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Coronavirus live news: UN warns of 'biblical' famine; first case seen in Palestinian refugees in Lebanon Coronavirus live news: world has 'a long way to go', warns WHO chief
(32 minutes later)
Trump to halt immigration for 60 days initially; 256m people could starve, says UN; cases worldwide pass 2.5 millionTrump to halt immigration for 60 days initially; 256m people could starve, says UN; cases worldwide pass 2.5 million
One of the main themes at today’s World Health Organization press conference is the major role that US experts and officials play inside the WHO, writes Julian Borger, the Guardian’s world affairs editor.
This follows multiple accusations from Donald Trump and his officials that the WHO was privy to information about Covid-19 that it hid from the US.
The Guardian reported on Saturday that there were more than a dozen officials from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) embedded in the WHO in January and February.
Today, the head of the WHO health emergencies programme, Michael Ryan, said there were 31 US nationals on his team and pointed to Maria Van Kerkhove, the WHO technical lead on Covid-19 also sitting on the podium, who is a US epidemiologist.
The WHO director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the close association with CDC and having CDC staff at WHO headquarters in Geneva meant there was “nothing hidden from the US, from day one, because these are Americans who are working with us, and it just comes naturally.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 708 to 34,842, health authorities said on Wednesday, with 138 new deaths, Reuters reports.
The country’s death toll stands at 4,054, the Netherlands Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update. The RIVM repeated the actual numbers are probably higher, as not all likely cases are tested.
The spokesman for Belgium’s coronavirus task force has pushed back against his country’s being singled out by the US government as the worst-affected in the world by coronavirus.
On Saturday, the White House highlighted Belgium as having the highest deaths per 100,000 population, at 45.20 ahead of badly hit Spain and Italy and four times the rate of the US.
But Steven van Gucht, a virologist who is the public face of his country’s coronavirus response, told Reuters the comparison was unfair.
Belgium is one of few countries in Europe that includes the deaths of non-hospitalised people suspected of having Covid-19. For most countries, the death toll counts only patients in hospital who tested positive for the virus.
On Wednesday, Belgium reported 933 new cases and 264 new deaths from Covid-19, bringing to a total of 41,889 confirmed cases and 6,262 deaths.
However, 52% of the fatalities included in Belgium’s death toll are patients in nursing homes. Of those, only 4.5% are confirmed to have had Covid-19, with the rest just suspected cases.
For a more accurate comparison with other countries, Van Gucht said the Belgian death rate should be divided by two.
The mayor of one of the largest cities in the Caribbean has come up with a novel way to enforce social distancing: ordering fire crews to drench anyone seen within two metres of anyone else, Tom Phillips, the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, reports.The mayor of one of the largest cities in the Caribbean has come up with a novel way to enforce social distancing: ordering fire crews to drench anyone seen within two metres of anyone else, Tom Phillips, the Guardian’s Latin America correspondent, reports.
Abel Martínez, the mayor of Santiago in the Dominican Republic, sent two fire trucks out onto the city’s streets on Tuesday equipped with water hoses and loudspeakers.Abel Martínez, the mayor of Santiago in the Dominican Republic, sent two fire trucks out onto the city’s streets on Tuesday equipped with water hoses and loudspeakers.
“Attention. Warning. If you don’t stay two metres apart they will start to shoot water to separate you,” the speakers tell passersby as the hose is trained on them.“Attention. Warning. If you don’t stay two metres apart they will start to shoot water to separate you,” the speakers tell passersby as the hose is trained on them.
“Respect distancing. This is your last warning. They are ready to soak you!”“Respect distancing. This is your last warning. They are ready to soak you!”
Images of the fire trucks moving through Santiago do not show them following through on the threat.Images of the fire trucks moving through Santiago do not show them following through on the threat.
Italy reported 437 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, 97 less than on Monday, bringing the death toll to 25,085, reports Angela Giuffrida, the Guardian’s Rome correspondent.Italy reported 437 new deaths from coronavirus on Tuesday, 97 less than on Monday, bringing the death toll to 25,085, reports Angela Giuffrida, the Guardian’s Rome correspondent.
The number of people currently infected with the virus fell for the third day in a row, by 10 to 107,699, while there was a record jump of 2,943 in the number of people to have recovered.The number of people currently infected with the virus fell for the third day in a row, by 10 to 107,699, while there was a record jump of 2,943 in the number of people to have recovered.
Italy’s total cases to date, including the victims and 54,543 survivors, rose by 3,370 to 187,327.Italy’s total cases to date, including the victims and 54,543 survivors, rose by 3,370 to 187,327.
On Wednesday afternoon, the regional government of Madrid said that 11,852 people in the area had died from the coronavirus, or while showing symptoms consistent with the disease, since 8 March, reports Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent.On Wednesday afternoon, the regional government of Madrid said that 11,852 people in the area had died from the coronavirus, or while showing symptoms consistent with the disease, since 8 March, reports Sam Jones, the Guardian’s Madrid correspondent.
The figures, which include deaths at home and in care homes, are far higher than the 7,577 deaths it has reported to the central government, which compiles the nationwide toll in Spain.The figures, which include deaths at home and in care homes, are far higher than the 7,577 deaths it has reported to the central government, which compiles the nationwide toll in Spain.
This is because Spain’s health ministry logs only the deaths of people who have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. According to the regional government, 5,558 people have died in care homes in and around Madrid since 8 March.This is because Spain’s health ministry logs only the deaths of people who have died in hospital after testing positive for Covid-19. According to the regional government, 5,558 people have died in care homes in and around Madrid since 8 March.
The family of a Bolsonarista congressman have been detained by police in Rio de Janeiro after taking a dip off Copacabana beach in violation of orders to stay indoors because of the coronavirus, Tom Phillips reports from Rio de Janeiro.The family of a Bolsonarista congressman have been detained by police in Rio de Janeiro after taking a dip off Copacabana beach in violation of orders to stay indoors because of the coronavirus, Tom Phillips reports from Rio de Janeiro.
The wife and daughter of Luiz Lima - an avid supporter of Brazil’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro - were reportedly spotted in the Atlantic waves on Tuesday during a police patrol and twice asked to remove themselves from the ocean.The wife and daughter of Luiz Lima - an avid supporter of Brazil’s far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro - were reportedly spotted in the Atlantic waves on Tuesday during a police patrol and twice asked to remove themselves from the ocean.
When Lima’s family declined they were reportedly taken to a nearby police station where they and two others were fined under article 268 of the criminal code: disobeying government orders designed to prevent the introduction or spread of a contagious disease.When Lima’s family declined they were reportedly taken to a nearby police station where they and two others were fined under article 268 of the criminal code: disobeying government orders designed to prevent the introduction or spread of a contagious disease.
Lima was not happy.Lima was not happy.
He accused Rio’s governor - who has ordered beaches to be closed as part of a state-wide shutdown designed to slow the advance of Covid-19 - of behaving like a dictator.He accused Rio’s governor - who has ordered beaches to be closed as part of a state-wide shutdown designed to slow the advance of Covid-19 - of behaving like a dictator.
In a Twitter video, Lima said: “Governor, forgive my language, but you’re a shit.”In a Twitter video, Lima said: “Governor, forgive my language, but you’re a shit.”
Earlier this month Bolsonaro - who has faced global condemnation for undermining social distancing measures and downplaying the pandemic - attacked Rio’s supposedly “dictatorial” beach ban.Earlier this month Bolsonaro - who has faced global condemnation for undermining social distancing measures and downplaying the pandemic - attacked Rio’s supposedly “dictatorial” beach ban.
“There’s no problem going there at all,” claimed Bolsonaro.“There’s no problem going there at all,” claimed Bolsonaro.
The director general of the World Health Organization has said that there is still “a long way to go” in tackling the coronavirus crisis around the world.The director general of the World Health Organization has said that there is still “a long way to go” in tackling the coronavirus crisis around the world.
Speaking at the WHO’s thrice-weekly press conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that while most national epidemics in western Europe had appeared to have stabilised or were declining, outbreaks appeared to be growing in Africa, central and south America, and eastern Europe.Speaking at the WHO’s thrice-weekly press conference, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said that while most national epidemics in western Europe had appeared to have stabilised or were declining, outbreaks appeared to be growing in Africa, central and south America, and eastern Europe.
And he warned against complacency, insisting that lockdown measures had no doubt helped curb the spread of the virus.And he warned against complacency, insisting that lockdown measures had no doubt helped curb the spread of the virus.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Singapore has passed 10,000, despite concerted and strenuous attempts to contain the spread of the infection in the city state.The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Singapore has passed 10,000, despite concerted and strenuous attempts to contain the spread of the infection in the city state.
The milestone comes after Singapore’s ministry of health reported 1,016 new cases on Wednesday, the third day in a row that the city’s daily tally has exceeded 1,000, bringing the overall total in the city to 10,141.The milestone comes after Singapore’s ministry of health reported 1,016 new cases on Wednesday, the third day in a row that the city’s daily tally has exceeded 1,000, bringing the overall total in the city to 10,141.
The overwhelming majority - 967 - of the new cases were discovered among the migrant workers that Singapore relies on to carry out basic services in the city, suggesting that they had hitherto been overlooked in efforts to contain Covid-19.The overwhelming majority - 967 - of the new cases were discovered among the migrant workers that Singapore relies on to carry out basic services in the city, suggesting that they had hitherto been overlooked in efforts to contain Covid-19.
The city also reported a 12th death from Covid-19. The victim, an 84-year-old woman, died on Tuesday night from complications due to the infection, the health ministry said.The city also reported a 12th death from Covid-19. The victim, an 84-year-old woman, died on Tuesday night from complications due to the infection, the health ministry said.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, is about to begin his thrice-weekly press conference. You can tune in live on the player at the top of the blog.Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the World Health Organization, is about to begin his thrice-weekly press conference. You can tune in live on the player at the top of the blog.
US treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin has predicted that “most if not all” of the US economy would reopen later in the summer.
“We’re looking forward to by the time we hit later in the summer having most of the economy if not all of the economy open,” Mnuchin told Fox Business Network on Wednesday morning.
However, the Trump administration has previously been guilty of setting lofty goals for reopening the economy that have not come to fruition.
The president previously said he hoped the economy would be “opened up and just raring to go by Easter” before shifting the reopening target date to 1 May, even as a number of states extended their stay-at-home orders well into May.
Public health experts have said some level of social distancing will probably be necessary until a coronavirus vaccine is developed, which could take a year or more.
Follow the latest updates from the US:
A Chinese citizen journalist who was missing for almost two months after posting videos from Wuhan during the coronavirus outbreak has re-appeared, claiming that he was detained by police and forcibly quarantined, Lily Kuo reports from Beijing.
Li Zehua was one of three Chinese journalists who had been reporting in Wuhan during some of the worst weeks of the epidemic. He was last seen on 26 February after posting a video in which he was chased by a white SUV and an hours-long livestream that ended when several agents entered his apartment.
In a video posted on YouTube, Weibo and Twitter, Li said that on 26 February, the white SUV had pulled out in front of him while he was driving in the Wuchang district in Wuhan and the people in it had yelled for him to stop. Li panicked and drove off with the car in pursuit, recording the video that he posted online later that day.
After making it back to his apartment, he saw uniformed police and staff in protective suits knocking on the doors of his neighbours. Li turned the lights off and sat quietly in front of his computer for hours, waiting. Three hours later, a knock came.
Airlines in Europe have applied for €12.8bn (£11.3bn) in government support since the start of the coronavirus pandemic with no binding environmental conditions attached, according to an analysis of the sector’s bailout pleas, Sandra Laville reports.
By Tuesday this week, airlines including easyJet, Scandinavian Airlines and Tui had secured loans and other financial support amounting to €3.36bn. A further €9.47bn is being sought by other airlines, data tracking by Transport & Environment, Greenpeace and Carbon Watch reveals.
By the time air travel came to a near-halt in March, greenhouse gas emissions from the sector had reached record levels. But there are no binding environmental conditions being attached to any of the already agreed bailouts or future loans being sought.
The exception is in Austria, where the transport minister, Leonore Gewessler, responded to a request for public support by Austrian Airlines (part of the Lufthansa group) by saying any bailout should be linked to climate targets.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) warned on Wednesday that it will run out of masks within three to four weeks, raising the prospect that it will have to halt operations, AFP reports.
Kenneth Lavelle, MSF’s deputy director of operations, said in a virtual press conference in Geneva, where the organisation is based, that the NGO would need about a million masks a week for the next six months.
Otherwise, “we might be faced with taking even more difficult decisions about stopping activities”, said Lavelle.
Due to the phenomenal demand for PPE as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic, the organisation is finding itself priced out of the market, he said.
Trish Newport, MSF’s emergency coordinator for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, warned of the dangers of scaling back operations in countries with fragile health systems.
The World Health Organization has reported a 45% increase in the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in a week across its African region, which excludes parts of north Africa such as Egypt, and a 38% increase in the number of deaths.
In its latest regional situation report, almost two months after the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Africa, the UN health body said the only African member states yet to report cases were Comoros and Lesotho.
It said that as of Tuesday, a cumulative total of 15,394 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 716 deaths, had been reported across the 45 affected countries in the region, giving a case fatality ratio of 4.7%. It added:
Serbia has reported 224 new confirmed cases of Covid-19, and four more deaths, Telegraf reports.
The Balkan country has so far recorded 7,114 cases from the coronavirus, and a death toll of 134.
According to Telegraf, it was confirmed on Wednesday that a Serbian orthodox church bishop who serves as vicar to Patriarch Irinej, the spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Serbs, had also tested positive.
Irinej was also tested but was found to be clear of the virus.
This is Damien Gayle back at the controls now. Remember, you can reach me with any comments, tips or suggestions for coverage by emailing damien.gayle@theguardian.com or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.
From our UK-focused live blog, NHS England has announced 665 further deaths of people who tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 16,272. Full numbers can be found in the link below
UN human rights expert says ‘responses to Covid-19 are failing people in poverty worldwide’
Many governments’ responses to Covid-19 have had devastating effects on people in poverty, said the UN special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Philip Alston, in a statement on Wednesday.
He added:
Lithuania will start to ease coronavirus lockdown measures this week after they were imposed last month to prevent the spread of the virus, the government said.
“Due to the strict restrictions, Lithuania avoided a sharp increase of Covid-19 cases which was seen elsewhere in Europe, such as in Italy, Spain, Great Britain,” Lithuania’s public health authority chief said in a letter to government.
Shops can re-open from Thursday and customer service businesses, such as hairdressers, libraries, museums and golf courses, can resume from 27 April, according to the government website.
Businesses will need to limit numbers of customers on their premises to no more than one person per 10 sq metre.
The government also said full lockdown measures would not be lifted until 11 May, delayed from the original date of 27 April.