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Coronavirus live news: Spain death toll passes 10,000 with record single-day rise of 950 Coronavirus live news: confirmed global cases approaching 1 million
(32 minutes later)
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 curfewIran 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
The Hong Kong government has been accused of attacking the editorial independence of its public broadcaster after criticising it for asking a World Health Organisation official why Taiwan had not been admitted as a member.
In an official statement, a spokesman for Hong Kong’s Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said Radio Television Hong Kong had “breached the One-China Principle” as well as its mission of “engendering a sense of citizenship and national identity.” The statement said:
The extraordinary official criticism comes after an RTHK reporter, Yvonne Tong, interviewed Dr Bruce Aylward, a Canadian physician and epidemiologist, and senior advisor at the WHO, and asked him about Taiwan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Questions were raised about the WHO’s relationship with China, a major funder, after Aylward, a former director general of the organisation, first appeared to hang up on Tong, then refused to answer further questions because they had “already talked about China”.
In a story on its own website on Thursday, RTHK said it rejected the attack by the Hong Kong government, quoting a spokeswoman denying it had breached either its own charter or the “One Country, Two Systems” principle.
Fermi Wong, a member of RTHK’s programme advisory panel, said she suspected the statement had been made under pressure from Beijing. She told RTHK:
The Guardian’s graphics team has produced this visualisation of the rate of increases in officially confirmed coronavirus infections in several countries around the world.
Of course, with wildly differing testing regimes in different countries, and accusations that China is hiding the true extent of its outbreak, such comparisons ought to be viewed in context.
A consignment of masks heading from China to one of the worst hit coronavirus areas of France was hijacked by American buyers as it was about to be dispatched, it was reported on Thursday, writes Kim Willsher.A consignment of masks heading from China to one of the worst hit coronavirus areas of France was hijacked by American buyers as it was about to be dispatched, it was reported on Thursday, writes Kim Willsher.
The masks were on a plane on the tarmac at Shanghai Airport ready to take off when US buyers turned up reportedly waving wads of cash and offered three times what the French were paying.The masks were on a plane on the tarmac at Shanghai Airport ready to take off when US buyers turned up reportedly waving wads of cash and offered three times what the French were paying.
The plane later left for an unreported destination in the States.The plane later left for an unreported destination in the States.
Jean Rottner, an emergency hospital doctor at Mulhouse in eastern France, and president of the GrandEst regional council, confirmed reports that part of an order of masks heading for the region, where intensive care units are inundated with coronavirus patients, had been snatched by America.Jean Rottner, an emergency hospital doctor at Mulhouse in eastern France, and president of the GrandEst regional council, confirmed reports that part of an order of masks heading for the region, where intensive care units are inundated with coronavirus patients, had been snatched by America.
“On the tarmac, they arrive, get the cash out and pay three or four times more for the orders than we have, so we really have to fight,” Rottner told RTL radio.“On the tarmac, they arrive, get the cash out and pay three or four times more for the orders than we have, so we really have to fight,” Rottner told RTL radio.
Rottner admitted they had still managed to receive 2m masks earlier this week. “It’s complicated. We’re having to work round the clock to make sure these masks get here,” he said.Rottner admitted they had still managed to receive 2m masks earlier this week. “It’s complicated. We’re having to work round the clock to make sure these masks get here,” he said.
As well as orders from the French government, several French regions have ordered a total of 1bn masks, one quarter of them from China.As well as orders from the French government, several French regions have ordered a total of 1bn masks, one quarter of them from China.
Rénaud Muselier, head of the south-eastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, said he had also experienced problems securing masks. Muselier said he had opted for them to be transported by sea, which he said was slower but more certain. “At least that way, I can be sure nobody will steal my masks from the tarmac,” he told BFMTV.Rénaud Muselier, head of the south-eastern Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, said he had also experienced problems securing masks. Muselier said he had opted for them to be transported by sea, which he said was slower but more certain. “At least that way, I can be sure nobody will steal my masks from the tarmac,” he told BFMTV.
Vladimir Putin has announced that most people in Russia will be expected to stay off work until the end of the month, the Associated Press reports.Vladimir Putin has announced that most people in Russia will be expected to stay off work until the end of the month, the Associated Press reports.
Speaking in a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Putin said he was extending the non-working policy he ordered earlier for this week to remain in force throughout April. Speaking in a televised address to the nation on Thursday, Putin said he was extending the non-working policy he ordered for this week to remain in force throughout April.
There are exceptions for essential industries, and grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open, he said. It is up to the regional authorities to decide which sectors should keep working in their areas. There are exceptions for essential industries, and grocery stores and pharmacies will remain open. It is up to the regional authorities to decide which sectors should keep working in their areas.
Putin said Russia’s virus-prevention strategies have bought time and helped slow down the outbreak. But he also warned that cases haven’t yet peaked. Putin said Russia’s virus-prevention strategies have bought time and helped slow the outbreak. But he also warned that cases had not yet peaked.
Russia has 3,548 confirmed cases of coronavirus, while 30 people have died and 235 have recovered from the disease, according to the tally of official figures kept by Johns Hopkins university. Russia has 3,548 confirmed cases of coronavirus, while 30 people have died and 235 have recovered from the disease, according to the tally of official figures kept by Johns Hopkins University.
Officials in Fort Lauderdale have told the Guardian an agreement to allow two coronavirus-stricken cruise liners to dock in Port Everglades should be reached “within a few hours”, Erin McCormick and Patrick Greenfield report.Officials in Fort Lauderdale have told the Guardian an agreement to allow two coronavirus-stricken cruise liners to dock in Port Everglades should be reached “within a few hours”, Erin McCormick and Patrick Greenfield report.
The Broward County commissioner, Beam Furr, said that excluding a few logistical details, the county had reached an agreement with Holland America on Wednesday night to allow for the ships to disembark.The Broward County commissioner, Beam Furr, said that excluding a few logistical details, the county had reached an agreement with Holland America on Wednesday night to allow for the ships to disembark.
The Zaandam cruise liner last entered port in Valparaíso, Chile, more than two weeks ago and has been stranded at sea with a worsening Covid-19 outbreak onboard after several Latin American countries refused to let it dock.The Zaandam cruise liner last entered port in Valparaíso, Chile, more than two weeks ago and has been stranded at sea with a worsening Covid-19 outbreak onboard after several Latin American countries refused to let it dock.
Asymptomatic passengers were transferred to the Rotterdam, its sister ship, off the coast of Panama in a boat-to-boat rescue operation and both vessels are now waiting for permission to dock in Port Everglades.Asymptomatic passengers were transferred to the Rotterdam, its sister ship, off the coast of Panama in a boat-to-boat rescue operation and both vessels are now waiting for permission to dock in Port Everglades.
Speaking to the Guardian, Furr said:Speaking to the Guardian, Furr said:
In the few cases where passengers need hospital treatment, Furr said “we can handle it within Broward County”.In the few cases where passengers need hospital treatment, Furr said “we can handle it within Broward County”.
He said he expected the ship to dock late tonight or early tomorrow.He said he expected the ship to dock late tonight or early tomorrow.
In a statement on Wednesday, Holland America Line said guests that met CDC health guidelines would be transported home immediately once on land, largely on charter flights. Around 10 guests will require immediate critical care once at shore and 45 guests with mild illness will be required to stay onboard until they have recovered with the crew.In a statement on Wednesday, Holland America Line said guests that met CDC health guidelines would be transported home immediately once on land, largely on charter flights. Around 10 guests will require immediate critical care once at shore and 45 guests with mild illness will be required to stay onboard until they have recovered with the crew.
France has called for hundreds of billions of dollars in aid and a debt moratorium for developing countries, particularly in Africa, to help them deal with the coronavirus crisis, AFP reports.France has called for hundreds of billions of dollars in aid and a debt moratorium for developing countries, particularly in Africa, to help them deal with the coronavirus crisis, AFP reports.
The world’s poorest continent is far behind other regions in terms of confirmed cases and deaths but infections are rapidly increasing and most African countries lack the healthcare infrastructure to deal with a largescale outbreak.The world’s poorest continent is far behind other regions in terms of confirmed cases and deaths but infections are rapidly increasing and most African countries lack the healthcare infrastructure to deal with a largescale outbreak.
In one particularly extreme example, highlighted on Tuesday by the Norwegian Refugee Council, there are currently three ventilators to help save the lives of coronavirus patients in the Central African Republic - a country of almost five million people.In one particularly extreme example, highlighted on Tuesday by the Norwegian Refugee Council, there are currently three ventilators to help save the lives of coronavirus patients in the Central African Republic - a country of almost five million people.
The French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, on Thursday called for a $500bn war chest to support healthcare efforts in Africa. “We have the responsibility of avoiding a drama in developing nations, especially in Africa,” he said, days after urging the G20 group of rich nations to take steps to help poor countries hit by the pandemic.The French finance minister, Bruno Le Maire, on Thursday called for a $500bn war chest to support healthcare efforts in Africa. “We have the responsibility of avoiding a drama in developing nations, especially in Africa,” he said, days after urging the G20 group of rich nations to take steps to help poor countries hit by the pandemic.
“We support a moratorium in the coming months on the debt of the poorest countries,” he told reporters in Paris.“We support a moratorium in the coming months on the debt of the poorest countries,” he told reporters in Paris.
Nearly 6,500 cases of coronavirus have been recorded across all of Africa, 238 of them fatal, according to an AFP toll. South Africa is the worst-hit country on the continent with more than 1,400 cases, including five deaths.Nearly 6,500 cases of coronavirus have been recorded across all of Africa, 238 of them fatal, according to an AFP toll. South Africa is the worst-hit country on the continent with more than 1,400 cases, including five deaths.
Two coronavirus-stricken cruise liners have reached the edge of US waters and are waiting for permission to dock in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Patrick Greenfield reports. The Zaandam cruise liner last entered port in Chile more than two weeks ago and has been stranded at sea with a worsening Covid-19 outbreak on board after several Latin American countries refused to let it dock.Two coronavirus-stricken cruise liners have reached the edge of US waters and are waiting for permission to dock in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Patrick Greenfield reports. The Zaandam cruise liner last entered port in Chile more than two weeks ago and has been stranded at sea with a worsening Covid-19 outbreak on board after several Latin American countries refused to let it dock.
Asymptomatic passengers were transferred to the Rotterdam, its sister ship, off the coast of Panama in a boat-to-boat rescue operation and both vessels are now waiting for permission to dock in Port Everglades.Asymptomatic passengers were transferred to the Rotterdam, its sister ship, off the coast of Panama in a boat-to-boat rescue operation and both vessels are now waiting for permission to dock in Port Everglades.
In a statement on Wednesday, Holland America Line, the ships’ operators, said guests that met CDC health guidelines would be transported home immediately once on land, largely on charter flights.In a statement on Wednesday, Holland America Line, the ships’ operators, said guests that met CDC health guidelines would be transported home immediately once on land, largely on charter flights.
Around 10 guests will require immediate critical care once at shore and 45 guests with mild illness will be required to stay onboard until they have recovered with the crew.Around 10 guests will require immediate critical care once at shore and 45 guests with mild illness will be required to stay onboard until they have recovered with the crew.
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.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.
The Democratic Unionist councillor John Carson has caused outrage today after claiming Covid-19 was “the judgment of God” in response to the introduction of equal marriage and abortion reform in the region.The Democratic Unionist councillor John Carson has caused outrage today after claiming Covid-19 was “the judgment 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”.In a social media post the councillor from Ballymena – the heart of Ulster’s bible belt – stated that “you reap what you sow”.
Foster’s DUP has distanced itself from 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.Foster’s DUP has distanced itself from 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 virus.The cross-community Alliance party said Carson’s comments insulted those who had died from the virus.
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.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.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: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: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.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.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.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.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.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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.