This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/apr/08/coronavirus-live-news-us-trump-threatens-who-funding-uk-boris-johnson-global-cases-latest-updates

The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 24 Version 25
Coronavirus live news: WHO says situation in Europe still 'very concerning' as Wuhan reopens Coronavirus live news: WHO says situation in Europe still 'very concerning' as Wuhan 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
Several passengers on an Indonesian ferry jumped into the sea and swam ashore after authorities sought to block the vessel docking due to fears of suspected coronavirus cases, as tensions rise over the spread of the disease across the archipelago.
The ferry was blocked when trying to make port in Maumere in the eastern island of Flores, amid fears three crew members on board had contracted the virus, reports Reuters.
Passengers flung themselves into the sea in life vests and swam ashore.
The ferry was carrying 255 passengers, mostly migrant workers returning home from Malaysia, after the neighbouring country imposed a coronavirus lockdown. As of Wednesday, Indonesia had recorded 2,956 cases of the coronavirus and 240 deaths, with many of the cases in the capital Jakarta though a growing number in other provinces.
A scientist who adapted his veterinary lab to test for disease among humans rather than salmon is being celebrated for helping the Faroe Islands avoid coronavirus deaths, where a larger proportion of the population has been tested than anywhere in the world.
The north Atlantic archipelago currently has only one person in hospital with Covid-19 and it is one of five European countries, along with Latvia, Georgia, Malta and Liechtenstein to so far not have any deaths from the virus.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 969 to 20,549 as of Wednesday, health authorities said, with 147 new deaths.
Reuters reports the country’s total death toll from the disease is now 2,248, the Netherlands’ National Institute for Health (RIVM) said in a daily update.
Good afternoon. I’m Gregory Robinson, taking over the live blog for the next hour. If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter to share insight or send tips, I’m on @Gregoryjourno or send me an email at gregory.robinson@guardian.co.ukGood afternoon. I’m Gregory Robinson, taking over the live blog for the next hour. If you want to follow me or contact me on Twitter to share insight or send tips, I’m on @Gregoryjourno or send me an email at gregory.robinson@guardian.co.uk
Amid reports that life in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus outbreak began in December, is returning to normal, a reader has written to give his experience of the easing of the lockdown.Amid reports that life in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the coronavirus outbreak began in December, is returning to normal, a reader has written to give his experience of the easing of the lockdown.
Although many westerners left China at the beginning of the crisis, Mark Gaynor, who says he has lived in Wuhan for seven years, was in the city throughout the crisis. What has been widely reported as the end of Wuhan’s lockdown is somewhat different from his lived experience, he writes:Although many westerners left China at the beginning of the crisis, Mark Gaynor, who says he has lived in Wuhan for seven years, was in the city throughout the crisis. What has been widely reported as the end of Wuhan’s lockdown is somewhat different from his lived experience, he writes:
Iran has reported 121 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing its overall number of fatalities to 3,993, AFP reports.Iran has reported 121 new deaths from the novel coronavirus, bringing its overall number of fatalities to 3,993, AFP reports.
In the past 24 hours, 1,997 new cases of Covid-19 infection were detected in Iran, state news agency Irna quoted health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour as saying. That put the number of confirmed cases at 64,586, he added.In the past 24 hours, 1,997 new cases of Covid-19 infection were detected in Iran, state news agency Irna quoted health ministry spokesman Kianoush Jahanpour as saying. That put the number of confirmed cases at 64,586, he added.
Iran, which announced its first Covid-19 cases on February 19, is by far the worst hit by the pandemic in the Middle East, according to official tolls. But there has been speculation abroad that the real number of deaths and infections in the country could be higher.Iran, which announced its first Covid-19 cases on February 19, is by far the worst hit by the pandemic in the Middle East, according to official tolls. But there has been speculation abroad that the real number of deaths and infections in the country could be higher.
Jahanpour said that while 3,956 patients were in critical condition, those who recovered had reached 29,812.Jahanpour said that while 3,956 patients were in critical condition, those who recovered had reached 29,812.
In a bid to halt the spread of the pandemic, Iran ordered the closure of non-essential businesses and imposed inter-city travel bans, while refraining from a lockdown.In a bid to halt the spread of the pandemic, Iran ordered the closure of non-essential businesses and imposed inter-city travel bans, while refraining from a lockdown.
Health authorities in Ukraine have reported 206 new laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus, and seven new deaths.Health authorities in Ukraine have reported 206 new laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus, and seven new deaths.
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus since the outbreak began in the east European country now stands at 1,668, according to the latest data from the Ukrainian government.The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus since the outbreak began in the east European country now stands at 1,668, according to the latest data from the Ukrainian government.
Ukraine remains under strict lockdown measures, including bans on public gatherings of more than ten people, the closure of cafes, restaurants, gyms, museums and galleries, and tight restrictions on public transport.Ukraine remains under strict lockdown measures, including bans on public gatherings of more than ten people, the closure of cafes, restaurants, gyms, museums and galleries, and tight restrictions on public transport.
The government has moved to reassure residents, saying on its information page: “The disease caused by the novel coronavirus, cannot be called ‘lethal’ as the lethality is 4-9%.”The government has moved to reassure residents, saying on its information page: “The disease caused by the novel coronavirus, cannot be called ‘lethal’ as the lethality is 4-9%.”
On Tuesday, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, warned that the civil conflict there was still a major concern, as fighting continued and civilian casualties mount amid the Covid-19 outbreak. In a statement she said:On Tuesday, the UN humanitarian coordinator for Ukraine, Osnat Lubrani, warned that the civil conflict there was still a major concern, as fighting continued and civilian casualties mount amid the Covid-19 outbreak. In a statement she said:
Pope Francis has admitted to moments of selfishness while living in lockdown at the Vatican, and has saluted people on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus, including doctors and shop workers, as “the saints who live next door”, writes Harriet Sherwood.Pope Francis has admitted to moments of selfishness while living in lockdown at the Vatican, and has saluted people on the frontline of the fight against the coronavirus, including doctors and shop workers, as “the saints who live next door”, writes Harriet Sherwood.
With characteristic frankness, the pope said he struggled with “self-preoccupation” in a largely solitary existence. “Of course I have my areas of selfishness. On Tuesdays, my confessor comes, and I take care of things there,” he said in an interview published in the Catholic weekly the Tablet. He added:With characteristic frankness, the pope said he struggled with “self-preoccupation” in a largely solitary existence. “Of course I have my areas of selfishness. On Tuesdays, my confessor comes, and I take care of things there,” he said in an interview published in the Catholic weekly the Tablet. He added:
Health authorities in Nigeria reported 16 new cases in the country in a statement last night, with the majority in Lagos, the country’s economic centre.Health authorities in Nigeria reported 16 new cases in the country in a statement last night, with the majority in Lagos, the country’s economic centre.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control there have now been 254 confirmed cases of Covid-19 detected in the country, of whom six have died and 44 have recovered.According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control there have now been 254 confirmed cases of Covid-19 detected in the country, of whom six have died and 44 have recovered.
A government minister in South Africa has been placed on special leave after he was seen violating the country’s coronavirus lockdown by visiting a friend’s house for lunch.A government minister in South Africa has been placed on special leave after he was seen violating the country’s coronavirus lockdown by visiting a friend’s house for lunch.
Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the country’s communications and digital technologies minister, appeared in a picture posted on Instagram on Sunday with five other people at at the home of a former deputy minister earlier that day.Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, the country’s communications and digital technologies minister, appeared in a picture posted on Instagram on Sunday with five other people at at the home of a former deputy minister earlier that day.
It came after the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, had ordered a three-week national lockdown to try to brake the virus, which has infected 1,749 people, killing 13 of them, according to an official tally.It came after the South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, had ordered a three-week national lockdown to try to brake the virus, which has infected 1,749 people, killing 13 of them, according to an official tally.
“President Ramaphosa has placed the minister on special leave for two months,” Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement. The president has “accepted the minister’s apology for the violation but was unmoved by mitigating factors she tendered”, it said. Ramaphosa was quoted as saying:“President Ramaphosa has placed the minister on special leave for two months,” Ramaphosa’s office said in a statement. The president has “accepted the minister’s apology for the violation but was unmoved by mitigating factors she tendered”, it said. Ramaphosa was quoted as saying:
The German economy is expected to shrink by nearly 10% in the second quarter as a result of the economic impact of lockdown conditions to stem the spread of coronavirus, according to research institutes in the country.The German economy is expected to shrink by nearly 10% in the second quarter as a result of the economic impact of lockdown conditions to stem the spread of coronavirus, according to research institutes in the country.
“The corona pandemic will trigger a serious recession in Germany,” the six thinktanks, including Ifo, DIW and RWI, said in their annual spring report, according to AFP.“The corona pandemic will trigger a serious recession in Germany,” the six thinktanks, including Ifo, DIW and RWI, said in their annual spring report, according to AFP.
Gross domestic product is likely to have contracted by 1.9% in the first three months of 2020, and is set to shrink by a 9.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, with normal economic life still essentially frozen by widespread shutdowns.Gross domestic product is likely to have contracted by 1.9% in the first three months of 2020, and is set to shrink by a 9.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, with normal economic life still essentially frozen by widespread shutdowns.
The second-quarter plunge is twice as big as seen during the 2008-09 financial crisis and marks the steepest fall since the institutes’ records began in 1970, the report noted.The second-quarter plunge is twice as big as seen during the 2008-09 financial crisis and marks the steepest fall since the institutes’ records began in 1970, the report noted.
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.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.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% compared with around 9% one week earlier, the country’s health minister said on Wednesday. “We have reached the peak of the curve and we are in a slowdown phase,” Salvador Illa told parliament.This week has seen the daily death toll grow by 5% compared with around 9% one week earlier, the country’s health minister said on 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.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 with the official tally of 3,500 Covid-19 deaths in the region.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 with the official tally of 3,500 Covid-19 deaths in the region.
When pressed, the 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.When pressed, the 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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: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: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.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.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.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.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.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.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.That’s it from me, Amy Walker, for today. I’ll be handing over to my colleague Damien Gayle.