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Coronavirus live news: Spain records second day of fewer deaths as China honours 'martyrs' Coronavirus live news: Spain records second day of fewer deaths as China honours 'martyrs'
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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
In the UK, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove is leading the UK’s daily coronavirus briefing. You can follow live updates on our UK blog, where my colleague Lucy Campbell is following the briefing.
Hi everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the live blog from Sarah Marsh. I’ll be bringing you all the key developments in the coronavirus pandemic from around the world for the next few hours.
If you spot anything I miss, feel free to drop me a message on Twitter, @mollyblackall. I won’t be able to respond to everything, but I’ll certainly try to read it all. Thanks in advance!
I am going to be handing over the blog now to my colleague Molly Blackall who will be running it for the next few hours. Thanks for all your contributions today, it always makes the job a bit easier.
Egypt’s main cancer treatment facility has 17 cases of the novel coronavirus among its medical staff, an educational institute said, sparking fears of exposure among vulnerable patients.
Cairo University, with which the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is affiliated, said in a statement Saturday that “17 doctors and nurses” at the NCI had contracted Covid-19.
The university said it would open an investigation “to determine whether there was any negligence” at the institute.
Earlier in the day, NCI director Hatem Abulkassem had told a private TV channel that three doctors and 12 nurses were infected.
Abulkassem said the facility would be sterilised and patients who were in contact with the medics would be tested, along with all staff members.
He said patient visits had been suspended in recent weeks.
In the UK, A number of councils are banning funeral ceremonies because of the coronavirus crisis.In the UK, A number of councils are banning funeral ceremonies because of the coronavirus crisis.
Bradford, Leeds and Kirklees councils have said families will no longer be able to attend services at crematoria. Instead the councils will offer “direct cremations”, in which there is no ceremony and mourners are not present; and burial services at gravesides, with a maximum of 10 mourners observing physical distancing guidelines.Bradford, Leeds and Kirklees councils have said families will no longer be able to attend services at crematoria. Instead the councils will offer “direct cremations”, in which there is no ceremony and mourners are not present; and burial services at gravesides, with a maximum of 10 mourners observing physical distancing guidelines.
The new rules will take effect from Monday in Kirklees and Bradford. Leeds has been offering direct cremations only for the past two week.The new rules will take effect from Monday in Kirklees and Bradford. Leeds has been offering direct cremations only for the past two week.
Read the full article here.Read the full article here.
Hello everyone. I will be on the live blog for the next hour, so please do get in touch if you want to share any news tips with me, or information about what’s happening where you are.Hello everyone. I will be on the live blog for the next hour, so please do get in touch if you want to share any news tips with me, or information about what’s happening where you are.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Iran’s new cases of coronavirus have dropped for the fourth consecutive day, official figures released today show, as a two-week holiday in the Islamic republic came to an end.Iran’s new cases of coronavirus have dropped for the fourth consecutive day, official figures released today show, as a two-week holiday in the Islamic republic came to an end.
Iran registered 2,560 new infections of Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, the health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a televised news conference. It is the fourth consecutive drop in new cases since Tehran declared a daily total of 3,111 on 31 March.Iran registered 2,560 new infections of Covid-19 in the previous 24 hours, the health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour told a televised news conference. It is the fourth consecutive drop in new cases since Tehran declared a daily total of 3,111 on 31 March.
Jahanpour said there were 158 new fatalities from the virus, bringing the country’s official death toll to 3,452.Jahanpour said there were 158 new fatalities from the virus, bringing the country’s official death toll to 3,452.
Iran is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with 55,743 officially declared cases, though there has been speculation abroad that the real number could be higher.Iran is one of the countries hardest hit by the pandemic, with 55,743 officially declared cases, though there has been speculation abroad that the real number could be higher.
Saturday should have marked a return to regular activity in Iran after a two-week holiday for the Persian New Year. But in the capital, Tehran, many shops were still closed, Agence France-Presse reporters said.Saturday should have marked a return to regular activity in Iran after a two-week holiday for the Persian New Year. But in the capital, Tehran, many shops were still closed, Agence France-Presse reporters said.
Iraj Harirchi, a deputy health minister who tested positive for the virus in late February and has returned to public life, told state television on Saturday that “the increase in traffic in Tehran is worrying”.Iraj Harirchi, a deputy health minister who tested positive for the virus in late February and has returned to public life, told state television on Saturday that “the increase in traffic in Tehran is worrying”.
President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday warned that the country might still battle the pandemic for another year.President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday warned that the country might still battle the pandemic for another year.
The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, has said he had a telephone conversation with the US president, Donald Trump, about using the two countries’ partnership to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. “We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight Covid-19,” Modi said in a tweet.The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi, has said he had a telephone conversation with the US president, Donald Trump, about using the two countries’ partnership to tackle the coronavirus pandemic. “We had a good discussion, and agreed to deploy the full strength of the India-US partnership to fight Covid-19,” Modi said in a tweet.
I am back from lunch and with some nice news. The National Orchestra of France has been posting its performances to YouTube while players are confined to their homes under lockdown measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.I am back from lunch and with some nice news. The National Orchestra of France has been posting its performances to YouTube while players are confined to their homes under lockdown measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Using video and audio technology, the musicians recorded themselves playing Bolero alone at home but together online.Using video and audio technology, the musicians recorded themselves playing Bolero alone at home but together online.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in Portugal pushed past the 10,000 mark on Saturday, Reuters reports, as the country’s health minister said there was still “no light at the end of the tunnel”.Confirmed coronavirus cases in Portugal pushed past the 10,000 mark on Saturday, Reuters reports, as the country’s health minister said there was still “no light at the end of the tunnel”.
Marta Temido told a news conference:Marta Temido told a news conference:
Portugal has confirmed 10,524 coronavirus cases and 266 deaths, with health authorities expecting the outbreak to plateau at the end of May.Portugal has confirmed 10,524 coronavirus cases and 266 deaths, with health authorities expecting the outbreak to plateau at the end of May.
Portugal extended its state of emergency by another 15 days on Thursday, and tightened measures to restrict movements, especially during the normally busy Easter holiday period.Portugal extended its state of emergency by another 15 days on Thursday, and tightened measures to restrict movements, especially during the normally busy Easter holiday period.
Sky News is reporting that the British retailer Cath Kidston – famous for its vintage floral designs – has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as part of its attempt to find a buyer.Sky News is reporting that the British retailer Cath Kidston – famous for its vintage floral designs – has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators as part of its attempt to find a buyer.
The move does not mean it will automatically fall into administration, but it gives the company breathing space as it tries to secure a sale.The move does not mean it will automatically fall into administration, but it gives the company breathing space as it tries to secure a sale.
Many retailers are battling for survival in the UK after the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of most stores.Many retailers are battling for survival in the UK after the coronavirus pandemic forced the closure of most stores.
Guardian reporters have looked at how the Indian prime minister’s handling of the pandemic has heaped more misery on the country’s poorest citizens.Guardian reporters have looked at how the Indian prime minister’s handling of the pandemic has heaped more misery on the country’s poorest citizens.
The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, will ask parliament to extend lockdown measures by 15 more days until 26 April as the number of daily coronavirus infections and deaths slowed again on Saturday in one of the world’s most hard-hit countries. After speaking to Sanchez by telephone, the opposition leader Pablo Casado tweeted that the premier had informed him “that he will request Congress to extend the state of emergency” for the second time. It was last extended through to 11 April. A government spokeswoman said Sanchez would announce the extension of the state of emergency, which has confined most Spaniards to their homes for three weeks already, at a news conference on Saturday afternoon. Spain’s death toll rose to 11,744 on Saturday – the world’s second highest after Italy – but the 809 people who died from the disease over the past 24 hours was below Friday’s 932 and down from Thursday’s record of 950, the health ministry said. That represented a 7% increase in total deaths, about a third of the near 20% increase registered a week ago.
In the 24 hours to 5pm UK time on Friday, the UK recorded 708 hospital coronavirus deaths, a rise of 20% to 4,313, the health ministry said. As of 9am on Saturday, a total of 183,190 people have been tested, of which 41,903 tested positive, the ministry said.
I am going to be taking a lunch break and will return shortly. A colleague will take over in the meantime.
The United Arab Emirates has requested to postpone the start of the Expo 2020 Dubai until October next year because of the coronavirus pandemic, the body that oversees the world fair said.
Dubai, the UAE city-state, had hoped to attract 25 million visitors to the multibillion-dollar, six-month event, which was due to launch on 20 October 2020.
“The government of the United Arab Emirates has formally requested the postponement of World Expo 2020 Dubai,” the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions said in a statement.
“Following consultations with the BIE, participating countries and key stakeholders, the UAE has proposed 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022 as the new opening dates of Expo 2020 Dubai.”
The UAE government also requested approval to continue using Expo 2020 Dubai as the event’s official name.
Saudi authorities announced a lockdown and a partial curfew in seven neighbourhoods of the Red Sea city of Jeddah, starting on Saturday, as part of measures to contain the new coronavirus outbreak, the interior ministry said in a statement. The ministry said residents in those neighbourhoods could only go out for grocery shopping and medical care, between 6 a.m (0300 GMT) and 3pm. Entering and exiting the neighbourhoods will be restricted, it added.
In the UK, Newcastle defender Danny Rose says footballers feel their “backs are against the wall” over talks about wage cuts, with Premier League clubs due to speak with players’ representatives on Saturday.
Top-flight players, currently out of action because of the coronavirus pandemic, have come under fire after a number of clubs furloughed non-playing staff but left players’ wages untouched.
The Premier League said on Friday that clubs would consult players over a combination of pay cuts and deferrals amounting to 30% of their annual salary.
They also agreed to provide a £125m ($153m) fund for the English Football League and National League and pledged £20m in charitable support for the NHS and other groups.
Thanks to everyone who has been emailing me as I run the Guardian’s live feed, updating you on global stories. If you feel you have something useful to share with me then please get in touch. Apologies if I cannot respond to you all but some of your emails are very heartening, so keep them coming.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 6,082 in the past 24 hours, a slight decrease from the day before, according to data from the government’s Robert Koch Institute (RKI). The reported reduction, which were down from 6,174 new cases a day earlier, could be a sign that the rate of infection is beginning to level off. However, the government cautioned it was far too early to identify a trend. Germany now has 85,778 cases, up from 79,696 infections on Friday, with the highest level of infections in Bavaria, according to the RKI statistics. Deaths have increased to 1,158, the RKI said, from 1,017 deaths as of Friday. Lothar Wieler, president of the RKI, said late on Friday that the rate of new infections had been brought under control thanks to more comprehensive measures to stop people from congregating in public or at work. Chancellor Angela Merkel said the national lockdown could nonetheless stretch beyond Easter, but that the new figures gave cause for “very cautious hope”. “The rise in confirmed new cases is going a bit slower than a few days ago,” she added. “But it is definitively way too early to identify a trend and therefore it is also too early to ease some of the strict rules we have set for ourselves.”
Pedro Sanchez, the prime minister of Spain, will extend the state of emergency in the country with Europe’s highest number of coronavirus infections by another two weeks until 26 April, El País newspaper has reported.
Indonesia said coronavirus cases in the country had topped 2,000 and deaths risen to 191, but doubts have been raised over official figures by data showing a big jump in funerals last month in the capital, Jakarta. Achmad Yurianto, health ministry official, said there had been 106 new confirmed infections, taking the total number of cases in the south-east Asian country to 2,092, with 10 new deaths. “We are still on high alert over infections that are taking place in the community that are caused by positive cases among people who are not showing symptoms,” he said. Indonesia is relying mainly on social distancing policies to combat the virus since President Joko Widodo has opposed the harsh lockdown measures adopted in many neighbouring countries. The country reported its first case of the virus a month ago, but epidemiologists say a relatively low level of testing means the number of cases may be vastly under-reported.Jakarta has been at the centre of Covid-19 infections in Indonesia, accounting for 1,028 cases and about 90 deaths, according to central government data, or roughly half the country’s total for both. Jakarta’s governor, Anies Baswedan, and some public health experts suspect the number of infections and deaths in the city has been significantly under-reported. “It is extremely disturbing,” Baswedan told Reuters on Friday, referring to the funeral statistics. “I’m struggling to find another reason than unreported Covid-19 deaths.”