ZCZC
BFF-16
HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, March 30, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis:
– Pope calls for global ceasefire –
Pope Francis joins UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres’s appeal for an
“immediate global ceasefire”.
– Getting worse in Spain –
Spain tightens measures, ordering a halt to all non-essential activities
and telling workers to stay home for two weeks.
The country has the world’s second-highest toll and confirmed another 838
deaths in the last 24 hours, a new daily record.
The number of confirmed cases reached 78,797 on Sunday, a one-day increase
of 9.1 percent, with a total of 6,528 deaths.
– Trump back-flips on New York lockdown –
Some eight hours after stunning the New York metropolitan region with a
proposal to place it under quarantine, US President Donald Trump decides
against imposing a broad lockdown.
His reversal comes on the same day as the US death toll hit 2,351, more
than doubling in just three days. Of the fatalities more than a quarter are
in New York City.
The US has the most confirmed cases in the world.
Health authorities urge residents in the states of New York, New Jersey and
Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days.
– Food panic –
On the Italian island of Sicily, police with batons and guns move to
protect supermarkets after reports of looting. Italian Prime Minister
Giuseppe Conte promises the government will send food vouchers to those who
cannot afford groceries.
Italy is earmarking 400 million euros ($445 million) for the emergency food
relief programme.
– Death toll passes 33,000 –
At least 33,244 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus since the
epidemic started in China in December, according to an AFP tally compiled at
1900 GMT Sunday based on official sources.
With 10,779 deaths, Italy alone accounts for almost a third of the world
death toll.
The next countries with the highest official deaths are Spain (6,528),
mainland China (3,300), Iran (2,640) and France (2,606).
– Hunkering down –
In a leaflet being sent to more than 30 million households in the UK,
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson warns “things will get worse before they
get better”.
The government says the lockdown could last a “significant” time, as
infection rates spiral and the death toll reaches 1,228.
Russia, which has not imposed a full lockdown, will close its borders on
Monday and next week will be a week off from work. Moscow’s mayor announces a
lockdown in the capital from Monday.
Zimbabwe begins a 21-day total lockdown on Monday.
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani says the country must prepare to adjust to
“the new way of life” for a long time.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a weekly radio address, apologises
to citizens for the countrywide 21-day lockdown that is leaving many migrant
workers jobless and penniless.
BSS/AFP/GMR/1340 hrs