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Coronavirus live news: US Senate leaders and White House reach stimulus deal as India locks down Coronavirus live news: US Senate leaders and White House reach stimulus deal as India locks down
(32 minutes later)
UN urges G20 to adopt ‘wartime plan’; US risks becoming centre of the pandemic, WHO warns; EU urged to evacuate refugees from Greek camps. Follow the latest updates.UN urges G20 to adopt ‘wartime plan’; US risks becoming centre of the pandemic, WHO warns; EU urged to evacuate refugees from Greek camps. Follow the latest updates.
We begin with some news from Africa, just published on the Guardian this morning. Lucy Lamble, of our global development team, reports that government ministers across Africa have called for the suspension of debt interest payments as their countries adapt to cope with the Covid-19 crisis.
The numbers of cases being reported in Africa are still behind Europe and the US but rises are being confirmed in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Algeria and Burkina Faso, among others, and there is fear of what economic consequences the pandemic might wreak.
On Monday, the heads of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund expressed support for debt relief to help countries strengthen their health systems in readiness.
During a conference call for G20 ministers, the IMF’s leader, Kristalina Georgieva, pointed to the replenishing of funds used in a debt relief and aid mechanism during the 2014 Ebola epidemic that struck three African countries.
The ministers also requested that principal payments – the actual debt payment, as opposed to interest charges – be waived for fragile states, where people are deeply vulnerable to a pandemic.
Hello, this is Damien Gayle taking charge of the coronavirus live blog as a quiet, locked-down morning begins in London.
For the next few hours I will be bringing you news from the Guardian’s network of correspondents across the planet, the news wires and whatever I can dredge up from social media.
As usual, you can contact me with news from your part of the world either through email, at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle. I look forward to hearing from you.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. I’ll now be handing the blog over to my esteemed colleague Damien Gayle, who will, from a safe distance, be taking you through the next few hours of coronavirus pandemic news.
Coronavirus latest: at a glance
A summary of the biggest developments in the global coronavirus outbreak.
More on the state of the pandemic in China now.
Mainland China reported a drop in new confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday as imported infections fell and no locally transmitted infections were reported, including in central Hubei province.
China is ramping up quarantine and screening rules for all international arrivals due to the risks from imported cases, Reuters reports. These include:
Quanzhou city in Fujian province will cancel all international and regional flights, starting March 26, after four imported cases from the Philippines were found on Tuesday.
The Quanzhou Jinjiang international airport will cancel 17 routes including those connecting Manila, Hong Kong, and Macau, the Fujian government said in a notice.
China’s capital city Beijing has already diverted flights to other cities where passengers will be screened and quarantined.
China has encouraged airlines to keep international flights running by offering cash subsidies.
The number of new coronavirus cases totalled 47 on Tuesday, all of which were from travellers returning home, down from 78 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said. In Hubei province no new infections were reported despite three new deaths - two of those in Wuhan city, where the virus first appeared late last year. On Wednesday, local authorities downgraded Wuhan’s epidemic risk level from “high” to “medium”. The total number of confirmed cases in mainland China stands at 81,218, with 474 imported infections. The death toll in mainland China reached 3,281 as of the end of Tuesday, up by four from the previous day.
Malaysia will extend a two-week restriction of movement order and unveil a second economic stimulus package as the number of coronavirus cases continue to climb, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday.Malaysia will extend a two-week restriction of movement order and unveil a second economic stimulus package as the number of coronavirus cases continue to climb, Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on Wednesday.
The measures come as Malaysia reported 172 new coronavirus cases, taking the total to 1,796, the highest in Southeast Asia. Since last week, Malaysia has closed its borders to travellers, restricted internal movement, and ordered schools, universities and non-essential businesses to shut until 31 March. Muhyiddin said the curbs on movement would be extended another two weeks to 14 April as Malaysia had yet to see a decline in the number of new virus cases.The measures come as Malaysia reported 172 new coronavirus cases, taking the total to 1,796, the highest in Southeast Asia. Since last week, Malaysia has closed its borders to travellers, restricted internal movement, and ordered schools, universities and non-essential businesses to shut until 31 March. Muhyiddin said the curbs on movement would be extended another two weeks to 14 April as Malaysia had yet to see a decline in the number of new virus cases.
Taiwan’s government announced 19 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, all imported, bringing the total number of infected people on the island to 235. Taiwan also reported one extra case late on Tuesday, in addition to the 20 new cases it announced earlier that same day.Taiwan’s government announced 19 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, all imported, bringing the total number of infected people on the island to 235. Taiwan also reported one extra case late on Tuesday, in addition to the 20 new cases it announced earlier that same day.
Going viral: fake news and Covid-19 (podcast)Going viral: fake news and Covid-19 (podcast)
On Wednesday’s episode of Today in Focus: An avalanche of misinformation, fake news and hoaxes are being shared widely online as people seek reliable information on the coronavirus crisis. The Guardian’s media editor, Jim Waterson, examines where the falsehoods are coming from.On Wednesday’s episode of Today in Focus: An avalanche of misinformation, fake news and hoaxes are being shared widely online as people seek reliable information on the coronavirus crisis. The Guardian’s media editor, Jim Waterson, examines where the falsehoods are coming from.
US Senate leaders have reached a deal with Trump administration officials on a nearly $2tn stimulus package to help rescue the American economy.US Senate leaders have reached a deal with Trump administration officials on a nearly $2tn stimulus package to help rescue the American economy.
There are currently 423,121 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, of which 108,619 patients have recovered. There have been 18,919 deaths. Italy’s number of deaths (6,820) is more than twice those in Hubei, China (3,160). Spain looks likely to lose more lives than Hubei soon, too, with 2,991. There are 423,121 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, of which 108,619 patients have recovered. There have been 18,919 deaths. Italy’s number of deaths (6,820) is more than twice those in Hubei, China (3,160). Spain looks likely to lose more lives than Hubei soon, too, with 2,991.
The Indian government has banned the export of hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from the medication, as experts test the efficacy of the drug in helping treat patients infected with Covid-19.The Indian government has banned the export of hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from the medication, as experts test the efficacy of the drug in helping treat patients infected with Covid-19.
Australia’s drugs regulator has been forced to restrict powers to prescribe a drug undergoing clinical trials to treat Covid-19, because doctors have been inappropriately prescribing it to themselves and their family members despite its potentially deadly side-effects.Australia’s drugs regulator has been forced to restrict powers to prescribe a drug undergoing clinical trials to treat Covid-19, because doctors have been inappropriately prescribing it to themselves and their family members despite its potentially deadly side-effects.
Philippines’ New Peoples Army announced they would observe the UN’s ceasefire call. The communist guerrillas said Wednesday they would observe a ceasefire in compliance with the UN chief’s call for a global halt in armed clashes during the coronavirus pandemic. Philippines’ New Peoples Army announced it would observe the UN’s ceasefire call. The communist guerrillas said on Wednesday they would observe a ceasefire in compliance with the UN chief’s call for a global halt in armed clashes during the coronavirus pandemic.
South Korea said it would tighten border checks for travellers from the United States by Friday as concerns rise over imported coronavirus cases despite a decline in domestically transmitted infections. South Korea said it would tighten border checks for travellers from the US by Friday as concerns rise over imported coronavirus cases despite a decline in domestically transmitted infections.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged G20 nations to adopt a wartime plan including a stimulus package in the trillions of dollars for businesses, workers and households in developing countries trying to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. UN secretary general António Guterres urged G20 nations to adopt a wartime plan including a stimulus package in the trillions of dollars for businesses, workers and households in developing countries trying to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
The global economy is going to take a “massive hit” as lockdown measures are rolled out across much of the world, according to the rating agency S&P. Economists are revising their forecasts for world GDP on a near-daily basis, S&P added.The global economy is going to take a “massive hit” as lockdown measures are rolled out across much of the world, according to the rating agency S&P. Economists are revising their forecasts for world GDP on a near-daily basis, S&P added.
New Zealand declared a State of National Emergency as it heads into a national lockdown tonight for at least four weeks. New Zealand declared a state of national emergency as it heads into a national lockdown tonight for at least four weeks.
Libya recorded its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, the UN-backed government announced, stoking concern that an outbreak could overwhelm the war-torn country’s already weakened health care system.Libya recorded its first confirmed case of the coronavirus, the UN-backed government announced, stoking concern that an outbreak could overwhelm the war-torn country’s already weakened health care system.
Trump insisted on an easing of restrictions by Easter. Despite much of the rest of the world choosing to accelerate restrictions designed to control the virus’ spread and the World Health Organization warning the US is in grave danger of a rapid escalation in the severity of its situation, Donald Trump has claimed the nation is nearing the end of the fight against then virus. Trump insisted on an easing of restrictions by Easter. Despite much of the rest of the world choosing to accelerate restrictions designed to control the virus’ spread and the World Health Organization warning the US is in grave danger of a rapid escalation in the severity of its situation, Donald Trump has claimed the nation is nearing the end of the fight against the virus.
There was speculation over the Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s diagnosis. Brazilian media reported that two names were scrubbed from a list of patients handed over by the hospital where he was tested, leading some to speculate he and his wife contracted the virus and were treated in secrecy. There was speculation over the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro’s diagnosis. Brazilian media reported that two names were scrubbed from a list of patients handed over by the hospital where he was tested, leading some to speculate he and his wife contracted the virus and were treated in secrecy.
The WHO said the US risks becoming the next centre of the coronavirus outbreak as the country is seeing a “very large acceleration” in cases.The WHO said the US risks becoming the next centre of the coronavirus outbreak as the country is seeing a “very large acceleration” in cases.
Spanish hotels fear tourists will take a long time to returnSpanish hotels fear tourists will take a long time to return
The Guardian’s Sam Jones reports from Madrid with Stephen Burgen in Barcelona:The Guardian’s Sam Jones reports from Madrid with Stephen Burgen in Barcelona:
Wednesday may be the deadline by which all of Spain’s hotels and tourist lodgings must shut down, but most closed their doors two weeks ago when the coronavirus epidemic began emptying out rooms and reservation schedules.Wednesday may be the deadline by which all of Spain’s hotels and tourist lodgings must shut down, but most closed their doors two weeks ago when the coronavirus epidemic began emptying out rooms and reservation schedules.
“A tsunami has arrived,” Ramón Estalella of the Confederation of Spanish Hotels said on 12 March. “A meteorite has fallen on us and we have to see how we survive.”“A tsunami has arrived,” Ramón Estalella of the Confederation of Spanish Hotels said on 12 March. “A meteorite has fallen on us and we have to see how we survive.”
The next few weeks and months will determine how deep the virus’s impact will be in a country that depends on tourism for 11% of its GDP, and which was shaken by the collapse of Thomas Cook last year.The next few weeks and months will determine how deep the virus’s impact will be in a country that depends on tourism for 11% of its GDP, and which was shaken by the collapse of Thomas Cook last year.
Even before the lockdown came into force on 14 March, Barcelona’s 10,000 bars and hotels were already feeling the pinch.Even before the lockdown came into force on 14 March, Barcelona’s 10,000 bars and hotels were already feeling the pinch.
If you see anything we haven’t covered but possibly should, have something you’d like more clarity on, or think you’ve seen something new that might make our readers laugh do let me know on Twitter @helenrsullivan.If you see anything we haven’t covered but possibly should, have something you’d like more clarity on, or think you’ve seen something new that might make our readers laugh do let me know on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
For those of you just waking up in the UK, here are the front pages for Wednesday, 25 March.
China’s premier warns local officials not to ‘cover up’ new Covid-19 cases as Hubei reopens
Chinese premier Li Keqiang has warned local governments not to cover up new cases of Covid-19, as low daily rates of infection prompted the relaxing of travel restrictions in Hubei province, where the pandemic started.
Li’s comments came as analysts questioned the veracity of China’s claims that the nation has had several days with no new domestic cases.
Speaking to a meeting of the central leading group responding to the outbreak on Monday, Li urged officials to report honestly on the number of cases, and “not cover up reports for the sake of keeping new case numbers at zero”, according to Caixin Global.
Li said worldwide analysis of the virus showed the virus was unlikely to dissipate like Sars.
He warned that while the epidemic in Hubei and Wuhan had essentially been stopped, there were still risks of sporadic outbreaks.
“[We] Have to realise the prevention measure - ‘early detection, reporting, isolation and treatment’, to stop the epidemic in certain areas and prevent an even bigger outbreak.”
For several days now China has reported few or zero new domestic cases of Covid-19 infection, claiming success in controlling the outbreak which just one month ago saw thousands of confirmations a day.
However, residents and analysts have questioned the near-zero rate of community transmissions, expressing concern that the Chinese government is prioritising economic recovery over total virus containment.
The low figures have led Chinese authorities to lift stringent travel restrictions in Hubei, effectively freeing millions of people from two months of extraordinary lockdown.
US Senate leaders have reached a deal with Trump administration officials on a nearly $2tn stimulus package to help rescue the American economy ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic as Donald Trump considers easing restrictions aimed at combating the contagion.
After days of around-the-clock negotiations between senators and administration officials, a bipartisan compromise was struck over what is expected to be the largest US economic stimulus measure ever passed.
“We have a deal,” said Eric Ueland, the White House legislative affairs director, just before 1am, adding that the text of the bill still needed to be completed. “We have either, clear, explicit legislative text reflecting all parties or we know exactly where we’re going to land on legislative text as we continue to finish.”
The bill will then go to the House, where Democrats have introduced their own proposal.
The Australian stock market leapt suddenly in last-minute trade to close up 5.5% on Wednesday.
Earlier, the market opened strongly after extraordinarily surges on Wall St overnight, before drifting lower during the afternoon.
Buy-now-pay-later outfit Afterpay, which has been smashed by the coronavirus outbreak, surged a third to become the biggest gainer among top 200 companies.
Australia’s flag carrier Qantas recorded the second-biggest rise, of 26%, after successfully raising a $1.05bn line of credit by mortgaging some of its planes.
As Australians receive the following text message:
Neighbouring New Zealand – which today has seemed a world away – has sent people in the country a much starker SMS, as the nation, already under a state of emergency, prepares to enter Level 4 Coronavirus restrictions, “Act as if you haveCOVID· 19. This will save lives,” the message reads.
Australia currently has 2,318 confirmed cases and has had eight deaths.
New Zealand has 205 cases and zero deaths.
Australia’s population is five times larger than New Zealand’s.
In rural France, which is one week into the national coronavirus confinement, some places are even more eerily quiet than usual.
The A6 Autoroute de Soleil that heads out of Paris to the south-east to join the A7 to the Mediterranean coast, normally a constant stream of traffic and frequently jammed in both directions, is now dotted with an irregular stream of lorries.
Tractors pull off the fields to hog the narrow roads and lanes because they are not expecting to meet any other traffic, forcing the occasional car to swerve; in the streets and shops and supermarkets people are body-swerving to avoid others.
But the demand for physical distance seems to have lessened the psychological space, and as people perform a little dance to put a few more centimetres between each other, many smile apologetically.
Scenes from India under lockdown now:
Mainland China reported a drop in new confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday as imported infections fell and zero locally transmitted infections were reported, including in central Hubei province. The number of new cases totalled 47 on Tuesday, all of which were from travellers returning home, down from 78 a day earlier, the National Health Commission said.
Here are the latest global figures, according to Johns Hopkins University.
There are currently 422,915 confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide, of which 108,573 patients have recovered.
There have been 18,915 deaths. Italy’s number of deaths (6,820) is more than twice those in Hubei, China (3,160). Spain looks likely to lose more lives than Hubei soon, too, with 2,991.
Here are the ten countries with the highest numbers of confirmed infections – Italy is around 10,000 confirmed cases from overtaking China and the US is not far behind.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s late night coronavirus messages only sow confusion
This pandemic has plunged us all into whitewater, but there are some certainties, writes Guardian Australia political editor Katharine Murphy.
The first rock solid certainty is 10pm media conferences unveiling fundamental changes to Australians’ livelihoods and freedom of movement really don’t work. At the risk of being blunt, they need to stop, and stop now, because the chaos risks being counterproductive.
Tuesday night’s cascading instructions from Scott Morrison’s podium were stay home everyone, but if you have a job, you are an essential worker, so make sure you keep working. Go to school, but don’t go to the foodcourt. Five at a wedding, 10 at a funeral, 10 at a bootcamp, but no yoga. No waxing, but a hairdresser for 30 minutes is still OK.
A thread of logic ran through the various delineations – or some of them anyway – but holding onto that thread was really challenging.
The dull thud that could be heard in the distance as Morrison spoke at a fiendish clip was the sound of a million Australian heads exploding in their lounge rooms.