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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD FACTS
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, April 12, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments
in the coronavirus crisis:
– China imported cases rise –
China records its highest daily toll of imported virus cases,
confirming 97 new infections. – US deaths top 20,000 –
At least 20,608 people in the United States have died, making the US
the hardest-hit country. It also has the highest number of reported
infections (530,006), according to the latest figures from Johns
Hopkins University. – More than 75,000 dead in Europe –
At least 109,300 people have died worldwide from the coronavirus in
193 countries and territories, according to an AFP tally around 1000
GMT Sunday based on official sources.
There have been more than 1,780,640 million reported infections
since the virus emerged in China in December.
With 75,011 deaths out of 909,700 diagnosed cases, Europe is the
hardest-hit continent. Italy has 19,468 deaths, Spain 16,972, France
13,832 and Britain 9,875. After falling for three straight days,
Spain’s daily death toll rises to 619. – Spectre of recession –
The World Bank warns South Asia is on course for its worst economic
performance in 40 years, with decades of progress in the battle
against poverty at risk.
It slashes its growth forecast for the region this year to 1.8-2.8
percent from its pre-pandemic projection of 6.3 percent, with at least
half the countries falling into “deep recession”.
– ‘Easter of solitude’ –
Pope Francis livestreams Easter Sunday mass to the world’s 1.3
billion Catholics, from an empty Saint Paul’s Cathedral at the
Vatican. “For many, this is an Easter of solitude lived amid the
sorrow and hardship that the pandemic is causing, from physical
suffering to economic difficulties,” the pope says.
He calls for a reduction or forgiveness of poor nation’s debts and
an “immediate” ceasefire in global conflicts.
In Jerusalem, a handful of priests celebrate Easter at the Church of
the Holy Sepulchre, the holiest site in Christianity, closed this
Easter for the first time in at least a century.
– Confinement goes on –
Lebanon extends its lockdown until April 26. Syria extends the
closure of schools and universities until May 2.
Argentina extends its obligatory confinement until April 26 in big
cities, but considers relaxing the measures in rural areas.
– UK PM out of hospital –
Britain’s virus-stricken Prime Minister Boris Johnson is discharged
from hospital after spending three days in intensive care. Downing
Street says that on the advice of his medical team, he will not
immediately return to work.
Johnson had earlier praised staff treating him in a state-run
hospital. “I can’t thank them enough. I owe them my life,” he said.
– Aid –
Canadian lawmakers pass a wage subsidy program heralded as the
largest economic measure in the country since World War II, to help
businesses and their employees.
The British government says o200 million (228 million euros)
additional aid will go to British charities and international
organisations to assist developing countries fight COVID-19 and help
prevent a second wave.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1935hrs