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| Coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson in intensive care as confirmed cases in Africa pass 10,000 | Coronavirus live news: Boris Johnson in intensive care as confirmed cases in Africa pass 10,000 |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| UK foreign secretary to lead country; Japan declares state of emergency; China reports no deaths from Covid-19 | UK foreign secretary to lead country; Japan declares state of emergency; China reports no deaths from Covid-19 |
| My colleague, Kim Willsher, has an update on the situation in France: | |
| A UK doctor who specialised in treating the elderly has died after testing positive for Covid-19. | A UK doctor who specialised in treating the elderly has died after testing positive for Covid-19. |
| Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, who had a long association with Kingston hospital in south-west London, died on Saturday – four days after being admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. | Dr Anton Sebastianpillai, who had a long association with Kingston hospital in south-west London, died on Saturday – four days after being admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. |
| The consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967, finished his last shift on 20 March. A spokeswoman for Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: | The consultant geriatrician, who qualified as a doctor in Sri Lanka in 1967, finished his last shift on 20 March. A spokeswoman for Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust said: |
| Dr Sebastianpillai trained at the Peradeniya Medical School in Sri Lanka and qualified in 1967, according to the institution. In an obituary notice, he was referred to as a “distinguished alumnus”. | Dr Sebastianpillai trained at the Peradeniya Medical School in Sri Lanka and qualified in 1967, according to the institution. In an obituary notice, he was referred to as a “distinguished alumnus”. |
| The Canadian Grand Prix, which was due to take place in June, has been postponed. Montreal was due to host the first race of the disrupted 2020 schedule but a statement posted on the official Formula 1 website reads: | |
| The UK prime minister remains in intensive care. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is running the UK government while Boris Johnson receives treatment in hospital for coronavirus, says he is confident the prime minister will recover. | The UK prime minister remains in intensive care. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is running the UK government while Boris Johnson receives treatment in hospital for coronavirus, says he is confident the prime minister will recover. |
| Official global death toll passes 78,000. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, at least 78,269 people have now died worldwide, while at least 1,381,014 have been infected. Due to suspected under-reporting, these figures are likely to be lower than the true statistics. | Official global death toll passes 78,000. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, at least 78,269 people have now died worldwide, while at least 1,381,014 have been infected. Due to suspected under-reporting, these figures are likely to be lower than the true statistics. |
| More than 55,000 have now tested positive in the UK. According to the latest official figures, 213,181 people in the UK have been tested and 55,242 have been confirmed as having contracted the virus. Of those hospitalised with Covid-19, 6,159 have died. | More than 55,000 have now tested positive in the UK. According to the latest official figures, 213,181 people in the UK have been tested and 55,242 have been confirmed as having contracted the virus. Of those hospitalised with Covid-19, 6,159 have died. |
| Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, now has at least 10,000 cases – and experts believe the true scale of the outbreak is much greater. More than 1,700 of the cases are in South Africa, which has been rolling out an aggressive testing campaign. | Africa, the world’s second-largest continent, now has at least 10,000 cases – and experts believe the true scale of the outbreak is much greater. More than 1,700 of the cases are in South Africa, which has been rolling out an aggressive testing campaign. |
| Turkey has world’s fastest rising infection rate. The number is increasing by more than 3,000 a day, reaching 30,217 since the first case was confirmed four weeks ago. Reported fatalities remain much lower than other badly hit countries, at 649. | Turkey has world’s fastest rising infection rate. The number is increasing by more than 3,000 a day, reaching 30,217 since the first case was confirmed four weeks ago. Reported fatalities remain much lower than other badly hit countries, at 649. |
| The death toll in Italy continues to rise. The country reported 604 more deaths, though it marked the lowest day-to-day increase in new infections since introducing quarantine measures. New cases rose 0.9% to 880. | The death toll in Italy continues to rise. The country reported 604 more deaths, though it marked the lowest day-to-day increase in new infections since introducing quarantine measures. New cases rose 0.9% to 880. |
| The US is still obstructing medical supply shipment. Justin Trudeau says Canada still has more work to do to persuade Washington to ensure supplies flow freely, after it emerged Donald Trump had blocked a shipment of masks to Ontario. | The US is still obstructing medical supply shipment. Justin Trudeau says Canada still has more work to do to persuade Washington to ensure supplies flow freely, after it emerged Donald Trump had blocked a shipment of masks to Ontario. |
| The equivalent to 195m jobs are forecast to be lost in working hours as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the International Labour Organisation, which forecasts the global downturn to be far more damaging than the 2009 crash. | The equivalent to 195m jobs are forecast to be lost in working hours as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, according to the International Labour Organisation, which forecasts the global downturn to be far more damaging than the 2009 crash. |
| The WHO held off recommending face mask use. Experts say that, despite evidence suggesting widespread use of masks could help reduce the virus’ spread, they are insufficient on their own, despite many places making them mandatory. | The WHO held off recommending face mask use. Experts say that, despite evidence suggesting widespread use of masks could help reduce the virus’ spread, they are insufficient on their own, despite many places making them mandatory. |
| The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said it has been contacted by 6,000 short-term travellers in Pakistan who want to return home to the UK, confirming suspicions that the country is one of the blackspots for British nationals stranded because of the coronavirus pandemic, Lisa O’Carroll reports. | The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has said it has been contacted by 6,000 short-term travellers in Pakistan who want to return home to the UK, confirming suspicions that the country is one of the blackspots for British nationals stranded because of the coronavirus pandemic, Lisa O’Carroll reports. |
| It said it estimates there are as many as 100,000 British nationals in Pakistan, confirming a recent tweet by the high commissioner. | It said it estimates there are as many as 100,000 British nationals in Pakistan, confirming a recent tweet by the high commissioner. |
| He tweeted earlier today to thank the “50 people all working double shifts” to help the 6,000 people desperate to get home. | He tweeted earlier today to thank the “50 people all working double shifts” to help the 6,000 people desperate to get home. |
| The FCO said eight commercial flights were leaving the country this week and that the foreign secretary had responded to Emily Thornberry’s letter, signed by 75 MPs, calling for swift action to rescue British citizens trapped in Pakistan. | The FCO said eight commercial flights were leaving the country this week and that the foreign secretary had responded to Emily Thornberry’s letter, signed by 75 MPs, calling for swift action to rescue British citizens trapped in Pakistan. |
| “We know it’s a difficult time for many British travellers overseas, including in Pakistan, and we are working around the clock to bring people home. | “We know it’s a difficult time for many British travellers overseas, including in Pakistan, and we are working around the clock to bring people home. |
| “The foreign secretary is in close contact with his Pakistani counterpart to ensure routes are kept open between our two countries. Four flights carrying Brits departed Islamabad for the UK this weekend and we are doing everything we can so more flights can take off in the coming days,” said a spokesperson. | “The foreign secretary is in close contact with his Pakistani counterpart to ensure routes are kept open between our two countries. Four flights carrying Brits departed Islamabad for the UK this weekend and we are doing everything we can so more flights can take off in the coming days,” said a spokesperson. |
| Donald Trump has launched an attack on the World Health Organisation, calling it “China-centric” and accusing it of issuing bad advice at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic. | Donald Trump has launched an attack on the World Health Organisation, calling it “China-centric” and accusing it of issuing bad advice at the outset of the coronavirus pandemic. |
| China is under fire in Washington, particularly from Republicans, over the way it handled the pandemic and Trump has expressed doubt over the accuracy of Chinese statistics for cases and deaths, AFP reports. | China is under fire in Washington, particularly from Republicans, over the way it handled the pandemic and Trump has expressed doubt over the accuracy of Chinese statistics for cases and deaths, AFP reports. |
| However, Trump himself has been widely criticised for initially downplaying the virus, which he likened to an ordinary flu and said was under control in the United States, before later accepting that it was a national emergency. | However, Trump himself has been widely criticised for initially downplaying the virus, which he likened to an ordinary flu and said was under control in the United States, before later accepting that it was a national emergency. |
| More than 11,000 Americans have now died from Covid-19. | More than 11,000 Americans have now died from Covid-19. |
| Japanese government aid workers who worked on a $22.5m medical assistance package to help Iran fight coronavirus are pressing Tehran to make the final steps to release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, reports. | Japanese government aid workers who worked on a $22.5m medical assistance package to help Iran fight coronavirus are pressing Tehran to make the final steps to release Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s diplomatic editor, reports. |
| The British-Iranian dual national, who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in September 2016, has been on furlough on a tag for three weeks in Tehran, waiting to hear whether she will be allowed to return to her family in the UK. | The British-Iranian dual national, who was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment in September 2016, has been on furlough on a tag for three weeks in Tehran, waiting to hear whether she will be allowed to return to her family in the UK. |
| The Iranian prosecutor’s office is due to update the family on Wednesday on whether she has qualified for clemency under the terms set out by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but such deadlines have slipped in the past, reflecting tensions within the Iranian government. | The Iranian prosecutor’s office is due to update the family on Wednesday on whether she has qualified for clemency under the terms set out by the supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but such deadlines have slipped in the past, reflecting tensions within the Iranian government. |
| An analysis by researchers at Harvard university has found that air pollution is linked to significantly higher rates of death in people with Covid-19, writes Damian Carrington, the Guardian’s environment editor. | An analysis by researchers at Harvard university has found that air pollution is linked to significantly higher rates of death in people with Covid-19, writes Damian Carrington, the Guardian’s environment editor. |
| The work shows that even a tiny, single-unit increase in particle pollution levels in the years before the pandemic is associated with a 15% increase in the death rate. The research, done in the US, calculates that slightly cleaner air in Manhattan in the past could have saved hundreds of lives. | The work shows that even a tiny, single-unit increase in particle pollution levels in the years before the pandemic is associated with a 15% increase in the death rate. The research, done in the US, calculates that slightly cleaner air in Manhattan in the past could have saved hundreds of lives. |
| Given the large differences in toxic air levels across countries, the research suggests people in polluted areas are far more likely to die from the coronavirus than those living in cleaner areas. | Given the large differences in toxic air levels across countries, the research suggests people in polluted areas are far more likely to die from the coronavirus than those living in cleaner areas. |
| The scientists said dirty air was already known to increase the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is extremely deadly and a cause of Covid-19-related deaths, as well as other respiratory and heart problems. | The scientists said dirty air was already known to increase the risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome, which is extremely deadly and a cause of Covid-19-related deaths, as well as other respiratory and heart problems. |
| Kenya has reported 14 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, including eight males and six females aged between five and 56 years old. | Kenya has reported 14 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, including eight males and six females aged between five and 56 years old. |
| In a statement, the Kenyan ministry of health said: | In a statement, the Kenyan ministry of health said: |
| All have been taken to into isolation and contact tracing was underway, the ministry said. | All have been taken to into isolation and contact tracing was underway, the ministry said. |
| On Monday, the Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, announced he was banning movement into and out of the four regions most affected by the outbreak, including the capital Nairobi, for three weeks. He also also ordered Kenyans to wear masks while in public. | On Monday, the Kenyan president, Uhuru Kenyatta, announced he was banning movement into and out of the four regions most affected by the outbreak, including the capital Nairobi, for three weeks. He also also ordered Kenyans to wear masks while in public. |
| Kenyatta said in a televised address: | Kenyatta said in a televised address: |
| The country has reported a total of 172 confirmed cases of the disease. Six patients have died and seven have recovered. | The country has reported a total of 172 confirmed cases of the disease. Six patients have died and seven have recovered. |
| Cases of Covid-19 in Africa have now topped 10,000, though most experts believe the real number of infections is considerably higher, Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent, reports. | Cases of Covid-19 in Africa have now topped 10,000, though most experts believe the real number of infections is considerably higher, Jason Burke, the Guardian’s Africa correspondent, reports. |
| More than 1,700 of these are in South Africa, which has been rolling out an aggressive testing campaign. One particular cluster has given cause for concern - 66 people tested positive in a single hospital in the eastern city of Durban. | More than 1,700 of these are in South Africa, which has been rolling out an aggressive testing campaign. One particular cluster has given cause for concern - 66 people tested positive in a single hospital in the eastern city of Durban. |
| Health authorities said many - possibly most - were staff. | Health authorities said many - possibly most - were staff. |
| South Africa, which is into the 12th day of a stringent 21-day lockdown, has also got tough with those spreading conspiracy theories and misleading material about the virus. A man was in court today in Cape Town, facing charges related to his repeated posts on social media claiming that tests would pass on the virus. | South Africa, which is into the 12th day of a stringent 21-day lockdown, has also got tough with those spreading conspiracy theories and misleading material about the virus. A man was in court today in Cape Town, facing charges related to his repeated posts on social media claiming that tests would pass on the virus. |
| Aid organisations continue to raise deep concern about parts of the continent where health systems are most fragile. UN officials in Geneva raised potential issues in Somalia where there are only two health workers per 100,000 people compared to the global standard of twenty-five. | Aid organisations continue to raise deep concern about parts of the continent where health systems are most fragile. UN officials in Geneva raised potential issues in Somalia where there are only two health workers per 100,000 people compared to the global standard of twenty-five. |
| “A Covid 19 outbreak would devastate the already fragile healthcare system,” the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told reporters on Tuesday. | “A Covid 19 outbreak would devastate the already fragile healthcare system,” the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs told reporters on Tuesday. |
| There are also growing calls for dramatic measures to cushion the massive blow delivered by the pandemic to African economies, possibly through widespread cancellation of the massive debts run up by many countries over recent decades. | There are also growing calls for dramatic measures to cushion the massive blow delivered by the pandemic to African economies, possibly through widespread cancellation of the massive debts run up by many countries over recent decades. |
| This is more complicated than it sounds however. Once, it was just wealthy western countries and international institutions that were creditors. Now China’s government, banks and companies are owed as much as $160bn while African governments have raised over $55bn on international debt markets in the past two years alone. | This is more complicated than it sounds however. Once, it was just wealthy western countries and international institutions that were creditors. Now China’s government, banks and companies are owed as much as $160bn while African governments have raised over $55bn on international debt markets in the past two years alone. |