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Coronavirus live news: Trump threatens to stop WHO funding as global cases pass 1.4 million Coronavirus live news: Trump threatens to stop WHO funding as global cases pass 1.4 million
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson still in intensive care; top EU scientist resigns over bloc’s response to virus; cases in Africa pass 10,000; Follow the latest updates.Boris Johnson still in intensive care; top EU scientist resigns over bloc’s response to virus; cases in Africa pass 10,000; Follow the latest updates.
New York state suffers largest single-day increase in coronavirus deaths
New York suffered the highest single-day increase in its death toll from coronavirus, governor Andrew Cuomo reported on Tuesday, even as those in the state were still under orders to stay at home.
The governor noted the three-day average of hospitalizations was down, indicating the state is “reaching a plateau in the total number of hospitalizations”.
But the New York death toll continues to steeply rise. The state has recorded 5,489 deaths, up from 4,758 a day earlier. Those 731 deaths on Monday represent the highest single-day increase in the death toll since the crisis started.
At least 3,544 people have died in New York City from Covid-19 as of Tuesday afternoon, the city reported, a figure that eclipsed those killed in the 9/11 terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 2,753 people in the city.
New York has the highest number of cases of any US state, with 138,863 cases of coronavirus already confirmed. New York City has seen the largest number of cases and deaths within the state, with 74,601 cases.
Former Chinese property executive Ren Zhiqiang, who went missing last month after criticising President Xi Jinping over his handling of the coronovirus outbreak, is under investigation for “serious disciplinary violation”, the Beijing municipal anti-corruption watchdog said in a statement late on Tuesday.
Ren, a former top executive at state-controlled property developer Huayuan Real Estate Group and a member of the ruling Communist Party, had gone missing after calling Xi a “clown” in an essay following a speech by China’s leader, Reuters reported, citing his friends. The phrase “serious disciplinary violations” is often used by Chinese authorities in reference to graft investigations.
An Australian cruise company is working to disembark a stricken Antarctic cruise ship on which around 60% of the passengers and crew have been infected with coronavirus.
The Greg Mortimer has been anchored 20km off the coast of Uruguay since 27 March, but authorities in the South American country had until now refused to allow passengers to disembark.
‘Stranded at sea’: cruise ships around the world are adrift as ports turn them awayRead more
On Tuesday, the ship’s operator, Aurora Expeditions said that of 132 passengers and 85 crew, 128 people had tested positive for Covid-19. Most on board are understood to be Australian, although there are also citizens of New Zealand, the US and the UK.
“We found a ship where almost everyone has been infected,” said Karina Rando, one of 21 Uruguayan doctors dispatched to the ship. “We’ve done our utmost to prevent our own infection. Most of the passengers are well.”
Many of those who tested positive are still asymptomatic, but could still be at risk, said Rando.
Italy declares own ports ‘unsafe’ to stop migrants disembarking
The Italian government has declared its seaports “unsafe” due to the coronavirus pandemic, and will not authorise the landing of migrant rescue boats until the end of the emergency.
In a decree issued late on Tuesday, the government writes that “for the entire duration of the health emergency, due to the outbreak of coronavirus, Italian ports cannot be classified as ‘safe places’ for the landing of people rescued from boats flying a foreign flag.’’
‘Migrants never disappeared’: the lone rescue ship braving a pandemicRead more
The measure – the first of its kind in Italian history – appeared designed to prevent rescue boats from disembarking migrants in the upcoming weeks, as departures from Libya have increased in the last days with the arrival of good weather.
Here is Trump earlier saying the US would put a hold on funding for the World Health Organization. Later in that White House press briefing he backtracked and say that the hold wasn’t certain, but that the government was looking into it.
We’ll be bringing you a summary of Monday evening’s White House press briefing shortly. In the meantime:
Taking a short break from that White House briefing now to focus on London, where the first patients were admitted on Tuesday evening to the new NHS Nightingale hospital. The hospital was created in just nine days to help cope with the pandemic.Taking a short break from that White House briefing now to focus on London, where the first patients were admitted on Tuesday evening to the new NHS Nightingale hospital. The hospital was created in just nine days to help cope with the pandemic.
Some of the 4,000 beds in the health facility have already been taken up by Covid-19 patients.Some of the 4,000 beds in the health facility have already been taken up by Covid-19 patients.
A spokeswoman declined to say how many people were being treated at the custom-built field hospital at the ExCeL Centre in the capital’s Docklands.A spokeswoman declined to say how many people were being treated at the custom-built field hospital at the ExCeL Centre in the capital’s Docklands.
Opened by Prince Charles on Fridayand named after nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, it will need an army of up to 16,000 staff in clinical and ancillary roles to keep it running.Opened by Prince Charles on Fridayand named after nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale, it will need an army of up to 16,000 staff in clinical and ancillary roles to keep it running.
With more than 80 wards containing 42 beds each, the facility will be used to treat Covid-19 patients who have been transferred from other intensive care units across London.With more than 80 wards containing 42 beds each, the facility will be used to treat Covid-19 patients who have been transferred from other intensive care units across London.
Speaking at the White House press briefing Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, is asked about death rates globally. “I think in this country we have taken a very liberal approach to mortality reporting... There are other countries where if you had an existing condition... some countries are recording that as a heart issue or a kidney issue and not a Covid-19 death.”Speaking at the White House press briefing Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus response coordinator, is asked about death rates globally. “I think in this country we have taken a very liberal approach to mortality reporting... There are other countries where if you had an existing condition... some countries are recording that as a heart issue or a kidney issue and not a Covid-19 death.”
You can the White House press briefing live here:You can the White House press briefing live here:
Hello and welcome to today’s live coronavirus pandemic coverage.Hello and welcome to today’s live coronavirus pandemic coverage.
The world has passed another sombre milestone, with more than 1.4 million cases as we mark 100 days since the World Health Organization was first alerted to the virus in China.The world has passed another sombre milestone, with more than 1.4 million cases as we mark 100 days since the World Health Organization was first alerted to the virus in China.
Donald Trump meanwhile has threatened to withhold funding from the organization, which he has called “China-centric”.Donald Trump meanwhile has threatened to withhold funding from the organization, which he has called “China-centric”.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care, but has stabilised, according to foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is meanwhile running the country. We will be keeping a very close eye on any news of Johnson’s health.UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in intensive care, but has stabilised, according to foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is meanwhile running the country. We will be keeping a very close eye on any news of Johnson’s health.
Below are the most important recent development. I’ll be bringing you breaking news and other updates right here for the next few hours. A reminder that the best way to get in touch with me directly if you have questions, comments or news tips is on Twitter @helenrsullivan.Below are the most important recent development. I’ll be bringing you breaking news and other updates right here for the next few hours. A reminder that the best way to get in touch with me directly if you have questions, comments or news tips is on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
The British prime minister remains in intensive care. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is running the government while Boris Johnson receives treatment in hospital for coronavirus, says he is confident the prime minister will recover.The British prime minister remains in intensive care. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, who is running the government while Boris Johnson receives treatment in hospital for coronavirus, says he is confident the prime minister will recover.
Official global death toll passes 80,000. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, there are also at least 1,414,738 confirmed cases worldwide. Due to suspected under-reporting, these figures are likely to be lower than the true statistics.Official global death toll passes 80,000. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins University, there are also at least 1,414,738 confirmed cases worldwide. Due to suspected under-reporting, these figures are likely to be lower than the true statistics.
US president Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw funding from the World Health Organization, which he says is “China-centric” and “called every aspect [of the coronavirus crisis] wrong”. At Monday evening’s press briefing, after saying he would withdraw funding, he walked that back and said he was “looking into it”.US president Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw funding from the World Health Organization, which he says is “China-centric” and “called every aspect [of the coronavirus crisis] wrong”. At Monday evening’s press briefing, after saying he would withdraw funding, he walked that back and said he was “looking into it”.
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.
The chief executive of Square and Twitter, Jack Dorsey has pledged $1bn of his equity in the payments processor towards fighting the outbreak.The chief executive of Square and Twitter, Jack Dorsey has pledged $1bn of his equity in the payments processor towards fighting the outbreak.
EU’s top scientist reportedly resigns over bloc’s virus response. The Financial Times reported that Professor Mauro Ferrari has resigned as the president of the European Research Council (ERC), saying he has been “extremely disappointed by the European response to Covid-19”.EU’s top scientist reportedly resigns over bloc’s virus response. The Financial Times reported that Professor Mauro Ferrari has resigned as the president of the European Research Council (ERC), saying he has been “extremely disappointed by the European response to Covid-19”.
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.