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Coronavirus live news: Donald Trump signals immigration ban as Italy will announce plan for easing lockdown Coronavirus live news: Singapore extends lockdown after sharp rise in cases
(32 minutes later)
President to sign temporary executive order ‘in light of attack from Invisible Enemy’; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapses into negative prices; global cases near 2.5 million Donald Trump signals immigration ban; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapses into negative prices; global cases near 2.5 million
In its first coronavirus briefing this week, Germany’s leading public health body, the Robert Koch Institute said that there was evidence that Covid-19 could damage the heart, kidneys and cause blood clotting. Prof Lars Schaade, the RKI’s vice president, said: “We must systematically examine all the evidence, including through autopsies.”
He said the decision to relax restrictions across Germany, which has seen some small shops opening, and pupils returning to school to sit exams this week, were “sensible” from a societal point of view. But from a purely epidemiological viewpoint restrictions should remain in place.
The main aim remained ensuring that the number of cases remained in a “safe zone”, he said. Germany’s reproduction rate is currently 0.9 - up on Friday when it was 0.7 - which means every person contracting the illness is infecting a further person. The number of new cases are currently doubling every 20 days, the number of deaths every 12 days.
According to health authority figures this morning, Germany currently has over 147,000 confirmed cases, and 4,912 people have died from the disease. Germany’s mortality rate from coronavirus is at 3.2 per cent. Schaade said it had risen, as the amount of infections and subsequent deaths in care homes and hospitals had increased.
He said test capacity was currently at 730,000 a week in Germany, but should ideally be around one million, with everyone who has a respiratory illness or infection of the airway getting tested. However, he pointed to practical problems with upscaling testing due to a global lack of reagents.
Despite reports this morning that children are not actually spreading the disease as much as had been thought, Schaade said that intensive tracking showed that children who had contracted the disease in Germany were found to have as much of the virus in their throats as adults, even if they often show no symptoms. He said the RKI believed children played a not-insignificant role in spreading the disease.
Schaade said advice about stopping the spread of the virus remained the same, and would do so as long as there was no vaccination: keep a distance of 1.5 metres, cough into the elbow and wash your hands. He advised the wearing of face protection which covered the nose and mouth in public places.
He said intensive tracking of those who had been in contact with infected people remained an important part of the strategy to tackle coronavirus, and was a “classical epidemiological tool”, enabling contacts to be “found and isolated so that they don’t infect more people”.
Singapore’s prime minister Lee Hsien Loong has extended a lockdown to curb the spread of coronavirus by four weeks until 1 June, after the city state saw a sharp rise in cases.
The measures, which include the closures of most workplaces and schools, were initially set to run from 7 April until 4 May.
You can read the prime minister’s full speech here. He said:
Coronavirus deaths in Spain are up slightly at 430, compared to 399 yesterday. Fatalities from the virus now stand at 21,282, with 204,178 reported cases and 82,514 recovered.Coronavirus deaths in Spain are up slightly at 430, compared to 399 yesterday. Fatalities from the virus now stand at 21,282, with 204,178 reported cases and 82,514 recovered.
Details are expected to be announced today on when and how children will be allowed out after more than five weeks of confinement. However, Fernando Simón, the chief medical officer, has already said that they will not be allowed to play in the street or in parks.Details are expected to be announced today on when and how children will be allowed out after more than five weeks of confinement. However, Fernando Simón, the chief medical officer, has already said that they will not be allowed to play in the street or in parks.
Over 30,000 medical staff have tested positive for the virus in Spain, more than 15% of the total, and 26 have died. Widespread testing has been set back by the discovery that the latest batch of tests are inaccurate. A study by Barcelona city council revealed that only 11% of people presenting with coronavirus symptoms have been tested.Over 30,000 medical staff have tested positive for the virus in Spain, more than 15% of the total, and 26 have died. Widespread testing has been set back by the discovery that the latest batch of tests are inaccurate. A study by Barcelona city council revealed that only 11% of people presenting with coronavirus symptoms have been tested.
The Spanish hairdressers’ association predicts that 20,000 salons will close as a result of the pandemic, around 42% of the total.The Spanish hairdressers’ association predicts that 20,000 salons will close as a result of the pandemic, around 42% of the total.
The Afghan health ministry has said it is concerned about the spread of the coronavirus in Taliban controlled areas, as the number of confirmed cases in the country reached 1,092 – following the biggest one-day rise of infections in the capital Kabul.Of the 66 new Covid-19 cases recorded in last 24 hours, 52 were in Kabul, pushing the total number of infections in the city to 374, overtaking Herat as the worst affected area. Herat has had 338 confirmed cases so far. Afghanistan has recorded 36 deaths, while 150 patients recovered.The Afghan health ministry has said it is concerned about the spread of the coronavirus in Taliban controlled areas, as the number of confirmed cases in the country reached 1,092 – following the biggest one-day rise of infections in the capital Kabul.Of the 66 new Covid-19 cases recorded in last 24 hours, 52 were in Kabul, pushing the total number of infections in the city to 374, overtaking Herat as the worst affected area. Herat has had 338 confirmed cases so far. Afghanistan has recorded 36 deaths, while 150 patients recovered.
After days of speculation about the health of president Ashraf Ghani – amid reports that more than a dozen presidential palace employees had been infected with coronavirus – a spokesman said on Tuesday that the president had tested negative for the disease. Sediq Sediqqi said:After days of speculation about the health of president Ashraf Ghani – amid reports that more than a dozen presidential palace employees had been infected with coronavirus – a spokesman said on Tuesday that the president had tested negative for the disease. Sediq Sediqqi said:
Health ministry spokesman, Wahidullah Mayar, told a press conference that the ministry was concerned about coronavirus spreading in war zones. He said the country was fighting both terror and coronavirus. “You won’t find any country like us, war is our biggest challenge in order to fight with Coronavirus,” he said.Meanwhile the US state department said it would provide $18m to Afghanistan to fight coronavirus. “This support will include surveillance, lab improvements, case management, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and technical assistance to the Government of Afghanistan,” a statement said.Health ministry spokesman, Wahidullah Mayar, told a press conference that the ministry was concerned about coronavirus spreading in war zones. He said the country was fighting both terror and coronavirus. “You won’t find any country like us, war is our biggest challenge in order to fight with Coronavirus,” he said.Meanwhile the US state department said it would provide $18m to Afghanistan to fight coronavirus. “This support will include surveillance, lab improvements, case management, infection prevention and control, community engagement, and technical assistance to the Government of Afghanistan,” a statement said.
An earlier post said France was stopping all flights outside the Schengen zone, but it appears that the Reuters interpretation of the French minister’s comments was not quite right. Rather than declaring a new policy, the transport and environment minister Elisabeth Borne was simply describing the current situation.An earlier post said France was stopping all flights outside the Schengen zone, but it appears that the Reuters interpretation of the French minister’s comments was not quite right. Rather than declaring a new policy, the transport and environment minister Elisabeth Borne was simply describing the current situation.
Indonesia has reported 375 new coronavirus infections, taking the total to 7,135.Indonesia has reported 375 new coronavirus infections, taking the total to 7,135.
The country’s health department said there had been 26 new coronavirus deaths, taking the total to 616. More than 46,700 people have been tested and 842 people had recovered.The country’s health department said there had been 26 new coronavirus deaths, taking the total to 616. More than 46,700 people have been tested and 842 people had recovered.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s temporary release from an Iranian jail has been extended for one month, her local MP has announced.Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s temporary release from an Iranian jail has been extended for one month, her local MP has announced.
Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, said:Tulip Siddiq, Labour MP for Hampstead and Kilburn, said:
Milan is to introduce one of Europe’s most ambitious schemes reallocating street space from cars to cycling and walking, in response to the coronavirus crisis.Milan is to introduce one of Europe’s most ambitious schemes reallocating street space from cars to cycling and walking, in response to the coronavirus crisis.
Laura Laker reports that the northern Italian city and surrounding Lombardy region are among Europe’s most polluted, and have also been especially hard hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.Laura Laker reports that the northern Italian city and surrounding Lombardy region are among Europe’s most polluted, and have also been especially hard hit by the Covid-19 outbreak.
Under the nationwide lockdown, motor traffic congestion has dropped by 30-75%, and air pollution with it. City officials hope to fend off a resurgence in car use as residents return to work looking to avoid busy public transport.Under the nationwide lockdown, motor traffic congestion has dropped by 30-75%, and air pollution with it. City officials hope to fend off a resurgence in car use as residents return to work looking to avoid busy public transport.
The city has announced that 35km (22 miles) of streets will be transformed over the summer, with a rapid, experimental citywide expansion of cycling and walking space to protect residents as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.The city has announced that 35km (22 miles) of streets will be transformed over the summer, with a rapid, experimental citywide expansion of cycling and walking space to protect residents as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
You can read the full story here.You can read the full story here.
The news comes after research suggested that air pollution was a ‘key contributor’ to Covid-19 deaths. It found that almost 80% of deaths occurred in just 8% of the 66 European regions studied, all of which had the most polluted air.The news comes after research suggested that air pollution was a ‘key contributor’ to Covid-19 deaths. It found that almost 80% of deaths occurred in just 8% of the 66 European regions studied, all of which had the most polluted air.
The Philippines has recorded nine new coronavirus deaths and 140 additional confirmed cases.The Philippines has recorded nine new coronavirus deaths and 140 additional confirmed cases.
The country’s health ministry said total coronavirus deaths had reached 437, while infections have risen to 6,599. 41 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 654.The country’s health ministry said total coronavirus deaths had reached 437, while infections have risen to 6,599. 41 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 654.
The United Nations has announced that a World Health Organization (WHO) worker was killed when a vehicle he was driving, carrying swabs from patients to be tested for coronavirus, came under attack in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.The United Nations has announced that a World Health Organization (WHO) worker was killed when a vehicle he was driving, carrying swabs from patients to be tested for coronavirus, came under attack in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
The UN office in Myanmar said in a Facebook post it was “deeply saddened” to confirm that Pyae Song Win Maung had died in Minbya township in Rakhine state.The UN office in Myanmar said in a Facebook post it was “deeply saddened” to confirm that Pyae Song Win Maung had died in Minbya township in Rakhine state.
It did not say who carried out the attack. Both the army and Arakan Army insurgents denied responsibility and accused each other.It did not say who carried out the attack. Both the army and Arakan Army insurgents denied responsibility and accused each other.
A nine-year-old boy who contracted Covid-19 in Eastern France did not pass the virus on despite coming into contact with more than 170 people, according to research that suggests children may not be major spreaders of the virus.A nine-year-old boy who contracted Covid-19 in Eastern France did not pass the virus on despite coming into contact with more than 170 people, according to research that suggests children may not be major spreaders of the virus.
The Guardian’s science editor, Ian Sample, reports that the boy was among a cluster of cases linked to Steve Walsh, the Hove-based businessman who became the first Briton to test positive for coronavirus after attending a sales conference in Singapore in January.The Guardian’s science editor, Ian Sample, reports that the boy was among a cluster of cases linked to Steve Walsh, the Hove-based businessman who became the first Briton to test positive for coronavirus after attending a sales conference in Singapore in January.
Walsh unwittingly passed the infection on when he joined 10 British adults and a family of five at a chalet in the ski resort of Contamines-Montjoie in the Haute-Savoie region after flying in from London.Walsh unwittingly passed the infection on when he joined 10 British adults and a family of five at a chalet in the ski resort of Contamines-Montjoie in the Haute-Savoie region after flying in from London.
Most of the chalet guests contracted the virus, but an investigation by Public Health France found that the nine-year-old did not pass it on to either of his siblings nor anyone else, despite coming into contact with 172 people, all of whom were quarantined as a precaution, and having lessons at three separate ski schools.Most of the chalet guests contracted the virus, but an investigation by Public Health France found that the nine-year-old did not pass it on to either of his siblings nor anyone else, despite coming into contact with 172 people, all of whom were quarantined as a precaution, and having lessons at three separate ski schools.
You can read a full write-up of the research here –You can read a full write-up of the research here –
The German state of Bavaria has cancelled its annual folk festival, Oktoberfest. As Bloomberg journalist Oliver Sachgau notes, this will have a huge effect on Munich’s economy. Over 6 million people visit the city for the festival every year and it brings in around €1bn.The German state of Bavaria has cancelled its annual folk festival, Oktoberfest. As Bloomberg journalist Oliver Sachgau notes, this will have a huge effect on Munich’s economy. Over 6 million people visit the city for the festival every year and it brings in around €1bn.