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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
The number of fatalities related to Covid-19 recorded overnight in Spain fell to 268, the lowest tally in nearly six weeks, the country’s health ministry said.
The overall death toll rose to 24,543 on Thursday, up from 24,275 on the previous day, the ministry said.
The number of cases registered in the country rose to 213,435 from 212,917 the day before.
Japan Airlines’ annual net profit plunged nearly 65%, the company said on Thursday, as it faced the “unprecedented” impact of the coronavirus pandemic on aviation demand.
JAL said net profit for the fiscal year ending in March fell 64.6% to 53.4bn yen ($500m) on annual sales of 1.4trn yen, down 5.1%.
The results were largely in line with a profit warning the airline issued last week.
JAL said demand had plunged owing to entry bans around the world, the cancellation of major domestic events, and a state of emergency in Japan with authorities urging citizens not to travel.
“Our group is facing an unprecedented situation,” the company said in a statement.
For now, JAL plans to cut its number of flights by 90% on international routes and by more than 60% on domestic routes from its flight schedule announced before the pandemic.
But the firm said it remained optimistic about the outlook. It said:
Indonesia confirmed 347 new coronavirus infections on Thursday, taking the total in the Southeast Asian country above 10,000 for the first time with 10,118 infections, health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said.
Yurianto reported eight new deaths, taking the total of fatalities to 792, while 1,522 have recovered.
More than 72,300 people have been tested.
The spread of Covid-19 has been contained in the Czech Republic and the government will continue to cautiously open up the economy, the health minister, Adam Vojtech, said on Thursday.
The country has seen the number of new cases drop below 100 for the past eight consecutive days, and the number of active cases has also been on the decline.
The ministry said the reproduction rate of the virus has dropped to 0.7, which means every newly infected person passes the infection to less than one other person.
There were 7,581 virus cases in the country, as of Thursday morning, and 227 deaths.
Positive developments have prompted the government to start reopening shops and services as well as non-urgent medical care, as doctors fear the impact of neglect in standard care.
Vojtech told a press conference:
The country has also seen a decline in the number of hospitalised patients, to 348 on Wednesday from a peak of 446 on 9 April.
The government, under pressure from business and the general population, has lifted most limits on movement and sped up reopening shops and services.
Stores of up to 2,500 square metres reopened on Monday.
The head of the health ministry’s epidemiological advisory team, Rastislav Madar, has cautioned about the faster relaxations, saying they may be risky.
Schools are not to reopen fully until September, and the government is also keeping in place an obligation to wear face masks in public and a ban on large public gatherings.
The government is hoping that a system of tracing and testing contacts of infected people, newly boosted by an army of testers, mobile apps and location data from phones and payment card transactions, will be enough to contain any flare-ups without the need to reintroduce blanket restrictions.
Malaysian health authorities reported 57 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, raising the cumulative total to 6,002 cases.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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 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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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 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 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.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.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.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.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.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 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.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: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.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.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.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 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.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 reported its first two deaths and a new cluster of Covid-19 cases amid worries that the virus has been circulating undetected for some time and attempts at a humanitarian ceasefire to contain the new crisis are failing.
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. Five new cases were confirmed in the southern city of Aden on Wednesday night, leading the local separatist administration - which renewed calls for independence last week - to announce a two-week shutdown.
On Wednesday, Yemen recorded five new cases of Covid-19 in its second city, Aden, the committee monitoring the outbreak said on Twitter. Two of the patients died after testing positive for the coronavirus, officials said overnight.
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. Yemen has previously only reported one case, a port worker in the town of al-Shihr some 540km away. Although he made a full recovery, officials were unable to identify patient zero.
“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. Health workers and aid agencies have been dreading a widespread outbreak of coronavirus in Yemen, where testing facilities are almost non-existent and five years of war have decimated the medical sector.
“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.” Worst-case scenario planning from the World Health Organization says up to 93% of the population could become infected.
The deaths come after aid organisations warned any coronavirus outbreak could have dire consequences after six years of civil war. The Saudi-led coalition fighting against Iran-backed Houthi rebels announced a unilateral ceasefire last month to help Yemen contain the spread of Covid-19, but fighting in several areas has worsened instead.
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. Coalition airstrikes on Houthi territory increased by 30% last week, war monitor the Yemen Data Project said on Wednesday.
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.