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Coronavirus live news: US may never restore funding to World Health Organization, says Mike Pompeo Coronavirus live news: US may never restore funding to World Health Organization, says Mike Pompeo
(32 minutes later)
Unemployment in US up by 4.4 million to a total of over 26 million; world has ‘a long way to go’, warns WHO chief; Iran reports lowest new daily infections for a monthUnemployment in US up by 4.4 million to a total of over 26 million; world has ‘a long way to go’, warns WHO chief; Iran reports lowest new daily infections for a month
We will be closing this blog shortly and moving to a new live blog (I will give you those details shortly), but you can stay up to date on all of our latest coverage with our latest At a Glance summary of global coronavirus news.
People across the UK stepped out for the fifth weekly clap for key workers on Thursday, and many called on the government to provide workers with adequate PPE. Watch the Guardian’s video round-up here.
Here is a summary of key events from the last few hours:
The global total of confirmed cases is approaching 2.7m, standing at 2,699,338 while 188,437 deaths have been recorded, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Ecuador’s case total is twice as high as previously confirmed, Ecuador’s health minister has said, as authorities added 11,000 new infections that resulted from delayed testing.
Algeria has become the latest country to announce it will ease confinement measures from the first day of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday, replacing a full lockdown with a curfew in Bilda and shortening curfews in nine provinces.
Four people in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing total number of cases in the settlement to five.
The 2020 European Athletics Championships, due to be held in Paris at the end of August, have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cameroon has freed over 1,300 prisoners in its two main cities in an effort to ease overcrowding and limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Armenia commemorated its genocide anniversary in lockdown, switching off street lights and chiming church bells in place of the traditional annual torch-lit procession to mark 105 years since the genocide by Ottoman Turks.
Dubai has become the latest city to ease lockdown restrictions, announcing that cafes, restaurants and shopping malls are to reopen with a maximum capacity of 30 per cent. Public transportation services will resume from 26 April.
The Czech Republic is speeding up plans to relax its coronavirus lockdown by two weeks to get all shops, restaurants and hotels running again by May 25 as the number of infections stabilises.
Peru has passed 20,000 coronavirus cases, reaching 20,914 on Thursday. The country has recorded 572 deaths, and the number of recorded coronavirus cases in the country has doubled in the last nine days.
Trump is asked if federal distancing will be extended until the US summer?Trump is asked if federal distancing will be extended until the US summer?
“We may, we may go beyond that - we’ll have to see where it is. Until we feel it’s safe, we’re going to be extending,” Trump said.“We may, we may go beyond that - we’ll have to see where it is. Until we feel it’s safe, we’re going to be extending,” Trump said.
The president says he is “not happy about Brian Kemp”, referring to the governor of Georgia, who has moved ahead with a plan to reopen businesses despite criticisms from the president and other Republican and Democratic lawmakers.The president says he is “not happy about Brian Kemp”, referring to the governor of Georgia, who has moved ahead with a plan to reopen businesses despite criticisms from the president and other Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
“I don’t want this thing to flare up because you’re deciding to do something that’s not in the guidelines,” Trump said.“I don’t want this thing to flare up because you’re deciding to do something that’s not in the guidelines,” Trump said.
Trump finishes the briefing by criticising the media (“CNN is fake news. Don’t talk to me.”), complaining about the “fake Russia, Russia, Russia deal” and the “illegal witch hunt,” (impeachment) and implying that the media is giving Joe Biden “a pass”, or an easy ride because of the virus.
The briefing has now ended.The briefing has now ended.
The Guardian’ s Manvi Singh, who is running our US blog says: We cannot immediately fact-check Bryan on the emerging research he is presenting on the effect of heat, light, and humidity on the coronavirus, but we’ll circle back to it. While there are a few preliminary studies suggesting that hotter temps could slow the virus, most of this research so far has not been through a rigorous process of peer review.The Guardian’ s Manvi Singh, who is running our US blog says: We cannot immediately fact-check Bryan on the emerging research he is presenting on the effect of heat, light, and humidity on the coronavirus, but we’ll circle back to it. While there are a few preliminary studies suggesting that hotter temps could slow the virus, most of this research so far has not been through a rigorous process of peer review.
You can see all of our coverage of the briefing on our US blog (below), including that Congress has just passed a coronavirus relief package worth $484bn.You can see all of our coverage of the briefing on our US blog (below), including that Congress has just passed a coronavirus relief package worth $484bn.
President Trump has begun his daily briefing. He has been joined today by Bill Bryan, who heads the science and technology directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. Bryan is presenting more information on how the virus reacts to heat, humidity and light.President Trump has begun his daily briefing. He has been joined today by Bill Bryan, who heads the science and technology directorate at the Department of Homeland Security. Bryan is presenting more information on how the virus reacts to heat, humidity and light.
He says the virus survives best indoors, in dry conditions. UV rays and hotter, more humid temperatures seem to cut down the half-life of the virus.He says the virus survives best indoors, in dry conditions. UV rays and hotter, more humid temperatures seem to cut down the half-life of the virus.
He is at pains to say the research is ongoing.He is at pains to say the research is ongoing.
“Every week or two weeks we are finding out something different,” he says, acknowledging the ongoing nature of the fight against the virus.“Every week or two weeks we are finding out something different,” he says, acknowledging the ongoing nature of the fight against the virus.
Ecuador’s health minister has said the country’s coronavirus case total was twice as high as previously confirmed, as authorities added 11,000 new infections that resulted from delayed testing.Ecuador’s health minister has said the country’s coronavirus case total was twice as high as previously confirmed, as authorities added 11,000 new infections that resulted from delayed testing.
With 560 confirmed deaths, Reuters reports that the outbreak has devastated the oil-producing country’s economy and overwhelmed sanitary authorities in the largest city of Guayaquil, where corpses remained in homes or for hours on the streets.With 560 confirmed deaths, Reuters reports that the outbreak has devastated the oil-producing country’s economy and overwhelmed sanitary authorities in the largest city of Guayaquil, where corpses remained in homes or for hours on the streets.
Minister Juan Carlos Zevallos said the government would add the new cases to the confirmed total of 11,183 infections. Almost 24,000 test results were pending, according to the health ministry’s figures, and on average they take a week to process.Minister Juan Carlos Zevallos said the government would add the new cases to the confirmed total of 11,183 infections. Almost 24,000 test results were pending, according to the health ministry’s figures, and on average they take a week to process.
Zevallos said authorities were calling relatives of people who had recently died to check whether the deceased had coronavirus symptoms, as many deaths were not linked to the disease due to a lack of testing.Zevallos said authorities were calling relatives of people who had recently died to check whether the deceased had coronavirus symptoms, as many deaths were not linked to the disease due to a lack of testing.
Algeria has become the latest country to announce it will ease confinement measures from the first day of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday.Algeria has become the latest country to announce it will ease confinement measures from the first day of the holy month of Ramadan on Friday.
The prime minister’s office said the full lockdown in the Blida province south of Algiers will be replaced with a curfew from 2 pm to 7 am while a 3 pm to 7am curfew in nine provinces, including Algiers, will be shortened to run from 5 pm to 7 am. No changes have been announced in the remaining provinces where a 7 pm to 7am curfew has been imposed for weeks.The prime minister’s office said the full lockdown in the Blida province south of Algiers will be replaced with a curfew from 2 pm to 7 am while a 3 pm to 7am curfew in nine provinces, including Algiers, will be shortened to run from 5 pm to 7 am. No changes have been announced in the remaining provinces where a 7 pm to 7am curfew has been imposed for weeks.
“The government reiterates its call for citizens to remain vigilant,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. “Changing or keeping the confinement measures will depend on the evolution of the epidemiological situation.”“The government reiterates its call for citizens to remain vigilant,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement. “Changing or keeping the confinement measures will depend on the evolution of the epidemiological situation.”
Algeria has so far reported 3,007 cases of the novel coronavirus, with 407 deaths and 1,355 recoveries.Algeria has so far reported 3,007 cases of the novel coronavirus, with 407 deaths and 1,355 recoveries.
Wondering why the UK is struggling to reach its coronavirus testing target? The Guardian’s health editor Sarah Boseley explains:Wondering why the UK is struggling to reach its coronavirus testing target? The Guardian’s health editor Sarah Boseley explains:
The UK started ramping up testing too late, having abandoned it as a core principle on 12 March, when Johnson declared the virus could no longer be contained. People with symptoms should just stay at home, he said. Only hospital patients would be tested. Thus Britain went to the back of the queue for testing kits, reagents and other commodities that the world was scrambling for.The UK started ramping up testing too late, having abandoned it as a core principle on 12 March, when Johnson declared the virus could no longer be contained. People with symptoms should just stay at home, he said. Only hospital patients would be tested. Thus Britain went to the back of the queue for testing kits, reagents and other commodities that the world was scrambling for.
Read the full analysis here.Read the full analysis here.
A reminder that you can get in touch with me on Twitter @cleaskopeliti. I won’t have time to reply to everything but will read all your messages. Thanks so much.A reminder that you can get in touch with me on Twitter @cleaskopeliti. I won’t have time to reply to everything but will read all your messages. Thanks so much.
UK prime minister Boris Johnson will be back at work as soon as Monday, the Telegraph reports.UK prime minister Boris Johnson will be back at work as soon as Monday, the Telegraph reports.
Johnson has been recovering from the coronavirus in Chequers since his release from hospital. He was hospitalised for a week, including three days in intensive care.Johnson has been recovering from the coronavirus in Chequers since his release from hospital. He was hospitalised for a week, including three days in intensive care.
Four people in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon have tested positive for the coronavirus, a health official said, bringing total cases in the settlement to five.Four people in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon have tested positive for the coronavirus, a health official said, bringing total cases in the settlement to five.
AFP reports that the residents of the Wavel camp in the eastern Bekaa Valley were tested after a member of their household, a Palestinian refugee from Syria, was admitted to the state-run Rafic Hariri hospital in Beirut earlier this week after developing Covid-19 symptoms.AFP reports that the residents of the Wavel camp in the eastern Bekaa Valley were tested after a member of their household, a Palestinian refugee from Syria, was admitted to the state-run Rafic Hariri hospital in Beirut earlier this week after developing Covid-19 symptoms.
Contact tracing and initial investigation by the health ministry “of the refugee patient who tested positive with Covid-19 in Baalbek yesterday reveals four members of her immediate household affected,” Firas Abiad, the hospital’s head, wrote on Twitter.Contact tracing and initial investigation by the health ministry “of the refugee patient who tested positive with Covid-19 in Baalbek yesterday reveals four members of her immediate household affected,” Firas Abiad, the hospital’s head, wrote on Twitter.
Lebanon has officially announced 688 infections including 22 deaths from the virus across the country.Lebanon has officially announced 688 infections including 22 deaths from the virus across the country.
Medical experts visited the Wavel camp on Wednesday to carry out tests, focusing on relatives of the first patient, people she has interacted with, as well as 50 others chosen arbitrarily inside the camp and its surroundings, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency.Medical experts visited the Wavel camp on Wednesday to carry out tests, focusing on relatives of the first patient, people she has interacted with, as well as 50 others chosen arbitrarily inside the camp and its surroundings, according to Lebanon’s official National News Agency.
Apart from the 5 confirmed cases in the camp, all other tests have returned negative, said the head of the Rafic Hariri hospital.Apart from the 5 confirmed cases in the camp, all other tests have returned negative, said the head of the Rafic Hariri hospital.
The 2020 European Athletics Championships, due to be held in Paris at the end of August, have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have announced.The 2020 European Athletics Championships, due to be held in Paris at the end of August, have been cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have announced.
“The decision to cancel was driven by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the associated risks linked to the current situation, which are far from being under control, as well as the existing ban on mass gatherings in France,” said European Athletics in a statement.“The decision to cancel was driven by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the associated risks linked to the current situation, which are far from being under control, as well as the existing ban on mass gatherings in France,” said European Athletics in a statement.
It said the decision was partly swayed by an “unfavourable opinion” from the French Athletics Federation medical commission after it evaluated potential risks for spectators and officials.It said the decision was partly swayed by an “unfavourable opinion” from the French Athletics Federation medical commission after it evaluated potential risks for spectators and officials.
The event had been due to take place from 25 to 30 August.The event had been due to take place from 25 to 30 August.
Dan Collyns has written this dispatch on how Peru will extend its lockdown faced with an rising number of Covid-19 infections:Dan Collyns has written this dispatch on how Peru will extend its lockdown faced with an rising number of Covid-19 infections:
Peru’s president Martín Vizcarra told the country’s 32m people in his daily press briefing that the strict lockdown they had endured for the last 39 days would be extended until May 10 rather than lifted this Sunday.Peru’s president Martín Vizcarra told the country’s 32m people in his daily press briefing that the strict lockdown they had endured for the last 39 days would be extended until May 10 rather than lifted this Sunday.
The message was not unexpected as the number of Covid-19 cases has doubled in the last nine days to 20,194 with 572 deaths and rising patient numbers, reported at 2,786, which are putting hospitals under pressure. Reuters reports cases of bodies being kept in hallways, masks being reused, and protests from medical workers concerned about their safety.The message was not unexpected as the number of Covid-19 cases has doubled in the last nine days to 20,194 with 572 deaths and rising patient numbers, reported at 2,786, which are putting hospitals under pressure. Reuters reports cases of bodies being kept in hallways, masks being reused, and protests from medical workers concerned about their safety.
“The most important thing in Peru is its people,” said Vizcarra announcing the two-week extension. “These are the efforts we have to make to beat this disease.” He added “lifestyle changes” like social distancing and using a mask would have to become habits until there was a vaccine.“The most important thing in Peru is its people,” said Vizcarra announcing the two-week extension. “These are the efforts we have to make to beat this disease.” He added “lifestyle changes” like social distancing and using a mask would have to become habits until there was a vaccine.
“To begin with, there was skepticism, they said it was an exaggeration,” the president said, referring to the quarantine measures.“To begin with, there was skepticism, they said it was an exaggeration,” the president said, referring to the quarantine measures.
“Now, when we see the effects in an important part of the population we realise that the right measures were taken at the right time because with this country’s precarious health system imagine what it would have been like [if the quarantine had not been applied].”“Now, when we see the effects in an important part of the population we realise that the right measures were taken at the right time because with this country’s precarious health system imagine what it would have been like [if the quarantine had not been applied].”
Some 6.8m poor households would receive additional cash transfers worth 760 soles ( £182) over the next two weeks, Vizcarra announced. Last month, in the response to the coronavirus, Peru launched the biggest economic stimulus package in the region worth 90bn soles (£21bn) – equivalent to about 12% of GDP.Some 6.8m poor households would receive additional cash transfers worth 760 soles ( £182) over the next two weeks, Vizcarra announced. Last month, in the response to the coronavirus, Peru launched the biggest economic stimulus package in the region worth 90bn soles (£21bn) – equivalent to about 12% of GDP.
Cameroon has freed over 1,300 prisoners in its two main cities in an effort to ease overcrowding and limit the spread of the coronavirus, officials have said.Cameroon has freed over 1,300 prisoners in its two main cities in an effort to ease overcrowding and limit the spread of the coronavirus, officials have said.
President Paul Biya signed a decree to commute sentences and free some prisoners in April, AFP reports. The country’s justice minister said that 608 prisoners had been freed in Doula, the economic capital, and another 700 released in the capital Yaounde.President Paul Biya signed a decree to commute sentences and free some prisoners in April, AFP reports. The country’s justice minister said that 608 prisoners had been freed in Doula, the economic capital, and another 700 released in the capital Yaounde.
More prisoners in other areas are in the process of being released, the ministry said, with the exact number to be determined by commissions put in place to study who is eligible.More prisoners in other areas are in the process of being released, the ministry said, with the exact number to be determined by commissions put in place to study who is eligible.
Cameroon has officially registered 1,163 coronavirus infections and 42 deaths, making it the second most affected country in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa.Cameroon has officially registered 1,163 coronavirus infections and 42 deaths, making it the second most affected country in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa.
Cameroon has a prison population of around 30,000 with more than half of those awaiting sentencing and mostly held in overcrowded facilities. As well as overcrowding, poor hygiene conditions and a high rate of illnesses including tuberculosis, cholera and AIDS make the prison populations vulnerable.Cameroon has a prison population of around 30,000 with more than half of those awaiting sentencing and mostly held in overcrowded facilities. As well as overcrowding, poor hygiene conditions and a high rate of illnesses including tuberculosis, cholera and AIDS make the prison populations vulnerable.
This follows warnings from criminal justice experts that chronic overcrowding and underfunding have left prisons around the world vulnerable to being devastated by the coronavirus.This follows warnings from criminal justice experts that chronic overcrowding and underfunding have left prisons around the world vulnerable to being devastated by the coronavirus.
European Union leaders have clashed over how to rescue their economies from an economic slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic and forecast to be unparalleled since the 1930s Great Depression, Jennifer Rankin reports.European Union leaders have clashed over how to rescue their economies from an economic slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic and forecast to be unparalleled since the 1930s Great Depression, Jennifer Rankin reports.
Meeting via video-conference summit, as the confirmed Covid-19 death toll passed 108,000 lives across the European Economic Area and UK, the 27 leaders instructed the head of the EU executive Ursula von der Leyen to draft a recovery plan.Meeting via video-conference summit, as the confirmed Covid-19 death toll passed 108,000 lives across the European Economic Area and UK, the 27 leaders instructed the head of the EU executive Ursula von der Leyen to draft a recovery plan.
Read the full report here.Read the full report here.