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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
(32 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
A total of 2,921 patients have died in hospital after testing positive for the coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Wednesday, the Department of Health and Social Care has said, up by 569 from 2,352 the day before.
As of 9am on Thursday, a total of 163,194 people have been tested of which 33,718 tested positive.
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson, the prime minister, still has mild Covid-19 symptoms, meaning he may not be able to leave self-isolation as intended on Friday.
The prime minister’s official spokesman said Johnson was still symptomatic, six days after he was diagnosed with the illness.
If he still has a temperature on Friday, he will not be able to leave self-isolation as planned.
The pro-independence leader of Catalonia, the region of Spain hardest hit by the coronavirus after Madrid, has abandoned his government’s initial reluctance to seek help from the Spanish army, saying any assistance would be gratefully received, reports Sam Jones from Madrid.
Last month, Quim Torra’s separatist administration said the Spanish military was not needed in the region. But as the region confirmed 21,804 cases of the virus and 2,093 deaths on Thursday, Torra asked for help from the army.
“If they can help us – and if any doctor can come and help us – I’d be very grateful,” he told Radio Ser Catalunya.
However, while Torra admitted that his government had not kept people sufficiently informed about the desperate situation in Catalonia’s care homes – where 362 people have died from the virus – he said his government was bearing the brunt of the health crisis when it came to resources.
“We haven’t received any tests from the Spanish state,” he said.
“The Catalan government is providing 90% of the resources, with the other 10% coming from the Spanish state.”
Catalonia’s health minister, Alba Vergés, also appealed for assistance from the Spanish military, which is already disinfecting old people’s homes in the region and helping to set up a large field hospital in a conference centre in Barcelona.
“We need hands,” Vergés told Catalunya Ràdio. “And by ‘hands’, I also mean that if the army has doctors and nurses, they should be made available to us.”
Relations between the Catalan regional government and the central government have been severely strained since Torra’s predecessor and close ally, Carles Puigdemont, made a unilateral and unlawful attempt to secede from Spain in October 2017.
More than 6.65 million people filed for unemployment benefits in the US last week, the latest official figures to highlight the devastating economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the American economy, Dominic Rushe and Lauren Aratani report from New York.
As reports emerged of long lines at unemployment offices, jammed phone lines and broken websites across the US, the federal labor department said on Thursday that a new record number of people sought benefits after losing their jobs in the week ending 27 March.
About 3.3 million had filed for unemployment the previous week, bringing total claims to 9.95 million for the two weeks. More people have filed for unemployment in the last two weeks than filed in the last six months.
The US faces the sharpest rise in unemployment in its history, a surge that is already highlighting income inequality across the nation and comes as the global economy goes into a nosedive that is likely to exacerbate the situation in the months ahead.
One of the most frightening things about the coronavirus pandemic is how little we know about the virus, and the respiratory disease it causes, which has been officially named Covid-19. And because of that, it is difficult to know how it will affect people in different conditions.One of the most frightening things about the coronavirus pandemic is how little we know about the virus, and the respiratory disease it causes, which has been officially named Covid-19. And because of that, it is difficult to know how it will affect people in different conditions.
In the UK, pregnant women are among the groups of people who have been advised to place themselves into self-imposed isolation for a period, in order to lessen their risk of contracting the disease. But what do we know about how Covid-19 might affect pregnancy? In the UK, pregnant women are among the groups of people who have been advised to self-isolate for a period, in order to lessen their risk of contracting the disease. But what do we know about how Covid-19 might affect pregnancy?
In this edition of Science Weekly, Sarah Boseley, the Guardian’s health editor, spoke to Prof Sonja Rasmussen, an expert in both paediatrics and epidemiology at the University of Florida, about how the virus might affect mothers who are expecting and their unborn child.In this edition of Science Weekly, Sarah Boseley, the Guardian’s health editor, spoke to Prof Sonja Rasmussen, an expert in both paediatrics and epidemiology at the University of Florida, about how the virus might affect mothers who are expecting and their unborn child.
The shockwaves of the Covid-19 emergency measures in Spain are reverberating across the economy, with the country registering the biggest monthly increase in unemployment on record.The shockwaves of the Covid-19 emergency measures in Spain are reverberating across the economy, with the country registering the biggest monthly increase in unemployment on record.
The labour ministry reported that 302,265 people signed on as jobless in March, AFP reports, a figure described by the labour minister, Yolanda Díaz, as “truly historic”.The labour ministry reported that 302,265 people signed on as jobless in March, AFP reports, a figure described by the labour minister, Yolanda Díaz, as “truly historic”.
Spain, the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy, imposed a nationwide lockdown on 14 March to fight coronavirus, with people allowed out only to go to work, buy food, seek medical care and briefly walk their dog.Spain, the eurozone’s fourth-largest economy, imposed a nationwide lockdown on 14 March to fight coronavirus, with people allowed out only to go to work, buy food, seek medical care and briefly walk their dog.
Restrictions have since been tightened, with non-essential workers in the nation of about 47 million people asked to stay at home from 29 March.Restrictions have since been tightened, with non-essential workers in the nation of about 47 million people asked to stay at home from 29 March.
The pandemic “changed the trend” in unemployment figures for March, after only 2,857 workers filed jobless claims in the first 12 days of the month, the ministry said in a statement.The pandemic “changed the trend” in unemployment figures for March, after only 2,857 workers filed jobless claims in the first 12 days of the month, the ministry said in a statement.
The services sector recorded the most job losses, with 206,016 jobless claims in a country where tourism accounts for about 12% of national output. But all sectors of the economy took a hit, with nearly 60,000 construction workers filing jobless claims and 6,520 people who work in agriculture.The services sector recorded the most job losses, with 206,016 jobless claims in a country where tourism accounts for about 12% of national output. But all sectors of the economy took a hit, with nearly 60,000 construction workers filing jobless claims and 6,520 people who work in agriculture.
About 18,000 prisoners have been freed in Indonesia, in a bid to stop Covid-19 from spreading through the country’s overcrowded jails, AFP reports.About 18,000 prisoners have been freed in Indonesia, in a bid to stop Covid-19 from spreading through the country’s overcrowded jails, AFP reports.
On Wednesday the Indonesian government had said it would free more than 30,000 inmates. Prisons in the south-east Asian country are already beset by unsanitary conditions and infectious diseases, according to AFP.On Wednesday the Indonesian government had said it would free more than 30,000 inmates. Prisons in the south-east Asian country are already beset by unsanitary conditions and infectious diseases, according to AFP.
The release order included juvenile offenders and adult prisoners who had served at least two-thirds of their sentences. Those released were advised to self-isolate at home for two weeks.The release order included juvenile offenders and adult prisoners who had served at least two-thirds of their sentences. Those released were advised to self-isolate at home for two weeks.
Firdaus, a fisherman jailed in 2017 on Sulawesi island for stealing a gold ring, told AFP he was relieved to be out.Firdaus, a fisherman jailed in 2017 on Sulawesi island for stealing a gold ring, told AFP he was relieved to be out.
This is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the global coronavirus live blog, as the number of confirmed cases around the world ticks towards the symbolic milestone of 1m.This is Damien Gayle taking the reins on the global coronavirus live blog, as the number of confirmed cases around the world ticks towards the symbolic milestone of 1m.
As usual, I will be relying on updates from 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.As usual, I will be relying on updates from 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.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.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:He writes:
Thailand’s prime minister has announced a nationwide curfew which will start on Friday.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.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.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.
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 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 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 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 2,352, fewer than in Italy, Spain and France but more than in Germany.
Johnson is also facing criticism about a slow rollout of testing for Covid-19.
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, the health minister, Chitalu Chilufya, said on Thursday.
Reuters reports:
Spain 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.
Cambodian 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”.
Iran 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.
France 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.
Indonesia 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.
Known 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.
US 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.
Trump 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.
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:
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.