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Coronavirus live news: confirmed global cases approaching 1 million Coronavirus live news: confirmed global cases approaching 1 million
(32 minutes later)
Spain death toll passes 10,000; Catalonia asks Spanish army for help; Thailand imposes national curfew Spain death toll passes 10,000; Italy reports 760 new deaths, taking total to 13,915, but a slower growth rate in infections; Thailand imposes national curfew
Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese wholesale online market Alibaba, has donated millions of dollars-worth of medical aid around the world to help with countries battling the coronavirus - including sending a million masks and 500,000 testing kits to the United States. Italy on Thursday registered 760 more deaths from coronavirus, bringing the total to 13,915, Angela Giuffrida reports from Rome.
But this week an attempt by Ma to make a similar donation to Cuba - which has itself been sending doctors around the world to help with coronavirus medical efforts - was blocked by the US government, Xinhua, China’s official news agency, reports. The growth rate in new infections was slower compared to Wednesday, with 2,477 more cases registered, a day-to-day rise of 3%, compared to highs of 15% during the early phase of the emergency.
The infection rate has also slowed again in Lombardy, the worst-affected region, with 1,292 new cases registered on Thursday compared to 1,565 on Wednesday.
The Italian government on Wednesday extended the country’s lockdown until 13 April.
“When the [scientific] data consolidate, we will begin to programme a gradual loosening of the restrictions,” the prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, told the population. “I can’t tell you when that will be.”
Ukraine has made a desperate appeal to Elon Musk, the US tycoon, after he announced on Twitter that he had spare ventilators to ship to any country where they are needed.
The Ukrainian Embassy in the United States posted replied, saying: “People in hospitals need ventilators. We are ready to cooperate!”
Ulana Suprun, a former health minister, also replied to Musk.
Ukraine has confirmed 804 cases of the virus, 20 of whom have died.
The country of around 40 million people has approximately 3,900 ventilators, which its health ministry has said is not enough for all the intensive care beds in its infectious disease hospitals.
Continuing a response to the coronavirus pandemic that is becoming the envy of the world, German hospitals have increased their number of intensive care beds to 40,000, the chief of the country’s hospital federation said on Thursday.
Three out of four of the beds (30,000) are equipped with ventilators, Gerald Gass, the head of the German Hospital Federation, told Rheinischen Post daily, according to an AFP report.
It comes after Berlin urged hospitals to double their intensive care bed capacity to 56,000, to deal with any potential surge in patients needing 24-hour care. About 2,000 intensive care beds are currently occupied by Covid-19 patients. Germany has also taken in more than 100 seriously ill patients from other EU nations.
Europe’s biggest economy has recorded 73,522 confirmed infections and 872 deaths, according to the disease control agency the Robert Koch Institute.
The speaker of Iran’s parliament, Ali Larijani, has contracted the coronavirus, the highest-ranking official among several senior government figures to catch the disease, the Associated Press reports.
The parliament in Iran announced Larijani’s illness on its website, saying he was receiving treatment in quarantine.
Iran’s health ministry said Thursday the coronavirus had killed another 124 people, pushing the country’s death toll to 3,160.
In a rare acknowledgment of the severity of the outbreak by a senior Iranian official, the president, Hassan Rouhani, said the coronavirus may remain through the end of the Iranian year, which just began late last month, state TV reported Thursday.
Jack Ma, the founder of Chinese wholesale online market Alibaba, has donated millions of dollars in medical aid around the world to help countries battling the coronavirus, including sending a million masks and 500,000 testing kits to the US.
But this week an attempt by Ma to make a similar donation to Cuba – which has itself been sending doctors around the world to help with coronavirus medical efforts – was blocked by the US government, reports Xinhua, China’s official news agency.
According to Xinhua, the US haulier hired by Alibaba to carry face masks, test kits and ventilators to the Caribbean island pulled out at the last minute, citing backdoor sanctions against Cuba implemented last year by the Trump administration.According to Xinhua, the US haulier hired by Alibaba to carry face masks, test kits and ventilators to the Caribbean island pulled out at the last minute, citing backdoor sanctions against Cuba implemented last year by the Trump administration.
Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, enacted by the Trump government last May, gives US nationals and companies the right to sue foreign citizens and enterprises investing in properties nationalised by the Cuban government.Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, enacted by the Trump government last May, gives US nationals and companies the right to sue foreign citizens and enterprises investing in properties nationalised by the Cuban government.
Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba’s president, criticised the move on Twitter on Wednesday. He wrote:Miguel Diaz-Canel, Cuba’s president, criticised the move on Twitter on Wednesday. He wrote:
The Hong Kong government has been accused of attacking the editorial independence of its public broadcaster after criticising it for asking a World Health Organization official why Taiwan had not been admitted as a member.The Hong Kong government has been accused of attacking the editorial independence of its public broadcaster after criticising it for asking a World Health Organization 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: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 adviser at the WHO, and asked him about Taiwan’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.The extraordinary official criticism comes after an RTHK reporter, Yvonne Tong, interviewed Dr Bruce Aylward, a Canadian physician and epidemiologist, and senior adviser 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”.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.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: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.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.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 US.The plane later left for an unreported destination in the US.
Jean Rottner, an emergency hospital doctor at Mulhouse in eastern France, and president of the Grand Est 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 Americans.Jean Rottner, an emergency hospital doctor at Mulhouse in eastern France, and president of the Grand Est 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 Americans.
“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 said 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 said 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, the 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, the 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 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. 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 the outbreak. But he also warned that cases had not 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.