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Coronavirus live news: Spain records another drop in daily death toll as cases worldwide pass 1.85m
Coronavirus live news: Spain records another drop in daily death toll as cases worldwide pass 1.85m
(32 minutes later)
China reports highest daily cases in over five weeks: WHO official warns Covid-19 will ‘stalk’ human race; New York deaths slow
China reports highest daily cases in over five weeks: WHO official warns Covid-19 will ‘stalk’ human race; New York deaths slow
This is Damien Gayle taking charge on the world news live now. For the next eight hours or so I’ll be taking you through the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic around the world.
Health authorities in Belgium have reported 303 more deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the country’s total death toll from the outbreak to 3,903.
Although its absolute numbers seem small in comparison to those in other European countries and the US, Belgium’s small population means that in terms of deaths per million the impact of the outbreak is now greater than in Italy.
According to the daily situation report published by Belgium’s Sciensano health institute, in the past day 942 more confirmed cases of coronavirus were detected, with 310 people suffering from Covid-19 admitted to hospital, while 239 left hospital.
Overall, 5,393 hospital beds were occupied by coronavirus patients, 1,234 of whom were in intensive care. Since the start of its outbreak, Belgium has recorded 30,589 cases of coronavirus.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has reported that a second person fell victim to Ebola in the days before health authorities had hoped to declare an end to the latest outbreak there.
Today had been the deadline to declare the 20-month Ebola epidemic in DRC over, but on Friday, a 26-year-old man, in the city of Beni, was listed as having died from the disease, and a young girl who was being treated in the same health centre died on Sunday.
It means DRC is now battling two epidemics: Ebola and coronavirus. Since 1 August 2018 the Ebola outbreak has claimed 2,276 lives; coronavirus has so far killed 20, out of 234 known cases.
This is Damien Gayle taking charge on the world news live blog. For the next eight hours or so I’ll be taking you through the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic around the world.
If you have any tips, suggestions or comments then please send them in, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via a direct message to my Twitter account, @damiengayle.
If you have any tips, suggestions or comments then please send them in, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via a direct message to my Twitter account, @damiengayle.
Malaysian health authorities on Monday reported 134 new coronavirus cases, raising the cumulative total to 4,817 as Southeast Asia’s third-largest economy sees a plateau in the number of new infections reported over the past 10 days. The authorities also reported one new death, a participant at a religious gathering that was responsible for more than a third of the total confirmed cases in the country, bringing the total number of fatalities to 77. Malaysia had the highest number of confirmed cases in the region until Monday, when the Philippines reported a cumulative total of 4,932 cases.
Malaysian health authorities have reported 134 new coronavirus cases, raising the cumulative total to 4,817 as south-east Asia’s third-largest economy reaches a plateau in the number of new infections reported over the past 10 days. The authorities also reported one new death, a participant at a religious gathering that has been responsible for more than a third of the total confirmed cases in the country, bringing the total number of fatalities to 77. Malaysia had the highest number of confirmed cases in the region until Monday, when the Philippines reported a cumulative total of 4,932 cases.
I am now going to be handing over the blog to Damien Gayle, who will be bringing you updates throughout the day. Thanks to all of you who shared information with me, and please do continue to get in touch if you have any story ideas. (email:sarah.marsh@theguardian.com/ Instagram: sarah_marsh_journalist)
I am now going to be handing over the blog to Damien Gayle, who will be bringing you updates throughout the day. Thanks to all of you who shared information with me, and please do continue to get in touch if you have any story ideas. (email:sarah.marsh@theguardian.com/ Instagram: sarah_marsh_journalist)
Spain’s overnight death toll from the coronavirus fell to 517 on Monday from Sunday’s 619, bringing the total death toll to 17,489, the health ministry said, adding that it was the smallest proportional daily increase since tracking began. The ministry said in a statement that overall cases rose to 169,496 from 166,019.
Spain’s overnight death toll from the coronavirus fell to 517 on Monday from Sunday’s 619, bringing the total death toll to 17,489, the health ministry said, adding that it was the smallest proportional daily increase since tracking began. The ministry said in a statement that overall cases rose to 169,496 from 166,019.
The world’s largest oil producers have agreed a historic deal to cut global oil production by almost 10% to protect the market against the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
The world’s largest oil producers have agreed a historic deal to cut global oil production by almost 10% to protect the market against the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Members of the Opec oil cartel and its allies have agreed to withhold almost 10m barrels a day from next month after the outbreak of Covid-19 wiped out demand for fossil fuels and triggered a collapse in global oil prices.
Members of the Opec oil cartel and its allies have agreed to withhold almost 10m barrels a day from next month after the outbreak of Covid-19 wiped out demand for fossil fuels and triggered a collapse in global oil prices.
The biggest oil production deal in history is double the size of the cuts agreed following the global financial crisis and marks a truce in the oil price war brewing between Saudi Arabia, Opec’s de facto leader, and Russia.
The biggest oil production deal in history is double the size of the cuts agreed following the global financial crisis and marks a truce in the oil price war brewing between Saudi Arabia, Opec’s de facto leader, and Russia.
Read the full article here.
Read the full article here.
Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has risen to 4,585, with 111 deaths overnight, a health ministry official said, adding the total number of infected cases had reached 73,303 in the most-affected Middle Eastern country. “Fortunately 45,983 of those infected with the virus have recovered ... There were 1,617 new infected cases in the past 24 hours,” tweeted Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to Iran’s health minister. Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV that 3,877 of those infected with the new coronavirus were in critical condition.
Iran’s death toll from the new coronavirus has risen to 4,585, with 111 deaths overnight, a health ministry official said, adding the total number of infected cases had reached 73,303 in the most-affected Middle Eastern country. “Fortunately 45,983 of those infected with the virus have recovered ... There were 1,617 new infected cases in the past 24 hours,” tweeted Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to Iran’s health minister. Health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV that 3,877 of those infected with the new coronavirus were in critical condition.
I am moving into my last half an hour on the blog before my colleague Damien will take over. Please do share any final news tips or information with me. Thanks in advance.
I am moving into my last half an hour on the blog before my colleague Damien takes over. Please do share any final news tips or information with me. Thanks in advance.
Indonesia on Monday announced 316 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 4,557, according to data provided by a health ministry official, Achmad Yurianto. Yurianto said there were also 26 new coronavirus-related deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 399.
Indonesia on Monday announced 316 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 4,557, according to data provided by a health ministry official, Achmad Yurianto. Yurianto said there were also 26 new coronavirus-related deaths, taking the total number of fatalities to 399.
I am looking after the Guardian’s live blog, bringing you the latest news. Please do share any thoughts, insight or news tips with me via any of the channels below. Thanks
South Korean firms will make their first shipment of coronavirus tests to the United States this week after a request by US President Donald Trump, Yonhap news agency has reported.
The US has more confirmed Covid-19 cases than anywhere else in the world and also has the highest toll, with more than 22,000 deaths.
In contrast South Korea was once the hardest-hit country outside China, but appears to have brought its outbreak under control with a huge “trace, test and treat” strategy.
It has tested more than half a million people in a process free to anyone referred by doctors or those who have links to a confirmed case.
Japan’s government said on Monday it saw no reason at the moment to extend its state of emergency beyond Tokyo and a handful of other cities around the country. “So far we have not been informed of any expert evidence suggesting that the state of emergency should be extended to Hokkaido or other regions,” chief government spokesman Yoshihide Suga told reporters at a briefing. The central government declared a state of emergency last week, giving legal authority to governors in Tokyo and six other potential virus hotspot prefectures to ask people to stay home and businesses to close, although there are no penalties for non-compliance.
Britain’s finance minister has told colleagues the economy could shrink by up to 30% this quarter because of the coronavirus lockdown, the Times reported, as the soaring death toll gave little hope restrictions would soon be lifted.
The number of Covid-19 deaths in hospitals across the United Kingdom has passed 10,000 and a senior scientific adviser to the government has said the country risked becoming the worst-hit in Europe. The government has had to defend its response to the outbreak, with complaints of insufficient testing, a dearth of protective kit for medics and questions about whether Prime Minister Boris Johnson was too slow to impose a lockdown. Johnson was starting his convalescence from the disease at his country residence on Monday after leaving hospital the previous day, with no clarity on when he would return to work.
The Times newspaper reported that Rishi Sunak, the finance minister, had discussed with colleagues the possibility that gross domestic product would shrink by 25 to 30% between April and June. A Treasury spokesman declined to comment on the report. Citing unnamed ministers, the Times reported that Sunak and others were pushing for social distancing measures to be relaxed for the sake of the economy, while others were resisting because of the risk of exacerbating the coronavirus outbreak. A review of the current measures, which have been in place since 23 March, is scheduled to take place this week. The government is widely expected to extend them.
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 admits 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 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.
