12.15: More than 2,571,660 people have been infected across the world and over 178,281 have died but at the same time 701,070 people have recovered.
THE PANDEMIC IN NUMBERS
INFECTED CASESDEATHS DUE TO THE VIRUS
USA 819,164 USA 45,340
SPAIN 204,178 ITALY 24,114
ITALY 189,957 SPAIN 21,282
FRANCE 158,050 FRANCE 20,796
GERMANY 148,453UK 17,337
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
15:19 Japan to block foreign acquisitions of drug and ventilator makers – Nikkei
Japan plans to block foreign companies from acquiring domestic drug and medical equipment makers, to protect access to medicine and ventilators that have proven critical amid the coronavirus outbreak, a media report said on Wednesday.
15:10 France’s Macron says now not the time for pandemic probe
French President Emmanuel Macron told the Australian prime minister now was not the time for an international investigation into the coronavirus pandemic and that the urgency was to act in unison before looking for who was at fault, an official said.
14:45 Britain’s Zoom parliament makes an almost glitch-free debut
British lawmakers upended 700 years of history on Wednesday, grilling stand-in leader Dominic Raab by video link in an unprecedented but largely successful ‘hybrid parliament’ session forced by the coronavirus outbreak.
A maximum of 50 lawmakers are physically allowed in the debating chamber, with another 120 permitted to join in via Zoom video conference beamed onto television screens dotted around the walls of the ornate wood-panelled room.
14.15 Trump to sign executive order on immigration on Wednesday
US President Donald Trump, said in a tweet he would sign an executive order later on Wednesday “prohibiting immigration” that he has said would protect US workers amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak.
As of late Tuesday, some questions remained unanswered as the Trump administration continued to work on the order, which the Republican president has said would temporarily suspend immigration to the United States.
14.14 Vietnam to ease coronavirus lockdown in most areas – PM
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc agreed on Wednesday to ease the nationwide coronavirus lockdown in most parts of the country, state media reported.
No provinces in the Southeast Asian country are seen as “highly prone” to the new coronavirus, Phuc was quoted as saying on Voice of Vietnam national radio.
13.43 France backs Spanish EU recovery fund plan in principle – presidential adviser
France backs a Spanish proposal for a “recovery fund” for the European Union in principle, a French presidential adviser said on Wednesday, adding that the terms can be discussed but it should have long debt maturities.
Speaking ahead of a video meeting of EU leaders, the adviser said the proposed fund should not only issue loans but also make transfers to increase solidarity between member states.
A face-to-face meeting of EU leaders, possibly before the summer, would be necessary to give it the go-ahead, the official said.
13.31 Iran coronavirus death toll rises by 94 to 5,391 – health ministry
The death toll from the outbreak of the new coronavirus in Iran rose by 94 in the past 24 hours to 5,391, Health Ministry spokesman Kianush Jahanpur said in a statement on state TV on Wednesday.
The Islamic Republic has 85,996 diagnosed cases, Jahanpur said.
13.28 Ukraine extends coronavirus quarantine till May 11
Ukraine extended strong quarantine measures till May 11, hoping then to ease restrictions if there is a reduction in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Denys Shmygal said on Wednesday.
Ukraine reported a total 6,592 infected as of April 22, including 174 deaths and 424 recovered
13.17 Kremlin says groundless allegations about coronavirus’ artificial origin are unacceptable
Scientists and experts still lack necessary data to determine the nature of the novel coronavirus, and any groundless allegations about its artificial origin are unacceptable, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday.
US President Donald Trump has said his government is trying to determine whether the coronavirus emanated from a lab in Wuhan, following reports the virus may have been artificially synthesised at a Chinese state-backed laboratory or perhaps escaped from such a facility.
The Chinese state-backed Wuhan Institute of Virology dismissed the allegations.
12.43 Germany approves first trial of Covid-19 vaccine candidate
Germany’s vaccines regulator approved live human testing of a potential vaccine against the Covid-19 virus developed by German biotech company BioNTech , the regulator said in a statement on Wednesday.
The trial, only the fourth worldwide of a preventive agent targeting the virus behind the global pandemic, will be conducted on 200 healthy people aged between 18 and 55 in the first stage, and on further people, including those at higher risk from the disease, in a second stage.
BioNTech said it was developing the vaccine candidate, named BNT162, together with its partner, pharma giant Pfizer. Tests of the vaccine were also planned in the United States, once regulatory approval for testing on humans had been secured there.
12.18 Spain reports 435 coronavirus deaths overnight, bringing total at 21,717
Spain’s death toll from the new coronavirus climbed by 435 in the past 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Wednesday, roughly in line with the 2% increases reported in the past few days.
The cumulative death toll now stands at 21,717, while the number of confirmed infections rose by 4,211 to 208,389, according to the ministry.
12.07 Malaysia reports 50 new coronavirus cases, one death
Malaysia reported 50 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, bringing the cumulative total to 5,532.
The health ministry also reported one new death, bringing the total number of fatalities up to 93.
12.04 France looking into setting up insurance cover for pandemics
French finance minister Bruno Le Maire has set up a working group to look into establishing further insurance cover for exceptional, one-off events such as pandemics, Le Maire’s department said on Wednesday.
The French move echoes a similar step taken this week by Britain, whose insurance industry is also going to work with the UK government-backed terrorism reinsurance fund Pool Re to develop insurance cover for pandemics.
12.00 ECB’s Rehn calls for solidarity between European countries
European Central Bank policymaker Olli Rehn called on Wednesday for member states to enhance pan-European cooperation and for governments to take measures to support the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“The difficulties caused by (the virus) are not due to any single country’s reckless management of finances. It is therefore necessary to support the most severely hit countries,” Rehn, who is Finland’s central bank chief, told a news conference.
11.57 Indonesia reports 283 new coronavirus infections, 19 deaths
Indonesia reported 283 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday, taking the total number of cases to 7,418, a health ministry official said.
The official, Achmad Yurianto, said there were 19 new coronavirus deaths, taking the total to 635.
More than 47,300 people have been tested and 913 had recovered, he said.
11.44 Philippines records nine new coronavirus deaths, 111 more cases
The Philippines’ health ministry on Wednesday reported nine new coronavirus deaths and 111 new confirmed infections.
In a bulletin, the health ministry said total deaths have increased to 446 while infections have risen to 6,710. But 39 more patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 693.
11.38 EU official says “big divide” between member states on recovery aid
There is a “big divide” between EU member states on whether any coronavirus recovery aid should be handed out to member states as subsidies or loans, an official with the bloc said on Wednesday.
National EU leaders are meeting via videoconference on Thursday to lock horns over how to kickstart growth after the coronavirus pandemic.
They are expected to give tentative agreement to use the bloc’s next long-term budget to create a Recovery Fund but there is plenty of contentious detail still outstanding, meaning no final agreement is expected.
11.08 Number of coronavirus cases in Poland exceeds 10,000
The number of people infected with the new coronavirus in Poland exceeded 10,000 on Wednesday, with the death toll reaching 404, the Health Ministry said on its Twitter account.
The ministry said the number of people infected rose to 10,034 in the country of 38 million.
11.00 Spain expects initial EU consensus on coronavirus aid at Thursday summit
The European Union (EU) council should reach an initial consensus on the common financial response to the coronavirus pandemic during its next summit on Thursday, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said.
“I expect the European Council tomorrow will reach a first consensus because it is indispensable,” Sanchez told parliament on Wednesday.
Spain has proposed the creation of a fund of up to 1.5 trillion euros ($1.63 trillion) financed by perpetual debt.
10.47 Pope, on eve of summit, urges fractured EU to find unity over coronavirus
Pope Francis on Wednesday urged Europe to remain united in overcoming the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, speaking on the eve of an EU summit to discuss a huge but divisive economic stimulus package.
The pandemic has put new strains on the unity of the 27-member bloc, again exposing splits between the richer north and the poorer south.
“In these times in which we need so much unity among us, among nations, let us pray today for Europe,” Francis said at the start of his daily morning Mass, which he dedicates each day to a different theme related to the global crisis.
10.22 Singapore confirms 1,016 more coronavirus cases
Singapore’s health ministry said on Wednesday it had preliminarily confirmed another 1,016 cases of the novel coronavirus, taking total infections there to 10,141.
The health ministry said most of the cases were among migrant workers living in dormitories, a group that accounts for more than three quarters of the city-state’s infections.
Singapore authorities on Tuesday extended a partial lockdown until June 1.
10.21 European shares gain on hopes of easing in lockdown measures
European stock markets edged higher on Wednesday as Italy looked set to relax sweeping restrictions to contain the coronavirus, with investors remaining cautious about a swift recovery after more companies issued worrying financial forecasts.
The pan-European STOXX 600 index was up 0.8% at 0702 GMT, after tumbling more than 3% on Tuesday following a historic collapse in oil prices.
Italian shares gained 0.9% as Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the country – one of the hardest hit in Europe – could start pulling out of strict stay-at-home orders from May 4.
9.53 FT analysis sees UK coronavirus death toll at 41,000
The novel coronavirus outbreak has caused as many as 41,000 deaths in the United Kingdom, according to a Financial Times analysis of the latest data from the statistics office.
The FT extrapolation, based on figures from the ONS that were also published on Tuesday, includes deaths that occurred outside hospitals updated to reflect recent mortality trends.
9.51 Half of France’s private sector workers on temporary unemployment scheme
French Labour Minister Muriel Penicaud said on Wednesday more than 10 million private sector workers had signed up for a temporary unemployment scheme put in place by the government to help companies endure the impact of the new coronavirus crisis.
“As of today, 10,2 millions private sector workers have been put on temporary unemployment. That’s more than one employee out of two and six companies out of 10,” Penicaud said in a interview with BFM Business radio.
9.16 Iceland offers $420 million aid for firms and families hit by lockdown
Iceland will inject an additional $420 million into the economy with a package of measures to help smaller businesses and vulnerable groups recover from the coronavirus lockdown, the government said late on Tuesday.
Jobseekers and low-income families will get extra help, and companies that have had to halt operations will be compensated, the government said. Smaller businesses will be offered immediate supports loans, it added.
8.49 Oil prices tumble on demand collapse, Brent at 1999 lows
Oil prices slumped again on Wednesday, with Brent falling to the lowest since 1999, as the market struggled with a massive crude glut amid a collapse in demand for everything from gasoline to jet fuel caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
Brent crude, which fell 24% in the previous session, touched $15.98 a barrel, its lowest since June 1999. It was trading down $2.70, or 14%, at $16.63 at 0432 GMT.
West Texas Intermediate was down 68 cents, or 6%, at $10.89 a barrel.
8.42 UK should hold inquiry into Covid-19 response, Liberal Democrats say
The United Kingdom should hold an independent inquiry into Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s handling of the novel coronavirus crisis, the opposition Liberal Democrat party said.
“Once we are through this crisis, there will of course need to be an independent inquiry to officially review the government’s response to the pandemic, so we can learn the lessons,” Liberal Democrat Acting Leader Ed Davey said.
“The inquiry must have the strongest possible powers given the shocking failures on protective equipment for staff and the slow response of the government – to get to the truth and to give Boris Johnson the opportunity to answer the increasingly serious questions.”
8.03 British plane carrying Turkish medical equipment finally arrives in UK
A British military plane carrying medical protective equipment from Turkey landed in the UK early on Wednesday, Turkey’s state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.
Healthcare workers on the frontline of the coronavirus outbreak are increasingly reporting shortages of gear.
7.30 Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 2,237 to 145,694 – RKI
Germany’s confirmed coronavirus cases increased by 2,237 to 145,694, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Wednesday, marking a second consecutive day of new infections accelerating.
The reported death toll rose by 281 to 4,879, the tally showed.
7.12 Youths clash with police in new night of trouble in Paris suburbs
Youths clashed with police overnight in suburbs around Paris, Le Point website and Agence France Presse reported on Wednesday, the latest outbreak of trouble as strict lockdown rules to tackle the coronavirus heighten social tensions.
Clashes took place in areas such as Villeneuve-La-Garenne, Nanterre and Clichy. Social media networks carried images showing gangs of youths setting off fireworks in the direction of police forces, and of cars having been set on fire.
6.09 China’s daily air passenger numbers up 7.9% in April vs March -aviation regulator
China’s aviation regulator said on Wednesday daily transported air passenger numbers rose 7.9% this month as of April 21 from March, but was only at 29% of the level seen a year ago.
China’s daily flight numbers were up 1% in April from last month, but was still only at 41.6% of the level in the same period last year, the regulator said.
4.59 Japan’s Nagasaki confirms 33 coronavirus cases on cruise ship docked for repairs
Japan’s Nagasaki prefecture said on Wednesday it had confirmed 33 cases of coronavirus infection on an Italian cruise ship docked for repairs and would carry out further testing on other crew members.
Those who test positive but are asymptomatic will remain on board for monitoring, while others will be transferred to medical institutions, Nagasaki Governor Hodo Nakamura told a news conference. Those who test negative will be sent back to their countries, he said.
4.29 Oil prices recover ground after market turmoil fuels price plunge
Oil prices found some respite on Wednesday as U.S. oil futures rose more than 20% and Brent prices steadied after a two-day price plunge, as markets struggle with a massive crude glut amid the coronavirus outbreak.
After falling into negative territory for the first time in history amid record trading volumes, U.S. crude futures rose 20% as contracts for May delivery expired and the June contract became the front month.
West Texas Intermediate was up $2.05, or 18%, at $13.62 a barrel by 0034 GMT.
3.13 Mexico’s health ministry says coronavirus cases surpass 9,000
Mexico registered a jump of more than 700 confirmed coronavirus cases on Tuesday, to reach a total of 9,501 cases, health ministry officials told reporters at a regular briefing.
Reported deaths from the highly contagious respiratory disease caused by the virus stand at 857, or 145 more than the previous day.
What happened on Tuesday, 24 April
EUROPE
- The true extent of the death toll in Britain was more than 40% higher than the daily figures from the government indicated by April 10, according to data that includes deaths in the community.
- Crowds of youths targeted riot police with fireworks and torched rubbish bins in a third night of unrest on the outskirts of Paris where a heavy police presence to enforce the coronavirus lockdown has exacerbated tensions.
- Italy is likely to start easing its coronavirus lockdown from May 4 though the long-awaited rollback will be cautious and calculated, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said.
- Spain’s cabinet approved measures to support workers and businesses struggling under stringent coronavirus restrictions as officials cheered a slowing infection rate.
AMERICAS
- U.S. congressional leaders and the White House agreed on nearly $500 billion more in coronavirus relief for the economy.
- President Donald Trump pledged to suspend immigration into the country, while Georgia and other U.S. states began lifting restrictions that stalled their economies.
- Missouri became the first U.S. state to sue the Chinese government over its handling of the coronavirus.
- The economies of Latin America and the Caribbean will contract by a record 5.3% in 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak ravages the region, a United Nations agency said.
- Mexico has entered what the government calls “Phase 3” of the spread of the coronavirus, the most serious stage, Deputy Health Minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said.
- Police in Chile broke up a fresh round of anti-government protests in one of Santiago’s central squares late on Monday, arresting 14 and citing rules against congregations intended to ward off the spread of the coronavirus..
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
- The WHO said that all available evidence suggests the novel coronavirus originated in bats in China late last year and it was not manipulated or constructed in a laboratory.
- About 500 people entered self-isolation at the Presidential House in the Indian capital after a worker’s relative tested positive, officials said.
- Thailand approved a second automatic visa extension for foreigners to prevent long queues at immigration centres.
- Indonesia will ban the mass exodus tradition, locally known as ‘mudik’, at the end of the Muslim fasting month in May.
- A northwestern province on the frontline of China’s coronavirus battle reported its first cases in nearly three weeks, all involving travellers from overseas.
- Taiwan’s defence minister apologised and said he was willing to resign after a coronavirus outbreak on a navy ship which visited the Pacific last month just as the country celebrated a huge drop in cases.
MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA
- Millions of children in the Middle East will become poorer as their caregivers lose jobs from lockdowns, according to the U.N. Children’s Fund.
- The coronavirus crisis is stirring anti-Semitism around the world, fuelled by centuries-old lies that Jews are spreading infection, researchers in Israel said.
- South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a 500 billion rand rescue package, equivalent to 10% of the GDP of Africa’s most industrialised nation, to try to cushion the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic.
- The palm oil market is set to miss out on a key high-demand period in 2020 as coronavirus-driven lockdowns during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan dent demand in key importing countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
ECONOMIC FALLOUT
- Stock markets around the world fell on Tuesday, as oil prices kept sliding a day after May U.S. crude oil futures turned negative for the first time, underscoring the depth of economic damage from the coronavirus pandemic.
- U.S. home sales dropped by the most in nearly 4-1/2 years in March as extraordinary measures to control the spread of the coronavirus brought buyer traffic to a virtual standstill.
- The Irish economy will shrink by at least 10% this year and could shrink more than 15% if a second wave of coronavirus forces restrictions on movement to last six months longer than expected, the government said.
- The number of people facing acute food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, the United Nations’ World Food Programme said.
- If prolonged, the pandemic could trigger a negative feedback loop in which a worsening economy threatens to destabilise Japan’s financial system, the Bank of Japan warned on Tuesday.
- Black and Hispanic families in the U.S. are taking the biggest income hit due to the coronavirus pandemic, and they are less prepared to withstand the blow, according to two studies.