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Coronavirus live news: US deaths pass 3,000 as World Bank issues warning over China growth Coronavirus live news: US deaths pass 3,000 as World Bank issues warning over China growth
(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
Czech Republic reported 184 new cases for 30 March, taking the country’s total to 3,001.
On Monday the Czech Republic extended its free movement restrictions until April 11.
Europe’s homeless hit hard by coronavirus response
Homeless people in major European cities are increasingly going hungry during the coronavirus pandemic and suffering in the enforcement of the lockdown, with rough sleepers being issued with police fines for being outside.
A shortfall in protective masks, gloves and hand gels for social workers across the continent has forced the closure of the day centres, food banks and soup kitchens on which people rely to keep themselves healthy and fed.
Meanwhile, efforts to minimise the spread of the disease among those without a home have ranged from instructions for shelters in Amsterdam to be shut during the day, forcing people into the open, to what social workers describe as an “absurd” policy of herding people into gymnasiums in Paris to keep them from gathering outside.
The number of deaths related to coronavirus in the US has passed 3,000, according to Johns Hopkins University figures. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the US is almost double those in China.
Today marks a week of no new cases reported in Wuhan city, China, where the outbreak first emerged.
The coronavirus pandemic’s economic fallout could cause China’s growth to come to a standstill, the World Bank warned Monday. The impact could drive 11 million more people in East Asia into poverty.
All efforts to address coronavirus in Syria are impeded by fragile health system, a senior UN official warned.
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.
Global cases pass three quarters of a million. Johns Hopkins University researchers, who have been keeping track of the spread of the virus, say the global number of cases is now at least 755,591.
Global death toll passes 37,000. According to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, at least 37,140 people have now died as a result of the outbreak. The institution says it has counted 745,308 confirmed cases worldwide, while at least 156,875 people have recovered.
Italy records hundreds more deaths – but a slower infection rate.The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has climbed by 812 to 11,591, the country’s civil protection agency says, reversing two days of declines in the daily rate. But the number of new cases rose by just 4,050; the lowest nominal increase since 17 March. A total 101,739 people have now tested positive.
Virus poses ‘existential threat’ to South America’s indigenous communities. Indigenous leaders from across the continent are warning that the outbreak poses an “existential threat” to them. Tribes in the Amazon and Chaco regions are urging governments to ensure their territories are protected against outsiders possibly carrying the coronavirus.
Concerns over powers secured by Hungary’s nationalist PM. Viktor Orbán secures sweeping new powers to fight the outbreak. The country’s parliament passed a law submitted by his governmenthanding Orbán an open-ended mandate, triggering criticism by the domestic opposition, human rights groups and the Council of Europe, Europe’s main rights forum, as it contains no clear timeframe.
Dubai’s Expo 2020 to be postponed. The six-month multibillion-dollar trade fair that organisers had hoped would attract 25 million visitors will not go ahead as scheduled in October. Dubai was pinning many of its economic forecasts on the trade it was expected to generate.
Austria makes face masks compulsory for shoppers. Introducing the requirement is a “necessary step” to help to prevent the airborne transmission of the virus, says the Austrian chancellor, Sebastian Kurz. Shoppers are to be handed masks covering their mouthes and noses at the entrance of supermarkets from Wednesday.
Fears over hidden Covid-19 outbreak in Lebanon, Iraq and Syria
Health and other officials focused on Lebanon, Iraq and Syria fear the numbers of people infected with coronavirus far exceed the official figures disclosed by all three governments, and claim non-state actors are quarantining entire communities of patients in areas outside state control.
Officials, including bureaucrats, aid workers and international observers, who spoke with the Guardian over the past week say parts of Lebanon and Iraq in particular are likely to be holding thousands more infected people, and that a lack of disclosure poses a serious health risk over the next three months.
They also claim coronavirus patients are being housed and guarded by political groups in central and southern Iraq and southern Lebanon.
An even worse scenario is thought to be unfolding in Syria, where weak state structures, an internally displaced population of 7 million, and the fact large chunks of the country remainoutside central government control make controlling the spread of the virus almost impossible.
Ground and air links between all three countries have been largely severed, but there are deepening concerns that large numbers of virus carriers were able to return before borders were sealed in mid-March.
US coronavirus-related deaths, which stand at 3,164, according to Johns Hopkins University figures, now exceed the toll from the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
2,977 people were killed when the World Trade Centre and Pentagon were attacked in 2001.
On Monday, with around three quarters of Americans under stay-home orders, the number of cases in the country reached 164,539, double the 82,240 cases in China, where the outbreak first began.
The majority of the country’s coronavirus-related deaths are in New York state, which accounts for 1,200 fatalities.
New York’s governor urgently appealed for medical volunteers Monday amid the staggering number of deaths, as he and health officials warned that the crisis unfolding in New York City is just a preview of what other U.S. communities could soon face.
“Please come help us in New York now,” Governor Andrew Cuomo said as the state’s death toll climbed by more than 250 people in a day to a total of over 1,200, most of them in the city. He said an additional 1 million health care workers are needed to tackle the crisis.“We’ve lost over 1,000 New Yorkers,” Cuomo said. “To me, we’re beyond staggering already. We’ve reached staggering.”
Coronavirus testing is expected to increase substantially in coming days in the Philippines, where the high number of deaths relative to confirmed cases reflects lower testing so far, a World Health Organisation official said on Tuesday.Coronavirus testing is expected to increase substantially in coming days in the Philippines, where the high number of deaths relative to confirmed cases reflects lower testing so far, a World Health Organisation official said on Tuesday.
The coronavirus death toll in the Philippines rose to 78 on Monday - the second highest in Southeast Asia outside Indonesia - with 1,546 reported infections, Reuters reports. “With respect to the high proportion of deaths in the Philippines, that’s essentially because of the way Philippines has chosen to test,” WHO technical advisor Matthew Griffith told a news conference, referring to the focus on testing only the most severe cases until now. “We expect the testing to increase substantially in the coming days.”The coronavirus death toll in the Philippines rose to 78 on Monday - the second highest in Southeast Asia outside Indonesia - with 1,546 reported infections, Reuters reports. “With respect to the high proportion of deaths in the Philippines, that’s essentially because of the way Philippines has chosen to test,” WHO technical advisor Matthew Griffith told a news conference, referring to the focus on testing only the most severe cases until now. “We expect the testing to increase substantially in the coming days.”
Speaking of karaoke:Speaking of karaoke:
Karaoke shutdown in Tokyo amid calls for Covid-19 state of emergency in JapanKaraoke shutdown in Tokyo amid calls for Covid-19 state of emergency in Japan
Still in Japan, the governor of Tokyo has told residents to ditch another national pastime – karaoke - as calls grow for Japan to take tougher measures to stem a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.Still in Japan, the governor of Tokyo has told residents to ditch another national pastime – karaoke - as calls grow for Japan to take tougher measures to stem a rise in the number of Covid-19 cases.
Yuriko Koike said Tokyo’s 14 million people should avoid visits to bars and restaurants, and put karaoke sessions on hold until 12 April, while a senior medical official called on the government to declare a state of emergency before it is “too late”.Yuriko Koike said Tokyo’s 14 million people should avoid visits to bars and restaurants, and put karaoke sessions on hold until 12 April, while a senior medical official called on the government to declare a state of emergency before it is “too late”.
Japan has so far avoided the kind of outbreaks that have ravaged the US, Italy, Spain and Iran, but a rise in cases in Tokyo, including some with no known source of infection, along with the virus-related death this week of Ken Shimura, one of the country’s best-known comedians, have sparked calls for more government action.Japan has so far avoided the kind of outbreaks that have ravaged the US, Italy, Spain and Iran, but a rise in cases in Tokyo, including some with no known source of infection, along with the virus-related death this week of Ken Shimura, one of the country’s best-known comedians, have sparked calls for more government action.
While we are taking in some visuals from around the world, in Japan the tradition cherry blossom season is in full swing, but with none of the usuals crowds taking in the views. Traditional viewing areas have been closed.While we are taking in some visuals from around the world, in Japan the tradition cherry blossom season is in full swing, but with none of the usuals crowds taking in the views. Traditional viewing areas have been closed.
Authorities in Egypt have broadcast health messages onto the pyramids in Giza, one of the tourist sites closed until at least 15 April. The landmarks also carry a message of thanks to the country’s health workers.Authorities in Egypt have broadcast health messages onto the pyramids in Giza, one of the tourist sites closed until at least 15 April. The landmarks also carry a message of thanks to the country’s health workers.
Podcast: Lessons from the 1918 Spanish flu pandemicPodcast: Lessons from the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic
Science writer and journalist Laura Spinney discusses the outbreak of Spanish flu, one of the worst virus outbreak of modern times, which is believed to have killed up to 100 million people. She believes there are lessons to be learned from that pandemic.Science writer and journalist Laura Spinney discusses the outbreak of Spanish flu, one of the worst virus outbreak of modern times, which is believed to have killed up to 100 million people. She believes there are lessons to be learned from that pandemic.
Health workers in Spain have been acknowledging the cleaning staff, who have been working around the clock to keep hospitals and facilities as safe as possible.Health workers in Spain have been acknowledging the cleaning staff, who have been working around the clock to keep hospitals and facilities as safe as possible.
Australian economic stimulus package: how much governments have committed to coronavirus crisisAustralian economic stimulus package: how much governments have committed to coronavirus crisis
The $130bn support package announced by the Morrison government on Monday is the largest plank in a raft of measures to keep Australians in jobs and support those out of work, unprecedented in its scale.The $130bn support package announced by the Morrison government on Monday is the largest plank in a raft of measures to keep Australians in jobs and support those out of work, unprecedented in its scale.
Every state and territory has announced stimulus packages that, along with the impact of Covid-19-related closures on their revenue, are expected to put them all in deficit.Every state and territory has announced stimulus packages that, along with the impact of Covid-19-related closures on their revenue, are expected to put them all in deficit.
By the end of March, the measures announced totalled AU$213.6bn (US$132bn) in direct, on-budget spending from the federal government, $11.8bn from the states and $105bn in lending from the Reserve Bank and the federal government.By the end of March, the measures announced totalled AU$213.6bn (US$132bn) in direct, on-budget spending from the federal government, $11.8bn from the states and $105bn in lending from the Reserve Bank and the federal government.
US president Donald Trump, speaking earlier to reporters at the White House, said more than 1 million Americans had been tested for the coronavirus, which he called a milestone.US president Donald Trump, speaking earlier to reporters at the White House, said more than 1 million Americans had been tested for the coronavirus, which he called a milestone.
But when questioned about testing per capita in the US, Trump wrongly claimed that the population of Seoul in South Korea was 38 million people (it is actually closer to 10 million people) and told the reporter to stop asking ‘snarky’ questions.But when questioned about testing per capita in the US, Trump wrongly claimed that the population of Seoul in South Korea was 38 million people (it is actually closer to 10 million people) and told the reporter to stop asking ‘snarky’ questions.
You can send me news, tips or questions about the coronavirus pandemic on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
The coronavirus pandemic’s economic fallout could cause China’s growth to come to a standstill while driving 11 million more people in East Asia into poverty, the World Bank warned Monday.
The pandemic is causing “an unprecedented global shock, which could bring growth to a halt and could increase poverty across the region,” said Aaditya Mattoo, World Bank chief economist for East Asia and the Pacific.
Even in the best-case scenario, the region will see a sharp drop in growth, with China’s expansion slowing to 2.3% from 6.1% in 2019, according to a report on the pandemic’s impact on the region.
Just two months ago, the World Bank’s economists forecast China would grow by 5.9% this year, which would have been its worst performance since 1990.
Now the world’s second-largest economy faces a more dire outlook, reflected in the record contraction in manufacturing activity in February and industrial production that fell for the first time in 30 years.
In more airlines news, Virgin Australia has come out of its trading halt – and soared 10% – after telling the ASX it has indeed asked for a $1.4bn loan from the government.
The loan could be convertible to shares, part-nationalising the airline, Virgin told the ASX.It confirmed the Australian’s initial report on the request, published this morning, saying it “continues to explore a range of options to manage through the Covid-19 crisis, including requesting financial support from the Australian government in the order of AU$1.4bn (US$870m) as part of a broader industry support package to prepare for a prolonged crisis”.
Shares in rival Qantas, which has lobbied against a bailout for Virgin and reportedly wants AU$2.4bn for itself, also rose 4%.
American Airlines said it plans to seek US $12bn in government aid to cover payroll costs for the next six months while sweetening offers for voluntary leave and early retirement to reduce the work force, AP reports.
The airline is now offering to pay a portion of salary for workers who accept voluntary leave or early retirement. American will seek part of a $50bn kitty that Congress and the White House created for passenger airlines under a $2tn measure to help the economy withstand a sharp downturn caused by the new virus pandemic.
Florida megachurch pastor arrested for breaching Covid-19 health order
Florida officials have arrested the pastor of a megachurch accused of holding two Sunday services with hundreds of people and violating a safer-at-home order in place to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Jail records show Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne turned himself in to authorities on Monday afternoon in Hernando County, where he lives. He was charged with unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order. Bail was set at $500, according to the records, and he was released after posting bond.
Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister said his command staff met leaders of the River at Tampa Bay church about the danger they were putting themselves – and their congregation – in by not maintaining appropriate social distancing, but Howard-Browne held the services. The sheriff’s office also placed a digital sign on the road near the church driveway that said “practice social distancing”.
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.
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.
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.
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.