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HEALTH-VIRUS
Italy overtakes China with most virus deaths, California goes on lockdown
LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Italy surpassed China on Thursday
as the country with the most deaths from coronavirus as California, home to
more than 39 million people, was placed under lockdown in the most drastic
containment measure yet by a US state.
President Donald Trump said meanwhile that the United States is fast-
tracking antimalarial drugs for use as a treatment and lashed out at China
for not informing the world earlier about the original outbreak.
China for its part reported on Friday a second day with no new domestic
cases since the virus appeared in the central city of Wuhan in December,
before spreading worldwide.
While there was a glimmer of hope in China, several nations tightened their
borders and imposed lockdowns, trapping tens of millions of people in their
homes.
And the UN chief warned “millions” could die if the virus spreads unchecked
around the globe.
World leaders also unleashed nearly a trillion dollars to prop up the
teetering global economy, only to see the once-in-a-century pandemic
seemingly spiral further out of control.
The death toll soared in Europe as Italy announced another 427 fatalities
on Thursday, taking its total to 3,405, according to a tally compiled by AFP
from official sources.
China has officially reported 3,245 deaths from the virus, which can cause
respiratory failure, particularly in the elderly.
France reported 108 more deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the total
number to 372.
Globally, the death toll from the virus has risen to over 9,800 with more
than 232,650 cases in 158 countries and territories, according to the AFP
tally.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Thursday of the virus’s
potentially devastating effects.
“If we let the virus spread like wildfire — especially in the most
vulnerable regions of the world — it would kill millions of people,”
Guterres said.
– ‘Paying a big price’ –
The number of infections and deaths in the rest of the world has surpassed
those in China, which appears to have staunched the virus with strict
measures including a complete quarantine of Wuhan since January.
Trump, who has come under fire for his response to the crisis, charged
Thursday that the world was paying for China’s lack of transparency about the
outbreak there.
“It could have been contained to that one area of China where it started.
And certainly the world is paying a big price for what they did,” he said.
Trump said US authorities were fast-tracking antimalarials chloroquine and
hydroxychloroquine for use as a coronavirus treatment, making them available
“almost immediately.”
The drugs are synthetic forms of quinine, which has been used to treat
malaria for centuries.
As the toll surged in Italy, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said the
national lockdown, which has been copied around Europe, would be prolonged to
April 3.
France also mooted extending its two-week lockdown ordered this week by
President Emmanuel Macron, as the interior minister blasted “idiots” who
flout home confinement rules and put others at risk.
In Argentina, President Alberto Fernandez announced a “preventative and
compulsory” lockdown from Friday to March 31, while Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro
state will close its famed beaches as well as restaurants and bars for 15
days to try to contain the pandemic.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said the state’s lockdown would begin
Thursday evening in a “recognition of our interdependence.”
In Britain, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country could “turn the
tide” on coronavirus within 12 weeks — but only if people heed advice to
avoid social contact.
The disease continued to hit high-profile figures with EU Brexit negotiator
Michel Barnier, Monaco’s Prince Albert II and at least a half-dozen NBA
players in the United States among those testing positive.
Also falling victim to the pandemic was the G7 summit in June, which was
meant to be hosted by Trump at the Camp David presidential retreat near
Washington. The group of seven wealthy democracies will now meet via
videoconference.
– Emergency stimulus –
With countries paralysed by the pandemic and stock markets imploding,
policymakers this week unleashed a wave of measures to shore up the global
economy.
The European Central Bank announced a 750-billion-euro bond-buying scheme,
dubbed the “big bazooka.”
In the United States, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urged Congress to
pass a $1-trillion emergency stimulus package.
Wall Street finished higher Thursday following a volatile session as
investors weighed the government stimulus measures against some of the first
data pointing to a sharp US economic slowdown.
European stocks staged a rebound on the stimulus news, although Asian
markets took another beating.
The battle is only just beginning across the rest of the world, with the
shadow of the virus lengthening across Africa.
The Nigerian mega-city of Lagos announced it would shut its schools while
Burkina Faso confirmed the first death in sub-Saharan Africa.
Russia reported its first death and even the Pacific nation of Fiji said it
had its first case.
Countries are taking increasingly drastic steps to stem infections, with
Australia and New Zealand banning non-residents from arriving.
The United States warned against international travel due to the pandemic
and advised citizens to come home if possible.
Upgrading its travel alert to the highest possible level, the State
Department said Americans who do not return “should be prepared to remain
abroad for an indefinite period.”
Britain closed dozens of London Underground stations and shut down schools.
The EU closed its borders to outsiders and in many countries bars,
restaurants and most shops have closed their doors until further notice.
Spain, which is on a near-total lockdown, on Thursday ordered all hotels to
close immediately.
The virus also continues to hit cultural events such as the Cannes film
festival, which has been postponed from May until at least late June.
And in sports Greece handed over the Olympic flame to Tokyo 2020 organisers
at a closed-door ceremony, while English football extended its shutdown until
at least April 30.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0850 hrs