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Coronavirus live news: death toll in Spain passes China; Belgium hospital admissions rise by 50% in a day Coronavirus live news: death toll in Spain passes China; Belgium hospital admissions rise by 50% in a day
(32 minutes later)
India locks down; Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus; Senate and White House reach stimulus dealIndia locks down; Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus; Senate and White House reach stimulus deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin has delayed a public vote on constitutional amendments that will allow him to stay in power until 2036 due to the coronavirus outbreak in Russia, writes Andrew Roth in Moscow.
French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe has outlined the help the government is giving businesses to assuage the economic crisis resulting from the lockdown in a debriefing of this morning’s Council of Ministers, reports my colleague Kim Willsher in Paris.
I am handing back the blog to my colleague Alexandra Topping now. Thanks everyone.
An international aid group said that closures aimed at containing the coronavirus pandemic are preventing it from reaching 300,000 people in conflict zones across the Middle East.
It comes after authorities in Libya’s capital reported the first case in the war-torn country. The Norwegian Refugee Council said it was unable to reach people in Syria, Yemen and the Gaza Strip, where authorities have imposed strict measures to halt the spread of the virus.
All have fragile health care systems that could be overwhelmed by an outbreak, and only Yemen has yet to report any cases. The group said virus lockdowns have also limited access to parts of Africa and Asia.While governments are taking tough and much-needed measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus, millions of refugees and displaced people still depend on humanitarian assistance, said Jan Egeland, head of the aid group. If supermarkets and pharmacies can remain operational during this crisis, then so should the delivery of humanitarian aid, he added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has postponed a nationwide vote on proposed constitutional amendments that include a change that would allow him to seek another term in power.Putin didn’t set a new date for the plebiscite originally set for April 22, saying Wednesday that it would depend on how the new coronavirus pandemic develops. He also announced during a televised address to the nation that the government doesn’t want Russians except those working in essential sectors to come to work next week. He said that stores, pharmacies and banks will stay open.
Health, life and safety of the people is an absolute priority for us, Putin said.Russian authorities reported 658 cases of the new virus on Wednesday, with 163 new cases registered since the day before. That marked a significantly bigger daily increase from previous days, when the number of new infections grew only by several dozens.
Canadian banks on Tuesday followed US heavyweights in offering one-time bonuses and extra paid days off to customer-service employees who are required to work in branches and call centres amid the coronavirus crisis. Banks have largely been excluded from government-mandated shutdowns in many countries because they are considered an essential industry, meaning most bank branches, call centres and trading floors have stayed open even as many firms send their employees home.
The coronavirus is unlikely to disappear in summer, the European Union agency for disease control said on Wednesday, in a stark warning that the epidemic could continue when temperatures rise unless measures to hamper it are applied. The notice leaves little room for hopes that SARS-CoV-2, the name of the new virus, could behave as the other four coronaviruses, which are endemic in human populations and are usually not detected in summer months.
The UK chancellor, Rishi Sunak, will give details on Thursday of promised assistance for self-employed workers who lose income as a result of the coronavirus, broadcaster Sky News reported on Wednesday.
Boris Johnson, the prime minister, has told parliament that further news on assistance would come in the next couple of days. Sky News’s political editor said Sunak would make the announcement at the government’s daily late-afternoon news conference on the coronavirus.
In the UK, people are having to use videolinks to say their last goodbyes to dying relatives with Covid-19 because hospitals are curtailing visits to prevent spread of the virus.
In a sad scene that is increasingly being played out out across the country, in the early hours of Tuesday morning a patient with coronavirus was taken off a ventilator at a hospital in south-east London.
His wife and two children were unable to be with him but watched at home via videolink, after agreement from staff in the intensive treatment unit.
A matron familiar with the case, who did not wish to be named, said his wife had been offered the opportunity of being there in person but without the children and at her own risk so she requested the family be able to watch it from home instead.
The matron told the Guardian: “It is heartbreaking that he died without his family being able to hold his hands or giving him a goodbye kiss but at least they saw him in his final moments.
“If it’s something we [NHS staff] can do for people in this difficult crisis, it’s the least we can do. Not everybody can see or handle these things but giving that option to everybody is something we can do to perhaps make the pain go away. We know there are many more to come.”
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Everton and England defender Michael Keane said players will be able to return to Premier League action after only a “couple of weeks’ proper training”.Everton and England defender Michael Keane said players will be able to return to Premier League action after only a “couple of weeks’ proper training”.
The coronavirus pandemic has seen professional football in England suspended until at least April 30. Premier League clubs are due to meet on April 3 to discuss what the English top flight does next. The coronavirus pandemic has led to the suspension of professional football in England until at least 30 April. Premier League clubs are due to meet on 3 April to discuss what the English top flight does next.
“All the lads have been sent individual training programmes to carry out at home,” Keane told Talksport radio. “All the lads have been sent individual training programmes to carry out at home,” Keane told Talksport radio. “It’s not easy because you’ve not got the normal equipment, you’ve just got to improvise and do what you can.
“It’s not easy because you’ve not got the normal equipment, you’ve just got to improvise and do what you can. “The Premier League could start again in a month, it could be longer. So we’ve just got to keep that base level of fitness. As long as we get a couple of weeks’ proper training before the next game – and the lads have worked hard in the meantime – we’ll be fine.”
“The Premier League could start again in a month, it could be longer.
“So we’ve just got to keep that base level of fitness. As long as we get a couple of weeks’ proper training before the next game - and the lads have worked hard in the meantime - we’ll be fine.”
Iran will ban intercity travel within days as it gets tough with the coronavirus that has killed more than 2,000 people in one of the world’s deadliest outbreaks.Iran will ban intercity travel within days as it gets tough with the coronavirus that has killed more than 2,000 people in one of the world’s deadliest outbreaks.
The strict new measures come after weeks of cajoling largely failed to prevent hundreds of thousands of Iranians taking to the roads to visit family for the two-week Persian New Year holiday. The strict new measures come after weeks of cajoling largely failed to prevent hundreds of thousands of Iranians taking to the roads to visit family for the two-week Persian new year holiday.
“New journeys will be banned, leaving towns and cities will be banned,” government spokesman Ali Rabii announced, hours after president Hassan Rouhani revealed the government was poised to introduce “difficult” new measures against the outbreak. “New journeys will be banned, leaving towns and cities will be banned,” government spokesman Ali Rabii announced, hours after President Hassan Rouhani revealed the government was poised to introduce “difficult” new measures against the outbreak.
Hello everyone. I am taking over the live blog while my colleague takes a break. Please share any information, news tips or insight from where you are with me.Hello everyone. I am taking over the live blog while my colleague takes a break. Please share any information, news tips or insight from where you are with me.
Email: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalist
Vietnam’s health ministry reported an additional seven coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the Southeast Asian country’s tally to 141, though it reported no deaths. Vietnam had said in mid-February that all its then-16 confirmed coronavirus cases had recovered, but it has since been battling an influx of imported cases from overseas citizens and Vietnamese citizens escaping outbreaks elsewhere. There are 1,596 suspected cases in the country, it said, and 24,311 tests have been carried out in Vietnam. Vietnam’s health ministry reported an additional seven coronavirus cases on Wednesday, taking the south-east Asian country’s tally to 141, though it reported no deaths. Vietnam had said in mid-February that all its then-16 confirmed coronavirus cases had recovered, but it has since been battling an influx of imported cases from overseas citizens and Vietnamese citizens escaping outbreaks elsewhere. There are 1,596 suspected cases in the country, it said, and 24,311 tests have been carried out in Vietnam.
Zimbabwe’s public hospital doctors went on strike Wednesday over a lack of protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed. Zimbabwe’s public hospital doctors went on strike on Wednesday over a lack of protective gear as the coronavirus begins to spread in a country whose health system has almost collapsed.
The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president, Tawanda Zvakada, said the hundreds of doctors are at “high risk” and will return to work when the government provides suitable protection: “Right now we are exposed and no one seems to care,” he said. The Zimbabwe Hospital Doctors Association president, Tawanda Zvakada, said hundreds of doctors are at “high risk” and will return to work when the government provides suitable protection: “Right now we are exposed and no one seems to care,” he said.
My colleague Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington has just published this exclusive about plans in the mobile phone industry to track the spread of the pandemic using individual mobile phone devices.My colleague Stephanie Kirchgaessner in Washington has just published this exclusive about plans in the mobile phone industry to track the spread of the pandemic using individual mobile phone devices.
It’s a move that will be welcomed as a weapon against the spread of Covid-19, but is sure to be met with trepidation by security and privacy experts.It’s a move that will be welcomed as a weapon against the spread of Covid-19, but is sure to be met with trepidation by security and privacy experts.
Libya has announced its first coronavirus case, reports my colleague Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat.Libya has announced its first coronavirus case, reports my colleague Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat.
In a show of unity - and despite the pandemic cancelling parades that would normally be the highlight of the day - Greek politicians have marked the 199th anniversary of the nation’s war of independence against Ottoman rule in a ceremony that will forever be remembered for brevity and social distancing, writes my colleague Helena Smith in Athens.In a show of unity - and despite the pandemic cancelling parades that would normally be the highlight of the day - Greek politicians have marked the 199th anniversary of the nation’s war of independence against Ottoman rule in a ceremony that will forever be remembered for brevity and social distancing, writes my colleague Helena Smith in Athens.
Kuwait announced four new Coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, raising the total number to 195, reports my colleague Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat.
The heath ministry of Kuwait said two of the new positive cases were related to travel to Saudi Arabia and United Kingdom and two others were under investigation.
Warning of the risk of an explosive rise in coronavirus infections in Japan’s capital, Tokyo’s governor on Wednesday asked residents to avoid non-essential outings through until April 12, Reuters reports.
According to the World Health Organization, Italy could reach its peak number of coronavirus cases on Sunday, reports my colleague Lorenzo Tondo.
Belgium has seen a significant rise in people being admitted to hospital for coronavirus, as experts warned the disease had not yet reached its peak, reports my colleague Jennifer Rankin in Brussels.
This is Alexandra Topping, taking over from my colleague Damien Gayle on the global coronavirus liveblog.
If you think we’ve missed a global story, please do email on alexandra.topping@theguardian.com or on Twitter I am @lexytopping - my DMs are open.
You can follow our UK focused coronavirus liveblog here
Death toll in Spain surpasses China
Spain now has the world’s second-highest tally of coronavirus deaths, after 738 more were reported on Wednesday, the country’s deadliest toll in one day.
Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus
Britain’s Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus and is displaying mild symptoms “but otherwise remains in good health”, Clarence House has said.
US agrees $2 trillion emergency bill
The White House and Senate leaders of both major political parties announced agreement on a $2 trillion emergency bill to rush aid to businesses, workers and a health care system hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Iran to impose social distancing
A major crack down on travel and an imposition of social distancing measures are to be introduced in Iran in the next 24 hours. Iran reported 2,206 new Coronavirus cases in last 24 hours raising the total number to 27,017. The country also announced 143 deaths in the same period raising the total number of deaths to 2,077.
India goes into lockdown
Indians struggled to comply with the world’s largest coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday as the government attempted to keep 1.3 billion people indoors. In five days, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, has gone from about 200 to 519,. Experts have warned current tested is insufficient.
170,000 volunteer for NHS England
More than 170,000 people have already signed up overnight to volunteer for the NHS to help tackle the coronavirus, according to Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England. It comes after Matt Hancock yesterday asked for a quarter of a million volunteers to come forward to help support the NHS.
EU to call for Europe-wide crisis management centre
European Union leaders are to call for “a true European crisis management centre”, according to a leaked document that seeks to draw lessons from the coronavirus pandemic. The EU already has an Emergency Response Coordination Centre, which operates 24/7 and can organise help when any country in the world suffers an earthquake, forest fire, floods or pandemic.
Macron told: ‘lockdown should last six weeks’
French government scientific advisers have recommended a total of six weeks’ lockdown. France is carrying out 9,000 tests for the virus every day. The country’s health authority has said this will be increased by an additional 10,000 by the end of this week.
Dutch public health institute: measures are working
The head of the Netherlands’ public health institute has told the Dutch parliament that measures to control the spread of coronavirus appear to be working.
Imperial College: Measures in Wuhan appear to have ended coronavirus
China’s tough lockdown and social distancing measures in Wuhan and other provinces appear to have successfully ended coronavirus infections and may chart a route back to normal life, according to a report from Imperial College.
The White House and Senate leaders of both major political parties announced agreement early on Wednesday on an unprecedented $2tn emergency bill to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a healthcare system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic, Reuters reports.
Indians struggled to comply with the world’s largest coronavirus lockdown on Wednesday as the government began the gargantuan task of keeping 1.3 billion people indoors, Reuters reports.
Iran reported 2,206 new Coronavirus cases in last 24 hours raising the total number to 27,017, reports my colleague Akhtar Mohammad Makoii.
Spokesman for Iran’s health ministry also announced 143 deaths in the same period raising the total number of deaths to 2,077.So far 9,625 patients have recovered. Kiyanoosh Jahanpoor, Iranian health ministry spokesman said 68 % of the deaths are above 60 years old, 32 % are under 60.
The head of the Netherlands’ public health institute has told the Dutch parliament that measures to control the spread of coronavirus appear to be working, Dutch News reports.
Jaap van Dissel said the country was seeing a “positive trend”, 10 days after authorities introduced a ban on mass gatherings and closed restaurants, bars, schools and cannabis-selling coffee shops.
Van Dissel said initial estimates showed the infection rate per carrier was on or below one, rather than the expected two or three, meaning that a graph of the number of infections should rise in a straight line, rather than a curve.
The number of new confirmed cases in the Netherlands grew by 17% on Tuesday from a day earlier to 5,560, according to official data.
Those figures likely reflect infections from early March, before the government banned public gatherings and closed schools, according to a report by the Reuters news agency.