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Coronavirus live news: Malaysia rounds up migrants as UN warns of crackdown on vulnerable Coronavirus live news: Malaysia rounds up migrants as UN warns of crackdown on vulnerable
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Somalia reports rapid rise in Covid-19 deaths; 98 people die in one New York nursing homeSomalia reports rapid rise in Covid-19 deaths; 98 people die in one New York nursing home
The New York City police department have dispatched 1,000 officers this weekend to enforce physical distancing and a ban on congregating in public spaces, after 299 new deaths across the state were confirmed on Friday. The organisation that runs the Auschwitz memorial has condemned the appearance at a US anti-lockdown rally of a picket sign bearing a Nazi slogan displayed above the entrance of the concentration camp.
The NYPD has made 60 arrests and issued 343 summonses related to distancing measures since 16 March. Police commissioner Dermot Shea said violations would not be tolerated after officers clashed with members of Orthodox Jewish communities who had taken to the streets for funeral possessions. “You are putting my cops lives at risk and its unacceptable,” she said. A demonstrator attending a rally in Illinois, where hundreds of people protested against the state’s lockdown and social distancing measures, was photographed carrying a sign bearing the words “Arbeit macht frei, JB”.
The German phrase translates as “work sets you free”, with JB referring to the Illinois governor, JB Pritzker, who is of Jewish descent.
Austrians have today visited newly-reopened hairdressers, beauticians and electronics shops after the further relaxation of its seven-week lockdown.
The country acted relatively early in its outbreak and closed restaurants, bars, theatres, schools, non-essential shops and other gathering places. It helped reduce the daily increase in infections to less than 1%, and Austria has reported about 15,500 cases and 589 deaths so far.
Now, members of the public no longer require a reason, such as shopping or exercise, to justify being outside although bars remain closed till 15 May.
“After seven weeks in which no appointments were possible, I have the great fortune of having got the first appointment at my hairdresser,” Gertraud Schubert told Reuters as she had her hair cut and coloured at Hair Concept, a Vienna salon which is fully booked for the next three weeks.
Switzerland and Denmark have already let hairdressers reopen, but there are fears it could cause infections to resurge – though protective measures are in place (as pictured below).
The New York City police department has dispatched 1,000 officers this weekend to enforce physical distancing and a ban on congregating in public spaces, after 299 new deaths across the state were confirmed on Friday.
The NYPD has made 60 arrests and issued 343 summonses related to distancing measures since 16 March. Police commissioner Dermot Shea said violations would not be tolerated after officers clashed with members of Orthodox Jewish communities who had taken to the streets for funeral possessions. “You are putting my cops lives at risk and it’s unacceptable,” she said.
Meanwhile, in what suggests that the state has passed the peak of the virus, Mount Sinai hospital health system said it would stop taking new patients from Monday at the small field hospital it helped erect in Central Park. Only eight patients remained at the makeshift hospital on Saturday.Meanwhile, in what suggests that the state has passed the peak of the virus, Mount Sinai hospital health system said it would stop taking new patients from Monday at the small field hospital it helped erect in Central Park. Only eight patients remained at the makeshift hospital on Saturday.
Malaysian authorities have rounded up and detained hundreds of undocumented migrants, including Rohingya refugees, as part of efforts to contain coronavirus, officials said.Malaysian authorities have rounded up and detained hundreds of undocumented migrants, including Rohingya refugees, as part of efforts to contain coronavirus, officials said.
Authorities said 586 undocumented migrants were arrested in a raid in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday. Armed police walked people through the city in a single file to a detention building, according to activists. The UN said the move could push vulnerable groups into hiding and prevent them from seeking treatment.Authorities said 586 undocumented migrants were arrested in a raid in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday. Armed police walked people through the city in a single file to a detention building, according to activists. The UN said the move could push vulnerable groups into hiding and prevent them from seeking treatment.
Those detained included young children and ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Social media posts, including some by Malaysian politicians, have recently blamed Rohingya of committing crimes and accused them of dominating areas of the capital.Those detained included young children and ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar. Social media posts, including some by Malaysian politicians, have recently blamed Rohingya of committing crimes and accused them of dominating areas of the capital.
The xenophobic campaigns have included activists having their names and photos circulated alongside inflammatory accusations, and have injected further fear into a community struggling for food and shelter through the pandemic lockdown.The xenophobic campaigns have included activists having their names and photos circulated alongside inflammatory accusations, and have injected further fear into a community struggling for food and shelter through the pandemic lockdown.
Police said the operation was aimed at preventing undocumented migrants from travelling to other areas amid movement curbs imposed to contain the spread of the virus outbreak, the state news agency Bernama reported.Police said the operation was aimed at preventing undocumented migrants from travelling to other areas amid movement curbs imposed to contain the spread of the virus outbreak, the state news agency Bernama reported.
The UN urged Malaysia to avoid detaining migrants and release all children, warning that overcrowded detention centres carried a high risk of increasing the virus’s spread.The UN urged Malaysia to avoid detaining migrants and release all children, warning that overcrowded detention centres carried a high risk of increasing the virus’s spread.
Florida’s governor, Ron de Santis, announced on Friday that state parks will soon reopen, even as the coronavirus pandemic continued and Death himself stalked the beaches of the sunshine state.Florida’s governor, Ron de Santis, announced on Friday that state parks will soon reopen, even as the coronavirus pandemic continued and Death himself stalked the beaches of the sunshine state.
The Grim Reaper in question was actually Daniel Uhlfelder, a lawyer and campaigner for public beach access who put on a cowl and wielded a scythe in an attempt to alert Floridians to the dangers of reopening their economy too soon.The Grim Reaper in question was actually Daniel Uhlfelder, a lawyer and campaigner for public beach access who put on a cowl and wielded a scythe in an attempt to alert Floridians to the dangers of reopening their economy too soon.
As footage of a socially distanced interview with a TV reporter at Miramar Beach in Walton county went viral, Uhlfelder told CNN: “We aren’t at the point now where we have enough testing, enough data, enough preparation for what’s going to be coming to our state from all over the world from this pandemic.As footage of a socially distanced interview with a TV reporter at Miramar Beach in Walton county went viral, Uhlfelder told CNN: “We aren’t at the point now where we have enough testing, enough data, enough preparation for what’s going to be coming to our state from all over the world from this pandemic.
“I know how beautiful and attractive our beaches are. But if we don’t take measures to control things, this virus is going to get really, really out of control.”“I know how beautiful and attractive our beaches are. But if we don’t take measures to control things, this virus is going to get really, really out of control.”
Many people in Britain are likely to suffer from physical and mental problems for several years after the Covid-19 epidemic has subsided. That is the grim message from doctors and psychologists who last week warned that even after lockdown measures had been lifted thousands of individuals would still be suffering.Many people in Britain are likely to suffer from physical and mental problems for several years after the Covid-19 epidemic has subsided. That is the grim message from doctors and psychologists who last week warned that even after lockdown measures had been lifted thousands of individuals would still be suffering.
Some of these problems will be due directly to the impact that the virus has had on those it has infected, especially those who went through life-saving interventions in intensive care units (ICUs) in hospital. In addition there will be a considerable impact on vulnerable people affected by the lockdown and isolation.Some of these problems will be due directly to the impact that the virus has had on those it has infected, especially those who went through life-saving interventions in intensive care units (ICUs) in hospital. In addition there will be a considerable impact on vulnerable people affected by the lockdown and isolation.
As a result, there is a danger our society could become more anxious and risk-averse, say scientists who have called for a range of research programmes to be launched to understand the issues and to allow society to prepare itself for the physiological and psychological problems that lie ahead.As a result, there is a danger our society could become more anxious and risk-averse, say scientists who have called for a range of research programmes to be launched to understand the issues and to allow society to prepare itself for the physiological and psychological problems that lie ahead.
“This has been a national trauma like no other that we have experienced,” said psychologist Professor Dame Til Wykes, of King’s College London. “Consider the terrible flooding we had earlier this year. People watched river levels rise and listened to weather forecasts to find out if they might be inundated the next day or the day after. That was stressful.“This has been a national trauma like no other that we have experienced,” said psychologist Professor Dame Til Wykes, of King’s College London. “Consider the terrible flooding we had earlier this year. People watched river levels rise and listened to weather forecasts to find out if they might be inundated the next day or the day after. That was stressful.
“But it was nothing compared to this threat which has hung over us for weeks already and is likely to go on for much longer. Spending months looking over your shoulder all the time is going to cause considerable, lasting anxiety for many people. In addition, if you look at other natural disasters, you can usually find help or comfort from people around you. However, it is the people around you that are the threat in this case. So there is no consolation there.”“But it was nothing compared to this threat which has hung over us for weeks already and is likely to go on for much longer. Spending months looking over your shoulder all the time is going to cause considerable, lasting anxiety for many people. In addition, if you look at other natural disasters, you can usually find help or comfort from people around you. However, it is the people around you that are the threat in this case. So there is no consolation there.”
About 180 migrants rescued at sea and held in isolation on an Italian ferry off the coast of Sicily will be disembarked in Palermo on Monday, AFP reports, citing the Avvenire daily.About 180 migrants rescued at sea and held in isolation on an Italian ferry off the coast of Sicily will be disembarked in Palermo on Monday, AFP reports, citing the Avvenire daily.
The migrants had been pulled to safety in two separate operations by NGO rescue vessels and placed on the Rubattino ferry after Italy closed its ports due to the coronavirus epidemic.The migrants had been pulled to safety in two separate operations by NGO rescue vessels and placed on the Rubattino ferry after Italy closed its ports due to the coronavirus epidemic.
All had tested negative for the virus.All had tested negative for the virus.
Far-right politician Matteo Salvini is to stand trial after he blocked migrants from disembarking from a coastguard boat while he was interior minister last year.Far-right politician Matteo Salvini is to stand trial after he blocked migrants from disembarking from a coastguard boat while he was interior minister last year.
He had insisted they not be allowed off until a deal was made with the EU over who had duty of care for them.He had insisted they not be allowed off until a deal was made with the EU over who had duty of care for them.
It was not yet known whether the 183 people disembarking on Monday, including two women and 44 unaccompanied minors, would be sent to other EU countries.It was not yet known whether the 183 people disembarking on Monday, including two women and 44 unaccompanied minors, would be sent to other EU countries.
Reuters reports on the conservative groups advising the US government that have issued an array of coronavirus economic reopening plans. They all have a common theme: Americans should go back to work immediately to halt the economic and societal damage from prolonged lockdowns.Reuters reports on the conservative groups advising the US government that have issued an array of coronavirus economic reopening plans. They all have a common theme: Americans should go back to work immediately to halt the economic and societal damage from prolonged lockdowns.
The Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus has focused in recent days around the same message – the need to reopen quickly. The White House did not renew federal guidelines on social distancing that expired on 30 April, and Donald Trump is expected to go to Arizona next week, after a month without travel.The Trump administration’s response to the coronavirus has focused in recent days around the same message – the need to reopen quickly. The White House did not renew federal guidelines on social distancing that expired on 30 April, and Donald Trump is expected to go to Arizona next week, after a month without travel.
Some state and local governments are opening malls, movie theatres, and hairdressers.Some state and local governments are opening malls, movie theatres, and hairdressers.
There have also been small protests against stay-at-home orders across the country.There have also been small protests against stay-at-home orders across the country.
JK Rowling is donating £1m to help homeless people and those affected by domestic abuse during the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing the financial contribution, which will be split between the Crisis and Refuge charities, the Harry Potter author said the money would go towards helping some of those hit hardest by the outbreak and the impact of the lockdown.
The author told of her mixed emotions at having three key workers in her immediate family during the crisis.
In a tweet announcing the donation on Saturday, she wrote: “Today’s the 22nd anniversary of the Battle of Hogwarts, but I’m going to be honest and say that it feels inappropriate to talk about fictional deaths today. Too many people are losing loved ones in the real world.
“So on this anniversary of a great wizarding victory, I’m thinking of the people who’re out there doing their jobs to protect us and our way of life. I have three key workers in my immediate family, and like all such relatives, I’m torn between pride and anxiety.
“As ever in a crisis of this sort, the poorest and most vulnerable are hit hardest, so in honour of the Battle of Hogwarts, I’ll be making a donation of £1m, half of which will go to Crisis, who’re helping the homeless during the pandemic, and half of which will go to Refuge, because we know that domestic abuse has, sadly, increased hugely during the lockdown.”
People in Spain will have to wear face masks when using public transport from Monday, the country’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, has announced.
Speaking on Saturday, as adults in Spain were allowed out to exercise for the first time since the strict lockdown was imposed on 14 March, the prime minister said the use of masks would be compulsory on buses, tubes and trains.Sánchez said 6m masks would be handed out at transport hubs, 7m would be issued by councils, and 1.5m would be distributed by the Red Cross and other NGOs.
He also announced that the government would seek MPs’ approval next week for another two-week extension of the state of emergency, which is currently due to end on 10 May.
He said that the success of Spain’s phased emergence from lockdown would depend on “social and personal responsibility”, adding: “The key to the de-escalation isn’t just about personal decisions. The key will be tens of thousands of decisions taken at home, on public transport, at work, and in free time.”
According to the latest health ministry figures, there have been 216,582 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in Spain, and 25,100 deaths.
Japan will fasttrack a review of the antiviral drug remdesivir so that it can hopefully be approved for domestic Covid-19 patients a week after Gilead Sciences filing for such approval, the health minister said on Saturday, according to a report by Reuters.
The health minister Katsunobu Kato’s comment comes after remdesivir was granted emergency use authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration for Covid-19 on Friday.
“I’ve heard that Gilead Sciences will file for approval [in Japan] within days,” Kato said. “I issued an instruction so that we will be ready to approve it within a week or so.”
The Chinese virologist whose work has been at the centre of the controversial claim that coronavirus came from a laboratory has dismissed rumours that she has defected from China, South China Morning Post reports.
Shi Zhengli, a researcher of bat coronaviruses, wrote on WeChat on Saturday that she and her family had not fled the country, despite coming under heavy scrutiny amid conspiracy theories that the virus responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic had originated at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) in central China where she works.
“No matter how difficult things are, there will not be a ‘defector’ situation as the rumours have said,” Shi wrote.
Chinese state newspaper Global Times said it had confirmed the post had been written by Shi. “We have not done anything wrong and we continue to have strong faith in science. There must be a day when the clouds part and the sun comes out,” she added.
Malta reported just one new Covid-19 infection on Saturday, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases up to 468, according to the Times of Malta.
The R number, which is a way of rating a disease’s ability to spread, is below 1 according to a health official.
“The R-factor is below 1 and we want to keep it that way,” said Charmaine Gauci, superintendent of public health. “We have now started easing measures, including the opening of non-essential retail outlets. These will be allowed to open provided they adhere to some conditions.”
The single infected patient is reported to be a Sudanese man aged 27.
The son of a care home nurse who died in the UK after contracting Covid-19 has said a lack of personal protective equipment is what killed his mother, as the family were forced to say goodbye via an iPad.
In an online tribute, Ian O’Neal described Suzanne Loverseed, 63, as a “lioness” who gave everything for her children.
He wrote: “At the end, she worked in a care home, with patients dying of this virus. She had no PPE [protective personal equipment] but fearlessly she carried on. That’s what killed her.”
It comes amid growing concern about the risks faced by those in the UK’s care homes, with the sector believed to be at the centre of crisis. On Wednesday, the government released figures that revealed coronavirus deaths for both in hospitals and the community, including care homes, for the first time. It added an additional 3,811 deaths for those who had tested positive for Covid-19 in the community since the start of the outbreak, bringing the total number of deaths to more than 26,000.
Mick Jagger and Will Smith will be among dozens of international celebrities performing from their homes in a four-hour concert to raise funds for the battle against coronavirus in India, where the number of cases is surging.
The country’s cricket captain Virat Kohli, Bollywood actors Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan are some of the top domestic names billed to perform or read messages during the event on Sunday.
The performances will be livestreamed by Facebook and will pay tribute to workers fighting the pandemic.
A trial has begun in the UK to test if blood plasma from coronavirus survivors could help treat those critically ill with the disease.
Plasma is a clear liquid that makes up about half of people’s blood volume and carries red and white blood cells and platelets around the body. More than 6,500 people registered their interest for the plasma donation programme, which is being led by NHS Blood and Transplant on behalf of the government.
The organisation is recruiting people with the help of NHS data and inviting suitable candidates who have recovered from a confirmed case of coronavirus or had symptoms to donate plasma at its 23 main blood centres.
“Recovered patients’ plasma may contain antibodies that their immune systems have produced in fighting the virus,” NHS Blood and Transplant said in a statement. “It is hoped that plasma taken no sooner than 28 days after recovery from Covid-19 will contain a high level of this neutralising antibody.”
Blood had started being collected from 148 people in England so far, the BBC reported, and researchers hope antibodies found in it could become a significant solution in the fight against the virus.
Malaysian authorities have defended plans to ease coronavirus lockdown measures next week even as the number of new infections jumped to a two-week high, Reuters reports.
Most businesses will reopen on Monday following a six-week shutdown ordered to fight the Covid-19 outbreak, though schools, cinemas and nightclubs will remain closed, along with the country’s borders, and mass gatherings will still be banned.
The decision to allow businesses to resume trading has sparked criticism including from members of the ruling coalition that restrictions were being eased too soon.
The number of new coronavirus infections as reported by the health ministry rose by 105 on Saturday, the highest daily increase since 16 April. The number of known infections totalled 6,176 and fatalities were at 103.
Ireland has extended its lockdown for another two weeks to 18 May, when it will introduce a phased, five-stage exit over three months.
The country’s lockdown regime has been much stricter than the UK’s, but Friday night’s announcement offers a clear, step-by-step map out of the lockdown for schools, shops, businesses as well as the global Irish diaspora including more than 300,000 in the UK, many of whom would normally make visits home in the summer.
The taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, said while the rise in the death rate from coronavirus had flattened it was still too dangerous to ease the lockdown.
While thousands of lives had been saved, “we have not yet won this fight”, he said, adding that two more weeks of tight restrictions to weaken the virus further were necessary to ensure it “doesn’t have the strength to make a comeback”.