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Coronavirus live news: US to leave WHO next year; Bolsonaro on controversial drug after positive test Coronavirus live news: US to leave WHO next year; Bolsonaro on controversial drug after positive test
(32 minutes later)
Joe Biden says he would return US to WHO if elected; Bolsonaro taking hydroxychloroquine to cure his Covid-19 infectionJoe Biden says he would return US to WHO if elected; Bolsonaro taking hydroxychloroquine to cure his Covid-19 infection
More than 50,000 people crossed the border into New South Wales on Wednesday, with hours-long queues forming at checkpoints in Albury-Wodonga as police and residents were hampered by delays in the online permit system.
It comes as the premier, Gladys Berejiklian, warned NSW residents living along the Murray River that they could face travel restrictions within their own state due to the “extremely high” risk of the virus spreading north from Melbourne.
The border between NSW and Victoria closed for the first time in 101 years at midnight on Tuesday, and more than 44,000 people – mostly people living along the border – have applied for and received a permit to travel.
In the morning, locals reported it took up to an hour and a half to make the 5km drive from Wodonga to Albury on the Lincoln Causeway. By Wednesday afternoon, the ABC reported that traffic was moving more quickly.
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President Trump’s decision to take the US out of the World Health Organization has been described as “really sad” by Dr David Nabarro, the global agency’s special envoy on Covid-19.
Nabarro told the BBC’s Radio 4 Today programme:
He added that he was sure the majority of American people “wanted to be part of the global response and will be a bit confused about why this has happened”.
“All world leaders, all world nations must work together to deal with this virus. To have the US pulling out is not what the world’s people need.”
Africa now has more than 500,000 confirmed coronavirus cases.Africa now has more than 500,000 confirmed coronavirus cases.
The total across the continent is now at least more than 504,000 after South Africa recorded another day of more than 10,000 confirmed cases as a new global hot spot, the Associated Press reports.The total across the continent is now at least more than 504,000 after South Africa recorded another day of more than 10,000 confirmed cases as a new global hot spot, the Associated Press reports.
The true number of cases among Africas 1.3 billion people is unknown as its 54 countries continue to face a serious shortage of testing materials for the virus. A tremendous problem, a real crisis of access, the World Health Organization’s Africa chief, Matshidiso Moeti, said last week.The true number of cases among Africas 1.3 billion people is unknown as its 54 countries continue to face a serious shortage of testing materials for the virus. A tremendous problem, a real crisis of access, the World Health Organization’s Africa chief, Matshidiso Moeti, said last week.
So far most testing has been concentrated in capital cities, but infections in many cases have spread beyond them.So far most testing has been concentrated in capital cities, but infections in many cases have spread beyond them.
Africas health systems are the most poorly funded and thinly staffed in the world, and already more than 2,000 health workers have been infected by the virus, according to the WHO.Africas health systems are the most poorly funded and thinly staffed in the world, and already more than 2,000 health workers have been infected by the virus, according to the WHO.
This week alone, some anxious health workers in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Congo and Sierra Leone have gone on strike or demonstrated for adequate protective gear or better pay.This week alone, some anxious health workers in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Congo and Sierra Leone have gone on strike or demonstrated for adequate protective gear or better pay.
The African continent has just 2.2 health workers and 0.3 doctors per 1,000 people, according to the WHO.The African continent has just 2.2 health workers and 0.3 doctors per 1,000 people, according to the WHO.
Experts have warned that even if badly needed supplies such as ventilators are provided to African nations, another challenge is having enough trained workers to operate them.Experts have warned that even if badly needed supplies such as ventilators are provided to African nations, another challenge is having enough trained workers to operate them.
Despite Bolsonaro saying he is confident he will swiftly recover from coronavirus thanks to treatment with the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine , it has not been proven effective against Covid-19.Despite Bolsonaro saying he is confident he will swiftly recover from coronavirus thanks to treatment with the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine , it has not been proven effective against Covid-19.
See more hereSee more here
and hereand here
More on how Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro downplayed Covid-19 in this videoMore on how Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro downplayed Covid-19 in this video
More on “evidence emerging” of airborne Covid-19 spread in this World Health Organization video:More on “evidence emerging” of airborne Covid-19 spread in this World Health Organization video:
Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia’s future is in “significant doubt” due to the collapse in demand for air travel caused by coronavirus its auditor has warned.Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia’s future is in “significant doubt” due to the collapse in demand for air travel caused by coronavirus its auditor has warned.
AirAsia, which shook up south-east Asian budget air travel with its slogan “Now everyone can fly”, reported a record quarterly loss of 803m ringgit ($187m) for the first three months of the year.AirAsia, which shook up south-east Asian budget air travel with its slogan “Now everyone can fly”, reported a record quarterly loss of 803m ringgit ($187m) for the first three months of the year.
Trading in AirAsia’s shares was halted on Wednesday morning but later resumed, AFP reports.Trading in AirAsia’s shares was halted on Wednesday morning but later resumed, AFP reports.
Auditor Ernst & Young said on Tuesday that “travel and border restrictions implemented by countries around the world has led to a significant fall in demand for air travel which impacted the group’s financial performance and cash flows”.Auditor Ernst & Young said on Tuesday that “travel and border restrictions implemented by countries around the world has led to a significant fall in demand for air travel which impacted the group’s financial performance and cash flows”.
It noted the “existence of material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the group’s and the company’s ability to continue as a going concern”, in an unqualified audit opinion statement to the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange.It noted the “existence of material uncertainties that may cast significant doubt on the group’s and the company’s ability to continue as a going concern”, in an unqualified audit opinion statement to the Kuala Lumpur stock exchange.
In Australia, as the Melbourne metropolitan area goes back into lockdown, it has emerged that almost two dozen healthcare workers and patients have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in recent weeks in Victoria.In Australia, as the Melbourne metropolitan area goes back into lockdown, it has emerged that almost two dozen healthcare workers and patients have been diagnosed with Covid-19 in recent weeks in Victoria.
You can read more here:You can read more here:
The UK government is facing urgent calls to save Britain’s 250-year-old circus tradition with companies warning that they will go bust within two weeks without help.The UK government is facing urgent calls to save Britain’s 250-year-old circus tradition with companies warning that they will go bust within two weeks without help.
The Association of Circus Proprietors has said performers have been reduced to using food banks to survive since circuses were shut down temporarily by Covid-19.The Association of Circus Proprietors has said performers have been reduced to using food banks to survive since circuses were shut down temporarily by Covid-19.
You can read more here.You can read more here.
Hi. This is Caroline Davies taking over the blog for the next few hours. You can contact me on caroline.davies@theguardian.com.Hi. This is Caroline Davies taking over the blog for the next few hours. You can contact me on caroline.davies@theguardian.com.
That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. Thanks for following along.That’s it from me, Helen Sullivan for today. Thanks for following along.
If you’re just joining us, here is a quote about fireflies from which to draw inspiration for the day ahead: “The brief shining of the light is so impressive, making me feel that I also have to live my best.”If you’re just joining us, here is a quote about fireflies from which to draw inspiration for the day ahead: “The brief shining of the light is so impressive, making me feel that I also have to live my best.”
Doctors may be missing signs of serious and potentially fatal brain disorders triggered by coronavirus, as they emerge in mildly affected or recovering patients, UK scientists have warned.Doctors may be missing signs of serious and potentially fatal brain disorders triggered by coronavirus, as they emerge in mildly affected or recovering patients, UK scientists have warned.
Neurologists are on Wednesday publishing details of more than 40 UK Covid-19 patients whose complications ranged from brain inflammation and delirium to nerve damage and stroke. In some cases, the neurological problem was the patient’s first and main symptom.Neurologists are on Wednesday publishing details of more than 40 UK Covid-19 patients whose complications ranged from brain inflammation and delirium to nerve damage and stroke. In some cases, the neurological problem was the patient’s first and main symptom.
Sturgeon urges caution as Covid-19 deaths fallSturgeon urges caution as Covid-19 deaths fall
The Guardian’s Severin Carrell and Pamela Duncan report:The Guardian’s Severin Carrell and Pamela Duncan report:
In Scotland, the days when Nicola Sturgeon had to report scores of Covid-19 deaths at the height of the pandemic are a distant memory. Over the past weekend there was a four-day period without a single death recorded in the country’s hospitals.In Scotland, the days when Nicola Sturgeon had to report scores of Covid-19 deaths at the height of the pandemic are a distant memory. Over the past weekend there was a four-day period without a single death recorded in the country’s hospitals.
Buoyed by those figures, and a continuing, steady, decline in coronavirus infections, the first minister hopes Scotland could soon eliminate the virus so is resisting heavy pressure from businesses to quickly ease the strict lockdown.Buoyed by those figures, and a continuing, steady, decline in coronavirus infections, the first minister hopes Scotland could soon eliminate the virus so is resisting heavy pressure from businesses to quickly ease the strict lockdown.
Airports, wedding companies, hoteliers and bar owners have been clamouring for distancing rules to be relaxed, for air quarantine rules to be waived to the same extent as at English airports, and for the hospitality trade to resume.Airports, wedding companies, hoteliers and bar owners have been clamouring for distancing rules to be relaxed, for air quarantine rules to be waived to the same extent as at English airports, and for the hospitality trade to resume.
Still in Australia, New South Wales state police have arrested a man who tried to cross the NSW/Victoria border without a permit.Still in Australia, New South Wales state police have arrested a man who tried to cross the NSW/Victoria border without a permit.
According to a police statement, a car bearing Victorian number plates attempted to drive into NSW on Carlyle Road, Corowa, shortly after 11am.According to a police statement, a car bearing Victorian number plates attempted to drive into NSW on Carlyle Road, Corowa, shortly after 11am.
“Officers from Murray River Police District spoke with the driver, who allegedly declared his intention to cross into NSW despite not having a valid exemption,” the statement said.“Officers from Murray River Police District spoke with the driver, who allegedly declared his intention to cross into NSW despite not having a valid exemption,” the statement said.
“The 34-year-old Victorian man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he is currently assisting police with inquiries,“The 34-year-old Victorian man was arrested and taken to Albury Police Station, where he is currently assisting police with inquiries,
“The man’s wife and three children complied with police direction and returned to Victoria,“The man’s wife and three children complied with police direction and returned to Victoria,
“The public is reminded it is an offence to enter NSW from Victoria without a valid exemption,” the statement said.“The public is reminded it is an offence to enter NSW from Victoria without a valid exemption,” the statement said.
More than 50,000 vehicles have crossed the border from Victoria into NSW since midnight last night.More than 50,000 vehicles have crossed the border from Victoria into NSW since midnight last night.
In Australia, health officials from the New South Wales health department are contacting passengers who travelled on Jetstar flight JQ520 overnight, from Melbourne to Sydney, after airline staff “mistakenly allowed passengers to leave the gate before they had been screened by health staff”In Australia, health officials from the New South Wales health department are contacting passengers who travelled on Jetstar flight JQ520 overnight, from Melbourne to Sydney, after airline staff “mistakenly allowed passengers to leave the gate before they had been screened by health staff”
Passengers have been asked to self isolate for 14 days (and will be provided with accommodation if they can’t) as well as go for testing at the drive-through screening test site at Summer Hill.Passengers have been asked to self isolate for 14 days (and will be provided with accommodation if they can’t) as well as go for testing at the drive-through screening test site at Summer Hill.
The great reopening – how Britain’s galleries Covid-proofed themselvesThe great reopening – how Britain’s galleries Covid-proofed themselves
Today, the National Gallery in London is reopening after Covid-19 abruptly shut the doors of British museums in mid-March. But Kettle’s Yard gallery in Cambridge, like many others, is taking a slower, phased approach. The institution regularly hosts shows in its new, airy galleries – an exhibition from the artist Linder will be extended into the autumn – but at its heart is the home of its founder, curator and collector Jim Ede. This takes the form of a series of knocked-through cottages, their awkward-shaped rooms brimming with art and delicate objects. It is meant to be a warm, hospitable place where visitors are allowed the freedom to sit in armchairs, leaf through books left out on tables, and generally feel at home. All of which also makes it a social-distancing nightmare.Today, the National Gallery in London is reopening after Covid-19 abruptly shut the doors of British museums in mid-March. But Kettle’s Yard gallery in Cambridge, like many others, is taking a slower, phased approach. The institution regularly hosts shows in its new, airy galleries – an exhibition from the artist Linder will be extended into the autumn – but at its heart is the home of its founder, curator and collector Jim Ede. This takes the form of a series of knocked-through cottages, their awkward-shaped rooms brimming with art and delicate objects. It is meant to be a warm, hospitable place where visitors are allowed the freedom to sit in armchairs, leaf through books left out on tables, and generally feel at home. All of which also makes it a social-distancing nightmare.