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Coronavirus live news: World Bank warns of 'unprecedented shock' as global confirmed cases pass 800,000 Coronavirus live news: World Bank warns of 'unprecedented shock' as global confirmed cases pass 800,000
(31 minutes later)
Spain reports record single-day death toll; Vietnam enters lockdown; Russia records biggest daily rise in cases for seventh day runningSpain reports record single-day death toll; Vietnam enters lockdown; Russia records biggest daily rise in cases for seventh day running
Under-18s in Poland will no longer be able to leave the house without adult supervision, according to a list of fresh restrictions due to go into force on Tuesday night, according to a report in local media.
The new rules, outlined by prime minister Mateusz Morawiecki, include, among others:
A requirement to keep 2m apart in public - even among people from the same family but excluding people under 13, disabled people requiring care, and the elderly.
The closure of all parks, boulevards, squares and places of recreation.
A ban on the use of rented bicycles.
The closure of all beauty and hairdressing salons, massage parlours and tattoo parlours.
A limit of three people in shops per cash register.
Morawiecki told a press conference on Tuesday:
The army will also help police to keep people off the streets if they have no good reason to be outside, state news agency PAP reported, after sunny weather prompted thousands of Poles last weekend to visit parks and beaches.
As of Tuesday, 2,215 people had tested positive for coronavirus in the country of 38 million, while 32 people had died, the health ministry said. The Polish government is preparing for a steep rise in the number of infections.
A US government-arranged flight is to leave Islamabad in Pakistan on Wednesday night to repatriate Americans in the country.
However, not all US nationals on the country will be on it, and arrangements for bringing others back to the US who want to return are unclear.
Americas left behind in the country have been urged to “stay healthy!”
An email circulated by the US embassy to Americans in Pakistan, seen by the Guardian, said:
Um, good advice, I guess.
Mauritania, in north west Africa, has declared its first fatality from coronavirus, AFP reports, citing state media in the Islamic republic.Mauritania, in north west Africa, has declared its first fatality from coronavirus, AFP reports, citing state media in the Islamic republic.
The victim is a 48-year-old French-Mauritanian dual national who had been quarantined alongside 16 other French nationals. All had arrived in mid-March on one of the last flights before Mauritania banned international arrivals.The victim is a 48-year-old French-Mauritanian dual national who had been quarantined alongside 16 other French nationals. All had arrived in mid-March on one of the last flights before Mauritania banned international arrivals.
The woman’s case was unusual because she did not initially present symptoms, said N’Diaye Mamadou, an official in charge of the isolation centre in the capital Nouakchott.The woman’s case was unusual because she did not initially present symptoms, said N’Diaye Mamadou, an official in charge of the isolation centre in the capital Nouakchott.
She began to feel ill on Sunday evening, before her condition worsened on Monday morning. She then died en route to hospital on Monday, Mamadou said. She was diagnosed with coronavirus in a post-mortem examination.She began to feel ill on Sunday evening, before her condition worsened on Monday morning. She then died en route to hospital on Monday, Mamadou said. She was diagnosed with coronavirus in a post-mortem examination.
Mauritania has recorded six coronavirus cases, including two patients who have since recovered. The government has ordered a night-time curfew and stopped travel between its 13 regions in a bird to curb the spread of the virus.Mauritania has recorded six coronavirus cases, including two patients who have since recovered. The government has ordered a night-time curfew and stopped travel between its 13 regions in a bird to curb the spread of the virus.
A doctor who gave Vladimir Putin a guided tour of Russia’s main hospital treating coronavirus patients last week has tested positive for the disease, Andrew Roth reports from Moscow.A doctor who gave Vladimir Putin a guided tour of Russia’s main hospital treating coronavirus patients last week has tested positive for the disease, Andrew Roth reports from Moscow.
Denis Protsenko, the chief doctor for the Kommunarka hospital in Moscow, tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, Russian state television reported.Denis Protsenko, the chief doctor for the Kommunarka hospital in Moscow, tested positive for the disease on Tuesday, Russian state television reported.
Putin met with Protsenko last Wednesday during an unexpected visit to the hospital, where he toured the medical facility and spoke with staff and patients.Putin met with Protsenko last Wednesday during an unexpected visit to the hospital, where he toured the medical facility and spoke with staff and patients.
During the visit, Protsenko was pictured shaking hands with Putin, riding in an elevator with him, and also standing close to him as the two men rode down an escalator along with advisors. Neither man was wearing a mask during the meeting.During the visit, Protsenko was pictured shaking hands with Putin, riding in an elevator with him, and also standing close to him as the two men rode down an escalator along with advisors. Neither man was wearing a mask during the meeting.
It isn’t clear if Protsenko had already contracted the disease when he met with Putin. The Kremlin has said that those who meet with Putin are screened for the disease in advance. A spokesman for Putin on Tuesday did not immediately respond to questions about whether or not he had been tested recently for the disease.It isn’t clear if Protsenko had already contracted the disease when he met with Putin. The Kremlin has said that those who meet with Putin are screened for the disease in advance. A spokesman for Putin on Tuesday did not immediately respond to questions about whether or not he had been tested recently for the disease.
The Russian president was shown holding a video-conference with regional heads on Monday. It was his first public appearance in four days, as mayors and other government figures have taken the lead in authorising severe measures in order to limit the spread of coronavirus. In Monday’s appearance, he did not exhibit any obvious symptoms of sickness.The Russian president was shown holding a video-conference with regional heads on Monday. It was his first public appearance in four days, as mayors and other government figures have taken the lead in authorising severe measures in order to limit the spread of coronavirus. In Monday’s appearance, he did not exhibit any obvious symptoms of sickness.
When Putin visited the hospital last week, Russia had less than 500 confirmed cases of the disease. As of Tuesday, officials have identified more than 2,300 cases of the disease in Russia, with 500 new cases in just the last day.When Putin visited the hospital last week, Russia had less than 500 confirmed cases of the disease. As of Tuesday, officials have identified more than 2,300 cases of the disease in Russia, with 500 new cases in just the last day.
Authorities have declared self-isolation regimes in Moscow and St. Petersburg.Authorities have declared self-isolation regimes in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Protsenko was said to be in stable condition on Tuesday.Protsenko was said to be in stable condition on Tuesday.
Asked about the diagnosis, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary, told Russia’s Interfax news service that “Putin is tested regularly. Everything is OK.”Asked about the diagnosis, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin’s press secretary, told Russia’s Interfax news service that “Putin is tested regularly. Everything is OK.”
A consortium of defence and electronics firms in Turkey said they will jointly produce and deliver 5,000 ventilators to the health ministry in two months, Reuters reports.A consortium of defence and electronics firms in Turkey said they will jointly produce and deliver 5,000 ventilators to the health ministry in two months, Reuters reports.
Turkish drone-maker Baykar’s chief executive Haluk Bayraktar said on Tuesday that the initial target is to get 1,000 new ventilators in use by mid-April.Turkish drone-maker Baykar’s chief executive Haluk Bayraktar said on Tuesday that the initial target is to get 1,000 new ventilators in use by mid-April.
The group of companies have come together to ramp up production of an existing ventilator, to treat people with complications from Covid-19.The group of companies have come together to ramp up production of an existing ventilator, to treat people with complications from Covid-19.
The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has urged countries to respect Europe’s “fundamental principles and values” as they impose emergency restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.The European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, has urged countries to respect Europe’s “fundamental principles and values” as they impose emergency restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Her comments came a day after Hungary’s parliament approved a bill giving Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government extraordinary powers with no end date in response to the pandemic.Her comments came a day after Hungary’s parliament approved a bill giving Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government extraordinary powers with no end date in response to the pandemic.
In Belgium, prime minister Sophie Wilmes’s Cabinet also has been granted authority to govern by decree without parliamentary involvement for six months.In Belgium, prime minister Sophie Wilmes’s Cabinet also has been granted authority to govern by decree without parliamentary involvement for six months.
In France, MPs passed a law increasing the prime ministers powers, a move harshly criticized by a magistrates union and the human rights league.In France, MPs passed a law increasing the prime ministers powers, a move harshly criticized by a magistrates union and the human rights league.
And in the UK, a former supreme court justice, Lord Sumption, said that excessive measures were in danger of turning Britain into a “police state”.And in the UK, a former supreme court justice, Lord Sumption, said that excessive measures were in danger of turning Britain into a “police state”.
France, Germany and Britain have exported medical goods to Iran in the first transaction conducted under a trade mechanism set up to barter humanitarian goods and food after the US withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal, according to Reuters.France, Germany and Britain have exported medical goods to Iran in the first transaction conducted under a trade mechanism set up to barter humanitarian goods and food after the US withdrawal from a 2015 nuclear deal, according to Reuters.
The German foreign ministry said the medical goods were in Iran and added that the Instex trade mechanism and its Iranian counterpart would work on more transactions and on enhancing the system.The German foreign ministry said the medical goods were in Iran and added that the Instex trade mechanism and its Iranian counterpart would work on more transactions and on enhancing the system.
The shipment is a consignment of medical goods from a European exporter, a ministry source told the Reuters news agency.The shipment is a consignment of medical goods from a European exporter, a ministry source told the Reuters news agency.
Iran was one of the first countries outside of China to suffer a severe outbreak of Covid-19.Iran was one of the first countries outside of China to suffer a severe outbreak of Covid-19.
Scientists in Germany have announced what they described as a first-of-its-kind study into how coronavirus spreads and how it can be contained using the country’s worst-hit district as a real-life laboratory, reports Kate Connolly from Berlin.Scientists in Germany have announced what they described as a first-of-its-kind study into how coronavirus spreads and how it can be contained using the country’s worst-hit district as a real-life laboratory, reports Kate Connolly from Berlin.
The virus has spread more widely among the 250,000 residents of Heinsberg – a district in North Rhine-Westphalia bordering the Netherlands – than anywhere else in Germany, with 1,281 confirmed infections and 34 deaths.The virus has spread more widely among the 250,000 residents of Heinsberg – a district in North Rhine-Westphalia bordering the Netherlands – than anywhere else in Germany, with 1,281 confirmed infections and 34 deaths.
More than 550 people have recovered from the illness so far. The advance of the virus in Heinsberg, nicknamed “Germany’s Wuhan” after the Chinese city where the global pandemic emerged, is between two to two and a half weeks ahead of the rest of the country.More than 550 people have recovered from the illness so far. The advance of the virus in Heinsberg, nicknamed “Germany’s Wuhan” after the Chinese city where the global pandemic emerged, is between two to two and a half weeks ahead of the rest of the country.
The Norwegian Refugee Council has warned that there are only three ventilators to help save the lives of coronavirus patients in the Central African Republic, a country of almost 5 million people, Jon Henley reports.The Norwegian Refugee Council has warned that there are only three ventilators to help save the lives of coronavirus patients in the Central African Republic, a country of almost 5 million people, Jon Henley reports.
“Covid-19 has the potential to tear through the Central African Republic at lightning spread if the country doesn’t get the support it needs to adequately protect itself against the virus,” said David Manan, the respected refugee aid body’s country director.“Covid-19 has the potential to tear through the Central African Republic at lightning spread if the country doesn’t get the support it needs to adequately protect itself against the virus,” said David Manan, the respected refugee aid body’s country director.
“And this could be replicated across the world’s poorest countries, where health infrastructure is virtually non-existent,” he said. Wealthy countries like the UK and US are scrambling to secure tens of thousands of ventilators to respond to the pandemic, Manan said.“And this could be replicated across the world’s poorest countries, where health infrastructure is virtually non-existent,” he said. Wealthy countries like the UK and US are scrambling to secure tens of thousands of ventilators to respond to the pandemic, Manan said.
Only six cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in CAR so far, none of them locally transmitted. But the country is one of the least prepared in the world to face the outbreak, with close to 700,000 people displaced, half of them living in densely populated, unsanitary camps and 70% of health services provided by aid organisations.Only six cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in CAR so far, none of them locally transmitted. But the country is one of the least prepared in the world to face the outbreak, with close to 700,000 people displaced, half of them living in densely populated, unsanitary camps and 70% of health services provided by aid organisations.
“Without a scale-up of support from the international community, an outbreak in the camps could be catastrophic,” Manan said.“Without a scale-up of support from the international community, an outbreak in the camps could be catastrophic,” Manan said.
The number of deaths in the Netherlands resulting from the coronavirus epidemic has risen by 175 to 1,039, Reuters reports.The number of deaths in the Netherlands resulting from the coronavirus epidemic has risen by 175 to 1,039, Reuters reports.
The number of confirmed infections increased by 845 to 12,595, the Netherlands’ National Institute for Health (RIVM) said. The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 was up 722 to 4,712.The number of confirmed infections increased by 845 to 12,595, the Netherlands’ National Institute for Health (RIVM) said. The number of people in hospital with Covid-19 was up 722 to 4,712.
Whilst new reports of infections appear to be slowing, the new figures for deaths and hospitalisations are new records.Whilst new reports of infections appear to be slowing, the new figures for deaths and hospitalisations are new records.
Earlier, the Dutch outbreak management committee advised the government to extend current social distancing measures to the end of April or early-May, NLTimes reports.Earlier, the Dutch outbreak management committee advised the government to extend current social distancing measures to the end of April or early-May, NLTimes reports.
Schools, restaurants, cafes, bars and museums remain closed in the country, and the government has instructed people to remain at least 1.5m apart from others.Schools, restaurants, cafes, bars and museums remain closed in the country, and the government has instructed people to remain at least 1.5m apart from others.
The streets of Lagos, Africa’s biggest city, were deserted on Tuesday after Nigeria imposed a lock down in its economic hub, AFP reports.The streets of Lagos, Africa’s biggest city, were deserted on Tuesday after Nigeria imposed a lock down in its economic hub, AFP reports.
The government has implemented one of Africa’s most ambitious efforts at social distancing after recording 135 confirmed cases and two deaths.The government has implemented one of Africa’s most ambitious efforts at social distancing after recording 135 confirmed cases and two deaths.
On Monday, thousands fled Abuja, the capital, to avoid being caught in the lockdown imposed there. President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a two-week “cessation of all movements” in the key cities.On Monday, thousands fled Abuja, the capital, to avoid being caught in the lockdown imposed there. President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a two-week “cessation of all movements” in the key cities.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus infection around the world has passed 800,000, with more than 38,000 deaths, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins university.
The Maryland, US-based research university has been tracking official statistics on coronavirus infections, deaths and recoveries since the outbreak was first recognised in January.
It reports at total of 800,049 confirmed cases so far, with 170,325 patients recovered. The death toll stands at 38,714.
The US is now by far the worst-affected country, with 164,610 confirmed cases, followed by Italy, with 101,739, then Spain with 94,417.
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog for the next few hours, covering the latest global developments in the coronavirus outbreak.
Please contact me with any tips or suggestions for coverage at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
Here is our wrap of the current major coronavirus stories:
Sierra Leone has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, a 37-year-old man who traveled from France on 16 March and had been in isolation since, the president said on Tuesday.
“When I did my first coronavirus press conference, I said that it was not a matter of if, but when. Well, ‘when’ has come,” President Julius Maada Bio said in a speech on national television. He did not announce any new measures to tackle the pandemic.
There are many joyous images of wild animals populating urban areas silenced and emptied by global lockdowns, but this one from Bergamo in Italy has to be one of my favourites.
Who knew wild boar piglets were so unbelievably cute?
Please note: a reader’s been in touch to say that this footage is from a video that was shot in 2002 in Umbria.
Afghanistan’s health ministry has confirmed 29 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 174, reports my colleague Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat.
The president of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo, has announced an unusual measure to slow the spread of coronavirus: as of Wednesday, men and women will only be allowed to leave home on different days, write the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent Tom Phillips.
Spain reports record single-day death toll
Spain has recorded a record new single-day coronavirus death toll after 849 people died from the virus between Monday and Tuesday. The country’s total number of cases now stands at 94,417 – up from 85,195 on Monday – and its death toll at 8,189.
Russia records biggest daily increase for seventh day running
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia jumped to 2,337 on Tuesday, an increase of 500, as the country recorded its biggest daily rise for the seventh day in a row. In Russia, 18 people who contracted the coronavirus have died, while 121 people have recovered.
Italy extends lockdown until Easter
Italy has extended its lockdown until Easter. The number of new coronavirus infections reported on Monday was 1,648, as opposed to 3,815 the previous day. The death toll, however, rose again, with 812 deaths reported, compared with 756 the day before.
Ireland: Confirmed cases of coronavirus halves
Ireland’s daily growth rate in confirmed cases of coronavirus has halved. Ireland on Monday confirmed 295 new cases, the second highest daily number, bringing the total to 2,910. It recorded eight deaths, bringing the death toll to 54. Northern Ireland has 533 confirmed cases and 22 deaths.
WHO: epidemic “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region
The coronavirus epidemic is “far from over” in the Asia-Pacific region, and current measures to curb the spread of the virus are buying time for countries to prepare for large-scale community transmissions, a WHO official said.
New coronavirus study reveals increased risks from middle age.
The first comprehensive study of Covid-19 deaths and hospitalisations in mainland China has revealed in stark detail the increase in risk for coronavirus patients once they reach middle age.
The number of deaths related to coronavirus in the US has passed 3,000.
Figures from Johns Hopkins University show the toll from coronavirus now exceeds that from the September 11 terrorist attacks. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US, at 164,539 is double those in China.
The World Bank has warned the pandemic is causing “unprecedented global shock”
China’s growth could come to a standstill while 11 million more people in east Asia could be driven into poverty
Despite the imposition of newly tightened confinement rules, not to mention a death toll of more than 8,000, a tiny minority of Spaniards are refusing to sacrifice their exercise in the fight against the coronavirus, writes my colleague Sam Jones in Madrid.
Ireland has issued guidelines on safe sex during the coronavirus pandemic, writes Rory Carroll in Dublin.
Only be sexually active with someone you live with and who does not have the virus or symptoms of the virus, and avoid kissing anyone outside your household or who has symptoms, say the Health Service Executive guidelines.
“Taking a break from physical and face-to-face interactions is worth considering, especially if you meet your sex partners online or make a living by having sex. Consider using video dates, sexting or chat rooms. Make sure to disinfect keyboards and touch screens that you share with others.”
Masturbation will not spread coronavirus, it adds. “Especially if you wash your hands (and any sex toys) with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after.”