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Coronavirus live news: Global cases near million mark as US federal stockpiles of medical gear dwindle Trump says federal stockpile of personal protective gear nearly empty; Florida, Georgia and Mississippi ordered to shelter in place; record daily fatalities in UK. Follow the latest updates. At a glance: summary of key eventsWimbledon cancelled due to coronavirus crisisUS coronavirus - latest updatesAustralia coronavirus – latest updatesSee all of our coronavirus coverage 12.56am BSTAnother iconic New York City landmark is being converted into a temporary hospital to help fight the coronavirus pandemic, joining Central Park.The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home to the US Open, will relieve some of the pressure on one of the state’s hardest hit hospitals, El...

Millions in UK 'could slip through virus wage safety net' Some self-employed workers and high earners at risk despite subsidy plan, warn thinktanksCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMillions of people across Britain risk falling through gaps in the coronavirus wage subsidy plan and benefits system, according to two of the country’s leading economics thinktanks.After ministers hurriedly pulled together plans to increase the level of financial aid available from the state as the Covid-19 outbreak intensifies, the Institute for Fiscal Studies said many self-employed workers would still get no support, while others would be left financially better off as a result of the crisis. Continue reading... Go to Source

Virus patients more likely to die may have ventilators taken away BMA doctors set out ways care may have to be rationed as UK braces for sharp rise in deathsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageStable coronavirus patients could be taken off ventilators in favour of those more likely to survive, it emerged on Wednesday, as another sharp rise in deaths left the UK braced for the outbreak to reach up to 1,000 deaths a day by the end of the week.In a stark new document issued by the British Medical Association, doctors set out guidelines to ration care if the NHS becomes overwhelmed with new cases as the outbreak moves towards its peak. Continue reading... Go to Source

Family of dead British man appeal to Florida to let Zaandam dock Fears of further passenger deaths on coronavirus-stricken Zaandam unless governor relentsCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe family of a British man who died on a coronavirus-stricken cruise ship have appealed to Donald Trump and authorities in Florida to allow the vessel to dock, warning that more people on board will die unless they are allowed into port.John Carter, 75, died on Sunday 22 March after suddenly falling ill on board the Zaandam cruise liner. His widow, 74, has spent more than a week in isolation in their cabin suffering from coronavirus symptoms, their niece, Nicola Brown, said. Continue reading... Go to Source

NHS rules hampering coronavirus testing drive, say scientists Strict standardisation of chemical brands and suppliers said to be a factor in delaysCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe introduction of mass testing for coronavirus is being hampered by health officials enforcing strict rules around what chemical brands and suppliers can be used to produce the tests, scientists warn.Procedures drawn up by the NHS describe the precise chemicals and equipment that must be used to test patients, but with specific reagents in short supply, senior researchers argue that the UK must find alternatives to avoid more delays. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: Italy records lowest daily increase in deaths in a week Germany and Italy extend lockdowns; Spain cases pass 100,000; global cases near 900,000; record daily fatalities in UKUS coronavirus - latest updatesAt a glance: summary of key events Wimbledon cancelled due to coronavirus crisisBrazil state governors ignore Bolsonaro amid anger over handling of crisis See all our coronavirus coverage 6.57pm BSTGhebreyesus also raised concerns about the spread of Covid-19 in developing countries.“While relatively lower numbers of confirmed cases have been reported from Africa and from central and south America, we realise that Covid-19 could have serious social, economic and political consequences for these regions,” he said. 6.36pm BSTThe daily World Health Organ...

NHS staff making masks from snorkels amid PPE shortages Doctors Association UK says medics buying kit from hardware stores or asking schools for helpCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageNHS staff are making improvised masks out of snorkels, buying kit from hardware stores and using school science goggles to protect themselves in anticipation of a rise in coronavirus cases, it has emerged.Doctors and nurses said they were being forced to improvise as they worried about access to appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Continue reading... Go to Source

Wimbledon 2020 cancelled in response to coronavirus pandemic All England Lawn Tennis Club forced to make decisionFirst Wimbledon cancellation since the second world warCoronavirus: latest updates | See all our coronavirus coverageWimbledon, one of the centrepieces of the British summer sporting calendar, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the All England Club has confirmed, the first time the tournament will not be held since the second world war.The Championships were scheduled to run from 29 June until 12 July but, as tennis officials prepared for emergency talks this week, cancellation swiftly became unavoidable. Unlike one-day sporting events, Wimbledon functions more like a festival, held over two weeks in the vast All-England Lawn Tennis Club, which contains 40 to...

Covid-19 recoveries: 'It was the most terrifying experience of my life' People in the UK who have returned to health after fighting off coronavirus tell their storiesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage“I could tell the nurses were as scared as me; they told me my coronavirus test was positive as if I was going to die,” says Ati, 41, who was admitted to hospital in Edinburgh after suffering from a fever, a constant cough, abdominal and chest pain, shortness of breath and the loss of her sense of smell and taste.She had initially been told by 111 call responders to nurse her symptoms at home, but was instructed to go to hospital after coughing up blood. Continue reading... Go to Source

UK coronavirus live: Edinburgh festivals cancelled; government under pressure to boost NHS testing All the day’s developments in the UK Covid-19 crisisPolice reissued with guidance on lockdown enforcementBriton is one of four to die on coronavirus-stricken cruise shipCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.53pm BSTThe Prince of Wales has made his first appearance since coming out of self-isolation, following his coronavirus diagnosis, to record a video message in support of Age UK in response to the health crisis. Charles, who is patron of Age UK, said in the footage posted on royal social media accounts: “Having recently gone through the process of contracting this coronavirus - luckily with relatively mild symptoms - I now find myself on the o...

Coronavirus live news: Spain passes 100,000 cases, as UN says world faces worst crisis since WW2 US has one 1 in 5 cases globally; global cases pass 860,000; record daily fatalities in UK, France, Spain and RussiaWhite House officials predict up to 240,000 US coronavirus deathsUK coronavirus – live updatesThe most extreme lockdown controls around the worldSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.43pm BSTAnti-coronavirus lockdown measures in Italy are to be extended to April 13, health minister Roberto Speranza has said.He told the upper house Senate on Wednesday:We must not confuse the first positive signals with an ‘all clear’ signal. Data shows that we are on the right path and that the drastic decisions are bearing fruit.” 12.37pm BST Continue reading... Go to S...

Trump warns of 'painful two weeks' as officials predict up to 240,000 US coronavirus deaths President gives unusually sombre press conference with projections taking physical distancing measures into accountCoronavirus – live US updatesLive global updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageDonald Trump has warned America to brace for a “very, very painful two weeks” as the White House projected that the coronavirus pandemic could claim 100,000 to 240,000 lives, even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.Striking an unusually sombre tone at the start a marathon two-hour briefing, the US president defended his early handling of the crisis and displayed models that, he said, justified his decision to keep much of the economy shut down. Continue reading... ...

Teargas, beatings and bleach: the most extreme Covid-19 lockdown controls around the world Violence and humiliation used to police coronavirus curfews around globe, often affecting the poorest and more vulnerableCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageAs coronavirus lockdowns have been expanded globally, billions of people have found that they are now faced with unprecedented restrictions. Police across the world have been given licence to control behaviour in a way that would normally be extreme even for an authoritarian state. Related: ‘We can’t go back to normal’: how will coronavirus change the world? Continue reading... Go to Source

Will the coronavirus kill the oil industry and help save the climate? Analysts say the coronavirus and a savage price war means the oil and gas sector will never be the same againThe plunging demand for oil wrought by the coronavirus pandemic combined with a savage price war has left the fossil fuel industry broken and in survival mode, according to analysts. It faces the gravest challenge in its 100-year history, they say, one that will permanently alter the industry. With some calling the scene a “hellscape”, the least lurid description is “unprecedented”.A key question is whether this will permanently alter the course of the climate crisis. Many experts think it might well do so, pulling forward the date at which demand for oil and gas peaks, never to recover,...

UK care home staff 'at breaking point' as coronavirus cases rise Care workers and homes report insufficient PPE and lack of clear government guidanceCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageBritain’s care homes are in danger of being overwhelmed by the coronavirus, with staff warning they are at “breaking point” and the country’s biggest charitable provider revealing confirmed or suspected cases in more than half of its facilities.MHA, which runs more than 220 facilities, said 750 of its staff – more than one in ten – are unable to work, and that confirmed deaths from the disease are rising. Continue reading... Go to Source

Coronavirus live news: US deaths could reach 240,000 as UN says world faces worst crisis since WW2 US has one 1 in 5 cases globally; global cases pass 850,000; record daily fatalities in UK, France, Italy, Spain and Russia. Follow the latest updates. UK coronavirus - latest updatesUS coronavirus - live updatesAustralia coronavirus – live updatesChina and Korea delay college exams to get lid on coronavirusSee all our coronavirus coverage 12.46am BSTTrump also said that “nobody knew how contagious this virus was”. My colleagues have fact checked this: Fact check: “Nobody knew”“Nobody knew how contagious this was,” Trump said. “I don’t think any doctor new it at the time. People have not seen anything like this.” 12.45am BSTUS pre...

Coronavirus US live: Donald Trump predicts 'a very, very painful two weeks' Amazon fires worker who led New York warehouse strikeDetroit: America’s next Covid-19 hotspot prepares for surgeCNN’s Chris Cuomo diagnosed with coronavirusSee all our coronavirus coverageSupport the Guardian’s independent journalism. Make a contribution 12.43am BST“It’s an incredibly dark topic,” Trump said, before leaving the podium. “An incredibly horrible topic. And it’s incredibly interesting. That’s why everybody is, They’re going crazy, they can’t get enough of it.” 12.42am BSTFact check: “Nobody knew”“Nobody knew how contagious this was,” Trump said. “I don’t think any doctor new it at the time. Pe...

'We drew up the plan over a brew' - inside operation Nightingale Army field hospital experts and contractors converted Excel into 4,000 bed mega-hospital in just nine daysCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageLondon’s emergency coronavirus hospital at the Excel conference centre has been built from scratch over the last nine days in an unprecedented civil-military partnership and is ready to receive its first patients this week.Planning has involved soldiers with experience from Afghanistan and the west African ebola crisis, working in support of health service staff to create NHS Nightingale, which will be the largest hospital in the UK, with 4,000 beds at full capacity. Continue reading... Go to Source