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Coronavirus live news: UK local and mayoral elections postponed to 2021, as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic' Coronavirus live news: UK local and mayoral elections postponed to 2021, as WHO calls Europe 'centre of pandemic'
(32 minutes later)
Mount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positiveMount Everest calls off climbing season; Canadian prime minister self-isolates; London Underground driver tests positive
The US State Department has summoned the Chinese ambassador over a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s comments about claims that the US military was responsible for bringing the new coronavirus to the province of Wuhan at the start of the outbreak.
That’s just breaking now on Reuters.
Some more interrogation now of that ‘Herd Immunity’ strategy which appears to be a par of the UK government’s response to the pandemic.
While questioning the logic that underpins it, this piece by a virologist in The Converstion online journal questions how much of the discussion around herd immunity is actually part of the policy being pursued.
Jeremy Rossman, Honorary Senior Lecturer in Virology and President of Research-Aid Networks, University of Kent, argues:
Many of Britain’s biggest insurers are pulling down the shutters to new travel insurance customers, with Aviva, Direct Line and Churchill the latest to stop selling policies as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
Responding to the moves, the consumer body Which? said the government, insurers and the travel sector needed to “urgently” work together to tackle the challenge because “the industry depends on people having the confidence to travel knowing they will be covered”.
On Wednesday 11 March, LV became the first big insurer to stop selling travel insurance to new customers. Then on Friday 13 March, Direct Line and Churchill said they had taken a decision to temporarily suspend the sale of travel insurance to new customers “so we can focus on our existing customers”.
The World Health Organisation has been rolling out details of a new disease Solidarity Response Fund.
It enables private individuals, corporations and institutions around the world to come together to directly contribute to global response efforts, and has been created by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation, together with WHO.
The director general of WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said earlier that Europe is now at the centre of the global coronavirus outbreak.
School closures lasting four weeks could cut 3% from the UK’s GDP, costing the economy billions of pounds, according to research being considered by the government as it weighs up the benefits and risks of shutting down classrooms.
Advisers at the Department for Education and No 10 are examining a range of options from complete closure of all schools and colleges in England, which would affect around 7 million children, to more nuanced policies.
Measures being looked at include those effected in Japan, where schools sent home individual classes and age groups when a certain percentage of children were infected, and Austria, where elementary schools have stayed open to effectively act as daycare for the children of essential workers.
Belgium has followed a similar path. Other countries have closed all schools.
Extraordinary times - or carnage - in the business world. After we reported earlier that Lufthansa was considering an application for financial aid from the German government news now also breaks that Delta Airlines is in talks with the White House regarding support that can be provided.
That’s according to a memo to employees from the company’s CEO, and which has been reported by Reuters.
Peru has announced it will suspend all flights to and from Europe and Asia for 30 days beginning on Monday, March 16.
The government announced the measure via supreme decree on Friday just two days after closing all its schools until the end of the month and ordering travelers from France, Spain, Italy and China to quarantine themselves for 14 days on arrival in the country.
The country had 28 Coronavirus cases as of Friday morning, according its health ministry. Gatherings of more than 300 people have been banned while concerts and football matches have been cancelled or postponed.
The Andean country is a major tourist destination and Canatur, the main tour operators union, says the $5.2bn sector is in crisis. Cancelled trips from Europe and Asia represent $650m in lost revenue and the loss of some 800,000 direct and indirect jobs, it said on Thursday.
The Scottish government has confirmed the first coronavirus related death in Scotland.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Catherine Calderwood said:
The British government strategy of striving to achieve ‘herd immunity - by broadening the peak of the epidemic, and allowing immunity to build up among the population - is beginning to come under greater scrutiny.The British government strategy of striving to achieve ‘herd immunity - by broadening the peak of the epidemic, and allowing immunity to build up among the population - is beginning to come under greater scrutiny.
Critics including the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt have expressed concern about the decision to delay more drastic measures, such as school closures.Critics including the former health secretary Jeremy Hunt have expressed concern about the decision to delay more drastic measures, such as school closures.
Sir Patrick Vallance, England’s chief scientific adviser, has defended the approach, seeking to underline that it is epidemiology that is guiding the decision not to impose more draconian restrictions on the public’s day-to-day lives immediately.Sir Patrick Vallance, England’s chief scientific adviser, has defended the approach, seeking to underline that it is epidemiology that is guiding the decision not to impose more draconian restrictions on the public’s day-to-day lives immediately.
But among others asking questions about the strategy is Anthony Costello, a paediatrician, research scientist and former director of mother, child and adolescent health at WHO.But among others asking questions about the strategy is Anthony Costello, a paediatrician, research scientist and former director of mother, child and adolescent health at WHO.
In this twitter thread, he states that vaccines are a safer way to develop herd immunity, without the risks associated with the disease itself and asks: “Is it ethical to adopt a policy that threatens immediate casualties on the basis of an uncertain future benefit”In this twitter thread, he states that vaccines are a safer way to develop herd immunity, without the risks associated with the disease itself and asks: “Is it ethical to adopt a policy that threatens immediate casualties on the basis of an uncertain future benefit”
He also asks if the herd immunity strategy conflicts with WHO Policy, adding: “After the announcement of this being a pandemic, Dr Tedros, Director General WHO, said ‘The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous.’”He also asks if the herd immunity strategy conflicts with WHO Policy, adding: “After the announcement of this being a pandemic, Dr Tedros, Director General WHO, said ‘The idea that countries should shift from containment to mitigation is wrong and dangerous.’”
The London marathon has been postponed until October 4, organisers have just announced.The London marathon has been postponed until October 4, organisers have just announced.
Hugh Brasher, the event’s director, said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.Hugh Brasher, the event’s director, said: “The world is in an unprecedented situation grappling with a global pandemic of COVID-19 and public health is everyone’s priority.
“We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year.”“We know how disappointing this news will be for so many – the runners who have trained for many months, the thousands of charities for which they are raising funds and the millions who watch the race every year.”
Greek health authorities have announced further preventative measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, saying all bars, malls, restaurants, take-aways and beauty parlours have been ordered closed as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 190.Greek health authorities have announced further preventative measures to curb the spread of coronavirus, saying all bars, malls, restaurants, take-aways and beauty parlours have been ordered closed as the number of confirmed cases in the country rose to 190.
Supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies and other private health stores can remain open. Earlier Friday, the Greek ministry of culture said all archaeological sites and state-run museums would stay shut until at least March 30, citing the extraordinary circumstances.Supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies and other private health stores can remain open. Earlier Friday, the Greek ministry of culture said all archaeological sites and state-run museums would stay shut until at least March 30, citing the extraordinary circumstances.
The move was announced after it emerged that several sites had reported shortages of staff and guards because of Covid-19 concerns. Announcing the introduction of the extra measures, health minister Vassillis Kikilis said it was clear that not all Greeks were adhering to restrictions that had been introduced for their protection.The move was announced after it emerged that several sites had reported shortages of staff and guards because of Covid-19 concerns. Announcing the introduction of the extra measures, health minister Vassillis Kikilis said it was clear that not all Greeks were adhering to restrictions that had been introduced for their protection.
“I had said that we would enforce whatever measure was needed to protect our people,” he told reporters. “Today we are extending the measures so as not to enable coronavirus to spread. Firstly, because new cases have appeared. Secondly, because the restrictive measures are not being adhered to.”“I had said that we would enforce whatever measure was needed to protect our people,” he told reporters. “Today we are extending the measures so as not to enable coronavirus to spread. Firstly, because new cases have appeared. Secondly, because the restrictive measures are not being adhered to.”
Of the 190 confirmed cases, 47 are currently hospitalised in isolation wards around the country.Of the 190 confirmed cases, 47 are currently hospitalised in isolation wards around the country.
The world’s citizens are being put at risk because of a lack of leadership, according to the former UK prime minister, Gordon Brown, writing today for the Guardian.The world’s citizens are being put at risk because of a lack of leadership, according to the former UK prime minister, Gordon Brown, writing today for the Guardian.
Brown also called for much greater collaboration on a global scale to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, asking:Brown also called for much greater collaboration on a global scale to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, asking:
Brown also takes aim at a familiar opponent, populism, writing that the very idea of global collaboration – and the convening of what would be a “virtual” G20 – sits uneasily with what he describes as the “America first”, “China first”, “India first” and “Russia first” populist nationalism of recent years.Brown also takes aim at a familiar opponent, populism, writing that the very idea of global collaboration – and the convening of what would be a “virtual” G20 – sits uneasily with what he describes as the “America first”, “China first”, “India first” and “Russia first” populist nationalism of recent years.
The outbreak in Venezuela ( which earlier confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus) could hardly come at a worse time for Venezuela, which despite boasting the planet’s largest proven oil reserves remains mired in years-long economic and social turmoil, reports Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogota.The outbreak in Venezuela ( which earlier confirmed its first two cases of coronavirus) could hardly come at a worse time for Venezuela, which despite boasting the planet’s largest proven oil reserves remains mired in years-long economic and social turmoil, reports Joe Parkin Daniels in Bogota.
Hyperinflation is rampant, with shortages in basic foodstuffs and medical supplies already a daily reality.Hyperinflation is rampant, with shortages in basic foodstuffs and medical supplies already a daily reality.
The country’s health services are among the hardest hit by the crisis, with hospitals regularly facing power outages while basic supplies - from latex gloves to routine antibiotics - are often hard to come by. 4.5m people have fled Venezuela, with health care workers and disease specialists among them.The country’s health services are among the hardest hit by the crisis, with hospitals regularly facing power outages while basic supplies - from latex gloves to routine antibiotics - are often hard to come by. 4.5m people have fled Venezuela, with health care workers and disease specialists among them.
Around 3.4 percent of confirmed coronavirus patients have died, according to the World Health Organization, a rate that analysts say would likely be much higher in Venezuela.Around 3.4 percent of confirmed coronavirus patients have died, according to the World Health Organization, a rate that analysts say would likely be much higher in Venezuela.
“Just one case in a hospital could lead to transmission within the system, putting already sick patients at risk,” Kathleen Page, associate professor and medical doctor at Johns Hopkins University, and Tamara Taraciuk Broner, a Venezuela expert at Human Rights Watch, wrote this week in Foreign Policy.“Just one case in a hospital could lead to transmission within the system, putting already sick patients at risk,” Kathleen Page, associate professor and medical doctor at Johns Hopkins University, and Tamara Taraciuk Broner, a Venezuela expert at Human Rights Watch, wrote this week in Foreign Policy.
“There is no capacity for complex care due to a lack of basic X-rays, laboratory tests, intensive care beds, and respirators.”“There is no capacity for complex care due to a lack of basic X-rays, laboratory tests, intensive care beds, and respirators.”
Yesterday, Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro declared a health emergency ahead of any confirmed cases of Covid-19, banning flights from Europe and neighbouring Colombia.Yesterday, Venezuela’s president Nicolás Maduro declared a health emergency ahead of any confirmed cases of Covid-19, banning flights from Europe and neighbouring Colombia.
The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau - whose wife tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to the UK - has told a press conference that he has no symptoms of the coronavirus and he is feeling good.The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau - whose wife tested positive for Covid-19 following a trip to the UK - has told a press conference that he has no symptoms of the coronavirus and he is feeling good.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau announced Thursday evening that she had tested positive for the coronavirus and plans to remain in isolation for the next two weeks. Her symptoms have been described as mild.Sophie Grégoire Trudeau announced Thursday evening that she had tested positive for the coronavirus and plans to remain in isolation for the next two weeks. Her symptoms have been described as mild.
He said that Canada is looking to reduce the number of airports receiving visitors from overseasHe said that Canada is looking to reduce the number of airports receiving visitors from overseas
The leading German business daily, Handelsblatt, is reporting that Lufthansa, the nation’s flagship airline, will apply to the German government’s multibillion liquidity fund for help due to the financial fallout from the coronavirus.The leading German business daily, Handelsblatt, is reporting that Lufthansa, the nation’s flagship airline, will apply to the German government’s multibillion liquidity fund for help due to the financial fallout from the coronavirus.
In an internal video message to employees, the airline’s CEO, Carten Spohr, said the company would look to the German government for help, as well as entering discussions with governments in the other countries where it has a subsidiary, about possible state aid.In an internal video message to employees, the airline’s CEO, Carten Spohr, said the company would look to the German government for help, as well as entering discussions with governments in the other countries where it has a subsidiary, about possible state aid.
A spokesman for the company, Europe’s largest-grossing airline, which last week announced it would cut the number of its flights by 50% in response to the health crisis, confirmed the reports.A spokesman for the company, Europe’s largest-grossing airline, which last week announced it would cut the number of its flights by 50% in response to the health crisis, confirmed the reports.
Apple’s worldwide developer’s conference, the company’s biggest annual event where it reveals the changes heading its software over the coming year, will be online only for the first time, it said today.“The current health situation has required that we create a new WWDC 2020 format,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. The company is avoiding the word “cancellation”, instead the press that this year’s even, which will take place in June, “will take on an entirely new online format packed with content for consumers, press and developers alike”.The event the phone-buying public will be most interested in, the keynote speech that launches the conference, has been streamed live online for several years. But behind the scenes, WWDC is an important annual occurrence for the community of developers who work on iOS and macOS apps, offering them their only real chance for face-to-face conversations with Apple staff.Apple is also committing $1m to local organisations in San Jose, where the conference would have taken place, to offset revenue loss.Apple’s worldwide developer’s conference, the company’s biggest annual event where it reveals the changes heading its software over the coming year, will be online only for the first time, it said today.“The current health situation has required that we create a new WWDC 2020 format,” said Phil Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. The company is avoiding the word “cancellation”, instead the press that this year’s even, which will take place in June, “will take on an entirely new online format packed with content for consumers, press and developers alike”.The event the phone-buying public will be most interested in, the keynote speech that launches the conference, has been streamed live online for several years. But behind the scenes, WWDC is an important annual occurrence for the community of developers who work on iOS and macOS apps, offering them their only real chance for face-to-face conversations with Apple staff.Apple is also committing $1m to local organisations in San Jose, where the conference would have taken place, to offset revenue loss.
Security forces in Iran are to empty the streets of cities across Iran in the next 24 hours in a drive to fight the spread of the new coronavirus, according to state television.
The move came as the World Health Organization (WHO) said Iran needed to do more to contain the disease.
Tehran has recorded 514 people killed and 11,364 diagnosed infections, making Iran one of the worst affected countries outside China.
Iranian officials have repeatedly complained that many Iranians have ignored calls to stay home and avoid travel, Reuters reports.
“Our law enforcement and security committees, along with the interior ministry and provincial governors, will be clearing shops, streets and roads,” state TV cited Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri as saying at a meeting about the virus. “This will take place in the next 24 hours.”
Back at the WHO press conference and Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s health emergencies program, has said that each country must decide on measures to protect its own population.
As part of an overall strategy there is a place inside national borders for restricting movement.
Earlier, he compared the pandemic to the way in which HIV was treated, where those who had tested positive were in a position to protect others.
Berlin’s mayor, Michael Müller has announced that the German capital’s public transport system is to be drastically scaled back to an “emergency service” in line with other measures to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, and in order to protect its staff and passengers.
Buses and trams will run a skeletal service from now on, until at least until the end of the easter holiday, with passengers asked to enter buses by the middle door, rather than the front.
Tickets will have to be bought in advance because they will no longer be available from the driver. So far no plans have been publicised over whether the S-Bahn train service which runs through the city, is to be scaled down. Unlike the rest of the transport network, it is owned and operated by the national rail operator, Deutsche Bahn.
A press conference later today will follow a meeting ofBerlin’s senate place this afternoon is expected to make more details known.
Demand for public transport has already fallen, over fears of getting coronavirus. And with schools, kindergartens and most institutions either closed or due to close on Monday, and many people working from home, it is expected demand will further decrease in the coming days.
Meanwhile Deutsche Bahn has said while it has no plans to curtail its train service, passengers with tickets for journeys they now no longer feel able to take, will be able to rebook journeys at a later date at no extra cost.
Mixed messages have been coming out of Mexico today, where health experts expect localised spread of coronavirus to begin in the last week or March or first week of April, according to reports.
By then, health officials say the country will have 20,000 tests ready to go, and private and public labs across the country prepped for testing.
So far, Mexico has 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 with no deaths. The biggest threat still lies from people already infected entering the country, which is why the government is considering introducing travel restrictions and extra surveillance on travellers from the US.
“The possible flow of coronavirus would come from the north to the south. If it were technically necessary, we would consider mechanisms of restriction or stronger surveillance,” the deputy health secretary, Hugo Lopez-Gatell, told a news conference last night.
“Mexico wouldn’t bring the virus to the United States, rather the United States would bring it here.”
On the other hand, in response to Donald Trump’s travel ban on 26 European countries, US-bound passengers flying on the national airline, Aeromexico, will from today be required to spend 14 days in Mexico before taking a connecting flight. The airline had already imposed a similar rule for passengers travelling from China. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the announcement unleashed furious reactions on social media with some tweeters accusing the government of prioritising American lives over Mexicans.
Europe is now the world centre for the coronavirus outbreak, according to the WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
In a press briefing at WHO headquarters, he said that Europe had more cases and deaths than the rest of the world combined apart from China.
The UK government’s coronavirus strategy and the plan to build up herd immunity is facing mounting growing criticism from the scientific community. More experts are questioning the failure to test more suspected cases and the decision to hold back on the more drastic social distancing measures introduced in many other countries.
Devi Sridhar, professor of global public health at Edinburgh University, says the UK strategy is “dangerous”.
Peter Drobac, a doctor in global health and infectious disease at Oxford University, says the “the UK is really out on a limb”.
Speaking to the BBC he added:
The broadcaster and physicists Prof Brian Cox tweeted his doubts about the lack of testing.
Professor Anthony Costello, a former director at the World Health Organization, outlined his concerns about the herd immunity strategy in a Twitter thread.
Schools in Britain should be kept open until the government calls for their closure, Britain’s education secretary has said.
Gavin Williamson, the education secretary for England, was speaking to the annual conference of the Association of School and College Leaders in Birmingham today, with coronavirus top of the agenda, and the issue of school closures:
“In the overwhelming majority of situations, there is absolutely no need to close a school or send pupils or staff home. Obviously there is action to be taken in the event of a positive test but even then, your local health protection team can help stabilise the situation.
“At present we are clear that the best course of action is to keep schools open unless you are advised to close by Public Health England.
“The chief medical officer has said the impact of closing schools on children’s education will be substantial, but the benefit to public health would not be. The government is particularly mindful of the strain on public services like the NHS that would be caused by key workers having to stay home to look after their children as a result of school closures.
“We will be constantly reassessing this position based on what the chief medical officer and the government chief scientific adviser tell us about whether the evidence would require us to close schools in the best interests of children and the best interests of teachers. Only in line with this clear advice will we take this step.”
Meanwhile, the University of Bristol has ignored the government’s advice and told students that in-person teaching and lectures have been suspended until April, while the summer exam season starting in May will be replaced by assessments. Halls of residence and other parts of the campus will remain open.
The Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has tested negative for the coronavirus, his son told Fox News on Friday following media reports that his father, who recently met with Donald Trump, had tested positive.
“The test is negative,” Eduardo Bolsonaro told Fox News Channel in an interview.
The news follows some confusion today after local media in Brazil reported that Bolsonaro had tested positive.
Bolsonaro himself has lashed out on Twitter at “fake news”.
Switzerland has announced it is closing all schools and is to provide around 10bn Swiss francs in aid for businesses hit by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The situation is difficult,” the Swiss president, Simonetta Sommaruga, told reporters, as the government listed a range of measures to halt the spread of the virus after the number of positive tests in the country ballooned to more than 1,000.
Local elections have been postponed until May next year in England.
The contest were due to be held in May for 118 councils in England along with eight posts for directly elected mayors, including for the mayor of London.