The United States could become the global epicentre of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization said, as India announced a full 24-hour, nationwide lockdown in the world’s second-most populous country.
As of 07.15 this morning more than 434,654 people have been infected across the world and over 19,604 have died but at the same time 111,854 people have recovered.
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN NUMBERS (updated continuously)
TRACKING THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS
All the latest news in brief as it happens
12.39 EU can cover only 10% of demand for medical gear, ventilators with standard supply
European Union states are able to address only 10% of current demand for personal protective equipment and other medical devices, such as ventilators, against the coronavirus using traditional supply chains, an internal EU document showed on Wednesday.
Internal estimates from the European executive commission “show that the traditional supply will only be able to serve ca. 10% of the demand”,” the Commission said in the document, dated 25 March and seen by Reuters.
12.38 Britain’s Prince Charles tests positive for coronavirus
Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for coronavirus, a spokeswoman said.
12.10 Saudi king approves measures to limit outbreak
The Saudi king has approved of a number of measures to limit the spread of the pandemic.
A curfew will be imposed in Riyadh,Mecca and Medina as of 3.00pm while he has also banned the movement between the kingdom’s 13 regions.
12.05 Lagarde asked euro zone ministers to consider one-off ‘coronabonds’ issue- officials
The head of the European Central Bank Christine Lagarde asked euro zone finance ministers at a videoconference on Tuesday evening to seriously consider a one-off joint debt issue of “coronabonds” to help fight the epidemic, two officials said.
“She said that we should seriously think about it, next to the use of the ESM (bailout fund) instruments. The Eurogroup did not discuss debt mutualisation at this stage,” one official involved in the meeting said.
A second official confirmed that Lagarde put forward the idea, but said it ran into opposition from Germany, the Netherlands and other northern European countries that have long been against any joint debt issuance.
“She clearly said it should be a ‘one-off’ issuance,” the second official involved in the meeting said.
11.59 Malaysia’s medical glove makers warn of chronic shortage, cost increases
The rubber glove manufacturers association of Malaysia, the world’s largest maker of medical gloves, on Wednesday warned of a chronic shortage of gloves after a surge in demand from hospitals swamped with coronavirus patients.
The Malaysian Rubber Gloves Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) also said production would be cut because of a virtual one-month lockdown in the country, during which they are allowed to operate with only 50% staff.
“Production costs will increase tremendously by at least 25 to 30% … Fortunately, buyers are aware of this cost factor and have come forward to assist and cooperate to bear the cost as well,” it said in a statement.
11.51 Iran coronavirus toll rises to 2,077 after 143 new deaths
An Iranian health ministry official said on Wednesday that 2,077 people had died so far from the new coronavirus in Iran, with 143 deaths recorded in the past 24 hours.
The total number of people infected with the coronavirus has climbed to 27,017, Alireza Vahabzadeh tweeted.
11.49 Netherlands coronavirus transmission rate slowed, top health official says
The head of the Netherlands’ National Institute of Health (RIVM) said on Wednesday that based on its best estimates, growth in coronavirus transmissions had significantly slowed.
In testimony before a parliamentary commission, Jaap van Dissel said the institute’s best estimate was that currently one infected person was infecting around one other person.
That means “the exponential growth of the outbreak has in all probability been brought to a halt,” Van Dissel said.
11.24 Hanoi to close all non-essential services to curb coronavirus spread
All unnecessary services in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, have been ordered to shut down as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the city’s ruling body said on Wednesday.
Hanoi has also called on places of worship not to organise events with large numbers of people, and to limit public gatherings, the Hanoi People’s Committee said in a statement.
11.17 160-year-old Vatican newspaper succumbs to coronavirus
The Vatican daily L’Osservatore Romano, which Pope Francis has jokingly called “the party newspaper”, suspended printing for only the third time in nearly 160 years on Wednesday due to the coronavirus.
The paper, which was founded in 1861, will continue publishing online and most of its staff of about 60, including 20 journalists, will work from home, editor Andrea Monda said.
“A newspaper and the paper on which it is printed are inextricably intertwined so it sad that this is happening but the reality is that we are all facing a crisis,” Monda told Reuters.
11.15 Tokyo posts biggest daily jump in coronavirus infections – Japanese media
More than 40 cases of coronavirus infections were reported in Tokyo on Wednesday, Japanese media reported, the biggest one-day increase in Japan’s capital which has overtaken much smaller cities to become the country’s epicentre of the virus.
Wednesday’s infections increases the total cases in Tokyo to around 200.
11.11 Philippines’ coronavirus infections reach 636, deaths up by 3
The Philippines’ health ministry on Wednesday reported 84 new coronavirus cases and three deaths.
The latest information brought total infections in the Philippines to 636, and deaths to 38, the health ministry said in its bulletin.
11.10 Indonesia reports 105 new coronavirus cases, three more deaths
Indonesia has confirmed 105 new coronavirus cases, bringing the Southeast Asian country’s total to 790, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto said on Wednesday.
Three more people had died, taking the total number of deaths to 58, he said, adding 31 people had recovered from the virus.
The official said Tuesday’s total had been revised down one to 685 after a patient was counted twice.
10.52 Coronavirus cases in Russia reach 658, record daily rise – government
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has surged to 658, with new daily cases at a record 163, the government’s official coronavirus website showed on Wednesday.
An earlier report on one of Russia’s coronavirus monitoring websites had said the number of total cases was 516.
10.50 Israelis told to keep within 100m from home for recreation
Israelis hoping for a stroll or jog were instructed on Wednesday to stay within 100 metres (110 yards) of their homes for a week under tightened restrictions to curb the coronavirus.
Israel has confirmed more than 2,000 cases and five fatalities so far.
The new restrictions further reduced public transport, required employers to check workers for fever and set sanctions for people who defy rules.
Israelis have been instructed to stay home where possible, schools have been shut and many businesses have closed, prompting more than 500,000 layoffs so far.
10.48 German minister: We must prevent sale or break-up of our key firms
Germany must protect its economic structure during the coronavirus crisis and prevent the sell-off or break-up of key companies, Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht told the Handelsblatt business daily.
“It is imperative that we protect the economic structure of our country during the crisis and prevent the sale or break-up of important companies,” Lambrecht said.
“To this end, the state is prepared to take stakes in companies, even partially or fully, if this should become necessary,” she added.
10.35 French coronavirus death tally much higher than official data – hospitals chief
The number of people in France who have died from coronavirus is much higher than the official daily government tally, which only accounts for those dying in hospitals and does not include those dying at home or in retirement homes, the head of the hospitals federation said.
“We only know the data provided by hospitals… The increase in the official data is already major, but the absolute numbers would no doubt be effectively much higher if we aggregated what is happening in retirement homes as well as the people who die at home,” Frederic Valletoux, president of the French hospitals federation, said on France Info radio.
10.03 Thai lockdown sparks exodus of 60,000 migrant workers
About 60,000 migrant workers living in Thailand have fled the country since authorities shut malls and many businesses at the weekend to curb the spread of the coronavirus, a Thai interior ministry official said on Wednesday.
Thailand has closed its land borders, told people to stay at home, and shuttered most businesses in an effort to suppress the virus. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is set to invoke sweeping emergency powers on Thursday.
09.30 More than 158,000 volunteer to help UK fight coronavirus – ITV
More than 158,000 people have signed up to help Britain’s National Health Service tackle the coronavirus outbreak just hours after a request for a quarter of a million volunteers, ITV said.
The health ministry and National Health Service declined immediate comment.
The death toll from coronavirus in the United Kingdom jumped on Tuesday by 87 to a total of 422 – the biggest daily increase since the crisis began.
09.46 Austrian banks well-positioned to weather crisis – ONB
The Austrian National Bank (ONB) said on Wednesday the country’s lenders are well-positioned to weather the economic impact of the coronavirus crisis and to support the real economy.
“Austrian banks in recent years have built up capital buffers that can be used in the current situation to maintain credit supply for companies and households,” the ONB said in a statement.
09.29 UK parliament set to close for at least four weeks on Wednesday
Britain’s parliament is set to suspend sitting for at least four weeks from Wednesday as part of the government’s efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Parliament was due to close for a three-week Easter break from March 31, but a motion on Wednesday’s order paper proposes that it starts a week early, as fears grow that politicians and staff are being put at risk by continuing to work there.
It had already closed to visitors and reduced the number of lawmakers allowed in the House of Commons chamber to allow them to sit more spaced out in accordance with guidance on social distancing.
08.38 Kazakhstan imports fresh coronavirus cases from Russia, Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan’s tally of coronavirus infections rose to 79 on Wednesday, boosted by new cases in its southernmost and northernmost provinces, despite authorities’ efforts to confine the disease to two major cities.
Among those who tested positive were one each in Shymkent, the biggest southern city, the southern province of Zhambyl, and the province of North Kazakhstan bordering Russia.
One had recently arrived from neighbouring Kyrgyzstan, while another returned from the Russian city of Omsk, authorities in the oil-exporting Central Asian nation said.
08.28 Number of coronavirus cases in Germany rises to 31,554 – RKI
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Germany has risen to 31,554 and 149 people have died of the disease, statistics from the RKI health institute showed on Wednesday.
Cases rose by 4,191 while the death toll climbed by 36, the tally showed.
08.24 South Africa’s number of coronavirus cases has risen to 709, from 554 on Tuesday, health minister Zweli Mkhize said on Wednesday.
“We are now at 709 cases,” he said, speaking on local news channel SABC.
08.10 Taiwan reports 19 new coronavirus cases, total now 235
Taiwan’s government announced 19 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, all imported, bringing the total number of infected people on the island to 235.
Taiwan also reported one extra case late on Tuesday, in addition to the 20 new cases it announced earlier that same day.
08.02 Mainland China reports drop in new imported coronavirus cases, no local transmissions
Mainland China reported a drop in new confirmed coronavirus cases on Wednesday as imported infections fell and no locally transmitted infections were reported, including in central Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak in China.
China is ramping up quarantine and screening rules for all international arrivals due to the risks from imported cases.
07.38 Malaysia extends movement curbs to April 14 as virus cases surge
Malaysia’s prime minister on Wednesday extended a two-week virtual lockdown to April 14 as coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country, which has the highest number of infections in Southeast Asia.
Muhyiddin Yassin said the country had 172 new coronavirus cases as of Wednesday noon, taking the total to 1796, with 17 deaths. The original restrictions were until March 31.
He also said that he will announce a comprehensive people-oriented economic stimulus package on Friday. (Reporting by Rozanna Latiff;
07.15 Japan’s capital becomes centre of its coronavirus epidemic
Japan’s capital of Tokyo is at the centre of its coronavirus epidemic with more cases than any other region after a record number in a single day, data from public broadcaster NHK showed.
Tokyo registered a record 17 new cases on Tuesday, taking its tally to 171, and overtaking the hard-hit northern island of Hokkaido island as the prefecture with the most infections, NHK reported.
The outbreak has infected 1,214 people in Japan as of late Wednesday morning, with 43 deaths linked to the virus, NHK said. That excludes 712 cases from a cruise ship moored near Tokyo last month.
07.14 Agreement on massive U.S. coronavirus response bill – Trump aide
U.S. senators and Trump administration officials have reached an agreement on a massive economic stimulus bill to alleviate the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak, White House official Eric Ueland said early on Wednesday.
“We have a deal,” Ueland told reporters after days of negotiations on a stimulus package expected to be worth $2 trillion.
07.24 Thailand records 107 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 934 – health official
Thailand has recorded 107 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 934, a health official said on Wednesday.
The new cases consist of 27 patients linked to previous cases, 13 new cases including imported ones, and 67 people who tested positive and are awaiting investigation into how they contracted the disease, Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a Public Health Ministry spokesman said.
Thailand has recorded four death since the outbreak while 70 patients have recovered and gone home. 860 patients are still being treated in hospitals.
05.09 India bans export of key malaria drug
The Indian government said on Wednesday that it is banning the export of hydroxychloroquine and formulations made from the medication, as experts test the efficacy of the drug in helping treat patients infected with COVID-19.
There are currently no approved treatments, or preventive vaccines for COVID-19, the highly contagious, sometimes deadly respiratory illness caused by the new coronavirus. Researchers are studying existing treatments and working on experimental ones, but most current patients receive only supportive care such as breathing assistance.
Hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug, is among the medications that are being tested, as a potential treatment for patients with the disease. Earlier this week, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), which maintains a list of drug shortages, said hydroxychloroquine was in shortage.
04.43 Death toll in Peru hits 7 as coronavirus spreads
The death toll from coronavirus in Peru hit 7 on Tuesday after a 38-year-old man died after he contracted the disease while on a trip to Canada, the country’s Ministry of Health said.
The ministry said the man, who recently returned to Peru, died after being admitted to a Lima hospital on Monday for respiratory failure. He was found to be suffering from atypical pneumonia, it added.
The ministry also reported the death of a 66-year-old woman from coronavirus, who had returned from Spain on March 14 and died of acute respiratory failure and pneumonia.
03.21 Mexico reports rise in coronavirus cases to 405, one more death
Mexico has a total of 405 coronavirus cases in the country as of Tuesday, up from 367 a day earlier, the health ministry said, with a total of five deaths. Previously, the country had reported four deaths.
03.20 S.Korea reports 100 new coronavirus cases, total 9,137 -KCDC
South Korea reported 100 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing its total infections to 9,137, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
03.19 New Zealand PM Ardern declares national emergency
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared a state of national emergency as the country prepares to go into a complete lockdown at midnight to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
“Its a state of emergency to preserve our way of life,” Ardern said in a speech in parliament on Wednesday, declaring a state of national emergency. The country will go into its highest level of alert from midnight.
The number of COVID-19 cases in New Zealand rose to 205, authorities announced earlier in the day.
01.39 Panama extends curfew, requires full-day quarantine, 98 new cases
Panama’s President Laurentino Cortizo said on Tuesday he would extend a curfew aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus and require people to be in quarantine at all hours beginning on Wednesday.
He said there would be “logical exceptions” including for health workers and certain businesses such as banks and supermarkets.
The number of cases increased by 98 to reach 443.
00.01 Libya confirms first coronavirus case
Libya’s National Centre for Disease Control, which operates across areas held by both sides in the conflict, confirmed the country’s first case of the coronavirus in a statement on Tuesday.
REUTERS