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Coronavirus live news: South Korea records no new domestic cases for first time since February Coronavirus live news: South Korea records no new domestic cases for first time since February
(32 minutes later)
Trump claims China wants to block his re-election; 100 cases of unusual illness among children in at least six countries; UK deaths top Spain and France. Follow the latest updates Trump claims China wants to block his re-election; 100 cases of unusual illness among children in at least six countries; UK deaths top Spain and France
It’s Jessica Murray here, I’ll be leading the live blog covering coronavirus developments across the globe (outside the UK) for the next few hours. Britain could miss its target of carrying out 100,000 coronavirus tests a day by the end of April, the justice minister, Robert Buckland, said on Thursday.
Some 52,429 tests were carried out on Wednesday, according to the latest figures, putting Britain on course to miss the target set by the health minister.
“Even if it isn’t met, we are well on our way to ramping this up,” Buckland told the BBC.
Ukraine now has 10,406 confirmed coronavirus cases and 261 deaths, the health minister, Maksym Stepanov, told a briefing on Thursday.
The government has put lockdown measures in place until 11 May and has said it expects the pandemic to peak in Ukraine early next month.
The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has angered many in Brazil after he responded to questions about the country’s death toll from Covid-19 by saying: “So what?”.
This week, Brazil’s coronavirus death toll topped 5,000 and there are nearly 80,000 confirmed cases reported.
The president said:
It’s Jessica Murray here, I’ll be leading the live blog covering coronavirus developments across the globe (mainly outside the UK) for the next few hours.
As usual, feel free to get in touch with your questions and personal experiences via jessica.murray@theguardian.com or @journojess_ on Twitter, and I’ll do my best to respond to as many messages as I can.As usual, feel free to get in touch with your questions and personal experiences via jessica.murray@theguardian.com or @journojess_ on Twitter, and I’ll do my best to respond to as many messages as I can.
In California, governor Gavin Newsom is likely to announce on Thursday the closure of the state’s beaches and parks after crowds jammed beaches last weekend, according to a memo cited by local media.In California, governor Gavin Newsom is likely to announce on Thursday the closure of the state’s beaches and parks after crowds jammed beaches last weekend, according to a memo cited by local media.
The memo was sent by the governor’s office to California’s police chiefs, local media reported.The memo was sent by the governor’s office to California’s police chiefs, local media reported.
Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment late on Wednesday.Newsom’s office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment late on Wednesday.
According to the memo, posted by the FOX 11 Los Angeles channel:According to the memo, posted by the FOX 11 Los Angeles channel:
Olive and Mabel are back (phew!), this time competing for “who can disgrace themselves more on a walk”:Olive and Mabel are back (phew!), this time competing for “who can disgrace themselves more on a walk”:
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. My colleague Jessica Murray will be with you on the blog for the next few hours.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. My colleague Jessica Murray will be with you on the blog for the next few hours.
Meanwhile, I have spilled the beans on how I broke my foot – while blogging – two weeks ago:Meanwhile, I have spilled the beans on how I broke my foot – while blogging – two weeks ago:
My colleague Graeme Wearden has fired up our business liveblog, where he reports that France has plunged into recession, as the Covid-19 lockdown batters its economy.My colleague Graeme Wearden has fired up our business liveblog, where he reports that France has plunged into recession, as the Covid-19 lockdown batters its economy.
Data just released shows that French GDP contracted by 5.8% in the first three months of 2020, a very sharp decline in activity.Data just released shows that French GDP contracted by 5.8% in the first three months of 2020, a very sharp decline in activity.
That’s the worst contraction since the second war, and follows a 0.1% contraction in the fourth quarter of 2019 - meaning the eurozone’s second-largest economy is now officially in recession.That’s the worst contraction since the second war, and follows a 0.1% contraction in the fourth quarter of 2019 - meaning the eurozone’s second-largest economy is now officially in recession.
Follow the coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business below:Follow the coverage of the world economy, the financial markets, the eurozone and business below:
The official global death toll passes 225,000. At least 227,644 people have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data. More than 3,193,961 confirmed infection shave been recorded worldwide.The official global death toll passes 225,000. At least 227,644 people have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic, according to Johns Hopkins University data. More than 3,193,961 confirmed infection shave been recorded worldwide.
South Korea reports no new domestic cases for first time since 29 February. South Korea reported on Thursday no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since its 29 February peak, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.South Korea reports no new domestic cases for first time since 29 February. South Korea reported on Thursday no new domestic coronavirus cases for the first time since its 29 February peak, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Trump says China wants him to lose 2020 election. US president Donald Trump said that coronavirus has “upset very badly” the US trade deal with China, and that China “will do anything they can to have me lose in 2020” in an interview with Reuters. Trump does not see the 2020 election as being a referendum on his handling of the pandemic, he said.Trump says China wants him to lose 2020 election. US president Donald Trump said that coronavirus has “upset very badly” the US trade deal with China, and that China “will do anything they can to have me lose in 2020” in an interview with Reuters. Trump does not see the 2020 election as being a referendum on his handling of the pandemic, he said.
China’s Forbidden City will reopen on Friday. Three months after it closed due to the coronavirus crisis, Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City will reopen, in the latest signal that the country has brought the disease under control. The imperial palace sitting across Tiananmen Square was shut down on 25 January as authorities closed tourist attractions and took other extraordinary measures to contain the virus, including locking down an entire province.China’s Forbidden City will reopen on Friday. Three months after it closed due to the coronavirus crisis, Beijing’s sprawling Forbidden City will reopen, in the latest signal that the country has brought the disease under control. The imperial palace sitting across Tiananmen Square was shut down on 25 January as authorities closed tourist attractions and took other extraordinary measures to contain the virus, including locking down an entire province.
Japan expected to extend state of emergency by a month. Japan’s government is expected to extend a nationwide state of emergency for another month, after the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described the coronavirus outbreak as “severe”.Japan expected to extend state of emergency by a month. Japan’s government is expected to extend a nationwide state of emergency for another month, after the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described the coronavirus outbreak as “severe”.
US drug trial shows ‘clear cut’ effect, says top medic. While a Chinese trial demonstrated no “significant clinical benefits” to administering the antiviral drug remdesivir to Covid-19 patients, a separate trial in the US shows a “clear-cut” effect, according to the head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Anthony Fauci.US drug trial shows ‘clear cut’ effect, says top medic. While a Chinese trial demonstrated no “significant clinical benefits” to administering the antiviral drug remdesivir to Covid-19 patients, a separate trial in the US shows a “clear-cut” effect, according to the head of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Dr Anthony Fauci.
Police called after New York funeral home stores bodies in trucks. Police were called to a Brooklyn neighbourhood Wednesday after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials said.Police called after New York funeral home stores bodies in trucks. Police were called to a Brooklyn neighbourhood Wednesday after a funeral home overwhelmed by the coronavirus resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented trucks, and a passerby complained about the smell, officials said.
More cases of rare syndrome in children. Doctors around the world have reported more cases of a rare but potentially lethal inflammatory syndrome in children that appears to be linked to coronavirus infections. Nearly 100 cases of the unusual illness have emerged in at least six countries, with doctors in Britain, the US, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland now reported to be investigating the condition.More cases of rare syndrome in children. Doctors around the world have reported more cases of a rare but potentially lethal inflammatory syndrome in children that appears to be linked to coronavirus infections. Nearly 100 cases of the unusual illness have emerged in at least six countries, with doctors in Britain, the US, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland now reported to be investigating the condition.
South Africa’s virus cases jump past 5,000 after highest daily rise. The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa surged past the 5,000 mark on Thursday after it saw the largest single-day jump to date, health ministry figures showed. A total of 354 new cases were confirmed on Thursday, bringing the overall total to 5,350, and the number of fatalities spiked by 10 to 103.South Africa’s virus cases jump past 5,000 after highest daily rise. The number of coronavirus cases in South Africa surged past the 5,000 mark on Thursday after it saw the largest single-day jump to date, health ministry figures showed. A total of 354 new cases were confirmed on Thursday, bringing the overall total to 5,350, and the number of fatalities spiked by 10 to 103.
Why we seem to be dreaming much more – and often of insectsWhy we seem to be dreaming much more – and often of insects
From going to bed too late thanks to endless scrolling through theories about the pandemic, to waking up in the night worrying, it is safe to say that Covid-19 is wreaking havoc with our sleep. A major survey conducted by King’s College London with Ipsos Mori showed that two in five people in the UK have reported sleep disturbance. Prof Bobby Duffy, the research lead and director of the Policy Institute at King’s, says: “There is a clear relationship between increased stress and impact on sleep; 53% of those who said they found the crisis stressful reported sleep difficulties.” But many people around the world are also experiencing a new phenomenon: pandemic dreams:From going to bed too late thanks to endless scrolling through theories about the pandemic, to waking up in the night worrying, it is safe to say that Covid-19 is wreaking havoc with our sleep. A major survey conducted by King’s College London with Ipsos Mori showed that two in five people in the UK have reported sleep disturbance. Prof Bobby Duffy, the research lead and director of the Policy Institute at King’s, says: “There is a clear relationship between increased stress and impact on sleep; 53% of those who said they found the crisis stressful reported sleep difficulties.” But many people around the world are also experiencing a new phenomenon: pandemic dreams:
Several researchers are collecting dream data during the pandemic, including Dr Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School.Several researchers are collecting dream data during the pandemic, including Dr Deirdre Barrett, a clinical and evolutionary psychologist at Harvard Medical School.
Some dreams she has collected during the current pandemic are literal – “people are having trouble breathing or spiking a fever” – but many are abstract. After all, we know coronavirus is there, but we can’t see it. “There are earthquakes, tidal waves and tornadoes; every kind of uncontrollable disaster. But the biggest dream cluster is bugs; flying bugs attacking the dreamer, cockroaches swarming, masses of squirming worms.”Some dreams she has collected during the current pandemic are literal – “people are having trouble breathing or spiking a fever” – but many are abstract. After all, we know coronavirus is there, but we can’t see it. “There are earthquakes, tidal waves and tornadoes; every kind of uncontrollable disaster. But the biggest dream cluster is bugs; flying bugs attacking the dreamer, cockroaches swarming, masses of squirming worms.”
The Dutch are gambling on an ‘intelligent lockdown’ to beat coronavirus, AFP reports. Shops are open and families cycle along in the sunny spring weather in the Netherlands, which has opted for what it calls an “intelligent lockdown” to curb the coronavirus pandemic.The Dutch are gambling on an ‘intelligent lockdown’ to beat coronavirus, AFP reports. Shops are open and families cycle along in the sunny spring weather in the Netherlands, which has opted for what it calls an “intelligent lockdown” to curb the coronavirus pandemic.
In contrast to most other European countries, where people are virtually housebound, the Dutch authorities have merely advised people to stay home and to keep 1.5 metres (five feet) of social distance.In contrast to most other European countries, where people are virtually housebound, the Dutch authorities have merely advised people to stay home and to keep 1.5 metres (five feet) of social distance.
While restaurants, bars, museums and its infamous sex clubs remain shut, and the famed cannabis ‘coffee shops’ are open for takeaway only, the outdoors-loving Dutch are otherwise allowed to leave home when they want. Schools meanwhile start to reopen from 11 May.While restaurants, bars, museums and its infamous sex clubs remain shut, and the famed cannabis ‘coffee shops’ are open for takeaway only, the outdoors-loving Dutch are otherwise allowed to leave home when they want. Schools meanwhile start to reopen from 11 May.
The Netherlands has the 14th-highest number of confirmed infections worldwide, with 38,998, and 4,727 people have lost their lives in the country so far.The Netherlands has the 14th-highest number of confirmed infections worldwide, with 38,998, and 4,727 people have lost their lives in the country so far.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte - who came up with the phrase “intelligent lockdown” - has been clear on the policy. “We don’t work like that in the Netherlands, where the government says ‘you have to do this, you have to do that,” Rutte told a press conference at the end of March.Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte - who came up with the phrase “intelligent lockdown” - has been clear on the policy. “We don’t work like that in the Netherlands, where the government says ‘you have to do this, you have to do that,” Rutte told a press conference at the end of March.
The authorities have admonished the public when the country’s beaches have become too crowded, but while police have closed car parks to stop crowds flocking there at the weekends, they remain open.The authorities have admonished the public when the country’s beaches have become too crowded, but while police have closed car parks to stop crowds flocking there at the weekends, they remain open.
The Dutch position - very similar to Sweden’s - also reflects a wider philosophical split in both Europe and the world on how to balance the need to curb the disease against the catastrophic economic damage caused by harsh lockdowns.The Dutch position - very similar to Sweden’s - also reflects a wider philosophical split in both Europe and the world on how to balance the need to curb the disease against the catastrophic economic damage caused by harsh lockdowns.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has donated a $100,000 prize she won from a Danish foundation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for use against the COVID-19 pandemic, the world body said Thursday.Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has donated a $100,000 prize she won from a Danish foundation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for use against the COVID-19 pandemic, the world body said Thursday.
“Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child rights crisis,” Thunberg, 17, was quoted as saying in the UNICEF statement.“Like the climate crisis, the coronavirus pandemic is a child rights crisis,” Thunberg, 17, was quoted as saying in the UNICEF statement.
“It will affect all children, now and in the long term, but vulnerable groups will be impacted the most,” she added.“It will affect all children, now and in the long term, but vulnerable groups will be impacted the most,” she added.
“I’m asking everyone to step up and join me in support of UNICEF’s vital work to save children’s lives, to protect health and continue education.”“I’m asking everyone to step up and join me in support of UNICEF’s vital work to save children’s lives, to protect health and continue education.”
The Danish anti-poverty non-governmental organisation, Human Act, will match the $100,000 donation, the statement added.The Danish anti-poverty non-governmental organisation, Human Act, will match the $100,000 donation, the statement added.
UNICEF said the funds would give it a boost as it struggles to support children impacted by anti-virus lockdowns and school closures, particularly in the fields of “food shortages, strained health care systems, violence and lost education.”UNICEF said the funds would give it a boost as it struggles to support children impacted by anti-virus lockdowns and school closures, particularly in the fields of “food shortages, strained health care systems, violence and lost education.”
Thunberg said at the end of March that she had “likely” contracted the coronavirus, after experiencing several symptoms after a trip to central Europe.Thunberg said at the end of March that she had “likely” contracted the coronavirus, after experiencing several symptoms after a trip to central Europe.
Here’s a look at Thursday’s front pages in the UK on Thursday, 30 April:Here’s a look at Thursday’s front pages in the UK on Thursday, 30 April:
Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.