Coronavirus latest: at a glance
Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Global cases approach 1.3m and death toll nears 70,000
The number of cases worldwide was just shy of 1.275m, as deaths reached 69,479. The US has more than 337,000 confirmed cases and more than 9,600 deaths, and the UK has more than 48,000 cases and 4,943 deaths.
Boris Johnson admitted to hospital for coronavirus tests
The British prime minister has been admitted to hospital with coronavirus after suffering persistent symptoms for 10 days. Downing Street insists it was just a precautionary measure and it is understood Johnson remains in charge of the government.
Japan expected to declare a state of emergency
Prime minister Shinzo Abe is expected to declare a state of emergency that could go into effect as early as Tuesday. Under a law revised in March, the prime minister can declare a state of emergency if the disease poses a “grave danger” to lives and if its rapid spread could have a huge impact on the economy. More than 3,500 people have tested positive and 85 have died from the new coronavirus in Japan, according to public broadcaster NHK and there a fears there could be a sudden surge in cases in Tokyo, which has recorded 1,000 infections.
Fewer than 50 new cases in South Korea
For the first time since 29 February the country reported fewer than 50 new coronavirus cases. The country, which is one of the first to be hit by the global outbreak, has responded with aggressive measures to combat the outbreak, including extensive testing. For the last month, South Korea has been reporting around 100 new coronavirus cases per day.
US government orders 29m doses of hydroxychloroquine
Donald Trump announced that the US had ordered large quantities of the drug, which is used to treat malaria and for which testing for its use to treat coronavirus is still under way. The drug has potentially harmful side effects. Personal protective gear is also being airlifted to US affected states, including millions of masks, gloves, and sterile gowns. Health officials in the US have warned the nation faces it’s “hardest and saddest week”.
A tiger at a New York zoo has tested positive for the coronavirus
In the first known case of Covid-19 in an animal in the US, a tiger at New York City’s Bronx Zoo has tested positive, a zoo spokesman told Reuters on Sunday. Six other tigers and lions are also believed to have been infected.
Daily death tolls slow in Italy, Spain and France
Italy registered 525 new coronavirus deaths on Sunday, the lowest daily rate since 19 March, while Spain recorded 674 deaths in the past 24 hours – the lowest daily death toll reported since 26 March. In France, 357 people died from Covid-19 in hospitals.
