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/13/coronavirus-live-news-global-cases-italy-new-york-death-tolls-slow-latest-updates

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

Version 14 Version 15
Coronavirus live news: cases worldwide pass 1.85m as oil producers sign historic deal Coronavirus live news: cases worldwide pass 1.85m as oil producers sign historic deal
(32 minutes later)
China reports highest daily cases in over five weeks: WHO official warns Covid-19 will ‘stalk’ human race; New York deaths slowChina reports highest daily cases in over five weeks: WHO official warns Covid-19 will ‘stalk’ human race; New York deaths slow
Turkey, one of the countries with the fasting rising number of Covid-19 cases in the world, has emerged from a 48-hour total lockdown over the weekend with lessons to be learned over the handling of the crisis.
Interior minister Süleyman Soylu dramatically resigned on Sunday night over the bungled announcement of the weekend lockdown across 31 Turkish cities.
The government said on Friday at 10.30pm that a 48-hour-long total lockdown would go into effect at midnight, causing panic across the country as people rushed to shops and bakeries to stock up before the curfew. Istanbul – home to 16 million people – saw a particular surge in panic buying and snarled traffic as people made late night trips to check on loved ones.
Political resignations are rare in Turkey, where the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) party rarely bends to criticism or admit mistakes. The last time a minister stepped down was in 2013.
Soylu’s resignation, however, was not accepted by president recep Tayyip Erdoğan, leading to speculation over whether the president knew in advance of his interior minister’s intentions or was taken by surprise in a new round of Turkish palace intrigue.
Soylu is viewed by some as a potential successor to Erdoğan and a rival of the president’s son-in-law, finance minister Berat Albayrak.
A total of 24,088 people are facing legal proceedings for breaking the weekend curfew, the interior ministry said on Sunday evening.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Turkey now stands at 56,956.
India and Pakistan are planning to partially open up some parts of the economy, officials in the two countries said on Monday, as the costs of harsh lockdowns to limit the outbreak of the coronavirus mount across the region. Indian officials said the number of coronavirus cases in the country increased to 9,152 on Monday, including 308 deaths, a swift rise from fewer than 1,000 two weeks ago, even though the country of 1.3 billion people is under a sweeping 21-day lockdown. But the shutdown has left millions of people without work and the World Bank forecast India’s economic growth could drop to 1.5% to 2.8% in the fiscal year that started on April 1, the weakest pace in three decades.
The Philippine health ministry on Monday reported 18 new coronavirus deaths and 284 additional infections. In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths have reached 315, while confirmed cases have increased to 4,932, adding 45 patients have recovered, bringing the total to 242.
• China reported 108 new virus cases, 98 of which were imported from overseas, its highest figure since early March. The country where the disease first emerged has largely brought its domestic outbreak under control, but it faces a fresh battle against imported infections, mostly Chinese nationals returning home.
• Oil prices rose in Asian trade after top producers agreed to massive output cuts, but gains were capped as doubts grew over whether the move was enough to stabilise coronavirus-ravaged energy markets.
• Sri Lanka extended restrictions under which people must work from home by one week, to April 20, while an indefinite curfew remains in place to contain the spread of Covid-19.
• Malaysian scientists have created a barrel-shaped robot on wheels that they hope will make the rounds on hospital wards to check on coronavirus patients, reducing health workers’ risk of infection. “Medibot” is a 1.5 metre (5ft) tall white robot that is mounted with a camera and screen via which patients can communicate remotely with medics.
• Prime Minister Shinzō Abe has appeared in a video playing with his dog and watching TV as part of efforts to encourage Japanese people to stay at home, but it was attacked online with many using the hashtag “Who do you think you are?”.
In the video posted online on Sunday, Abe cuddled a miniature dachshund, sipped a drink from a mug, read a book and watched TV, with a message saying: “You cannot see your friends. You cannot go drinking. But such actions by everyone are definitely saving many lives.”
China has reduced the number of people crossing its borders by 90% as part of its efforts to contain the spread of the coronavirus, an immigration official said on Monday. Speaking at a briefing, Liu Haitao, an official with the National Immigration Administration, said the number of cases was still on the rise in the countries along China’s borders. The country was working to limit all non-essential crossings, but it remained a huge challenge to control the large number of mountain passes, ferries and roads along the country’s long border, he added.
Tokyo recorded 91 new cases of coronavirus infections on Monday, Japan’s media reported, as the tally of infections in the country’s capital continues to rise. Monday’s figure showed a decrease in the rate of daily infections from Sunday, when the Tokyo Metropolitan Government reported 166 new cases. Last week the city announced a state of emergency, requesting residents to stay indoors as much as possible.
Some of Japan’s ubiquitous convenience stores have taken a novel approach to social distancing by hanging plastic sheets from the ceiling to provide a barrier between customers and staff at the cash register during the coronavirus pandemic. Prime minister Shinzō Abe declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures last week in response to the coronavirus outbreak. While many businesses in Tokyo and elsewhere are now shut, most convenience stores have stayed open as they are considered essential. There are around 58,000 convenience stores throughout Japan. Most are open 24 hours and sell everything from pre-made bento lunches to beer and neckties. They also offer package delivery and bill payment services. “I actually feel safer,” said 53-year-old restaurant owner Isao Otsuka, who was shopping at one of the roughly 150 7-Eleven stores, mainly in Tokyo, that have installed the transparent plastic curtains. 7-Eleven’s owner, Seven & i Holdings, has asked convenience store workers to wear masks, check their temperatures, wash their hands frequently and sterilise surfaces.
Thanks again for all the messages this morning, flagging useful stories and sharing news tips with me is very helpful. I hope everyone is ok today, and please do continue to get in touch. As ever my cat is perched above me, watching me as dutifully as I work.Thanks again for all the messages this morning, flagging useful stories and sharing news tips with me is very helpful. I hope everyone is ok today, and please do continue to get in touch. As ever my cat is perched above me, watching me as dutifully as I work.
The Guardian’s live blog is getting an unprecedented amount of traffic at this time, but we are also keen to hear about ways to improve it, so please do get in touch with any feedback too.Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comThe Guardian’s live blog is getting an unprecedented amount of traffic at this time, but we are also keen to hear about ways to improve it, so please do get in touch with any feedback too.Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Russia on Monday reported 2,558 new cases of the novel coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its overall nationwide tally to 18,328. Russia’s coronavirus crisis response centre said that 148 people diagnosed with the virus have died so far, an overnight rise of 18.Russia on Monday reported 2,558 new cases of the novel coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its overall nationwide tally to 18,328. Russia’s coronavirus crisis response centre said that 148 people diagnosed with the virus have died so far, an overnight rise of 18.
Moscow authorities are launching a digital permit system to control people’s movements after warning the coronavirus outbreak has put a huge strain on hospitals.Moscow authorities are launching a digital permit system to control people’s movements after warning the coronavirus outbreak has put a huge strain on hospitals.
A website to apply for the passes was working Monday for people travelling by car or public transport.A website to apply for the passes was working Monday for people travelling by car or public transport.
The permit system, which will be operational from Wednesday, may be expanded to monitor people going out even within their local neighbourhood, if needed, authorities said.The permit system, which will be operational from Wednesday, may be expanded to monitor people going out even within their local neighbourhood, if needed, authorities said.
City authorities had planned to assign Muscovites scannable bar codes to check whether people adhere to strict isolation rules, but that sparked huge controversy.City authorities had planned to assign Muscovites scannable bar codes to check whether people adhere to strict isolation rules, but that sparked huge controversy.
People would have had to apply for a QR code from officials online each time they wanted to leave their homes.People would have had to apply for a QR code from officials online each time they wanted to leave their homes.
The crowds that swarm Stockholm’s waterfront would be frowned upon, or even banned in much of the world, but not in Sweden.It doesn’t worry Anders Tegnell, the country’s chief epidemiologist and top strategist in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The 63-year-old has become a household name in Sweden, appearing across the media and holding daily briefings outlining the progression of the outbreak.As countries across Europe have restricted the movement of their citizens, Sweden stands out for what Tegnell calls a low-scale approach that is much more sustainable over a longer period. President Donald Trump has suggested that a rising number of Covid-19 deaths indicate Sweden is paying a heavy price for embracing the idea of herd immunity that is letting many individuals get sick to build up immunity in the population.The crowds that swarm Stockholm’s waterfront would be frowned upon, or even banned in much of the world, but not in Sweden.It doesn’t worry Anders Tegnell, the country’s chief epidemiologist and top strategist in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. The 63-year-old has become a household name in Sweden, appearing across the media and holding daily briefings outlining the progression of the outbreak.As countries across Europe have restricted the movement of their citizens, Sweden stands out for what Tegnell calls a low-scale approach that is much more sustainable over a longer period. President Donald Trump has suggested that a rising number of Covid-19 deaths indicate Sweden is paying a heavy price for embracing the idea of herd immunity that is letting many individuals get sick to build up immunity in the population.
He said: “Sweden did that – the herd. They called (it) the herd. Sweden is suffering very, very badly. It’s a way of doing it.”But the Swedish health minister, Lena Hallengren, recently told The Associated Press: “We have never had a strategy for herd immunity.”He said: “Sweden did that – the herd. They called (it) the herd. Sweden is suffering very, very badly. It’s a way of doing it.”But the Swedish health minister, Lena Hallengren, recently told The Associated Press: “We have never had a strategy for herd immunity.”
The president of Afghanistan called for unity against coronavirus as the country recorded its biggest one-day rise in number of positive cases of the virus, triggered by a surge of infections in Kandahar and Helmand.Fifty-eight new infections have been confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 665, a health ministry spokesman said. Three new deaths have also been reported, with the death toll reaching 21. There have been 37 recoveries.Herat is worst affected city with 287 confirmed cases. The number of infections in Kandahar rose to 73 after 28 new reports in the last 24 hours. Concerns are high in Kandahar as thousands of Afghan migrants have poured back from Pakistan in recent days.The country’s capital, Kabul, has so far recorded 160 cases, 13 of them reported today. All the roads to Kabul were blocked on Sunday, tightening the restrictions on movements in a city of around six millions in a bid to contain the outbreak.Elsewhere in Helmand, seven new cases pushed the total number of infections to nine.Over the weekend, the European Union directed €117m (£102m) to help Afghanistan’s fight against the virus. The EU said it recognized that Afghanistan “may be severely affected” by the pandemic as its public health service “weakened by years of conflict, has to cope with limited resources”.The president of Afghanistan called for unity against coronavirus as the country recorded its biggest one-day rise in number of positive cases of the virus, triggered by a surge of infections in Kandahar and Helmand.Fifty-eight new infections have been confirmed in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number to 665, a health ministry spokesman said. Three new deaths have also been reported, with the death toll reaching 21. There have been 37 recoveries.Herat is worst affected city with 287 confirmed cases. The number of infections in Kandahar rose to 73 after 28 new reports in the last 24 hours. Concerns are high in Kandahar as thousands of Afghan migrants have poured back from Pakistan in recent days.The country’s capital, Kabul, has so far recorded 160 cases, 13 of them reported today. All the roads to Kabul were blocked on Sunday, tightening the restrictions on movements in a city of around six millions in a bid to contain the outbreak.Elsewhere in Helmand, seven new cases pushed the total number of infections to nine.Over the weekend, the European Union directed €117m (£102m) to help Afghanistan’s fight against the virus. The EU said it recognized that Afghanistan “may be severely affected” by the pandemic as its public health service “weakened by years of conflict, has to cope with limited resources”.
Meanwhile Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani called for unity. Speaking at an event at the Presidential Palace on Sunday, Ghani said overcoming a health and economic crisis requires a “unified” perspective.“There is a need for speed to slow the spread of the coronavirus and manage the activities in a timely and proper way,” Ghani said. “It is everyone’s responsibility to show at this point that we have a resolute decision, the ability to manage the crisis”.The pandemic comes at a time of intense political tension between president Ghani and and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah.Meanwhile Afghan president, Ashraf Ghani called for unity. Speaking at an event at the Presidential Palace on Sunday, Ghani said overcoming a health and economic crisis requires a “unified” perspective.“There is a need for speed to slow the spread of the coronavirus and manage the activities in a timely and proper way,” Ghani said. “It is everyone’s responsibility to show at this point that we have a resolute decision, the ability to manage the crisis”.The pandemic comes at a time of intense political tension between president Ghani and and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah.
Senior politicians in Germany have begun debating a potential easing of restrictions imposed over the coronavirus epidemic ahead of a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. On Monday, Merkel and premiers of Germany’s 16 states expect to get recommendations from the German National Academy of Sciences that the chancellor has said will weigh heavily in considerations for a possible loosening in movement and social distancing rules in place since around mid-March. The discussion takes place as the number of new infections and deaths declines in Germany, which has weathered the pandemic better than European neighbours Italy, Spain and France. But Germany’s export-driven economy – Europe’s largest – has been hit hard and is estimated to contract 9.8% in the second quarter, the biggest decline since records began in 1970 and more than double the decline seen during the global financial crisis in 2009.Senior politicians in Germany have begun debating a potential easing of restrictions imposed over the coronavirus epidemic ahead of a meeting with Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. On Monday, Merkel and premiers of Germany’s 16 states expect to get recommendations from the German National Academy of Sciences that the chancellor has said will weigh heavily in considerations for a possible loosening in movement and social distancing rules in place since around mid-March. The discussion takes place as the number of new infections and deaths declines in Germany, which has weathered the pandemic better than European neighbours Italy, Spain and France. But Germany’s export-driven economy – Europe’s largest – has been hit hard and is estimated to contract 9.8% in the second quarter, the biggest decline since records began in 1970 and more than double the decline seen during the global financial crisis in 2009.
Merkel will discuss the recommendations of the science academy with her cabinet on Tuesday. On Wednesday, she will hold a video conference with the state governors to discuss a possible path out of the lockdown and how to manage the recession it is expected to cause.Merkel will discuss the recommendations of the science academy with her cabinet on Tuesday. On Wednesday, she will hold a video conference with the state governors to discuss a possible path out of the lockdown and how to manage the recession it is expected to cause.
In Italy, prime minister Giuseppe Conte extended the national lockdown until 3 May, warning that the gains made so far should not be lost.In Italy, prime minister Giuseppe Conte extended the national lockdown until 3 May, warning that the gains made so far should not be lost.
However, a small proportion of businesses that have been shut since 12 March will be permitted to reopen on Tuesday.However, a small proportion of businesses that have been shut since 12 March will be permitted to reopen on Tuesday.
Conte specifically mentioned bookshops and children’s clothing shops, but media reports suggest laundrettes and other services may also be included.Conte specifically mentioned bookshops and children’s clothing shops, but media reports suggest laundrettes and other services may also be included.
Thanks to everyone who has been sending me messages while I blog. It’s always wonderful to hear from readers and your insight, news tips and comments are very much appreciated. Apologies if I am unable to respond to you all but it makes running the blog a lot easier and also lets me know what you’re finding useful. Please do continue to get in touch.Thanks to everyone who has been sending me messages while I blog. It’s always wonderful to hear from readers and your insight, news tips and comments are very much appreciated. Apologies if I am unable to respond to you all but it makes running the blog a lot easier and also lets me know what you’re finding useful. Please do continue to get in touch.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.comTwitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Malaysian scientists have created a barrel-shaped robot on wheels that they hope will make the rounds on hospital wards to check on coronavirus patients, reducing health workers’ risk of infection.Malaysian scientists have created a barrel-shaped robot on wheels that they hope will make the rounds on hospital wards to check on coronavirus patients, reducing health workers’ risk of infection.
“Medibot” is a 1.5 metre tall (five foot) white robot, equipped with a camera and screen via which patients can communicate remotely with medics.“Medibot” is a 1.5 metre tall (five foot) white robot, equipped with a camera and screen via which patients can communicate remotely with medics.
The invention, built by scientists at the International Islamic University Malaysia, is also fitted with a device to check patients’ temperatures remotely.The invention, built by scientists at the International Islamic University Malaysia, is also fitted with a device to check patients’ temperatures remotely.
It is aimed at helping nurses and doctors working on the wards with social distancing, Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, a member of the team behind the invention, told AFP.It is aimed at helping nurses and doctors working on the wards with social distancing, Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, a member of the team behind the invention, told AFP.
India restarting crucial industries The country is planning to restart some crucial manufacturing to ease the difficulties of the poor, despite expectations it will extend a 21-day lockdown beyond April 15, two government sources said.
Spain lifts some restrictions They have been lifted for some businesses on Monday after shutting down all non-essential operations nearly two weeks ago. This will allow businesses that cannot operate remotely, including construction and manufacturing, to reopen. The move has been criticised by some as risking a resurgence in the spread of the virus. WHO looking at reports of patients testing positive again The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Saturday that it was looking into reports of Covid-19 patients testing positive again after clinically recovering from the disease. South Korean officials had reported on Friday that 91 patients cleared of the new coronavirus had tested positive again. Jeong Eun-kyeong, director of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told a briefing that the virus may have been “reactivated” rather than the patients being re-infected. Russian border becomes China’s new frontline China’s northeastern border with Russia has become its new frontline in the fight against a resurgence in the epidemic, as new daily cases rose to a six-week high. Half of the imported cases from the daily tally involved Chinese nationals returning home from Russia’s Far Eastern Federal District through border crossings in the Heilongjiang province. Widespread testing needed The US needs to ramp up testing for the coronavirus as the White House considers when and how to lift stay-at-home restrictions and lockdowns triggered by the pandemic, U. health experts said.Diagnostic testing determines if somebody is infected with the virus and antibody testing shows who has been infected and is therefore immune. Both will be important in getting people back into the workplace and containing the virus as that happens, the experts said.
Some 3.7 million Kazakhs, or 20% of the oil-exporting central asian nation’s population, have applied for financial aid offered by the government because of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the cabinet said. Out of those applications, about 1.8 million have already been approved, labour minister Birzhan Nurymbetov told a briefing. The Nur-Sultan government has offered to pay 42,500 tenge (about $100) per month to every citizen who loses their source of income during the emergency period, which began on March 16 and is expected to last at least until the end of April. The authorities have locked down all provinces as well as several major cities where they also ordered all non-essential businesses to shut down.
Asia markets fell Monday with investors cautious on news of an international deal to shore up oil prices and tentative signs of progress in efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
OPEC producers dominated by Saudi Arabia and allies led by Russia thrashed out a compromise deal on Sunday to cut production by nearly 10 million barrels per day from May.
Oil futures surged in early Asian trade, with WTI climbing nearly eight percent and Brent up five percent before both benchmarks pared their gains in afternoon trade.
The rally followed months of slumping prices after the Covid-19 outbreak sapped demand as countries around the world put their populations under lockdown.
A Saudi-Russian price war also saw the ramping up of production as both countries bid to hold on to market share and undercut US shale producers.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo called the cuts “historic” in size but analysts said the measures may not go far enough to secure a long-term rebound.
The death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has slowed in some of the worst-hit countries, with Spain readying Monday to reopen parts of its economy as governments grapple with a once-in-a-century recession.
Italy, France and the US have all seen a drop in Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, with Italy – the European nation most afflicted – reporting its lowest toll in more than three weeks.
It came as Pope Francis delivered an unprecedented livestream message to a world under lockdown on Easter Sunday, and Britain’s Boris Johnson left hospital, thanking medics for saving his life.
More than half of the planet’s population is staying home as part of efforts to stem the spread of the virus, which emerged in China late last year and has now killed at least 112,500 people, overwhelming healthcare systems and crippling the world economy.
Spain’s death toll has fallen in recent days, but as a small bump in deaths was reported on Sunday, prime minister Pedro Sanchez warned that the locked-down country was “far from victory”.
“We are all keen to go back out on the streets... but our desire is even greater to win the war and prevent a relapse,” he said, as some companies were set to resume operations at the end of a two-weeks halt of all non-essential activity.
Singapore is preparing to house hundreds of foreign workers in accommodation vessels typically used for offshore and marine industry staff as it races to find alternatives to dormitories where the novel coronavirus has been spreading rapidly. Tens of thousands of migrant workers, many from South Asia, live in cramped dormitories across Singapore, which have become the biggest source of coronavirus infections in recent days. Authorities are moving some of the healthy residents of those facilities to other sites including military camps, an exhibition centre, vacant public housing blocks and the accommodation vessels, which they have called “floating hotels”. “Each facility can hold a few hundred occupants and can be suitably organised to achieve safe distancing,” minister of Transport Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post on Sunday after he visited one of the vessels. They are docked in a restricted area in a port terminal, Khaw said.
I am now running the Guardian’s global live feed, bringing you all the latest news and information from around the world.
I’ve already been sent one photo of a cat, after my own feline assistant appeared in the live blog on Saturday. You can always count on Guardian readers to spread a little joy.
Please do continue to share with me any information, insight or news tips with me via any of the means below. It’s always incredibly helpful when we run the blog.
Twitter: @sloumarshInstagram: sarah_marsh_journalistEmail: sarah.marsh@theguardian.com
Two mixed martial arts events planned behind closed doors in Singapore this month have been postponed after the city-state tightened restrictions to fight the coronavirus, organisers said.
A spokeswoman for Asia’s biggest mixed martial arts promotion, One Championship, confirmed that the events, on April 17 and 24, have been postponed.
Two more closed-door events next month could also be shelved because of the tougher restrictions imposed by the city-state, she told AFP.
It is still unclear about the fate of another One Championship event scheduled for May 29 in the Philippines capital Manila, which is also under a government lockdown.
“We are living through the most extraordinary of times. The good news is that these short-term restrictions will undoubtedly slow down the coronavirus, and flatten the curve,” One Championship chairman and chief executive, Chatri Sityodtong, said in a Facebook post last week.
Singapore won praise for keeping its outbreak in check in the early stages but has seen a surge in cases this month, with many linked to foreign workers’ dormitories. Health authorities have reported 2,532 COVID-19 cases, including eight deaths.
The Guardian’s front page on Monday. The UK government has been warned that Britain risks having the highest death toll from coronavirus in Europe as the total number of fatalities from the disease in UK hospitals rose above 10,000.
As Boris Johnson left hospital on Sunday, criticism of the government’s response to the pandemic was mounting from senior medics and politicians, particularly over its failure to get enough personal protective equipment (PPE) and testing to NHS and care home workers.
People across the UK are being given incorrect information from the government about whether or not to isolate, with some wrongly instructed to remain indoors for 12 weeks, GPs have warned.
Doctors fear out-of-date information is being used as they are getting an increasing number of calls from people who do not understand why they have received a text or letter saying they are in the most at risk group. At the same time, some of those who are in priority groups are complaining they have been given no information, they said.
The list of who to contact, which would normally take weeks to do, was compiled in 48 hours, and given the huge undertaking errors are likely to have crept in.
Last month, the government announced it would contact 1.5 million people by 29 March to tell them that they should be “shielding”, which means they are most at risk to the virus and should stay indoors for 12 weeks.
Dr Francesca Silman, a London GP, said: “Unfortunately a number of people I know did not receive letters despite fitting in the shielding category, some only received letters in the past few days, and others have received letters even though they don’t actually need to shield.”
She added: “It is all a bit of a mess. Part of the problem was I think originally NHS England thought the GPs could do some of the searches – but this is not at all an easy task and the guidance for GPs to go ahead was retracted … Meanwhile, I think the public are unaware of this issue and likely to be following the letters they have or haven’t received unless they have been proactive themselves and looked up the guidance.”
Amazon will begin to put new grocery delivery customers on a waitlist and curtail shopping hours at some Whole Foods stores to prioritize orders from existing customers buying food online during the coronavirus outbreak, the company said on Sunday. Many shoppers recently seeking to purchase groceries from the Seattle-based *e-commerce company found they could not place orders due to a lack of available delivery slots.
Amazon said it would have to relegate all new online grocery customers to a wait list starting Monday while working on adding capacity each week. In recent weeks, it increased the number of Whole Foods stores offering grocery pickup *to more than 150 locations, up from 80 previously.