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/apr/04/coronavirus-lives-news-china-prepares-to-mourn-martyrs-as-us-urges-everyone-to-wear-face-masks

The article has changed 42 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 14 Version 15
Coronavirus live news: China remembers 'martyrs' as US urges face masks in public Coronavirus live news: China remembers 'martyrs' as US urges face masks in public
(32 minutes later)
China honours those who died fighting virus; Trump opts out of advice to wear non-surgical masks; World Bank warns of major recession. Follow the latest updatesChina honours those who died fighting virus; Trump opts out of advice to wear non-surgical masks; World Bank warns of major recession. Follow the latest updates
The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, has invited the leaders of the opposition parties to work with him to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, saying he wants to hear their views and update them on the measures taken so far. Johnson said he would invite all opposition leaders to a briefing next week with the UK government’s chief medical officer and chief scientific adviser.
In the UK, doctors have expressed concern about cancer patients missing out on vital treatment due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Indonesia reported 106 new confirmed coronavirus infections on Saturday, taking the total number of cases in the south-east Asian country to 2,092. Health ministry official Achmad Yurianto also said there were 10 new deaths, taking the death toll to 191.
Elsewhere, Malaysia has reported 150 new coronavirus cases, with 3,483 in total and four new deaths.
In France, amid lockdown, charity workers are preparing more than a thousand meals a day for migrants and homeless people on the half-abandoned grounds of a former Paris hospital whose patron saint was devoted to the poor.The Frances Aurore Association, a charity dating back to the 19th century, has been serving meals at the former St Vincent de Paul hospital since 24 March, a week into the nationwide confinement to stem the spread of the virus. Florie Gaillard, who works for the association, said everyone who lives in the transitional housing is under confinement there, the offices are closed, and the usual crowd at the day centre is in shelters. But the need is still there. There was an entire informal economy that existed before that is no longer there, said Gaillard. People who begged, or who knew which restaurant would give them a meal at the end of the evening, were in need.
Anyone in need of a boost? As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, communities are coming together to support each other through difficult times. From dressing up as Spider-Man to leaving out food for strangers, here are some of the small things people are doing to keep each other’s spirits up.Anyone in need of a boost? As the world battles the coronavirus pandemic, communities are coming together to support each other through difficult times. From dressing up as Spider-Man to leaving out food for strangers, here are some of the small things people are doing to keep each other’s spirits up.
Scarce supplies of medical equipment are leading to growing competition within the US and among nations, in what one French politician called a worldwide treasure hunt. The governor of New York state, the epicenter of the U.S. outbreak, vowed to seize unused ventilators from private hospitals and companies, while president Donald Trump said he was preventing the export of N95 respirator masks and surgical gloves, a move he said was necessary to ensure that medical supplies are available in the U.S.The number of people infected in the US exceeded a quarter-million, and the death toll climbed past 7,000, with New York state alone accounting for more than 2,900 dead, an increase of over 560 in just one day. Most of the dead are in New York City, where hospitals are swamped with patients. Scarce supplies of medical equipment are leading to growing competition within the US and among nations, in what one French politician called a worldwide treasure hunt. The governor of New York state, thecentre of the US outbreak, vowed to seize unused ventilators from private hospitals and companies, while President Donald Trump said he was preventing the export of N95 respirator masks and surgical gloves, a move he said was necessary to ensure medical supplies are available in the US.The number of people infected in the US exceeded 250,000, and the death toll climbed past 7,000, with New York state alone accounting for more than 2,900 dead, an increase of more than 560 in just one day. Most of the dead are in New York City, where hospitals are swamped with patients.
Sharing a beautiful article written by my colleague and friend Haroon Siddique, one of our senior reporters. He wrote about his dad, who died last week after being hospitalised with coronavirus symptoms. Sharing a beautiful article written by my colleague and friend Haroon Siddique, one of our senior reporters. He wrote about his dad, who died last week after being admitted to hospital with coronavirus symptoms.
Welcome to the Guardian’s global live feed, bringing you all the latest updates of the day on coronavirus from around the world. Please do share your thoughts, news tips or relevant insight and information from where you are with me. I will try to respond to as many of you as I can.Welcome to the Guardian’s global live feed, bringing you all the latest updates of the day on coronavirus from around the world. Please do share your thoughts, news tips or relevant insight and information from where you are with me. I will try to respond to as many of you as I can.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
South Korea has expanded a social distancing campaign by another two weeks to April 19 to stop the spread of the coronavirus.South Korea has expanded a social distancing campaign by another two weeks to April 19 to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
More than 10,000 cases have been reported in South Korea. At one point, it had the second-worst outbreak of Covid-19 after mainland China, but it has brought it largely under control.More than 10,000 cases have been reported in South Korea. At one point, it had the second-worst outbreak of Covid-19 after mainland China, but it has brought it largely under control.
Still, the government has said it needs to maintain social distancing measures to avoid another spike in infections.Still, the government has said it needs to maintain social distancing measures to avoid another spike in infections.
“We have no choice but to continue an intense social distancing campaign for some time,” the prime minister, Chung Sye-kyun, said.“We have no choice but to continue an intense social distancing campaign for some time,” the prime minister, Chung Sye-kyun, said.
Britain will not be able to relax its stringent lockdown rules until the end of May, a leading government adviser has said, warning that first the spread of coronavirus must slow and intense testing must be introduced. Neil Ferguson, a leading professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London, said work was under way to establish how the rules could eventually be relaxed. Speaking to BBC Radio, he said.Britain will not be able to relax its stringent lockdown rules until the end of May, a leading government adviser has said, warning that first the spread of coronavirus must slow and intense testing must be introduced. Neil Ferguson, a leading professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London, said work was under way to establish how the rules could eventually be relaxed. Speaking to BBC Radio, he said.
The government has put Britain into a widespread lockdown, closing pubs, restaurants and nearly all shops, while banning social gatherings and ordering people to stay at home unless it is absolutely essential to venture out. By Friday, Britain’s death toll from the global pandemic had risen to 3,605, among 38,168 people who have tested positive for the highly infectious respiratory illness known as Covid-19.The government has put Britain into a widespread lockdown, closing pubs, restaurants and nearly all shops, while banning social gatherings and ordering people to stay at home unless it is absolutely essential to venture out. By Friday, Britain’s death toll from the global pandemic had risen to 3,605, among 38,168 people who have tested positive for the highly infectious respiratory illness known as Covid-19.
The Philippines health ministry on Saturday reported 76 additional coronavirus infections and eight new deaths. In a bulletin, the health ministry said a total of 144 people have died in the Philippines while 3,094 have been infected, the majority of whom were reported in the past four weeks.The Philippines health ministry on Saturday reported 76 additional coronavirus infections and eight new deaths. In a bulletin, the health ministry said a total of 144 people have died in the Philippines while 3,094 have been infected, the majority of whom were reported in the past four weeks.
Australia reported a sustained fall in new coronavirus infections and conducted the biggest peacetime maritime operation on Sydney Harbour on Saturday, refuelling foreign cruise ships before expelling them from local waters. Confirmed cases rose by 198 over the 24-hour period to Saturday afternoon, bringing the national total to 5,548, health ministry data showed. The death toll from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, rose to 30. That kept the country’s daily new infection rate at about 5%, significantly below the 25%-30% increases recorded around two weeks ago, but officials stressed it was still too early to claim victory. “What I really would caution against is thinking we have got through this completely, because we definitely have not,” the deputy chief health officer, Paul Kelly, said in a televised briefing. “We really have to be hyper-vigilant now.”Australia reported a sustained fall in new coronavirus infections and conducted the biggest peacetime maritime operation on Sydney Harbour on Saturday, refuelling foreign cruise ships before expelling them from local waters. Confirmed cases rose by 198 over the 24-hour period to Saturday afternoon, bringing the national total to 5,548, health ministry data showed. The death toll from Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, rose to 30. That kept the country’s daily new infection rate at about 5%, significantly below the 25%-30% increases recorded around two weeks ago, but officials stressed it was still too early to claim victory. “What I really would caution against is thinking we have got through this completely, because we definitely have not,” the deputy chief health officer, Paul Kelly, said in a televised briefing. “We really have to be hyper-vigilant now.”
China came to a standstill on Saturday to mourn patients and medical staff killed by the coronavirus, as the world’s most populous country observed a nationwide three-minute silence.China came to a standstill on Saturday to mourn patients and medical staff killed by the coronavirus, as the world’s most populous country observed a nationwide three-minute silence.
At 10am Beijing time, citizens paused; cars, trains and ships sounded their horns; and air-raid sirens rang out in memory of the more than 3,000 lives claimed by the virus in China.At 10am Beijing time, citizens paused; cars, trains and ships sounded their horns; and air-raid sirens rang out in memory of the more than 3,000 lives claimed by the virus in China.
In Wuhan – the city where the virus first emerged late last year – sirens and horns sounded as people fell silent in the streets.In Wuhan – the city where the virus first emerged late last year – sirens and horns sounded as people fell silent in the streets.
Staff at the Tongji hospital stood outside with heads bowed towards the main building, some in the protective hazmat suits that have become a symbol of the crisis worldwide.Staff at the Tongji hospital stood outside with heads bowed towards the main building, some in the protective hazmat suits that have become a symbol of the crisis worldwide.
“I feel a lot of sorrow about our colleagues and patients who died,” Xu, a nurse at Tongji who worked on the frontlines treating coronavirus patients, told Agence France-Presse, holding back tears.“I feel a lot of sorrow about our colleagues and patients who died,” Xu, a nurse at Tongji who worked on the frontlines treating coronavirus patients, told Agence France-Presse, holding back tears.
“I hope they can rest well in heaven.”“I hope they can rest well in heaven.”
Britain may be able to relax some physical distancing measures by the end of May if the spread of the coronavirus eases and testing increases, a leading professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London said on Saturday.Britain may be able to relax some physical distancing measures by the end of May if the spread of the coronavirus eases and testing increases, a leading professor of mathematical biology at Imperial College London said on Saturday.
In England, cancer treatment has become a postcode lottery, with many patients not receiving vital care as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to leading doctors.In England, cancer treatment has become a postcode lottery, with many patients not receiving vital care as a result of the coronavirus outbreak, according to leading doctors.
It comes as the NHS said non-urgent operations would have to be put on hold so hospitals could focus on battling the Covid-19 pandemic, and NHS England guidance states that cancer services should continue to deliver care. However, it also calls for “local solutions to continue the proper managements”.It comes as the NHS said non-urgent operations would have to be put on hold so hospitals could focus on battling the Covid-19 pandemic, and NHS England guidance states that cancer services should continue to deliver care. However, it also calls for “local solutions to continue the proper managements”.
Prof Karol Sikora, the chief medical officer at Rutherford Health, which runs oncology centres, said the advice provided by NHS England around cancer was sensible but was being “implemented inconsistently” around the country.Prof Karol Sikora, the chief medical officer at Rutherford Health, which runs oncology centres, said the advice provided by NHS England around cancer was sensible but was being “implemented inconsistently” around the country.
“That is always the trouble – it becomes inconsistent, so people getting chemotherapy have now had it stopped even though they are category one and two patients, the highest priority. Also, some hospitals have put blanket bans on cancer treatment for two to three weeks ... Not everyone needs to rush ahead with cancer treatment but others need to continue despite this to get the best long-term cure,” he said.“That is always the trouble – it becomes inconsistent, so people getting chemotherapy have now had it stopped even though they are category one and two patients, the highest priority. Also, some hospitals have put blanket bans on cancer treatment for two to three weeks ... Not everyone needs to rush ahead with cancer treatment but others need to continue despite this to get the best long-term cure,” he said.
Angus George Dalgleish, a professor of oncology at St George’s, University of London, said: “It’s difficult. Coronavirus is having a devastating impact on how we deliver ordinary care – everything is out on hold or delayed.”Angus George Dalgleish, a professor of oncology at St George’s, University of London, said: “It’s difficult. Coronavirus is having a devastating impact on how we deliver ordinary care – everything is out on hold or delayed.”
Asked whether this could mean more indirect deaths because of patients not getting care, Dalgleish said: “We won’t know until it is all over. But we are already seeing the effects of patients who are not going to get treatment.Asked whether this could mean more indirect deaths because of patients not getting care, Dalgleish said: “We won’t know until it is all over. But we are already seeing the effects of patients who are not going to get treatment.
“I heard today St George’s is going to have nine wards full of coronavirus patients. They cannot do that without seriously impacting care of everyone else.”“I heard today St George’s is going to have nine wards full of coronavirus patients. They cannot do that without seriously impacting care of everyone else.”
Read more here.Read more here.
At least 15 medics in Egypt’s main cancer hospital have been quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus, officials have said.At least 15 medics in Egypt’s main cancer hospital have been quarantined after testing positive for the coronavirus, officials have said.
The news raises fears the pandemic could prey on health facilities in the Arab world’s most populous country. Egypt has reported around 1,000 confirmed cases and 66 fatalities from the global pandemic. Authorities have closed schools and mosques, banned public gatherings and imposed a night-time curfew to prevent the virus from spreading among the population of 100 million, a fifth of whom live in the densely populated capital, Cairo. Dr Hatem Abu el-Kassem, the director of the National Cancer Institute, said three doctors and 12 nurses had tested positive for the virus. He said all other health workers at the facility, which treats hundreds of cancer patients every day, would be tested.The institute will be partly closed for three days to be sterilised, with only the emergency ward remaining open.The news raises fears the pandemic could prey on health facilities in the Arab world’s most populous country. Egypt has reported around 1,000 confirmed cases and 66 fatalities from the global pandemic. Authorities have closed schools and mosques, banned public gatherings and imposed a night-time curfew to prevent the virus from spreading among the population of 100 million, a fifth of whom live in the densely populated capital, Cairo. Dr Hatem Abu el-Kassem, the director of the National Cancer Institute, said three doctors and 12 nurses had tested positive for the virus. He said all other health workers at the facility, which treats hundreds of cancer patients every day, would be tested.The institute will be partly closed for three days to be sterilised, with only the emergency ward remaining open.