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Coronavirus live news: global cases pass 1.8m as deaths slow in Italy and New York Coronavirus live news: global cases pass 1.8m as deaths slow in Italy and New York
(32 minutes later)
WHO official warns Covid-19 will ‘stalk’ human race; global deaths pass 110,000; Boris Johnson discharged from hospital. Follow the latest updatesWHO official warns Covid-19 will ‘stalk’ human race; global deaths pass 110,000; Boris Johnson discharged from hospital. Follow the latest updates
Donald Trump took to Twitter an hour ago to respond to a damning New York Times investigation that found that US public health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci and other Trump administration officials recommended the implementation of physical distancing to combat the coronavirus in February, but were rebuffed for almost a month.
Dr Fauci appeared on CNN’s State of the Union program on Sunday to confirm the report.
The global number of confirmed cases has passed 1.8 million, reaching 1,848,503, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. There have been 114,185 deaths globally.
China reported the highest daily infections in over five weeks. Mainland China reported 108 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and 46 reported on Friday.
Top oil-producing countries agreed Sunday on “historic” output cuts in a bid to boost plummeting oil prices due to the new coronavirus crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday refused to accept the resignation of his interior minister over an abrupt nationwide lockdown that triggered a spate of panic-buying.
Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital. He thanked the NHS for “saving [his] life” after leaving St Thomas’ hospital in south London where he had been hospitalised for a week.
The UK government is facing mounting criticism over its coronavirus response, particularly over its failure to secure enough personal protective equipment and tests for NHS and care workers as the country’s death toll passed 10,000. This follows a warning that that the UK could experience the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe.
Thousands of displaced Syrians have begun returning to Idlib, some driven by fear of the spread of the coronavirus to camps near the Turkish border.
Italy’s death toll has continued to slow, as did France’s death toll. Spain’s daily death toll has risen after falling for three days in a row.
New York’s death toll has slowed, with governor Andrew Cuomo announcing there have been 758 deaths in the state in the last day, down from 783 the day before.
France to isolate 1,900 sailors after virus-hit naval ship docks. France on Sunday began an unprecedented operation to isolate 1,900 sailors after 50 naval personnel tested positive for Covid-19 aboard its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle.
Italy has ordered 149 migrants onboard a rescue ship off its coast to be quarantined and tested for the coronavirus before they can disembark.
China has vowed to improve treatment of Africans in the southern city of Guangzhou following international pressure. Facing accusations of discrimination linked to the pandemic, China said it rejected all “racist and discriminatory” remarks.
Senior US public health officials have pushed back on Donald Trump’s eagerness to reopen the country quickly, as a senior World Health Organization figure warned that Covid-19 “is going to be a virus that stalks the human race for quite a long time to come”.
A federal judge on Sunday ruled that Alabama cannot ban abortions as part of the states response to coronavirus, AP reports. US District Judge Myron Thompson issued a preliminary injunction sought by clinics to prevent the state from forbidding abortions as part of a ban on elective medical procedures during the Covid-19 pandemic. Thompson said abortion providers can decide whether a procedure can wait. The ruling was a victory for abortion rights advocates who are fighting efforts in Texas, Ohio, Alabama and other states to prohibit abortion services during the Covid-19 pandemic. States have argued they need to conserve medical equipment and potential hospital beds during the pandemic. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization is being urged to declare abortion an essential health service during the coronavirus pandemic.
In guidance notes issued last week, the WHO advised all governments to identify and prioritise the health services each believed essential, listing reproductive health services as an example.
Clinical guidelines published by the organisation last month said that women’s right to sexual and reproductive healthcare “should be respected irrespective of Covid-19 status, including access to contraception and safe abortion”.
Have tips, news, comments, questions or jokes? Get in touch with me directly any time on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Tornadoes and storms hit US south as six killed in Mississippi
A tornado strike destroyed homes and left a trail of devastation across large parts of the US south on Sunday, as forecasters warned that a powerful Easter storm could affect more than a dozen states and millions of people before the early hours of Monday.
By Sunday evening, the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency had confirmed at least six fatalities in the state from the severe weather. Mississippi governor Tate Reeves declared a state of emergency after saying several tornadoes had struck the state.
In northern Louisiana, up to 300 homes and other buildings were damaged. Utility companies reported thousands of power outages.
The storm provided a dilemma for public safety officials trying to find a balance between wanting people to stay in lockdown for the coronavirus pandemic and wanting them to leave their homes for shelter if conditions worsened.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday refused to accept the resignation of his interior minister over an abrupt nationwide lockdown that triggered a spate of panic-buying, AFP reports.Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday refused to accept the resignation of his interior minister over an abrupt nationwide lockdown that triggered a spate of panic-buying, AFP reports.
Suleyman Soylu came in for fierce criticism after the 48-hour shutdown to counter the spread of the coronavirus was announced on Friday night with just two hours’ notice. The declaration sent thousands flocking to markets and bakeries in defiance of social distancing rules.Suleyman Soylu came in for fierce criticism after the 48-hour shutdown to counter the spread of the coronavirus was announced on Friday night with just two hours’ notice. The declaration sent thousands flocking to markets and bakeries in defiance of social distancing rules.
Reacting to the chaotic scenes on Friday, Soylu said the lockdown had been on the “instructions” of the president. But on Sunday the powerful 50-year-old interior minister accepted “entire responsibility for the implementation of this measure”, which he said had been carried out “in good faith”.Reacting to the chaotic scenes on Friday, Soylu said the lockdown had been on the “instructions” of the president. But on Sunday the powerful 50-year-old interior minister accepted “entire responsibility for the implementation of this measure”, which he said had been carried out “in good faith”.
Erdogan however refused to accept Soylu’s resignation. “He is going to continue to carry out his functions,” he added.Erdogan however refused to accept Soylu’s resignation. “He is going to continue to carry out his functions,” he added.
After the initial chaos, the shutdown, which ended at midnight on Sunday, was generally respected.After the initial chaos, the shutdown, which ended at midnight on Sunday, was generally respected.
Turkey has nearly 57,000 Covid-19 infections and around 1,200 have died, according to the latest health ministry figures.Turkey has nearly 57,000 Covid-19 infections and around 1,200 have died, according to the latest health ministry figures.
US public health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci appeared on CNN’s State of the Union program on Sunday to confirm a bombshell New York Times report which said he and other Trump administration officials recommended the implementation of physical distancing to combat the coronavirus in February, but were rebuffed for almost a month.US public health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci appeared on CNN’s State of the Union program on Sunday to confirm a bombshell New York Times report which said he and other Trump administration officials recommended the implementation of physical distancing to combat the coronavirus in February, but were rebuffed for almost a month.
You can watch the edited interview below:You can watch the edited interview below:
What happens to people’s lungs when they get coronavirus?What happens to people’s lungs when they get coronavirus?
What became known as Covid-19, or the coronavirus, started in late 2019 as a cluster of pneumonia cases with an unknown cause. The cause of the pneumonia was found to be a new virus – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or Sars-CoV-2. The illness caused by the virus is Covid-19.What became known as Covid-19, or the coronavirus, started in late 2019 as a cluster of pneumonia cases with an unknown cause. The cause of the pneumonia was found to be a new virus – severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, or Sars-CoV-2. The illness caused by the virus is Covid-19.
Now declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of people who contract Covid-19 suffer only mild, cold-like symptoms.Now declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the majority of people who contract Covid-19 suffer only mild, cold-like symptoms.
The WHO says about 80% of people with Covid-19 recover without needing any specialist treatment. Only about one person in six becomes seriously ill “and develops difficulty breathing”.The WHO says about 80% of people with Covid-19 recover without needing any specialist treatment. Only about one person in six becomes seriously ill “and develops difficulty breathing”.
So how can Covid-19 develop into a more serious illness featuring pneumonia, and what does that do to our lungs and the rest of our body?So how can Covid-19 develop into a more serious illness featuring pneumonia, and what does that do to our lungs and the rest of our body?
African ambassadors in China have written to the country’s foreign minister over what they call discrimination against Africans as the country seeks to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus.African ambassadors in China have written to the country’s foreign minister over what they call discrimination against Africans as the country seeks to prevent a resurgence of the coronavirus.
Several African countries have separately also demanded that China address their concerns that Africans, in particular in the southern city of Guangzhou, are being mistreated and harassed, Reuters reports. China has denied any discrimination. In recent days Africans in Guangzhou have reported being ejected from their apartments by their landlords, being tested for coronavirus several times without being given results and being shunned and discriminated against in public. Such complaints have been made in local media, and on social media.Several African countries have separately also demanded that China address their concerns that Africans, in particular in the southern city of Guangzhou, are being mistreated and harassed, Reuters reports. China has denied any discrimination. In recent days Africans in Guangzhou have reported being ejected from their apartments by their landlords, being tested for coronavirus several times without being given results and being shunned and discriminated against in public. Such complaints have been made in local media, and on social media.
The ambassadors’ note said such “stigmatisation and discrimination” created the false impression that the virus was being spread by Africans. “The Group of African Ambassadors in Beijing immediately demands the cessation of forceful testing, quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to Africans,” it said. The note was sent to State Councilor Wang Yi, the Chinese government’s top diplomat, copying the chair of the African Union, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and all African foreign ministers.The ambassadors’ note said such “stigmatisation and discrimination” created the false impression that the virus was being spread by Africans. “The Group of African Ambassadors in Beijing immediately demands the cessation of forceful testing, quarantine and other inhuman treatments meted out to Africans,” it said. The note was sent to State Councilor Wang Yi, the Chinese government’s top diplomat, copying the chair of the African Union, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and all African foreign ministers.
More on the latest figures from mainland China now – where the highest number of daily infections in more than five weeks, was recorded on Sunday, with 108 new Covid-19 cases. Saturday’s figure was 99, which had nearly doubled the 46 reported on Friday.More on the latest figures from mainland China now – where the highest number of daily infections in more than five weeks, was recorded on Sunday, with 108 new Covid-19 cases. Saturday’s figure was 99, which had nearly doubled the 46 reported on Friday.
Chinese authorities are increasing restrictions and monitoring in the northern regions bordering Russia, after a rise in people with Covid-19 crossing the border.Chinese authorities are increasing restrictions and monitoring in the northern regions bordering Russia, after a rise in people with Covid-19 crossing the border.
Heilongjiang’s capital, Harbin, as well as the border city of Suifenhe now require all arrivals to quarantine for 28 days and undergo testing. Under the new restrictions residential units in Harbin where people have been confirmed to have the virus, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, are to be locked down for 14 days.Heilongjiang’s capital, Harbin, as well as the border city of Suifenhe now require all arrivals to quarantine for 28 days and undergo testing. Under the new restrictions residential units in Harbin where people have been confirmed to have the virus, whether symptomatic or asymptomatic, are to be locked down for 14 days.
Suifenhe, which has extended the closure of its Russian border and Wuhan-style restrictions, was one of the few routes for people to return to China from Russia after Russia stopped all flights and closed its land border to incoming traffic.Suifenhe, which has extended the closure of its Russian border and Wuhan-style restrictions, was one of the few routes for people to return to China from Russia after Russia stopped all flights and closed its land border to incoming traffic.
“Of course people want to come back to China. I’ve been to markets in Russia where Chinese people do business. It’s messy and crowded, no one can be safe from infection there,” a Suifenhe fruit-seller, who goes by a single name Ming, told Reuters.“Of course people want to come back to China. I’ve been to markets in Russia where Chinese people do business. It’s messy and crowded, no one can be safe from infection there,” a Suifenhe fruit-seller, who goes by a single name Ming, told Reuters.
“If the border were to be reopened next week as previously announced, then our city will be stuck with this partial lockdown for the rest of the year.”“If the border were to be reopened next week as previously announced, then our city will be stuck with this partial lockdown for the rest of the year.”
Also in focus this week for global markets: US companies will announce their earnings, starting from big banks. China will on Tuesday release its trade data and on Friday release its closely watched gross domestic product data.Also in focus this week for global markets: US companies will announce their earnings, starting from big banks. China will on Tuesday release its trade data and on Friday release its closely watched gross domestic product data.
In foreign exchange markets, risk-sensitive currencies were softer while the safe-haven dollar and the yen found support. The Australian dollar fell 0.3% to $0.6303 while the Mexican peso dropped 0.4% to 23.430 per dollar. The euro stood flat at $1.0934 and the yen gained 0.15% to 108.34 to the dollar.In foreign exchange markets, risk-sensitive currencies were softer while the safe-haven dollar and the yen found support. The Australian dollar fell 0.3% to $0.6303 while the Mexican peso dropped 0.4% to 23.430 per dollar. The euro stood flat at $1.0934 and the yen gained 0.15% to 108.34 to the dollar.
Oil prices and US stock futures dipped in early Monday trade as a landmark agreement by OPEC and its allies to slash output by a record amount failed to give investors any cause for lasting optimism about the economic outlook, Reuters reports.Oil prices and US stock futures dipped in early Monday trade as a landmark agreement by OPEC and its allies to slash output by a record amount failed to give investors any cause for lasting optimism about the economic outlook, Reuters reports.
US S&P 500 mini futures dropped 1.54%, erasing a brief gain to a one-month high made right after the start of trading. Nikkei futures traded in Chicago suggest Tokyo’s benchmark is likely to slip about 0.2%. US crude futures dropped to $22.67 per barrel, down 0.4% as they quickly erased earlier gains to hit the lowest level since 2 April. Brent futures were down 0.67% at $31.27 per barrel, having risen to $33.99. A group of oil producing countries known as OPEC+, which includes Russia, said it had agreed to reduce output by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) for May-June, after four days of marathon talks. A bigger question for investors, however, is whether the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has ravaged global economic growth, will soon peak in the United States and Europe, as had been hoped. “While panic selling we saw last month has faded, not many investors would want to chase stock prices higher given we are about to see more evidence of economic downturns,” said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.US S&P 500 mini futures dropped 1.54%, erasing a brief gain to a one-month high made right after the start of trading. Nikkei futures traded in Chicago suggest Tokyo’s benchmark is likely to slip about 0.2%. US crude futures dropped to $22.67 per barrel, down 0.4% as they quickly erased earlier gains to hit the lowest level since 2 April. Brent futures were down 0.67% at $31.27 per barrel, having risen to $33.99. A group of oil producing countries known as OPEC+, which includes Russia, said it had agreed to reduce output by 9.7 million barrels per day (bpd) for May-June, after four days of marathon talks. A bigger question for investors, however, is whether the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has ravaged global economic growth, will soon peak in the United States and Europe, as had been hoped. “While panic selling we saw last month has faded, not many investors would want to chase stock prices higher given we are about to see more evidence of economic downturns,” said Masahiro Ichikawa, senior strategist at Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management.
Mexican health officials reported on Sunday 442 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 23 new deaths, bringing the country’s total to 4,661 cases and 296 deaths.Mexican health officials reported on Sunday 442 new cases of the novel coronavirus and 23 new deaths, bringing the country’s total to 4,661 cases and 296 deaths.
However, Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said last week the country might have 26,500 people infected. Citing government models, Lopez-Gatell said many who are infected likely did not have symptoms or were not diagnosed.However, Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said last week the country might have 26,500 people infected. Citing government models, Lopez-Gatell said many who are infected likely did not have symptoms or were not diagnosed.
Iran: Covid-19 outbreak delays investigation into downed Ukrainian flightIran: Covid-19 outbreak delays investigation into downed Ukrainian flight
The Covid-19 pandemic will delay the investigation into the downing of a Ukrainian international flight over Iran, after Canada asked Tehran to delay downloading data on the black boxes due to coronavirus travel restrictions.The Covid-19 pandemic will delay the investigation into the downing of a Ukrainian international flight over Iran, after Canada asked Tehran to delay downloading data on the black boxes due to coronavirus travel restrictions.
Iran agreed in March to hand over the black boxes from Flight 752 to Ukraine or France for analysis – a move welcomed by Canada and Ukraine.Iran agreed in March to hand over the black boxes from Flight 752 to Ukraine or France for analysis – a move welcomed by Canada and Ukraine.
Last week, Iran contacted the countries involved to ask when they could send experts to help download the data off the black boxes, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).Last week, Iran contacted the countries involved to ask when they could send experts to help download the data off the black boxes, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
While stressing that the concerned countries were “anxious for the download and analysis of the recorders to proceed”, TSB president Kathy Fox said they all “provided a consistent response, indicating that travelling was impossible at this time, and likely for some time to come” due to restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.While stressing that the concerned countries were “anxious for the download and analysis of the recorders to proceed”, TSB president Kathy Fox said they all “provided a consistent response, indicating that travelling was impossible at this time, and likely for some time to come” due to restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
The Iranian military has admitted that the plane was shot down due to “human error”. Of the 176 victims, 57 were Canadian citizens and 29 were permanent residents in Canada.The Iranian military has admitted that the plane was shot down due to “human error”. Of the 176 victims, 57 were Canadian citizens and 29 were permanent residents in Canada.
Mainland China reported 108 new coronavirus cases on Sunday, up from 99 a day earlier and marking the highest number of daily infections in more than five weeks amid continued rise in patients entering the country from overseas, Reuters reports.
The National Health Commission said in a statement on Monday that the mainland reported 98 new imported cases, a record high and up from 97 a day earlier, and another 61 new asymptomatic patients. Total number of confirmed cases in mainland China now stands at 82,160, while the death toll rose by two to 3,341.
On that note:
The importance of positive emotions during the coronavirus crisis:
Another 103 crew members on the US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for the coronavirus, the Navy said on Saturday, bringing the total number of cases from the ship to 550, Reuters reports.
In a statement on its website, the Navy said 92% of the carrier’s crew members had been tested for the virus, with 550 positive and 3,673 negative results. It said 3,696 sailors had moved ashore. On Friday, the Navy had reported 447 positive cases and on Thursday, 416. The outbreak aboard the nuclear-powered carrier led to the resignation on Tuesday of Thomas Modly as acting Navy secretary following a mounting backlash for his firing and ridiculing of the ship’s commander, who had pleaded for help stemming a coronavirus outbreak onboard. On Thursday, a sailor from the carrier was admitted to an intensive care unit in Guam after testing positive for the coronavirus last month.
The Kremlin said on Saturday a “huge influx” of coronavirus patients was beginning to put a strain on hospitals in Moscow as Russia’s death toll rose to more than 100, Reuters reports. Moscow and many other regions have been in lockdown for nearly two weeks to stem the contagion, but hospitals in the capital are still being pushed to their limit, officials said. On Saturday, a Reuters witness saw a tailback of dozens of ambulances queuing outside a hospital handling coronavirus cases in the region immediately outside Moscow, waiting to drop off patients. One ambulance driver said he had been waiting 15 hours outside the hospital to drop off a patient suspected of having the virus.
“The situation in both Moscow and St. Petersburg, but mostly in Moscow, is quite tense because the number of sick people is growing,” Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview on state television, Russian news agencies reported. “There is a huge influx of patients. We are seeing hospitals in Moscow working extremely intensely, in heroic, emergency mode.” Russia’s coronavirus crisis response centre said hospitals were taking all possible measures to ensure rapid admissions and that cases of ambulances needing to wait hours to drop off patients was not a systemic issue.
People in Hong Kong thronged beaches, ferries and outlying islands on Sunday, many of them violating a ban on gatherings of more than four people aimed at containing the spread of the new coronavirus.
Clear blue skies lured people to popular areas across the territory over the long Easter weekend and many of them were without surgical masks. People in the city of 7.4 million have made a point of wearing masks in the past months. Hong Kong has recorded 1,005 cases of Covid-19, which has killed four people in the city. It banned public gatherings of more than four people for 14 days from 29 March, after recording the biggest daily increase in new Covid-19 infections, and later extended that restriction until 23 April. In a Facebook post on Saturday, the Chinese-ruled city’s leader Carrie Lam urged citizens to comply with social distancing orders in restaurants and said the government would ramp up checks. “But the most important thing is that customers oblige by the rules. I hope everybody will feel at ease when eating, and go home early,” she wrote.
Top oil-producing countries agreed Sunday on “historic” output cuts in a bid to boost plummeting oil prices due to the new coronavirus crisis and a Russia-Saudi price war, AFP reports.
OPEC producers dominated by Saudi Arabia and allies led by Russia met via videoconference for an hour Sunday in a last effort to cement a deal struck early Friday.
In a compromise reached Sunday, they agreed to a cut of 9.7 million barrels per day from May, according to its Energy Minister Rocio Nahle, down slightly from 10 million barrels per day envisioned earlier.
OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo called the cuts “historic”.
“They are largest in volume and the longest in duration, as they are planned to last for two years,” he said.
The agreement between the Vienna-based Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and partners foresees deep output cuts in May and June followed by a gradual reduction in cuts until April 2022.
Canada on Sunday formally welcomed a deal by OPEC and allies to cut oil output by a record amount, saying Ottawa was committed to achieving price certainty and economic stability.
“This is good. We welcome any news that brings stability to global oil markets,” Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan said in a statement emailed to Reuters.
In these challenging times, some are pushing themselves to levels of endurance and daring they never thought possible:
France on Sunday began an unprecedented operation to isolate 1,900 sailors after 50 naval personnel tested positive for Covid-19 aboard its nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles-de-Gaulle.
The flagship of the French navy docked in the southern port of Toulon, after cutting short its current mission in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic by 10 days because of the outbreak.
Local authorities said a painstaking operation was now underway by land and sea to evacuate 1,900 sailors to ensure there was no risk of any further infection.
Three sailors had already been evacuated to hospital Toulon as a “precaution” before the ship docked. All the personnel will be tested and they will then be put into isolation for two weeks, with no physical contact allowed with their families, said the spokeswoman for the regional authorities, Christine Ribbe.
Only once the isolation period is over will the sailors be allowed home. From Tuesday, the ship itself will also be the subject of a major disinfection operation.
Hello and welcome to today’s global live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Sullivan.
As confirmed cases worldwide approach two million, death rates have slowed in two of the worst-affected places: Italy, and New York state.
Global deaths meanwhile have passed 113,000.
Here are the main developments from the last few hours:
The global number of confirmed cases has passed 1.8 million, reaching 1,844,410, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. There have been over 113,000 deaths globally.
Boris Johnson has been discharged from hospital. He thanked the NHS for “saving [his] life” after leaving St Thomas’ hospital in south London where he had been hospitalised for a week.
Ecuadorean President Lenin Moreno and his cabinet members have taken 50% pay cuts in a bid to tackle the pandemic’s economic effects on the country.
A former Israeli chief rabbi has died from coronavirus complications. Eliyahu Bakshi-Doron died from complications from the virus in a Jerusalem hospital, aged 79.
The UK government is facing mounting criticism over its coronavirus response, particularly over its failure to secure enough personal protective equipment and tests for NHS and care workers as the country’s death toll passed 10,000. This follows a warning that that the UK could experience the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe.
Thousands of displaced Syrians have begun returning to Idlib, some driven by fear of the spread of the coronavirus to camps near the Turkish border.
Italy’s death toll has continued to slow, reporting 431 deaths on Sunday – the lowest daily rise since 19 March.
Spain’s daily death toll has risen after falling for three days in a row, with 619 new deaths registered in the last 24 hours compared to 510 the day before.
New York’s death toll has slowed, with governor Andrew Cuomo announcing there have been 758 deaths in the state in the last day, down from 783 the day before.
Italy has ordered 149 migrants onboard a rescue ship off its coast to be quarantined and tested for the coronavirus before they can disembark.
China has vowed to improve treatment of Africans in the southern city of Guangzhou following international pressure. Facing accusations of discrimination linked to the pandemic, China said it rejected all “racist and discriminatory” remarks.
Senior US public health officials have pushed back on Donald Trump’s eagerness to reopen the country quickly, as a senior World Health Organization figure warned that Covid-19 “is going to be a virus that stalks the human race for quite a long time to come”.
France’s death toll has continued to slow, with the country reporting a drop in coronavirus deaths on the previous 24 hours. There were 315 deaths in hospital over the last day, compared with 345 the day earlier.