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Coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson in hospital as Japan prepares for state of emergency Coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson in hospital as Japan prepares for state of emergency
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US faces ‘hardest and saddest week’; South Korea reports fewer than 50 new cases; Bronx Zoo tiger tests positive; Follow the latest updates.US faces ‘hardest and saddest week’; South Korea reports fewer than 50 new cases; Bronx Zoo tiger tests positive; Follow the latest updates.
Monday briefing: Boris Johnson in hospital for ‘as long as needed’
Boris Johnson has been admitted to hospital and will stay for treatment “as long as needed” after failing to shake off the coronavirus. The prime minister was diagnosed with the disease 10 days ago and had been continuing to coordinate the government’s response to the crisis while self-isolating in Downing Street.
But No 10 said on Sunday night that Johnson had been taken to an NHS hospital in London after days of persistent symptoms, including a fever. Stressing that he was undergoing tests as a “precautionary” measure, No 10 said he would remain in charge of the government.
However, Dominic Raab, the foreign secretary and first secretary of state, is expected to stand in for the prime minister while he is in hospital and will chair the government’s coronavirus meeting this morning. Our health editor writes that the hospitalisation suggests the PM’s case may have progressed to the risky second stage where the immune system overreacts to the virus and ends up attacking the body’s own organs.
Export expectations in Germany’s car sector have fallen to their lowest level since March 2009, when Europe’s largest economy was in the throes of the global financial crisis, Germany’s Ifo institute said on Monday. “The prospects for the German car sector have significantly worsened due to the coronavirus crisis,” Ifo said. It said business expectations in the sector for the coming months had dropped to -33.7 from -19.7 in February.
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Russia defies calls to halt Victory Day parade rehearsals
Russia is holding rehearsals for its Victory Day parade, scheduled for 9 May despite the coronavirus crisis, as the Kremlin resists cancelling a patriotic holiday with major political significance.
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, is supposed to host France’s Emmanuel Macron and other world leaders at a military parade to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the second world war. The event is a significant historical landmark for Russia and a coveted photo opportunity to claim Putin’s re-emergence from political isolation in the west.
But with 12 million Muscovites confined to their apartments and a global pandemic ushering in a period of self-isolation, preparations for the parade have raised concerns in Russia.
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus infections rose by 3,677 in the past 24 hours to 95,391 on Monday, the fourth straight drop in the daily rate of new cases, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases. The number of new cases was lower than the 5,936 new infections reported on Sunday. The reported death toll rose by 92 to 1,434.
Thailand reported 51 new coronavirus cases and three more deaths on Monday, according to a spokesman for the government’s Center for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
That’s half as many cases as were reported the day before: on Sunday Thailand reported 102 new coronavirus cases.
Thirteen of the new cases were medical personnel who attended to infected patients or had activities with them, said the spokesman, Taweesin Wisanuyothin. More than half of the new cases were in Bangkok, he said. Thailand has confirmed 2,220 cases and 26 fatalities since the outbreak emerged in the country in January.
Calls to seal off ultra-Orthodox areas add to Israel’s virus tensions
Oliver Holmes and Quique Kierszenbaum report for the Guardian from Bethlehem.
It wasn’t a typical police operation. Two Israeli officers were to go undercover, although not posing as drug dealers or arms traffickers. For this particular assignment, they were to disguise themselves as ultra-Orthodox Jews.
Their mission on Friday was to bust an illegal gathering in a synagogue. People were praying together, a practice that is now against the law in the era of the coronavirus. Once the officers got inside to confirm the crowd, more units barged in and dispersed people.
Forces left the area, according to police, but: “An hour later, it was reported that people had returned again.” At that point, officers handed out fines amounting to nearly £4,000 (US$4,900).
The operation in the county’s north was one small part of a sometimes fruitless nationwide effort to impose Covid-19 restrictions on a deeply religious and often cut-off community that has been slow, or even opposed, to change their way of life.
Officials fear the result has been an explosion of cases in neighbourhoods populated with the minority, which makes up more than 12% of Israel’s nine million citizens.
Japan is expected to declare a state of emergency that may go into effect as early as Tuesday. 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.Japan is expected to declare a state of emergency that may go into effect as early as Tuesday. 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.
South Korea for the first time since 29 February reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases. For the last month, South Korea has been reporting around 100 new coronavirus cases per day.South Korea for the first time since 29 February reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases. For the last month, South Korea has been reporting around 100 new coronavirus cases per day.
Donald Trump said the US government had 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.Donald Trump said the US government had 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.
The United Nations’ biodiversity chief called for a global ban on wildlife markets – such as the one in Wuhan, China, believed to be the starting point of the coronavirus outbreak – to prevent future pandemics.The United Nations’ biodiversity chief called for a global ban on wildlife markets – such as the one in Wuhan, China, believed to be the starting point of the coronavirus outbreak – to prevent future pandemics.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests after showing persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after announcing that he had tested positive for the virus. The pound fell against the dollar in response to the news.UK prime minister Boris Johnson was admitted to hospital for tests after showing persistent symptoms of coronavirus 10 days after announcing that he had tested positive for the virus. The pound fell against the dollar in response to the news.
Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood resigned after being criticised for not following her own social distancing guidance by visiting her second home.Scotland’s chief medical officer Catherine Calderwood resigned after being criticised for not following her own social distancing guidance by visiting her second home.
Ireland’s premier Leo Varadkar re-registered as a medical practitioner and will work one shift a week during the coronavirus crisis.Ireland’s premier Leo Varadkar re-registered as a medical practitioner and will work one shift a week during the coronavirus crisis.
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. Six other tigers and lions are also believed to have been infected.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. Six other tigers and lions are also believed to have been infected.
In airlines news, British Airways announced it would suspend direct flights between the UK and Japan and 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.In airlines news, British Airways announced it would suspend direct flights between the UK and Japan and 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.
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.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.
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.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.
The Japanese government’s advisory panel on the new coronavirus outbreak will meet on Monday at 5am GMT (in roughly thirty minutes’ time) in preparation for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a state of emergency, the Nikkei business daily reported.The Japanese government’s advisory panel on the new coronavirus outbreak will meet on Monday at 5am GMT (in roughly thirty minutes’ time) in preparation for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to declare a state of emergency, the Nikkei business daily reported.
The state of emergency may go into effect as early as Tuesday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.The state of emergency may go into effect as early as Tuesday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported.
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.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.
Tokyo reported 143 cases on Sunday – its highest one-day increase – bringing the city’s total cases to 1,003. There are 6,654 cases nationally.Tokyo reported 143 cases on Sunday – its highest one-day increase – bringing the city’s total cases to 1,003. There are 6,654 cases nationally.
Ban wildlife markets to avert pandemics, says UN biodiversity chiefBan wildlife markets to avert pandemics, says UN biodiversity chief
The United Nations’ biodiversity chief has called for a global ban on wildlife markets – such as the one in Wuhan, China, believed to be the starting point of the coronavirus outbreak – to prevent future pandemics.The United Nations’ biodiversity chief has called for a global ban on wildlife markets – such as the one in Wuhan, China, believed to be the starting point of the coronavirus outbreak – to prevent future pandemics.
Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the acting executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said countries should move to prevent future pandemics by banning “wet markets” that sell live and dead animals for human consumption, but cautioned against unintended consequences.Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the acting executive secretary of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, said countries should move to prevent future pandemics by banning “wet markets” that sell live and dead animals for human consumption, but cautioned against unintended consequences.
China has issued a temporary ban on wildlife markets where animals such as civets, live wolf pups and pangolins are kept alive in small cages while on sale, often in filthy conditions where they incubate diseases that can then spill into human populations. Many scientists have urged Beijing to make the ban permanent.China has issued a temporary ban on wildlife markets where animals such as civets, live wolf pups and pangolins are kept alive in small cages while on sale, often in filthy conditions where they incubate diseases that can then spill into human populations. Many scientists have urged Beijing to make the ban permanent.
Using the examples of Ebola in west-central Africa and the Nipah virus in east Asia, Mrema said there were clear links between the destruction of nature and new human illnesses, but cautioned against a reactionary approach to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.Using the examples of Ebola in west-central Africa and the Nipah virus in east Asia, Mrema said there were clear links between the destruction of nature and new human illnesses, but cautioned against a reactionary approach to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
“The message we are getting is if we don’t take care of nature, it will take care of us,” she told the Guardian.“The message we are getting is if we don’t take care of nature, it will take care of us,” she told the Guardian.
Here’s a video from Trump’s press conference at the White House earlier, in which he again touted the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus.Here’s a video from Trump’s press conference at the White House earlier, in which he again touted the use of hydroxychloroquine to treat coronavirus.
Though the drug has not undergone tests to prove its effectiveness in treating the virus, Trump has continued to advocate for it, telling reporters: ‘What do you have to lose?’ Dr Anthony Fauci, the top doctor on infectious diseases in the US and a key member of the White House task force, told CBS Face the Nation program there was nothing to suggest the medicine had any benefit against coronavirus. ‘The data are really just at best suggestive. There have been cases that show there may be an effect and there are others to show there’s no effect’. When asked at the daily press briefing, Trump refused to allow Dr Fauci to answer questions about the drug’s effectiveness.Though the drug has not undergone tests to prove its effectiveness in treating the virus, Trump has continued to advocate for it, telling reporters: ‘What do you have to lose?’ Dr Anthony Fauci, the top doctor on infectious diseases in the US and a key member of the White House task force, told CBS Face the Nation program there was nothing to suggest the medicine had any benefit against coronavirus. ‘The data are really just at best suggestive. There have been cases that show there may be an effect and there are others to show there’s no effect’. When asked at the daily press briefing, Trump refused to allow Dr Fauci to answer questions about the drug’s effectiveness.
British Airways is suspending direct flights between the UK and Japan starting Wednesday:British Airways is suspending direct flights between the UK and Japan starting Wednesday:
New Zealand’s foreign affairs ministry has announced that it will charter a flight for New Zealanders stranded in from Peru.New Zealand’s foreign affairs ministry has announced that it will charter a flight for New Zealanders stranded in from Peru.
“On 24 March, we advised New Zealanders overseas that they should shelter safely in place if they could not return to New Zealand commercially. However, New Zealanders in Peru are finding it increasingly difficult to shelter safely in place given the complexities of the situation in-country,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.“On 24 March, we advised New Zealanders overseas that they should shelter safely in place if they could not return to New Zealand commercially. However, New Zealanders in Peru are finding it increasingly difficult to shelter safely in place given the complexities of the situation in-country,” Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said in a statement.
He continued:He continued:
Japanese social media celebrity Pikotaro has returned to grace us with his cheer during these dark times.Japanese social media celebrity Pikotaro has returned to grace us with his cheer during these dark times.
Pikotaro has reimagined his hit 2016 song Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP) (which has the Guinness World Record for being the shortest song to make it into the Billboard Hot 100 chart) as a hand-washing video, called Pray-for-People-and-Peace.Pikotaro has reimagined his hit 2016 song Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen (PPAP) (which has the Guinness World Record for being the shortest song to make it into the Billboard Hot 100 chart) as a hand-washing video, called Pray-for-People-and-Peace.
Fourteen people from the Coral Princess cruise ship, which docked in Florida over the weekend with coronavirus victims aboard, were hospitalised and one of them later died, authorities have confirmed. Two fatalities had been reported previously aboard the Coral Princess.Fourteen people from the Coral Princess cruise ship, which docked in Florida over the weekend with coronavirus victims aboard, were hospitalised and one of them later died, authorities have confirmed. Two fatalities had been reported previously aboard the Coral Princess.
The Princess Cruises ship, which docked Saturday in Miami, also began disembarking on Sunday fit passengers who were cleared for charter flights out. Passengers with symptoms of Covid-19 or recovering from it were being kept on the ship until medically cleared.The Princess Cruises ship, which docked Saturday in Miami, also began disembarking on Sunday fit passengers who were cleared for charter flights out. Passengers with symptoms of Covid-19 or recovering from it were being kept on the ship until medically cleared.
In a statement Sunday night, the Miami-Dade County mayor’s office said one of the six people removed on Saturday from the ship had died after being taken by private ambulance to a Hialeah hospital.In a statement Sunday night, the Miami-Dade County mayor’s office said one of the six people removed on Saturday from the ship had died after being taken by private ambulance to a Hialeah hospital.
Two other critical patients were hospitalised in Hialeah and three others whose conditions weren’t disclosed had been sent to a Tampa-area hospital. Eight others whose conditions weren’t disclosed were taken off the ship Sunday to hospitals.Two other critical patients were hospitalised in Hialeah and three others whose conditions weren’t disclosed had been sent to a Tampa-area hospital. Eight others whose conditions weren’t disclosed were taken off the ship Sunday to hospitals.
Mexico’s president unveiled a plan on Sunday to lift the economy out of the coronavirus crisis, vowing to help the poor and create jobs, but his promise of fiscal discipline sparked criticism that the measures fell far short of what was needed. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledged Mexico would create 2m new jobs in the next nine months and boost small business and housing loans. He also vowed to tighten public sector austerity to avoid debt. Mexico’s leftist leader, targeting measures for the “most vulnerable”, said he would use a budget stabilisation fund and cash from public trusts to fund plans to shield the poor from a slump economists expect to be severe.Mexico’s president unveiled a plan on Sunday to lift the economy out of the coronavirus crisis, vowing to help the poor and create jobs, but his promise of fiscal discipline sparked criticism that the measures fell far short of what was needed. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador pledged Mexico would create 2m new jobs in the next nine months and boost small business and housing loans. He also vowed to tighten public sector austerity to avoid debt. Mexico’s leftist leader, targeting measures for the “most vulnerable”, said he would use a budget stabilisation fund and cash from public trusts to fund plans to shield the poor from a slump economists expect to be severe.
Known by his initials “AMLO”, the president said Mexico would announce investments in the energy sector worth 339 billion pesos ($13.5 billion) to boost the economy, which some private analysts forecast to contract by up to 10% in 2020. That sum is far less than $92 billion in energy investments the private sector has proposed to the president. “The mechanisms that AMLO is thinking about are going to be completely insufficient to deal with this type of recession,” said Viri Rios, a Mexican political analyst.Known by his initials “AMLO”, the president said Mexico would announce investments in the energy sector worth 339 billion pesos ($13.5 billion) to boost the economy, which some private analysts forecast to contract by up to 10% in 2020. That sum is far less than $92 billion in energy investments the private sector has proposed to the president. “The mechanisms that AMLO is thinking about are going to be completely insufficient to deal with this type of recession,” said Viri Rios, a Mexican political analyst.
Gustavo de Hoyos, head of employers’ federation Coparmex, was scathing about the economic plan.Gustavo de Hoyos, head of employers’ federation Coparmex, was scathing about the economic plan.
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 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.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.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.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.