economy and more countries went into self-isolation. US stock futures fell past their daily limit as soon as the news broke that Democrats had refused to back the Republican-drafted legislation because they said it favoured big corporations over healthcare. In Asia Pacific, the Australian ASX200 fell 5.6% – partly due also to a government order closing all pubs, restaurants and gyms – while Hong Kong was off 4.7%. The FTSE100 is expected to drop 5% when it opens later today.
More now on the association between a loss of sense of smell and coronavirus infection.
Ear, nose and throat surgeons say a loss of smell could be used as a key clinical indicator in otherwise symptom-free carriers of Covid-19.
“It is these silent carriers who may remain undetected by current screening procedures, which may explain why the disease has progressed so rapidly in so many countries around the world,” professor at Australia’s Flinders University and ENT specialist Simon Carney told AAP.
“While further research is required, loss of smell, or anosmia, has been reported in as many as one in three patients in South Korea and in Germany, this figure was as high as one in two.”
An ENT professor in London also reported a dramatic increase in patients with anosmia as their only symptom of Covid-19 infection.
He said doctors and COVID-19 detection centres could use the subtle sign as part of their testing criteria and patients should also consider calling their GP if they notice this symptom.
Australians began living under strict new lockdown rules on Monday as coronavirus cases topped 1,600 and authorities denied entry to a cruise ship carrying hundreds on board complaining of respiratory illnesses, Reuters reports. As new restrictions closing non-essential services came into effect, there were clear signs of economic and social stress with long queues forming outside offices of the main welfare agency across the country. After reporting only a gradual spread in January, the number of Covid-19 cases in Australia now appears to be tracking the much sharper increases seen elsewhere with the most populous states of New South Wales and Victoria recording the fastest rises. Most states have now closed their borders to travellers from other parts of the country and effected their own lockdown laws, in addition to the national curbs announced on Sunday. The state of Western Australia on Monday banned passengers on board the Swiss-owned MSC Magnifica cruise ship from disembarking.
Of 1,700 passengers on board the ship, more than 250 have complained of respiratory illnesses. It was due to dock at Western Australia’s Fremantle port as early as Monday evening. That decision comes days after 2,700 passengers disembarked from the Ruby Princess cruise ship in Sydney harbour, with 48 on board subsequently testing positive for the virus.
If you have a tip, or see anything I’ve missed that you think our readers should know – or something that might make them feel good for a moment – get in touch with me on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
A warning to Europe? Italy’s struggle to convince citizens of coronavirus crisis
As Boris Johnson gave his most explicit warning yet on Sunday that the UK might face an Italian-style lockdown, Italy’s experience – particularly the way people went about their business in the early days of the crisis –could serve as a warning to other European countries that appear to be following a similar infection trajectory.
New York state now accounts for half of all of the confirmed US coronavirus cases and 5% of the world’s total, the Guardian’s Kenya Evelyn reports.
Confirmed coronavirus cases have risen sharply in New York as both the state governor, Andrew Cuomo, and Mayor Bill de Blasio, called for urgent and better assistance from the federal government. The city has over 15,000 confirmed cases as of Sunday afternoon, up from 4,812 since Saturday.
The growth is due, in part, to the rapid expansion of testing but also due to the accelerated growth of the virus throughout the city.
On Sunday evening the city faced shutdown after Cuomo, on Friday, ordered the shutdown of all non-essential businesses in the state. Except for essential services, all New Yorkers are now ordered to stay indoors from 8pm Sunday evening. By Sunday the state of New York accounted for half the country’s 30,000 cases nationwide.
Losing your sense of smell might be associated with being infected with Covid-19, according to the New York Times.
“On Friday, British ear, nose and throat doctors, citing reports from colleagues around the world, called on adults who lose their senses of smell to isolate themselves for seven days, even if they have no other symptoms, to slow the disease’s spread. The published data is limited, but doctors are concerned enough to raise warnings,” the paper reports.
Thailand has 122 new coronavirus cases, raising the total to 721, a health ministry spokesman said on Monday at a news conference.
The new cases include 20 patients linked to previous cases, 10 new imported cases, and 92 cases that tested positive and are awaiting investigation into how they contracted the disease, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman said. Thailand has recorded one death since the outbreak while 52 patients have recovered and gone home and 668 are still being treated in hospitals.
Cambodia reported two new coronavirus cases on Monday, bringing the total to 86, health authorities said. “We have not yet found evidence of community outbreaks, but there is a possibility,” Cambodia’s Communicable Disease Control department said in a Facebook post on Monday.
Walmart has temporarily raised entry wages for workers in its e-commerce warehouses by US$2, following similar moves by rivals, as it attempts to manage a shopping surge brought about by the coronavirus outbreak.
Walmart said the hike will increase entry wages for workers in e-commerce fulfillment centers or warehouses to between $15 and $19 an hour, effective immediately through the Memorial Day holiday on 25 May this year. The world’s largest retailer, which employs 1.5 million people in the United States, has struggled to keep store shelves stocked and fulfill online orders amid panic-buying by shoppers spooked by the outbreak.
Harvey Weinstein tested positive for Coronavirus, Reuters reports. The head of the New York state corrections officers union confirmed late on Sunday that the former movie producer, who is serving a prison sentence for sexual assault and rape, has tested positive for the Covid-19.
China saw a drop in its daily tally of new coronavirus cases, reversing four straight days of higher figures, as the capital Beijing ramped up measures to contain the number of infections arriving from abroad.
Canada said it will not send athletes to Tokyo Olympics, New Zealand said it would consider boycotting Tokyo 2020 and Australia told its olympic athletes to prepare for the games to be held next year, in 2021 – all in the wake of Japan’s prime minister, Shinzo Abe, saying postponement could be an option.
New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern announced the entire country should prepare for self isolation, as the country prepares to move to the highest alert level later this week.
Nearly one in three Americans was under orders on Sunday to stay home to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic as Ohio, Louisiana and Delaware became the latest states to enact broad restrictions, Reuters reports.
A European clinical trial involving some 3,200 people has been launched to test four possible experimental coronavirus treatments.
First cases of the virus were confirmed in Syria, as well as in Grenada and Mozambique.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel went into quarantine after a doctor who gave her a vaccine tests positive for coronavirus.
Germany banned meetings of over two people, they are about work on slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
The death toll in the northern region of Lombardy rose by around 360 in a day to more than 3,450. The area has borne the brunt of Italy’s virus outbreak.
Spain plans to extend its state of emergency for another 15 days until April 11.
Dubai carrier Emirates reversed a previous announcement suspending all passenger flights, saying it is going to continue flying to 13 destinations, including the the U.S., the UK, Japan, Australia and Canada.