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Coronavirus live news: global confirmed cases pass 1 million as Wuhan warned to be vigilant Coronavirus live news: Spain records first drop in daily death toll as Wuhan residents told to stay indoors
(32 minutes later)
Australia’s medical chief says true global cases could be five to 10 million; Trump tests negative; UK vows to test 100,000 a day by end AprilAustralia’s medical chief says true global cases could be five to 10 million; Trump tests negative; UK vows to test 100,000 a day by end April
South Korea has denied entry to eight foreign nationals after they refused to comply with strict quarantine requirements introduced this week to help the country tackle a rise in coronavirus infections, as anger mounts over visitors who have been caught breaking self-isolation rules.
The visitors, from six countries, were deported after they refused to self-isolate for two weeks, the justice ministry said. Media reports said the passengers had been informed of the rules before they boarded their flights
Justin McCurry, in Tokyo and Nemo Kim in Seoul report that the rule, which came into force on Wednesday, requires all overseas arrivals – including South Koreans – to quarantine at home or at government-designated facilities for 14 days.
YouTube is profiting from videos promoting unproven coronavirus treatments, a report has found, as the company struggles to crack down on misinformation.
The Google-owned tech company is running advertisements with videos pushing herbs, meditative music, and potentially unsafe over-the-counter supplements as cures for Covid-19, according to a report published on Friday by the Tech Transparency Project, a not-for-profit watchdog organisation.
The report found at least seven videos hawking such dubious treatments with advertisements from sponsors including Donald Trump’s re-election campaign, Facebook, Liberty Mutual Insurance, the streaming startup Quibi, and Masterclass.com.
Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to a total of 10,935 from 10,003 on the previous day, the health ministry said on Friday, but showed the first fall in a daily death toll since 26 March.
A total of 932 people died from the disease in 24 hours, down from 950 people in the previous daily toll, the figures showed.
A video purporting to show thousands of Russian troops taking part in rehearsals for the country’s Victory Day parade has raised questions about the Kremlin’s efforts to fight the spread of coronavirus in the armed forces.
The video, which was posted to a military affairs group in the social network Vkontakte, shows thousands of soldiers lined up apparently at the Alabino training grounds outside of Moscow. It was posted anonymously and its author has not yet been verified.
In the video, an unidentified man behind the camera says: “How many people are there, 15,000? Fuck, and they’ve said no more than 50 are supposed to gather in one place. Not one fucking mask.”
Russia has not yet cancelled its plans to hold Victory Day celebrations on 9 May, the country’s most important state holiday. The Russian defence ministry said last month it planned to hold rehearsals at parade grounds outside of Moscow that copy the dimensions of Red Square.
Other videos have appeared that confirm that some rehearsals are taking place for the country’s Victory Day parade.
The military news agency Zvezda has posted videos of T-34 tanks, the model used in the second world war, practising manoeuvres at the parade grounds in Alabino.
Tens of thousands of extra police and gendarmes are being posted across France to ensure people respect the lockdown and to stop the traditional “Grand Depart” for the Easter holidays on Friday.
Patrols will set up checkpoints on all major roads and motorways out of towns and cities with orders to turn back those attempting to break the rules.
Officials in areas popular with holidaymakers and where there is a high proportion of second homes have also been ordered to carry out checks to ensure there is no sudden influx of visitors.
“The virus is not on holiday,” the French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, said in a televised address on Thursday evening.
Philippe was echoing the interior minister, Christophe Castaner, who only hours earlier had warned: “Absolutely do not go on holiday during the lockdown period … people must remain confined. Any abuse will be punished.”
Laurent Nunez, the French transport minister, echoed the stern instructions on Friday morning saying an extra 60,000 police and gendarmes will be carrying out checks in addition to the 100,000 normally on duty.
“You cannot leave your home to go to a resort or a second home. There will be no leaving for holiday … there will be checks across the country,” Nunez told RTL radio.
Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, has returned to her office after ending her self quarantine today. She had been isolating after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive.Germany’s chancellor, Angela Merkel, has returned to her office after ending her self quarantine today. She had been isolating after being informed that a doctor who administered a vaccine to her has tested positive.
Britain’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said this morning that the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has “been working throughout” after he tested positive for the virus, is a “bit under the weather” but is also “up and about and on the Zoom conference calls a huge amount, and on the phone”.Britain’s Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, said this morning that the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has “been working throughout” after he tested positive for the virus, is a “bit under the weather” but is also “up and about and on the Zoom conference calls a huge amount, and on the phone”.
Hungary’s prime minister, who has been given new powers to effectively rule by decree, has been hitting out again at a favourite target, the philanthropist George Soros.Hungary’s prime minister, who has been given new powers to effectively rule by decree, has been hitting out again at a favourite target, the philanthropist George Soros.
In another big test for the European Union, Politico’s Lili Bayer tweets that Viktor Orbán has suggested that criticism of new laws have come from a “network” led by the Hungarian-born billionaire.In another big test for the European Union, Politico’s Lili Bayer tweets that Viktor Orbán has suggested that criticism of new laws have come from a “network” led by the Hungarian-born billionaire.
Soros, who has also long been a target of what some regard as blatant antisemitic vilification by Orbán’s party, has donated $1.1m to help Budapest prepare for the coronavirus pandemic.Soros, who has also long been a target of what some regard as blatant antisemitic vilification by Orbán’s party, has donated $1.1m to help Budapest prepare for the coronavirus pandemic.
On Monday, Hungary’s parliament passed a new set of coronavirus measures that includes jail terms for spreading misinformation and gives no clear time limit to a state of emergency that allows Orbán to rule by decree.On Monday, Hungary’s parliament passed a new set of coronavirus measures that includes jail terms for spreading misinformation and gives no clear time limit to a state of emergency that allows Orbán to rule by decree.
Parliament voted by 137 to 53 on Monday afternoon to pass the measures, with the two-thirds majority enjoyed by Orbán’s Fidesz party enough to push them through in spite of opposition from other parties, which had demanded a time limit or sunset clause on the legislation.Parliament voted by 137 to 53 on Monday afternoon to pass the measures, with the two-thirds majority enjoyed by Orbán’s Fidesz party enough to push them through in spite of opposition from other parties, which had demanded a time limit or sunset clause on the legislation.
The bill introduces jail terms of up to five years for intentionally spreading misinformation that hinders the government response to the pandemic, leading to fears that it could be used to censor or self-censor criticism of ministers.The bill introduces jail terms of up to five years for intentionally spreading misinformation that hinders the government response to the pandemic, leading to fears that it could be used to censor or self-censor criticism of ministers.
A $100m aid plan to help Afghanistan’s fight against coronavirus has been approved by the World Bank as 34 new Coronavirus cases were confirmed in the country in the last 24 hours.A $100m aid plan to help Afghanistan’s fight against coronavirus has been approved by the World Bank as 34 new Coronavirus cases were confirmed in the country in the last 24 hours.
The figure pushes the total number of confirmed infections to 273 although testing remains low in Afghanistan and experts fear that the full extent of the spread is not known.The figure pushes the total number of confirmed infections to 273 although testing remains low in Afghanistan and experts fear that the full extent of the spread is not known.
There has also been a sixth confirmed death. Fifteen of the new infections have been recorded in the western province of Herat, raising the total number of infections in Afghanistan’s worst affected area to 199.There has also been a sixth confirmed death. Fifteen of the new infections have been recorded in the western province of Herat, raising the total number of infections in Afghanistan’s worst affected area to 199.
The World Bank said in a statement: “To slow and limit the spread of Covid-19 through enhanced detection, surveillance, and laboratory systems, as well as strengthen essential healthcare delivery and intensive care.”The World Bank said in a statement: “To slow and limit the spread of Covid-19 through enhanced detection, surveillance, and laboratory systems, as well as strengthen essential healthcare delivery and intensive care.”
The work of doctors, nurses and other staff treating patients with Covid-19 in Barcelona has been documented by a team of journalists from the Associated Press, who accessed a makeshift Intensive Care Unit there.The work of doctors, nurses and other staff treating patients with Covid-19 in Barcelona has been documented by a team of journalists from the Associated Press, who accessed a makeshift Intensive Care Unit there.
In an extraordinary dispatch, they report:In an extraordinary dispatch, they report:
Challenges in keeping people apart have been underscored by data released by Google for 131 countries showing whether the number of visits to shops, parks and workplaces dropped in March, when many states issued stay-at-home orders to rein in the spread of coronavirus.Challenges in keeping people apart have been underscored by data released by Google for 131 countries showing whether the number of visits to shops, parks and workplaces dropped in March, when many states issued stay-at-home orders to rein in the spread of coronavirus.
While visits to supermarkets and grocery stores surged in Singapore, the UK and elsewhere before travel restrictions were imposed, visits to retail and recreational places fell 26% in Japan, where authorities have been relatively relaxed in urging social distancing measures but where calls have been growing daily for a state of emergency. Visits to workplace dropped just 9%.While visits to supermarkets and grocery stores surged in Singapore, the UK and elsewhere before travel restrictions were imposed, visits to retail and recreational places fell 26% in Japan, where authorities have been relatively relaxed in urging social distancing measures but where calls have been growing daily for a state of emergency. Visits to workplace dropped just 9%.
Google’s analysis of location data from billions of users’ phones is the largest public dataset available to help health authorities assess if people are abiding with shelter-in-place and similar orders issued across the world.Google’s analysis of location data from billions of users’ phones is the largest public dataset available to help health authorities assess if people are abiding with shelter-in-place and similar orders issued across the world.
Its reports show charts that compare traffic from 16 February to 29 March at underground, train and bus stations, grocery stores and other broad categories of places with a five-week period earlier this year.Its reports show charts that compare traffic from 16 February to 29 March at underground, train and bus stations, grocery stores and other broad categories of places with a five-week period earlier this year.
In Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the virus, visits toretail and recreation locations, including restaurants and movie theaters, plunged 94% while visits to workplaces slid 63%.In Italy, one of the countries hardest hit by the virus, visits toretail and recreation locations, including restaurants and movie theaters, plunged 94% while visits to workplaces slid 63%.
Reflecting the severity of the crisis there, grocery and pharmacy visits in Italy dropped 85% and park visits were down by 90%.Reflecting the severity of the crisis there, grocery and pharmacy visits in Italy dropped 85% and park visits were down by 90%.
In the US, California, which was the first in the with a statewide lockdown, cut visits to retail and recreation locations by half.In the US, California, which was the first in the with a statewide lockdown, cut visits to retail and recreation locations by half.
By contrast, Arkansas, one of the few states without a sweeping lockdown, has seen such visits fall 29%, the lowest for a US state.By contrast, Arkansas, one of the few states without a sweeping lockdown, has seen such visits fall 29%, the lowest for a US state.
Interactive maps charting the spread of the virus, and where it has been most deadly, have been launched by the Guardian.Interactive maps charting the spread of the virus, and where it has been most deadly, have been launched by the Guardian.
While the disease is hitting Italy and Spain with particular cruelty, the trajectory in many countries is the same; the UK and US are a couple of weeks behind Italy in the progress of the pandemic.While the disease is hitting Italy and Spain with particular cruelty, the trajectory in many countries is the same; the UK and US are a couple of weeks behind Italy in the progress of the pandemic.
Unable to access state benefits, food and even running water as Zimbabwe shuts up shop, people in the capital, Harare ,and elsewhere fear the worst.
While affluent Zimbabweans stocked their pantries with food last weekend in preparation for the lockdown, which began on Monday, poor people were unable to do so, Nyasha Chingono reports in this piece for Guardian development.
She spoke to Nelson Mahunde, a 70-year old who had no idea Zimbabwe has been plunged into a 21-day national lockdown to curb the spread of Covid 19.
“No one in my village told me that the banks would be closed today. I don’t even know what to do. My family depends on that money for survival. If it is true that no one will be moving for 21 days, then my family will starve,” he said.
Norway’s rate of unemployment rose sixfold in March to 14.7%, the Labour and Welfare Agency (NAV) has said, the highest level on record as the economy ground to a halt amid efforts to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
As many as 10.7% were fully unemployed, while the remaining 3% were registered as partially unemployed, Reuters reported.
The Norwegian government three weeks ago announced emergency shutdowns of many public and private institutions, including schools and kindergartens, sending the economy into a tailspin and triggering hundreds of thousands of layoffs.
Singapore’s prime minster is doing a live briefing (watch here) on Facebook about new measures, which will involve the closure of most of the state’s workplaces, except for essential services and key economic sectors.
Lee Hsien Loong has said, as part of tighter measures to stop the spread of the coronavirus
, that people should avoid socialising with others beyond their own households and go out only to do essential things, such as buy food at markets.
The government will be distributing face masks to households in the coming weeks, he added.
Two months ago Ireland’s economy was humming: stellar growth, fiscal surplus, near full employment. What a difference a pandemic makes.
The central bank on Friday warned that this year the economy will shrink by 8%, perhaps 15%, if lockdown continues beyond June. Instead of a €2.2bn surplus the government faces a €19.6bn deficit. And unemployment has just exploded to an all-time high of 513,350, more than a fifth of the labour force, with worse to come.
“The starting point for the recovery will depend on the depth and duration of the downturn, which is, as yet, unknown,” said Mark Cassidy, the bank’s director of economics and statistics.
Leo Varadkar, the taoiseach, said Irish people had suffered enough after the 2008 crash and that the government would strive to cushion the aftershocks. “The objective, if I have anything to do with it, will be to avoid another era of austerity,” he said.
Talks were under way among European Union member states over whether or not to extend border closures beyond Easter in order to tackle the coronavirus crisis, according to the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.
“We are in consultation with member states on how to proceed beyond Easter,” she told Europe 1 radio.
Von Der Leyen also reiterated that the next EU budget should take the form of a new “Marshall Plan” to drive Europe’s recovery from the coronavirus outbreak, and that she felt Europe would emerge from the coronavirus crisis in a stronger state.
Eurozone states that need aid from the bloc’s bailout fund to tackle the coronavirus should get it quickly and not be first subjected to visits from officials proposing policies like during the euro zone crisis, Germany’s finance minister said last night.
Olaf Scholz told the broadcaster ARD that he was convinced the European Stability Mechanism - a bailout fund with €400bn ($433.88bn) in firepower - had instruments suitable for use during the coronavirus outbreak, which has hit eurozone countries like Italy and Spain hard.
The comments by Von der Leyen and Scholz come amid rising tensions - EU flags have been burned in Italy where polls show an uptick in unhappiness with the union - and proposals by France for a coronavirus ‘rescue fund’ for states.
Iraq has banned the Reuters news agency from operating in Iraq for three months for reporting that the number of coronavirus cases in the country is much higher than acknowledged by officials.
The agency reported that the actual number of those suffering from the virus could be thousands higher than the official tally of 772 and that the scale of the outbreak has been downplayed to avoid public panic.
The report adds impetus to concerns reported in the Guardian this week that state figures of suspected Covid 19 patients in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon may be substantially lower than real numbers. Hezbollah has said it is opening treatment centres in southern Lebanon that supplement the state’s health system. However, there are fears that a parallel state structure could obscure real numbers of those infected with the virus.
All three countries have links to Iran, the centre of a pandemic in the region that has taken root among religious pilgrims and merchants who had travelled back to Baghdad, Beirut and Damascus, many since returning to communities outside the capitals.
This piece of Chinese technology - tweeted here by China social trend watcher Manya Koetse - looks interesting.
Police in Israel have surrounded the city of Bnei Brak with barricades and begun evacuating around 4,500 elderly people after the densely-populated area saw an explosion of Covid-19 cases.
Predominately populated with ultra-Orthodox Jewish people, Bnei Brak is near the commercial capital of Tel Aviv but is poor and congested.
Some ultra-orthodox rabbis – long distrustful of the Israeli state’s authority over their way of life – had also initially rejected stringent coronavirus measures, playing down the risk and refusing to close synagogues and packed religious seminaries.
Medical experts estimate up to 38% of Bnei Brak’s roughly 200,000 inhabitants could be infected, significantly higher the national average.
Israel’s cabinet declared the city a “restricted zone” on Thursday night, with measures imposed early on Friday. Around 1,000 police officers had been dispatched. Residents will not be allowed to leave the city except under special circumstances.
Police in Pakistan will today enforce a strict lockdown to prevent people from going to mosques to offer Friday prayers and fuel a rise in coronavirus infection, officials have said, after failing to prevent large congregations last week.
Health experts have warned of an epidemic in South Asia, home to a fifth of the world’s population, that could easily overwhelm its weak public health systems.
But authorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, another Muslim majority nation, and even India have struggled to persuade conservative religious groups to maintain social distancing in order to curb the spread of the virus.
The government in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh, home to the country’s largest city, Karachi, will enforce a “curfew-like” lockdown for three hours beginning 12 noon Friday to deter people from coming out of their homes for prayers, Reuters reported.
Concern is growing that a woefully inadequate health system will leave Malawi unable to cope when Covid-19 arrives.
In Malawi only 20 people a day can be tested for the virus, and there are just 25 intensive care unit beds and seven ventilators in the country of more than 18 million people, John Vidal reports in this piece for the Guardian.
Since February, however, the government has been racing to curb Covid’s arrival.
It has wheeled out a £24m preparedness plan, suspended international flights, banned weddings and gatherings of more than 100 people, closed schools and universities, and is making anyone arriving from Europe, China, or the US self-isolate.
According to the ministry of health, 4,603 people who have entered the country in the past few weeks are “under surveillance”.