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Coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson in hospital as US faces 'hardest and saddest week' Coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson in hospital as US faces 'hardest and saddest week'
(32 minutes later)
US orders 29m doses of malaria drug; Pakistan quarantines tens of thousands of worshippers; Bronx Zoo tiger tests positive; Follow the latest updates.US orders 29m doses of malaria drug; Pakistan quarantines tens of thousands of worshippers; Bronx Zoo tiger tests positive; Follow the latest updates.
Hong Kongers have been warned to prepare for six months of pain, as the economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic worsen.The city has reported more than 890 cases of Covid-19, with a mother and her six-week-old baby among recent cases. Hong Kong’s early response to the virus outbreak in neighbouring mainland China meant that it was spared an epidemic of its own, but as thousands of people returned home in recent months the daily rate of infection has risen dramatically and Hong Kong is now under harsher restrictions than ever. Gatherings of more than four people have been banned since late March, but authorities are warning of further lockdowns and closures of non-essential services.
Hong Kong’s economy was already suffering after more than six months of protests when the virus outbreak began. Last month it reported the highest unemployment figures in three years, with predictions it would get worse.Financial Secretary Paul Chan said on Sunday that while sectors like tourism and retail initially bore the brunt of the outbreak’s economic impact, it had now spread to “almost all industries”. He said the government was preparing more comprehensive support measures, but didn’t detail what they were.Writing in his blog, Chan said this meant that bail-out measures must shift focus from assisting individual industries, and become oriented to all enterprises. The main financial pressures across the board were salaries, rent, and decline in business, he said, adding that the government was working on its funding program but landlords “should actively respond to the community’s strong demand for rent reduction”.He said the outlook was “still very uncertain”, and it was appropriate to prepare for an economic situation which might not be reversed for at least six months.
American Airlines Group Inc said late Sunday it would suspend more flights in and out of New York City’s three main airports for about a month, joining other airlines that have cut flights to the area following a spike in coronavirus cases, Reuters reports.
Between 9 April and 6 May, American will operate a total of 13 daily flights from New York’s JFK and LaGuardia airports and New Jersey’s Newark, it said, down from an average of 271 daily flights across all three airports in April 2019. David Seymour, American’s senior vice president of Operations, told employees that demand for flights to the New York area “is rapidly evaporating” following an increase in Covid-19 cases and a recent advisory from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warning against all non-essential travel to and from New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. New York has been the hardest-hit US state by the coronavirus pandemic. United Airlines Holdings Inc said on Saturday that it was reducing its daily New York City area flights to 17 from 157, while JetBlue Airways Corp is cutting its schedule by as much as 80% and Spirit Airlines Inc is canceling all of its flights to the area.
The pound fell against the dollar and euro on Monday after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests after showing persistent symptoms of the coronavirus, Reuters reports. The pound fell 0.26% to $1.2242 on Monday in Asia. Against the euro, it fell 0.27% to 88.39 pence. Johnson was admitted in what Downing Street said was a “precautionary step” because he was showing persistent symptoms of COVID-19 10 days after testing positive for the novel coronavirus. Also weighing on sterling is Britain’s constitution – an unwieldy collection of sometimes ancient and contradictory precedents – that offers no formal deputy or caretaker who would take over if Johnson cannot continue to lead.
But, the Guardian reports, in his role as first secretary of state, the prime minister’s de facto deputy, Dominic Raab will be expected to stand in for Boris Johnson if he is unable to work because of coronavirus.
The New Zealand Police are releasing a series of coronavirus advice videos (starring actors, not actual police force members). Here is one on how to maintain a safe distance of two metres (6.5 feet) from someone:
More now on the situation in China, which on Sunday reported a higher number of cases and asymptomatic cases than the day before.More now on the situation in China, which on Sunday reported a higher number of cases and asymptomatic cases than the day before.
Mainland China reported 39 new coronavirus cases as of Sunday, up from 30 a day earlier, and the number of asymptomatic cases also surged, as Beijing continued to struggle to extinguish the outbreak despite drastic containment efforts. The National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday that 78 new asymptomatic cases had been identified as of the end of the day on Sunday, compared with 47 the day before. Imported cases and asymptomatic patients, who have the virus and can give it to others but show no symptoms, have become China’s chief concern in recent weeks after draconian containment measures succeeded in slashing the infection rate.Mainland China reported 39 new coronavirus cases as of Sunday, up from 30 a day earlier, and the number of asymptomatic cases also surged, as Beijing continued to struggle to extinguish the outbreak despite drastic containment efforts. The National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday that 78 new asymptomatic cases had been identified as of the end of the day on Sunday, compared with 47 the day before. Imported cases and asymptomatic patients, who have the virus and can give it to others but show no symptoms, have become China’s chief concern in recent weeks after draconian containment measures succeeded in slashing the infection rate.
Of the new cases showing symptoms, 38 were people who had entered China from abroad, compared with 25 a day earlier. One new locally transmitted infection was reported, in the southern province of Guangdong, down from five a day earlier in the same province. The new locally transmitted case, in the city of Shenzhen, was a person who had travelled from Hubei province, the original epicentre of the outbreak, Guangdong provincial authorities said. The Guangdong health commission raised the risk level for a total of four districts in the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Jieyang from low to medium late on Sunday. Mainland China has now reported a total of 81,708 cases, with 3,331 deaths. Daily infections have fallen dramatically from the peak of the epidemic in February, when hundreds were reported daily, but new infections continue to appear daily. The country has closed off its borders to foreigners as the virus spreads globally, though most imported cases involve Chinese nationals returning from overseas. The central government also has pushed local authorities to identify and isolate the asymptomatic patients.Of the new cases showing symptoms, 38 were people who had entered China from abroad, compared with 25 a day earlier. One new locally transmitted infection was reported, in the southern province of Guangdong, down from five a day earlier in the same province. The new locally transmitted case, in the city of Shenzhen, was a person who had travelled from Hubei province, the original epicentre of the outbreak, Guangdong provincial authorities said. The Guangdong health commission raised the risk level for a total of four districts in the cities of Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Jieyang from low to medium late on Sunday. Mainland China has now reported a total of 81,708 cases, with 3,331 deaths. Daily infections have fallen dramatically from the peak of the epidemic in February, when hundreds were reported daily, but new infections continue to appear daily. The country has closed off its borders to foreigners as the virus spreads globally, though most imported cases involve Chinese nationals returning from overseas. The central government also has pushed local authorities to identify and isolate the asymptomatic patients.
In Australia, the Covid-19 stricken cruise ship Ruby Princess berthed at Port Kembla near Wollongong on Monday morning and will likely stay for 10 days as health officials and doctors continue to manage the outbreak of infection on board.In Australia, the Covid-19 stricken cruise ship Ruby Princess berthed at Port Kembla near Wollongong on Monday morning and will likely stay for 10 days as health officials and doctors continue to manage the outbreak of infection on board.
On Monday 200 of the 1,400-strong crew on board were showing symptoms.On Monday 200 of the 1,400-strong crew on board were showing symptoms.
Sick patients were being treated on board or transferred to hospital if needed, while the whole crew was being placed in isolation. The New South Wales government is now working with the ship’s owner, Carnival Australia, on plans to repatriate the crew, who come from 50 countries.Sick patients were being treated on board or transferred to hospital if needed, while the whole crew was being placed in isolation. The New South Wales government is now working with the ship’s owner, Carnival Australia, on plans to repatriate the crew, who come from 50 countries.
NSW police said in a statement the vessel might remain in place for up to 10 days, but the crew would not disembark unless in an emergency and approved by the police commissioner, Mick Fuller.NSW police said in a statement the vessel might remain in place for up to 10 days, but the crew would not disembark unless in an emergency and approved by the police commissioner, Mick Fuller.
“The berthing will be conducted under strict health and biosecurity guidelines and will not pose a risk to employees at the port or the broader community,” the statement said.“The berthing will be conducted under strict health and biosecurity guidelines and will not pose a risk to employees at the port or the broader community,” the statement said.
Members of the crew could be seen waving from separate cabins as the ship pulled in on Monday morning.Members of the crew could be seen waving from separate cabins as the ship pulled in on Monday morning.
Podcast: The hunt for a coronavirus vaccinePodcast: The hunt for a coronavirus vaccine
Scientists in more than 40 labs around the world are working round the clock to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. Despite early success in sequencing the virus’s genome, however, Samanth Subramanian tells Rachel Humphreys we are still some months away from knowing if one can be put into mass production.Scientists in more than 40 labs around the world are working round the clock to develop a Covid-19 vaccine. Despite early success in sequencing the virus’s genome, however, Samanth Subramanian tells Rachel Humphreys we are still some months away from knowing if one can be put into mass production.
The American Civil Liberties Union said Sunday it is seeking an injunction to block part of Puerto Rico’s strict curfew against the new coronavirus, arguing that some of its restrictions are unconstitutional as the governor imposed even tighter measures, including requiring anyone entering a business to wear a face mask.The American Civil Liberties Union said Sunday it is seeking an injunction to block part of Puerto Rico’s strict curfew against the new coronavirus, arguing that some of its restrictions are unconstitutional as the governor imposed even tighter measures, including requiring anyone entering a business to wear a face mask.
The curfew imposed 15 March has shuttered non-essential businesses in the US territory and ordered people to stay home from 7 pm to 5 am and remain there even outside those hours unless they have to buy food or medicine, go to the bank or have an emergency or health-related situation. Violators face a US$5,000 or a six-month jail term, and police have cited hundreds of people.It is the first time the ACLU has filed a lawsuit in a US jurisdiction related to a coronavirus curfew.The curfew imposed 15 March has shuttered non-essential businesses in the US territory and ordered people to stay home from 7 pm to 5 am and remain there even outside those hours unless they have to buy food or medicine, go to the bank or have an emergency or health-related situation. Violators face a US$5,000 or a six-month jail term, and police have cited hundreds of people.It is the first time the ACLU has filed a lawsuit in a US jurisdiction related to a coronavirus curfew.
Millions of Indians switched off their lights and came out onto their balconies and doorsteps with lamps, candles and flashlights on Sunday, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “challenge the darkness” of the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.Millions of Indians switched off their lights and came out onto their balconies and doorsteps with lamps, candles and flashlights on Sunday, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to “challenge the darkness” of the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.
Modi, who last month imposed a three-week long nationwide lockdown, asked citizens to turn out their lights for nine minutes at 9 p.m. on Sunday and to display lamps and candles in a show of solidarity. People across the country switched off lights. Some lit firecrackers, played drums, clapped and chanted slogans against the coronavirus. In some big cities like Mumbai and New Delhi, residents of some housing associations stood in balconies and sang patriotic songs. India has recorded 3,577 cases of the illness, with a death toll of 83. Authorities worry that the healthcare system would be overwhelmed if the disease took deep hold in the country of more than 1.3 billion.Modi, who last month imposed a three-week long nationwide lockdown, asked citizens to turn out their lights for nine minutes at 9 p.m. on Sunday and to display lamps and candles in a show of solidarity. People across the country switched off lights. Some lit firecrackers, played drums, clapped and chanted slogans against the coronavirus. In some big cities like Mumbai and New Delhi, residents of some housing associations stood in balconies and sang patriotic songs. India has recorded 3,577 cases of the illness, with a death toll of 83. Authorities worry that the healthcare system would be overwhelmed if the disease took deep hold in the country of more than 1.3 billion.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus as early as Tuesday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, as the number of infections topped 1,000 in the capital, Tokyo, Reuters reports.Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will declare a state of emergency over the coronavirus as early as Tuesday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, as the number of infections topped 1,000 in the capital, Tokyo, Reuters reports.
Abe will likely announce his plans to declare the emergency on Monday, the paper said. Under a law revised in March to cover the coronavirus, the prime minister can declare a state of emergency if the disease poses a “grave danger” to lives and if its rapid spread could have a huge impact on the economy. The virus has already increased Japan’s recession risk. The move would give governors in hard-hit regions legal authority to ask people to stay home and businesses to close, but not to impose the kind of lockdowns seen in other countries. In most cases, there are no penalties for ignoring requests, although public compliance would likely increase with an emergency declaration. More than 3,500 people have tested positive and 85 have died from the new coronavirus in Japan, according to public broadcaster NHK. While that toll is low compared with 335,000 infections and more than 9,500 deaths in the United States, experts worry about a sudden surge that could strain the medical system and leave patients with nowhere to go.Abe will likely announce his plans to declare the emergency on Monday, the paper said. Under a law revised in March to cover the coronavirus, the prime minister can declare a state of emergency if the disease poses a “grave danger” to lives and if its rapid spread could have a huge impact on the economy. The virus has already increased Japan’s recession risk. The move would give governors in hard-hit regions legal authority to ask people to stay home and businesses to close, but not to impose the kind of lockdowns seen in other countries. In most cases, there are no penalties for ignoring requests, although public compliance would likely increase with an emergency declaration. More than 3,500 people have tested positive and 85 have died from the new coronavirus in Japan, according to public broadcaster NHK. While that toll is low compared with 335,000 infections and more than 9,500 deaths in the United States, experts worry about a sudden surge that could strain the medical system and leave patients with nowhere to go.
Here is what we know so far about Nadia the Bronx Zoo tiger, who tested positive for coronavirus:
The New York Times reports that the US death toll from coronavirus is already “likely already much higher” than the 9,400 deaths officially reported.
For the last month, South Korea has been reporting around 100 new coronavirus cases per day.
On Monday, for the first time since 29 February, the Korea Centres for Disease control reported fewer than 50 cases.
The KCDC reported 47 new infections, taking the national tally to 10,284. The death toll rose by three to 186.
My colleague Alison Rourke has just pointed out that a month ago today, on 6 March, the US had confirmed just 214 coronavirus cases, according to Centers for Disease Control data.
Now it has 337,274.
Almost 10,000 Americans have died as a result of the pandemic, with the Johns Hopkins University currently listing 9,633 coronavirus-related deaths in the US.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests on Sunday in what Downing Street said was a “precautionary step” because he was showing persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after testing positive for the virus.
Here is some reaction following the news:
US president, Donald Trump, said in the White House Press Briefing: “I want to express our nation’s well wishes to Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he wages his own personal fight with the virus. All Americans are praying for him. He’s a friend of mine, he’s a great gentleman and a great leader, and as you know he went to the hospital today but I’m hopeful and sure that he’s going to be fine. He’s a strong man, a strong person.”
Keir Starmer, newly elected leader of the UK’s Labour party tweeted:
UK health secretary Matt Hancock:
Former foreign secretary and ex-conservative leadership rival Jeremy Hunt:
Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon:
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan
Acting Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey:
Buckingham Palace said Queen Elizabeth had been informed but had no further comment, Reuters reports.
Mainland China reported 39 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, all but one of them imported from abroad, up from the 30 reported a day earlier, as the number of asymptomatic cases also surged.
The National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday that 78 new asymptomatic cases had been identified as of the end of the day on Sunday, compared with 47 the day before.
Only one new death was recorded on April 5, the new data showed.
Trump touted hydroxychloroquine as a cure for Covid-19. Don’t believe the hype
Trump was influenced by a widely publicized study in France where 40 coronavirus patients were given hydroxychloroquine, with more than half experiencing the clearing of their airways within three to six days. This apparent improvement is important as it would curtail the timeframe in which infected people could spread Covid-19 to others.
However, experts have warned that the study is small and lacks sufficient rigor to be classed as evidence of a potential treatment. The French health ministry has warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19, with Olivier Véran, France’s health minister, saying that it shouldn’t be used by anyone with the exception of “serious forms of hospitalization and on the collegial decision of doctors and under strict medical supervision”.
We reported a few hours ago that earlier on Sunday Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top doctor on infectious diseases and a key member of the White House task force, was adamant there was nothing to suggest hydroxychloroquine had any benefit against coronavirus.
My colleague Richard Luscombe wrote:
Here is what happened when a reporter asked Fauci about the drug at Sunday evening’s White House press briefing.
In case you missed it, here are the main points from the White House press briefing that concluded a few minutes ago:
Trump said he is seeing glimmers of hope, “light at the end of the tunnel” thanks to work of medical workers and Americans’ social distancing.
Fauci reiterated this is going to be a very bad week as the curve flattens, but that they hope that it will get better in the weeks after. After the peak, mitigation is key to make sure it doesn’t rebound.
Trump repeatedly says Americans should try the untested drug hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus, said his administration has ordered 29m doses to be distributed across the United States.
Fema is airlifitng supplies to affected states, including millions of masks, gloves, and sterile gowns.
Trump took the opportunity to take digs at the governor of Illinois, CNN and a reporter from the Associated Press, calling CNN “fake news” for asking about the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine and telling the AP reporter, “You should be thanking them, not always asking wise guy questions.”
Hello and welcome to today’s live coronavirus pandemic coverage with me, Helen Sullivan.
As global cases approach 1.3 million and China is no longer in among the five worst-affected countries, Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital, ten days after testing positive for coronavirus.
You can get in touch throughout the day directly on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Donald Trump says US government has ordered 29m doses of hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria for which testing for its use to treat coronavirus is still under way. The drug has potentially harmful side effects. Personal protective gear is also being airlifted to US affected states, including millions of masks, gloves, and sterile gowns.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital for tests after showing persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after announcing that he had tested positive for the virus.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood has resigned after being criticised for not following her own social distancing guidance by visiting her second home.
Ireland’s premier Leo Varadkar has re-registered as a medical practitioner and will work one shift a week during the coronavirus crisis, Reuters reports.
Some 1,000 migrants have been placed under quarantine after an outbreak of Covid-19 at a camp at Hal Far in the south of Malta. The camp has been was surrounded by police and army trucks.
Daily death tolls slowed on Sunday in Italy, Spain and France. Italy registered 525 new coronavirus deaths on Sunday, the lowest daily rate since March 19. Spain recorded 674 deaths in the past 24 hours – the lowest daily death toll reported since March 26. In France, 357 people died from Covid-19 in hospitals, compared with 441 in the previous 24 hours.
Sweden’s government is drawing up legislation to allow it to take “extraordinary steps” to tackle Covid-19. On Sunday, Sweden reported a total of 401 deaths – an 8% increase from Saturday.
Belgium’s coronavirus outbreak appears to be reaching its peak according to reports after the number of intensive care hospitalisations rose from 1,245 to 1,261, while Austria’s the daily rate of new infections has fallen significantly in recent days.
A tiger at New York City’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive for the coronavirus, in the first known case of Covid-19 in an animal in the US, a zoo spokesman told Reuters on Sunday.
Ethiopia, Haiti and Barbados have reported their first coronavirus deaths.
Pakistan has quarantined 20,000 worshippers and is looking for tens of thousands of others who attended a religious event in Lahore in March. Authorities want to test or quarantine 100,000 people who were at the event held by the Tablighi Jamaat, an Islamic missionary movement.
Lebanon has started repatriating nationals in its first flights in weeks since it closed its international airport in response to the pandemic. Authorities said more than 20,000 people had signed up to be repatriated.
Pope Francis has celebrated Palm Sunday mass without the public due to the pandemic, which he said should focus people’s attention on what’s most important.
Singapore reported its highest one-day increase with 120 new cases of the virus on Sunday, compared to 75 on Saturday.