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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)
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 powerIran 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
This is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the global coronavirus live blog now, as the number of confirmed cases of the disease around the world ticks towards the symbolic milestone of 1 million.
As usual, I will be relying on updates from the wires and the Guardian’s global network of correspondents, as well as the news wires and social media. But as ever I will be hoping for your help with covering anything we have missed or that may need more attention.
If you want to contact me with any tips or suggestions, you can reach me on email at damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.
Writing in the Guardian, the UN secretary general, António Guterres, has called for a global and coordinated response to the pandemic, but says it must lead to greater global resilience and solidarity.
He writes:
Thailand’s prime minister has announced a nationwide curfew which will start on Friday.
Prayuth Chan-ocha said the order banned people from being on the streets between 10pm and 4am to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Anyone breaking the order faces a maximum penalty of two years in prison. Some individuals, such as medics, are exempt.
The World Health Organization has today launched the COVID-19 Health System Response Monitor (HSRM) – a new online platform to provide evidence of how national health systems are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Hans Henri P Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, said:
The new website will systematically map and analyse health system responses to the pandemic across the region. It is a joint undertaking between the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the European commission and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.
https://www.covid19healthsystem.org
We reported this earlier, but the relentless, grim progress to 1m global cases of coronavirus continues.We reported this earlier, but the relentless, grim progress to 1m global cases of coronavirus continues.
Confirmed Covid-19 infections are nearing the one million mark after “near exponential growth” saw global cases more than double in the past week - read our full piece below. Confirmed Covid-19 infections are nearing the million mark after “near exponential growth” led global cases to more than double in the past week. Read our full piece below.
More than a half of Britons think Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government was too slow to order a lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus, according an opinion poll published on Thursday. More than a half of Britons think Boris Johnson’s government was too slow to order a lockdown to slow the spread of coronavirus, according an opinion poll published on Thursday.
The Ipsos MORI poll, carried out online between March 27 and March 30 showed 56% of respondents believed the government’s enforcement of social distancing measures was taken too late, compared with 4% who felt that they were taken too soon, Reuters reports. The Ipsos Mori poll, carried out online between 27 and 30 March, showed 56% of respondents believed the government’s enforcement of social distancing measures was taken too late, compared with 4% who felt that they were taken too soon, Reuters reports.
Johnson ordered bars, restaurants, gyms and other businesses to close on March 20, after similar measures were taken by other European governments, plunging their economies into a likely deep recession. Johnson ordered bars, restaurants, gyms and other businesses to close on 20 March after similar measures were taken by other European governments, plunging their economies into a likely deep recession.
Figures published on Wednesday showed the number of people with coronavirus who have died in Britain rose by 563 to a total 2,352, fewer than in Italy, Spain and France but more than in Germany. Figures published on Wednesday showed the number of people with coronavirus who have died in Britain rose by 563 to 2,352, fewer than in Italy, Spain and France but more than in Germany.
Johnson is also facing criticism about a slow roll-out of testing for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus. Johnson is also facing criticism about a slow rollout of testing for Covid-19.
The Ipsos MORI poll showed 79% of respondents said they were avoiding leaving their homes, up from 50% before the government’s lockdown. Ipsos MORI said it interviewed 1,072 British adults aged 18-75. The poll showed 79% of respondents said they were avoiding leaving their homes, up from 50% before the government’s lockdown. Ipsos Mori said it interviewed 1,072 British adults aged 18-75.
Zambia has recorded its first death from coronavirus, and the number of confirmed cases has risen by three to 39, Health Minister Chitalu Chilufya said on Thursday. Zambia has recorded its first death from coronavirus, and the number of confirmed cases has risen by three to 39, the health minister, Chitalu Chilufya, said on Thursday.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
Spain death toll passes 10,000 with record single-day rise of 950Spain death toll passes 10,000 with record single-day rise 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 had recorded 864 deaths related to coronavirus, its previous highest figure.Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 10,003 on Thursday, up from 9,053 on Wednesday, an increase of 950. On Tuesday Spain had recorded 864 deaths related to coronavirus, its previous highest figure.
Cambodian government accused of using coronavirus pandemic to assert absolute powerCambodian government accused of using coronavirus pandemic to assert absolute power
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”.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”.
Iran update: 2,875 new cases and 124 more deathsIran update: 2,875 new cases and 124 more deaths
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 total cases.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 total cases.
France to set up road blocks to block Easter holidaymakersFrance to set up road blocks to block Easter holidaymakers
France’s interior minister Christophe Castaner warned the country to stay at home as the Easter holidays begin. He said roadblocks would be set up on major highways and axes and extra police, gendarmes or soldiers dispatched to train stations and airports to verify the documents of anyone stopped out and about.France’s interior minister Christophe Castaner warned the country to stay at home as the Easter holidays begin. He said roadblocks would be set up on major highways and axes and extra police, gendarmes or soldiers dispatched to train stations and airports to verify the documents of anyone stopped out and about.
Indonesia records highest number of recorded fatalities in Asia after ChinaIndonesia records highest number of recorded fatalities in Asia after China
Indonesia reported a further 13 deaths and 113 new cases, taking its total number of infections to 1,790. South Korea has reported 169 deaths and 9,976 infections, according to the latest figures released there.Indonesia reported a further 13 deaths and 113 new cases, taking its total number of infections to 1,790. South Korea has reported 169 deaths and 9,976 infections, according to the latest figures released there.
Known global cases pass 950,000Known global cases pass 950,000
According to data collected by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, 951,901 (as of 1200 GMT) people around the world have become infected, 48,284 of whom have died.According to data collected by researchers at Johns Hopkins University, 951,901 (as of 1200 GMT) people around the world have become infected, 48,284 of whom have died.
US intelligence accuses China of playing down crisisUS intelligence accuses China of playing down crisis
American officials reportedly believe China has been underreporting the total number of cases and deaths. The conclusions of a classified report from the intelligence community to the White House were revealed to Bloomberg by three anonymous officials who declined to detail its contents.American officials reportedly believe China has been underreporting the total number of cases and deaths. The conclusions of a classified report from the intelligence community to the White House were revealed to Bloomberg by three anonymous officials who declined to detail its contents.
Trump said that the federal stockpile of personal protective equipment is nearly emptyTrump said that the federal stockpile of personal protective equipment is nearly empty
Trump is also resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus despite his administration’s projections that tens of thousands of Americans are likely to be killed by the disease.Trump is also resisting calls to issue a national stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus despite his administration’s projections that tens of thousands of Americans are likely to be killed by the disease.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, has for the first time publicly called out the Hungarian government over an emergency law it has adopted in response to the coronavirus pandemic, writes Daniel Boffey in Brussels.Ursula von der Leyen, the European commission president, has for the first time publicly called out the Hungarian government over an emergency law it has adopted in response to the coronavirus pandemic, writes Daniel Boffey in Brussels.
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: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, the European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Thursday. Reuters reports:The next EU budget should take the form of a new “Marshall plan” to stoke Europe’s recovery from the coronavirus crisis, the 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 950 was recorded, writes Sam Jones in Madrid.Spain hit another grim milestone on Thursday, as the number of deaths passed 10,000 and yet another record single-day death toll of 950 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:
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.
Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 10,003 on Thursday, up from 9,053 on Wednesday, an increase of 950.
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.
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.
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 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?
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%).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.