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Coronavirus live news: India locks down population of 1.3bn as Hubei eases restrictions Coronavirus live news: India locks down population of 1.3bn as Hubei eases restrictions
(32 minutes later)
UN urges G20 to adopt ‘wartime plan’; WHO warns US risks could become the centre of the pandemic; EU urged to evacuate refugees from Greek camps. Follow the latest updates.UN urges G20 to adopt ‘wartime plan’; WHO warns US risks could become the centre of the pandemic; EU urged to evacuate refugees from Greek camps. Follow the latest updates.
It’s not working: Scott Morrison’s late night coronavirus messages only sow confusion Scenes from India under lockdown now:
This pandemic has plunged us all into whitewater, but there are some certainties. 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.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.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.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.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.
An Australian man has been charged over a “prank” in which he coughed on a police officer on purpose while pretending he was infected with the new coronavirus as a friend filmed the incident, authorities said.An Australian man has been charged over a “prank” in which he coughed on a police officer on purpose while pretending he was infected with the new coronavirus as a friend filmed the incident, authorities said.
The man, aged 21, went into a police station at Coffs Harbour, a coastal city about 525 km (326 miles) north of Sydney, on Tuesday and approached a 71-year-old female officer.The man, aged 21, went into a police station at Coffs Harbour, a coastal city about 525 km (326 miles) north of Sydney, on Tuesday and approached a 71-year-old female officer.
“(He) deliberately coughed on the woman and claimed he had Covid-19, while a friend filmed,” police said, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus. The police station was closed and isolation protocols put in place while authorities checked his status. It turned out he did not have the virus that has infected more than 2,000 Australians and brought most of the country to a standstill. Authorities did not identify the man or give any detail about his motive other than to call the incident a prank.“(He) deliberately coughed on the woman and claimed he had Covid-19, while a friend filmed,” police said, referring to the disease caused by the coronavirus. The police station was closed and isolation protocols put in place while authorities checked his status. It turned out he did not have the virus that has infected more than 2,000 Australians and brought most of the country to a standstill. Authorities did not identify the man or give any detail about his motive other than to call the incident a prank.
Australian doctors warned off after prescribing potentially deadly Covid-19 trial drug to themselvesAustralian doctors warned off after prescribing potentially deadly Covid-19 trial drug to themselves
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.
The anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the similar compound chloroquine are currently used mostly for patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but stocks in Australia have been diminished thanks to global publicity – including from Donald Trump – about the potential of the drug to treat Covid-19.The anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine and the similar compound chloroquine are currently used mostly for patients with autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, but stocks in Australia have been diminished thanks to global publicity – including from Donald Trump – about the potential of the drug to treat Covid-19.
Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have potentially severe and even deadly side effects if used inappropriately, including heart failure and toxicity. Some Australian media outlets have wrongly reported the drug as a “cure” for the virus even though trials have been either inconclusive or too small to be useful, have only been conducted in test tubes, are not yet complete, or have not even received ethics approval.Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have potentially severe and even deadly side effects if used inappropriately, including heart failure and toxicity. Some Australian media outlets have wrongly reported the drug as a “cure” for the virus even though trials have been either inconclusive or too small to be useful, have only been conducted in test tubes, are not yet complete, or have not even received ethics approval.
Thailand has recorded 107 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 934, a health official said on Wednesday.Thailand has recorded 107 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 934, a health official said on Wednesday.
The new cases consist of 27 patients linked to previous cases, 13 new cases including imported ones, and 67 people who tested positive and are awaiting investigation into how they contracted the disease, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman said. Thailand has recorded four death since the outbreak while 70 patients have recovered and gone home. 860 patients are still being treated in hospitals.The new cases consist of 27 patients linked to previous cases, 13 new cases including imported ones, and 67 people who tested positive and are awaiting investigation into how they contracted the disease, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman said. Thailand has recorded four death since the outbreak while 70 patients have recovered and gone home. 860 patients are still being treated in hospitals.
If you have any tips, news you think we need to know, or something funny to share, get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.If you have any tips, news you think we need to know, or something funny to share, get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
On Wednesday morning, India’s population of 1.3bn people awoke to the first day of lockdown. The confinement of the world’s second most populous nation to their homes for the next 21days, to combat the spread of coronavirus, is not only the largest attempted lockdown so far, but for a country where community and communal spaces form the basis of society, will also challenge the entire Indian way of life.On Wednesday morning, India’s population of 1.3bn people awoke to the first day of lockdown. The confinement of the world’s second most populous nation to their homes for the next 21days, to combat the spread of coronavirus, is not only the largest attempted lockdown so far, but for a country where community and communal spaces form the basis of society, will also challenge the entire Indian way of life.
The national capital Delhi was almost unrecognisable. The wide highways that criss-cross the vast city which are usually at a standstill with rush hour traffic stood eerily empty. The dense maze of back alleys and narrow streets, usually thronging with bicycles, rickshaws, chai wallahs, fruit and vegetable markets and densely packed crowds doing their morning shopping, there were only a few people bearing bags of food. In the usually hectic hub of old Delhi, cows and police were the only ones roaming the streets. Temples, gurdwaras and mosques, usually overflowing with life, stood silent.The national capital Delhi was almost unrecognisable. The wide highways that criss-cross the vast city which are usually at a standstill with rush hour traffic stood eerily empty. The dense maze of back alleys and narrow streets, usually thronging with bicycles, rickshaws, chai wallahs, fruit and vegetable markets and densely packed crowds doing their morning shopping, there were only a few people bearing bags of food. In the usually hectic hub of old Delhi, cows and police were the only ones roaming the streets. Temples, gurdwaras and mosques, usually overflowing with life, stood silent.
The lockdown will have a particularly calamitous impact on the 300m Indians who live below the poverty line, and exist hand to mouth. The reality of a lockdown for the tens of millions who live on the streets; for the swathes of large families who live crammed into a single room often with no ventilation or running water; and for the rickshaw drivers who live in their rickshaws and rely entirely on their daily income is likely to be devastating.The lockdown will have a particularly calamitous impact on the 300m Indians who live below the poverty line, and exist hand to mouth. The reality of a lockdown for the tens of millions who live on the streets; for the swathes of large families who live crammed into a single room often with no ventilation or running water; and for the rickshaw drivers who live in their rickshaws and rely entirely on their daily income is likely to be devastating.
Trump seeks to reopen ‘large sections’ of US by Easter, clashing with expertsTrump seeks to reopen ‘large sections’ of US by Easter, clashing with experts
Donald Trump is aiming to reopen “large sections of the country” by Easter, he told reporters on Tuesday, as officials advised anyone who has recently left New York to self-quarantine for two weeks.Donald Trump is aiming to reopen “large sections of the country” by Easter, he told reporters on Tuesday, as officials advised anyone who has recently left New York to self-quarantine for two weeks.
The US president has put himself on collision course with his own health experts by floating a deadline for firing up the economy, claiming without evidence that the current shutdown would cause more deaths than the coronavirus itself.The US president has put himself on collision course with his own health experts by floating a deadline for firing up the economy, claiming without evidence that the current shutdown would cause more deaths than the coronavirus itself.
“I hope we can do this by Easter,” Trump told reporters at an unusually brisk White House briefing. “I think that would be a great thing for our country.”“I hope we can do this by Easter,” Trump told reporters at an unusually brisk White House briefing. “I think that would be a great thing for our country.”
Asked if that timeline – 12 April – was realistic , he replied: “We’re going to look at it. We’ll only do it if it’s good and maybe we do sections of the country, we do large sections of the country.”Asked if that timeline – 12 April – was realistic , he replied: “We’re going to look at it. We’ll only do it if it’s good and maybe we do sections of the country, we do large sections of the country.”
The president, known for his love of media spectacle, said he picked Easter because “I just thought it was a beautiful time, a beautiful timeline, it’s a great day”, adding: “It was based on a certain level of weeks from the time we started. And it happened – actually, we were thinking sooner. I’d love to see it come even sooner.”The president, known for his love of media spectacle, said he picked Easter because “I just thought it was a beautiful time, a beautiful timeline, it’s a great day”, adding: “It was based on a certain level of weeks from the time we started. And it happened – actually, we were thinking sooner. I’d love to see it come even sooner.”
Walmart Inc’s Flipkart has suspended services, a notice on the Indian e-commerce firm’s website said on Wednesday, as India began a 21-day lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.Walmart Inc’s Flipkart has suspended services, a notice on the Indian e-commerce firm’s website said on Wednesday, as India began a 21-day lockdown to fight the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the lockdown from Tuesday midnight, but a federal government advisory suggested exempting e-commerce deliveries of essentials such as food and medical equipment in addition to grocery stores and banks. Flipkart, whose services include grocery deliveries, did not say how long the suspension would last. “Our promise is that we will be back to serve you, as soon as possible,” the notice said. Amazon India’s pantry service that delivers groceries was also not available in several cities. It has not said, however that it is suspending pantry services, only that it will halt orders for non-essential products to prioritise customers’ critical needs. Modi’s announcement led to long queues at grocery stores in cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai as customers began panic buying before the ban came into effect.Prime Minister Narendra Modi ordered the lockdown from Tuesday midnight, but a federal government advisory suggested exempting e-commerce deliveries of essentials such as food and medical equipment in addition to grocery stores and banks. Flipkart, whose services include grocery deliveries, did not say how long the suspension would last. “Our promise is that we will be back to serve you, as soon as possible,” the notice said. Amazon India’s pantry service that delivers groceries was also not available in several cities. It has not said, however that it is suspending pantry services, only that it will halt orders for non-essential products to prioritise customers’ critical needs. Modi’s announcement led to long queues at grocery stores in cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai as customers began panic buying before the ban came into effect.
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.
There are currently no approved treatments, or preventive vaccines for Covid-19. Researchers are studying existing treatments and working on experimental ones, but most current patients receive only supportive care such as breathing assistance. Hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, is among the medications that are being tested, as a potential treatment for patients with the disease. Earlier this week, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which maintains a list of drug shortages, said hydroxychloroquine was in shortage.There are currently no approved treatments, or preventive vaccines for Covid-19. Researchers are studying existing treatments and working on experimental ones, but most current patients receive only supportive care such as breathing assistance. Hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, is among the medications that are being tested, as a potential treatment for patients with the disease. Earlier this week, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, which maintains a list of drug shortages, said hydroxychloroquine was in shortage.
US President Donald Trump fully supports a delay in the Tokyo Olympics agreed between Japan and the international Olympic panel, a Japanese government spokesman said on Wednesday, citing comments made to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a telephone call.US President Donald Trump fully supports a delay in the Tokyo Olympics agreed between Japan and the international Olympic panel, a Japanese government spokesman said on Wednesday, citing comments made to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in a telephone call.
“President Trump repeatedly said the postponement is an excellent and wise decision,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Akihiro Nishimura told a news briefing. “There was a remark that he supports Prime Minister Abe’s stance 100%.” On Tuesday, the Tokyo Games were postponed to 2021, for the first time in the event’s 124-year modern history, because of the coronavirus pandemic.“President Trump repeatedly said the postponement is an excellent and wise decision,” Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Akihiro Nishimura told a news briefing. “There was a remark that he supports Prime Minister Abe’s stance 100%.” On Tuesday, the Tokyo Games were postponed to 2021, for the first time in the event’s 124-year modern history, because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump privately appeals to Asia and Europe for medical help to fight coronavirusTrump privately appeals to Asia and Europe for medical help to fight coronavirus
The US has been appealing to its allies for help in obtaining medical supplies to overcome critical shortages in its fight against coronavirus.The US has been appealing to its allies for help in obtaining medical supplies to overcome critical shortages in its fight against coronavirus.
In his public rhetoric Donald Trump has been talking up the domestic private sector response to the crisis.In his public rhetoric Donald Trump has been talking up the domestic private sector response to the crisis.
“We should never be reliant on a foreign country for the means of our own survival,” Trump said at a White House briefing on Tuesday evening. “America will never be a supplicant nation.”“We should never be reliant on a foreign country for the means of our own survival,” Trump said at a White House briefing on Tuesday evening. “America will never be a supplicant nation.”
However behind the scenes, the administration has approached European and Asian partners to secure supplies of testing kits and other medical equipment that are in desperately short supply in the US.However behind the scenes, the administration has approached European and Asian partners to secure supplies of testing kits and other medical equipment that are in desperately short supply in the US.
On Tuesday, Trump spoke by phone with the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, asking if his country could supply medical equipment.On Tuesday, Trump spoke by phone with the South Korean president, Moon Jae-in, asking if his country could supply medical equipment.
The official White House account made no mention of the request, but according to the South Korean presidency, the Blue House, the call was made at Trump’s “urgent request”.The official White House account made no mention of the request, but according to the South Korean presidency, the Blue House, the call was made at Trump’s “urgent request”.