Monday – 12.24 : More than 3,004,887 people have been infected across the world and over 207,257 have died but at the same time 882,909 people have recovered.
THE PANDEMIC IN NUMBERS
INFECTED CASESDEATHS DUE TO THE VIRUS
USA 987,322 USA 55,415
SPAIN 226,629 ITALY 26,644
ITALY 197,675 SPAIN 23,190
FRANCE 162,100 FRANCE 22,856
GERMANY 157,770UK 20,732
WORLDOMETER CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN NUMBERS (Updated continuously)
REUTERS TRACKING THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS
REUTERS TRACKING THE SPREAD IN THE USA
All the latest news in brief as it happens
18:55 WHO chief says pandemic far from over, worried about children
The head of the World Health Organization warned on Monday that the new coronavirus pandemic was far from over and said that he was “deeply concerned” about the impact of the disruption of normal health services, especially on children.
“The pandemic is far from over,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, adding that the body was concerned about increasing trends in Africa, eastern Europe, Latin America and some Asian countries. “We have a long road ahead of us and a lot of work to do,” he said.
18:29 Pace of Canada’s death toll slows further
Canada’s death toll from the coronavirus grew by less than 10% for the eighth day in a row, data showed on Monday, and Canada’s most populous province prepared to explain how it intends to restart its economy.
The total number of people killed by the coronavirus in Canada rose by 5% to 2,617 in a day, figures posted by the public health agency showed on Monday.
16:27 England hospital death toll rises 329 to 18,749
A further 329 people have died of the novel coronavirus in English hospitals, bringing the total to 18,749, health officials said on Monday.
Of the 329, 22 had no known underlying health condition and were aged between 29 and 89 years old.
16:03 Argentina blocks commercial flight sales until September
Argentina has banned until September ticket sales for commercial flights, according to a decree published on Monday, in a new measure the government said is part of its coronavirus response.
While the country’s borders have been closed since March, the new decree goes a step further in preventing until September 1 the sale and purchasing of commercial flights to, from, or within Argentina.
14.33 Trump administration eyes U.S. factory protocols amid coronavirus
The Trump administration is focusing on protocols to keep U.S. factories open as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus outbreak, including screening workers for potential cases, White House adviser Peter Navarro said on Monday.
“We’re trying to figure out the best protocols to keep our factories going,” Navarro said in an interview on Fox News. “We’re going to have to use appropriate protocols, different social distancing. You’re going to have to reconfigure factories. You’re going to have to use things like thermoscanners to check fever as they come in.”
14.23 Indian medical body asks states to stop using COVID-19 test kits from 2 Chinese firms
India’s federal medical research agency on Monday asked state government to stop using coronavirus testing equipment brought from China because of conflicting results.
More than half a million kits for testing for antibodies to coronavirus were ordered from China this month as a way to ramp up India’s screening. But the Indian Council of Medical Research said several states had complained about the quality of the equipment from two firms and these need to be sent back to China.
14.21 Norwegian Air could soon run out of cash
Norwegian Air could run out of cash by mid-May unless its proposed financial rescue plan is approved by creditors and shareholders, the budget carrier warned on Monday.
If bondholders, leasing companies and shareholders give a green light, the plan may help Norwegian survive the coronavirus outbreak, which has grounded 95% of its fleet, leaving just seven aircraft in operation.
But the planned swap of up to $1.2 billion worth up debt into equity will hand majority ownership of 53.1% to the company’s lessors, while bondholders would own 41.7%, leaving current shareholders with just 5.2%, the airline said.
14.18 Belgian COVID-19 hospital entries at lowest since lockdown start
Belgian hospitals 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.
In an encouraging sign, the number of hospital admissions, a key number to monitor the disease’s evolution, fell to 127 on Sunday, the lowest level since March 18. 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.
13.44 Italy bishops scold government for excluding Mass from lockdown easing
Italy’s Roman Catholic Church has reprimanded the government for not allowing the faithful to return to Masses at the start of a gradual staged end to Europe’s longest coronavirus lockdown.
Masses have been banned since early March when Italy closed most commercial activities apart from essentials.
A timetable given on Sunday by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said funerals could resume from May 4 but must be limited to 15 people and held outdoors if possible.
The timetable for May 4 to June 1 made no mention of Masses.
12.58 Iran death toll from new coronavirus outbreak rises by 96 to 5,806 – health ministry official
The death toll from the outbreak of new coronavirus in Iran rose by 96 in the past twenty four hours to 5,806, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Monday.
The total number of diagnosed cases of new coronavirus in Iran, one of the countries hardest hit by the outbreak in the Middle East, has reached 91,472, he said.
12.13 Spain’s daily coronavirus death toll picks up slightly
The number of daily fatalities from the novel coronavirus reported in Spain rose on Monday to 331, up from 288 the previous day, the health ministry said.
The overall death toll caused by the disease rose to 23,521 from 23,190 the day before. The total number of diagnosed cases rose to 209,465 from 207,634 the day before.
12.10 Indonesia reports 214 new coronavirus infections, 22 deaths
Indonesia’s number of reported cases of the coronavirus has risen by 214 to 9,096, health ministry official Achmad Yurianto said on Monday.
Death rose by 22 to 765 while 1,151 people have recovered, Yurianto said.
More than 59,000 people have been tested in Indonesia.
11.37 Malaysia reports 40 new coronavirus cases, one new death
Malaysia reported 40 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus on Monday, taking the cumulative total to 5,820 infections.
The health ministry also reported one new death, raising the total number of fatalities from the outbreak to 99.
11.18 UK PM Johnson thanks Britons for abiding by lockdown on return to work
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson thanked Britons for abiding by the lockdown as he returned to work on Monday after recovering from a serious COVID-19 infection.
“Everyday I know that this virus brings new sadness and mourning to households across the land and it is still true that this is the biggest single challenge this country has faced since the war,” Johnson said outside his Downing Street office
11.17 Philippines’ coronavirus death toll rises to 511, cases up to 7,777 – ministry
The Philippines on Monday reported 198 new coronavirus cases and 10 more deaths, bringing 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.
11.06 French Grand Prix cancelled due to pandemic
The French Formula One Grand Prix scheduled for June 28 at Le Castellet has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organisers said in a statement on Monday.
The Formula One season has yet to start and the race at the southern circuit is the 10th to be affected by the new coronavirus.
11.02 Russia’s coronavirus cases rise to 87,147, surpass China’s
Russia reported 6,198 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Monday versus 6,361 on the previous day, which took the national tally of infections to 87,147.
The Russian coronavirus crisis response centre said that 50 more deaths of coronavirus patients were confirmed in the last 24 hours.
In the number of confirmed coronavirus cases, Russia surpassed mainland China, which reported the total of 82,830 cases on Monday.
10.51 Indonesia sees rate of coronavirus infections lower by June – task force chief
Indonesia expects the rate of coronavirus infections to fall by June, its COVID-19 task force chief Doni Monardo said on Monday.
“The President has asked that we work harder, for the people to obey and be more disciplined, and for the authorities to be more stern so that by June, we’re hoping we can lower the infections in Indonesia. In July, we’re hoping to resume our normal lives,” Monardo said after a cabinet meeting.
10.39 European shares rise on airline surge, upbeat earnings
European shares rose on Monday, as airline stocks soared on hopes of state support, while a slew of upbeat earnings added to optimism over signs many countries would soon ease tough lockdown measures.
Shares of Lufthansa jumped 7.2%, with Berlin expected to decide on state support, while Air France KLM rose 5.2% after the government said it would give a 7-billion-euros ($7.6 billion) aid package.
Positive quarterly reports also helped. German drugs and pesticides company gained 2.8% and Deutsche Bank jumped 7.7% after their first-quarter earnings topped market expectations.
The pan-European STOXX 600 rose 1.7% by 0720 GMT, following gains in Asian markets after the Bank of Japan pledged to buy unlimited amount of bonds to keep borrowing costs low.
10.32 China says it is a victim of COVID-19 disinformation, not an initiator
China said on Monday it is a victim of COVID-19 disinformation and not an instigator, responding to a question about a European Union report that alleged China was spreading disinformation about the outbreak.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang made the remarks during a daily press briefing.
10.15 Singapore confirms 799 new coronavirus cases
Singapore has confirmed 799 more coronavirus infections, its health ministry said on Monday, taking the city-state’s tally of cases to 14,423.
Most of the new cases are among migrant workers living in dormitories in the city-state, which has among the highest number of coronavirus infections in Asia.
9.24 UK PM Johnson ‘back in the driving seat’, junior minister says
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is back in the driving seat after recovering from COVID-19 though it is still too early to lift the coronavirus lockdown, a junior health minister said on Monday.
“He will be back in the driving seat as we speak, getting on with the job,” said Edward Argar, a junior health minister, told Sky.
“He is raring to be back and he is full of energy as you would expect and I think he will be meeting this morning with senior ministers, senior advisers and being brought fully up to speed on everything that has happened and that will happen in the coming days,” he said.
9.14 Kazakhstan starts easing coronavirus-related restrictions
Kazakhstan will ease some coronavirus-related restrictions in the coming days despite extending its state of emergency until May 11, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said on Monday.
The Central Asian nation will, in particular, renew flights between its two major cities from May 1, he said in a statement. The state of emergency declared due to the pandemic was due to end on April 30.
9.05 No decision yet on state aid for Germany’s Lufthansa – minister
Berlin will decide on state support for Lufthansa once the country’s largest airline applies for aid and all facts are on the table, the German Economy Minister said on Monday.
“We want large and important companies that play a role in the world market to remain competitive after the crisis,” Peter Altmaier told public radio Deutschlandfunk.
He added that companies receiving state aid must suspend their dividends and show restraint on management bonuses.
8.49 Thailand reports nine new coronavirus cases, one new death
Thailand on Monday reported nine new coronavirus cases and one death, bringing the country’s totals to 2,931 cases and 52 fatalities.
It is the first time since the outbreak started in January that there have been no new local transmissions reported in Bangkok, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
Of the new cases, three were linked to previous cases, two are arrivals from overseas that have been under state quarantined, and four others were reported from the southern province of Yala, where the authorities are aggressively testing the population due to high infection rates.
8.27 Asia’s mosques deserted as coronavirus keeps Ramadan faithful away
It is a Ramadan like never before for Muslims across Asia as mosques that would normally be packed for prayers are deserted and in some places locked up as governments enforced measures to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.
At Indonesia’s main Istiqlal mosque, the biggest in Southeast Asia, the call to evening Maghib prayers and a message asking people to pray at home echo in the empty hall – a stark contrast to last year when thousands thronged in to pray.
Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, has confirmed 8,882 cases of the coronavirus and at least 743 people have died.
In Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, the gates of the Mayor Mohammad Hanif Jame Mosque were padlocked.
7.08 Germany reports 1,018 new coronavirus cases, 110 more deaths
The number of Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 1,018 to 155,193, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Monday.
The death toll rose by 110 to 5,750, according to the tally.
3.53 Australians rush to download coronavirus tracing app
More than a million Australians rushed to download an app designed to help medical workers and state governments trace close contacts of COVID-19 patients, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s approval rating soared on his pandemic response.
Australia has been one of the most successful countries in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, recording just 83 deaths and 6,700 cases, due to border closures, movement restrictions and a stay-at-home policy. It has lowered its infection rate to currently around 1% from 25% in March.
3.49 China reports 3 new mainland coronavirus cases on April 26, 2 imported
China reported three new confirmed coronavirus cases on April 26, down from 11 a day earlier, with no new deaths, the country’s health authority said on Monday.
Of the new cases, two were imported, down from five imported cases on the previous day, the National Health Commission said in its daily bulletin.
There was one case of local infection in the northeastern border province of Heilongjiang.
China also reported 25 new asymptomatic coronavirus cases on the mainland on April 26, compared to 30 a day earlier.
3.19 El Salvador authorizes use of lethal force against gangs
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele on Sunday authorized the use of “lethal force” by police and military against gang members to crack down on heightened violence amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The Central American country reported 24 homicides on Friday, the worst one-day toll since Bukele took office in June, prompting him to order a 24-hour lockdown in prisons housing gang members.
By late afternoon on Sunday, police had registered another 29 murders, prompting Bukele to introduce tougher measures against gangs he said were taking advantage of the fact security forces were busy helping to contain the virus outbreak.
3.16 Mexico coronavirus infections rise to 14,677 cases and 1,351 deaths
Mexico’s health ministry on Sunday reported 835 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infections and 46 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 14,677 cases and 1,351 deaths.
The government has said the real number of infected people is significantly higher than the confirmed cases.
2.39 Panama coronavirus cases advance to 5,779, deaths reach 165
Confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in Panama reached 5,779 on Sunday, a rise of 241 from the previous day, and deaths climbed by six to 165, the health ministry said.
Director of Epidemiology Lourdes Moreno announced the Central American country’s latest data at a news conference.
00.17 Airbus survival at stake without immediate action -CEO memo
Airbus Chief Executive Guillaume Faury has told the European planemaker’s 135,000 staff to brace for potentially deeper job cuts after warning its survival is at stake without immediate action to save cash amid the coronavirus crisis.
In a letter to staff on Friday, seen by Reuters, Faury said Airbus was “bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed” and that a recent drop of a third or more in production rates did not reflect the worst-case scenario and would be kept under review.
00.12 UK’s Johnson could ease lockdown before May 7 deadline – The Telegraph
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce plans for easing the lockdown as early as this week after he returned to Downing Street on Sunday night, the Telegraph reported.
Johnson is due to be back at work on Monday after spending a week in hospital with COVID-19 and two weeks recovering at his country residence.
What happened on Sunday, April 26
EUROPE
- Italy reported 260 more deaths on Sunday, the smallest daily tally since March 14, and said it plans to allow factories and building sites to reopen from May 4 and permit limited family visits.
- British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to announce plans for easing a month-old lockdown as early as this week after he returned to Downing Street on Sunday night, the Telegraph reported.
- Death toll in France increased by 242 to 22,856.
- A group of 25 Dutch high school students arrived back in the Netherlands in a two-mast schooner on Sunday, as airline restrictions forced them to sail it home from the Caribbean.
- Total cases in Turkey rose by 2,357 in the past 24 hours, and 99 more people have died.
AMERICAS
- Total infections in the United States were more than 970,000 and the death toll stood at 54,822, according to a Reuters tally as of 0200 GMT on Monday.
- Colorado, Mississippi, Minnesota, Montana and Tennessee were set to join other states in reopening businesses, while Oklahoma governor called on U.S. President Donald Trump to declare the pandemic an “act of God”.
- The U.S. government notified lenders on Sunday that it will cap how much each bank can lend under the emergency loan program. * Argentina will extend a mandatory nationwide quarantine period until May 10, while Honduras will extend the blanket curfew by one week until 2100 GMT on May 3.
- Mexico reported 835 new cases and 46 additional fatalities. It also returned most occupants in government migrant centres to their countries of origin.
- Confirmed cases in Panama reached 5,779 on Sunday, a rise of 241 from the previous day, and deaths climbed by six to 165.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
- China reported three new cases on April 26, down from 11 a day earlier, while there were 25 new asymptomatic cases on April 26. Total cases in mainland China stand at 82,830.
- Japan’s Osaka Prefecture said it will name and shame more pachinko parlour gambling outlets that are defying coronavirus lockdown requests.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to comply with a nationwide lockdown and social distancing measures on Sunday, a day after some of the world’s toughest restrictions were eased slightly while cases of COVID-19 continued to mount.
- More than a million Australians rushed to download an app designed to help authorities trace close contacts of COVID-19 patients.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
- Egypt has asked the International Monetary Fund for financial support and will begin talks with it within days.
- Iran plans to reopen mosques in parts of the country that have been consistently free of the outbreak.
- Saudi Arabia eased curfews across the country, while keeping 24-hour curfews in Mecca and in neighbourhoods previously put in isolation.
- Israel permitted some businesses to reopen and said it would consider allowing children back to school.
- South Africa is seeking 95 billion rand ($4.99 billion) from multilateral lenders to help it fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
ECONOMIC FALLOUT
- Virgin Atlantic is still talking with the British government about a bailout package to cope with the devastating effects of the pandemic on travel as well as focusing on private sector funding, a company spokeswoman told Reuters.
- Mexico’s Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex) is asking some staff to take pay cuts of 25% until December to help the heavily-indebted state oil firm weather the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and slumping crude prices, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
- Global equity benchmarks struggled on Friday as some U.S. states began reopening businesses despite the disapproval of health experts, and as the European Union put off addressing details of its new economic rescue plan.