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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
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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 FranceTrump 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
Malaysian health authorities reported 57 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising the cumulative total to 6,002 cases.
The health ministry also reported two new deaths, bringing the total fatalities to 102.
Schools in Hungary will remain closed until the end of May and events with more than 500 participants cannot be held until 15 August, prime minister Viktor Orban’s chief of staff, Gergely Gulyas, said on Thursday.
Orban announced on Wednesday that some restrictions outside Budapest imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak will be lifted starting next week.
Existing restrictions will continue for now in the capital, which has reported the highest number of coronavirus infections and deaths in the country.
The German government’s disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this morning announced the latest reproduction number of the novel coronavirus as 0.75.Lothar Wieler, the RKI’s president, said the latest official data showed a “pleasing development”, indicating the spread of the virus in Germany was slowing down.The basic reproduction rate (R), which indicates how many new cases one infected person generates on average, had been announced as edging up to one in Monday’s report – causing concern as it seemed to suggest the spread of the virus was gaining momentum again.The RKI, which uses a method called nowcasting to estimate the R number, said while it had in recent days tweaked the method by which it estimated the number of new infections, the reproduction numbers from the start and the end of the week were still comparable.Germany on Thursday recorded a total of 159,119 confirmed Covid-19 infections, an increase of 1,478 compared to yesterday.Wieler said the capacity for testing for the virus had been ramped up in Germany, to 860,000 tests a week.
476,000 tests were carried out last week, out of which 5.4% were positive.
Sailors at a Sri Lankan naval base have become the biggest cluster of coronavirus infections in the Indian Ocean island nation with 248 testing positive for the disease, authorities said on Thursday.
Sri Lanka’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva, said that out of 30 cases discovered in the last 24 hours, 22 are navy sailors and another seven had close contact with them.
The virus is believed to have entered the camp on the outskirts of the capital, Colombo, last week when sailors were deployed to find a group of drug addicts who had contact with a Covid-19 patient and were evading quarantine.
The virus then spread to different parts of the country when sailors went on home leave.
About 4,000 navy troops are being quarantined inside the camp while 242 relatives have been taken to four quarantine centers run by the navy.
Sri Lanka has had 649 Covid-19 patients and seven deaths. About half of the sick were diagnosed after 22 April and include 257 sailors or close contacts.
According to the newspaper Lankadeepa, with the largest circulation in the country, at least six villages have been sealed off this week in different parts of Sri Lanka because of exposure to the sailors who returned home.
About 1,300 other people have been asked to self-quarantine, the paper reported.
In a bid to control the spread of the virus, the government has canceled home leaves for troops and ordered them to return to camps.
On Wednesday night, Sri Lanka reimposed a 24-hour countrywide curfew, which had been in force since 20 March but was relaxed during daytime in more than two-thirds of the country.
Police said they have arrested more than 41,000 curfew violators since last month.
The Philippines reported 276 new coronavirus infections and 10 more deaths, bringing its total number of cases to 8,488 and fatalities to 568.
It also said 20 more individuals had recovered, bringing total recoveries to 1,043.
The number of people out of work in Germany increased by 373,000 to 2.64 million in April as the coronavirus outbreak began to bite, data from the labour office showed on Thursday, and the unemployment rate increased to 5.8%.
The jobless rate had stood at 5.0% in seasonally adjusted terms in March.
The labour office said 751,000 requests for short-time work for a total of 10.1 million people were made in March and until 26 April.
It said that did not mean all of those people would actually end up on the short-time work scheme.
For comparison, in the crisis year of 2009, applications for the short-time scheme were made for 3.3 million people, the labour office said.
Short-time work is a form of state aid that allows employers to switch employees to shorter working hours during an economic downturn to keep them on the payroll.
Luxembourg plans to test its entire population for coronavirus, the education minister, Claude Meisch, said on Tuesday.
The small European country, which borders France, Germany and Belgium, has an estimated population of just over 600,000.
The Luxembourg Times reports the country has a budget of €40m for the tests, provided by the ministry of higher education and research.
During a press conference on Tuesday, Meisch said:
Testing began on Tuesday, with priority for children who are set to return to school from 4 May.
The rest of the population will be tested on a voluntary basis at 17 stations around the country, with cross-border workers also encouraged to be tested.
By 19 May, Luxembourg is set to have the capacity to test 20,000 people a day.
In Afghanistan, the health ministry has reported its biggest daily rise of new coronavirus cases amid intensified warfare across the country.Wahid Majroh, the deputy health minister, said on Thursday that 232 patients tested positive for Covid-19 over the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 2,171.In Afghanistan, the health ministry has reported its biggest daily rise of new coronavirus cases amid intensified warfare across the country.Wahid Majroh, the deputy health minister, said on Thursday that 232 patients tested positive for Covid-19 over the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections to 2,171.
Three more Covid-19 patients died overnight, pushing the total number of deaths to 64.For days Afghanistan was struggling with a shortage of diagnostic testing equipment. A health ministry spokesman said that problem has now been solved and testing capacity is rising.Kabul is so far the country’s worst affected area, with 573 confirmed cases and 20 more reported today. Three more Covid-19 patients died overnight, pushing the total number of deaths to 64.For days Afghanistan was struggling with a shortage of diagnostic testing equipment. A health ministry spokesman said that problem had now been solved and testing capacity was rising.Kabul is so far the country’s worst-affected area, with 573 confirmed cases and 20 more reported today.
Despite lockdowns in several provinces to contain spread of the virus, in most cities streets are still crowded with vehicles and people walking freely, which experts fear will make the fight against the coronavirus more challenging.Despite lockdowns in several provinces to contain spread of the virus, in most cities streets are still crowded with vehicles and people walking freely, which experts fear will make the fight against the coronavirus more challenging.
Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar warned the public on Wednesday that the peak of the virus is yet to come and said the “number of new infections is rising daily so we’re heading toward the peak and I ask people to stay at home”.Health ministry spokesman Wahidullah Mayar warned the public on Wednesday that the peak of the virus is yet to come and said the “number of new infections is rising daily so we’re heading toward the peak and I ask people to stay at home”.
Meanwhile, war continues to rage across the country. At least five civilians, including women and children, were killed in Ghazni province Wednesday evening.According to a Ghazni police statement, the incident occurred when a civilian’s vehicle hit a Taliban roadside mine in Andar district.The United Nations Mission in Afghanistan has said more than 533 civilians, including 152 children, were killed in the first quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, war continues to rage across the country. At least five civilians, including women and children, were killed in Ghazni province Wednesday evening.According to a Ghazni police statement, the incident occurred when a civilian’s vehicle hit a Taliban roadside mine in Andar district.The United Nations mission in Afghanistan has said more than 533 civilians, including 152 children, were killed in the first quarter of 2020.
China has no interest in interfering in the US presidential election, it said on Thursday, following comments by President Donald Trump that Beijing “will do anything they can” to make him lose his re-election bid in November.China has no interest in interfering in the US presidential election, it said on Thursday, following comments by President Donald Trump that Beijing “will do anything they can” to make him lose his re-election bid in November.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, told reporters during a daily briefing that the election was an internal affair of the United States and that Beijing hoped Americans would not try to drag China into it.Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Geng Shuang, told reporters during a daily briefing that the election was an internal affair of the United States and that Beijing hoped Americans would not try to drag China into it.
“China will do anything they can to have me lose this race,” Trump said during an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, adding that he believes Beijing wants his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win the race to ease the pressure Trump has placed on China over trade, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and other issues.“China will do anything they can to have me lose this race,” Trump said during an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, adding that he believes Beijing wants his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win the race to ease the pressure Trump has placed on China over trade, the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and other issues.
The chief executive of British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said it would know by June or July whether a coronavirus vaccine it is working on with the University of Oxford will be effective or not.The chief executive of British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said it would know by June or July whether a coronavirus vaccine it is working on with the University of Oxford will be effective or not.
CEO Pascal Soriot told the BBC on Thursday:CEO Pascal Soriot told the BBC on Thursday:
Yemen has recorded its first two coronavirus deaths, the health minister said late on Wednesday, after the war-torn country confirmed five new cases, stoking fears of a major outbreak.Yemen has recorded its first two coronavirus deaths, the health minister said late on Wednesday, after the war-torn country confirmed five new cases, stoking fears of a major outbreak.
Yemen’s healthcare system has been blighted by years of war that have driven millions from their homes and plunged the country into what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.Yemen’s healthcare system has been blighted by years of war that have driven millions from their homes and plunged the country into what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
On Wednesday, Yemen recorded five new cases of Covid-19 in its second city, Aden, the committee monitoring the outbreak said on Twitter.On Wednesday, Yemen recorded five new cases of Covid-19 in its second city, Aden, the committee monitoring the outbreak said on Twitter.
The country has been largely spared from the effects of the pandemic, with a total of six cases recorded so far – the first in April in the government-controlled south-eastern province of Hadramawt.The country has been largely spared from the effects of the pandemic, with a total of six cases recorded so far – the first in April in the government-controlled south-eastern province of Hadramawt.
“There was an announcement of five cases of coronavirus today – of those infections there were two deaths,” the health minister, Nasser Baoum, told Yemen TV.“There was an announcement of five cases of coronavirus today – of those infections there were two deaths,” the health minister, Nasser Baoum, told Yemen TV.
“We conducted the tests twice, and they were positive,” he said. “Therefore, there is no doubt under these worldwide circumstances that we have to announce they were cases of coronavirus until proven otherwise.”“We conducted the tests twice, and they were positive,” he said. “Therefore, there is no doubt under these worldwide circumstances that we have to announce they were cases of coronavirus until proven otherwise.”
The deaths come after aid organisations warned any coronavirus outbreak could have dire consequences after six years of civil war.The deaths come after aid organisations warned any coronavirus outbreak could have dire consequences after six years of civil war.
The conflict between government forces and Shia rebels escalated in March 2015, when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened against the rebels after they overran much of the country.The conflict between government forces and Shia rebels escalated in March 2015, when a Saudi-led military coalition intervened against the rebels after they overran much of the country.
The war has left tens of thousands of people dead, most of them civilians, and the UN says around 24 million Yemenis – more than two-thirds of the population – rely on some form of aid.The war has left tens of thousands of people dead, most of them civilians, and the UN says around 24 million Yemenis – more than two-thirds of the population – rely on some form of aid.
Russia reported 7,099 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, a record daily rise, bringing its nationwide tally to 106,498.Russia reported 7,099 new cases of the coronavirus on Thursday, a record daily rise, bringing its nationwide tally to 106,498.
The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people died in the last 24 hours, Russia’s coronavirus crisis response centre said.The official nationwide death toll rose to 1,073 after 101 people died in the last 24 hours, Russia’s coronavirus crisis response centre said.
The German chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff said on Thursday that social distancing measures in Europe’s largest economy would “certainly” be extended until 10 May for the time being.The German chancellor Angela Merkel’s chief of staff said on Thursday that social distancing measures in Europe’s largest economy would “certainly” be extended until 10 May for the time being.
Helge Braun told broadcaster n-tv a larger discussion about further steps to ease the lockdown would happen on 6 May.Helge Braun told broadcaster n-tv a larger discussion about further steps to ease the lockdown would happen on 6 May.
Some shops have already reopened.Some shops have already reopened.
Japan’s prime minister, Shinzō Abe, is likely to extend a nationwide state of emergency imposed over the coronavirus, possibly by another month, local media reported on Thursday.
The measure was initially declared on 7 April across seven regions experiencing a spike in infections, but was later expanded to cover the entire country.
With the initial month-long period coming to an end next week after the country’s annual Golden Week holidays, local media reported that Abe was now expected to extend the measure, either until the end of May or for another full month until 6 June.
In parliament on Thursday, Abe said the country’s healthcare system continues to face an “extremely tough situation”.
He told lawmakers on Wednesday that “even now, we are seeing new infections”, adding: “Can we say on May 6 the state of emergency is over? I think severe situations are continuing.”
Local media, including the Nikkei newspaper, reported the government would convene a panel of experts on Friday to discuss the virus and the state of emergency, adding that the experts had already informally backed a move to extend the measures.
It was not yet clear when any extension would be announced, but Abe has said he will not wait until the last minute, to allow business and institutions including schools time to prepare accordingly.
The declaration has limited effect compared with measures seen in some parts of Europe and elsewhere. It allows governors to call on people to stay at home and urge businesses to close, but there are no punishments for those who fail to comply.
The Italian central government is set to issue an injunction, ANSA news agency reports, after authorities in the southern region of Calabria gave the all clear for bars and restaurants with outside tables to reopen, sources said on Thursday after a cabinet meeting.
The move is at odds with a central government decree to gradually relax the coronavirus lockdown, which states that bars and restaurants should not reopen until June, except for takeaway services.
It also clashes with a previous decree that keeps the current lockdown measures in force until Monday.
Regions with centre-right governors are pressing to have more autonomy in deciding how to ease the lockdown.
But the regional affairs minister, Francesco Boccia, said on Wednesday that regional governments must move in step with the central government in Rome on relaxing lockdown measures or they will be cited for not complying. He said:
Singapore confirmed 528 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, its health ministry said, taking the city state’s total cases to 16,169.
AstraZeneca will make and distribute globally the University of Oxford’s potential Covid-19 vaccine, the British drugmaker said on Thursday.
The Cambridge-based company did not give details on when it will start producing the vaccine.
While there are more than 70 vaccines in development for the coronavirus, industry experts say they expect development of a successful vaccine to take at least 12-18 months, compared with the average vaccine development time of 5-7 years.
The company’s chief executive, Pascal Soriot, said in a statement:
The Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group have been working on a vaccine, called ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and said earlier this month large-scale production capacity was being put in place to make millions of doses even before trials show whether it is effective.
The team last week dosed the first volunteers in a trial of the vaccine, with possible early readouts in May.
Potentially some positive news for the job market in all the gloom.
Finance, technology and consumer goods firms are hiring tens of thousands in the United States and other countries, according to data from professional networking site LinkedIn.
Across seven countries in North America, Europe and Asia, healthcare providers are among the busiest recruiters given the ongoing battle against Covid-19, LinkedIn said.
But lifestyle changes during lockdown are also driving demand for financial consultants, factory workers, animators and game designers, and delivery workers.
Overall, the hiring rate has plunged in the first quarter from the year-ago period, and in late April remains lower than a year ago across most countries surveyed by the platform.
But the data offers a glimmer of hope, with a gradual uptick in China where the coronavirus emerged last year and which leads the world in surfacing from a months-long lockdown.
LinkedIn, with over 690 million users worldwide, counts new hires when people add a new employer to their profile.
The rate is the number of new hires divided by the total number of LinkedIn members in a country.
The figures, tracked since mid-February, are not corroborated by official jobs data and do not represent the actual number of jobs in an economy. Government figures are usually released with a time-lag of several weeks.
Guy Berger, principal economist at LinkedIn in California, told Reuters:
According to the data, hiring in China plummeted 50% during the height of its coronavirus crisis in mid-February, compared with 12 months earlier.
Since restrictions were eased in early April, the hiring rate has inched up, and for the week ending 24 April was 3% lower than the same period in 2019.
Hiring in the US, UK, France and Italy – which lead the world in coronavirus-related deaths – remains hugely depressed, but is falling less rapidly than a few weeks ago as the countries pass the peak of their epidemics, LinkedIn said.
On Sunday Thailand will start reopening some businesses, such as outdoor markets, barber shops and pet groomers, after the number of new coronavirus infections dropped into single digits this week, a government spokesman said.
The south-east Asian nation reported seven new infections but no deaths on Thursday, taking its tally since the outbreak began in January to 2,954 cases, with the death toll staying at 54.
Even after Sunday’s reopening, a nighttime curfew and ban on sales of alcohol will stay until the end of May unless otherwise specified, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin of the government’s centre for Covid-19 situation administration.
Among the six categories set to reopen are small retailers, street food stalls and restaurants outside shopping malls, and parks and outdoor sports facilities, he told a news conference.
But department stores, movie theatres, gyms and spas, as well as most indoor sports venues, will stay closed to ensure there are no large gatherings.
Thailand this week extended an emergency decree until the end of May, effectively prolonging some measures already in place.
These include a ban on incoming international passenger flights, Taweesin said, as well as the alcohol ban ordered on 10 April.
“Unless changes are announced, alcohol sales will not happen at this time,” Taweesin said.
Now it will watch the situation for the next 14 days to decide whether to free up more businesses or clamp down again to contain the virus. Taweesin said:
The holiest month on the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is usually a time when Muslims come together for prayer and to share food after fasting from dawn to dusk.
But in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, many Muslims are confined to their homes, unable to travel, and public venues, including many mosques, are shut.
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: