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Coronavirus live news: WHO says situation in Europe still 'very concerning' as China's Wuhan city reopens Coronavirus live news: WHO says situation in Europe still 'very concerning' as China's Wuhan city reopens
(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
Spain has reported 757 deaths in the past 24 hours, a slight increase from the 743 deaths reported one day earlier, writes Ashifa Kassam in Madrid.
The virus has now claimed 14,555 lives in the country, while another 146,690 have tested positive, according to the health ministry.
This week has seen the daily death toll grow by 5% as compared to around 9% one week earlier the country’s health minister said Wednesday. “We have reached the peak of the curve and we are in a slowdown phase,” Salvador Illa told parliament.
The latest figures come amid speculation that the actual number of Covid-19 deaths in Spain is much higher than official figures.
Recently released data from judicial authorities in Madrid, for example, suggest that 6,600 more people than usual died in the last two weeks of March, compared to the official tally of 3,500 Covid-19 deaths in the region.
When pressed, Spain’s health minister argued that Spain’s criteria ranks among the most stringent in Europe. “Everyone who tests positive and dies is counted as having died due to the coronavirus,” Illa told reporters.
His explanation suggests that those who have died in elderly care homes and private residences – the vast majority of whom were not tested for the virus – are not included in the data.
Spain’s justice ministry has responded by requesting judicial authorities to urgently send all records of burials and cremations that have taken place since emergency measures were imposed in mid-March, according to broadcaster Cadena Ser.
The confusion over the official figures comes as the Spanish government seeks to gauge the spread of the virus across the country. In the coming days, the health ministry said it would begin mass testing on more than 62,000 randomly chosen people.
After hard-hit regions such as Madrid and Catalonia instructed people with mild symptoms to self-isolate rather than seek testing, health officials in Spain have estimated that as many 90% of the country’s cases may have gone undetected.
More than 17,000 people in Australia have joined a movement to stage a rent and mortgage payment strike, as many people in the country face running out of money as they are forced to self-isolate.
With the global lockdown hammering vital sectors including hospitality and tourism, many workers face destitution from lost jobs or slashed hours, or from running out of limited sick pay entitlements if they are forced to take time off work.
A campaign to raise awareness of the strike, created by the local chapter of the Industrial Workers of the World union, is running on the Megaphone website - with 17,115 signatories so far.
It comes as calls for rent strikes are growing across the world, including in the US, where renters in California are calling for collective action, and in the UK, where groups of students at two universities, Bristol and SOAS, have already begun withholding rent.
In a statement on Megaphone, the Australian campaign organisers say:
Here’s a roundup of some of the most important developments over the last few hours:
The World Health Organization has said it is “deeply concerned” over the development of Covid-19 in Europe. Regional director Dr Hans Henri P Kluge said the continent accounted for about half of confirmed cases globally and warned governments against relaxing lockdown measures.
Mumbai is to extend its lockdown until at least 30 April. The city, which has a population of more than 20 million, has become the centre of the country’s coronavirus outbreak. Other parts of India are scheduled to lift restrictions on Tuesday.
Singapore has announced plans to boost food production amid concerns over shortages. As part of the plans, the city-state, which produces only 10% of its food needs, will turn carpark rooftops into urban farms.
Italy has closed its ports to migrant ships because of the pandemic. The decision, made by the government late last night, means charity migrant boats can no longer dock.
Concerns are mounting over the spread of the virus in Greek refugee camps. The government has said new asylum requests will not be examined during the crisis, leaving thousands trapped in camps. A total of 1,832 cases have been confirmed in the country.
The UK is “nowhere near lifting the lockdown”, according to the London mayor. Sadiq Khan made the comments as the prime minister, Boris Johnson, remained in intensive care with symptoms of the virus.
That’s it from me, Amy Walker, for today. I’ll be handing over to my colleague Damien Gayle.
Germany will take in up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps over the coming weeks, foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday, in an effort to ease the pressure on the camps caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
“We said (to the Greek authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) that we want to take in between 350 and 500 children in the next few weeks,” Maas said in an interview with the RTL/ntv broadcaster, AFP reports.
The minister said he hoped other countries would follow suit. “We want to set an example here.”
The transfers could begin next week, the interior ministry said in a statement.
The children and adolescents, who arrived at the camps without their parents, “will at first be placed in quarantine for two weeks” before being housed in various regions, the ministry said.
This is Damien Gayle taking over this live blog for the next eight or so hours, with the latest updates in coronavirus news from around the world.This is Damien Gayle taking over this live blog for the next eight or so hours, with the latest updates in coronavirus news from around the world.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage - particularly about regions or topics we’re lacking - please do send me an email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or a direct message via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle. If you’re sending us news from your area, if possible please do include a link so that I can source the information in any blog post I write. If you have any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage – particularly about regions or topics we’re lacking - please do send me an email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or a direct message via my Twitter profile, @damiengayle. If you’re sending us news from your area, if possible please do include a link so that I can source the information in any blog post I write.
I try my best to get to all messages, but it is not always possible, so if I miss yours then please accept my apologies in advance!I try my best to get to all messages, but it is not always possible, so if I miss yours then please accept my apologies in advance!
Ethiopia has declared a state of emergency in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.Ethiopia has declared a state of emergency in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Twitter: “The Ethiopian government has declared an emergency because of the worsening epidemic.”Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s office said on Twitter: “The Ethiopian government has declared an emergency because of the worsening epidemic.”
There are 52 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 in Ethiopia, and two people have died, according to John Hopkins University.There are 52 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 in Ethiopia, and two people have died, according to John Hopkins University.
During an update on the development of the virus on the continent, regional director Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge said the “progress” Europe had made so far was “extremely fragile. He added: During an update on the development of the virus on the continent, regional director Dr Hans Henri P Kluge said the “progress” Europe had made so far was “extremely fragile. He added:
He warned that while the death toll was beginning to level off in hard-hit countries Italy and Spain, now was “not the time” to relax measures.He warned that while the death toll was beginning to level off in hard-hit countries Italy and Spain, now was “not the time” to relax measures.
Seven of the top 10 countries that are most affected by the virus are located in Europe, where as of this morning, 687,236 people have tested positive and 52,824 people have died.Seven of the top 10 countries that are most affected by the virus are located in Europe, where as of this morning, 687,236 people have tested positive and 52,824 people have died.
Russia reported a record increase in new coronavirus cases for a third straight day as the country’s tally of confirmed infections rose above 8,600.Russia reported a record increase in new coronavirus cases for a third straight day as the country’s tally of confirmed infections rose above 8,600.
Health officials reported 1,175 new cases in the country, a 15.7% increase to bring Russia’s total number of cases to 8,672.Health officials reported 1,175 new cases in the country, a 15.7% increase to bring Russia’s total number of cases to 8,672.
It recorded 1,154 new cases on Tuesday and 954 on Monday. The majority of the cases are located in Moscow, where 12 million city residents have been told to stay at home until the end of April.It recorded 1,154 new cases on Tuesday and 954 on Monday. The majority of the cases are located in Moscow, where 12 million city residents have been told to stay at home until the end of April.
Veronika Skvortsova, a senior Russian health official, said yesterday that Russia should expect to reach its peak for infections in the next 10-14 days, with the plateau lasting until mid-June.Veronika Skvortsova, a senior Russian health official, said yesterday that Russia should expect to reach its peak for infections in the next 10-14 days, with the plateau lasting until mid-June.
“Now is not the time to relax measures, it is the time to once again double and triple our collective efforts to drive towards suppression,” says Kluge.“Now is not the time to relax measures, it is the time to once again double and triple our collective efforts to drive towards suppression,” says Kluge.
He adds stresses that knowledge of the virus, and some positive signs from some countries does not yet represent victory.He adds stresses that knowledge of the virus, and some positive signs from some countries does not yet represent victory.
“Infection occurs across all ages but proportionally less in children under the age of 15,” says Kluge.“Infection occurs across all ages but proportionally less in children under the age of 15,” says Kluge.
“The burden of severe disease is greater in older people, particularly men and those with underlying health conditions.”“The burden of severe disease is greater in older people, particularly men and those with underlying health conditions.”
“Although the majority of cases remain mild, almost 40% result in hospitalisation and 5% require intensive care. Among those who have lost their lives, two-thirds are male and 95% are over the age of 60.“Although the majority of cases remain mild, almost 40% result in hospitalisation and 5% require intensive care. Among those who have lost their lives, two-thirds are male and 95% are over the age of 60.
“Most of these individuals had one or a combination of underlying conditions. Cardiovascular disease in 66%, diabetes in 29% and renal disease in 21%.”“Most of these individuals had one or a combination of underlying conditions. Cardiovascular disease in 66%, diabetes in 29% and renal disease in 21%.”
In both Spain and Italy, the “daily death toll is levelling off”, says Kluge.In both Spain and Italy, the “daily death toll is levelling off”, says Kluge.
He adds that 10 days after the implementation of broad public health and social measures, cases began to decline in Germany.He adds that 10 days after the implementation of broad public health and social measures, cases began to decline in Germany.
Mortality rates and the median age of confirmed cases in the country are lower than the average elsewhere. Kluge said:Mortality rates and the median age of confirmed cases in the country are lower than the average elsewhere. Kluge said:
Cases of coronavirus in Europe account for about half of those globally, says WHO regional director Dr Hans Henri P Kluge.Cases of coronavirus in Europe account for about half of those globally, says WHO regional director Dr Hans Henri P Kluge.
Seven of the top 10 countries that are most affected by the virus are located in Europe.Seven of the top 10 countries that are most affected by the virus are located in Europe.
New confirmed cases on the continent continue to increase, with the total number of confirmed cases standing at 687,236 as of this morning, including 52,824 deaths.New confirmed cases on the continent continue to increase, with the total number of confirmed cases standing at 687,236 as of this morning, including 52,824 deaths.
The World Health Organization has begun a situation update on the outbreak of Covid-19 in Europe.The World Health Organization has begun a situation update on the outbreak of Covid-19 in Europe.
If further evidence were needed, there are more signs this morning of coronavirus hitting the most vulnerable – in this case refugees.
Greece’s alternate minister for migration, Giorgos Koumoutsakos, says new asylum requests will not be examined until the asylum service and its officers – who must meet applicants in person – can operate again. The news will be a blow for the thousands trapped in camps often forced to wait years for asylum applications to be processed.
But speaking to Thema 104,6 radio on Wednesday, Koumoutsakos said migrants and refugees would “have the right to submit requests”.
And he sought to clear up confusion over the estimated 2,000 people who had slipped into Greece from Turkey after 1 March when Athens suspended asylum applications in response to Ankara announcing it was relaxing controls and opening the gates to Europe. “They will be judged on a personal basis, and quickly, and so very soon we will know who among them is in need of international protection and who is not and can be returned back [to their countries].”
Greek authorities were forced over the weekend to place a second migrant facility outside Athens in quarantine because of coronavirus fears.
The two camps – in Ritsona and Malakassa – will be sealed off for two weeks. Police reinforcements have been dispatched to enforce the lockdown, patrolling the periphery of both round the clock. The move came after testing revealed infections in the installations.
Those now diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease have been isolated in both sites, among 30 on the Greek mainland. The development has raised concerns for the 36,000 men, women and children living in vastly overcrowded camps on Aegean islands facing the Turkish coast where social distancing and other precautionary measures in the age of the novel virus are an impossible privilege.
By Tuesday evening, a total of 1,832 coronavirus cases had been confirmed in Greece with authorities announcing that 81 people had died.
Italy has closed its ports to migrant ships because of the coronavirus epidemic.
The government ruled on Tuesday evening that ports cannot be considered safe and will not let charity migrant boats dock.
The decision was taken after German non-profit organisation Sea-Eye headed towards Italy after picking up 150 people off Libya in one of its ships.
“For the entire duration of the national health emergency caused by the spread of the Covid-19 virus, Italian ports cannot guarantee the requisites needed to be classified and defined as a place of safety,” the decree said.
Although the national emergency is set to end on 31 July, the deadline could be extended.
While the UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, is in hospital with coronavirus symptoms, the foreign secretary, Dominic Raab, is deputising.
Our political correspondent Peter Walker looks into what this actually means and what powers Raab will have in this explainer:
Irish police are to increase checkpoints and patrols this weekend to deter Easter travel, hardening what has until now been a soft application of lockdown in Ireland.
The minister for health, Simon Harris, on Tuesday night signed regulations giving gardaí new powers to restrict people’s movements and gatherings over the next five days. Penalties for violations include fines of up to €2,500 and up to six months in prison.
A person cannot leave home without a reasonable excuse, including legal, medical and family obligations, accessing essential services, and exercising within 2km of home. Gardai are expected to be especially vigilant at parks and beauty spots.
Restrictions on social and commercial life are due to expire on Sunday but authorities have signalled they will be extended.
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”.
You can read the full report by Guardian Australia reporter Helen Davidson here:
India’s financial hub Mumbai is set to extend lockdown measures until at least 30 April, officials have said.
A three week nationwide lockdown imposed by prime minister Narendra Modi is officially set to end next Tuesday.
But in Mumbai, authorities are racing to expand testing to slow down the spread of coronavirus cases.
The city, which has a population of more than 20 million, has become India’s virus epicentre.
On Wednesday, the latest health bulletin reported 782 positive cases and 50 deaths.
“In Mumbai cases are rising too fast. In just 24 hours 100 cases were reported on Tuesday,” said one of three senior officials who spoke to Reuters.
He added that an extension of current measures for at least another two weeks was necessary to stop Covid-19 from spreading in one of the world’s most populated cities.
Yesterday, our south Asia correspondent Hannah Ellis-Peterson and freelance journalist Shaikh Azizur Rahman wrote about the scramble to contain the virus in one of Mumbai’s slums.
A midnight light show lit up the sky in Wuhan as the former centre of the coronavirus outbreak celebrated its ‘reopening’.
On Wednesday, the Chinese city began lifting outbound travel restrictions after nearly 11 weeks of lockdown.
Skyscrapers and bridges across the Yangtze river radiated with images of health workers, troops, police officers and other key workers.
The UK is nowhere near ready to lift the lockdown measures it put in place to tackle the spread of Covid-19, London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has said.
Prime minister Boris Johnson, who is currently in intensive care after his coronavirus symptoms worsened, imposed the measures on 23 March, saying that they would be reviewed after three weeks.
With the date approaching, Khan told the BBC on Wednesday: “I think we are nowhere near lifting the lockdown.
“We think the peak, which is the worst part of the virus, is still probably a week and a half away.”
My colleague Sarah Marsh is currently running a separate liveblog with updates on the development of coronavirus in the UK:
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.