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Coronavirus live news: Spain death toll passes 10,000 with record single-day rise of 950 Coronavirus live news: Spain death toll passes 10,000 with record single-day rise of 950
(31 minutes later)
Russia and Afghanistan also record single-day records; Cambodian government accused of using pandemic to assert absolute power Iran passes 50,000 cases and 3,136 deaths; Russia and Afghanistan record single-day records; Cambodian government accused of using pandemic to assert absolute power
The highly restrictive measures Ireland put in place last week to slow the spread of coronavirus may well be extended beyond the initial deadline of April 12, Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney said on Thursday. Indonesia’s coronavirus death toll rose to 170 on Thursday as the world’s fourth most populous nation passed South Korea as the country with the highest number of recorded fatalities in Asia after China, reports Reuters:
The next EU budget should take the form of a new “Marshall Plan” to stoke Europe’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday. Reuters reports:
Spain hit another grim milestone on Thursday, as the number of deaths passed 10,000 and yet another record single-day death toll of 963 was recorded, writes Sam Jones in Madrid.
As France’s staggered Easter school holidays begin, interior minister Christophe Castaner warned the country to forget the usual “grand départ” or great departure, writes Kim Willsher in Paris.
The highly restrictive measures Ireland put in place last week to slow the spread of coronavirus may well be extended beyond the initial deadline of 12 April, Simon Coveney, the deputy prime minister, said on Thursday.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
Iran’s death toll from the coronavirus has reached 3,136, with 124 deaths in the past 24 hours, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV on Thursday, adding that the country had 50,468 cases of infection. Iran’s death toll from the coronavirus has reached 3,136, with 124 deaths in the past 24 hours, the health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur told state TV on Thursday, adding that the country had 50,468 totol cases.
“We have 3,956 infected people in critical condition ... There was 2,875 new cases of infected people in the past 24 hours... 16,711 people have recovered from the disease,” Jahanpur said. “We have 3,956 infected people in critical condition ... There was 2,875 new cases of infected people in the past 24 hours ... 16,711 people have recovered from the disease,” Jahanpur said.
Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 10,003 on Thursday, up from 9,053 on Wednesday - an increase of 950. Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 10,003 on Thursday, up from 9,053 on Wednesday, an increase of 950.
On Tuesday Spain recorded 864 deaths related to coronavirus, the previous highest figure recorded. On Tuesday Spain had recorded 864 deaths related to coronavirus, its previous highest figure.
Afghanistan has reported 43 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, marking the biggest one-day rise in number of infections, reports Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat.Afghanistan has reported 43 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, marking the biggest one-day rise in number of infections, reports Akhtar Mohammad Makoii in Herat.
The European commission will propose to borrow €100bn against EU governments’ guarantees to finance a short-term work scheme to protect jobs impacted by the coronavirus epidemic, according to an internal document seen by Reuters.The European commission will propose to borrow €100bn against EU governments’ guarantees to finance a short-term work scheme to protect jobs impacted by the coronavirus epidemic, according to an internal document seen by Reuters.
The commission will propose on Thursday to increase cash advances to farmers under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and provide more time for applications for support and for claims to be processed.The commission will propose on Thursday to increase cash advances to farmers under the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy and provide more time for applications for support and for claims to be processed.
Reuters reports that the commission will also propose to remove any national co-financing normally needed when countries get EU money to build infrastructure projects such as motorways, sewage plants or bridges, making the projects fully paid for by the blocReuters reports that the commission will also propose to remove any national co-financing normally needed when countries get EU money to build infrastructure projects such as motorways, sewage plants or bridges, making the projects fully paid for by the bloc
Three-quarters of Britons said they experienced shortages of products when shopping in the week leading up to the prime minister’s orders to stay at home because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to research published today by the consumer group Which?Three-quarters of Britons said they experienced shortages of products when shopping in the week leading up to the prime minister’s orders to stay at home because of the coronavirus outbreak, according to research published today by the consumer group Which?
In a survey of more than 2,000 members of the public on the impact of the outbreak carried out between 20 and 24 March, three-quarters (76%) reported experiencing shortages of products in supermarkets, shops or online. They included vulnerable people who struggled to get essentials when unable to get to physical stores.In a survey of more than 2,000 members of the public on the impact of the outbreak carried out between 20 and 24 March, three-quarters (76%) reported experiencing shortages of products in supermarkets, shops or online. They included vulnerable people who struggled to get essentials when unable to get to physical stores.
A third (34%) said they could not find hand sanitiser anywhere while around a quarter could not find toilet roll (27%) or rice and pasta (25%).A third (34%) said they could not find hand sanitiser anywhere while around a quarter could not find toilet roll (27%) or rice and pasta (25%).
The coronavirus outbreak has also impacted shopping habits, with around a third (32%) saying they have shopped at independent and convenience stores more than usual.The coronavirus outbreak has also impacted shopping habits, with around a third (32%) saying they have shopped at independent and convenience stores more than usual.
The survey provides a snapshot of shopping patterns during initial panic-buying and before new rules on physical distancing led to supermarkets and other retailers racing to introduce measures such as restricting shopper numbers.The survey provides a snapshot of shopping patterns during initial panic-buying and before new rules on physical distancing led to supermarkets and other retailers racing to introduce measures such as restricting shopper numbers.
Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection and food policy at Which?, said: “Millions of people have been experiencing product shortages in supermarkets, with all parts of the country affected. While many can adapt their shopping habits, it is particularly concerning that we are hearing from vulnerable consumers who are struggling to get hold of essentials.”Sue Davies, the head of consumer protection and food policy at Which?, said: “Millions of people have been experiencing product shortages in supermarkets, with all parts of the country affected. While many can adapt their shopping habits, it is particularly concerning that we are hearing from vulnerable consumers who are struggling to get hold of essentials.”
Ireland’s lower house of parliament, the Dáil, will convene on Thursday but at least one party will stay away, saying the sitting is non-essential and a needless risk.Ireland’s lower house of parliament, the Dáil, will convene on Thursday but at least one party will stay away, saying the sitting is non-essential and a needless risk.
The Labour party has said it will send in written statements and post video messages rather than join other deputies in the chamber to hear statements on health and social protection.The Labour party has said it will send in written statements and post video messages rather than join other deputies in the chamber to hear statements on health and social protection.
Ireland has a caretaker government following February’s election but there will be no vote today on a new taoiseach, nor can legislation pass because there is no functioning upper house.Ireland has a caretaker government following February’s election but there will be no vote today on a new taoiseach, nor can legislation pass because there is no functioning upper house.
Sinn Féin has said the chamber must meet to hold to account a government that has imposed sweeping restrictions and adopted new powers to deal with coronavirus.Sinn Féin has said the chamber must meet to hold to account a government that has imposed sweeping restrictions and adopted new powers to deal with coronavirus.
China reported six new coronavirus deaths as of the end of Wednesday, according to Reuters.China reported six new coronavirus deaths as of the end of Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Wednesday’s death toll was the same number as on Tuesday.Wednesday’s death toll was the same number as on Tuesday.
China had 35 new coronavirus cases on 1 April, all of which were imported, the National Health Commission said on Thursday.China had 35 new coronavirus cases on 1 April, all of which were imported, the National Health Commission said on Thursday.
The Cambodian government has been accused of manipulating the coronavirus pandemic to assert absolute power “over all aspects of civil, political, social, and economic life”, after it put forward a draft state of emergency law that includes no time limits, checks or balances, reports Rebecca Ratcliffe in Bangkok.
Russia posted its largest single-day rise in identified cases of coronavirus as the country has passed tougher measures to enforce shelter-in-place orders to slow the spread of the disease, reports Andrew Roth in Moscow.
Facing calls to declare a coronavirus state of emergency, the Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, was criticised on Thursday for instead offering people free cloth masks, pointing to growing frustration for some over his handling of the crisis. PA Media reports:
In a worrying sign, a refugee camp in Greece has been placed under quarantine after 20 of its in-place residents were diagnosed with coronavirus, reports Helena Smith in Athens.
Professor Paul Cosford, emeritus medical director of PHE, said testing is “critically important” but that social distancing is too.He told Good Morning Britain: “Social distancing is absolutely the way that we will reduce the spread of this infection and ultimately will get on top of it.”He said social distancing measures will need to stay in place until spread of the disease becomes “minimal”.
PA Media reports:
The UK’s shadow attorney general, Lady Chakrabarti, said Labour wants the government to show clarity in its testing strategy and how it will protect Britons on health and economic matters.
She told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Never has an opposition wanted a government to succeed as much as we want to help the government defeat the coronavirus, and everything I say is in that spirit.”
Chakrabarti added: “We’re asking the government to be transparent and to be clear... about what its plans are to deliver the kind of scale of testing that we need, both to get the NHS workforce tested but also to return as quickly as possible to community-based testing.
“Without widespread testing in the population, we don’t understand - having listened to experts - the way out of the lockdown.”
Sir Paul Nurse, chief executive of the Francis Crick Institute in London, has said its research laboratory had been repurposed so it could carry out Covid-19 tests at a rate of 500 a day by next week - rising to 2,000 a day in future.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We hope that we can roll this out to other research institutes so that everybody can contribute.”
He added: “A metaphor here is Dunkirk - we are a lot of little boats and the little boats can be effective.
“The government has put some big boats, destroyers in place. That’s a bit more cumbersome to get working and we wish them all the luck to do that, but we little boats can contribute as well.”
Nurse said their tests can be turned around in under 24 hours, which could help get NHS staff back on the front line.
Jazz pioneer Ellis Marsalis Jr has died at the age of 85 after being diagnosed with coronavirus, his son has said. Press Association reports:
Hello this is Alexandra Topping at the helm of our global coronavirus liveblog. If you think we’ve missed a story or want to draw our attention to something please do get in touch.
I’m on alexandra.topping@theguardian.com and @lexytopping on Twitter: my DMs are open.
Here’s an update on some of the key UK stories we have:
A shortage of moderators who combat sexual abuse online combined with children spending more time on the internet at home has created a “perfect storm” for abusers to take advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of the UK’s biggest safeguarding charities has warned.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has said six in 10 UK firms have no more than three months of cash left as companies across the UK were suffering from a sharp and significant fall in domestic and overseas sales, threatening widespread job losses.
Virus patients more likely to die may have ventilators taken away. In a new document issued by the British Medical Association, doctors set out guidelines to ration care if the NHS becomes overwhelmed with new cases as the outbreak moves towards its peak.
The government is to set up a virtual parliament to allow MPs to scrutinise its response to the coronavirus crisis following demands from the Commons Speaker, Lindsay Hoyle, and opposition parties.
The World Health Organization is considering changing its guidance on whether people should wear face masks in public, prompted by new evidence that suggests doing so could help contain the pandemic.
The UK’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, has responded to mounting criticism over the UK’s failure to provide widespread testing by telling the public he had no doubt the tide would be turned if Britain’s measures were followed.
Speaking in a video posted last night from his quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19, Johnson said testing was “massively increasing” and it was “the way through” the pandemic.
“This is how we will unlock the coronavirus puzzle. This is how we will defeat it in the end.”
Just 2,000 of half a million NHS staff to date have tested to date. Health Minister Matt Hancock returns today after his own quarantine.