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Coronavirus news: global death toll passes 15,000 as total confirmed cases go above 350,000 - live updates Coronavirus news: global death toll passes 15,000 as total confirmed cases go above 350,000 - live updates
(32 minutes later)
Zimbabwe records first death from coronavirus; Germany sees first sign exponential infection growth levelling off; Japan Olympics chief says postponement being consideredZimbabwe records first death from coronavirus; Germany sees first sign exponential infection growth levelling off; Japan Olympics chief says postponement being considered
Denmark has extended its nationwide lockdown until 13 April, Reuters reports.
The emergency measures, initially imposed on 11 March for two weeks, have closed schools and restaurants in the Nordic country and kept most public sector workers at home.
Announcing the extension, prime minister Mette Frederiksen told a news conference:
The country has restricted public assembly to 10 or fewer people and ordered the closure of schools, universities, day cares, restaurants, cafes, libraries, gyms and hair salons.
Chile has recorded its second death from coronavirus. The country’s ministry of health said that the victim was an older patient who was already suffering from cancer.
Chile is among a number of countries in South America where governments have imposed curfews in an effort to stop the coronavirus spreading unchecked, however it has held back from the kind of lockdown measures imposed in its neighbour Argentina.
The Covid-19 outbreak has dampened months of protests against the Chilean government, Reuters reports.
Enrique Cruz, a street vendor who said he supported the cause but recognized it was time to put it on hold, told the agency.
The country has 632 confirmed cases of Covid-19, according to Johns Hopkins university’s tracker. Eight patients have recovered.
Ethiopa has closed its borders to nearly all visitors, as officials struggle to enforce prevention measures, including bans on large gatherings, according to the AFP news agency.
Soldiers will be empowered “to halt the movement of people along all borders, with the exception of incoming essential goods to the country,” a statement said.
Ethiopia has kept its main airport open for international flights, although Ethiopian Airlines has been forced to suspend services to destinations in nearly 40 countries, according to its website.
Just 11 infections have so far been reported in Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country after Nigeria, and no deaths, and has so far held back from the kind of shutdown seen in nearby countries such as Rwanda and Mauritius.
The president of Tunisia has ordered the army on to the streets to enforce a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus, Reuters is reporting.The president of Tunisia has ordered the army on to the streets to enforce a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus, Reuters is reporting.
The country has so far confirmed 89 cases of Covid-19, according to the Johns Hopkins university coronavirus map, with three deaths and one recovery.The country has so far confirmed 89 cases of Covid-19, according to the Johns Hopkins university coronavirus map, with three deaths and one recovery.
The North African country confirmed its first death from the virus on Thursday, Turkey’s Anadolu agency reports. The most recent victim, an elderly man, died in the capital, Tunis, yesterday.The North African country confirmed its first death from the virus on Thursday, Turkey’s Anadolu agency reports. The most recent victim, an elderly man, died in the capital, Tunis, yesterday.
The German embassy in Kabul has asked its citizens to leave Afghanistan due to Coronavirus pandemic, Akhtar Mohammad Makoii reports from Herat, the country’s worst-affected city, for the Guardian.The German embassy in Kabul has asked its citizens to leave Afghanistan due to Coronavirus pandemic, Akhtar Mohammad Makoii reports from Herat, the country’s worst-affected city, for the Guardian.
The embassy said in a statement:The embassy said in a statement:
Afghanistan has reported 40 coronavirus cases so far, with one death.Afghanistan has reported 40 coronavirus cases so far, with one death.
Zimbabwe has recorded its first death from coronavirus.Zimbabwe has recorded its first death from coronavirus.
The death comes after the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation reported that the first individual to be diagnosed with Covid-19 in the country was showing signs of recovery and was in self-isolation at home.The death comes after the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation reported that the first individual to be diagnosed with Covid-19 in the country was showing signs of recovery and was in self-isolation at home.
Singapore has confirmed 54 new cases of Covid-19, the overwhelming majority of whom had returned to the Asian city state from overseas, the Straits Times reports.Singapore has confirmed 54 new cases of Covid-19, the overwhelming majority of whom had returned to the Asian city state from overseas, the Straits Times reports.
Of the total, which is a record for the number of new cases detected in Singapore in a single day, 48 arrived in the city already infected.Of the total, which is a record for the number of new cases detected in Singapore in a single day, 48 arrived in the city already infected.
Together they bring the total number of infected patients in Singapore to 509, 15 of whom are in intensive care. So far 152 in the country people have recovered.Together they bring the total number of infected patients in Singapore to 509, 15 of whom are in intensive care. So far 152 in the country people have recovered.
Singapore is still carrying out rigorous contact tracing and quarantine measures in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. At the moment 2,529 people are in quarantine after being in contact with a confirmed carrier of the virus, while 5,822 have completed their quarantine.Singapore is still carrying out rigorous contact tracing and quarantine measures in an effort to curb the spread of the virus. At the moment 2,529 people are in quarantine after being in contact with a confirmed carrier of the virus, while 5,822 have completed their quarantine.
Singapore has banned short-term visitors, including tourists, from entry.Singapore has banned short-term visitors, including tourists, from entry.
Su Xin, who alerted the Guardian to the news report, said it is important to highlight how many of those who make up the recent increase in Singapore seem to be returning students. She writes:Su Xin, who alerted the Guardian to the news report, said it is important to highlight how many of those who make up the recent increase in Singapore seem to be returning students. She writes:
The number of people confirmed infected with coronavirus around the world has passed 350,000, according to statistics collected by Johns Hopkins university.The number of people confirmed infected with coronavirus around the world has passed 350,000, according to statistics collected by Johns Hopkins university.
According to the tally kept by the university, 350,536 people have been diagnosed with the virus, of whom 15,328 have died and 100,182 have recovered.According to the tally kept by the university, 350,536 people have been diagnosed with the virus, of whom 15,328 have died and 100,182 have recovered.
The country with the highest number of confirmed infections remains China, with 81,496, followed by Italy, Europe’s worst hit country, with 59,138, then the US with 35,225, Spain with 33,089, and Germany with 26,220.The country with the highest number of confirmed infections remains China, with 81,496, followed by Italy, Europe’s worst hit country, with 59,138, then the US with 35,225, Spain with 33,089, and Germany with 26,220.
In an act of international solidarity, Cuba has sent a brigade of more than 50 medics to Italy to help them in their fight against coronavirus.In an act of international solidarity, Cuba has sent a brigade of more than 50 medics to Italy to help them in their fight against coronavirus.
The Caribbean island, one of the world’s last remaining communist states, has a long history of sending medical assistance to countries in need.The Caribbean island, one of the world’s last remaining communist states, has a long history of sending medical assistance to countries in need.
According to the Cuban news agency, Prensa Latina, the group arriving in Italy includes 36 doctors, 15 graduate nurses and a logistics specialist. They will work in a field hospital built in Crema, a city of about 34,000 people, located in the province of Cremona, Lombardy, the region hardest hit by the epidemic.According to the Cuban news agency, Prensa Latina, the group arriving in Italy includes 36 doctors, 15 graduate nurses and a logistics specialist. They will work in a field hospital built in Crema, a city of about 34,000 people, located in the province of Cremona, Lombardy, the region hardest hit by the epidemic.
Prensa Latina quoted the national coordinator of the Cuban Residents in Italy group as saying:Prensa Latina quoted the national coordinator of the Cuban Residents in Italy group as saying:
In response to calls by Emmanuel Macron and other French leaders for “national solidarity” during the coronavirus crisis, France’s luxury fashion houses are turning their hand to making protective equipment for essential health staff, writes Kim Willsher in Paris.In response to calls by Emmanuel Macron and other French leaders for “national solidarity” during the coronavirus crisis, France’s luxury fashion houses are turning their hand to making protective equipment for essential health staff, writes Kim Willsher in Paris.
The latest big-name companies to heed the appeal are haute couture labels Balenciaga, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent who are turning their ateliers into production of face masks and medical coats.The latest big-name companies to heed the appeal are haute couture labels Balenciaga, Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent who are turning their ateliers into production of face masks and medical coats.
Parent company Kering said in a statement that the masks would be made “respecting the strictest health protection measures”. It is also donating 3 million masks bought from China.Parent company Kering said in a statement that the masks would be made “respecting the strictest health protection measures”. It is also donating 3 million masks bought from China.
Gucci expects to make 1.1 million masks and 55,000 hospital coats in the coming weeks that will be sent to Tuscany in Italy, which has been particularly hit by the coronavirus.Gucci expects to make 1.1 million masks and 55,000 hospital coats in the coming weeks that will be sent to Tuscany in Italy, which has been particularly hit by the coronavirus.
Last week, the world’s largest luxury goods group LVMH announced it had found a supplier to provide 40m surgical masks to the health authorities in France, which it was buying from China in batches of 10 million. LVMH has also been using its cosmetics factories to produce antibacterial hand gel, which it is distributing for free to health workers.Last week, the world’s largest luxury goods group LVMH announced it had found a supplier to provide 40m surgical masks to the health authorities in France, which it was buying from China in batches of 10 million. LVMH has also been using its cosmetics factories to produce antibacterial hand gel, which it is distributing for free to health workers.
In New York, fashion designer Chirstian Siriano said his company would make as many masks as possible to donate to the city’s hospitals that are running dangerously low on supplies.In New York, fashion designer Chirstian Siriano said his company would make as many masks as possible to donate to the city’s hospitals that are running dangerously low on supplies.
Bernard Arnault, the head of LVMH and France’s richest man, and François Pinault, head of Kering, are business and philanthropic rivals. After the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in April last year, Arnault announced he was donating €200m to the rebuilding operation, doubling the €100m pledged by Pinault.Bernard Arnault, the head of LVMH and France’s richest man, and François Pinault, head of Kering, are business and philanthropic rivals. After the fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral in April last year, Arnault announced he was donating €200m to the rebuilding operation, doubling the €100m pledged by Pinault.
This is Damien Gayle taking over on the world coronavirus news live blog now for the next few hours, with the latest updates from the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, the news wires and social media.This is Damien Gayle taking over on the world coronavirus news live blog now for the next few hours, with the latest updates from the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, the news wires and social media.
As usual, please do get in touch with news and tips from your part of the world. You can reach me on email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.As usual, please do get in touch with news and tips from your part of the world. You can reach me on email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
A sombre warning to Americans has been issued by the US surgeon general who said: “This week it’s going to get bad.”A sombre warning to Americans has been issued by the US surgeon general who said: “This week it’s going to get bad.”
Dr Jerome Adams, the operational head of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), was speaking to NBC News’ Today programme, where he said: “I want America to understand this week it’s going to get bad. We really need to come together as a nation … we really really need everyone to stay at home.”Dr Jerome Adams, the operational head of the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHSCC), was speaking to NBC News’ Today programme, where he said: “I want America to understand this week it’s going to get bad. We really need to come together as a nation … we really really need everyone to stay at home.”
Three doctors have died in France after contracting the coronavirus, according to the AFP news agency.Three doctors have died in France after contracting the coronavirus, according to the AFP news agency.
The French health minister, Olivier Véran, confirmed a hospital doctor died on Sunday. He was an accident and emergency medic working at a hospital in Compiègne, north of Paris, in an area that was first hit by a Covid-19 cluster.The French health minister, Olivier Véran, confirmed a hospital doctor died on Sunday. He was an accident and emergency medic working at a hospital in Compiègne, north of Paris, in an area that was first hit by a Covid-19 cluster.
Today, news is breaking that a 66-year-old gynaecologist and a 60-year-old GP have also died, both from eastern France where hospitals have also been overwhelmed with patients.Today, news is breaking that a 66-year-old gynaecologist and a 60-year-old GP have also died, both from eastern France where hospitals have also been overwhelmed with patients.
Russia may be forced to put off a public vote on amendments allowing Vladimir Putin to hold office until 2036, as the coronavirus threatens to upend a busy political season in Russia.Russia may be forced to put off a public vote on amendments allowing Vladimir Putin to hold office until 2036, as the coronavirus threatens to upend a busy political season in Russia.
The Kremlin so far has not rescheduled 22 April vote that was intended as a public endorsement for Putin’s surprise plan to “reset” his term limits, allowing him to run for a fifth and even sixth term as president under a revised constitution.The Kremlin so far has not rescheduled 22 April vote that was intended as a public endorsement for Putin’s surprise plan to “reset” his term limits, allowing him to run for a fifth and even sixth term as president under a revised constitution.
But as Moscow and other Russian cities introduce stricter preventative measures against the coronavirus, election officials have discussed the possibility of home voting or other ways to pull off a nationwide plebiscite in a country of 140 million when health officials desperately want to reduce face-to-face contact.But as Moscow and other Russian cities introduce stricter preventative measures against the coronavirus, election officials have discussed the possibility of home voting or other ways to pull off a nationwide plebiscite in a country of 140 million when health officials desperately want to reduce face-to-face contact.
“The vote is set for 22 April, but the health of the country’s citizens is most important,” said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Putin. “If the growth of the epidemiological situation gives cause to reschedule then it will be done.”“The vote is set for 22 April, but the health of the country’s citizens is most important,” said Dmitry Peskov, a spokesman for Putin. “If the growth of the epidemiological situation gives cause to reschedule then it will be done.”