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Coronavirus live news: Brazil’s health system on verge of collapse, medics warn Coronavirus live news: Brazil’s health system on verge of collapse, medics warn
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Leader of US group peddling bleach as ‘miracle’ cure wrote to Trump before remarks; Australia and New Zealand mark Anzac Day from drivewaysLeader of US group peddling bleach as ‘miracle’ cure wrote to Trump before remarks; Australia and New Zealand mark Anzac Day from driveways
Bill Gates, the Microsoft tycoon, has said the global coronavirus pandemic is his “worst nightmare”, and he will fund the manufacture of several vaccines even prior to their being approved so they are ready to distribute as quickly as possible.
In an interview with the Times, the billionaire – whose charitable foundation is reportedly the biggest funder of the World Health Organization – said he had been concerned about the impact of a viral pandemic for years.
Gates told the Times the global health charity in his name will arrange funding to build factories to produce billions of doses of different potential vaccines, so it is ready to distribute around the world. In particular, he said, he was speaking to pharmaceutical companies about scaling up production of a vaccine under development at Oxford university, for which human trials have begun.
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 2,055 to 152,438, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Saturday - a second day of deceleration after three days of acceleration in new infections, Reuters reports.
On Friday confirmed coronavirus cases had increased by 2,337.
The reported death toll rose by 179 to 5,500, the tally showed on Saturday.
Greece is preparing to reverse lockdown measures with the country’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis holding back-to-back teleconference calls today to discuss how best to revoke the restrictions, Helena Smith, the Guardian’s Athens correspondent, reports.Greece is preparing to reverse lockdown measures with the country’s prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis holding back-to-back teleconference calls today to discuss how best to revoke the restrictions, Helena Smith, the Guardian’s Athens correspondent, reports.
Return to post-coronavirus normality is expected to begin Monday, 4 May, when small shops, hairdressers, barbers and beauticians will be to go back to work again. One senior government aide told the Guardian that the opening of barbers and hairdressers was regarded as a much-needed “psychological boost” after what would be almost two months of lockdown. Return to normality is expected to begin Monday, 4 May, when small shops, hairdressers, barbers and beauticians will be to go back to work again. One senior government aide told the Guardian the opening of barbers and hairdressers was regarded as a much-needed “psychological boost” after what would be almost two months of lockdown.
“People can’t only be ordered around,” he said. “They also need psychological support.”“People can’t only be ordered around,” he said. “They also need psychological support.”
The centre right administration took a “hard and early” approach to enforcing restrictions, closing schools on March 10 amid fears of Greece’s austerity-hit health system being quickly overwhelmed. Within days cafes, restaurants, malls, museums and retail shops followed. The centre right administration took a “hard and early” approach to enforcing restrictions, closing schools on 10 March amid fears of Greece’s austerity-hit health system being quickly overwhelmed. Within days cafes, restaurants, malls, museums and shops followed.
After a decade of riding the country’s roller coaster debt crisis it was thought that a nation more usually associated with civil disobedience would rebel against adhering to the barrage of rules and regulations that containment of the pandemic has demanded. Instead they were adhered to in almost exemplary fashion. As a result Greece, to date, has had a sum total of 2,490 confirmed coronavirus cases and 130 fatalities.After a decade of riding the country’s roller coaster debt crisis it was thought that a nation more usually associated with civil disobedience would rebel against adhering to the barrage of rules and regulations that containment of the pandemic has demanded. Instead they were adhered to in almost exemplary fashion. As a result Greece, to date, has had a sum total of 2,490 confirmed coronavirus cases and 130 fatalities.
“The objective of the confinement measures is not to remain in a glass bowl, stuck in our homes,” the government spokesman Stelios Petsas said earlier this week. “The objective is to take back out lives and win back our way of life temporarily deprived of us by this cunning and invisible enemy.” “The objective of the confinement measures is not to remain in a glass bowl, stuck in our homes,” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said earlier this week. “The objective is to take back our lives and win back our way of life temporarily deprived of us by this cunning and invisible enemy.”
But recent outbreaks in a migrant facility and medical clinics in Athens have also proved there is no room for complacency. “The situation is good but can easily slip,” the infections diseases professor and health ministry spokesman on the corona virus, Sotiris Tsiodras, told reporters Thursday. But recent outbreaks in a migrant facility and medical clinics in Athens have also proved there is no room for complacency. “The situation is good but can easily slip,” the infections diseases professor and health ministry spokesman on the coronavirus, Sotiris Tsiodras, told reporters Thursday.
With that in mind the loosening of restrictions will be gradual and, officials say, staggered over the course of several weeks possibly through to July. School children are expected to begin returning to class on May 11thbut younger pupils may not be back at school until the end of the month. With that in mind the loosening of restrictions will be gradual and, officials say, staggered over the course of several weeks possibly through to July. Schoolchildren are expected to begin returning to class on 11 May but younger pupils may not be back at school until the end of the month.
Mitsotakis, who has deferred to scientific advice throughout the crisis, is expected to address the nation on Monday to explain how the easing of measures will unfold.Mitsotakis, who has deferred to scientific advice throughout the crisis, is expected to address the nation on Monday to explain how the easing of measures will unfold.
Hundreds of people who live in Poland and work in Germany protested on Friday evening in the southwestern Polish border town of Zgorzelec against a mandatory coronavirus quarantine for those who cross the border, Reuters reports. Hundreds of people who live in Poland and work in Germany protested on Friday evening in the south-western Polish border town of Zgorzelec against a mandatory coronavirus quarantine for those who cross the border, Reuters reports.
Around 300 people gathered at the Polish side and some 100 at the German, some wearing face masks. The two groups were separated by a provisional metal fence that has been erected in the middle of the bridge to prevent people from crossing the border. About 300 people gathered at the Polish side and some 100 at the German, some wearing face masks. The two groups were separated by a provisional metal fence that has been erected in the middle of the bridge to prevent people from crossing the border.
Poland was one of the first European Union states to close borders due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. It also imposed a mandatory two-week lockdown for those who enter its territory - a major jolt for those who live their lives in between two EU states. Poland was one of the first European Union states to close borders due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus. It also imposed a mandatory two-week lockdown for those who enter its territory – a major jolt for those who live their lives in between two EU states.
The protest was the latest in a swelling wave of dissent over lockdown measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. Protesters have already gathered in several US cities, and yesterday a protest in the Austrian capital, Vienna, was broken up by police. The protest was the latest in a swelling wave of dissent over lockdown measures to curb the spread of coronavirus. Protesters have already gathered in several US cities, and a protest in the Austrian capital, Vienna, was broken up by police on Friday.
On Friday, protests were staged also in other Polish towns located on the German and Czech borders, according to Reuters.On Friday, protests were staged also in other Polish towns located on the German and Czech borders, according to Reuters.
While the US president has apparently suggested that transfusions of disinfectant could be used to cure coronavirus, in the UK it has emerged that British armed forces are to be given insect repellant to protect them against Covid-19 infection.While the US president has apparently suggested that transfusions of disinfectant could be used to cure coronavirus, in the UK it has emerged that British armed forces are to be given insect repellant to protect them against Covid-19 infection.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Friday that it plans to buy stocks of a product containing a lemon eucalyptus oil extract called citriodiol. But questions remain over its effectiveness, with British officials refusing to reveal any evidence it would work, writes Guardian reporter Kevin Rawlinson.The Ministry of Defence confirmed on Friday that it plans to buy stocks of a product containing a lemon eucalyptus oil extract called citriodiol. But questions remain over its effectiveness, with British officials refusing to reveal any evidence it would work, writes Guardian reporter Kevin Rawlinson.
After the news emerged, Public Health England confirmed the government’s guidance does not include using any such substance to protect against Covid-19 infection.After the news emerged, Public Health England confirmed the government’s guidance does not include using any such substance to protect against Covid-19 infection.
Similarly, the World Health Organization said there was no evidence the virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes and that an insect repellant would therefore be ineffective. The use of citriodiol to prevent infection does not form part of its advice.Similarly, the World Health Organization said there was no evidence the virus can be transmitted by mosquitoes and that an insect repellant would therefore be ineffective. The use of citriodiol to prevent infection does not form part of its advice.
The World Health Organization has warned agains the introduction of so-called “immunity passports” or “risk-free certificates” that would exempt people who have developed immunity to Covid-19 from lockdown conditions. The World Health Organization has warned agains the introduction of “immunity passports” or “risk-free certificates” that would exempt people who have developed immunity to Covid-19 from lockdown conditions.
Some governments had suggested the introduction of such certifications, which would be given to individuals who are found to have antibodies to the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease and enable them to travel or return to work.Some governments had suggested the introduction of such certifications, which would be given to individuals who are found to have antibodies to the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease and enable them to travel or return to work.
But in a scientific brief circulated on Saturday the WHO said there was so far no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 are immune to a second infection - even if they are found to have antibodies. The UN health body said: But in a scientific brief circulated on Saturday, the WHO said there was so far no evidence that people who have recovered from Covid-19 are immune to a second infection – even if they are found to have antibodies. The UN health body said:
The British health service has launched an awareness campaign to urge people to seek medical help if they need it, after visits to hospital emergency departments fell by almost half this month amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.The British health service has launched an awareness campaign to urge people to seek medical help if they need it, after visits to hospital emergency departments fell by almost half this month amid fears over the coronavirus outbreak.
National Health Service (NHS) officials said they are worried that meaning people are avoiding hospitals for fear of catching the virus, thereby jeopardising survival and potentially becoming collateral damage to the virus, the PA news agency reports. National Health Service (NHS) officials said they were worried that people were avoiding hospitals for fear of catching , thereby jeopardising survival and potentially becoming collateral damage to the virus, the PA news agency reports.
PA reported that recent research found four in 10 people are too worried about being a burden on the NHS to seek help from their GP. Recent messaging from the government has ordered Britons to: “Stay home; save lives; protect the NHS.”PA reported that recent research found four in 10 people are too worried about being a burden on the NHS to seek help from their GP. Recent messaging from the government has ordered Britons to: “Stay home; save lives; protect the NHS.”
However, a predicted surge in admissions to hospitals as a result of Covid-19 has not materialised.However, a predicted surge in admissions to hospitals as a result of Covid-19 has not materialised.
Announcing the campaign, Sir Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the NHS, said:Announcing the campaign, Sir Simon Stevens, the chief executive of the NHS, said:
Professor Carrie MacEwen, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said: Prof Carrie MacEwen, chair of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said:
Recent figures reported by the UK’s Private Eye magazine showed that in a single week in April there were 6,000 more deaths than the average for the previous five years, but that half were not linked to the coronavirus.Recent figures reported by the UK’s Private Eye magazine showed that in a single week in April there were 6,000 more deaths than the average for the previous five years, but that half were not linked to the coronavirus.
The British Heart Foundation has reported a 50% fall in the number of people attending A&E with heart attacks, thereby risking their survival.The British Heart Foundation has reported a 50% fall in the number of people attending A&E with heart attacks, thereby risking their survival.
And, earlier this week, Cancer Research UK warned 2,250 new cases of the disease could be going undetected each week - partly down to patients’ reluctance to go and see their GP. And, earlier this week, Cancer Research UK warned 2,250 new cases of the disease could be going undetected each week – partly down to patients’ reluctance to go and see their GP.
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog in London now, keeping you updated for the next eight hours or so with the latest in coronavirus world news developments.This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog in London now, keeping you updated for the next eight hours or so with the latest in coronavirus world news developments.
If you have any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage, please send me an email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or a direct message on Twitter to @damiengayle.If you have any tips, comments or suggestions for coverage, please send me an email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or a direct message on Twitter to @damiengayle.
I’ll hand over to my colleagues in London shortly. In the meantime catch up with the most recent developments with our ‘Coronavirus: at a glance’ here.I’ll hand over to my colleagues in London shortly. In the meantime catch up with the most recent developments with our ‘Coronavirus: at a glance’ here.
Thailand reported 53 new coronavirus cases and the death of a 48-year-old Thai man who was infected with the virus along with four other family members.Thailand reported 53 new coronavirus cases and the death of a 48-year-old Thai man who was infected with the virus along with four other family members.
Of the new cases, three were linked to previous cases, one had no known links, and 42 are migrant workers who have been under quarantine at an immigration detention centre in the southern province of Songkhla.Of the new cases, three were linked to previous cases, one had no known links, and 42 are migrant workers who have been under quarantine at an immigration detention centre in the southern province of Songkhla.
Seven other new cases were reported from the southern province of Yala, where authorities are aggressively testing the population because of high infection rates there, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.Seven other new cases were reported from the southern province of Yala, where authorities are aggressively testing the population because of high infection rates there, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Since the outbreak escalated in January, Thailand has reported a total of 2,907 cases and 51 deaths, while 2,547 patients have recovered and gone home.Since the outbreak escalated in January, Thailand has reported a total of 2,907 cases and 51 deaths, while 2,547 patients have recovered and gone home.
Catch up on our global report here.
Nearly 60 new cases found on cruise ship in Japan, as Thailand reports more infections, and report says China pressured EU to tone down assessment of disinformation campaign by Beijing.
With the US coronavirus death toll topping 51,000 and nearly one in six workers out of a job, Georgia, Oklahoma and several other states took tentative steps at reopening businesses on Friday, despite disapproval from President Donald Trump and medical experts.
Sri Lanka has reimposed a countrywide 24-hour curfew after a surge in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, most of them navy sailors who were hunting those evading quarantine.
The 46 new infections on Friday were the highest in a day, bringing the total to 420, including seven deaths.
Sri Lanka partially lifted a monthlong curfew on Monday during daytime hours in more than two thirds of the country.
The new curfew remains in effect until Monday. Police have arrested more than 30,000 violators.
Among the newly infected were 30 navy sailors from a camp on the outskirts of the capital, Colombo. A total 60 sailors so far have been infected and the camp isolated.
Boris Johnson is expected to return to work soon after his recovery from Covid-19, as pressure mounts on his government to explain how to get Britain out of lockdown.
Johnson, 55, has been recuperating at the British prime ministerial retreat, Chequers, outside London since his release from hospital on 12 April.
But there have been increasing signs his return to Downing Street could be imminent, after officials said he had spoken to Queen Elizabeth II and also US President Donald Trump.
The Daily Telegraph, Johnson’s former employer, suggested he could be back at his desk on Monday, and hold briefing meetings with individual cabinet ministers.
But health secretary Matt Hancock was more cautious, despite the prime minister’s progress.
“I spoke to him yesterday, he’s cheerful, and he’s ebullient and he’s definitely on the mend in a big way,” he said on Friday.
“When exactly he comes back is a matter for him and his doctors.”
Australia’s national sporting codes - like most in the world - have been shut down by the pandemic, but its national rugby league competition is determined to come back as soon as possible.
There’s been talk of staging a televised competition on an island, or another dedicated site cut off from the outside world. The organisation also went rogue and declared it would restart in May, despite government advice or a plan on how to do it.
Today, the chairman of the Australian Rugby League Commission has floated the possibility of having rugby fans download an app and “self-isolate” for 14 days if they want to go to the State of Origin - one of the year’s most significant and competitive series of games.
Peter V’landys made the comments to Triple M radio this morning, saying he was looking at ways to hold the event with a safer or smaller crowd.
The ARLC has already announced that a three-game Origin series will be held at the end of the year, but the exact details are yet to be determined.
Today V’landys floated a number of possibilities, including holding the games in a way that “rewards health workers”.
“We may not have the crowds of a normal State of Origin, but a limited crowd with social distancing, and there’s a few ideas we have in rewarding the emergency workers,” he said.
“There’s another one where we put people on an app and if you’re a really hardcore supporter and you can stay at home for 14 days and isolate yourself and we track you on the app, you can go to the game.
“There’s a few things we can do in that period of time.”
Why do female leaders seem to be more successful at managing the coronavirus crisis? Plenty of countries with male leaders have also done well. But few with female leaders have done badly, write my colleagues John Henley and Eleanor Ainge Roy.
Jacinda Ardern, 39, New Zealand’s prime minister, has held Kiwis’ hands through the lockdown, delivering empathetic “stay home, save lives” video messages from her couch and communicating daily through non-combative press conferences or intimate Facebook Live videos, her favourite medium.
In Germany, Angela Merkel has been hailed for direct but uncharacteristically personal public interventions, warning that up to 70% of people would contract the virus – the country’s “greatest challenge” since 1945 – and lamenting every death as that of “a father or grandfather, a mother or grandmother, a partner …”
Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-wen responded equally fast, activating the country’s central epidemic command centre in early January and introducing travel restrictions and quarantine measures. Mass public hygiene measures were rolled out, including disinfecting public areas and buildings.
Read more:
About 150 Australians and New Zealanders are scheduled to leave Buenos Aires on Saturday afternoon local time in what will be the final government-supported repatriation flight from Argentina.
The Qantas flight is due to land in Melbourne at 7.30pm on Sunday. It was announced last weekend, after an earlier attempt to organise a commercial flight was delayed.
Argentina has closed its borders, meaning the flight was only open to those already in the country. Another flight is due to leave Uruguay on Sunday.
The US navy has recommended reinstating the fired captain of the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt, whose crew hailed him as their hero for risking his job to safeguard their lives from coronavirus, officials have said.
The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the navy’s leadership made the recommendation to reinstate Brett Crozier to the defence secretary, Mark Esper, on Friday, three weeks after Crozier was relieved of command after the leak of a letter he wrote calling on the navy for stronger measures to protect the crew.
Crozier was fired by the navy’s top civilian, then-acting navy secretary Thomas Modly, against the recommendations of uniformed leaders, who suggested he wait for an investigation into the letter’s leak.
Modly’s decision backfired badly, as members of the crew hailed their captain as a hero in an emotional sendoff captured on video that went viral on social media.
Around one quarter of the crew on board an Italian cruise ship docked in Japan have been diagnosed with Covid-19, after 57 new cases were reported on Saturday.
All 623 crew members on board the Costa Atlantica have been tested, with almost 150 returning a positive reading, TV Asahi and NHK reported. One person is in hospital.
The ship has been docked at Nagasaki since February for repairs and maintenance after the pandemic prevented scheduled repairs in China.
Nagasaki authorities had quarantined the vessel on arrival, and ordered its crew not to venture beyond the quay except for hospital visits.
But prefecture officials said earlier this week that some of the crew had departed without their knowledge, and sought detailed information on their movements.
Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s has downgraded its outlook for Greece on forecasts the economy will plunge into recession on the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, while maintaining the country’s credit rating.
S&P forecast the Greek economy would contract by around 9% in 2020 on “uncertainty about the duration of the pandemic and resulting economic crisis”, revising its outlook from “positive” to “stable”.
After a nearly decade-long debt crisis and the loss of almost a quarter of GDP, the Mediterranean country had expected growth of at least 2.4% for 2020.
The Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, recently warned of a “deep” recession due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, before a recovery in 2021.
Meanwhile Italy’s economically punishing coronavirus lockdown, combined with big-spend stimulus packages to support families and firms, will push public debt and deficit to dizzying heights, the government said on Friday.
The cabinet approved the spring budget document (DEF), which forecast that the eurozone’s third-largest economy would plunge into a deep recession this year, with gross domestic product retracting by 8%.
The government is widening the budget deficit by €55bn, the “shock cure necessary to enable the country to face this difficult phase”, Riccardo Fraccaro, cabinet undersecretary, was quoted as saying by Italian media.