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Coronavirus live news: global cases near million mark as US federal stockpile of medical equipment dwindles Coronavirus live news: global cases near million mark as US federal stockpile of medical equipment dwindles
(32 minutes later)
Trump says personal protective gear has nearly run out; Florida, Georgia, Mississippi ordered to shelter in place; record daily fatalities in UK. Follow the latest updates.Trump says personal protective gear has nearly run out; Florida, Georgia, Mississippi ordered to shelter in place; record daily fatalities in UK. Follow the latest updates.
With 89 cases – including 76 positive cases and 13 probable – New Zealand has reported its highest daily rise so far, according to Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield.
There are now almost 800 cases in the country.
Indonesia may start a new holiday to replace the Eid exodus amid coronavirus concerns, Reuters reports.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo said on Thursday the government is considering starting a new national holiday to prevent the annual mass exodus usually occurring at the end of the Muslim fasting month amid concerns over the spread of Covid-19.
Widodo said at a cabinet meeting that measures could be put in place during the new holiday such as making tourist attractions free to help “bring some calm to the people”. Indonesians, nearly 90% of whom are Muslim, celebrate the end of Ramadan or the Eid al-Fitr festival with a feast and new clothes, usually returning to their home villages or towns. Ramadan this year falls over April and May.
South Korea will allow coronavirus patients to vote by mail or as an absentee in this month’s parliamentary elections, as campaigning started on Thursday, Reuters reports.
Voters will go to the polls on 15 April to elect 300 members of the National Assembly for the next four years, posing challenges over how to prevent a spread of the coronavirus at polling places while ensuring people’s right to vote. The some 4,000 patients receiving treatment will be able to case their ballot via mail or early absentee voting, Interior Minister Chin Young said. A two-week campaign period for the election began on Thursday with candidates wearing masks and shunning handshakes and large rallies. The National Election Commission has said all voters must wear a mask when they go to the polling stations, use sanitisers and gloves available there, and maintain distance with others. Officials will conduct temperature checks at the entrance and regular disinfection work. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (KCDC) reported 89 new cases on Thursday, taking the national tally to 9,976. A total of 5,828 have recovered from the virus, while 4,148 are still receiving treatment.
A Guatemalan migrant died and 14 others were taken to hospital after a riot broke out in a detention centre in southern Mexico, authorities said on Wednesday, as tensions rise in such facilities due to the spread of the coronavirus, Reuters reports. It started on Tuesday evening in the state of Tabasco after migrants voiced concerns about coronavirus and recent border closures, Mexico’s interior ministry and National Migration Institute (INM) said.
As cases of coronavirus rise in Mexico, concerns are mounting over how to prevent the spread of the disease among the thousands of migrants who have been waylaid in the country as a result of hardline US immigration policies. Mexico has registered 1,378 coronavirus cases and 37 deaths; its detention centres are seen as particularly vulnerable. One 42-year-old Guatemalan died and 14 people were taken to hospitals in Tenosique and Villahermosa for smoke inhalation after migrants set fire to mattresses, authorities said, adding that 27 migrants escaped during the turmoil.
Japan’s government and ruling parties agreed to exempt firms from certain taxes if their sales decline by more than half from the previous year in any three-month period between February and October amid the coronavirus outbreak, Kyodo newswire said on Thursday.
Firms would be exempted from taxation on property and assets if they see sales decline by more than half in a three-month period, Kyodo said. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday ordered his cabinet to compile an unprecedented package of steps to support the world’s third-largest economy as the pandemic threatened widespread disruption across the nation.
More now on Dr Fauci’s extra security needs:More now on Dr Fauci’s extra security needs:
Security for Dr Anthony Fauci, the 79-year-old infectious disease expert who has become a calm, reassuring foil to Donald Trump at coronavirus briefings, has been expanded, according to multiple reports.Security for Dr Anthony Fauci, the 79-year-old infectious disease expert who has become a calm, reassuring foil to Donald Trump at coronavirus briefings, has been expanded, according to multiple reports.
While Fauci’s straight talk and willingness to gently correct the president’s outrageous exaggerations has drawn admiration from late-night talkshow hosts, professional basketball players and doughnut shop owners alike, the doctor has received threats and unwelcome communications from both critics and fervent admirers. The Washington Post first reported the news.While Fauci’s straight talk and willingness to gently correct the president’s outrageous exaggerations has drawn admiration from late-night talkshow hosts, professional basketball players and doughnut shop owners alike, the doctor has received threats and unwelcome communications from both critics and fervent admirers. The Washington Post first reported the news.
At a coronavirus taskforce briefing at the White House on Wednesday, Fauci declined to comment on whether he was receiving security protection, deferring to the health department’s inspector general.At a coronavirus taskforce briefing at the White House on Wednesday, Fauci declined to comment on whether he was receiving security protection, deferring to the health department’s inspector general.
Trump interjected, saying that Fauci “doesn’t need security, everybody loves him”. If anyone were to attack Fauci, Trump added, “they’d be in big trouble”, touting the disease expert’s high school athletic career.Trump interjected, saying that Fauci “doesn’t need security, everybody loves him”. If anyone were to attack Fauci, Trump added, “they’d be in big trouble”, touting the disease expert’s high school athletic career.
“He was a great basketball player, did anybody know that?” Trump said. “He was a little on the short side for the NBA but he was talented.” As basketball captain at Regis high school in 1958, Fauci had helped lead the team to an unlikely victory.“He was a great basketball player, did anybody know that?” Trump said. “He was a little on the short side for the NBA but he was talented.” As basketball captain at Regis high school in 1958, Fauci had helped lead the team to an unlikely victory.
IAG-owned British Airways is expected to announce a suspension of about 36,000 of its employees, BBC News reported on Wednesday. The airline has reached a broad deal with Unite union that will include suspension of jobs of 80% of BA’s cabin crew, ground staff, engineers and those working at head office, the news agency reported, adding that no staff were expected to be made redundant. Talks with the union are still ongoing, British Airways said in a brief statement to Reuters. British Airways had said on Tuesday it was temporarily suspending flights from Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second-busiest airport, as the aviation sector reels under the coronavirus crisis.IAG-owned British Airways is expected to announce a suspension of about 36,000 of its employees, BBC News reported on Wednesday. The airline has reached a broad deal with Unite union that will include suspension of jobs of 80% of BA’s cabin crew, ground staff, engineers and those working at head office, the news agency reported, adding that no staff were expected to be made redundant. Talks with the union are still ongoing, British Airways said in a brief statement to Reuters. British Airways had said on Tuesday it was temporarily suspending flights from Gatwick Airport, Britain’s second-busiest airport, as the aviation sector reels under the coronavirus crisis.
Americans purchasing record-breaking numbers of guns amid coronavirusAmericans purchasing record-breaking numbers of guns amid coronavirus
Americans have responded to the coronavirus epidemic with a record-breaking number of gun purchases, according to new government data on the number of background checks conducted in March.Americans have responded to the coronavirus epidemic with a record-breaking number of gun purchases, according to new government data on the number of background checks conducted in March.
More than 3.7m total firearm background checks were conducted through the FBI’s background check system in March, the highest number on record in more than 20 years. An estimated 2.4m of those background checks were conducted for gun sales, according to adjusted statistics from a leading firearms industry trade group. That’s an 80% increase compared with the same month last year, the trade group said.More than 3.7m total firearm background checks were conducted through the FBI’s background check system in March, the highest number on record in more than 20 years. An estimated 2.4m of those background checks were conducted for gun sales, according to adjusted statistics from a leading firearms industry trade group. That’s an 80% increase compared with the same month last year, the trade group said.
Nearly 1.2m total gun background checks were conducted in a single week, starting 16 March, breaking all previous records going back to 1998, according to FBI data.Nearly 1.2m total gun background checks were conducted in a single week, starting 16 March, breaking all previous records going back to 1998, according to FBI data.
While the number of background checks doesn’t correlate one-to-one in terms of guns sold, the number of firearm background checks conducted through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System is the best available proxy for gun sales in the United States. The figures highlight how the pandemic has created a surge in demand for gun ownership, with some gun stores finding themselves inundated with panic-buyers, including, at least anecdotally, many Americans purchasing a gun for the first time.While the number of background checks doesn’t correlate one-to-one in terms of guns sold, the number of firearm background checks conducted through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System is the best available proxy for gun sales in the United States. The figures highlight how the pandemic has created a surge in demand for gun ownership, with some gun stores finding themselves inundated with panic-buyers, including, at least anecdotally, many Americans purchasing a gun for the first time.
In Australia, prime minister Scott Morrison has announced that parents need childcare during the crisis will be able to access it for free, and that childcare centres will remain open.In Australia, prime minister Scott Morrison has announced that parents need childcare during the crisis will be able to access it for free, and that childcare centres will remain open.
Morrison also said the spread was slowing, and that federal parliament would resume next week Wednesday.Morrison also said the spread was slowing, and that federal parliament would resume next week Wednesday.
We reported earlier based on an AFP alert that the US had recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus-related deaths, but analysis by the Wall Street Journal shows that the previous day’s record appears to have been higher:We reported earlier based on an AFP alert that the US had recorded its highest daily number of coronavirus-related deaths, but analysis by the Wall Street Journal shows that the previous day’s record appears to have been higher:
“In the US, 884 people died between 8 p.m Tuesday and the same time Wednesday, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Johns Hopkins data. That was down slightly from 895 in the prior 24 hours, a record in the US for the pandemic.“In the US, 884 people died between 8 p.m Tuesday and the same time Wednesday, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Johns Hopkins data. That was down slightly from 895 in the prior 24 hours, a record in the US for the pandemic.
For those of you who think you have an excuse to wear sweatpants, tracksuits – or “tracky dacks” or “joggers” as they’re known in Australia in your Zoom meetings:For those of you who think you have an excuse to wear sweatpants, tracksuits – or “tracky dacks” or “joggers” as they’re known in Australia in your Zoom meetings:
Brazil confirms first indigenous case of coronavirus in AmazonBrazil confirms first indigenous case of coronavirus in Amazon
An indigenous woman in a village deep in the Amazon rainforest has contracted the novel coronavirus, the first case reported among Brazil’s more than 300 tribes, the Health Ministry’s indigenous health service Sesai has said.An indigenous woman in a village deep in the Amazon rainforest has contracted the novel coronavirus, the first case reported among Brazil’s more than 300 tribes, the Health Ministry’s indigenous health service Sesai has said.
The 20-year-old from the Kokama tribe tested positive for the virus in the district of Santo Antonio do Iá, near the border with Colombia, 880km (550 miles) up the Amazon river from the state capital Manaus, Sesai said in a statement on Wednesday.The 20-year-old from the Kokama tribe tested positive for the virus in the district of Santo Antonio do Iá, near the border with Colombia, 880km (550 miles) up the Amazon river from the state capital Manaus, Sesai said in a statement on Wednesday.
Four cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the same district, including a doctor who tested positive last week, raising fears the epidemic could spread to remote and vulnerable indigenous communities with devastating effect.Four cases of coronavirus have been confirmed in the same district, including a doctor who tested positive last week, raising fears the epidemic could spread to remote and vulnerable indigenous communities with devastating effect.
You can contact me with news, tips or questions on Twitter @helenrsullivan.You can contact me with news, tips or questions on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
Japan’s government will consider support to increase production of ECMO machines, used in a potentially life-saving treatment for coronavirus patients, as a part of an economic package to deal with the outbreak, Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said on Thursday. Extracorporeal Membranous Oxygenation, or ECMO, machines pump oxygen directly into a patient while removing carbon dioxide, replacing someone’s breathing:
In Australia, there are now at least 576 coronavirus cases nationwide linked to the Ruby Princess.
In a move the NSW health minister later admitted was a mistake, 2,700 passengers were allowed to disembark without checks from NSW Health on 19 March, with many boarding flights interstate. Another boatload of passengers disembarked on 8 March.
On Tuesday, we revealed that there were at least 229 cases interstate – according to the health departments of every state and territory. That number will be inevitably be higher today, as we’re still waiting for the other states to release their latest numbers.
But as of Wednesday, there were 78 in SA, and of Monday, there were 70 in Queensland, 43 in Western Australia, 22 in the ACT, 18 in Victoria, 3 in Tasmania and 3 in the NT. Add that to NSW’s announced 340, and you get 576.
That’s 11.5% of our national total of coronavirus cases (4,976).
Australian states have instructed police to issue fines of up to A$11,000 ($6,672) to people who violate federal orders that ban non-essential travel and limit groups of people gathering outside to two.
In New South Wales, the most populous state with nearly a third of the country’s 25 million population, police have also threatened prison terms of up to six months for people who violate the rules. “When is the turn-off period for these orders? It is 90 days,” state police commissioner Mick Fuller told a televised news conference in Sydney. “People will have gotten the message by then, hopefully. And we won’t be talking about the powers, we’ll be talking about what does it look like coming out of this?” Police in NSW and other states have already started issuing tickets to people suspected of breaching orders which authorities themselves have called “draconian”. Officials in the second most populous state of Victoria said policing of social distancing rules may last until June, without giving specific dates.
Animal tragic: New Zealand zoos strive to entertain lonely inhabitants amid lockdown
While humans have been using Netflix and Zoom to quell the coronavirus lockdown ennui, New Zealand’s zoo animals have also been struggling with boredom – and zookeepers have had to resort to some unusual measures to keep them entertained.
Puzzles, perfume and new types of play have all been deployed to keep the more curious residents engaged and happy.
The rhinos keep turning up for their 3.15pm appearances – when they usually get a belly rub – while the giraffes have remained punctual for their noon and 3pm commitments.
Zookeepers have been forced to work twice as hard to stimulate and entertain the animals, including taking llamas for long walks, spraying cologne and perfume in hiding places to intrigue the lions, and offering puzzle feeders or playing unusual sounds to keep the keas on their toes.
The Japanese government’s plan to send two reusable cloth masks to every household in the country has been met with derision and humour on social media.One Twitter user posted a photo of the prime minister, Shinzo Abe, wearing both masks:
While another had a slightly different visual take:
This user came to the rescue of a “friend” who said they would have preferred “two Yukichis” – a reference to the influential 19th century figure Yukichi Fukuzawa, who appears on the 10,000 yen note.
There were plenty of manga and anime references, including one that enlisted characters from the long-running animated TV series Sazae-san to illustrate the difficulties facing larger households:
Abe told a meeting of a coronavirus taskforce on Wednesday that the cloth masks would help respond to growing demand for masks since they are washable and reusable. Two masks will be posted to every address in the country later this month, starting with Tokyo and other prefectures with higher numbers of recorded Covid-19 cases, according to public broadcaster NHK.In a more serious post, Kentaro Iwata, a specialist in infectious diseases who was critical of the government’s handling of the Diamond Princess quarantine, described the measure as “a waste of money”:
Moving away from US news now to Asia Pacific, South Korea has reported 89 new coronavirus cases, slightly lower than the 100-case average over the last three weeks, bringing the country’s total to 9,976.
More now on Trump’s comments regarding the Zaandam cruise ship.
US President Donald Trump has insisted that the United States “has to help” two coronavirus-stricken cruise liners approaching Florida amid warnings that more passengers could die on board if the boats are left stranded at sea. Four people have died and dozens of people are sick with flu-like symptoms on the Zaandam and Rotterdam cruise liners, which are awaiting permission to enter port in Fort Lauderdale.
Florida gov. DeSantis and some Broward County commissioners have expressed concerns about allowing the passengers to dock. But on Wednesday, DeSantis, who previously dismissed passengers as “foreigners”, has now offered National Guard support after speaking with President Trump, telling Fox News: “I think they’re going to be able to deal with this in a way that make sense.”
At the White House press briefing on Wednesday, Trump indicated that British and Canadian nationals would be immediately evacuated after leaving the ships.
“We are taking the Canadians off and giving them to Canadian authorities. They’re going to bring them back home. The same thing with the UK. But we have to help the people. They are in big trouble no matter where they are from. Happen to be Americans, largely Americans, but whether they were or not, they are dying so we have to do something and the governor knows that too,” Trump said.
Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti is asking Angelinos to wear face masks when they leave the house to combat the spread of the coronavirus.
Speaking from an afternoon press conference, Garcetti said the masks can be homemade, like a bandana, and don’t have to be N-95, which are needed for medical personnel.
The city of Los Angeles is also ratcheting up efforts to get local businesses to comply with a “Safer at home order” and says they are shutting off water and power to non-essential businesses that refuse to stop operating even after being warned.
The advice comes as awareness grows those who aren’t showing symptoms can be carriers of the disease. As many as 1 in 4 of those infected with the new coronavirus may not show symptoms, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned this week.
Trump says federal stockpile of protective equipment nearly gone as US experiences record deaths
Donald Trump has admitted the US government’s emergency stockpile of protective equipment is nearly exhausted because of the extraordinary demands of the coronavirus pandemic.
The shortage was first reported by the Washington Post, which said the supply of respirator masks, gloves and other medical supplies was running low.
Trump, who has been criticised for a lack of central planning, confirmed on Wednesday: “It is, because we’re sending it directly to hospitals. We don’t want it to come to the stockpile because then we have to take it, after it arrives, and bring it to various states and hospitals.”
The president had urged states to “make a deal” and buy personal protective equipment (PPE) directly from manufacturers, he added. “We’ve asked states where they have large manufacturers of different types of equipment to use those local factories, those local plants and have it made directly, ship it right into the hospitals.”
Trump continued: “We’re shipping things right in. We have, as you know, almost 10,000 ventilators which we need for flexibility. It’s sounds like a lot but it’s not.”
The National Guard had been authorised to move equipment into hospitals when necessary, he added.
The US had 884 coronavirus-related deaths on Wednesday, the highest since the outbreak began, AFP reports.
The news comes as president Donald Trump said earlier that federal stockpiles of personal protective equipment for medical professionals were almost depleted.