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Coronavirus live news: Pope gives Easter mass by live stream as global death toll passes 110,000 Coronavirus live news: Pope gives Easter mass by live stream as global death toll passes 110,000
(32 minutes later)
Italy, India, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico extend lockdown; Britain pledges £200m to WHO; partner of Julian Assange calls for prison releaseItaly, India, Saudi Arabia, Puerto Rico extend lockdown; Britain pledges £200m to WHO; partner of Julian Assange calls for prison release
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sanchez has warned that the country is “far from victory” in its fight against the coronavirus as the country’s death toll rose again after falling for three days in a row.
The nation registered 619 new deaths in the last 24 hours, bringing the death toll to 16,972, the health ministry said, the highest in the world after the United States and Italy. The toll was 510 on Saturday, the lowest since March 23, according to AFP.
Conversely, the number of new infections continued to slow, rising by 4,167 to 166,019, a smaller increase than was recorded on Saturday.
Although health chiefs say the pandemic has peaked, they have urged citizens to strictly follow the national lockdown which began on March 14.
“We are still far from victory, from the moment when he will recover normality in our lives,” Sanchez said during a televised address.
“We are all keen to go back out on the streets... but out desire is even greater to win the war and prevent a relapse,” he added.
To follow New York governor Andrew Cuomo’s daily coronavirus briefing, head over to our US live blog.
The governor reports there were 758 deaths in the last day, down from 783 the day before.
A total of 9,385 people have died from Covid-19 across the state since the start of the outbreak, and the total number of hospitalisations is at about 18,700.
The WHO’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has tweeted his support for health services and congratulated Boris Johnson on his recovery after he was discharged from hospital.
Meanwhile in India, ten tourists have been forced to write ‘sorry’ 500 times after breaching the country’s lockdown.Meanwhile in India, ten tourists have been forced to write ‘sorry’ 500 times after breaching the country’s lockdown.
AFP reports that the travellers - from Israel, Mexico, Australia and Austria - were caught taking a walk in Rishikesh, flouting the rule that allows people to leave their homes only for essential services like buying groceries and medicine.AFP reports that the travellers - from Israel, Mexico, Australia and Austria - were caught taking a walk in Rishikesh, flouting the rule that allows people to leave their homes only for essential services like buying groceries and medicine.
Over 700 foreign tourists from the US, Australia, Mexico and Israel staying in the area had disobeyed the lockdown rules, a local police officer said, adding the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson.Over 700 foreign tourists from the US, Australia, Mexico and Israel staying in the area had disobeyed the lockdown rules, a local police officer said, adding the unusual punishment was handed out to teach them a lesson.
Police said they would direct hotels in the area to allow foreign guests to step out only if accompanied by local helpers, with establishments that do not follow the order facing the threat of legal action.Police said they would direct hotels in the area to allow foreign guests to step out only if accompanied by local helpers, with establishments that do not follow the order facing the threat of legal action.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to extend the nationwide lockdown that was originally meant to end on Tuesday, for another two weeks.India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to extend the nationwide lockdown that was originally meant to end on Tuesday, for another two weeks.
To follow Downing Street’s daily coronavirus briefing as the UK’s death toll passes 10,000, head over to our UK live blog.To follow Downing Street’s daily coronavirus briefing as the UK’s death toll passes 10,000, head over to our UK live blog.
Hello, this is Clea Skopeliti in London taking over the blog from my colleague Josh Halliday in Manchester.Hello, this is Clea Skopeliti in London taking over the blog from my colleague Josh Halliday in Manchester.
If you have a story to share, please do drop me a message on Twitter. I won’t be able to reply to everything but will read them all. Thanks in advance.If you have a story to share, please do drop me a message on Twitter. I won’t be able to reply to everything but will read them all. Thanks in advance.
Saudi Arabia has extended a nationwide curfew until further notice due to the coronavirus, the interior ministry said on Sunday.Saudi Arabia has extended a nationwide curfew until further notice due to the coronavirus, the interior ministry said on Sunday.
The kingdom recorded more than 300 new infections on each of the last five days, according to Reuters news agency, reaching a total of 4,462 cases and 59 deaths. Its tally is the highest among the six Gulf Arab states.The kingdom recorded more than 300 new infections on each of the last five days, according to Reuters news agency, reaching a total of 4,462 cases and 59 deaths. Its tally is the highest among the six Gulf Arab states.
Saudi Arabia placed its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew last week, locking down much of the population. Residents are allowed to leave their houses only for essential needs inside their residential area. Elsewhere, the curfew which began on March 23 runs from 3pm to 6am.Saudi Arabia has halted international flights, suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage, and closed most public places. Elsewhere in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates warned of possible action against countries refusing to allow migrant workers to be repatriated.Saudi Arabia placed its capital Riyadh and other big cities under a 24-hour curfew last week, locking down much of the population. Residents are allowed to leave their houses only for essential needs inside their residential area. Elsewhere, the curfew which began on March 23 runs from 3pm to 6am.Saudi Arabia has halted international flights, suspended the year-round umrah pilgrimage, and closed most public places. Elsewhere in the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates warned of possible action against countries refusing to allow migrant workers to be repatriated.
The total number of deaths from coronavirus in UK hospitals has reached 10,612, the UK government has confirmed.The total number of deaths from coronavirus in UK hospitals has reached 10,612, the UK government has confirmed.
The grim milestone was passed after a daily rise of 737 fatalities was recorded in the 24 hours to 5pm on 11 April. The daily rise has slowed from 917 on Saturday but it remains to be seen whether this is a flattening of the curve, meaning the UK has reached its peak, or whether a delay in reporting cases over the Easter weekend is a factor.The grim milestone was passed after a daily rise of 737 fatalities was recorded in the 24 hours to 5pm on 11 April. The daily rise has slowed from 917 on Saturday but it remains to be seen whether this is a flattening of the curve, meaning the UK has reached its peak, or whether a delay in reporting cases over the Easter weekend is a factor.
The UK has recorded the fifth highest number of deaths in the world – behind the US, Italy, Spain and France – and is the sixth-worst affected country per 100,000 of the population.The UK has recorded the fifth highest number of deaths in the world – behind the US, Italy, Spain and France – and is the sixth-worst affected country per 100,000 of the population.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has posted a video message thanking the nurses and doctors of the National Health Service for “saving my life”.The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, has posted a video message thanking the nurses and doctors of the National Health Service for “saving my life”.
Johnson was discharged from St Thomas’ hospital in south London on Sunday, three days after leaving the intensive care unit where he was treated for Covid-19.Johnson was discharged from St Thomas’ hospital in south London on Sunday, three days after leaving the intensive care unit where he was treated for Covid-19.
Readers have been in touch to ask for more reporting on per capita death rates of countries.Readers have been in touch to ask for more reporting on per capita death rates of countries.
Comparing statistics between countries is fraught with difficulty, not least because each one is at a different stage of the pandemic and every nation has unique characteristics (the number and usage of mass transit systems, for example, or the average age of the population – not to mention the varied forms of lockdown in place around the world).Comparing statistics between countries is fraught with difficulty, not least because each one is at a different stage of the pandemic and every nation has unique characteristics (the number and usage of mass transit systems, for example, or the average age of the population – not to mention the varied forms of lockdown in place around the world).
The John Hopkins University, whose online dashboard is the go-to place for data on the pandemic, has published the below chart showing the mortality rate per 100,000 people for the 10 countries that are – by this measure – the worst-affected by coronavirus.The John Hopkins University, whose online dashboard is the go-to place for data on the pandemic, has published the below chart showing the mortality rate per 100,000 people for the 10 countries that are – by this measure – the worst-affected by coronavirus.
It shows that Spain has recorded the most deaths per 100,000 people – at 35.5 – closely followed by Italy and Belgium.It shows that Spain has recorded the most deaths per 100,000 people – at 35.5 – closely followed by Italy and Belgium.
The US, which has the highest total number of deaths, is seventh in the world when the huge size of its population is factored in. The UK is in sixth place, with 14.9 deaths per 100,000 people.The US, which has the highest total number of deaths, is seventh in the world when the huge size of its population is factored in. The UK is in sixth place, with 14.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
The number of people who have died from coronavirus around the world has reached 110,042, according to the John Hopkins University tracker. The number of confirmed cases is approaching 1.8m.The number of people who have died from coronavirus around the world has reached 110,042, according to the John Hopkins University tracker. The number of confirmed cases is approaching 1.8m.
Almost one in five (17.7%) of global deaths from the pandemic are in Italy, with nearly the same proportion in the US (17.1%).Almost one in five (17.7%) of global deaths from the pandemic are in Italy, with nearly the same proportion in the US (17.1%).
The UK’s death toll passed 10,000 on Sunday. While the official total will be confirmed later, the combined figures from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland make it clear that the tally will take the UK past 10,000 deaths.The UK’s death toll passed 10,000 on Sunday. While the official total will be confirmed later, the combined figures from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland make it clear that the tally will take the UK past 10,000 deaths.
Readers have been in touch to highlight lesser-reported cases of countries that appear to have successfully slowed or stopped the spread of coronavirus.
Linda Burton, in Tbilisi, points out that Georgia has only 252 confirmed cases and three deaths out of a population of 3.7m. The three deaths were all women, aged 79 to 86, who had underlying health conditions, according to reports in local media.
There will, of course, be many factors behind this but experts have said the country was quick to enact travel restrictions – including banning flights from China as early as January – and closing nurseries, schools and universities in early March despite having relatively few confirmed cases.
In Madagascar, a country populated by 26.2 million people, the virus has barely taken off with only 102 confirmed cases and no deaths to date.
Angela Reilly, a Scot who lives and works in the capital Antananarivo, said she had been very impressed by the “swift and decisive” measures taken by the government, which declared a state of emergency on 21 March when it had only three confirmed cases.
All passenger flights have been grounded, personal travel is strictly limited, public transport has been shut down, and lockdown measures are in place across the island country.
Angela writes:
Italy has ordered migrants onboard a rescue ship off its coast to be quarantined and tested for the coronavirus before they can disembark, Reuters reports.
The Alan Kurdi ship, which is run by the German non-governmental group Sea-Eye, is sailing in international waters off the western coast of Sicily.
The transport ministry said in a statement those onboard will be transferred to another ship, screened by health authorities and quarantined on that ship.
Sea-Eye tweeted in the last hour that 149 people were onboard the Alan Kurdi and that Europe was “letting them drown”.
The Italian government last week closed ports to charity boats for the entire duration of the national health emergency over the coronavirus, a ban due to remain in effect until 31 July.
The transport ministry said allowing the migrants to disembark would put too much pressure on already stretched health services in Sicily. It gave no details on the planned transfer, its timing or location.
Thanks to Jedidajah Otte. This is Josh Halliday again to steer you through the next few hours.
Chinese cities near the border with Russia said on Sunday they would tighten border controls and quarantine measures on arrivals from abroad, after the number of imported cases of Covid-19 hit a one-month high, Reuters reports.
New daily confirmed cases in mainland China reached 99 on 11 April, almost doubling from 46 the previous day. All but two of the new recorded cases involved people travelling from abroad, many of them Chinese nationals returning from Russia.
In the commercial hub Shanghai, 51 Chinese nationals flying in on the same flight from Russia tested positive while 21 cases involved Chinese nationals travelling from Russia to the northeastern Heilongjiang province.Chinese authorities fear a new wave of cases after strict lockdowns had largely contained the outbreak in China, where it has killed a recorded 3,339 people since it emerged in the city of Wuhan in December last year.
Readers from Malta have written in as concerns grow that at least four vessels carrying migrants are in distress at sea not far from the Maltese coast, after the foreign minister Evarist Bartolo suggested in a Facebook post on Saturday that migrant rescue NGOs in the Mediterranean are encouraging people traffickers.
Bartolo wrote that Malta “cannot handle anymore” asylum seekers as national resources are being stretched due to the pandemic.
Alarm Phone, one of independent organisations monitoring migration in the Mediterranean, have urged authorities to conduct rescue operations.
About an hour ago, Alarm Phone tweeted that one ship had seemingly capsized.
The British prime minister, Boris Johnson, has left hospital after having been hospitalised with Covid-19 for a week, my colleague Rowena Mason reports.
Johnson was being treated at St Thomas’ hospital in south London and had spent time in the hospital’s intensive care unit after his situation deteriorated.
Full story below.
Johnson’s fiancé, Carrie Symonds, thanked healthcare staff on Twitter. “There were times last week that were very dark indeed. My heart goes out to all those in similar situations, worried sick about their loved ones,” she wrote.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands has topped 25,000, health authorities said on Sunday, according to Reuters. The number of deaths rose by 94 to 2,737.
The Netherlands’ National Institute for Health (RIVM) reported 1,188 new infections over the past 24 hours, taking the total to 25,587.
The rate of increase in infections and deaths has slowed for several days.
Hello, this is Jedidajah Otte taking over the blog for a bit from my colleague Josh Halliday. If you have an update to share, please get in touch on Twitter or email me.
Here is a roundup of the latest developments around the world. I’m handing over to my colleague Jedidajah Otte for a while.
The global death toll has reached 109,691, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. More than 1.78 million people have been diagnosed.
Pope Francis departed with centuries of tradition and livestreamed his Easter Sunday mass to allow the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics to celebrate their holiest holiday.
In a strikingly political speech, the pope said he hoped that rivalries from before the second world war “do not regain force” as a result of the pandemic. The pope said the European Union faced an “epochal challenge, on which will depend not only its future but that of the whole world”.
The infection rate in Spain continued to slow. Its death toll rose to 16,972 on Sunday – a daily rise of 619 – but there are signs the country’s strict lockdown appears to be paying off. It remains a global hotspot for the virus, with the highest total of confirmed cases in Europe.
Tight restrictions on movement came into force in Jerusalem where predominantly ultra-Orthodox Jewish areas have been hit disproportionately by the virus, in part because influential rabbis were slow to shut synagogues and religious seminaries.
Britain has pledged £200m to the World Health Organization and charities to assist containment in vulnerable countries.
Elderly people may have to be kept isolated until the end of the year to protect them from the coronavirus, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen has said.
One country marking a particularly difficult Easter this year is Sri Lanka. It is a year since more than 260 people, mostly Catholics, were killed in the Islamic State-inspired attacks on three churches and three hotels last Easter.
Due to coronavirus, there were no organised events to remember the victims as the country has been under curfew for most of the past three weeks. Like much of the rest of the world, Sri Lankan Christians observed Easter services on the internet and television.
Francesca Mudannayake, a Guardian reader in Sri Lanka, got in touch to describe the situation where she is: