This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/mar/31/coronavirus-live-news-usa-confirmed-cases-double-china-update-uk-italy-spain-europe-latest-updates

The article has changed 48 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Coronavirus live news: US deaths pass 3,000 as study shows higher risk from middle age Coronavirus live news: US deaths pass 3,000 as study shows higher risk from middle age
(32 minutes later)
Global cases pass 750,000; Moscow locks down 12m people; Isis prisoners riot in Syria. Follow the latest updatesGlobal cases pass 750,000; Moscow locks down 12m people; Isis prisoners riot in Syria. Follow the latest updates
New York’s Empire State Building was lit up on Monday night to honour medical workers and first responders.
The building’s twitter account described the pulsing red light as a “heartbeat”.
The building also flashed like a siren.
A New Zealand epidemiologist has told a committee of lawmakers who are scrutinising the government’s pandemic response that “A lock down on its own is not enough.”
“It’s like pressing the pause button on your device,” David Skegg, an emeritus professor of epidemiology at the University of Otago, said of the four-week national lockdown that began last Wednesday.
He was speaking to a New Zealand parliamentary committee convened to question and hold to account government and public officials for their decisions on the Covid-19 pandemic. It is chaired by the leader of the opposition and features lawmakers from every political party in parliament.
647 cases of coronavirus have been recorded in New Zealand; 14 people are in hospital with the virus, including two in intensive care, and one person has died.The government has drawn widespread praise for its decision to shut down the country and ask the public to stay home. But Skegg said the move would be a “terrible waste” unless the government added to it with these four measures:
The epidemic committee was held by video call, with a live stream broadcast publicly and available to watch on social media and many news outlets. As with any group of people holding a Zoom meeting, there was the occasional person speaking with bizarre echoing feedback, although only one lawmaker asking a question had to be reminded to un-mute his microphone.
Anger as Las Vegas turns parking lot into sleeping area for homeless
Images of homeless people sleeping in a converted parking lot in Las Vegas have sparked criticism, even as the city officials describe an “emergency situation” and say the solution was the best option after another shelter was forced to close amid the coronavirus crisis. Over the weekend, authorities in Las Vegas needed to find additional sleeping space for the city’s sizable homeless population when a 500-bed overnight shelter closed after a client tested positive for the new coronavirus.
Officials turned a parking lot into a makeshift shelter, saying spaces for sleeping were drawn 6ft apart in observance of federal social distancing guidelines.
Many white boxes were covered up with blue mats that could be more easily cleaned. But photos of the temporary shelter showing people sleeping close to each other on the ground, some within arm’s reach, sparked backlash on social media.
Quarantined Argentinians burst into a noisy clamour, banging pots and pans from their windows and balconies on Monday night, demanding politicians and public officials cut their wages to aid in the coronavirus effort.Quarantined Argentinians burst into a noisy clamour, banging pots and pans from their windows and balconies on Monday night, demanding politicians and public officials cut their wages to aid in the coronavirus effort.
The call to protest, launched on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, had wide repercussion, especially in the capital city of Buenos Aires and the large city of Córdoba in central Argentina.The call to protest, launched on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, had wide repercussion, especially in the capital city of Buenos Aires and the large city of Córdoba in central Argentina.
“Politicians should cut their wages in half, we would have six billion dollars for the fight against coronavirus,” read the social media messages. The pot banging launched at 9.30pm, following the nightly 9pm clapping and cheering for health workers at the forefront of the coronavirus battle.The call to pot banging came after the government of president Luis Lacalle Pou in neighbouring Uruguay announced on Sunday a 20% cut of wages and pensions for state officials earning over 80 thousand monthly Uruguayan pesos (around US$1800).Argentina had its highest daily increase of coronavirus cases Monday, with 146 new cases, totalling 966 cases and 24 deaths so far. The previous record had been 101 cases last Friday.“Politicians should cut their wages in half, we would have six billion dollars for the fight against coronavirus,” read the social media messages. The pot banging launched at 9.30pm, following the nightly 9pm clapping and cheering for health workers at the forefront of the coronavirus battle.The call to pot banging came after the government of president Luis Lacalle Pou in neighbouring Uruguay announced on Sunday a 20% cut of wages and pensions for state officials earning over 80 thousand monthly Uruguayan pesos (around US$1800).Argentina had its highest daily increase of coronavirus cases Monday, with 146 new cases, totalling 966 cases and 24 deaths so far. The previous record had been 101 cases last Friday.
More from the US now, which today passed 3,000 coronavirus-related deaths.More from the US now, which today passed 3,000 coronavirus-related deaths.
Total deaths across the United States hit 3,017, including at least 540 on Monday, and the reported cases climbed to more than 163,000, according to a Reuters tally. People in New York and New Jersey lined both sides of the Hudson River to cheer the US Navy ship Comfort, a converted oil tanker painted white with giant red crosses, as it sailed past the Statue of Liberty accompanied by support ships and helicopters.Total deaths across the United States hit 3,017, including at least 540 on Monday, and the reported cases climbed to more than 163,000, according to a Reuters tally. People in New York and New Jersey lined both sides of the Hudson River to cheer the US Navy ship Comfort, a converted oil tanker painted white with giant red crosses, as it sailed past the Statue of Liberty accompanied by support ships and helicopters.
The Comfort will treat non-coronavirus patients, including those who require surgery and critical care, in an effort to free up other resources to fight the virus, the Navy said. “It’s a wartime atmosphere and we all have to pull together,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was among the dignitaries to greet the ship’s arrival at the Midtown Manhattan pier.The Comfort will treat non-coronavirus patients, including those who require surgery and critical care, in an effort to free up other resources to fight the virus, the Navy said. “It’s a wartime atmosphere and we all have to pull together,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who was among the dignitaries to greet the ship’s arrival at the Midtown Manhattan pier.
Hospitals in the New York City area have been overrun with patients suffering from Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Officials have appealed for volunteer healthcare workers. “We can’t take of you if we can’t take care of ourselves,” said Krystal Horchuck, a nurse with Virtua Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. “I think a lot of us have accepted the fact that we are probably going to get this. It’s just that we want to survive. We’re all being exposed to it at some point.” The United States has the most confirmed cases in the world, a number that is likely to soar when tests for the virus become more widespread.Hospitals in the New York City area have been overrun with patients suffering from Covid-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus. Officials have appealed for volunteer healthcare workers. “We can’t take of you if we can’t take care of ourselves,” said Krystal Horchuck, a nurse with Virtua Memorial Hospital in New Jersey. “I think a lot of us have accepted the fact that we are probably going to get this. It’s just that we want to survive. We’re all being exposed to it at some point.” The United States has the most confirmed cases in the world, a number that is likely to soar when tests for the virus become more widespread.
South Korean children are set to star the school year on 9 April and will be doing it online, according to Yonhap News Agency:South Korean children are set to star the school year on 9 April and will be doing it online, according to Yonhap News Agency:
“The new school year here usually starts in March, but the country had postponed it three times by five weeks to next Monday over concerns that schools are vulnerable to cluster infections of Covid-19.“The new school year here usually starts in March, but the country had postponed it three times by five weeks to next Monday over concerns that schools are vulnerable to cluster infections of Covid-19.
Chung said online remote classes appear to be a viable alternative for students to learn and for schools to meet the statutory yearly school days.”Chung said online remote classes appear to be a viable alternative for students to learn and for schools to meet the statutory yearly school days.”
Apps and coronavirus: what you need to know about protecting your privacyApps and coronavirus: what you need to know about protecting your privacy
If you are one of the millions of Australians working from home and resorting to apps to maintain a social life online in the coronavirus pandemic, it is as important as ever to look at what and how much information you may be unwittingly sharing with them.If you are one of the millions of Australians working from home and resorting to apps to maintain a social life online in the coronavirus pandemic, it is as important as ever to look at what and how much information you may be unwittingly sharing with them.
A painting by Vincent van Gogh with an estimated value of up to £5m (US$6.2m) has been stolen from a Dutch museum currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.A painting by Vincent van Gogh with an estimated value of up to £5m (US$6.2m) has been stolen from a Dutch museum currently closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The thieves took Van Gogh’s Parsonage Garden at Neunen in Spring after smashing through the front glass door of the Singer Laren museum, in Laren, at around 3.15am on Sunday morning. No other art is believed to be missing.The thieves took Van Gogh’s Parsonage Garden at Neunen in Spring after smashing through the front glass door of the Singer Laren museum, in Laren, at around 3.15am on Sunday morning. No other art is believed to be missing.
South Korea reported 125 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections to 9,786, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.South Korea reported 125 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of infections to 9,786, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
The daily number of new infections in South Korea has been hovering around 100 or less for the past three weeks.The daily number of new infections in South Korea has been hovering around 100 or less for the past three weeks.
In China now, where we understand that today marks a week since a new coronavirus case was reported in Wuhan city, where the outbreak first emerged.In China now, where we understand that today marks a week since a new coronavirus case was reported in Wuhan city, where the outbreak first emerged.
There were 48 new confirmed cases in Mainland China on March 30, all of which were imported cases abroad.There were 48 new confirmed cases in Mainland China on March 30, all of which were imported cases abroad.
There was one death, in Hubei.There was one death, in Hubei.
In lighter news from – where else? – New Zealand:In lighter news from – where else? – New Zealand:
A nationwide teddy bear hunt is helping keep New Zealand’s children occupied during the country’s month-long coronavirus lockdown, with tens of thousands of homes taking part, including the prime minister.A nationwide teddy bear hunt is helping keep New Zealand’s children occupied during the country’s month-long coronavirus lockdown, with tens of thousands of homes taking part, including the prime minister.
New Zealand has more than 500 confirmed cases of coronavirus and is in the midst of a quarantine period, one of the strictest enforcements anywhere in the world. Going outside is prohibited unless for essential supplies such as food and medicine, or a brief respite of exercise and fresh air, taken locally.New Zealand has more than 500 confirmed cases of coronavirus and is in the midst of a quarantine period, one of the strictest enforcements anywhere in the world. Going outside is prohibited unless for essential supplies such as food and medicine, or a brief respite of exercise and fresh air, taken locally.
Inspired by the popular children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen, the real-life Kiwi bear hunt has seen homes from Bluff to Auckland place teddy bears in their street-facing windows, allowing local children to “hunt” for bears in their neighbourhoods. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, confirmed she too had placed a teddy in the front window of Premier House in Wellington, where she is in lockdown with her fiancé, Clarke Gayford, and toddler, Neve.Inspired by the popular children’s book We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, by Michael Rosen, the real-life Kiwi bear hunt has seen homes from Bluff to Auckland place teddy bears in their street-facing windows, allowing local children to “hunt” for bears in their neighbourhoods. The prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, confirmed she too had placed a teddy in the front window of Premier House in Wellington, where she is in lockdown with her fiancé, Clarke Gayford, and toddler, Neve.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has ruled that gun shops are considered essential businesses that should remain open as other businesses are closed to try to stop the spread of coronavirus, AP reports.Meanwhile, the Trump administration has ruled that gun shops are considered essential businesses that should remain open as other businesses are closed to try to stop the spread of coronavirus, AP reports.
Gun control groups called it a move to put profits over public health.Gun control groups called it a move to put profits over public health.
After days of lobbying by the National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and other gun groups, the Department of Homeland Security this past weekend issued an advisory declaring that firearms dealers should be considered essential services just like grocery stores, pharmacies and hospitals and allowed to remain open. The agency said its ruling was not a mandate but merely guidance for cities, towns and states as they weigh how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.In recent weeks, firearm sales have skyrocketed. Background checks the key barometer of gun sales already were at record numbers in January and February, likely fueled by a presidential election year. Since the coronavirus outbreak, gun shops have reported long lines and runs on firearms and ammunition.Background checks were up 300% on March 16, compared with the same date a year ago, according to federal data shared with the NSSF, which represents gunmakers. Since Feb. 23, each day has seen roughly double the volume over 2019, according to Mark Oliva, spokesman for the group.After days of lobbying by the National Rifle Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation and other gun groups, the Department of Homeland Security this past weekend issued an advisory declaring that firearms dealers should be considered essential services just like grocery stores, pharmacies and hospitals and allowed to remain open. The agency said its ruling was not a mandate but merely guidance for cities, towns and states as they weigh how to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.In recent weeks, firearm sales have skyrocketed. Background checks the key barometer of gun sales already were at record numbers in January and February, likely fueled by a presidential election year. Since the coronavirus outbreak, gun shops have reported long lines and runs on firearms and ammunition.Background checks were up 300% on March 16, compared with the same date a year ago, according to federal data shared with the NSSF, which represents gunmakers. Since Feb. 23, each day has seen roughly double the volume over 2019, according to Mark Oliva, spokesman for the group.
Have news, tips or questions about the coronavirus pandemic? Get in touch with me directly on Twitter @helenrsullivan.Have news, tips or questions about the coronavirus pandemic? Get in touch with me directly on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
As the pandemic death toll passes 3,000 in the US, here are a few of the surreal images of the USNS Comfort, a US Navy hospital ship, arriving in New York Harbour.As the pandemic death toll passes 3,000 in the US, here are a few of the surreal images of the USNS Comfort, a US Navy hospital ship, arriving in New York Harbour.
The ship brings over 1,100 medical personnel, a dozen operating rooms and almost 1,000 beds to ease the pressure on New Yorks health care system due to Covid-19.The ship brings over 1,100 medical personnel, a dozen operating rooms and almost 1,000 beds to ease the pressure on New Yorks health care system due to Covid-19.
New York state has had over 1,2000 coronavirus-related deaths.New York state has had over 1,2000 coronavirus-related deaths.
The number of deaths related to coronavirus in the US has passed 3,000, AFP reports, citing Johns Hopkins University figures.The number of deaths related to coronavirus in the US has passed 3,000, AFP reports, citing Johns Hopkins University figures.
The toll in the US, the worst-affected country on earth is, 3,008.The toll in the US, the worst-affected country on earth is, 3,008.
The US has the highest number of cases in the world, at over 160,000 – just under double the cases in China, where the outbreak began.The US has the highest number of cases in the world, at over 160,000 – just under double the cases in China, where the outbreak began.