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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
(32 minutes later)
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
Coronavirus deaths in Canada have risen from 3,223 to 3,446, as confirmed cases increased by about 2,000 to 55,572, official data released earlier today shows.
Inmates at a prison in Manaus, a Brazilian city deep in the Amazon that has been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, briefly took seven prison guards hostage earlier today in protest against conditions and the suspension of visits, authorities said.
The rebellion came as the coronavirus outbreak overwhelms public services in Manaus, with authorities burying victims in mass graves and warning residents of an imminent shortage of coffins after 357 died from the disease.
The inmates rioted to create a distraction as others built a tunnel underneath the prison walls, but police foiled the scheme after raiding the prison and freeing the guards.
Dozens of family members had gathered outside the prison complaining of conditions inside the jail, including insufficient food, cells without electricity, and lack of proper medical attention for inmates. Some told Reuters that the spread of the coronavirus throughout the city was making their concerns more urgent.
There were no reported deaths. However, 10 prison guards, two police officers and five inmates were said to have been not seriously injured.
The UK government is facing renewed criticism after being forced to admit that “a small number” of coronavirus tests sent to homes cannot be processed due to absences of return labels, which include tracking codes.The UK government is facing renewed criticism after being forced to admit that “a small number” of coronavirus tests sent to homes cannot be processed due to absences of return labels, which include tracking codes.
“We are urgently seeking to resolve this so anyone affected can either be provided with a new label or order a replacement kit online, which won’t be counted in the daily figures,” a spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care told Sky.“We are urgently seeking to resolve this so anyone affected can either be provided with a new label or order a replacement kit online, which won’t be counted in the daily figures,” a spokesperson for the Department for Health and Social Care told Sky.
Earlier today, the British health secretary, Matt Hancock, was accused of changing the criteria for counting Covid tests after he claimed victory in reaching the target of 100,000 a day. Earlier today, the British health secretary, Matt Hancock, was accused of changing the criteria for counting Covid-19 tests after he claimed victory in reaching the target of 100,000 a day.
Critics said that a large proportion of the 122,000 tests counted on Friday were tests that had been mailed to addresses but not yet carried out. Critics said that a large proportion of the 122,000 tests counted on Friday had been mailed to addresses but not yet carried out.
Now, however, it appears that some of those tests are useless.Now, however, it appears that some of those tests are useless.
Some more cheer! From the former soldier canoeing in his garden pond to a distanced dance to Whigfield’s Saturday Night in Dublin (here’s the original).Some more cheer! From the former soldier canoeing in his garden pond to a distanced dance to Whigfield’s Saturday Night in Dublin (here’s the original).
The exposed, austere islands of the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, carry the beautiful Gaelic name of Innse Gall, or “islands of the strangers”. Against a backdrop of big skies, lonely farmhouses and sandy beaches, physical distancing comes easily here.The exposed, austere islands of the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland, carry the beautiful Gaelic name of Innse Gall, or “islands of the strangers”. Against a backdrop of big skies, lonely farmhouses and sandy beaches, physical distancing comes easily here.
In small communities, such as those on Uist, isolation and the vast open spaces have preserved the local population from the devastation wrought elsewhere by the Covid-19 pandemic. Like everywhere else, lockdown has been strictly enforced and observed. Travel has been highly restricted – only lorry drivers and essential workers have been allowed on to the ferries since 16 March. And, as of last week, this archipelago of six principal islands linked by causeways has had no confirmed cases so far.In small communities, such as those on Uist, isolation and the vast open spaces have preserved the local population from the devastation wrought elsewhere by the Covid-19 pandemic. Like everywhere else, lockdown has been strictly enforced and observed. Travel has been highly restricted – only lorry drivers and essential workers have been allowed on to the ferries since 16 March. And, as of last week, this archipelago of six principal islands linked by causeways has had no confirmed cases so far.
It is this very particular geographic and social profile that has led ministers to see islands such as Uist as the perfect location in which to test strategies to end the lockdown. The notion has been floated by several scientists and endorsed by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, who said last week there was “scientific justification” for piloting measures such as contact tracing to “relax measures at a progressively greater rate” on some island communities before the rest of the UK.It is this very particular geographic and social profile that has led ministers to see islands such as Uist as the perfect location in which to test strategies to end the lockdown. The notion has been floated by several scientists and endorsed by Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, who said last week there was “scientific justification” for piloting measures such as contact tracing to “relax measures at a progressively greater rate” on some island communities before the rest of the UK.
So are islanders rushing to volunteer to throw off the shackles of lockdown? Not a bit. In fact some want it to go on even longer.So are islanders rushing to volunteer to throw off the shackles of lockdown? Not a bit. In fact some want it to go on even longer.
The flamingos which flocked to a lake in Mumbai, India – seemingly due to a marked decrease in pollution – have been pictured wading in huddles.The flamingos which flocked to a lake in Mumbai, India – seemingly due to a marked decrease in pollution – have been pictured wading in huddles.
Saudi Arabia will take strict and painful measures to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, finance minister Mohammed al-Jadaan has said in an interview adding that “all options for dealing with the crisis are open”.Saudi Arabia will take strict and painful measures to deal with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, finance minister Mohammed al-Jadaan has said in an interview adding that “all options for dealing with the crisis are open”.
“We must reduce budget expenditures sharply,” Jadaan said in comments released ahead of the interview’s broadcast by Al Arabiya TV. No details of possible measures were disclosed.“We must reduce budget expenditures sharply,” Jadaan said in comments released ahead of the interview’s broadcast by Al Arabiya TV. No details of possible measures were disclosed.
The world’s largest oil exporter is suffering from historically low oil prices, while measures to fight the new coronavirus are likely to curb the pace and scale of economic reform.The world’s largest oil exporter is suffering from historically low oil prices, while measures to fight the new coronavirus are likely to curb the pace and scale of economic reform.
Saudi Arabia’s central bank foreign exchange reserves fell in March at their fastest rate in at least 20 years, hitting their lowest since 2011, while the kingdom slipped to a $9bn budget deficit in the first quarter as oil revenues collapsed.Saudi Arabia’s central bank foreign exchange reserves fell in March at their fastest rate in at least 20 years, hitting their lowest since 2011, while the kingdom slipped to a $9bn budget deficit in the first quarter as oil revenues collapsed.
It comes after reports suggested that the scale of the coronavirus outbreak in the kingdom – which has been under strict lockdown since 25 March – could be larger than official estimates.It comes after reports suggested that the scale of the coronavirus outbreak in the kingdom – which has been under strict lockdown since 25 March – could be larger than official estimates.
The White House has blocked Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying to Congress, saying it would be “counterproductive” for the senior member of the White House coronavirus task force to talk about the government’s response to the pandemic in a House committee hearing.The White House has blocked Dr Anthony Fauci from testifying to Congress, saying it would be “counterproductive” for the senior member of the White House coronavirus task force to talk about the government’s response to the pandemic in a House committee hearing.
Donald Trump, meanwhile, welcomed Mitch McConnell’s move to recall the Senate to Washington despite the office of the Congress doctor reportedly telling Republicans they will not be able to screen all 100 senators for Covid-19 on Monday.Donald Trump, meanwhile, welcomed Mitch McConnell’s move to recall the Senate to Washington despite the office of the Congress doctor reportedly telling Republicans they will not be able to screen all 100 senators for Covid-19 on Monday.
The president also called the Democratic House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, “crazy” for not recalling the House and moved to remove a health department watchdog who wrote a critical report on the government’s pandemic response.The president also called the Democratic House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, “crazy” for not recalling the House and moved to remove a health department watchdog who wrote a critical report on the government’s pandemic response.
Yemen has reported three new coronavirus cases, two in Aden and one in Taiz province, the national emergency committee has announced, raising the number of diagnosed infections in the war-torn country to 10 with two deaths.Yemen has reported three new coronavirus cases, two in Aden and one in Taiz province, the national emergency committee has announced, raising the number of diagnosed infections in the war-torn country to 10 with two deaths.
The news led the governor of Taiz to announce that he was closing the province’s borders for two weeks, with the exception of supplies of food and other essential goods, in order to prevent the virus from spreading.The news led the governor of Taiz to announce that he was closing the province’s borders for two weeks, with the exception of supplies of food and other essential goods, in order to prevent the virus from spreading.
The deaths were announced on Thursday and the victims were reportedly brothers who died at a hospital in the southern port city of Aden.The deaths were announced on Thursday and the victims were reportedly brothers who died at a hospital in the southern port city of Aden.
The virus has now been diagnosed in three provinces in the vulnerable country, in which five years of war has devastated large swathes. The new case in Taiz had been in contact with the southwestern province’s first infection which was announced on Friday, the emergency coronavirus committee said.The virus has now been diagnosed in three provinces in the vulnerable country, in which five years of war has devastated large swathes. The new case in Taiz had been in contact with the southwestern province’s first infection which was announced on Friday, the emergency coronavirus committee said.
The United Nations has said it fears the coronavirus could be spreading undetected among an acutely malnourished population with inadequate testing capabilities. An estimated 10m Yemenis are on the brink of famine and many millions more are without access to healthcare.The United Nations has said it fears the coronavirus could be spreading undetected among an acutely malnourished population with inadequate testing capabilities. An estimated 10m Yemenis are on the brink of famine and many millions more are without access to healthcare.
Fighting in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the exiled government escalated last month despite a ceasefire designed to help the war-torn country focus on containing the coronavirus pandemic.Fighting in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the exiled government escalated last month despite a ceasefire designed to help the war-torn country focus on containing the coronavirus pandemic.
The World Health Organization has said it fears that Covid will impact Yemen severely as the population has some of the lowest levels of immunity to disease compared with other countries.The World Health Organization has said it fears that Covid will impact Yemen severely as the population has some of the lowest levels of immunity to disease compared with other countries.
Yemen is also split into rival power centres. On Wednesday the Aden-based government’s emergency coronavirus committee voiced concern that Houthi officials were not admitting a coronavirus outbreak in Sanaa. The group’s health authorities said all suspected cases there had tested negative.Yemen is also split into rival power centres. On Wednesday the Aden-based government’s emergency coronavirus committee voiced concern that Houthi officials were not admitting a coronavirus outbreak in Sanaa. The group’s health authorities said all suspected cases there had tested negative.
The number of people who have died from coronavirus in France has risen by 166 to 24,760, while hospitalisations for the disease and the number of those in intensive care units with the illness continued to decline, the French health ministry announced.The number of people who have died from coronavirus in France has risen by 166 to 24,760, while hospitalisations for the disease and the number of those in intensive care units with the illness continued to decline, the French health ministry announced.
It comes after there were 218 new deaths recorded on Friday.It comes after there were 218 new deaths recorded on Friday.
Dozens of Rohingya believed to be from one of several boats stuck at sea due to coronavirus restrictions have landed on the coast of Bangladesh, according to a government official.Dozens of Rohingya believed to be from one of several boats stuck at sea due to coronavirus restrictions have landed on the coast of Bangladesh, according to a government official.
Some of the 43 people who arrived were sent to Bhasan Char, a remote island where authorities had previously planned to house Rohingya, the official told Reuters.Some of the 43 people who arrived were sent to Bhasan Char, a remote island where authorities had previously planned to house Rohingya, the official told Reuters.
Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project monitoring group, said the group that landed on Saturday had likely come on a small boat from one the larger vessels still at sea, believed to be carrying hundreds of people.Chris Lewa, director of the Arakan Project monitoring group, said the group that landed on Saturday had likely come on a small boat from one the larger vessels still at sea, believed to be carrying hundreds of people.
Hundreds of Rohingya are stranded on at least two trawlers between Bangladesh and Malaysia, rights groups say.Hundreds of Rohingya are stranded on at least two trawlers between Bangladesh and Malaysia, rights groups say.
The United Nations has urged authorities to let the boats land, but anti-refugee sentiment is surging in Malaysia.The United Nations has urged authorities to let the boats land, but anti-refugee sentiment is surging in Malaysia.
Another boat, carrying hundreds of Rohingya who were starving after weeks at sea, landed in Bangladesh in mid-April. Survivors said several dozen died on board.Another boat, carrying hundreds of Rohingya who were starving after weeks at sea, landed in Bangladesh in mid-April. Survivors said several dozen died on board.
For years, Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladesh have fled by boat for Thailand and Malaysia when the seas are calm between October and April.For years, Rohingya from Myanmar and Bangladesh have fled by boat for Thailand and Malaysia when the seas are calm between October and April.
France is proposing to impose a minimum 14-day quarantine on anyone arriving in the country from abroad after the end of lockdown on 11 May.
The measure is included in a new law extending the state of “health emergency” until June 24 to be presented to the French parliament from Monday. The plans mark a serious blow to the country’s tourism industry.
The law contains seven articles describing what will happen when the lockdown ends. The quarantine can be extended to a maximum of 30 days.
In what marks a deepening of state support for the embattled aviation sector, Germany, Italy and Spain have joined a call by 12 EU governments for the bloc’s executive body to suspend rules forcing airlines to offer full cash refunds for cancelled flights, France has announced in a statement.
The dozen EU governments, including Paris, urged the European Commission on Wednesday to suspend rules forcing the crisis-hit airlines to offer cash refunds instead of vouchers for future travel because of the pandemic.
French transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari said:
An animated musical extravaganza about a group of pop-loving trolls may turn out to be the most important film in recent Hollywood history. Trolls World Tour, which has become a lockdown hit – notching up digital sales of £80m in three weeks – has become the focal point of a battle that could forever change moviegoing habits in the Netflix era.
With cinemas closed, Hollywood studios are challenging the sacrosanct tradition that multiplexes air films first for up to three months, before their release on other platforms such as pay-TV, DVD and streaming. Instead, they are pushing new films straight to fans at home.
One of the UK government’s top medical advisers has said officials “don’t have enough information yet” to know whether people can catch coronavirus more than once.
Deputy chief medical officer for England, Dr Jenny Harries said:
Her comments come a day after the UK’s testing coordinator said it was encouraging that evidence from South Korea suggested people were developing immunity to the disease.
More than 70% of critical care patients with Covid-19 in the UK are men, a new report has found. It showed that men were more likely to die in critical care, with 51% dying in care compared with around 43% of women.
Earlier, it was confirmed that the UK death toll from the virus had risen by 621 to 28,131
Something to lighten the mood: how not to put on a mask.
In Turkey, the number of people who have died from the virus has risen by 78 in the last 24 hours to 3,336, with 1,983 new cases of the virus, authorities have announced.
The total number of cases rose to 124,375, data showed, the highest total outside western Europe or the US, and slightly more than Russia.
A total of 58,259 people have so far recovered from the respiratory disease. The number of tests conducted in Turkey in the past 24 hours stood at 36,318, raising the total number of tests during the outbreak to more than 1.1m.
Thousands of people in a South African township stood in line for hours on Saturday waiting for handouts of food with physical distancing measures collapsing in parts of the sprawling queue, the Associated Press reports.
A five-week lockdown, one of the world’s strictest, eased slightly on Friday, allowing more businesses in South Africa to resume.
At least 46 people are reported to have died and 60 have been injured during a prison riot in Venezuela which was said to have been sparked by anger at a ban on inmates’ family bringing them food due to coronavirus transmission fears.
Beatriz Giron, director of the Venezuelan Observatory of Prisons, said 46 bodies had been identified after the incident on Friday at the Los Llanos penitentiary in the western Venezuelan state of Portuguesa.
However, the country’s prisons minister, Iris Varela, told local media that the incident resulted from an escape attempt and that the prison director had been shot and wounded.
Reported coronavirus deaths in Italy have risen by 474, after 269 new deaths were recorded on Friday, but the apparent figures are misleading.
Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that 282 of the new hospital deaths had occurred in April but were only registered today.
It follows a gradual declining trend and the new deaths were driven largely by Lombardy, the country’s worst affected region, where there were 329 recorded deaths in the last 24 hours compared with 88 the day before.
The daily tally of new infections nationwide was broadly stable for a third day running at 1,900 against 1,965 on Friday. It brings the total death toll in the Mediterranean country to 28,710, the second highest in the world after the US.
The UK government will support the aviation industry in “any way it can”, a minister has pledged.
“The aviation industry is both an extremely important one strategically for us as a country and one which employs a great deal of people,” British housing minister Robert Jenrick said in a press conference.
“It’s one we want to support in any way we can ... We are very conscious of the challenges it faces.”
Jenrick said the global industry was “grappling with what the longer term demand for its services might be in an age in which social distancing will be important and in which business travel, for example, might be different”. He added: “If there is more that we can do to help support them through a very difficult period, we will do so,” he said.
It comes after it emerged the budget airline EasyJet was promised that green taxes would not be introduced, six months before the company was given a £600m coronavirus crisis loan with no environmental conditions attached after carriers sought government support amidst the lockdown and travel restrictions.
However, there have been calls for governments to use this moment to encourage the aviation industry to be more mindful of its effect on the planet.