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Coronavirus live news: Spain records new highest daily death toll; Australia limits public gatherings to two Coronavirus live news: Spain records new highest daily death toll; Australia limits public gatherings to two
(32 minutes later)
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut halt non-essential travel; global deaths pass 30,000 with one-third in ItalyNew York, New Jersey and Connecticut halt non-essential travel; global deaths pass 30,000 with one-third in Italy
The French authorities are leafleting migrants in camps at Calais and Dunkirk this weekend before a “voluntary” evacuation sparked by concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
Police will begin transferring migrants to temporary centres across the on Tuesday. Officials insist this will be done on a “voluntary basis”, according to reports in the local press.
Buses will be sent to the camps transfer occupants to regional centres housing up to 100 people from 31 March. The migrants who agree to leave will be given a medical check before being placed in a bus and taken “far from Calais and Dunkirk”. Once they reach the temporary accommodation they will be expected to keep the same lockdown rules as the rest of the French population.
The decision to evacuate the migrants was taken after consultations with humanitarian organisations working in the camps, say authorities. Many of the French and British humanitarian organisations who have been helping the migrants with food and medical care have pulled out because of the difficulties with working since the national lockdown since 17 March and concerns about the risk to volunteers.
There are believed to be around 600 migrants living in between five to eight encampments around the Channel port at Calais. There are an estimated 600 further north at Grande Synthe near Dunkirk.
Even before the coronavirus crisis, life in the camps was grim. Volunteers said asking migrants who were often four or five sharing a single tent to maintain “social distancing” was impossible.
Tokyo has confirmed 68 new coronavirus cases, a record daily increase, public broadcaster NHK reported on Sunday.
Japanese authorities fear a rise in cases, after the country has so far benefited from low infection rates in an otherwise troubled region.
1,800 people have been reported infected in Japan, with 55 deaths as of Sunday afternoon, NHK said.
Millions of people in and around Tokyo have been asked to avoid non-essential outings until April 12.
France’s high-speed TGV trains are being used to free up intensive care beds in some of the country’s worst-hit areas, AFP reports.
The trains have been adapted into hospitals on wheels for transport critical patients around the country.
“We have a lot more space than in an ambulance or a helicopter,” said François Braun, president of the Samu emergency service.
A British national who tested positive for Covid-19 in South Korea may face penalties for not observing quarantine rules.
The resident of Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, got tested for the virus on March 23, five days after he returned from a trip to Thailand, the Korea Herald reported.
Although he was required to self-isolate until the results were out, he travelled to another city by bike that evening and the next morning he visited an indoor golf range.
Suwon Mayor Yeom Tae-young said on Facebook that the city would hold the person responsible for violating quarantine rules. “The city will deal with this sternly,” he said.
Under recently revised laws, those violating quarantine rules or obstructing quarantine efforts may face up to 1 year in prison and fines of up to 10 million won. Additionally, foreign violators could face deportation, authorities said.
My colleagues Shaun Walker and Christian Davies have written a story on concerns that eastern Europe might experience a surge in infections due to a lack of testing.My colleagues Shaun Walker and Christian Davies have written a story on concerns that eastern Europe might experience a surge in infections due to a lack of testing.
So far, eastern European countries have far lower infection rates than several of their Western neighbours.So far, eastern European countries have far lower infection rates than several of their Western neighbours.
Iran announces 123 more deaths from coronavirus over the past 24 hours, which brings the country’s total to 2,640, AFP reports.Iran announces 123 more deaths from coronavirus over the past 24 hours, which brings the country’s total to 2,640, AFP reports.
Afghanistan’s health ministry confirmed seven new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, pushing the total number of infections to 117.Afghanistan’s health ministry confirmed seven new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, pushing the total number of infections to 117.
Six of the new positive cases were reported in the western province of Herat, which neighbors Iran.Six of the new positive cases were reported in the western province of Herat, which neighbors Iran.
Spain’s cabinet is meeting this morning to approve a tightening up of the country’s lockdown that will see all non-essential workers ordered to stay at home for two weeks.Spain’s cabinet is meeting this morning to approve a tightening up of the country’s lockdown that will see all non-essential workers ordered to stay at home for two weeks.
The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the “extraordinarily tough” measures were needed as the county tries to halt the spread of the virus and reduce the strain on its overstretched hospitals.The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, said the “extraordinarily tough” measures were needed as the county tries to halt the spread of the virus and reduce the strain on its overstretched hospitals.
“This measure will reduce people’s movement even further [but] it will reduce the risk of contagion and allow us to unblock out intensive care units,” the prime minister said in a televised address on Saturday night.“This measure will reduce people’s movement even further [but] it will reduce the risk of contagion and allow us to unblock out intensive care units,” the prime minister said in a televised address on Saturday night.
Despite the high death toll of recent days, Fernando Simón, the head of Spain’s centre for health emergencies, said that the situation in some regions appeared to be improving.Despite the high death toll of recent days, Fernando Simón, the head of Spain’s centre for health emergencies, said that the situation in some regions appeared to be improving.
“We’re getting there,” Simón told a press conference on Saturday afternoon. “We don’t know exactly when we’ll get confirmation, but we’re getting close to the peak of the curve that we’re studying so anxiously. In some parts of the country, they probably may even have passed it – but we need to be cautious with preliminary information.”“We’re getting there,” Simón told a press conference on Saturday afternoon. “We don’t know exactly when we’ll get confirmation, but we’re getting close to the peak of the curve that we’re studying so anxiously. In some parts of the country, they probably may even have passed it – but we need to be cautious with preliminary information.”
A further 838 people have died in Spain over the past 24 hours, the country’s health ministry has said.A further 838 people have died in Spain over the past 24 hours, the country’s health ministry has said.
It is the highest daily increase in fatalities so far, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 6,528. The total number of infections now stands at 78,797, up from 72,248.It is the highest daily increase in fatalities so far, bringing the total number of deaths from the virus to 6,528. The total number of infections now stands at 78,797, up from 72,248.
An update from the World Health Organization on the coronavirus outbreak in Kenya:An update from the World Health Organization on the coronavirus outbreak in Kenya:
Michael Gove has said the peak of the coronavirus is dependent on people’s actions and that the lockdown will remain in place for a significant period.Michael Gove has said the peak of the coronavirus is dependent on people’s actions and that the lockdown will remain in place for a significant period.
Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme, the Cabinet Office minister said:Speaking on the BBC’s Andrew Marr programme, the Cabinet Office minister said:
He added that the public must prepare for a “significant period” of lockdown.He added that the public must prepare for a “significant period” of lockdown.
This from my colleague Philip Oltermann, the Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief:This from my colleague Philip Oltermann, the Guardian’s Berlin bureau chief:
Italy’s deputy health minister Pierpaolo Sileri told the Andrew Marr Show he thinks the country is nearing the peak of its outbreak.Italy’s deputy health minister Pierpaolo Sileri told the Andrew Marr Show he thinks the country is nearing the peak of its outbreak.
More than 10,000 people in Italy have died far, exceeding by far death rates in other countries.More than 10,000 people in Italy have died far, exceeding by far death rates in other countries.
Sileri said that in 10 days “maximum” the country would see its infection rates reducing.Sileri said that in 10 days “maximum” the country would see its infection rates reducing.
Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison has announced further restrictions for the population, including limiting public gatherings to just two people.Australia’s prime minister Scott Morrison has announced further restrictions for the population, including limiting public gatherings to just two people.
People should only leave their homes for essential reasons, and those over the age of 70 should stay home, he said.People should only leave their homes for essential reasons, and those over the age of 70 should stay home, he said.
All playgrounds and outdoor gyms parks in Australia will close from Monday.All playgrounds and outdoor gyms parks in Australia will close from Monday.
Domestic flights will resume in Hubei province, except at Wuhan’s Tianhe International Airport, from Sunday midnight local time, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China.
All passenger and cargo flights on domestic air routes via airports will resume.
The province, for weeks the epicentre of the Covid-19 outbreak, has seen its restrictions being gradually lifted by the government, as the country’s cases of infection has continued to fall.
Flights to and from the city of Wuhan are expected resume at midnight on April 8, when the city’s lockdown is due to be lifted.
The Italian deputy health minister Pierpaolo Sileri has said that the lockdown in the country is beginning to work, however he said it would take at least a fortnight for the benefits to show after all movement was banned and non-essential businesses closed on Sunday.
There were 900 people confirmed to have died in Italy from Covid-19 yesterday, bringing the total in the Mediterranean country to more than 10,000.
Sileri rejected reported criticism from China concerning Italy’s apparent failure to lockdown more quickly and more completely.
All travellers entering South Korea will be subjected to two weeks of mandatory quarantine starting midnight on Wednesday, April 1, prime minister Chung Sye-kyun announced Sunday.
“The measure will also include short-term foreign visitors in order to practically block the entry for unimportant purposes, such as tourism,” Chung said, according to CNN.
Those who don’t have an address in the country will be quarantined in a government provided facility for two weeks at their own expense.
Previously, the mandatory quarantine order was for travelers coming into South Korea from the US and Europe.
Cabinet minister Michael Gove said the UK government is “very concerned” about the rising number of deaths and infections.
Gove told Sky News that Britain is now carrying out 10,000 tests per day to diagnose whether a person is infected, adding the government was doing “all that we can” to “accelerate” the numbers of tests.
“Naturally we are very concerned and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of all those who have lost loved-ones in the last few days,” he told Sky News.
Qatar Airways will continue to operate flights as long as necessary to get stranded travellers home but might run out of cash soon, Reuters reported.
The airline’s chief executive, Akbar al-Baker, said: “We have enough cash to take us through a very short period of time,” adding that it would eventually have to seek support from its owner, the Qatar government.
Qatar Airways is one of few global carriers to continue operating after the coronavirus outbreak reduced global travel demand drastically over the past weeks.
Domestic abuse victims are allowed to leave home to seek help despite the lockdown rules, the home secretary has said.
Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Priti Patel said restrictions imposed on the population by the government to stay indoors were even more challenging for people whose “home is not the safe haven it should be”.
Police and campaigners had previously said the instruction to stay indoors poses risks for domestic abuse victims.
“I am acutely aware that the necessary guidelines about social distancing and self-isolation may leave the victims of hidden crime, such as domestic abuse and child sexual abuse, feeling especially isolated, vulnerable and exposed,” Patel wrote.
“But my message to every potential victim is simple: we have not forgotten you and we will not let you down.
“And my message to every perpetrator is equally as simple: you will not get away with your crimes.”
Here my colleague Harriet Sherwood’s story on how the Covid-19 outbreak is driving midwife shortages in the UK.
The NHS shortage of midwives has doubled since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, she reports, with one in five midwifery posts now unfilled, raising concerns about the safety of pregnant women, new mothers and newborn babies.
The world’s largest glove maker, Malaysia’s Top Glove Corporation Bhd, which makes one in every five gloves globally, expects a product shortage as demand from Europe and the United States is exceeding its capacity, Reuters reports.
The company has extended shipping times to cope with the demand surge, according to executive chairman Lim Wee Chai.
Lim said orders received in the past few weeks, mainly from Europe and the United States, were almost double the company’s production capacity. Top Glove can produce 200 million natural and synthetic rubber gloves a day.
A 33-year-old member of staff of the Louisiana governor, John Bel Edwards, has died from complications with Covid-19, CNN reports.
April Dunn served in the governor’s Office of Disability Affairs.
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the loss of our dear April,” Edwards said. “She brightened everyone’s day with her smile, was a tremendous asset to our team and an inspiration to everyone who met her.
“She lived her life to the fullest and improved the lives of countless Louisianans with disabilities. April worked hard as an advocate for herself and other members of the disability community.”
My colleagues Patrick Greenfield and Erin McCormick have written a story about the crisis-stricken cruise liner Zaandam, which is trying to reach Florida.