Coronavirus pandemic - World News

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Sweden sees spike and admits data error

Sweden has seen its confirmed cases of Covid-19 jump from 16,004 to 16,755. The rise was much larger than in recent days, during which Sweden’s Public Health Agency had been cautiously celebrating a flattening of cases.

The agency's deputy state epidemiologist Anders Wallensten said the majority of the new cases were in Stockholm. Increased testing of healthcare workers could be a factor, he said, but scientists were looking into other potential reasons.

The agency also adjusted an earlier estimation that one-third of Stockholm residents will have been infected by the virus by 1 May, which was featured in a report released by the agency earlier this week and withdrawn after officials admitted errors in calculations.

“I don’t think this should be looked upon as something that is representative of Swedish statistics in general,” Wallensten told the BBC from the news conference via video link. “It was a mistake, I think many people understand that we are working hard these days... unfortunately this was not spotted before it went out.”

He said it was “too early to say” how much of an impact asymptomatic infection rates and the subsequent potential for immunity would have on the potential to lift social-distancing recommendations in Sweden in the near future, in comparison to places which have endured stricter measures.

Unlike other countries Sweden has not implemented strict social distancing measures.

 

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In France, 516 deaths have been reported in hospitals and care homes in the past 24 hours, bringing the country's overall death toll to 21,856.

 

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In Italy, 464 coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in the past 24 hours, officials say.

That brings the overall death toll to 25,549 - the second highest in the world behind the US.

The officials reported 2,646 new infections. But the overall number of current confirmed cases dropped to 106,848 - a decrease of nearly 900.

Another key indicator was the number of patients in intensive care, which fell by 117 to 2,267.

 

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In Thursday's televised address to the nation, President Ramaphosa said the country would begin a "gradual and phased recovery" through a "deliberate and cautious approach to the easing of current lockdown restrictions".

The president stressed that many restrictions would remain in place after 1 May:

A ban on travelling between South Africa's provincesBorders to be kept shutNo public gatherings except for funeralsA ban on sports and cultural events

South Africa currently has 75 confirmed coronavirus-related deaths and nearly 4,000 infections.

 

[The Viper]

WTO report says 80 countries limiting exports of face masks, other goods

Eighty countries and customs territories have banned or limited the export of face masks, protective gear, gloves and other goods to mitigate shortages since the coronavirus outbreak began, the World Trade Organization reported on Thursday.

It said the bans were imposed by 72 WTO members and eight non-WTO member countries, but only 13 WTO members had notified the global trade body as required by its regulations.

Lack of transparency about restrictions and failure to cooperate internationally could undermine efforts to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease, which has infected 2.64 million people around the world and killed 184,910, the WTO said.

“While the introduction of export-restrictive measures is understandable, the lack of international cooperation in these areas risks cutting off import-reliant countries from desperately needed medical products and triggering a supply shock,” the WTO report said. “And by interfering with established medical supply chains, such measures also risk hampering the urgently required supply response.”

Export bans and restrictions are generally prohibited in the WTO, although there are exceptions which allow temporary measures to “prevent or relieve critical shortages of foodstuffs or other products essential to the exporting contracting party.”

Travel restrictions had already slowed the flow of goods needed to fight the pandemic, but export restrictions made it difficult for governments and businesses to adjust purchasing decisions and find new suppliers, the report said.

Leaders of the Group of 20 major economies last month said any emergency measures taken in response to the pandemic should be “targeted, proportionate, transparent and temporary,” but new export restrictions have emerged even since then.

Last week, the United States asked China to revise new export quality control rules for protective equipment after complaints that the rules were holding up supplies.

Reuters reported on Thursday that France had expanded its list of drugs that face export restrictions despite repeated calls from the European Union to lift curbs that could cause shortages in other countries.

The WTO said restrictions could prompt others to follow suit and further reduce available supplies.

“The long-term effects could be significant,” the report said, warning that too-broad measures that stayed in place could irreparably alter supply chains and additional tariff and non-tariff barriers could spring up as a reaction.

Political fallout from the restrictions could weaken the global response to the pandemic, raising the possibility of recurring outbreaks that could affect everyone and leading to delays in getting goods to where they were needed.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...ports-of-face-masks-other-goods-idUSKCN2253IX

 

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Most Muslims around the world will observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting under lockdown

Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, bans most travel. But its Aceh province defied central guidance by allowing mass prayers

In Pakistan, Ramadan begins on Saturday, but there is already controversy as clerics demand exemption from lockdown measures

Egypt will ease lockdown for Ramadan by shortening a night-time curfew and allowing some business to reopen

In the US, Congress passes a $484bn coronavirus relief bill to help businesses, hospitals and testing

US President Donald Trump said British PM Boris Johnson sounded "incredible" after his recovery from the virus

EU leaders also agreed to inject billions of euros of emergency aid into Europe's struggling economies

 

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Spain daily deaths lowest for a month

Some promising news from Spain, where the number of new coronavirus-related deaths has dropped to the lowest daily level in over a month.

Some 367 people have died in the past 24 hours to take the total fatalities there to 22,524 - which remains the third-highest in the world.

The number of new coronavirus cases has risen by 6,740 to 219,764.

 

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The UK is widening access to coronavirus testing but the government website struggles to meet demand

US President Donald Trump suggests injecting disinfectant as treatment – a highly dangerous idea that has sparked outcry from medics

Most Muslims will observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting under lockdown but clerics in some countries push back

South Africa to ease lockdown restrictions from 1 May - some businesses and schools to reopen

EU leaders agree to inject billions of euros of emergency aid into Europe's struggling economies

Czech Republic announces it will reopen borders closed since 16 March

 

[MenInG]

Switzerland death toll rises to 1,309

The Swiss death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 1,309, the country's public health agency has said, rising from 1,268 people on Thursday.

The number of positive tests also increased to 28,677 from 28,496 on Thursday, it said. Switzerland is due to start the first phase of its relaxation of the coronavirus restrictions on April 27 with the reopening of hairdressers, florists, and garden centres.

 

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Poland's government is to extend the closure of schools, and pre-schools by a month, until May 24, Education Minister Dariusz Piatkowski has said.

Piatkowski also told a news conference that he was considering whether it would be possible to allow some educational establishments to offer day care for children, but gave no further details.

Previously the education system lockdown had been planned to last until April 26.

 

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What’s the latest around the world?

Muslims are marking Ramadan, but with mosques closed and social distancing in place in many countries the holy month is set to be very different

US President Donald Trump has been criticised by experts for suggesting injecting disinfectant as a treatment. Disinfectants are hazardous substances and can be poisonous if ingested

Poland is extending its closure of schools for another month. Exams will take place in June

Spain has reported its lowest number of daily deaths for a month. Some 367 people have died in the past 24 hours

South Korea has reported no deaths in the past 24 hours. But health officials say now is the time to remain vigilant

Tom Hanks has written to a bullied boy named Corona in Australia. The child wrote to Hanks to wish him well as the actor recovered from the virus

In the UK, the new website for key workers to book coronavirus tests has temporarily closed - hours after being opened. The government said 5,000 testing kits were ordered in just two minutes

 

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Italy has recorded the lowest daily toll of coronavirus-related deaths in more than a month.

The number of deaths rose by 420 to 25,969 in the past 24 hours, the smallest single-day increase since 19 March, Italy’s Civil Protection Agency said.

New infections rose by 3,021, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 192,994.

But the number of people currently infected with Covid-19 dropped for a fifth consecutive day, falling from 106,848 on Thursday to 106,527.

 

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New York's governor says his state is on downside of the curve but warns against reopening prematurely

First at-home test for diagnosing Covid-19 is approved by the US food and drug agency

The number of deaths in the US has passed 50,000, according to Johns Hopkins University

Doctors and a disinfectant firm issued warnings after Donald Trump suggested injecting disinfectant

UK testing website reopens after having to close temporarily due to number of requests

Another 684 hospital patients have died with coronavirus in the UK - health ministry

Global leaders launch WHO initiative to speed up development of vaccines, drugs and tests

Most Muslims will observe the holy month of Ramadan by fasting under lockdown

 

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Thailand reports 53 new cases, one new death

Thailand has reported 53 new coronavirus cases and the death of a 48-year-old Thai man who was infected with the virus along with four other family members.

Of the new cases, three were linked to previous cases, one had no known links, and 42 are migrant workers who have been under quarantine at an immigration detention centre in the southern province of Songkhla.

Seven other new cases were reported from the southern province of Yala, where authorities are aggressively testing the population because of high infection rates there, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government's Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.

Since the outbreak escalated in January, Thailand has reported a total of 2,907 cases and 51 deaths, while 2,547 patients have recovered and gone home.

 

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Sri Lanka has reimposed a countrywide 24-hour curfew after a surge in the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, most of them navy sailors who were hunting those evading quarantine.

The 46 new infections on Friday were the highest in a day, bringing the total to 420, including seven deaths.

Sri Lanka partially lifted a monthlong curfew on Monday during daytime hours in more than two thirds of the country.

The new curfew remains in effect until Monday. Police have arrested more than 30,000 violators.

Among the newly infected were 30 navy sailors from a camp on the outskirts of the capital, Colombo. A total 60 sailors so far have been infected and the camp isolated.

 

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Tokyo has reported 103 new cases of coronavirus infections, Kyodo news reported, amid concerns that the start of a holiday season could lead to an increase in infections.

The latest figures bring total coronavirus infections in Japan's capital city to 3,836 cases, Kyodo reported. Saturday's daily increase was less than 161 new infections on Friday, and was the lowest since April 20.

On Saturday, the total number of coronavirus infections in Japan had reached nearly 13,000 cases, with 345 deaths, NHK said. The government has encouraged residents to stay indoors as much as possible during the Golden Week holiday period, which begins next week.

 

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Iran's death toll from the new coronavirus rose by 76 during the last 24 hours to reach a total of 5,650, a Health Ministry spokesman said on state TV on Saturday.

The total number of people diagnosed with the virus is 89,328, of whom 3,096 are in a critical condition, the spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said.

Deputy Health Minister Iraj Harirchi said the country's daily death tally had fallen by about 70% from its peak, while the number of coronavirus patients in hospital had fallen by about half.

 

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Spain’s coronavirus death toll rose to 22,902 on Saturday, but the increase of 378 was only slightly up on Friday’s 367, the lowest recorded figure in the past month.

The overall number of cases rose to 223,759 from 219,764 the day before, Spanish media reported.

In Russia, there have been 66 more fatalities bringing the total to 681 from 74,588 confirmed infections, with 5,966 new cases.

New infections dropped for the second day running inGermany, where 5,500 people have died. The number of cases rose by 2,055 to 152,438.

A total of 5,650 deaths, up by 67, have been confirmed in Iran, where 89,328 people have been diagnosed with the virus.

 

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The number of new coronavirus cases in Russia has risen by 5,966 over the past 24 hours, bringing its nationwide tally to 74,588, the country’s coronavirus crisis response centre said on Saturday, according to Reuters.

It also reported 66 new deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, bringing the total death toll to 681.

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia began rising sharply this month, although it had reported far fewer infections than many western European countries in the early stages of the outbreak.

 

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Coronavirus: Belgium unveils plans to lift lockdown

Belgian Prime Minister Sophie Wilmès has announced a detailed plan to gradually lift the country's coronavirus restrictions.

Under new rules, all shops will be allowed to open their doors again from 11 May, with schools reopening the following week - albeit with a cap on pupil numbers in each class.

But Ms Wilmès cautioned that "nothing is set in stone".

More than 45,000 people have tested positive for the virus in Belgium.

More than 6,900 deaths have been recorded in the nation of 11.4 million - the highest rate per capita in Europe. More than half the fatalities have been in care homes, and the number of deaths in hospitals has been falling.

Another 241 deaths were reported on Saturday, of which 164 were in care homes and 72 in hospital. The number of people being treated in intensive care has fallen to 934.

Comparisons with other European countries may be somewhat misleading, as some countries are believed to be under-reporting deaths, while Belgium includes suspected cases in care homes.

After hours of discussions on Friday, Prime Minister Wilmès announced a timetable to gradually end the country's lockdown, which started on 14 March.

The first businesses to open will be fabric shops on 4 May, in order to help people comply with new regulations requiring all Belgians aged 12 or over to wear masks on public transport. Industry will also be allowed to resume activity.

Other shops will reopen a week later, subject to strict conditions.

Schools will start opening up again from 18 May, but no more than 10 children will be allowed in each class and they will have to have at least 4sq m (43sq ft) of space.

Cafes and restaurants will not be permitted to open before 8 June.

However, the timetable could still change if the outbreak worsens. Authorities will have to ensure that everyone is provided with masks.

A number of other European countries have already announced measures to ease their lockdowns. On Friday, the Czech Republic ended restrictions on free movement which had been put in place to help halt the spread of coronavirus.

Some shops have already reopened in Germany and schools there will gradually reopen from 4 May, although bars, cafes, restaurants, cinemas and music venues will all remain closed.

Meanwhile, Poland's Health Minister Lukasz Szumowski has called for a two-year delay to the presidential election - due to take place in two weeks' time - saying it was the safest situation given the pandemic. So far, the governing Law and Justice party has resisted public and opposition pressure to postpone the vote.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52421723

 

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The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 655 to 37,190, health authorities said on Saturday, with 120 new deaths, Reuters reports.

The country’s death toll stands at 4,409, the Netherlands Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update. The actual numbers are likely higher, as not all suspected cases are tested, the RIVM said.

 

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The total number of coronavirus deaths in Canada has risen to 2,350, according to public health agency data.

Figures released on Saturday show an increase of 153 deaths in the 24 hours since April 23. The total number of cases has risen to 44,364 from 42,750.

 

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The death toll in France from the coronavirus has risen by 369 to stand at 22,614, the health ministry said on Saturday.

 

[The Viper]

Death toll climbs to 200,000 as worldwide coronavirus pandemic reaches sombre new milestone

 

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Latest as global fatalities pass 200,000

This is what we have learned as the global coronavirus death tally moved beyond another sombre milestone:

The global death toll currently stands at 200,698, according to a tracker run by Johns Hopkins University, after it was announced that France had recorded 369 further fatalities

That took the total number of deaths in the country to 22,614, but the daily toll is falling, and the number in intensive care has dropped for the seventeenth consecutive day

The UK become the fifth country to pass 20,000 deaths in hospital from Covid-19, behind the US, Italy, Spain and France.
The death toll in Italy has gone up by 415 to 26,384, Europe's highest

Spain's death toll has risen by 378, slightly more than recorded on Friday, bringing the overall number confirmed to have died of the virus to 22,902

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization has warned governments against using so-called "immunity passports" or "risk-free certificates" as a way of easing lockdowns

It said there was "no evidence" that people who had developed antibodies after recovering from the virus were protected against a second infection.

 

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Singapore reports 931 new cases, taking total to 13,624

Singapore has registered 931 new coronavirus infections, its health ministry has said, taking the city-state's total number of COVID-19 cases to 13,624.

The vast majority of the new cases are migrant workers living in dormitories, the health ministry said in the statement. Fifteen of the new cases are permanent residents. The number of new cases rose from 618 reported on Saturday.

The tiny country of 5.7 million people now has one of the highest infection rates in Asia, according to official figures, due to outbreaks in cramped dormitories housing over 300,000 mainly South Asian workers.

 

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More than 200,000 people have lost their lives in the coronavirus pandemic. The number of confirmed deaths in the coronavirus pandemic increased to 202,846 on Saturday, according to Johns Hopkins University, with 2,896,746 confirmed cases.

French PM to present strategy for emerging from lockdown. The prime minister of France, Edouard Philippe, will on Tuesday present a national strategy for emerging from the coronavirus lockdown to the national assembly, his office told AFP.

Beijing cracks down on ‘uncivilised’ behaviour. Beijing’s city government has banned “uncivilised” behaviour, such as not covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, in a new set of regulations to improve public hygiene and combat the coronavirus.

WHO warns against ‘immunity passports’. The World Health Organization has warned against “immunity passports” for recovered patients, seen as a possible tool for countries preparing to reopen their economies.

White House considers replacing health and human services chief. Reports have emerged that Donald Trump’s administration is considering replacing its secretary of health and human services, Alex Azar, because of early missteps in the handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cases grow by nearly 1,000 in Mexico. Mexico’s health ministry on Saturday reported 970 new cases of coronavirus infection and 84 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 13,842 cases and 1,305 deaths. The government has said the real number of infected people is likely considerably higher than the confirmed cases.

Kim Jong-un’s train possibly spotted in resort. As rumours about the health of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un continue to circulate, including reports that he is sheltering from Covid-19, a US-based monitoring group released satellite images of what may have been his train parked at an exclusive resort town in the country’s east.

Australian study finds little transmission between children. A preliminary report, cited by Australia’s chief medical officer as the government advocates the reopening of the country’s schools, says children are unlikely to transmit Covid-19 between each other or to adults.

Saudi Arabia partially lifts curfews, reopens some commercial activity. State media in Saudi Arabia are reporting that the curfew will be partially lifted for all regions starting Sunday, but that a 24-hour curfew will be maintained in Mecca, according to Reuters. Some economic and commercial activities, including retail stores, will be reopened during Ramadan, from 29 April to 13 May.

Australia releases controversial coronavirus tracing app. Australia’s coronavirus tracing app was set to launch on Sunday, despite lingering privacy concerns.

UK prime minister to return to work on Monday. Boris Johnson will return to work on Monday and is “raring to go”, a Downing Street spokeswoman has confirmed. He returns to face a dilemma over whether to ease the coronavirus lockdown, as leading scientists warn that the number of new cases remains much too high.

 

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The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases has reached 1,531 in Afghanistan as the number of transmission continued to surge in Kandahar amid an intensified war across the country.

Despite the lockdown in several provinces, streets are still crowded and experts warn that contain spread of Coronavirus may be challenging.

Source Guardian

 

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Coronavirus: French police seize 140,000 black market masks

French police say they have seized 140,000 face masks destined for sale on the black market.

Officers say they caught a businessman unloading the masks from a lorry into a house in St Denis, north of Paris.

Last month, France requisitioned all stocks and production of face masks to equip health workers.

Meanwhile in China, the authorities have confiscated 89m poor quality face masks. The country has faced criticism over poor quality exports.

Officials had inspected nearly 16 million businesses and had also seized large quantities of ineffective disinfectant, government official Gan Lin said.

And in Germany, medical wholesalers say they have almost run out of masks. From Monday it will be compulsory for people to cover their faces in shops and on public transport in the country.

What happened in St Denis?

The prices of masks online and in French shops had tripled before all stocks were requisitioned.

The seized masks included 5,000 high specification (FFP2) masks for use with coronavirus patients. About a third were surgical masks.

The suspects included a 60-year-old man, reportedly the seller who had bought the masks for €0.50 ($0.54; £0.44) each in the Netherlands. He was selling them for between €0.55-€0.60, Le Parisien newspaper reported.

The seller appeared to have a list of clients including company bosses, the newspaper said.

A second suspect was a 46-year-old who was allegedly about to buy some of the stock to sell on.

There have been several seizures of masks in the Paris region since the pandemic began, including 29,000 masks found in Aubervilliers and 32,000 masks sezied in Saint-Ouen, both to the north of Paris.

The country has seen 160,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and 22,600 deaths.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52430738

 

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Dutch mink farms confirm cases among animals

Two mink farms in the Netherlands have confirmed cases of coronavirus among its animals.

According to a ministry of agriculture statement, the minks showed various symptoms including respiratory problems.

The ministry said previous research had found that ferrets, in the same family as mink, are susceptible to Covid-19 contamination.

An investigation has been launched to determine the source of the infections.

The farms, in Brabant province, both had employees who showed symptoms of Covid-19.

Officials stressed that there was currently no evidence that farm animals or pets could spread the virus.

Walkers and cyclists have been told to stay at least 400m (437 yards) away.

It is not the first time an animal has become infected with coronavirus. Earlier this month a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in the US tested positive.

 

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Religious services resume in South Korea

Religious groups in South Korea have resumed services after the government relaxed restrictions on such gatherings.

A religious sect, the Shincheonji Church, was blamed for the early outbreak in South Korea after thousands of its members were infected.

After the relaxation of restrictions, many churches and temples still required worshippers to register online ahead of the service and to have their temperature checked before entering the building.

Worshippers also had to sit well apart and wear face masks.

 

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Coronavirus: 17 police officers die of Covid-19 in Peru

Seventeen police officers in Peru have died after contracting Covid-19, while enforcing a nationwide lockdown.

On Friday, Interior Minister Carlos Morán, who had been criticised for failing to provide officers with masks and medical care, resigned.

More than 1,000 police have been infected by the virus.

The country has recorded more than 25,000 infections and 700 deaths so far, according to a count by Johns Hopkins University in the US.

Peru has a population of 32 million.

The new interior minister said his department had allocated $15m (£12m) to purchase protective equipment for police.

Gastón Rodríguez added that some 220,000 Covid-19 tests for the force were due to arrive by the first week of May.

Peru's lockdown is now in its sixth week.

Earlier this month, the country began enforcing strict new measures to stop the spread of coronavirus, restricting public movement by gender.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-52432216

 

[MenInG]

German police arrested dozens of protesters in Berlin on Saturday for flouting the coronavirus lockdown measures they were demonstrating against.

About 1,000 people turned out for the rally, which has become a weekly event in the German capital.

 

[MenInG]

The death toll in Canada has risen to 2,350 following a further 139 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours, the country’s public health agency has said.

The figure for those diagnosed with the coronavirus had climbed to 45,791, according to a statement.

The daily death toll in Canada has been fluctuating but appears to be on an upward trajectory over the past 14 days.

 

[MenInG]

Police in France say they have seized 140,000 face masks that were destined for sale on the black market.

Officers say they discovered the haul when they spotted a businessman unloading the masks from a lorry into a house in St Denis, north of Paris.

France requisitioned all stocks and production of face masks to equip health workers.

There have been several seizures of masks in the Paris region since the pandemic began.

 

[MenInG]

Turkey’s coronavirus death toll has risen by 99 to 2,805, as 2,357 new infections are confirmed, Reuters reports.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has imposed a four-day lockdown between April 23 and April 27 in 31 provinces to stem the spread of the virus.

 

[MenInG]

Italian PM announces easing of lockdown in address to nation

The Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, told the nation “if you love Italy, maintain distance” as he announced a plan that will see the country slowly ease lockdown measures from 4 May.

“You must always respect the safe distance of at least one metre,” he said. “Even within the family setting. Experts tell us that one out of four cases of infection occur in the family context.”

Italy has been under full lockdown since 11 March and the move out of it will be gradual. Manufacturing and construction activity will resume from 4 May while people can travel within their regions so long as visits are “targeted”, such as visiting family, and face masks are worn. Travel between regions is only permitted for a valid reason, such as for work or medical purposes. Museums and libraries will reopen on 18 May and bars and restaurants from 1 June, although they can offer takeout services from 4 May.

Schools will open from September.

Parks and public gardens will reopen from 4 May and people can exercise outside so long as they maintain a two-metre distance from others.

Deaths from coronavirus in Italy rose by 260 on Sunday, the lowest day-to-to increase since 14 March, while the contagion rate has been falling.

“We all want the country to restart,” Conte said. “However, the only way to live with the virus in this phase is to not fall ill — and social distancing.”

 

[MenInG]

Pakistan warns of Covid-19 spike during Ramadan

A week after allowing congregational prayers at mosques, Pakistan has warned that the virus has the potential to spread rapidly during the holy month of Ramadan.

The warning from the government comes after various doctors urged against relaxations in the lockdown, saying any spike in infections would cripple Pakistan's already fragile healthcare system.

Pakistan has confirmed more than 12,500 cases so far and 269 deaths.

Here's more news from the rest of South Asia:

Hundreds of garment workers in Bangladesh defied the lockdown to take to the streets to demand wages on Sunday. The industry is forecast to lose $6bn due to cancelled orders from international brands

Sri Lanka, which was supposed to lift its lockdown today, has extended it for another week after a spike in cases. The island nation has confirmed 477 cases so far

Nepal, which has 49 cases, marked the fifth anniversary of a devastating earthquake on Saturday while under lockdown. The prime minister blamed the pandemic for delaying the reconstruction of homes and other buildings wrecked by the disaster.

 

[MenInG]

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to return to work after recovering from the coronavirus

His return comes as pressure mounts to increase testing in the UK and ease the lockdown

Some countries where cases have been falling are starting to ease restrictions on economic activity

Italy outlines plans to ease restrictions from 4 May as it records its lowest daily death toll since mid-March

In Spain, children were allowed out for the first time in six weeks on Sunday

More US states begin to lift lockdown orders, but leaders warn social distancing will last months

New Zealand says it has eliminated local transmission - it moves out of its toughest lockdown level at midnight

Singapore records another leap in cases among migrant workers - infections there now top 13,000

There are almost 3 million confirmed cases and more than 206,000 deaths globally, according to Johns Hopkins University

 

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Masks are now compulsory on public transport across Germany, with most states also making them mandatory when shopping. Officials are recommending people use simple coverings and leave medical masks for health professionals

Italy’s Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced an easing of lockdown restrictions on Sunday. From 4 May, people will be allowed to visit relatives, hold small funerals, go to parks and travel within (but not outside) their own region

Hairdressers and garden centres have reopened in Switzerland, and students will return to school from 11 May

Malta, the smallest country in the EU, reported no new cases of the virus over the previous 24 hours on Sunday – the first time this has happened in more than six weeks

 

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The number of confirmed coronavirus cases globally is approaching the three million mark, according to a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

There are currently 2,971,831 confirmed cases and 206,542 deaths worldwide. The US has the highest number of cases with a staggering 965,910, followed by Spain at 226,629.

The real number of cases worldwide is likely to be much higher because of under-reporting and under-testing.

 

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Spanish health officials say the number of people who have died after testing positive for covid-19 has risen by 331 to 23,521

 

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Philippines' coronavirus death toll rises to 511, cases up to 7,777 - ministry

The Philippines reported 198 new coronavirus cases and 10 more deaths, brining the country's tally to 7,777 cases and 511 fatalities.

The Department of Health also said 70 individuals have recovered from the infection, bringing the total number of recoveries to 932.

 

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Saudi Arabia, Russian citizens restricted from entering Japan - Shinzo

Japan is adding 14 more countries - including Russia and Saudi Arabia - to an entry ban to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.

The measures will take effect on Wednesday, Abe said.

The move adds an additional 14 nations to the ban, bringing the total number of countries and territories covered to 87.

China, the United States and all of Europe are restricted from entering Japan under the measures.

 

[MenInG]

Hospitals in Belgium admitted the lowest number of Covid-19 patients since the start of the lockdown almost seven weeks ago, figures showed on Monday, a week before the country starts to ease restrictions, Reuters reports.

The number of hospital admissions, a key number to monitor the disease’s evolution, fell to 127 on Sunday, the lowest level since 18 March. Daily admissions peaked at over 600 at the end of March and have hovered at around 200 for the past week.

The number of new confirmed Covid-19 cases also declined to a month low of 553, although health officials said the decline might be in part due to a weekend effect.

The nation of 11.5 million people closed restaurants, cafes, gyms and schools from 14 March and then ordered that all non-food shops close from 18 March.

The government outlined plans on Friday to allow a gradual easing of restrictions from 4 May, with a series of phases of further reopening during the course of the month.

 

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Germans don compulsory masks as lockdown eases

Germans have started wearing facemasks outside the home as new rules come into force to curb the spread of coronavirus.

The use of cloth masks is now mandatory on public transport and, in most regions, within shops.

The rules vary among the 16 German states - Bavaria being the strictest, while in Berlin shoppers do not have to wear masks.

But the authorities are moving very cautiously in easing the lockdown.

Across the world countries are coming up with their own guidance on mask-wearing. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) advice suggests people should wear protective masks only if they are sick and showing symptoms, or if they are caring for people suspected to have Covid-19.

It says masks are not recommended for the general public because they can be contaminated by coughs and sneezes, and might offer a false sense of security.

German media report that mask-wearing is now required in school corridors and when children go on breaks, but not in the classroom. Students sit in class spaced apart and there is more frequent cleaning with disinfectant.

Students preparing for their school leaving exams are also back in class. Most German schoolchildren are still at home under lockdown.

The German authorities require mask-wearing at stations and on buses and trains, but not yet on long-distance trains.

Home-made cloth masks are acceptable; people are not expected to wear hospital-style intensive care masks. These are now on sale in station vending machines and at markets.

Monday also saw some further easing of the lockdowns in the Czech Republic and Switzerland, while Italy has set out a detailed plan for easing its lockdown which remains one of the strictest in Europe.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52439926

 

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Spain - the European country with the highest number of deaths after Italy - reported its lowest daily death toll in more than five weeks on Sunday, with 288 new fatalities. On Sunday, children could go outside for the first time in six weeks.

In Switzerland, garden centres and hairdressers are opening their doors, followed by schools and shops selling items other than food in two weeks' time.

But gatherings of more than five people remain banned until 8 June, and it is unclear when bars and restaurants will be allowed to reopen.

The Czech capital Prague has deployed ticket inspectors on public transport for the first time since its lockdown was imposed in mid-March. Bus and train services were increased over the weekend. And on Monday, the country opened its borders to business visitors and students, but not tourists.

Meanwhile, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has returned to work, after recovering from the virus. Mr Johnson spent a week in hospital, including three nights in intensive care, after being admitted on 5 April

 

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Coronavirus: New Zealand claims no community cases as lockdown eases

New Zealand says it has stopped community transmission of Covid-19, effectively eliminating the virus.

With new cases in single figures for several days - one on Sunday - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the virus was "currently" eliminated.

But officials have warned against complacency, saying it does not mean a total end to new coronavirus cases.

The news comes hours before New Zealand is set to move out of its toughest level of social restrictions.

From Tuesday, some non-essential business, healthcare and education activity will be able to resume.

Most people will still be required to remain at home at all times and avoid all social interactions.

"We are opening up the economy, but we're not opening up people's social lives," Ms Ardern said at the daily government briefing.

New Zealand has reported fewer than 1,500 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus and 19 deaths.

New Zealand's Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said the low number of new cases in recent days "does give us confidence that we have achieved our goal of elimination".

He warned that "elimination" did not mean there would be no new cases, "but it does mean we know where our cases are coming from".

Ms Ardern said there was "no widespread undetected community transmission in New Zealand", adding: "We have won that battle."

But she said the country "must remain vigilant if we are to keep it that way".

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52436658

 

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Here a few key developments of the past few hours at a glance:

More US states to end lockdown as the US economy crumbles. The US states Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana and Tennessee will join four other states in the lifting of lockdown restrictions, as economists predict an unemployment rate of 16% or higher for the month of April.

The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the nation in a televised address “if you love Italy, maintain distance” as he revealed details of a plan that will see the country slowly ease lockdown measures from 4 May.

British prime minister Boris Johnson returned to work in Downing Street on Sunday evening, where the government is headquartered, for the first time since he was admitted to hospital with Covid-19 on 6 April. Two British newspapers reported that Johnson could be announcing a relaxation of lockdown measures soon.

Egypt has asked the International Monitory Fund (IMF) for financial assistance to deal with the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus. With tourism and aviation at a standstill, the partial lockdown threatens the livelihoods of many of Egypt’s 100 million people..

Russia could experience a new spike in cases if people flout lockdown measures during public holidays scheduled for early May, a top health official said on Sunday, after total reported infections in Russia topped 80,000.

Chile is to push ahead with immunity passports and is planning to issue previously announced “release certificates” for recovered Covid-19 patients ‘“soon”, despite a World Health Organization warning that it is not clear whether people have immunity after becoming infected.

New York governor outlines lifting of restrictions for parts of the state. Andrew Cuomo said some regions of the state might qualify to open sooner, “with certain precautions”, such as upstate New York, as the daily death toll was markedly lower on Sunday than it was on Saturday.

France’s daily death toll slowed as recorded Covid-19 fatalities in France rose by 242 to 22,856 on Sunday, down from 369 new deaths the previous day. The country’s prime minister, Édouard Philippe, said he would present a national exit strategy to parliament on Tuesday, which would then debate and vote on the recommendations.

Germany could introduce right to work from home in future. The country’s labour minister Hubertus Heil is working on legislation that would give employees the right to work from home, even after the current crisis when social distancing will be no longer needed, he said on Sunday.

Israel’s health minister announced his resignation. Yaakov Litzman declared that he would step down, following a public uproar over his handling of the coronavirus crisis, such as his initial decision to exclude the ultra-Orthodox community from social distancing regulations.

 

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El Salvador: Gangs 'taking advantage of pandemic'

The president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele, has said criminal gangs are taking advantage of the coronavirus pandemic after more than 50 people were killed between Friday and Sunday.

He authorised the police and army to use lethal force to curb the violence.

He also ordered a 24/7 lockdown for imprisoned gang members, arguing that many of the murders were ordered from behind bars.

Mr Bukele was elected last year on a promise to reduce the murder rate.

Police said that 24 murders had been reported on Friday, making it the deadliest day since President Bukele came to power in June 2019.

Another 29 people were killed by Sunday afternoon local time, according to police figures.

Mr Bukele said El Salvador's notorious criminal gangs were taking advantage of the fact that the security forces had turned their attention away from them and towards curbing the spread of coronavirus.

He said the security forces would be given more powers to deal with the threat. "The police and armed forces must prioritise safeguarding their lives, those of their companions and of honest citizens. The use of lethal force is authorised in self-defence or in defence of the lives of Salvadoreans," the president said.

He also said that prisoners belonging to rival gangs would be made to share cells.

El Salvador's security minister, Osiris Luna, said the idea behind making rival gang members mix was so as to break up lines of communication between members of the same group and thereby limit their ability to plan attacks.

Before President Bukele came to power, members of the two rival gangs that are behind much of the violence in El Salvador - Mara Salvatrucha and 18th Street gang - were housed in separate prisons in order to prevent deadly prison fights.

But President Bukele put an end to that arrangement, arguing it allowed the gangs to impose their own rules and take control of "their" prison to the extent that they would continue running their criminal enterprises from the inside, including ordering murders of prison staff and their family members.

As part of the new, more restrictive prison regime, inmates' communication was cut off, with wifi signals being scrambled and cell phones seized.

The latest measures by President Bukele go one step further with members of rival gangs now locked up in the same cells.

Mr Luna also said that they would "not receive sunlight, they will be in total confinement 24 hours a day in the seven maximum security prisons that there are in this country".

President Bukele also tweeted a video of him meeting with members of his security team, saying those who had committed the crimes would live to regret them.

Video released by government showed inmates being transferred from cells and forced together in a jail.

The measures come just days after the United Nations urged governments around the world to release vulnerable prisoners to ease overcrowding in prisons as the coronavirus pandemic spreads further.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-52439856

 

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France reports record monthly rise in benefit claims

French authorities have registered a record monthly rise in the number of people seeking unemployment benefits.

The number of claimants rose by 7% to just over 246,000 - the highest since records began in 1996.

Over 3.7 million people are registered for benefits in France, and more than 10 million people have been temporarily laid off from work due to the coronavirus outbreak

 

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More than 3 million coronavirus cases have been reported globally as many countries take steps to ease lockdown measures that have brought the world to a standstill over the past eight weeks.

 

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Eighteen more people with Covid-19 have died in Ireland, bringing the total death toll to 1,102, the country’s department of health reports.

Ireland recorded 386 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Monday, bringing the total in the country to 19,648.

 

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More than 3 million coronavirus cases have been reported globally as many countries take steps to ease lockdown measures that have brought the world to a standstill over the past eight weeks.

Confirmed cases of coronavirus pass 3m worldwide

More than 3 million people around the world are now confirmed to have been infected with Covid-19 since it first emerged in Wuhan, China, at the end of last year, according to a tally kept by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.

The worldwide death toll from the Covid-19 disease caused by the new virus recently passed 200,000.

The worst-affected country is by far the US, which, with 972,969 cases alone, counts for almost a third of the global total, followed by Spain with 229,422, Italy with 199,414, and France with 162,220.

However, with testing regimes differing widely around the world and questions raised about the efficacy of the tests themselves, the true number of cases is impossible to gauge. The Johns Hopkins tracker is based on official reports.

 

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Germany has recorded 163 new deaths from Covid-19 and 1,144 new infections, according to data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases

The total death toll is now at 5,913 and total cases at 156,337.

 

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More than 2,200 Indonesians have died from Covid-19, but were not recorded, according to an investigation from Reuters.

The official death toll from the virus in the country is 765, but the new figures would make Indonesia the worst-hit Asian country after China.

 

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Australia says it had only 12 new cases of the virus in the past day - with only one coming from an "unknown source"

More than 2.4 million people have downloaded a tracking app as the country seeks to move into a new phase

The UK is to hold a one minute silence for key workers who have died with Covid-19

New Zealand is now in a less severe phase of lockdown, with some non-essential activity able to resume

US President Donald Trump once again censured China's handling of the virus, saying: "We are not happy with China"

Nigeria will also begin a gradual easing of virus lockdowns in certain areas from 4 May

Global virus cases pass 3 million, with more than 200,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University

 

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The Philippines’ health ministry on Tuesday reported 19 more coronavirus deaths and 181 infections.

In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths have increased to 530 while confirmed cases have risen to 7,958.

But 43 more patients have recovered, bringing total recoveries to 975.

 

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France lays out its lockdown exit plan and Germany’s infection rate rises. Here’s the latest from Europe:

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe will lay out how France will slowly exit its lockdown restrictions from 11 May. There will be a debate followed by a vote on the plans, which controversially involve children returning to school against the advice of the national scientific council

Official data from Germany’s Robert Koch Institute shows the reproduction figure has risen to around 1.0 again – meaning each infected person is passing on the virus to one other. Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned states not to ease restrictions too quickly, as both confirmed cases and the death toll move higher

Both Spain and Greece will announce further ways of easing restrictions on Tuesday. Portugal’s government is holding a closed-door meeting with health officials, and has said the discussions are key in any move toward loosening the lockdown
Article share tools

 

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These are the latest headlines in our global coronavirus news coverage.

Austria has announced it will lift its lockdown at the end of April. The country will allow gatherings of up to 10 people, but the health minister, Rudolf Anschober, emphasised the importance of people continuing to follow distancing rules.

The German economy is expected to contract 6.6% in 2020 due to coronavirus. According to economic institute Ifo, Europe’s largest economy shrank by 1.9% in the first three months of 2020 and is expecting a 12.2% contraction in the second quarter.

The Covid-19 death toll in England and Wales was 52.9% higher than the daily figures. The Office for National Statistics said it had recorded 21,284 fatalities that mentioned Covid-19 on the death certificate as of 17 April, compared with 13,917 in the daily hospital death stats published by the government.

British energy firm BP recorded a $4.4bn net loss in the first quarter. As the coronavirus pandemic crushes demand for oil, the company’s profits plunged, down from a profit after tax of $2.9bn in the first quarter of 2019.

Turkey has sent a planeload of medical equipment to help the US. It has sent hundreds of thousands of masks, along with overalls, disinfectant and goggles to help the US as it grapples with the coronavirus outbreak.

Spain’s coronavirus death toll rises to 23,822 but the downward trend continues. There were 301 deaths recorded over the past 24 hours, compared with 331 yesterday and 288 on Monday. The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, will today outline Spain’s lockdown exit plan.

Some children in the UK have died from a rare inflammatory syndrome that could be linked to Covid-19. The health secretary, Matt Hancock, said some children without underlying health conditions had died. Italian and British medical experts are investigating a possible link between the coronavirus pandemic and clusters of severe inflammatory disease among infants who are arriving in hospital with high fevers and swollen arteries.

The Egyptian president ordered the renewal for three months of a long-running state of emergency, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cited health as well as security concerns for the extension of the state of emergency, which gives police broad powers of arrest and detention, and curtails constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.

Diplomatic tensions escalated between Australia and China. Australia’s trade minister, Simon Birmingham, called for the Chinese ambassador to explain what Australia called a threat of “economic coercion” in response to Canberra’s push for an international inquiry into the source and spread of the coronavirus.

The Scandinavian airline, SAS, said it could reduce its workforce by up to 5,000 full-time positions. It said the move was due to plunging demand and travel restrictions during the coronavirus outbreak.

 

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Officially the total of new coronavirus infections in Russia has overtaken the totals for China and Iran.

On Tuesday the Russian government reported a record daily rise in new cases – 6,411 – bringing the total to 93,558. Moscow has the most cases, compared with other Russian regions.

The number of deaths rose to 867.

Deaths are still far below those for the worst-hit countries, such as the US and Italy, but Russia’s numbers are rising daily.

Some medics do not believe the official data and are naming fellow medics they say have died from Covid-19. The list – 72 names so far – is posted on Facebook by Dr Vladimir Budiansky.

And an opposition website, Open Media, reports that dozens of nurses have quit a Moscow hospital – Kommunarka – where allegedly they were underpaid and lacking necessary protective kit. The management disputes their claims.

 

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Brazil could be the next big coronavirus hotspot as the number of cases and deaths surge despite President Jair Bolsonaro's insistence that it is "just a little flu".

Hospitals are being pushed to breaking point and there are signs that a growing number of victims are now dying at home as the outbreak in Latin America's biggest country escalates.

"We have all the conditions here for the pandemic to become much more serious," said Paulo Brandao, a virologist at the University of Sao Paulo.

Brazil officially reported around 4,500 deaths and almost 67,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

However, the true numbers are thought to be vastly higher given the lack of testing and the many people who have not sought hospital care.

Some scientists said over one million in Brazil are likely infected.

The country - which has a population of 211 million - is heading into winter, which can worsen respiratory illness.

Mr Bolsonaro has repeatedly downplayed the severity of the disease and insists there is no need for sharp restrictions that have been used to slow the spread in Europe and the US.

The Brazilian leader said people need to resume their lives through the pandemic to prevent an economic meltdown, but most state governors in the country have adopted restrictions to slow the spread and have advised people to stay at home.

Mr Bolsonaro recently fired his popular health minister, Luiz Henrique Mandetta, after a series of disagreements over efforts to contain the virus.

"I know… life is priceless. But the economy and jobs must return to normal," Mr Bolsonaro said, as he introduced his new health minister, Nelson Teich, an advocate for reopening the economy.

The sacking of Mr Mandetta sparked widespread protests, with residents leaning out their windows to bang pots and pans.

Medical officials in Rio de Janeiro and at least four other major cities have warned that their hospital systems are on the verge of collapse or are too busy to take any more patients.

In Sao Paulo, the largest city in South America with over 21 million residents, death certificates were issued for 236 people who died at home over the past two weeks - double the number before the outbreak, according to the SAMU paramedic service.

Manaus, an Amazon city of 1.8 million, recorded 142 deaths on Sunday - the most yet - including 41 who died at home.

Mass graves are currently being dug by workers in the city's main cemetery.

Brazil's funeral industry warned last week that the city was running out of coffins and "there could soon be corpses left on corners".

Meanwhile, Chile's government has said it will issue certificates to people who have recovered from COVID-19, despite the World Health Organisation (WHO) saying there is "no evidence" that people who contract coronavirus are immune from being infected again.

Neighbouring Argentina has taken a serious stance on the pandemic, banning all commercial flights until September in one of the toughest coronavirus travel bans in the world.

Other South American countries including Ecuador and Peru have banned all commercial flights, but none have extended their timeline as far out as Argentina. Brazil has also imposed travel restrictions but not outright bans.

The worsening situation in Brazil comes as some US states and European countries are moving gradually to ease their limits on movement and commerce.

The US governors of Nevada and Colorado announced their states will join California, Oregon and Washington state in coordinating their reopenings.

Businesses have been allowed to reopen in the state of Georgia, with restaurants receiving the go-ahead to resume dine-in service as long as they follow social distancing rules.

Italy's prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, said measures would be relaxed from 4 May, with people being allowed to visit family members in small numbers.

Technology is also likely to play a role in helping countries ease their restrictions, with countries including Italy, France, Switzerland and the UK working on virus-tracking apps to trace infected people's contacts.

https://news.sky.com/story/coronavi...tspot-as-president-remains-in-denial-11979782

 

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Coronavirus: 'One billion' could become infected worldwide - report

One billion people could become infected with the coronavirus worldwide unless vulnerable countries are given urgent help, an aid group has warned.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) said financial and humanitarian aid were needed to help slow the global spread of the virus.

It said "fragile countries" such as Afghanistan and Syria needed "urgent funding" to avoid a major outbreak.

"There remains a small window of time to mount a robust response," it warned.

There have been more than 3m confirmed cases of Covid-19 worldwide with more than 200,000 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University in the US.

The IRC's report, which is based on models and data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and Imperial College London, estimated there could be between 500m and 1bn infections globally.

It also said there could be more than 3m deaths across dozens of conflict-affected and unstable countries.

"These numbers should serve as a wake-up call," said the head of the IRC, David Miliband.

"The full, devastating and disproportionate weight of this pandemic has yet to be felt in the world's most fragile and war-torn countries," he added. "The key now is for donors to urgently put flexible funding behind frontline efforts.

"Governments must work together to remove any impediment to humanitarian assistance."

The US-based group, which responds to humanitarian crises around the world, said factors such as household size, population density, healthcare capacity and pre-existing conflicts could all increase the risk of major outbreaks developing.

Many countries in the developing world have low official infection rates or death tolls - but the actual numbers are believed to be much higher.

Caroline Seguin, who manages programmes in Yemen for the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF), said the organisation believed people there were already dying from Covid 19 - just not in hospitals.

"We are convinced that there is local transmission ongoing but the capacity of testing is very, very low," she told the BBC.

Ms Seguin said Yemen, which was referenced in the IRC report as being particularly vulnerable to coronavirus, said the country had been weakened by recent outbreaks of cholera and measles.

"The health system is collapsing... and for sure the ministry of health is not able to cope with this disease," she said.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-52453640

 

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Portugal to end state of emergency

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has announced that Portugal's state of emergency will end on Sunday 2 May.

However, speaking Tuesday, he cautioned this was not the end of the national outbreak and stressed that reopening of the economy would be a slow and gradual process.

"What matters in this new phase is that the Portuguese know that containment remains important so we must take small steps and constantly evaluate (the situation)," he said at a news conference.

Portugal has recorded 24,322 coronavirus cases and 948 deaths.

A state of emergency has been in place since 18 March, with people told to stay home and travel restricted.

 

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BREAKING: France lockdown 'has saved 62,000 lives in a month'

Prime Minister Édouard Philippe says the country's lockdown measures in place have saved 62,000 lives over the space of a month.

Mr Philippe is currently outlining the government's plan to gradually ease the restrictions from 11 May. The plan will later be voted on my lawmakers.

Nearly 23,300 coronavirus-related deaths have been recorded in France, along with 165,842 confirmed cases.

 

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French prime minister unveils lockdown easing plan

French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe is giving a speech to parliament about the government's plans to ease lockdown restrictions.

The plan will be rolled out in different areas of France, but strict rules will remain in place in regions worst affected by the outbreak.

From 11 May, it's proposed that kindergartens and elementary schools will gradually reopen, followed by middle schools a week later. A decision will be made about high schools at the end of the month.

Shops and markets will also be allowed to reopen, but not bars and restaurants. Retailers will also be able to require customers to wear masks on their premises.

Mr Philippe stressed that the lockdown will not be eased unless the number of new infections in France drops to 3,000 a day by 11 May.

 

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French PM says it's time to emerge from virus lockdown

PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said a lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus has saved tens of thousands of lives but that it was time to ease the restrictions to stave off economic collapse.

The death toll in France passed 23,000 on Monday, the world’s fourth highest behind the United States, Italy and Spain.

But the government is now looking to take advantage of falling infection rates to rescue a free-falling economy, though Philippe said the French people would have to adapt to a new way of living.

“We are going to have to learn to live with the virus,” Philippe told parliament on Tuesday as he began outlining measures to gradually ease the lockdown. “We must learn to live with COVID-19 and to protect ourselves from it.”

Philippe’s government faces a delicate balancing act, keen to relieve the mounting frustration of people holed up in their homes since mid-March without heightening the risk of a second wave of infections if France moves too swiftly.

France would begin emerging from the lockdown on May 11, unless it was unsafe to do so, Philippe said.

“If the indicators are not right, we will not unwind the lockdown on May 11, or we will do it more strictly,” he said.

By then, France would have the capacity to conduct 700,000 tests per week, the prime minister continued. The state would cover the full cost of testing.

Philippe’s address will be followed by a debate and vote in the evening, with just 75 of the National Assembly’s 577 lawmakers sitting in the chamber to respect social distancing rules.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...emerge-from-virus-lockdown-idUSKCN22A1DU?il=0

 

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Italy's Covid-19 case tally tops 200,000, daily death toll rises

Deaths from the Covid-19 epidemic in Italy climbed by 382 against 333 the day before, Reuters quoted the country's Civil Protection Agency as saying on Tuesday.

The total number of people infected in Italy since the start of the outbreak topped 200,000.

The daily tally of new infections stood at 2,091, higher than the 1,739 recorded on Monday.

 

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Portugal to end state of emergency on Saturday

The president of Portugal has announced the country’s state of emergency to tackle the coronavirus pandemic will end at the weekend, AFP reports.

 

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France looks to reopen shops from 11 May and Portugal will end its state of emergency this Saturday. Here’s the latest from Europe:

Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told parliament in France how his country can slowly exit its lockdown restrictions. Shops, markets and primary schools will reopen from 11 May, but those who can work from home should continue to do so for three more weeks. “We must protect the French without immobilising France to the point that it collapses,” Mr Philippe said

But the measures are far from over. Museums are not expected to reopen until September, and the top two divisions of the French league will not resume this season

President Vladimir Putin has admitted there is a shortage of protective kit in Russia. “Despite increased production, imports, there’s a deficit of all sorts of things,” he said on Tuesday. Mr Putin added the country was facing “perhaps the most intense stage” of its outbreak

And Italy's total number of confirmed cases passed 200,000 on Tuesday. Current cases fell by 608, but there were 382 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours, up from 333 reported on Monday

 

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The US has confirmed one million virus cases, making up almost a third of the total global tally

With more than 58,000 deaths, more Americans have died with Covid-19 than died in the Vietnam War

China's parliament will meet again next month, a sign officials believe the virus is under control there

The US Congress has abandoned plans to return to Washington next week after lawmakers revolted

President Trump has ordered meat processing plants, which have become virus hotspots, to remain open

All staff and residents of UK care homes will be tested for the virus whether or not they have symptoms

France will make face masks compulsory on schools and public transport when it begins easing the lockdown

 

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Malaysia reported 94 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday with no new deaths, the health ministry said.

Reuters reports the country has so far recorded a total of 5,945 infections, with 100 fatalities.

 

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In Afghanistan, the health ministry has warned that the country is heading toward the peak of coronavirus as Kabul recorded its biggest one-day rise of new infections amid a war raging across the country.

The health ministry confirmed 110 new Covid-19 over past 24 hours, pushing total number of infections to 1,939. This was triggered by biggest one-day rise of infections in Kabul and continued surge of transmission in Kandahar.

 

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Coronavirus: Outcry as Spanish beach sprayed with bleach

Authorities in a Spanish coastal resort have apologised after spraying a beach with bleach in an attempt to protect children from coronavirus.

Zahara de los Atunes, near Cadiz, used tractors to spray more than 2km (1.2 miles) of beach with a bleach solution a day before Spain allowed children out of lockdown for the first time.

Environmentalists say the move caused "brutal damage" to the local ecosystem.

Spain has been badly affected by the coronavirus, with 23,800 deaths.

It recently announced a four-phase plan to lift its stringent lockdown measures and return to a "new normality" by the end of June.

María Dolores Iglesias, who heads an environmental volunteer group in the Cadiz region, said she had visited the beach at Zahara de los Atunes and seen the damage for herself.

She said the bleach "killed everything on the ground, nothing is seen, not even insects".

The beach and its dunes are protected breeding and nesting places for migratory birds and Ms Iglesias said she had seen at least one nest with eggs destroyed by the tractors.

"Bleach is used as a very powerful disinfectant, it is logical that it be used to disinfect streets and asphalt, but here the damage has been brutal," she told Spanish media.

"They have devastated the dune spaces and gone against all the rules. It has been an aberration what they have done, also taking into account that the virus lives in people not on the beach. It is crazy."

Ms Iglesias said that because of the lockdown, wildlife had been thriving on the beach.

"The beach has its own way of cleaning itself, it was not necessary," she said.

"They do not think that this is a living ecosystem, but a lot of land."

Local official Agustín Conejo admitted it was "a wrong move".

"I admit that it was a mistake, it was done with the best intention," he said.

Mr Conejo said they had wanted to protect children who were coming to see the sea after six weeks in confinement.

The Andalusian regional government is now considering fining the local authority for its action, El Pais newspaper reports.

Greenpeace in Spain drew a comparison with controversial statements by US President Donald Trump, who suggested that injecting patients with disinfectant might help treat coronavirus.

"Fumigating beaches in the middle of the breeding season for birds or the development of the invertebrate network that will support coastal fishing... is not one of Trump's ideas. It is happening in Zahara de los Atunes," it tweeted.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-52471208

 

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Germany extends travel ban

Germany is extending its travel ban for unnecessary international travel until 14 June.

Foreign Minister Heiko Maas says the warning, which had been due to expire 3 May, is being extended because there has been no change to the danger posed by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Naturally we all hope we won’t need this travel warning after June 14," Mass said.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, Germany currently has 159,912 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 6,314 deaths from the virus.

 

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Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has has extended a ban on foreigners entering Russia until the Covid-19 pandemic is contained. The ban would have expired on Friday.

Exceptions will be made for some visitors, such as foreigners entering Russia to set up or service imported equipment, Mishustin said.

Russia has reported 108 Covid-19 new deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total toll to 972.

The total number of cases reported by the Russian authorities since the start of the outbreak stands at 99,399.

 

[Saj]

Latest from Canada

On Wednesday, Canadians pondered safety in the meat industry, while a new report shed light on the sad outcomes of a health-care system with a one-track mind.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he did not want to pit worker safety against the food supply. "The priority for us is both things," he said. On Tuesday, Donald Trump declared that meatpacking plants must stay open, despite concerns over worker safety

Later, a Cargill meat-processing plant responsible for Canada's largest outbreak announced it would re-open

Mr Trudeau met with parliament to try and push through a C$9bn ($6.5bn, £5.2bn) student aid package for university studentsA report says that at least 35 Canadians have died because of coronavirus-related delays to coronary surgery. Thousands of surgeries have been cancelled or delayed to make room for a surge in coronavirus patients in hospitals

Covid-19 has killed 2,984 people in Canada, with almost 80% of deaths occurring in long-term care and seniors homes

 

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South Korea recorded no new domestically transmitted cases of Covid-19 on Wednesday - four new cases were all imported

It's a major milestone for the country, which had been among the worst affected by Covid-19

There is "clear-cut" evidence that a drug called Remdesivir can help people recover, say US officials

The full details have not yet been published and experts say it is not a "magic bullet"

The US economy had its most severe contraction in more than a decade in the first quarter of the year

India says millions of people stranded by a nationwide lockdown can now return to their home states

War-torn Yemen records its first two coronavirus deaths, amid warnings it is ill-prepared for widespread infection

UK PM Boris Johnson is set to lead a Cabinet meeting for the first time since recovering from the virus

There have been more than 3.1 million confirmed cases worldwide and a quarter of a million deaths of people with Covid-19

 

[MenInG]