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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 France. Follow the latest updatesTrump 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 will ‘do anything’ to stop his re-election as coronavirus row escalates
The Guardian’s Alison Rourke and Lily Kuo report:
Donald Trump has claimed that China’s handling of the coronavirus is proof that Beijing “will do anything they can” to make him lose his re-election bid in November.
In an interview with Reuters, the US president said he was looking at different options in terms of consequences for Beijing over the virus. “I can do a lot,” he said, without going into detail.
Trump has increasingly blamed China for the pandemic and on Wednesday again said Beijing should have let the world know about the coronavirus much sooner. He also speculated about retaliation: “There are many things I can do,” he said. “We’re looking for what happened.”
For the first time, Trump linked Beijing to his re-election chances in November. “China will do anything they can to have me lose this race,” he said, adding that he believed China wants his Democratic opponent, Joe Biden, to win the race to ease the pressure on US-China trade relations.
“They’re constantly using public relations to try to make it like they’re innocent parties,” he said of Chinese officials.
Podcast: what has the BCG vaccine got to do with Covid-19?
Sarah Boseley talks to Prof Helen McShane about why there has been interest in the tuberculosis vaccine and whether it could play a role in protecting us against Covid-19:
Papua New Guinea’s health minister, who took the job just a few months before the coronavirus outbreak hit, has spoken about his country’s fight to prepare for Covid-19, in an exclusive interview with the Guardian.Papua New Guinea’s health minister, who took the job just a few months before the coronavirus outbreak hit, has spoken about his country’s fight to prepare for Covid-19, in an exclusive interview with the Guardian.
The Pacific nation just north of Australia is dealing with outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever, drug-resistant tuberculosis and had a recent outbreak of polio. Its health system is notoriously fractured and underfunded.The Pacific nation just north of Australia is dealing with outbreaks of malaria, dengue fever, drug-resistant tuberculosis and had a recent outbreak of polio. Its health system is notoriously fractured and underfunded.
So far there have been eight cases detected in the country of roughly 9 million people, and no deaths. The cases are spread across four regions and the sources of some cases are unknown, sparking fear that there could be widespread undetected community transmission.So far there have been eight cases detected in the country of roughly 9 million people, and no deaths. The cases are spread across four regions and the sources of some cases are unknown, sparking fear that there could be widespread undetected community transmission.
There are still grave concerns that Papua New Guinea – which Wong estimates has 600 to 700 doctors, 3,000 hospital beds and just 15 ventilators – is not set up to cope if the outbreak worsens.There are still grave concerns that Papua New Guinea – which Wong estimates has 600 to 700 doctors, 3,000 hospital beds and just 15 ventilators – is not set up to cope if the outbreak worsens.
“Our biggest problem is PPE gear,” says Wong. “When we first started out, we didn’t have any PPE gear in the country … the National Department of Health [NDOH] was behind the eight ball. We definitely missed the boat a few times when we tried to get PPE gear and we didn’t pay for it in time and we lost out to other countries, the bigger countries.”“Our biggest problem is PPE gear,” says Wong. “When we first started out, we didn’t have any PPE gear in the country … the National Department of Health [NDOH] was behind the eight ball. We definitely missed the boat a few times when we tried to get PPE gear and we didn’t pay for it in time and we lost out to other countries, the bigger countries.”
NHS looks into taking BAME staff off frontline for their safetyNHS looks into taking BAME staff off frontline for their safety
NHS staff from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds will be given different roles away from the frontline under plans to reduce their disproportionately high death rate from Covid-19.NHS staff from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds will be given different roles away from the frontline under plans to reduce their disproportionately high death rate from Covid-19.
BAME personnel should be “risk-assessed” and reassigned to duties that leave them at lesser risk of contracting coronavirus, under guidance set out by NHS bosses in England.BAME personnel should be “risk-assessed” and reassigned to duties that leave them at lesser risk of contracting coronavirus, under guidance set out by NHS bosses in England.
The move was unveiled in a letter sent on Wednesday to hospital trusts, providers of mental health care, ambulance services and organisations providing community-based healthcare.The move was unveiled in a letter sent on Wednesday to hospital trusts, providers of mental health care, ambulance services and organisations providing community-based healthcare.
Life is never easy for China’s nearly 300 million migrant workers, but with the coronavirus zapping jobs at a historic clip, life is particularly difficult, AFP reports.Life is never easy for China’s nearly 300 million migrant workers, but with the coronavirus zapping jobs at a historic clip, life is particularly difficult, AFP reports.
The global pandemic will force millions worldwide to spend Friday’s International Workers Day in unemployment and uncertainty.The global pandemic will force millions worldwide to spend Friday’s International Workers Day in unemployment and uncertainty.
But perhaps nowhere is the pressure felt as keenly as in the world’s second-largest economy, where the Communist Party has long staked its legitimacy on delivering jobs and prosperity in return for public acquiescence to its political monopoly.But perhaps nowhere is the pressure felt as keenly as in the world’s second-largest economy, where the Communist Party has long staked its legitimacy on delivering jobs and prosperity in return for public acquiescence to its political monopoly.
The situation raises the spectre of millions of angry citizens potentially protesting over their misfortune.The situation raises the spectre of millions of angry citizens potentially protesting over their misfortune.
At this point, nobody expects mass worker unrest in tightly controlled China, but joblessness is soaring after the economy shrank for the first time in decades in the first three months of the year.At this point, nobody expects mass worker unrest in tightly controlled China, but joblessness is soaring after the economy shrank for the first time in decades in the first three months of the year.
China has cancelled the 2020 Boao Forum for Asia, which Beijing is trying to promote as the region’s answer to Davos, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the official China News agency reported on Thursday.The annual conference, initially scheduled for March 24-27, was postponed in early March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which first emerged late last year in China.The virus has so far killed more than 4,600 and infected nearly 83,000 in mainland China.China has cancelled the 2020 Boao Forum for Asia, which Beijing is trying to promote as the region’s answer to Davos, due to the coronavirus epidemic, the official China News agency reported on Thursday.The annual conference, initially scheduled for March 24-27, was postponed in early March due to the COVID-19 outbreak, which first emerged late last year in China.The virus has so far killed more than 4,600 and infected nearly 83,000 in mainland China.
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 (KCDC) said.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 (KCDC) said.
KCDC reported four new infections, all imported cases, taking the national tally to 10,765. The death toll rose by one to 247.KCDC reported four new infections, all imported cases, taking the national tally to 10,765. The death toll rose by one to 247.
More from Japan, where one of the country’s best-known comedians has apologised for suggesting that financial hardship caused by the coronavirus outbreak would force attractive women to work in the commercial sex industry once the crisis is over.Takashi Okamura, one half of the comedy duo Ninety-nine, said he deeply regretted” the remarks, made late last week during his All Night Nippon radio show.The 49-year-old said in a statement that he had made the comments “without considering circumstances around the world,” adding they were “extremely inappropriate towards people who are in a tough position”, according to the Kyodo news agency.More from Japan, where one of the country’s best-known comedians has apologised for suggesting that financial hardship caused by the coronavirus outbreak would force attractive women to work in the commercial sex industry once the crisis is over.Takashi Okamura, one half of the comedy duo Ninety-nine, said he deeply regretted” the remarks, made late last week during his All Night Nippon radio show.The 49-year-old said in a statement that he had made the comments “without considering circumstances around the world,” adding they were “extremely inappropriate towards people who are in a tough position”, according to the Kyodo news agency.
Okamura had been responding to a listener who complained that he was unable to visit commercial sex establishements during the pandemic. “After the coronavirus is over, something fantastic will happen,” Okamura responded. “You will think, ‘I’ve never seen girls like this’ ... so please hold on, save your money and spend it (in the sex industry)“ once the pandemic has ended.Nippon Broadcasting System, which airs the show, said Okamura’s remarks showed “a lack of understanding of the current coronavirus crisis, as well as a lack of respect for women”.Okamura had been responding to a listener who complained that he was unable to visit commercial sex establishements during the pandemic. “After the coronavirus is over, something fantastic will happen,” Okamura responded. “You will think, ‘I’ve never seen girls like this’ ... so please hold on, save your money and spend it (in the sex industry)“ once the pandemic has ended.Nippon Broadcasting System, which airs the show, said Okamura’s remarks showed “a lack of understanding of the current coronavirus crisis, as well as a lack of respect for women”.
Japan’s government is expected to extend a nationwide state of emergency for another month, local media have reported, after the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described the coronavirus outbreak as “severe”.Japan’s government is expected to extend a nationwide state of emergency for another month, local media have reported, after the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, described the coronavirus outbreak as “severe”.
Abe declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures on 7 April, enabling local governors to request that people avoid unnecessary trips outside and that nonessential businesses close. There are no fines or other penalties for non-compliance, however.The measures, which have since been introduced in all 47 of Japan’s prefectures, were due to stay in place until 6 May – the end of a series of public holidays known as Golden Week – but the Nikkei business daily said on Thursday that Abe was poised to extend them by another month.Abe declared a state of emergency in Tokyo and six other prefectures on 7 April, enabling local governors to request that people avoid unnecessary trips outside and that nonessential businesses close. There are no fines or other penalties for non-compliance, however.The measures, which have since been introduced in all 47 of Japan’s prefectures, were due to stay in place until 6 May – the end of a series of public holidays known as Golden Week – but the Nikkei business daily said on Thursday that Abe was poised to extend them by another month.
“It is still very uncertain whether we will be able to say, ‘It’s over,’ on 6 May,” Abe said in parliament on Wednesday, as local leaders voiced concern that infections could spread if people stopped socially distancing and started moving around again.Abe is expected to announce the extension after meeting experts on Friday, the Nikkei said, adding that he would take into account how the virus was spreading, whether people were reducing their contact with others, and the state of the country’s health services.While the number of daily cases in Tokyo appears to have stabilised since a peak of 201 on 17 April, a government official told the newspaper that the apparent slowdown in the capital and other areas did not warrant a relaxation of restrictions.“We will have a hard time lifting the state of emergency unless we can bring new infections down to 20 or 30 people,”the official said.Japan has reported just over 14,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 420 deaths.“It is still very uncertain whether we will be able to say, ‘It’s over,’ on 6 May,” Abe said in parliament on Wednesday, as local leaders voiced concern that infections could spread if people stopped socially distancing and started moving around again.Abe is expected to announce the extension after meeting experts on Friday, the Nikkei said, adding that he would take into account how the virus was spreading, whether people were reducing their contact with others, and the state of the country’s health services.While the number of daily cases in Tokyo appears to have stabilised since a peak of 201 on 17 April, a government official told the newspaper that the apparent slowdown in the capital and other areas did not warrant a relaxation of restrictions.“We will have a hard time lifting the state of emergency unless we can bring new infections down to 20 or 30 people,”the official said.Japan has reported just over 14,000 Covid-19 cases and more than 420 deaths.
Let’s hear it for the mums:Let’s hear it for the mums:
Podcast: Should the UK bail out Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic?Podcast: Should the UK bail out Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic?
Guardian wealth correspondent Rupert Neate looks at why billionaire Sir Richard Branson is asking the UK government to give his Virgin Atlantic airline a £500m bailout to help it survive the economic fallout of the lockdown.Guardian wealth correspondent Rupert Neate looks at why billionaire Sir Richard Branson is asking the UK government to give his Virgin Atlantic airline a £500m bailout to help it survive the economic fallout of the lockdown.
Police were called to a Brooklyn funeral home Wednesday after it resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented truck, the Associated Press reports.Police were called to a Brooklyn funeral home Wednesday after it resorted to storing dozens of bodies on ice in rented truck, the Associated Press reports.
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 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.
Investigators who responded to a 911 call found that the home had rented four trucks to hold about 50 corpses, according to a law enforcement official. No criminal charges were brought and the official, who was not authorised to speak publicly about the investigation, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.Investigators who responded to a 911 call found that the home had rented four trucks to hold about 50 corpses, according to a law enforcement official. No criminal charges were brought and the official, who was not authorised to speak publicly about the investigation, spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The Andrew T. Cleckley Funeral Home was cited for failing to control the odours. The home was able to obtain a larger, refrigerated truck later in the day, the official said.The Andrew T. Cleckley Funeral Home was cited for failing to control the odours. The home was able to obtain a larger, refrigerated truck later in the day, the official said.
Workers suited up in protective gear could be seen in the afternoon transferring bodies into the refrigerated truck. New York City funeral homes have struggled as at least 18,000 people have died in the city since late March.The city set up temporary morgues. Hospitals used refrigerated tractor trailers to cart away multiple bodies at a time, sometimes loading them in public view on the sidewalk. Crematoriums have been backed up. Funeral directors across the city have pleaded for help as they have run out of space.Workers suited up in protective gear could be seen in the afternoon transferring bodies into the refrigerated truck. New York City funeral homes have struggled as at least 18,000 people have died in the city since late March.The city set up temporary morgues. Hospitals used refrigerated tractor trailers to cart away multiple bodies at a time, sometimes loading them in public view on the sidewalk. Crematoriums have been backed up. Funeral directors across the city have pleaded for help as they have run out of space.
A pregnant Native American woman incarcerated in a federal prison in Texas was diagnosed with coronavirus and died in federal custody on Tuesday, officials said.A pregnant Native American woman incarcerated in a federal prison in Texas was diagnosed with coronavirus and died in federal custody on Tuesday, officials said.
Andrea Circle Bear, 30, had been sentenced to more than two years in prison on a drug charge this January. She delivered her baby by caesarean section while on a ventilator in a Texas hospital on 1 April, and died there on 28 April.Andrea Circle Bear, 30, had been sentenced to more than two years in prison on a drug charge this January. She delivered her baby by caesarean section while on a ventilator in a Texas hospital on 1 April, and died there on 28 April.
Circle Bear’s child survived, but officials declined to provide any additional information on the baby’s condition or where the child is now, “out of respect for the family and for privacy reasons”, a Bureau of Prisons spokesman said.Circle Bear’s child survived, but officials declined to provide any additional information on the baby’s condition or where the child is now, “out of respect for the family and for privacy reasons”, a Bureau of Prisons spokesman said.
The 30-year-old woman “had a pre-existing medical condition” that made her more at risk for a severe case of coronavirus, according to federal officials, who did not specify what the condition was.The 30-year-old woman “had a pre-existing medical condition” that made her more at risk for a severe case of coronavirus, according to federal officials, who did not specify what the condition was.
Watch as Trump says coronavirus will be ‘eradicated’ – while US death toll passes 60,000:Watch as Trump says coronavirus will be ‘eradicated’ – while US death toll passes 60,000:
‘It’s going to leave. It’s going to be gone. It’s going to be eradicated,’ US president Donald Trump said of the coronavirus during a White House round table with business leaders. His comment comes as the number of Americans who have died of coronavirus passed 60,000. Trump was asked if he wanted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help fast track the use of a closely watched intravenous therapeutic drug, remdesivir, currently undergoing trials for treating Covid-19 patients. ‘We want everything to be safe, but we would like to see very quick approvals, especially with things that work,’ Trump said. The US’s top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, has said that the antiviral drug remdesivir will become the standard of care for Covid-19 after early results showed it helped patients recover more quickly from the illness.‘It’s going to leave. It’s going to be gone. It’s going to be eradicated,’ US president Donald Trump said of the coronavirus during a White House round table with business leaders. His comment comes as the number of Americans who have died of coronavirus passed 60,000. Trump was asked if he wanted the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help fast track the use of a closely watched intravenous therapeutic drug, remdesivir, currently undergoing trials for treating Covid-19 patients. ‘We want everything to be safe, but we would like to see very quick approvals, especially with things that work,’ Trump said. The US’s top infectious disease expert, Dr Anthony Fauci, has said that the antiviral drug remdesivir will become the standard of care for Covid-19 after early results showed it helped patients recover more quickly from the illness.