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Coronavirus live news: global trade forecast to fall by up to a third as US sees highest one-day death toll Coronavirus live news: global trade forecast to fall by up to a third as US sees highest one-day death toll
(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
A single care home in the English county of Bedfordshire has lost 15 residents; five of whom had tested positive for Covid-19, officials say.
Public Health England (PHE) has confirmed the deaths and said it does not recommend testing new cases in care homes when some patients have already tested positive “as it will not change the public health management”.
A PHE spokeswoman was not immediately able to clarify when the deaths at the 69-bed Castletroy Residential Home in Luton had occurred.
Sultan Salimee, a consultant in health protection at PHE East, said experts were working closely with the home providing advice to stop the virus spreading.
The state of emergency in Peru has been extended for two more weeks to 26 April, the country’s president Martín Vizcarra has said.
He announced the extension, which includes a nationwide quarantine in the world’s second largest copper producer, as it reached 2,954 confirmed cases of the virus and 107 deaths. The first confirmed case in Peru was on 6 March.
Malta has recorded its first coronavirus victim, according to the Agence France-Presse (AFP) news agency. It quotes Malta’s deputy prime minister Chris Fearne as saying a 92-year old woman with underlying health issues has died.
The woman had been living in an old people’s home in Gozo, according to Maltese media reports. The Mediterranean island has recorded 299 infected people since its first case on 7 March. Fearne said:
The Scottish parliament’s presiding officer, Ken Macintosh, has just informed MSPs that Nicola Sturgeon and Holyrood party leaders will take part in a virtual First Minister’s Questions at 12.30pm (BST) on Thursday.
Writing to members, Macintosh announced the “first leaders’ virtual question time, where party leaders will have the opportunity to question the first minister on the Scottish government’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 outbreak”.
It is expected to last for half an hour and will be carried live by the BBC.
The French government is prepared to provide “massive support” to Air France KLM to help the French-Dutch air carrier make it through the downturn, France’s finance minister Bruno Le Maire has told the France 2 television station.
Le Maire added that other big companies, such as the aeronautical engineer Airbus, need help too.
Shipments of key protective medical gear bound for export from the United States will be seized, two federal agencies announce. The measures will be in place until Washington determines whether or not the equipment is needed in the US.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold exports of respirators, surgical masks and surgical gloves, according to a joint announcement made with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA will then determine if the equipment should be returned for use in the United States, purchased by the US government or exported.
The US has been accused of hijacking shipments of medical supplies bound for other countries by offering higher prices to suppliers even as consignments were being prepared for dispatch.
France is to extend its national lockdown for a second time, meaning it will run beyond 15 April, the country’s presidential palace has said. It had earlier said the president of the republic, Emmanuel Macron, will address the nation regarding next Monday evening.
A nurse who died of suspected Covid-19 has been remembered as a “spirited friend with a loving heart” who “loved his NHS job”.A nurse who died of suspected Covid-19 has been remembered as a “spirited friend with a loving heart” who “loved his NHS job”.
Donald Suelto, who worked at Hammersmith hospital in west London, died after going into self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms, his friend and fellow NHS nurse Alejandro Fernandez has said.Donald Suelto, who worked at Hammersmith hospital in west London, died after going into self-isolation with coronavirus symptoms, his friend and fellow NHS nurse Alejandro Fernandez has said.
Last month, Suelto had changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of him wearing a protective mask emblazoned with the words: “I can’t stay at home, I’m a healthcare worker.”Last month, Suelto had changed his Facebook profile picture to an image of him wearing a protective mask emblazoned with the words: “I can’t stay at home, I’m a healthcare worker.”
In a tribute to the nurse, originally from the Philippines, Fernandez said:In a tribute to the nurse, originally from the Philippines, Fernandez said:
In the UK, a Downing Street spokeswoman has said:In the UK, a Downing Street spokeswoman has said:
The number of people who have died in French hospitals has climbed by 8% in a day to at least 7,632, local authorities have said.The number of people who have died in French hospitals has climbed by 8% in a day to at least 7,632, local authorities have said.
Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
At least 83,615 people have now died worldwide, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. They say at least 1.4 million people have been infected, more than 300,000 of whom have recovered.At least 83,615 people have now died worldwide, according to researchers at Johns Hopkins University. They say at least 1.4 million people have been infected, more than 300,000 of whom have recovered.
The UK suffered its deadliest day since the outbreak began as official figures showed 938 more people had died in hospitals, taking the overall total to 7,097. The true death toll is likely to be significantly higher.The UK suffered its deadliest day since the outbreak began as official figures showed 938 more people had died in hospitals, taking the overall total to 7,097. The true death toll is likely to be significantly higher.
Boris Johnson’s condition improved, with the UK prime minister now sitting up in bed and “engaging positively” with the clinical team, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, saidin a daily media briefing. Johnson remains in intensive care.Boris Johnson’s condition improved, with the UK prime minister now sitting up in bed and “engaging positively” with the clinical team, the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, saidin a daily media briefing. Johnson remains in intensive care.
The US recorded its highest one-day death toll, with 1,858 people dying on Tuesday. New York City was still the worst-affected part of the country, recording 806 fatalities. The city has registered more than 4,000 deaths.The US recorded its highest one-day death toll, with 1,858 people dying on Tuesday. New York City was still the worst-affected part of the country, recording 806 fatalities. The city has registered more than 4,000 deaths.
Italy recorded 542 new deaths, but the rate has slowed slightly. The number of infected people increased by 1,195, or 1.3%. There was also a record day-to-day increase – 2,099 – in the number of people who have survived.Italy recorded 542 new deaths, but the rate has slowed slightly. The number of infected people increased by 1,195, or 1.3%. There was also a record day-to-day increase – 2,099 – in the number of people who have survived.
It emerged that the European commission is preparing a “roadmap” to a coordinated lifting of lockdowns. However, EU member states were advised to extend their restrictions until 15 May.It emerged that the European commission is preparing a “roadmap” to a coordinated lifting of lockdowns. However, EU member states were advised to extend their restrictions until 15 May.
The World Trade Organization forecast a fall in global trade of up to a third. The suffering caused by the pandemic will be compounded by “unavoidable declines in trade and output”, the WTO’s director general said.The World Trade Organization forecast a fall in global trade of up to a third. The suffering caused by the pandemic will be compounded by “unavoidable declines in trade and output”, the WTO’s director general said.
The European Union reshuffled its aid budget, promising €20bn to Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and eastern Europe. The bloc’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said: “Unless the virus is defeated everywhere, it will not be defeated anywhere.”The European Union reshuffled its aid budget, promising €20bn to Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and eastern Europe. The bloc’s chief diplomat, Josep Borrell, said: “Unless the virus is defeated everywhere, it will not be defeated anywhere.”
Work is due to restart at some of the German car factories owned by Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler in less than a fortnight. It said its German staff would work shorter hours until 30 April.Work is due to restart at some of the German car factories owned by Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler in less than a fortnight. It said its German staff would work shorter hours until 30 April.
Italy declared its ports “unsafe” in a move that appeared designed to block rescue efforts for people struggling to cross the Mediterranean. The measure came as departures from Libya increased with the arrival of good weather.Italy declared its ports “unsafe” in a move that appeared designed to block rescue efforts for people struggling to cross the Mediterranean. The measure came as departures from Libya increased with the arrival of good weather.
That’s it from me, Damien Gayle. I’m back tomorrow.That’s it from me, Damien Gayle. I’m back tomorrow.
Kenya reports seven new confirmed coronavirus casesKenya reports seven new confirmed coronavirus cases
The country’s ministry of health has provided all the information about the latest developments on Twitter.The country’s ministry of health has provided all the information about the latest developments on Twitter.
Police forces in the UK have created online forms for the public to quickly report potential lockdown breaches, Jessica Murray reports.Police forces in the UK have created online forms for the public to quickly report potential lockdown breaches, Jessica Murray reports.
Cambridgeshire police announced on Tuesday it had set up a form for people to report individuals breaching Covid-19 restrictions, prompting some critical comments online.Cambridgeshire police announced on Tuesday it had set up a form for people to report individuals breaching Covid-19 restrictions, prompting some critical comments online.
“I cannot express strongly enough how thoroughly revolting this is,” said one reply with over 100 likes. Another read: “They just don’t realise, the only thing they are doing is turning the law-abiding public against them.”“I cannot express strongly enough how thoroughly revolting this is,” said one reply with over 100 likes. Another read: “They just don’t realise, the only thing they are doing is turning the law-abiding public against them.”
Others welcomed the move.Others welcomed the move.
It one of many police forces around the country to have created an online form for reporting potential rule-breaking, with the Metropolitan police, and forces including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset and Kent all offering a similar service.It one of many police forces around the country to have created an online form for reporting potential rule-breaking, with the Metropolitan police, and forces including Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset and Kent all offering a similar service.
Cambridgeshire police clarified their announcement. It said: “Like other forces, we’re urging people to use common sense. Please only [use] our online form if there is a significant issue or breach. This may be a large gathering or group of people repeatedly ignoring the restrictions.”Cambridgeshire police clarified their announcement. It said: “Like other forces, we’re urging people to use common sense. Please only [use] our online form if there is a significant issue or breach. This may be a large gathering or group of people repeatedly ignoring the restrictions.”
The coronavirus pandemic has killed more than 60,000 people in Europe as of 4.15pm GMT (5.15pm BST) on Wednesday, according to an AFP tally compiled from official sources.
That figure accounts for more than 70% of the deaths so far officially recorded worldwide. Italy remains the worst-hit country, with 17,669 deaths, followed by Spain with 14,555.
Celebrities and politicians with large social media followings are proving to be key distributors of disinformation relating to coronavirus, according to a study that suggests the fact checkers and mainstream news outlets are struggling to compete with the reach of influencers, writes Jim Waterson, the Guardian’s media correspondent.
The actor Woody Harrelson and the singer MIA have faced criticism after sharing baseless claims about the supposed connection of 5G to the pandemic, while comments by the likes of the Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, have played down the scale of the crisis in the face of scientific evidence.
Research by Oxford’s Reuters Institute for the study of journalism found that while politicians, celebrities and other prominent public figures were responsible for producing or spreading 20% of false claims about coronavirus, their posts accounted for 69% of total social media engagement.
The issue has gained extra prominence as Britons began vandalising mobile phone masts in recent days amid baseless claims linking the virus to 5G.
Even before the impact of the coronavirus shutdown is taken into account, France was already in a technical recession, the Bank of France has said, according to AFP.
On Wednesday the bank issued data showing the French economy shrank 0.1% in the last quarter of 2019 and a new estimate that it further contracted by about 6% in the first three months of 2020. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of economic contraction.
According to the central bank, France’s first-quarter performance was already its worst since 1945.
For every two weeks the country is locked down by the virus, the Bank of France said it expects the economy to shrink by 1.5%. French economic activity plunged a whopping 32% in the last two weeks of March as the coronavirus crisis intensified, it added.
The bank governor, François Villeroy de Galhau, warned that April was expected to be “at least as bad” as late March.
“Economic growth will be strongly negative in 2020” before bouncing back in 2021, he told RTL radio.
Two million protective masks purchased by Finland from China have turned out to be unsuitable for use in hospitals, AFP reports.
Finland’s health minister, Aino-Kaisa Pekonen, had on Tuesday tweeted a picture of the first shipment of 2m surgical masks and 230,000 respirator masks being unloaded at Helsinki airport on a Finnair flight from Guangzhou in China, saying they would be “checked and tested” before use.
But by Wednesday, officials discovered the face masks did not meet the required standards of protection against coronavirus for use in medical environments.
“Of course this was a bit of a disappointment for us,” the health ministry permanent secretary, Kirsi Varhila, told a news conference.
Finland currently needs about half a million surgical masks, and 50,000 respirator masks per day, officials said on Wednesday, with some regions warning of shortages.
The prime minister, Sanna Marin, hit out at some local authorities on Twitter earlier in the day, accusing them of not having stockpiled three to six months’ worth of protective equipment as mandated by Finland’s pandemic preparedness plan.
In Quebec, a mantra amid the pandemic has emerged: “ça va bien aller,” French for “it’s going to be OK”.
Quebecers have embraced the rallying cry on social media and at home, writes Tracey Lindeman.
Across the Canadian province, handmade drawings of rainbows accompanied by the hopeful message have been taped in windows, draped over balconies, hung from fire and police stations, and drawn in chalk on pavements. A few days ago, Montreal’s iconic Jacques-Cartier Bridge was turned into a giant neon rainbow.
It comes as the province of 8 million people grapples with more than half of the country’s reported Covid-19 cases. At least 600,000 Quebecers have lost their jobs.
It’s unclear who started the “ça va bien aller” movement, but it gained momentum with Karine Laurin, a schoolteacher and mother of two in the Laurentian Mountains outside of Montreal. In mid-March, she taped rainbow illustrations her kids had coloured to her front window, then started a Facebook page asking others to do the same.
The group now has nearly 18,000 members, and the movement has spread across the province with even top officials invoking the mantra. The premier, François Legault, said in a news release: “All this is temporary. We’re in this together … We’ll overcome this, and it’s going to be OK.”
The government in the west African country of Benin has made wearing face masks mandatory in public in several key regions.
The authorities have ordered security forces to step up patrols and detain people without masks, but have not outlined penalties for those failing to comply.
On Wednesday many residents in the largest city, Cotonou, had donned surgical masks or homemade face coverings, AFP reports. Police were stopping pedestrians and confiscating vehicles of those who failed to comply with the order.
The government in Benin has subsidised the cost of masks at the equivalent of about 25p ($0.30) but that expenditure remains high for many on a daily basis.
Some residents complained they could not find masks despite pharmacies limiting sales to two per customer in order to conserve stocks. “They just told me that there aren’t any masks available,” said Edouard Gbeha, as he emerged from a store.
“They say that they are obligatory and we want to buy them but can’t find them.”
Benin has imposed a “cordon sanitaire” around major towns and cities. Travel in and out of these areas is banned, gatherings are restricted and bars have been closed.
The country has so far confirmed 26 infections and one death from coronavirus.
Bad news from Brazil.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, is sitting up in bed, after he was taken to an intensive care unit in a London hospital on Monday because of worsening coronavirus symptoms, his finance minister, Rishi Sunak, has said.
The prime minister is receiving “excellent care” and remains in intensive care, where his condition is “improving”. He has been “sitting up in bed” and “engaging positively” with the clinical team, the chancellor said in the British government’s daily coronavirus briefing.
You can read more updates from the press conference on our UK-focused blog.
The director general of the World Health Organization was on the defensive in a media briefing on Wednesday, after Donald Trump accused the UN health body of being biased towards China and threatened to slash US funding.
Some African leaders rallied around the WHO’s Ethiopian-born director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who declined to respond to questions about the US president’s specific criticisms and said: “Why would I care about being attacked when people are dying?
“I know that I am just an individual. Tedros is just a dot in the whole universe. I prefer to really focus on saving lives,” he said at the WHO’s daily media briefing.
The US contributed nearly $900m to the WHO’s budget for 2018-19, according to information on the agency’s website, an amount that represented one-fifth of the WHO’s total $4.4bn budget for those years.