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Coronavirus live news: Trump appears to back down on New York 'quarantine' Coronavirus live news: Trump appears to back down on New York 'quarantine'
(32 minutes later)
President had triggered confusion and alarm, with New York governor responding that sealing off state would be ‘federal declaration of war’; meanwhile more than 10,000 have died in ItalyPresident had triggered confusion and alarm, with New York governor responding that sealing off state would be ‘federal declaration of war’; meanwhile more than 10,000 have died in Italy
The first of up to 10 flights to be sent to China to pick up medical equipment for Ireland is on its way back.
More than €225m had been spent on personal protective equipment for Irish health workers, said the minister for health, Simon Harris. Usually around €15m is spent in a year.
Ireland’s Health Service Executive would begin distributing around €20m worth of equipment from Sunday, after warnings that stocks were running low.
One group of doctors told the Irish Times they had procured €6,000 worth of PPE on their own after losing patience with the HSE.
Jim Dolan, the owner of NBA team the New York Knicks, has tested positive for Covid-19.
Here’s a quick look at the biggest developments today:Here’s a quick look at the biggest developments today:
More than 30,000 people have died after contracting Covid-19, from more than 660,700 confirmed cases.More than 30,000 people have died after contracting Covid-19, from more than 660,700 confirmed cases.
The coronavirus death toll in France has passed the grim milestone of 2,000 deaths, with more than 38,000 cases, and the US has reported more than 120,000 cases.The coronavirus death toll in France has passed the grim milestone of 2,000 deaths, with more than 38,000 cases, and the US has reported more than 120,000 cases.
New Zealand reported its first death on Sunday.New Zealand reported its first death on Sunday.
Spain, Northern Ireland, and Timor-Leste are among countries to introduce new waves of restrictions.Spain, Northern Ireland, and Timor-Leste are among countries to introduce new waves of restrictions.
US president Donald Trump earlier proposed an enforced regional quarantine on the state of New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, prompting an angry rebuke from NY governor Andrew Cuomo. Trump later said quarantine would not be necessary and he had asked the CDC to instead issue a serious travel warning for the areas.US president Donald Trump earlier proposed an enforced regional quarantine on the state of New York and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, prompting an angry rebuke from NY governor Andrew Cuomo. Trump later said quarantine would not be necessary and he had asked the CDC to instead issue a serious travel warning for the areas.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 yesterday, has warned British households that the virus epidemic will get worse before it gets better.UK prime minister Boris Johnson, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 yesterday, has warned British households that the virus epidemic will get worse before it gets better.
The Zandam cruise ship, which has hundreds of passengers on board including at least 130 with flu-like symptoms, has been granted passage through the Panama Canal. Four people on the ship have died and two of those with symptoms have been diagnosed with Covid-19.The Zandam cruise ship, which has hundreds of passengers on board including at least 130 with flu-like symptoms, has been granted passage through the Panama Canal. Four people on the ship have died and two of those with symptoms have been diagnosed with Covid-19.
And Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, said she has recovered from Covid-19. Her husband and their three children have been in isolation and haven’t shown symptoms.And Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, wife of the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, said she has recovered from Covid-19. Her husband and their three children have been in isolation and haven’t shown symptoms.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliff, the British-Iranian aid worker who has been detained in Iran on spying charges has had her prison leave extended and her case put forward for clemency, her husband saidNazanin Zaghari-Ratcliff, the British-Iranian aid worker who has been detained in Iran on spying charges has had her prison leave extended and her case put forward for clemency, her husband said
South Korea has reported 105 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the country’s total to 9,583, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sunday.South Korea has reported 105 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, bringing the country’s total to 9,583, the Korea Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said on Sunday.
Virus prevention measures took a violent turn in parts of Africa over the weekend. Read a full report from Jason Burke here, and below are some images which have come through, with details from AP.Virus prevention measures took a violent turn in parts of Africa over the weekend. Read a full report from Jason Burke here, and below are some images which have come through, with details from AP.
In Kenya, police fired tear gas at a crowd of ferry commuters as the country’s first day of a coronavirus curfew slid into chaos.In Kenya, police fired tear gas at a crowd of ferry commuters as the country’s first day of a coronavirus curfew slid into chaos.
“We were horrified by excessive use of police force ahead of the curfew that began Friday night,” Amnesty International Kenya and 19 other human rights groups said in a statement issued Saturday.“We were horrified by excessive use of police force ahead of the curfew that began Friday night,” Amnesty International Kenya and 19 other human rights groups said in a statement issued Saturday.
The tear gas caused hundreds of people trying to reach a ferry in the port city of Mombasa ahead of the overnight curfew to touch their faces as they vomited, spat and wiped away tears, increasing the chance of the virus spread, the rights groups said.The tear gas caused hundreds of people trying to reach a ferry in the port city of Mombasa ahead of the overnight curfew to touch their faces as they vomited, spat and wiped away tears, increasing the chance of the virus spread, the rights groups said.
In an apparent show of force on Saturday, South Africa’s military raided a large workers’ hostel in the Alexandra township where some residents had defied the lockdown.In an apparent show of force on Saturday, South Africa’s military raided a large workers’ hostel in the Alexandra township where some residents had defied the lockdown.
From Reuters:From Reuters:
Thousands of African, Haitian and Asian migrants bound for the United States have amassed in immigration shelters in Panama and Costa Rica as plans to relocate them to less crowded areas to lower the risk of spreading the coronavirus have faltered.Thousands of African, Haitian and Asian migrants bound for the United States have amassed in immigration shelters in Panama and Costa Rica as plans to relocate them to less crowded areas to lower the risk of spreading the coronavirus have faltered.
Earlier this week, Costa Rica’s government said it had begun transferring about 2,600 migrants headed for the United States from its southern border with Panama to its frontier with Nicaragua, citing concerns that large crowds could further spread the virus.Earlier this week, Costa Rica’s government said it had begun transferring about 2,600 migrants headed for the United States from its southern border with Panama to its frontier with Nicaragua, citing concerns that large crowds could further spread the virus.
However, the head of Costa Rica’s immigration office, Raquel Vargas, told Reuters on Saturday that the transfer was suspended until further notice.However, the head of Costa Rica’s immigration office, Raquel Vargas, told Reuters on Saturday that the transfer was suspended until further notice.
“We must find a solution,” Vargas said after Nicaragua decided to send its military to its southern border.“We must find a solution,” Vargas said after Nicaragua decided to send its military to its southern border.
Vargas said the transfer of the first group of migrants in coordination with Panama was “very successful,” but that under the current circumstances more people could not be moved.Vargas said the transfer of the first group of migrants in coordination with Panama was “very successful,” but that under the current circumstances more people could not be moved.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife said Saturday that she has recovered from being ill from COVID-19 disease caused by the new coronavirus.Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s wife said Saturday that she has recovered from being ill from COVID-19 disease caused by the new coronavirus.
“I am feeling so much better,” Sophie Gregoire Trudeau said in a statement on social media.“I am feeling so much better,” Sophie Gregoire Trudeau said in a statement on social media.
She said she received the clearance from her doctor and Ottawa Public Health.Trudeau’s office announced on 12 March that she had tested positive for the coronavirus after she fell ill upon returning from a trip to London.She said she received the clearance from her doctor and Ottawa Public Health.Trudeau’s office announced on 12 March that she had tested positive for the coronavirus after she fell ill upon returning from a trip to London.
The prime minister and his family have been in self isolation at home since then. He and their three children didn’t show symptoms.The prime minister and his family have been in self isolation at home since then. He and their three children didn’t show symptoms.
Timor-Leste has declared a state of emergency as part of its efforts to “contain the pandemic, save lives and ensure the subsistence of supply chains of essential goods and services for our population”.Timor-Leste has declared a state of emergency as part of its efforts to “contain the pandemic, save lives and ensure the subsistence of supply chains of essential goods and services for our population”.
The declaration by the presidency of the council of ministers said they were taking the action “even though they may limit some fundamental rights and freedoms”The declaration by the presidency of the council of ministers said they were taking the action “even though they may limit some fundamental rights and freedoms”
“These measures are taken with respect for constitutional limits and following the guidelines of the World Health Organisation and the example of other States.”“These measures are taken with respect for constitutional limits and following the guidelines of the World Health Organisation and the example of other States.”
The state of emergency came into place on Sunday, and will run until at least 26 April.The state of emergency came into place on Sunday, and will run until at least 26 April.
Timor-Leste is one of the world’s poorest nations, with around 40% of people living below the poverty line.Timor-Leste is one of the world’s poorest nations, with around 40% of people living below the poverty line.
The government has authorised the transfer of $100m from its petroleum fund to fund emergency measures and the purchase of medical supplies.The government has authorised the transfer of $100m from its petroleum fund to fund emergency measures and the purchase of medical supplies.
Foreigners are prohibited from entering the country, except for foreigners born in Timor-Leste, resident citizens and legal representatives of minors of Timorese nationality. The restriction doesn’t apply to oil rig workers in the Timor Sea. Anyone entering the country must quarantine for 14 days.Foreigners are prohibited from entering the country, except for foreigners born in Timor-Leste, resident citizens and legal representatives of minors of Timorese nationality. The restriction doesn’t apply to oil rig workers in the Timor Sea. Anyone entering the country must quarantine for 14 days.
Commercial and service establishments, markets and street vendors are allowed, but public transport will cease.Commercial and service establishments, markets and street vendors are allowed, but public transport will cease.
Everyone must wear masks when entering commercial or servicing venues, and maintain hygiene and social distancing.Everyone must wear masks when entering commercial or servicing venues, and maintain hygiene and social distancing.
All school activities are suspended on a face-to-face basis and the facilities of educational, education and vocational training establishments are closed. Teachers and students are prohibited from staying in the premises.All school activities are suspended on a face-to-face basis and the facilities of educational, education and vocational training establishments are closed. Teachers and students are prohibited from staying in the premises.
Distance learning should be promoted through the means of information and communication in this period.Distance learning should be promoted through the means of information and communication in this period.
Licences, authorisations, visas and residence permits, and other administrative acts and documents will remain valid regardless of expiry dates.Licences, authorisations, visas and residence permits, and other administrative acts and documents will remain valid regardless of expiry dates.
In Argentina, Uki Goñi reports some optimism.In Argentina, Uki Goñi reports some optimism.
Authorities are hopeful that Argentina may have imposed its nationwide lockdown early enough to avoid the kind of difficult scenarios seen in the US or Europe. The country added only 55 new cases of coronavirus and two deaths to its toll Saturday, bringing the total to 745 cases and 19 deaths so far, a sharp drop from the 101 cases Friday.Authorities are hopeful that Argentina may have imposed its nationwide lockdown early enough to avoid the kind of difficult scenarios seen in the US or Europe. The country added only 55 new cases of coronavirus and two deaths to its toll Saturday, bringing the total to 745 cases and 19 deaths so far, a sharp drop from the 101 cases Friday.
“The spike is moving to May and we are hoping it won’t be abrupt,” said health minister Ginés González García.“The spike is moving to May and we are hoping it won’t be abrupt,” said health minister Ginés González García.
The lockdown was declared on March 20 when there were only 128 cases and three deaths reported.The lockdown was declared on March 20 when there were only 128 cases and three deaths reported.
The government’s deepest concern regarding the spread of the virus is the Greater Buenos Aires area around the capital city of buenos Aires, with a population of over 12 million people.The government’s deepest concern regarding the spread of the virus is the Greater Buenos Aires area around the capital city of buenos Aires, with a population of over 12 million people.
Some 21% of the GBA live in shanty towns, most of them without access to running water, nearly half of whom sleep more than three to a room. Unemployment is over 10% and 40% of the employed are informal workers without benefits.Some 21% of the GBA live in shanty towns, most of them without access to running water, nearly half of whom sleep more than three to a room. Unemployment is over 10% and 40% of the employed are informal workers without benefits.
“The quarantine is a dramatic situation for people in vulnerable situations,” said Agustín Salvia of the Social Observatory of the Catholic University of Buenos Aires, which provides the most reliable statistics on poverty in Argentina.“The quarantine is a dramatic situation for people in vulnerable situations,” said Agustín Salvia of the Social Observatory of the Catholic University of Buenos Aires, which provides the most reliable statistics on poverty in Argentina.
The quarantine has had one unexpected consequence, according to pharmacists, a shortage of Viagra, after the stock for March sold out early.The quarantine has had one unexpected consequence, according to pharmacists, a shortage of Viagra, after the stock for March sold out early.
“There was an unexpected consumption,” said Marcelo Peretta, head of the Argentine Union of Pharmacists, who blamed the free time at home by the imposed quarantine for the run on the erectile dysfunction drug.“There was an unexpected consumption,” said Marcelo Peretta, head of the Argentine Union of Pharmacists, who blamed the free time at home by the imposed quarantine for the run on the erectile dysfunction drug.
“We had to limit the amount sold per person, we never thought we’d sell this much Viagra.”“We had to limit the amount sold per person, we never thought we’d sell this much Viagra.”
Further details on the first Covid-19 related death in New Zealand.Further details on the first Covid-19 related death in New Zealand.
The woman, who authorities said had underlying health conditions, was reportedly diagnosed with influenza on admittance to hospital.The woman, who authorities said had underlying health conditions, was reportedly diagnosed with influenza on admittance to hospital.
New Zealand health officials confirmed new 63 cases on Sunday – a drop from the increase of the previous two days – with the overall number of coronavirus cases standing at 514, said the director general of health, Ashley Bloomfield. Nine were receiving hospital care and one other was in intensive care on a ventilator.New Zealand health officials confirmed new 63 cases on Sunday – a drop from the increase of the previous two days – with the overall number of coronavirus cases standing at 514, said the director general of health, Ashley Bloomfield. Nine were receiving hospital care and one other was in intensive care on a ventilator.
From Reuters:From Reuters:
Mexico’s deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell called on Saturday on all residents in Mexico to stay at home for a month, saying it was the only way to reduce the transmission rate of the coronavirus.Mexico’s deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell called on Saturday on all residents in Mexico to stay at home for a month, saying it was the only way to reduce the transmission rate of the coronavirus.
Mexican health authorities said there was a total of 848 confirmed cases in Mexico as of Saturday, 131 more than the previous day, and 16 deaths.Mexican health authorities said there was a total of 848 confirmed cases in Mexico as of Saturday, 131 more than the previous day, and 16 deaths.
President Donald Trump will send off a naval hospital ship Saturday before it heads to New York City, as he aims to highlight the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The USNS Comfort, a 1,000-bed hospital ship, had been undergoing planned maintenance, but was rushed back into service to aid the city which is now the centre of the nation’s outbreak.
It is scheduled to arrive Monday at a Manhattan pier a week after its sister ship, the USNS Mercy arrived in Los Angeles to preform similar duty on the West Coast.
Trump, 73, is in a high-risk category because of his age, and federal guidance for weeks has advised those in that pool to refrain from non-essential travel of all sorts. He has already tested negative once after close contact with officials who came down with the virus.
“It doesn’t mean I’m going to be hugging people and it doesn’t mean that I’m going to be shaking people’s hands and everything,” Trump said.
“But I think it sends a signal when the president is able to go there and say thank you. So, you know, we’ll be careful.”
China reported 45 new coronavirus cases in the mainland for 28 March, down from 54 on the previous day, Reuters reports.
All but one involved travelers from overseas, the country’s health authority said on Sunday.
The reported number of imported cases also fell from 54 on the previous day, data from the National Health Commission showed.
China also reported five new deaths on Saturday, all of which were in Wuhan in Hubei province, where the Covid-19 respiratory illness was first identified. A total of 3,300 people have now died in mainland China, with a reported 81,439 infections.
Saturday marked the fourth consecutive day that Hubei province recorded no new confirmed cases. With traffic restrictions in the province lifted, Wuhan, the epicentre of the outbreak, is also gradually reopening borders and restarting some local transportation services.
The only domestic transmission on Saturday was recorded in central China’s Henan province, which borders Hubei.
Still in Australia, a 75-year-old Queensland woman, who had been on board the Ruby Princess cruise ship, has died overnight.
A man aged in his 80s also died in a Melbourne hospital overnight.
The deaths bring Australia’s toll to 16.
For more details on this and Morrison’s press conference, follow our Australia-focussed blog here.
Australian authorities are giving an update of the situation there.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia’s daily rate of increase in cases had dropped from between 25-30% to 13-15%.
Morrison says this shows the government’s containment measures (which have caused some confusion among Australians with some very specific limits like a maximum 30 minutes at a hairdresser, only five people at a wedding, but 10 people at a bootcamp or funeral), are working.
But the government will not release modelling to show this.
Morrison pushes back on questions about adopting tactics used by other countries.
He says they won’t “cut and paste measures from other places where they have completely different societies”.
He cites Chinese authorities welding people’s doors shut, suggesting that maybe people were “OK with that”.
Morrison has told media that of the country’s 3,809 confirmed cases, 2,562 were imported from overseas.
New Zealand, which is a few days into a lockdown lasting at least four weeks, has reported the first death attributed to Covid-19.
Dr Ashley Bloomfield said the West Coast woman was in her 70s, and was initially diagnosed with influenza. Because of this hospital staff were only wearing PPE suitable for a case of influenza, not Covid-19, and 21 people were now in self-isolation. Bloomfield said none of the staff were showing symptoms, and staffing at the hospital wouldn’t be affected because of the cancellation of all elective procedures.
New Zealand has 514 cases, most with a link to international travel.
“Today’s death is the reminder of the fight that we have on our hands,” prime minister Jacinda Ardern said.
“Stay at home, break the chain, and save lives.”
Donald Trump has now said there will be no need to enforce a regional quarantine on New York and neighbouring states.
A few minutes ago the president tweeted that he would instead have the CDC issue “a strong travel advisory”.
US president Donald Trump has flagged an enforced regional quarantine of the state of New York, and parts of Connecticut and New Jersey.
“We’re thinking about certain things. Some people would like to see New York quarantined because it’s a hotspot,” he said.
“We might not have to do it, but there’s a possibility that sometime today we’ll do a quarantine, short-term, two weeks on New York. Probably New Jersey, certain parts of Connecticut. This would be an enforceable quarantine. I’d rather not do it, but maybe we need it.”
But New York governor Andrew Cuomo says it wasn’t mentioned when they spoke, and he’s said such a move would be “a federal declaration of war”.
Why you would want to just create total pandemonium on top of a pandemic I have no idea,” Cuomo said.
“It’s totally opposite with what the president would want to do, work with the states, get the economy running and get some sense of stability. You wouldn’t at this point literally fracture the entire nation because it’s not just New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, it’s Louisiana and New Orleans. The numbers will continue to rise and every few days it’s going to be another hotspot.”
He added: “It would be chaos and mayhem. If we start walling off areas all across the country it would just be totally bizarre, counterproductive, anti-American, anti-social.”
Read more here.
Welcome to our continuing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic. Thanks to colleagues in the UK for running the last day’s coverage, which you can catch up on here.
If you have questions, comments, or contributions, you can reach me on Twitter @heldavidson
In the meantime, here are the latest updates:
The global death toll has passed 30,000, with confirmed cases at 660,706.
Northern Ireland has announced a wave of new restrictive measures which came into force an hour ago, including a ban on gatherings and leaving home without a reasonable excuse.
Spain has announced further restrictions on movement to stem the flow of the virus, with all non-essential workers being told to stay home.
Panama’s government has said it will allow the Zaandam cruise ship to pass through the Panama Canal, after passengers got stuck on board when authorities refused to grant access. The cruise ship has 130 people with flu-like symptoms, and four have died. At least two of those with symptoms are confirmed to have coronavirus.
The coronavirus death toll in France has passed the grim milestone of 2,000 deaths, with more than 38,000 cases.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliff, the British-Iranian aid worker who has been detained in Iran on spying charges has had her prison leave extended and her case put forward for clemency, her husband said
Cases in the US have passed 120,000.
A letter from UK prime minister Boris Johnson will be sent to every household in Britain, warning them that the worst of the virus is yet to come.