As of 12.56 am more than 2,013,581 people have been infected across the world and over 127,587 have died but at the same time 491,599 people have recovered.
The USA is now the country with the most infected cases (614,246) ahead of Spain (174,060) who overtook Italy (162,488) last week. France and Germany follow with 143,300 and 132,210 cases respectively
Confirmed deaths by country:
USA: 26,064
Italy: 21,067
Spain: 18,255
France: 15,729
UK: 12,107
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK IN NUMBERS (updated continuously)
TRACKING THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS
THE VIRUS IN THE USA
All the latest news in brief as it happens
15:00 Dutch coronavirus cases rise by 734 to 28,153 – authorities
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the Netherlands rose by 734 to 28,153, health authorities said on Wednesday, with 189 new deaths.
The total death toll in the country is 3,134, the Netherlands’ Institute for Public Health (RIVM) said in its daily update.
14:56 French PM promises 1,500 euro coronavirus bonus for healthcare workers
French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said on Wednesday healthcare staff in France’s most stricken areas by the new coronavirus would receive a bonus of 1,500 euros ($1,637)as well as higher pay than usual for their extra hours.
14:08 Swiss coronavirus death toll nears 1,000, positive tests still rising
The Swiss death toll from the new coronavirus has reached 973, the country’s public health ministry said on Wednesday, rising from 900 people on Tuesday.
The number of positive tests also increased to 26,336 from 25,834 on Tuesday, it said.
13.55 Vietnam to extend coronavirus lockdown in 12 provinces for 7 days
Vietnam will extend its coronavirus lockdown in 12 provinces, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, for seven days, although restrictions will be lifted in some areas outside of the Southeast Asian country’s main cities, state media reported on Wednesday.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the decision at a meeting on Wednesday, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported, adding that those 12 provinces were highly prone to the new coronavirus, which has infected 267 people in the country, but no deaths.
13.54 Poland to up public debt to stimulate economy amidst coronavirus – PM
Poland will increase its public debt to bolster its coronavirus-hit economy, Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said on Wednesday.
“We will definitely increase public debt, because today’s state budget and public debt are the main tools to stimulate the economy,” Morawiecki told a news conference.
He gave no details.
13.26 EU “deeply regrets” Trump’s cut to WHO funding, says unjustified
The European Union joined worldwide condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt funding to the World Health Organization, saying on Wednesday it was unjustified during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Deeply regret U.S. decision to suspend funding to WHO. There is no reason justifying this move at a moment when their efforts are needed more than ever,” EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said on Twitter.
13.13 Russia looking into UN global ceasefire proposal
Russian diplomats were looking into a global ceasefire proposal put forward by the UN chief over the coronavirus crisis, the Kremlin spokesman said on Wednesday.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres last month called for a ceasefire in conflicts around the globe so the world can focus on fighting the coronavirus pandemic.
“Obviously, the work is under way… The diplomats are working. As soon as the work is completed and agreed with the partners, corresponding statements will be announced,” the spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters.
13.10 Kremlin rejects coronavirus criticism after China imports cases from Russia
The Kremlin on Wednesday rejected criticism of Russia’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak after China said its largest source of new, imported cases, had come from transmissions in its far northeast, bordering Russia.
China’s northeastern province of Heilongjiang has become a front line in the fight to keep out imported cases as infected Chinese nationals return overland from Russia.
12.59 Iran’s coronavirus death toll rises to 4777 – health official
Iran’s new coronavirus death toll rose to 4777 on Wednesday, health ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV.
Ninety four people died in the past twenty four hours, he said.
Iran, the Middle Eastern country hardest hit by the outbreak, has a total of 76,389 people infected, Jahanpur said.
12.49 EU eyes mass investment through next budget to restart growth
The European Union’s next long-term budget should be used to sponsor economic recovery after the coronavirus pandemic, the heads of the bloc’s Brussels-based institutions said on Wednesday.
EU leaders’ chairman, European Council President Charles Michel, said the bloc’s 27 national heads of states and governments will discuss during a videoconference summit on April 23 reworking their plans for their 2021-27 joint budget.
European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said: “The next European budget has to be the European answer to the corona crisis.”
12.48 Malaysia reports 85 new coronavirus cases, with one new death
Malaysia on Wednesday reported 85 new cases of coronavirus, the lowest daily rise since the government imposed curbs to limit the virus’ spread on March 18, taking the total number of infections to 5,072.
The health ministry also reported one new death, with a total of 83 fatalities so far.
12.43 Spain records 84% fall in gasoline sales during coronavirus curbs
Spain’s gasoline consumption has plummeted during the coronavirus lockdown, with Spaniards buying 84% less during the fourth week of restrictions compared with the last week before they were imposed.
With many of its roads empty and factory production lines halted, total gasoline sales in Spain during the period April 5-12 were 84% lower than in the week March 8-14, data from the Energy and Environment Ministry on Wednesday showed.
12.34 EU to host May 4 donor conference for coronavirus vaccine search
The European Union will host an online conference on May 4 for governments and organisations to pledge money to support the search for a vaccine to the novel coronavirus, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
“To support this global initiative, funding is needed,” Von der Leyen told a joint news conference with European Council President Charles Michel. “I hope that countries and organisations all over the world will respond to this call,” she said.
12.21 Spain’s daily death toll from coronavirus slips to 523, total at 18,579
The number of deaths from the coronavirus in Spain in 24 hours fell again on Wednesday to 523 from 567 reported the previous day, the country’s health ministry said.
The daily death toll brought the total number of fatalities to 18,579.
The overall number of cases in the country rose to 177,633 on Wednesday from 172,541 the day before.
12.06 UK benefits claims still running above normal, says senior government official
The rate of new claims for benefits in Britain has slowed but is still running above the normal level, Department for Work and Pensions Director General Neil Couling said on Wednesday, underlining the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on jobs.
Couling, who runs Britain’s universal credit system which groups together six benefits into one payment, said his department was working flat out to deal with the increased number of claims which, at one point, was running at 10 times the normal level. The number is now down to around two or three times.
11.57 British lawmaker says China is trying to exploit the COVID-19 crisis
China is trying to exploit the global crisis triggered by the novel coronavirus outbreak by wresting control of companies such as Imagination Technologies and changing the way the internet works, a senior British lawmaker said on Wednesday.
“We’re seeing quite a lot of action by the Chinese state, or state-owned companies, that seem to be exploiting this moment,” Tom Tugendhat, the chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, told Sky.
11.53 Australian PM urges schools to re-open so parents can go back to work
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Wednesday urged schools to reopen after Easter holidays so students did not lose a year of education and parents could work, as health authorities reiterated that schools were safe for children.
11.48 Oman to cut ministries’ development budgets by 10% – state media
Oman’s finance ministry has told all ministries and civilian government units to reduce approved liquidity for development budgets by 10%, state media said on Wednesday.
It also said the creation of government companies performing business activities would cease and priority would be given to the private sector.
On Tuesday, Oman had told all government agencies to cut their operating budgets by at least 10% this year to counter a slide in oil prices, including by reviewing salaries and benefits.
11.11 Germany to extend coronavirus restrictions to May 3 – Handelsblatt
Germany’s government will extend restrictions on movement introduced last month to slow the spread of the coronavirus until at least May 3, Handelsblatt business daily reported on Wednesday, citing the dpa news agency.
Chancellor Angela Merkel is holding a video conference on Wednesday first with cabinet ministers and later with the leaders of Germany’s 16 states who will try to agree on whether to ease the measures given some improvement in the situation.
11.10 Philippines reports 14 new coronavirus deaths, 230 more infections
The Philippines’ health ministry on Wednesday reported 14 new coronavirus deaths and 230 additional infections.
In a bulletin, the health ministry said coronavirus deaths have reached 349 while total confirmed cases have increased to 5,453, keeping the Philippines as the country with the most infections in Southeast Asia. But 58 patients have recovered, bringing the total to 353, it added.
11.02 Oil market falls too big to offset with output cuts, IEA warns
The International Energy Agency (IEA) on Wednesday forecast a 29 million barrel per day (bpd) dive in April oil demand to levels not seen in 25 years and warned no output cut by producers could fully offset the near-term falls facing the market.
The IEA forecast a 9.3 million bpd drop in demand for 2020 despite what it called a “solid start” by producers following a record deal to curb supply in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
10.41 Germany says WHO is one of best investments after Trump cuts funding, China urges Trump to reconsider
Strengthening the World Health Organization is one of the best investments, Germany’s foreign minister said on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday halted funding to the Geneva-based organisation. “Apportioning blame doesn’t help. The virus knows no borders,” Heiko Maas said on Twitter.
Meanwhile China urged the United States to fulfill its obligations to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian told reporters during a daily briefing the situation with the pandemic, which has infected nearly 2 million people globally, was at a critical stage and that the U.S.’s decision would affect all countries of the world.
10.35 Coronavirus cases in Russia near 25,000 after record daily rise
Russia on Wednesday reported 3,388 new cases of the coronavirus, a record daily rise, bringing its overall nationwide tally to 24,490, the country’s coronavirus response centre said.
It said 198 people in Russia diagnosed with the virus had now died, an overnight rise of 28.
10.30 Some UK coronavirus decisions were too slow – opposition Labour leader
Some of the decisions Britain made on how to tackle the spread of novel coronavirus were too slow and the government did not learn enough from other countries, opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer said on Wednesday.
Britain initially refrained from imposing the same stringent controls as other European countries to counter the outbreak. Starmer has called for the government to publish its exit strategy from the lockdown imposed on March 23.
10.23 European shares dip as focus turns to corporate earnings
European shares headed lower on Wednesday after a five-day rally, with investors turning to the first-quarter earnings season to gauge the extent of the business damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was down 0.2% at 0713 GMT, after surging almost 8% since April 6 on early signs the health crisis was ebbing and on hopes that sweeping lockdown measures would soon be lifted.
The benchmark index has recovered about 24% since hitting an eight-year low in March, but is still down about 22% from its record high and analysts warn an uptick in coronavirus cases could spark another sell-off.
10.11 Finland to lift capital region lockdown -PM
Finland will lift the roadblocks in place around its capital region after nearly three weeks on Wednesday, Prime Minister Sanna Marin said, in a first act of easening the Nordic country’s coronavirus related restrictions.
The travel restrictions to and from the capital region Uusimaa to the rest of the country began on March 28 and were introduced to prevent people from spreading the virus to other parts of the country.
10.04 The world will need more than one COVID-19 vaccine, GSK CEO says
The world will need more than one COVID-19 vaccine so drug companies must partner in the race to develop the weapons to fight the novel coronavirus, GlaxoSmithKline Chief Executive Officer Emma Walmsley said on Wednesday.
Walmsley said GSK’s partnership with Sanofi brings scale to the attempt to get a covid-19 vaccine but that there was still an enormous amount of work to do.
09.22 Swedish spring mini-budget promises SEK 100 bln to fight coronavirus crisis
Sweden will spend more than 100 billion Swedish crowns ($10 billion) in its spring mini-budget to fight the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, which has shut down much of the economy, Finance Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Wednesday.
“The measures will give greater security, for those who have been hit by the crisis by limiting the spread of the infection, limit the consequences for companies and jobs and at the same time give economic security and the chance for a new start for those who become unemployed,” Andersson said in a statement.
08.47 EU’s Centeno doesn’t rule out use of eurobonds
Joint debt issuance is a possible euro zone response to tackle the coronavirus emergency, Eurogroup President Mario Centeno said in an interview with Italy’s Corriere della Sera daily on Thursday.
“Not necessarily, but I do not exclude it. There is a proposal to use the European budget and one to issue common debt (instruments). And one does not exclude the other,” Centeno said when asked whether eurobonds could be issued to finance the European recovery from the virus crisis.
08.30 French retail sales plunged 24% in March – central bank
French retail sales sank 24% in March from February as a nationwide lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic left many shops shuttered, data from the central bank showed on Wednesday.
Sales of industrial goods were down over 43% while food sales fell only 0.9%, the Bank of France said.
The March freefall meant that retail sales fell 7.2% in the first quarter from the previous free months, with small retail outlets seeing a plunge of 9.6% and large general retailers seeing an increase 1.7%.
08.24 Tunisia says tourism sector could lose $1.4 bln and 400,000 jobs over coronavirus
Tunisia’s vital tourism sector could lose $1.4 billion and 400,000 jobs this year due to the coronavirus, an official document showed, as the country sought a loan guarantee from the International Monetary Fund to issue sovereign bonds this year.
In a letter sent to the IMF, Tunisia’s central bank governor and finance minister said that the country’s economy will shrink by up to 4.3 percent, the deepest recession since independence in 1956.
08.19 Japan health ministry projects 400,000 deaths without virus containment measures
Japan’s death toll from the novel coronavirus could reach 400,000 without measures to stem the contagion, according to a health ministry projection reported by local media.
A ministry team studying clusters of the disease estimated that serious cases needing ventilator intervention could reach 850,000, Kyodo and the Asahi newspaper reported.
The projections are based on research from Hokkaido University professor Hiroshi Nishiura, one of the infectious disease experts guiding the government’s response to the outbreak.
The health ministry could not immediately confirm the report.
08.00 French insurers pledge more money in fight against coronavirus
France’s insurers have pledged more money to help the country in its fight against the coronavirus, said a statement published on Wednesday from Prime Minister Edouard Philippe’s department.
Philippe’s department confirmed that French insurers would be doubling their contribution to a government solidarity fund for small businesses by contributing 400 million euros ($439 million).
07.54 Thailand reports 30 new coronavirus cases, 2 new deaths
Thailand reported 30 new coronavirus cases and 2 deaths on Wednesday.
Of the new cases, 19 patients were linked to previous cases, and three had no links to old cases, said Taweesin Wisanuyothin, a spokesman for the government’s Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration.
One of those infected was in state quarantine, and the cases of seven people who tested positive were being investigated.
07.50 Germany’s coronavirus cases rise by 2,486, deaths by 285 – RKI
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases have risen by 2,486 to 127,584, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday, meaning the number of new infections rose after four days of decline.
The reported death toll has risen by 285 to 3,254, the tally showed.
07.38 Fujifilm says significantly boosts capacity for COVID-19 treatment Avigan
Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp said it has expanded manufacturing capacity to “significantly increase” production of its anti-flu drug Avigan that is being tested as a treatment for COVID-19.
Fujifilm expects to increase the production of Avigan up to 100,000 treatment courses by July 2020, about 2.5 times more compared to the beginning of March when the company first began its current production run, and then to 300,000 by September, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
06.44 Thailand extends ban on passenger flights until end-April
Thailand has extended a ban on incoming passenger flights until the end of April in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak, the country’s aviation body said on Wednesday.
The ban was first introduced on April 4, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has already extended it in once until April 18.
Since the outbreak escalated in January, Thailand has reported a total of 2,613 cases and 41 deaths, while 1,405 patients have recovered and gone home.
06.35 Australia warns children could be silent victims of coronavirus crisis
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned on Wednesday the nation’s children could become the silent victims of the coronavirus pandemic, as officials investigate new nursing home cluster.
Australia’s rate of new COVID-19 infections has been sustained at levels much lower than other countries for weeks, but the country has so far retained strict social distancing rules that have closed businesses and confined people to their homes.
Still, Morrison urged teachers to return to classrooms across the country to join “great heroes” like medical staffand supermarket workers, stressing the risk that children from disadvantaged families in particular lose a year of education.
06.18 Japan urges citizens to limit movements to curb virus spread
Japan’s citizens should do everything in their power to limit interactions with others by 70% to curb the spread of the coronavirus, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said on Wednesday.
He said the government will consider the request from coalition partner Komeito to hand out 100,000 yen ($933.45) per person after establishing the extra budget to help cushion the blow from the outbreak to households and businesses.
05.55 S.Korea holds parliamentary election under strict safety measures amid pandemic
South Koreans began going to the polls on Wednesday to elect members of parliament, wearing masks and plastic gloves as part of strict safety measures in one of the first national elections held amid the coronavirus pandemic.
About 14,000 polling stations were open at 6 a.m. (0900 GMT) around the country after disinfection, and voters were required to wear a mask and have a temperature check upon arrival. Anyone whose temperature was higher than 37.5 Celsius (99.5 Fahrenheit) was led to a special booth.
All voters must use hand sanitizer and plastic gloves when casting ballots and maintain 1 metre (40 inches) distance between each other.
05.47 Chinese airlines report $4.8 billion loss in Q1 as virus erodes travel demand
Chinese airlines reported a total loss of 33.62 billion yuan ($4.8 billion) in the first quarter as the coronavirus pandemic hit travel demand, the aviation regulator said on Wednesday.
In February，the airlines suffered a record loss of 20.96 billion yuan as large parts of the country remained on lockdown amid efforts to curb the spread of the virus.
The total number of passengers fell 71.7% in March from a year earlier to 15.13 million, Xiong Jie, an official with Civil Aviation Administration of China, told a press conference, adding the gauge was down 53.9% in the first quarter.
04.30 NZ’s Ardern, ministers take 20% pay cut for six months due to coronavirus impact
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, ministers in her government and public service chief executives will take a 20% pay cut for the next six months given the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This is where we can take action and that is why we have,” Ardern said in a news conference announcing the decision.
03.54 U.N. chief says ‘not the time’ to reduce WHO resources after Trump announcement
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Tuesday it was “not the time” to reduce resources for the World Health Organization after President Donald Trump halted U.S. funding over the body’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Guterres said in a statement it was “not the time to reduce the resources for the operations of the World Health Organization or any other humanitarian organization in the fight against the virus.”
03.10 Mexico registers 5,399 cases of coronavirus and 406 deaths
Mexico registered 385 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing its total to 5,399 cases and 406 deaths, the health ministry said.
02.59 Panama registers 102 new cases of coronavirus – health ministry
Panama registered 102 new cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the country’s total to 3,574 cases, the health ministry said.
Officials also confirmed one more death, raising Panama’s death toll from the coronavirus to 95.
02.01 Two-thirds of small UK firms have furloughed staff – BCC
Two-thirds of small British companies have put at least some staff on temporary government-funded leave due to a drop in business caused by the coronavirus, a survey by the British Chambers of Commerce showed on Wednesday.
Britain’s government has promised to pay firms 80% of their salary costs if they put staff on leave rather than fire them – a scheme which the country’s budget watchdog estimated could cost 42 billion pounds ($53 billion) over the coming months.
00.34 NYC death toll rises to 10,000 as city includes untested coronavirus fatalities
New York City’s death toll was revised to over 10,000 on Tuesday to include 3,700 deaths that are presumed to be due to the novel coronavirus but never tested, the city health department said.
“Behind every death is a friend, a family member, a loved one. We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of COVID-19 gets counted,” said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot.
What happened on Tuesday
EUROPE
- Britain’s economy could shrink by 13% this year due to the government’s coronavirus shutdown, its deepest recession in three centuries, the country’s budget forecasters said.
- The UK’s true death toll from the coronavirus far exceeds estimates previously published by the government, according to broader official data that include deaths in the community such as in nursing homes.
- The European Commission plans to narrow controls on the export of coronavirus protective equipment to just a single product – masks – as well as exempt the countries of the western Balkans from the restrictions.
- France said its total death toll from COVID-19 infections rose above 15,000, becoming the fourth country to exceed that threshold after Italy, Spain and the U.S.
- Spain and Austria allowed partial returns to work on Tuesday but Britain, France and India extended lockdowns to rein in the new coronavirus.
- Cycling teams are gearing up for the Tour de France to be held in August rather than the usual July, after French President Emmanuel Macron said big public events would be halted until mid-July.
AMERICAS
- U.S. deaths from the coronavirus topped 25,400 on Tuesday, doubling in one week, according to a Reuters tally, as officials debated how to reopen the economy without reigniting the outbreak.
- Canada’s economic shutdown will last for weeks more to ensure that measures to fight the coronavirus are working, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, while the country’s death toll from the outbreak rose more than 12%.
- President Donald Trump’s May 1 target for restarting the economy is “overly optimistic,” his top infectious disease adviser said.
- Apple Inc said it would release data that could help inform public health authorities on whether people are driving less during lockdown orders to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
- Nurses at a public hospital hit by Mexico’s worst coronavirus outbreak were told by their managers not to wear protective masks at the start of the epidemic to avoid sowing panic among patients, nurses and other medical workers said.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
- China approved early-stage human tests for two experimental vaccines as it battles to contain imported cases, especially from Russia.
- Pakistan announced a two-week extension to the nationwide shutdown, but said some industries would reopen in phases.
- Taiwan on Tuesday reported no new cases for the first time in more than a month, in the latest sign that its early prevention methods have paid off.
- Malaysian authorities have begun using COVID-19 antibody rapid tests kits to supplement laboratory tests as the number of cases in the country grow, a senior health official said.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
- A first “solidarity flight” of medical supplies from the World Health Organization landed in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for distribution in Africa.
- Turkey passed a law that will allow the release of tens of thousands of prisoners to ease overcrowding in jails and protect detainees.
- Iran’s death toll was approaching 4,700 on Tuesday, following eased restrictions on travel within provinces.
- Iraq has suspended the licence of the Reuters news agency after it published a story saying the number of confirmed cases in the country was higher than officially reported.
- Sudan will impose a three-week lockdown on the capital Khartoum after 10 more cases were discovered on Monday.
- Namibian borders will remain closed and a partial lockdown in force for a further two-and-a-half weeks until May 4, President Hage Geingob said.
- Uganda extended its lockdown by an extra three weeks until May 5.
ECONOMIC FALLOUT
- Equity markets rallied globally as Chinese trade data defied expectations of a deep downturn as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, igniting hopes that world economies can soon recover.
- The global economy is expected to shrink by 3.0% this year which will be the steepest downturn since the Great Depression, the International Monetary Fund said.
- Major international creditors have agreed to suspend debt payments owed by the poorest countries this year, France’s finance minister said on Tuesday.
- Boeing Co reported another 75 cancellations for its 737 MAX jetliner in March, as the coronavirus crisis worsened disruptions from the grounding of its best-selling jet.
- Around 80% of Portuguese companies still operating or temporarily shut due to the coronavirus outbreak reported a sharp drop in their revenues, at times exceeding 75%, a survey showed.
REUTERS