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Coronavirus live news: China's Wuhan city reopens as Boris Johnson spends second night in intensive care Coronavirus live news: China's Wuhan city reopens as Boris Johnson spends second night in intensive care
(32 minutes later)
Scientists predict UK will be worst-hit country in Europe; Trump threatens to stop WHO funding; Global cases pass 1.4 millionScientists predict UK will be worst-hit country in Europe; Trump threatens to stop WHO funding; Global cases pass 1.4 million
Cases of the virus have risen to 8,672 in Russia, after they increased by more than 1,000 for the second day running.
The crisis response centre reported on Wednesday that the number of cases had gone up by 1,175, a record daily rise, while the number of people who have died has increased by five to 63.
French flagship military aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, is on its way back to port after staff on board showed symptoms in line with those of the coronavirus.
France’s armed forces ministry said on Wednesday that around 40 staff members were currently under strict medical observation.
Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey has pledged to donate $1bn (£800m) to fund coronavirus research.Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey has pledged to donate $1bn (£800m) to fund coronavirus research.
Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter in 2006 and went on to found payments company Square, tweeted on Tuesday that he was donating $1bn of Square shares to a charitable fund, called Start Small, to “fund global Covid-19 relief”.Dorsey, who co-founded Twitter in 2006 and went on to found payments company Square, tweeted on Tuesday that he was donating $1bn of Square shares to a charitable fund, called Start Small, to “fund global Covid-19 relief”.
Dorsey, 43, said the donation was equivalent to about 28% of his wealth. Dorsey has a fortune of about $3.9bn, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.Dorsey, 43, said the donation was equivalent to about 28% of his wealth. Dorsey has a fortune of about $3.9bn, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Singapore has announced new plans to boost food production, including by turning car park rooftops into urban farms, as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts global supply chains.Singapore has announced new plans to boost food production, including by turning car park rooftops into urban farms, as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupts global supply chains.
The city-state only produces around 10% of its food needs, but restrictions on population movement are wreaking havoc on farming and food supply chains – raising concern of shortages and price increases.The city-state only produces around 10% of its food needs, but restrictions on population movement are wreaking havoc on farming and food supply chains – raising concern of shortages and price increases.
“The current COVID-19 situation underscores the importance of local food production, as part of Singapore’s strategies to ensure food security,” authorities said in a statement.“The current COVID-19 situation underscores the importance of local food production, as part of Singapore’s strategies to ensure food security,” authorities said in a statement.
“Local food production mitigates our reliance on imports, and provides buffer in the event of food supply disruptions.”“Local food production mitigates our reliance on imports, and provides buffer in the event of food supply disruptions.”
Authorities have assured residents that Singapore has sufficient food supplies amid bouts of panic buying, but aim to ramp up local production over the coming months.Authorities have assured residents that Singapore has sufficient food supplies amid bouts of panic buying, but aim to ramp up local production over the coming months.
Under the plans, a $21m grant will be provided to support the production of eggs, leafy vegetables and fish, as well as identifying alternative farming spaces such as vacant industrial sites.Under the plans, a $21m grant will be provided to support the production of eggs, leafy vegetables and fish, as well as identifying alternative farming spaces such as vacant industrial sites.
As part of the project, the Singapore food agency will next month launch a tender for rooftop farms on public housing car parks for urban farming.As part of the project, the Singapore food agency will next month launch a tender for rooftop farms on public housing car parks for urban farming.
Loans worth €6bn ($6.5bn) to bail out airline group Air France-KLM is a “realistic” figure, a French junior transport minister has said.Loans worth €6bn ($6.5bn) to bail out airline group Air France-KLM is a “realistic” figure, a French junior transport minister has said.
“You are talking about an amount which is not unrealistic, I can confirm that,” Jean-Baptiste Djebbari told French news channel LCI TV on Wednesday.“You are talking about an amount which is not unrealistic, I can confirm that,” Jean-Baptiste Djebbari told French news channel LCI TV on Wednesday.
He added that the possible aid package was being discussed by the French finance ministry and the Dutch government.He added that the possible aid package was being discussed by the French finance ministry and the Dutch government.
Airlines across the globe grounded most of their fleets as global demand for flights plummeted amid travel bans to prevent the spread of coronavirus.Airlines across the globe grounded most of their fleets as global demand for flights plummeted amid travel bans to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
In the US, airlines will receive nearly $60bn in financial assistance as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.In the US, airlines will receive nearly $60bn in financial assistance as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
New cases of Covid-19 have risen in Germany for the second day after four days of drops, data from the Robert Koch Institute has shown.New cases of Covid-19 have risen in Germany for the second day after four days of drops, data from the Robert Koch Institute has shown.
The number of confirmed infections grew by 4,003 in the past 24 hours to 103,228 on Wednesday.The number of confirmed infections grew by 4,003 in the past 24 hours to 103,228 on Wednesday.
The federal government agency also reported that the death toll rose by 254 to 1,861.The federal government agency also reported that the death toll rose by 254 to 1,861.
It is not unusual for a dip to be followed by a rise in the number of cases in Germany after a weekend due to the way in which they report data.
The last-minute decision to carry out the May presidential election by post in Poland due to the coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns, EU values and transparency commissioner Vera Jourova has said.The last-minute decision to carry out the May presidential election by post in Poland due to the coronavirus pandemic has raised concerns, EU values and transparency commissioner Vera Jourova has said.
“I followed this process very closely. I’m concerned about free and fair elections and the quality of voting, of the legality and constitutionality of such a vote,” she told the Polish daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita on Wednesday.“I followed this process very closely. I’m concerned about free and fair elections and the quality of voting, of the legality and constitutionality of such a vote,” she told the Polish daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita on Wednesday.
This week, the country’s parliament, where ruling nationalists, the Law and Justice party, have a majority in alliance with two other parties, backed a plan to conduct the election on 10 May by postal ballot to limit the risks of spreading the virus.This week, the country’s parliament, where ruling nationalists, the Law and Justice party, have a majority in alliance with two other parties, backed a plan to conduct the election on 10 May by postal ballot to limit the risks of spreading the virus.
Critics accuse the party of prioritising its own political interests over public health.Critics accuse the party of prioritising its own political interests over public health.
This is Amy Walker, taking over the global liveblog from my colleague Helen Sullivan. You can get in touch or follow me on Twitter (@amyrwalker).This is Amy Walker, taking over the global liveblog from my colleague Helen Sullivan. You can get in touch or follow me on Twitter (@amyrwalker).
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. I leave you now in the company of my colleague Amy Walker.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. I leave you now in the company of my colleague Amy Walker.
It has been 100 days since the WHO was first alerted to the existence of a new virus. Not sure about you, but where I’m sitting (at home) it feels a lot longer.It has been 100 days since the WHO was first alerted to the existence of a new virus. Not sure about you, but where I’m sitting (at home) it feels a lot longer.
My colleague Michael Safi takes you through the first three-and-a-bit months of the coronavirus crisis in the story below. It’s well worth a read. What a way to start the new decade.My colleague Michael Safi takes you through the first three-and-a-bit months of the coronavirus crisis in the story below. It’s well worth a read. What a way to start the new decade.
Campaigners have welcomed the relaxation of immigration restrictions by governments across Europe and the Americas to allow doctors, nurses and other key workers from refugee and migrant communities to join efforts against coronavirus.Campaigners have welcomed the relaxation of immigration restrictions by governments across Europe and the Americas to allow doctors, nurses and other key workers from refugee and migrant communities to join efforts against coronavirus.
And they urged countries still preventing medically trained asylum seekers from working – including Britain – to follow suitAnd they urged countries still preventing medically trained asylum seekers from working – including Britain – to follow suit
Fears of power vacuum as PM stays in ICUFears of power vacuum as PM stays in ICU
Boris Johnson has spent a second night in intensive care in a “stable” condition with coronavirus symptoms as questions about who was running the country continued to rage. The prime minister was said to be breathing without assistance and was conscious at St Thomas’ hospital in London.Boris Johnson has spent a second night in intensive care in a “stable” condition with coronavirus symptoms as questions about who was running the country continued to rage. The prime minister was said to be breathing without assistance and was conscious at St Thomas’ hospital in London.
Dominic Raab, who is the prime minister’s “designated survivor”, led the daily government briefing yesterday and said the PM would “pull through”. But it remains unclear how long Johnson will be in hospital and Raab said he would need cabinet agreement to reach any major decision such as lifting the lockdown. No 10 said last night that there would be no review of the curbs next week as promised by Johnson when he introduced them three weeks ago.Dominic Raab, who is the prime minister’s “designated survivor”, led the daily government briefing yesterday and said the PM would “pull through”. But it remains unclear how long Johnson will be in hospital and Raab said he would need cabinet agreement to reach any major decision such as lifting the lockdown. No 10 said last night that there would be no review of the curbs next week as promised by Johnson when he introduced them three weeks ago.
It was a testing day for Raab as Britain recorded its biggest daily death toll so far and an American university forecast that the UK would be the worst-hit country in Europe. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty also admitted the UK must learn from Germany, where the death rate has been far lower.It was a testing day for Raab as Britain recorded its biggest daily death toll so far and an American university forecast that the UK would be the worst-hit country in Europe. Chief medical officer Chris Whitty also admitted the UK must learn from Germany, where the death rate has been far lower.
How did coronavirus start and where did it come from? Was it really Wuhan’s animal market?How did coronavirus start and where did it come from? Was it really Wuhan’s animal market?
In the public mind, the origin story of coronavirus seems well fixed: in late 2019, someone at the now-world-famous Huanan seafood market in Wuhan was infected with a virus from an animal.In the public mind, the origin story of coronavirus seems well fixed: in late 2019, someone at the now-world-famous Huanan seafood market in Wuhan was infected with a virus from an animal.
The rest is part of an awful history still in the making, with Covid-19 spreading from that first cluster in the capital of China’s Hubei province to a pandemic that has killed about 80,000 people so far.The rest is part of an awful history still in the making, with Covid-19 spreading from that first cluster in the capital of China’s Hubei province to a pandemic that has killed about 80,000 people so far.
But there is uncertainty about several aspects of the Covid-19 origin story that scientists are trying hard to unravel, including which species passed it to a human. They’re trying hard because knowing how a pandemic starts is a key to stopping the next one.But there is uncertainty about several aspects of the Covid-19 origin story that scientists are trying hard to unravel, including which species passed it to a human. They’re trying hard because knowing how a pandemic starts is a key to stopping the next one.
Here is a wrap of the most important developments over the last few hours.Here is a wrap of the most important developments over the last few hours.
Donald Trump has criticised the World Health Organization (WHO), and by implication Beijing, saying the global body is “China-centric” and “biased” towards the rival superpower.Donald Trump has criticised the World Health Organization (WHO), and by implication Beijing, saying the global body is “China-centric” and “biased” towards the rival superpower.
As Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, began to return to normal life, Trump said the WHO had “been wrong about a lot of things”, and threatened to put a hold on WHO funding. When asked if that was a good idea during a pandemic, Trump denied saying it, and then said they would “look at it”.As Wuhan, the city at the centre of the outbreak, began to return to normal life, Trump said the WHO had “been wrong about a lot of things”, and threatened to put a hold on WHO funding. When asked if that was a good idea during a pandemic, Trump denied saying it, and then said they would “look at it”.
The US has nearly 400,000 cases, and 13,000 deaths, compared with close to 83,000 cases in China and 3,337 deaths. Globally, there are more than 1.4m cases and just over 82,000 deaths.The US has nearly 400,000 cases, and 13,000 deaths, compared with close to 83,000 cases in China and 3,337 deaths. Globally, there are more than 1.4m cases and just over 82,000 deaths.
Meanwhile, the British prime minister, Boris Johnson has spent a second night in intensive care amid concerns about the seriousness of his condition, and the power vacuum he leaves behind. His “designated survivor”, Dominic Raab, still requires cabinet approval for major decisions.Meanwhile, the British prime minister, Boris Johnson has spent a second night in intensive care amid concerns about the seriousness of his condition, and the power vacuum he leaves behind. His “designated survivor”, Dominic Raab, still requires cabinet approval for major decisions.
There are fears the UK will become the worst hit country in Europe, with more than 40% of the continent’s deaths, according to forecasts.There are fears the UK will become the worst hit country in Europe, with more than 40% of the continent’s deaths, according to forecasts.