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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
(33 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 power Iran passes 50,000 cases and 3,136 deaths; Russia and Afghanistan record single-day records; Catalonia asks Spanish army for help; Thailand imposes national curfew
As Northern Ireland’s first minister, Arlene Foster, leads the regional battle to contain Coronavirus, she faces deep embarrassment from within her own ranks, Henry McDonald reports.
Democratic Unionist councillor John Carson has caused outrage today after claiming Covid-19 was “the judgement of God” in response to the introduction of equal marriage and abortion reform in the region.
In a social media post the councillor from Ballymena - the heart of Ulster’s bible belt - stated that “you reap what you sow” if you have an immoral and corrupt government.
Foster’s DUP has distanced itself from Councillor Carson’s linkage of the virus with gay and abortion rights but the party now faces demands from its political partners in the Belfast power sharing government to suspend him.
The cross-community Alliance Party said Carson’s comments insulted those who had died from the contagian.
Data released on Wednesday night by the New York City health authority shows that it is the poorest districts that have been hit hardest by the spread of coronavirus.
Residents in the Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Corona sections of Queens, which are poorer and could be more likely to have many people living under one roof, have tested positive for the virus in far greater numbers and at higher rates per capita than in wealthy, mostly white parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
According to an Associated Press report, people living in one Queens zip code just south of LaGuardia airport were roughly four times as likely to have tested positive as people in the gentrified section of Brooklyn where Mayor Bill de Blasio lives. According to the AP’s report:
Dr Mitchell Katz, the chief executive of the city-run hospital system, told the agency that housing could be playing a role. He said:
As of Wednesday evening, the city had recorded 1,374 deaths from Covid-19, and nearly 46,000 city residents had tested positive for the coronavirus.
However, with officials rationing tests and encouraging all but the most seriously ill people not to seek treatment, the true number of people sickened by the virus is likely much higher.
These pictures from São Paulo, Brazil, show how the country is being forced to prepare for a surge in deaths as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak, after the Brazilian president had dismissed the danger of the virus.
The Vila Formosa cemetery, the largest in Latin America, has had a 30% increase in the number of burials, its management told the Associated Press. More than 1.5 million people are already buried at the cemetery, which covers an area of 780,000 square metres.
Brazil has so far confirmed a total of 6,931 cases of coronavirus infection, with 244 deaths and 127 recoveries.
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.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.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.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.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.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.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.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.“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.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.“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.”“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.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.”“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.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.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.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.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.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 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 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.