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Coronavirus live news: Spain records first drop in daily death toll as Wuhan residents told to stay indoors Coronavirus live news: Spain records first drop in daily death toll in four days; Wuhan residents told to stay indoors
(32 minutes later)
Iran’s death toll reaches 3,294; Swiss death toll rises to 484; Australia’s medical chief says true global cases could be five to 10 millionIran’s death toll reaches 3,294; Swiss death toll rises to 484; Australia’s medical chief says true global cases could be five to 10 million
The Swiss government is doubling the size of its coronavirus emergency loan scheme to 40 billion Swiss francs ($40.94 billion), Reuters reports.
The government said on Friday it was inundated by requests for help by businesses and would be expanding bridging loan guarantees from an initial 20 billion francs after banks made loans of 14.3 billion francs in the first few days of the scheme.
So far more than 76,000 agreements have been made, the government said.
The Swiss death toll from the new coronavirus rose to 484 people from 432 people on Thursday, while the number of positive tests rose to 19,303.
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British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he was remaining in isolation with mild symptoms of the coronavirus, including a high temperature, seven days after he first tested positive. “Although I’m feeling better and I’ve done my seven days of isolation, alas I still have one of the symptoms, a minor symptom, I still have a temperature,” Johnson said in a video message posted on Twitter. “So in accordance with government advice I must continue my self isolation until that symptom itself goes,” Johnson said. Johnson announced a week ago that he had tested positive and would be isolating in Downing Street. In his address, the prime minister told Britons that they needed to stick to the rules on staying at home unless it was essential to go out, ahead of a weekend when good weather is forecast. “I just urge you not to do that (go out). Please, please stick with the guidance now,” Johnson said. “This country has made a huge effort, a huge sacrifice, done absolutely brilliantly well in delaying the spread of the virus. Let’s stick with it now.” When asked earlier on Friday if Johnson would be out of isolation on Friday, his health minister, Matt Hancock, said: “I’ve absolutely no idea but what I do know is he’s still working.” Hancock also tested positive for the coronavirus last week at about the same time as Johnson, but he has since left isolation and is working as scheduled.British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Friday he was remaining in isolation with mild symptoms of the coronavirus, including a high temperature, seven days after he first tested positive. “Although I’m feeling better and I’ve done my seven days of isolation, alas I still have one of the symptoms, a minor symptom, I still have a temperature,” Johnson said in a video message posted on Twitter. “So in accordance with government advice I must continue my self isolation until that symptom itself goes,” Johnson said. Johnson announced a week ago that he had tested positive and would be isolating in Downing Street. In his address, the prime minister told Britons that they needed to stick to the rules on staying at home unless it was essential to go out, ahead of a weekend when good weather is forecast. “I just urge you not to do that (go out). Please, please stick with the guidance now,” Johnson said. “This country has made a huge effort, a huge sacrifice, done absolutely brilliantly well in delaying the spread of the virus. Let’s stick with it now.” When asked earlier on Friday if Johnson would be out of isolation on Friday, his health minister, Matt Hancock, said: “I’ve absolutely no idea but what I do know is he’s still working.” Hancock also tested positive for the coronavirus last week at about the same time as Johnson, but he has since left isolation and is working as scheduled.
A drive-through coronavirus screening centre in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi has become a go-to destination for many wanting reassurance during the pandemic.A drive-through coronavirus screening centre in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi has become a go-to destination for many wanting reassurance during the pandemic.
The facility, believed to be the first of its kind in the Gulf, greets around 600 people a day in the 12 hours it is in service.The facility, believed to be the first of its kind in the Gulf, greets around 600 people a day in the 12 hours it is in service.
The test is free for the elderly, pregnant women and anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19. Others can get tested for 370 dirhams ($100).The test is free for the elderly, pregnant women and anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19. Others can get tested for 370 dirhams ($100).
A nurse approaches the car to take the passengers’ temperatures and then takes a nasal swab - a five-minute procedure.A nurse approaches the car to take the passengers’ temperatures and then takes a nasal swab - a five-minute procedure.
“It is safer than going to the hospital, which is scary these days, especially for children,” said Mohammed Abdullah al-Thahnani, who took his family to get tested after a 14-day quarantine upon arriving from abroad.“It is safer than going to the hospital, which is scary these days, especially for children,” said Mohammed Abdullah al-Thahnani, who took his family to get tested after a 14-day quarantine upon arriving from abroad.
French high-school school students will not sit the traditional baccalauréat (bac) exam this summer due to the coronavirus, the education minister has said, an unprecedented move that highlights the scale of disruption caused by the pandemic. It is the first time since its inception in 1808 under Napoleon Bonaparte that the ‘bac’ exam will not take place in its traditional form. Even the sweeping student and labour protests of May 1968 did not prevent the exam going ahead.French high-school school students will not sit the traditional baccalauréat (bac) exam this summer due to the coronavirus, the education minister has said, an unprecedented move that highlights the scale of disruption caused by the pandemic. It is the first time since its inception in 1808 under Napoleon Bonaparte that the ‘bac’ exam will not take place in its traditional form. Even the sweeping student and labour protests of May 1968 did not prevent the exam going ahead.
In the UK, Prince Charles opened a new 4,000-bed temporary hospital in a conference centre in east London, the first of several being built in Britain to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.In the UK, Prince Charles opened a new 4,000-bed temporary hospital in a conference centre in east London, the first of several being built in Britain to deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
The new state-run National Health Service (NHS) hospital is named after the trailblazing 19th-century nurse Florence Nightingale and has been built in just nine days.The new state-run National Health Service (NHS) hospital is named after the trailblazing 19th-century nurse Florence Nightingale and has been built in just nine days.
NHS Nightingale London will initially take 500 people in the coming days, said the health secretary, Matt Hancock, who has also tested positive for Covid-19.NHS Nightingale London will initially take 500 people in the coming days, said the health secretary, Matt Hancock, who has also tested positive for Covid-19.
It will take intensive care patients with Covid-19 from other London hospitals, which have had the highest number of cases across Britain.It will take intensive care patients with Covid-19 from other London hospitals, which have had the highest number of cases across Britain.
There are initial signs that the trend in new coronavirus infections in Germany is flattening off, the health minister, Jens Spahn, said on Friday.There are initial signs that the trend in new coronavirus infections in Germany is flattening off, the health minister, Jens Spahn, said on Friday.
Speaking during a visit to a logistics company involved in distributing supplies of medical protection equipment, Spahn said Germany had already obtained 1,500 new ventilators – essential to treating patients with acute cases of the novel coronavirus – and added that these would be in clinics by April.Speaking during a visit to a logistics company involved in distributing supplies of medical protection equipment, Spahn said Germany had already obtained 1,500 new ventilators – essential to treating patients with acute cases of the novel coronavirus – and added that these would be in clinics by April.
Efforts to boost the number of intensive care beds available in recent days had resulted in 40% of them being free to receive patients, Spahn said.Efforts to boost the number of intensive care beds available in recent days had resulted in 40% of them being free to receive patients, Spahn said.
China’s central bank said on Friday it would cut the reserve requirements for smaller banks to release around 400bn yuan ($56.3bn) in liquidity, a move to counter the coronavirus impact on enterprises.China’s central bank said on Friday it would cut the reserve requirements for smaller banks to release around 400bn yuan ($56.3bn) in liquidity, a move to counter the coronavirus impact on enterprises.
The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement it will also slash the interest it pays on financial institutions’ excess reserves for the first time in 12 years, to encourage them to use the cash rather than store it with the central bank.The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) said in a statement it will also slash the interest it pays on financial institutions’ excess reserves for the first time in 12 years, to encourage them to use the cash rather than store it with the central bank.
New registrations of cars on German roads plunged in March to its lowest in almost three decades, data shows, as restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus inflicted a heavy blow.New registrations of cars on German roads plunged in March to its lowest in almost three decades, data shows, as restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus inflicted a heavy blow.
Sales tumbled 38% year-on-year to just over 215,100 according to data from the KBA vehicle licensing authority.Sales tumbled 38% year-on-year to just over 215,100 according to data from the KBA vehicle licensing authority.
“Necessary health policy measures, like the massive limits on public life, closure of car dealerships and limited ability to work in the licensing offices” had put the brake on the car trade, the VDA carmakers’ federation said.“Necessary health policy measures, like the massive limits on public life, closure of car dealerships and limited ability to work in the licensing offices” had put the brake on the car trade, the VDA carmakers’ federation said.
Domestic demand fell 30%, while foreign orders were down 37%.Domestic demand fell 30%, while foreign orders were down 37%.
In a quarterly comparison, sales in January-March were down 20% year-on-year.In a quarterly comparison, sales in January-March were down 20% year-on-year.
The Russian prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, on Friday said the coronavirus situation in Russia could yet develop into a worst-case scenario, and that the epidemic has not peaked there yet. “It is clear that the peak of infections has not yet passed, and we can’t rule out the situation developing into the most difficult scenario,” said Mishustin.The Russian prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, on Friday said the coronavirus situation in Russia could yet develop into a worst-case scenario, and that the epidemic has not peaked there yet. “It is clear that the peak of infections has not yet passed, and we can’t rule out the situation developing into the most difficult scenario,” said Mishustin.
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Police in India barricaded parts of one of Asia’s biggest slums on Friday after two coronavirus deaths. It comes as prime Minister Narendra Modi sought to dispel “darkness and uncertainty” with a national light show.
India so far has largely escaped the pandemic, with 2,300 infections and 56 deaths, according to official figures. However, two fatalities and a third infection in the Dharavi neighbourhood of Mumbai have set alarm bells ringing.
Authorities have set up eight “containment zones” in the area, which was made famous by the 2008 film Slumdog Millionaire.
“We have home-quarantined people from these buildings and cordoned off the area so people can’t enter them, and enforced social distancing,” said Vijay Khabale-Patil, spokesman of Mumbai’s city authority.
“We sprayed hydrochloric acid to disinfect these buildings and nearby areas as well … People from Dharavi are following the rules and keeping themselves and their kids inside homes.”
Police on Friday were not letting anyone in or out of the cordoned areas.
In the UK, the deadliest peak of the coronavirus outbreak could be on Easter Sunday, according to the health secretary, Matt Hancock. When asked about reports that the death rate could peak on 12 April, Hancock told Sky: “I defer to the scientists on the exact predictions, I’m not going to steer you away from that. That is one perfectly possible outcome.” Reuters reported on Thursday that the British government’s worst case scenario envisaged the Covid-19 death toll of 50,000 if self-isolation was not fully adhered to and that the worst day for deaths was projected to be 12 April.
Iran has announced 134 more deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing the officially total to 3,294.
Health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a news conference that 2,715 new infections had been confirmed in the past 24 hours, with cases now rising to 53,183.
Iran is one of the countries worst-hit by the coronavirus pandemic and has been struggling to contain the outbreak since it reported its first deaths on 19 February.
Jahanpour said 17,935 of those hospitalised with the virus had recovered, while 4,035 were in a critical condition.
The government has banned all intercity travel until at least 8 April, and has repeatedly urged Iranians to stay at home. There is no official lockdown inside Iran’s cities.
President Hassan Rouhani warned on Thursday that there was no quick fix and that Iran might have to battle the pandemic for another year.
Authorities have closed schools and universities as well as four key Shiite pilgrimage destinations, including the Fatima Masumeh shrine in Qom, the city where the first deaths were reported.
They have also cancelled the main weekly Friday prayers and temporarily closed parliament.
Singapore will close schools and most workplaces for a month as part of stricter measures to curb a recent jump in coronavirus infections, it said on Friday, an announcement that sent locals racing to supermarkets to stock up on staples. The city-state has won international praise for its two-month long battle against a virus that has infected over a million people globally, avoiding lockdown measures increasingly common around the world. But authorities said record jumps in new infections this week, taking its total to 1,114 cases, pointed to the need for a tougher approach. Disease experts have said breaches in Singapore’s lauded virus defence have underlined the challenge of containing the pandemic around the world.
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Hungarian journalists say a new law supposedly aimed at fighting the coronavirus will make objective reporting of the pandemic harder and leave them open to facing court cases or even jail time for their reporting.
The measures, in place since Monday, have been roundly criticised for the sweeping powers they hand to the nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orbán, to rule by decree. Another part of the bill provides penalties of up to five years in prison for those spreading misinformation during the pandemic.
Journalists in the country say the new law is already being used to deny them access to information, and on occasion to threaten them.
One Budapest-based journalist, who requested anonymity given the current situation in the country, said she had called a hospital over the weekend to follow up on a tip-off about a group of doctors who had reportedly contracted the coronavirus there.
“A few minutes later, the hospital’s chief communication officer called me back and asked if I think it’s a good idea to keep asking about this, a day before the government’s bill will be passed,” she said.
The death toll in Switzerland has risen to 484 while the number of positive cases stands at 19,903, the Swiss government has said.
The country has closed schools, shuttered many businesses and banned gatherings of more than five people as it fights the outbreak.
The Premier League’s position at the top of world football could be in danger if a solution to reducing player wages during the coronavirus crisis is not found, an analyst has warned.
A week of talks between football bodies and the players’ union, the PFA, has led to little movement before an extraordinary Premier League shareholders meeting on Friday.
Away from negotiations, debate has centred on the tone-deafness of some clubs seeking taxpayers’ money to furlough non-playing staff.
According to one expert, however, it is also possible that substantial wage bills could hinder the Premier League’s ability to bounce back after the crisis, leaving leading players as easy pickings for rival leagues.
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.