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Coronavirus live news: US cases pass 500,000 as Trump faces 'biggest decision' on curbs Coronavirus live news: US cases pass 500,000 as Trump faces 'biggest decision' on curbs
(32 minutes later)
US president says he is ‘not determined’ to open up the country in May; global death toll passes 100,000US president says he is ‘not determined’ to open up the country in May; global death toll passes 100,000
Most of Thailand’s provinces have banned sales of alcohol, heeding a central government call to discourage festive celebrations for the Thai New Year as the country seeks to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Thailand is among Southeast Asian countries that are cancelling or scaling back traditionally boisterous Buddhist New Year celebrations amid the global pandemic. The Thai New Year or water splashing Songkran celebrations are usually held April 13-15, but this year the government has postponed the holidays that would normally be taken then. A 10-day ban on the sale of wine, beer and spirits in the capital Bangkok went into effect on Friday. Some 47 of Thailand’s 77 provinces have implemented bans to April 15 or until the end of the month, the interior ministry said in a statement.
The US has become the first country in the world to record more than 2,000 coronavirus deaths in a single day.
Figures from Johns Hopkins University show 2,108 people died in the past 24 hours with more than half a million confirmed infections.
America could soon surpass Italy as the country with the most coronavirus deaths worldwide.
It comes as White House experts said the spread of the virus as starting to level off.
Dr Deborah Birx said there were good signs the outbreak was stabilising, but cautioned: “As encouraging as they are, we have not reached the peak.”
President Hassan Rouhani urged Iranians to respect health protocols as “low-risk” economic activities resumed in most of the country on Saturday, state news agency IRNA reported. So-called low-risk businesses will resume across the country from Saturday with the exception of the capital Tehran, where they will restart from April 18. Iran is the Middle Eastern country worst-affected by the new coronavirus. “Easing restrictions does not mean ignoring health protocols ... social distancing and other health protocols should be respected seriously by people,” Rouhani was quoted as saying.
Britain has not yet reached the Covid-19 peak which would allow for an easing of tight restrictions of movement, health minister Matt Hancock said on Saturday. The death toll in British hospitals has reached almost 9,000, with 980 more deaths reported on Friday, a figure which exceeded the deadliest day so far in Italy, the country worst hit by the virus. Among those who have been infected is prime minister Boris Johnson, who is recovering in hospital after spending three nights in intensive care. His office said he was improving and was back on his feet although his recovery was still at an early stage. Britain imposed a lockdown three weeks ago in a bid to curb the spread of the virus and the government has come under increasing pressure to detail how long the strict measures on movements would last, with people forced to stay at home and many businesses unable to operate. Ministers have said Britain needed to pass the peak of the outbreak before changes could be made, and Hancock said although the number of hospital admissions had started to flatten out, there was not enough evidence yet to have confidence they were past the worst. “Our judgement is we’re not there yet. We haven’t seen a flattening enough to be able to say that we’ve reached the peak,” he told BBC radio. Some scientists have suggested the peak might still be some weeks off but Hancock said “nobody knows” when it would be. “There’s all sorts of suggestions. Their job is to make their best estimate and advise us and we have a whole load of different pieces of advice from different scientists,” he said. The death rate is also expected to increase over the next few days, health officials have cautioned, but they say they are hopeful that the lockdown will mean that the overall number of deaths will be below 20,000. Initially Johnson took a more modest response to the outbreak than other European leaders but changed tack when projections suggested a quarter of a million people could die in the United Kingdom. The government has come under fire for its initial response and a lack of preparedness, and there was criticism on Saturday from doctors and nurses who said they were having to treat patients without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves. Among those to have died after testing positive for COVID-19 are 19 health care workers including 11 doctors.
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Iran’s president Rouhani has urged people to respect health protocols as coronavirus restrictions ease.Iran’s president Rouhani has urged people to respect health protocols as coronavirus restrictions ease.
More to follow on this...More to follow on this...
The Afghan interior ministry has pledged tighter control on movement as the number of Covid-19 infections reached 555, triggered by a surge in cases in Kandahar and Kabul.Three deaths and 34 new infections have been reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 18.A health ministry spokesman said 4,090 suspected patients have so far been tested in Afghanistan since the outbreak began.The ministry warned that number of new infections continue to rise across the war-torn country and asked citizens to come to hospitals if they have any symptoms.Eight of new positive cases confirmed were in the country’s capital, Kabul, bringing the total number of infections to 119. Kabul is second worst affected city after Herat, which has 273 cases and four deaths.After a surge in number of cases in Kabul, the city went into full lockdown on Wednesday, and police will impose more restrictions on residents to curb unnecessary movements, officials said.Health workers and food suppliers, media workers, security officials and telecom services employees are exempt.The interior minister warned that if people in Kabul continue defying the order, police will use force against them. “If we see any sort of violation, we will act seriously”.Afghanistan has so far recorded 37 recoveries from the virus.The Afghan interior ministry has pledged tighter control on movement as the number of Covid-19 infections reached 555, triggered by a surge in cases in Kandahar and Kabul.Three deaths and 34 new infections have been reported in the last 24 hours, pushing the death toll to 18.A health ministry spokesman said 4,090 suspected patients have so far been tested in Afghanistan since the outbreak began.The ministry warned that number of new infections continue to rise across the war-torn country and asked citizens to come to hospitals if they have any symptoms.Eight of new positive cases confirmed were in the country’s capital, Kabul, bringing the total number of infections to 119. Kabul is second worst affected city after Herat, which has 273 cases and four deaths.After a surge in number of cases in Kabul, the city went into full lockdown on Wednesday, and police will impose more restrictions on residents to curb unnecessary movements, officials said.Health workers and food suppliers, media workers, security officials and telecom services employees are exempt.The interior minister warned that if people in Kabul continue defying the order, police will use force against them. “If we see any sort of violation, we will act seriously”.Afghanistan has so far recorded 37 recoveries from the virus.
In the UK, the heath secretary, Matt Hancock, said it was still too early to determine whether the peak of coronavirus infections in the UK had been reached. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The good news is we have seen the number of hospital admissions starting – starting, I stress – to flatten out.In the UK, the heath secretary, Matt Hancock, said it was still too early to determine whether the peak of coronavirus infections in the UK had been reached. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “The good news is we have seen the number of hospital admissions starting – starting, I stress – to flatten out.
“You can see (from the government’s charts) that instead of going up exponentially, as they would have done if we had not taken the measures, that they are starting to come down and flatten. “We haven’t seen that enough to have confidence to make changes. The answer to your question, about have we reached the peak, is nobody knows.” Asked about the chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, saying the UK was two weeks away from the peak, Hancock added: “Our judgment is that we are not there yet and that we haven’t seen a flattening enough to be able to say that we have reached the peak.”“You can see (from the government’s charts) that instead of going up exponentially, as they would have done if we had not taken the measures, that they are starting to come down and flatten. “We haven’t seen that enough to have confidence to make changes. The answer to your question, about have we reached the peak, is nobody knows.” Asked about the chief scientific adviser, Sir Patrick Vallance, saying the UK was two weeks away from the peak, Hancock added: “Our judgment is that we are not there yet and that we haven’t seen a flattening enough to be able to say that we have reached the peak.”
Publicly-funded US broadcaster Voice of America has rubbished criticism from the White House that it is promoting Chinese “foreign propaganda” on the coronavirus pandemic.Publicly-funded US broadcaster Voice of America has rubbished criticism from the White House that it is promoting Chinese “foreign propaganda” on the coronavirus pandemic.
In a statement on Friday, Donald Trump’s administration claimed VOA pushed Beijing’s message by tweeting a video of celebrations at the end of Wuhan’s quarantine measures, and noting the US had surpassed China’s death toll.In a statement on Friday, Donald Trump’s administration claimed VOA pushed Beijing’s message by tweeting a video of celebrations at the end of Wuhan’s quarantine measures, and noting the US had surpassed China’s death toll.
“VOA too often speaks for America’s adversaries – not its citizens,” the White House claimed, adding: “Journalists should report the facts, but VOA has instead amplified Beijing’s propaganda.”“VOA too often speaks for America’s adversaries – not its citizens,” the White House claimed, adding: “Journalists should report the facts, but VOA has instead amplified Beijing’s propaganda.”
At least 18,000 Americans have died from Covid-19, compared with about 3,000 Chinese nationals, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.At least 18,000 Americans have died from Covid-19, compared with about 3,000 Chinese nationals, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.
VOA director Amanda Bennet pushed back at the criticism, while not mentioning the Trump administration, noting that the broadcaster had reported on China’s efforts to initially hide the coronavirus outbreak.VOA director Amanda Bennet pushed back at the criticism, while not mentioning the Trump administration, noting that the broadcaster had reported on China’s efforts to initially hide the coronavirus outbreak.
Congo has been battling an Ebola outbreak that has killed thousands of people for more than 18 months, and now it must also face the coronavirus pandemic. Ebola has left those living in the country’s east weary and fearful, and, just as they were preparing to declare an end to the outbreak, a new case popped up. Now, they will now have to manage both threats at once. The new virus has overwhelmed some of the worlds best hospital systems in Europe and ripped through communities in New York. In Congo, it could spread unchecked in a country that has endured decades of conflict. It’s also unclear how forthcoming international support will be at a time when the whole world is battling coronavirus. It all feels like one big storm, said Martine Milonde, a Congolese community mobiliser who works with the aid group World Vision in Beni, which has been the center of the Ebola outbreak. Truly, this is a crisis within a crisis within a crisis. The community suffers from insecurity, and suffered under Ebola, and now may have to face Covid-19.Congo has been battling an Ebola outbreak that has killed thousands of people for more than 18 months, and now it must also face the coronavirus pandemic. Ebola has left those living in the country’s east weary and fearful, and, just as they were preparing to declare an end to the outbreak, a new case popped up. Now, they will now have to manage both threats at once. The new virus has overwhelmed some of the worlds best hospital systems in Europe and ripped through communities in New York. In Congo, it could spread unchecked in a country that has endured decades of conflict. It’s also unclear how forthcoming international support will be at a time when the whole world is battling coronavirus. It all feels like one big storm, said Martine Milonde, a Congolese community mobiliser who works with the aid group World Vision in Beni, which has been the center of the Ebola outbreak. Truly, this is a crisis within a crisis within a crisis. The community suffers from insecurity, and suffered under Ebola, and now may have to face Covid-19.
Hello. I am taking over the Guardian’s global live feed, bringing you all the latest information on coronavirus. Please feel free to share any information with me via any of the means below.Hello. I am taking over the Guardian’s global live feed, bringing you all the latest information on coronavirus. Please feel free to share any information with me via any of the means below.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comAlso, feel it’s worth sharing the Guardian’s UK front page today, which looks at the lives lost so far.Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comAlso, feel it’s worth sharing the Guardian’s UK front page today, which looks at the lives lost so far.
Here is our at-a-glance guide to the most recent developments.Here is our at-a-glance guide to the most recent developments.
I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Sarah Marsh.I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Sarah Marsh.
The Philippines has temporarily banned health workers from leaving for overseas jobs in an attempt to strengthen its own health systems.On Friday the death toll from the coronavirus in the country reached 221, while confirmed cases totalled 4,195. The ruling preventing doctors, nurses and others from taking work abroad has prompted an online petition from nurses and as well as criticism from medical groups. “If the government wants to keep our health workers within our country, then we must offer competitive salaries and benefits so they will choose to stay, instead of being forced to,” Leah Paquiz of the nursing advocacy group Ang Nars told the Rappler website.The Philippines has temporarily banned health workers from leaving for overseas jobs in an attempt to strengthen its own health systems.On Friday the death toll from the coronavirus in the country reached 221, while confirmed cases totalled 4,195. The ruling preventing doctors, nurses and others from taking work abroad has prompted an online petition from nurses and as well as criticism from medical groups. “If the government wants to keep our health workers within our country, then we must offer competitive salaries and benefits so they will choose to stay, instead of being forced to,” Leah Paquiz of the nursing advocacy group Ang Nars told the Rappler website.
Here is a summary of the latest developments:Here is a summary of the latest developments:
Cases of coronavirus in the US have now topped 500,000, while 18,693 deaths have been recorded. Donald Trump, who is agitating for a reopening of the economy, said: “The facts are going to determine what I do.”Cases of coronavirus in the US have now topped 500,000, while 18,693 deaths have been recorded. Donald Trump, who is agitating for a reopening of the economy, said: “The facts are going to determine what I do.”
More than 100 Australian and New Zealand passengers from the Antarctic cruise ship the Greg Mortimer have disembarked in Uruguay. Six Americans, five British citizens and passengers from other countries, as well 83 crew members, remain on board.More than 100 Australian and New Zealand passengers from the Antarctic cruise ship the Greg Mortimer have disembarked in Uruguay. Six Americans, five British citizens and passengers from other countries, as well 83 crew members, remain on board.
South Korea has announced plans to strap tracking wristbands on people who ignore quarantine orders, with officials warning that stricter controls were required to enforce self-isolation rules.South Korea has announced plans to strap tracking wristbands on people who ignore quarantine orders, with officials warning that stricter controls were required to enforce self-isolation rules.
The head of the World Bank said he is confident that progress is being made towards debt relief for the world’s poorest countries.The head of the World Bank said he is confident that progress is being made towards debt relief for the world’s poorest countries.
The UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, has said the Easter weekend will be a “test of the nation’s resolve” and issued another warning to the public to stay at home amid the coronavirus crisis.The UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, has said the Easter weekend will be a “test of the nation’s resolve” and issued another warning to the public to stay at home amid the coronavirus crisis.
Singapore has suspended the use of video-conferencing tool Zoom by teachers after “very serious incidents” in the first week of a coronavirus lockdown that has seen schools move to home-based learning.Singapore has suspended the use of video-conferencing tool Zoom by teachers after “very serious incidents” in the first week of a coronavirus lockdown that has seen schools move to home-based learning.
Thailand recorded 45 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing the total in the country to 2,518. The death toll also rose from 33 to 35.Thailand recorded 45 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing the total in the country to 2,518. The death toll also rose from 33 to 35.
Earlier this week, officials defended the country’s approach to testing and surveillance, saying that health teams were focused on targeted testing, rather than rolling out mass tests. Some have questioned if the country’s low case numbers are due to a lack of testing. Between January and April, 71,860 samples have been tested.Earlier this week, officials defended the country’s approach to testing and surveillance, saying that health teams were focused on targeted testing, rather than rolling out mass tests. Some have questioned if the country’s low case numbers are due to a lack of testing. Between January and April, 71,860 samples have been tested.
South Korea has announced plans to strap tracking wristbands on people who ignore quarantine orders, with officials warning that stricter controls were required to enforce self-isolation rules. Some of the 57,000 people who are under orders to stay home have apparently slipped out by leaving behind their smartphones, which are currently used to monitor movement.A South Korean health official, Yoon Tae-ho, acknowledged privacy concerns but said the wristbands were necessary because the number of people under self-quarantine has soared over recent weeks. Since April 1, the country has required new arrivals from abroad to isolate for 14-day.Lee Beom-seok, an official from the ministry of the interior and safety, said the government could not force people to wear the wristbands, but that citizens would be asked to sign consent forms. Those who agree to do so could be considered for lighter punishment. People can face up to a year in prison or fined as much as $8,200 for breaking quarantine orders in the country. South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 886 of the countrys 10,480 coronavirus infections have been traced to international arrivals.South Korea has announced plans to strap tracking wristbands on people who ignore quarantine orders, with officials warning that stricter controls were required to enforce self-isolation rules. Some of the 57,000 people who are under orders to stay home have apparently slipped out by leaving behind their smartphones, which are currently used to monitor movement.A South Korean health official, Yoon Tae-ho, acknowledged privacy concerns but said the wristbands were necessary because the number of people under self-quarantine has soared over recent weeks. Since April 1, the country has required new arrivals from abroad to isolate for 14-day.Lee Beom-seok, an official from the ministry of the interior and safety, said the government could not force people to wear the wristbands, but that citizens would be asked to sign consent forms. Those who agree to do so could be considered for lighter punishment. People can face up to a year in prison or fined as much as $8,200 for breaking quarantine orders in the country. South Koreas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said at least 886 of the countrys 10,480 coronavirus infections have been traced to international arrivals.
Here’s a bit of positive news from Turkey, where doctors are celebrating the recovery of a 93-year-old woman, Alye Gunduz, who was discharged from an Istanbul hospital following 10 days of treatment.Here’s a bit of positive news from Turkey, where doctors are celebrating the recovery of a 93-year-old woman, Alye Gunduz, who was discharged from an Istanbul hospital following 10 days of treatment.
“It is promising because patients at this age and with chronic diseases are most of the time unable to recover because they are at highest risk from Covid-19,” chief physician Zekayi Kutlubay told AFP.“It is promising because patients at this age and with chronic diseases are most of the time unable to recover because they are at highest risk from Covid-19,” chief physician Zekayi Kutlubay told AFP.
Turkey has registered more than 47,000 Covid-19 cases - ranking it among the 10 most infected countries in the world. It has recorded over a thousand deaths.Turkey has registered more than 47,000 Covid-19 cases - ranking it among the 10 most infected countries in the world. It has recorded over a thousand deaths.
“A 93-year-old woman walking out of intensive care sound and safe is inspiring for us as well as for other coronavirus patients at her age,” said Kutlubay.“A 93-year-old woman walking out of intensive care sound and safe is inspiring for us as well as for other coronavirus patients at her age,” said Kutlubay.
We are all finding new ways to adapt to life under lockdown. In Myanmar’s commercial capital, Yangon - where residents have been asked to stay at home this week for the Thingyan holiday - delivery pulleys are proving useful.We are all finding new ways to adapt to life under lockdown. In Myanmar’s commercial capital, Yangon - where residents have been asked to stay at home this week for the Thingyan holiday - delivery pulleys are proving useful.
The World Bank president David Malpass has said he is confident that progress is being made, following his call for debt relief for the world’s poorest countries.The World Bank president David Malpass has said he is confident that progress is being made, following his call for debt relief for the world’s poorest countries.
The call for a temporary pause in payments, made jointly with the International Monetary Fund, will be discussed next week by finance officials of both the G7 and G20 economies, he said.The call for a temporary pause in payments, made jointly with the International Monetary Fund, will be discussed next week by finance officials of both the G7 and G20 economies, he said.
It has been proposed that China and other big creditors should suspend debt payments from International Development Association (IDA) countries beginning May 1, freeing up resources for them to fight against the pandemic. The IDA countries are home to a quarter of the world’s population and two-thirds of the world’s population living in extreme poverty.It has been proposed that China and other big creditors should suspend debt payments from International Development Association (IDA) countries beginning May 1, freeing up resources for them to fight against the pandemic. The IDA countries are home to a quarter of the world’s population and two-thirds of the world’s population living in extreme poverty.
The issue is particularly critical for G20 member China, which has sharply increased lending to developing countries over the past two decades.China’s government, banks and companies lent some $143 billion to Africa between 2000-2017, much of it for large-scale infrastructure projects, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. By some estimates, Chinese lending now dwarfs World Bank loans in Africa.The issue is particularly critical for G20 member China, which has sharply increased lending to developing countries over the past two decades.China’s government, banks and companies lent some $143 billion to Africa between 2000-2017, much of it for large-scale infrastructure projects, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. By some estimates, Chinese lending now dwarfs World Bank loans in Africa.