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HEALTH-VIRUS-WORLD FACTS
Coronavirus: latest global developments
PARIS, April 25, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Here are the latest developments in the
coronavirus crisis:
– Immunity?
The World Health Organization warns there is no evidence currently that
people who have had the new coronavirus are immunised and protected against
reinfection, raising doubts over the use of “immune passports” to allow some
people at least to return to normal life.
– Global vaccine effort –
The United Nations launches an international push for a vaccine, with the
UN chief saying the effort will require cooperation on a global scale and
calling on international organisations, world leaders and the private sector
to join the effort.
– More than 197,000 dead –
More than 197,000 people have died worldwide since the epidemic surfaced
in China in December, according to an AFP tally at 1100 GMT Saturday based on
official sources.
More than 2,821,000 cases have now been reported in 193 countries or
territories.
The United States has the most deaths of any country with 51,549.
Italy is the second hardest-hit country, with 25,969 dead. Spain follows
with 22,902 then France on 22,245 and Britain 19,506.
– Economic pain –
The US economy is expected to contract by around 12 percent in the second
quarter of the year and the jobless rate reach nearly 14 percent as a result
of the coronavirus lockdowns, the independent Congressional Budget Office
says.
The Italian government estimates the public deficit will rise to 10.4
percent of GDP and debt to 155.7 percent in 2020.
In Russia, the central bank says the economy will shrink by up to six
percent this year.
– Aid to KLM, Air France, Renault –
The Dutch government promises to prop up national carrier KLM with an aid
package worth between two to four billion euros, shortly after Paris pledges
help for partner airline Air France.
France says it is readying a “historic” package of help which will offer
Air France seven billion euros ($7.5 billion) plus five billion euros for
automaker Renault.
– Easing restrictions –
Sri Lanka will lift its curfew on Monday.
The Czech Republic will reopen the country’s borders to EU business
travellers from Monday.
Israel approves new steps to ease its lockdown measures for retail and
service businesses.
Belgium will gradually reopen businesses and schools from mid-May.
Paraguay meanwhile is extending its lockdown to May 3.
– Polish election controversy –
Poland’s governing Law and Justice (PiS) party refuses to postpone its
presidential election scheduled for May 10, despite widespread opposition
including from its own health minister.
Minister Lukasz Szumowski, who is also a cardiologist, says delaying next
month’s presidential election until 2022 is “the only safe option”.
Opposition candidate Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska says to hold it on May 10
would amount to a “coup d’etat” by the ruling party.
– Data control in tracing tool –
Apple and Google, engaged in an unprecedented collaboration, say their
“contact tracing” technology would enable smartphone users to control their
own data, and that the system would likely be shut down after the pandemic
ends.
BSS/AFP/MRU/1920hrs