Category Archives: Coronavirus outbreak

NHS would have saved UK woman who died in Bali of coronavirus, says husband

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Kimberly Finlayson had underlying health conditions and was first British victim to be named

The husband of a British woman who died while on holiday in Bali after contracting coronavirus has spoken out about the care she received, saying he does not believe she would have died had she been in the UK.

Ken Finlayson said he was able to exchange goodbyes “for a few minutes” before his wife, Kimberley Finlayson, who had underlying health conditions, died on the Indonesian island on 11 March.

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End US sanctions against Iran so that we can fight coronavirus with all our might | Azadeh Moaveni and Sussan Tahmasebi

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The pandemic is ravaging an already weakened economy. But Iranian activists across society are stepping up

On Monday evening, just five days ahead of Nowruz, the Persian new year holiday, police descended upon a small local market in west Tehran. They ordered local vendors to pack up their wares, their socks, colanders, and plastic flowers, telling them that by selling goods in public they were helping spread the coronavirus. On Tuesday evening, they returned, and found one tenacious seller hawking in the same place. “You, here again!” barked a security officer. “If I don’t sell, how am I going to pay my rent?” the woman asked plaintively.

Related: UK presses US to ease Iran sanctions to help fight coronavirus

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Germans sing from rooftops in solidarity with Italy during coronavirus lockdown – video

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People in the Bavarian town of Bamberg stood on their rooftops and opened their windows to sing Bella Ciao, an Italian resistance song, in solidarity with Italy where the death toll from the Covid-19 outbreak continues to rise

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The US military would be superb at fighting coronavirus. Let’s use it | Ann Lee and Sean Penn

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After the 2010 Haitian earthquake, we saw the US military in action as a humanitarian force. They can do this

In 2010, a devastating earthquake hit Haiti. In three minutes it killed more than 200,000 people and displaced two million more.

Our humanitarian aid organization, the Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), was on the ground in Haiti. In Haiti – as well as on the front lines of other disasters, like Hurricane Florence in North Carolina and Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas just a few months ago – we saw how dangerous inaction and political paralysis can be, and how rapid mobilization saves lives. In a crisis, every minute – every second – counts.

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How shopping and Sinatra are helping in coronavirus isolation

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People from all walks of life are mobilising to support those coping with isolation

Amy Tan is preparing to burst into song with two fellow musicians on a deserted street in Acton, west London.

“We’ll do anything by Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald – the Rat Pack,” she says. “Or maybe they would like a song by Elton John or the Beatles?”

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Strangely competent Mike Pence finds his 9/11 moment in coronavirus crisis

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Critics flagged up his anti-science background and questionable record as governor but the vice-president has won praise as the Covid-19 taskforce head

His past record made him seem an odd choice. He remains as servile to Donald Trump as ever. But Mike Pence, the US vice-president, is said to be having “a good war” against the coronavirus outbreak.

Related: Coronavirus travel updates: which countries have restrictions and FCO warnings in place?

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Bondi beach closed down after crowds defy ban on gatherings of more than 500 people

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Authorities say lifeguards will now be directed to close any beach where headcount reaches more than 500

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Australian authorities closed Bondi beach and removed hundreds of people from other popular Sydney beaches on Saturday, citing the “irresponsible behaviour” of large crowds that had gathered in clear defiance of public health warnings.

Images of a packed Bondi on Friday – when temperatures in parts of Sydney exceeded 35C – were criticised internationally as governments in Australia announced stricter regulations to encourage social distancing and restrict the spread of the coronavirus.

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Fears of catastrophe as Greece puts migrant camps into lockdown

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Doctors say coronavirus outbreak could be disastrous amid ‘horrific’ conditions

As the Schengen area closed its external borders last week, in a move designed to replace the closing of member states’ national borders against imported Covid-19 infection, some internal barriers still went up in Europe. The day after the European commission’s announcement, the Greek government introduced a set of measures that would apply to the migrant camps in the Greek islands.

As of Wednesday, the camps have been locked down from 7pm to 7am. In the daytime, only one person is allowed out per family, and the police control their movements. Some camps, on the islands of Leros and Kos, have been closed entirely.

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North Korea fires projectiles into sea for third time in a month

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Suspected short-range missile launches come as Pyongyang announces legislature to meet in April amid coronavirus pandemic

North Korea fired two projectiles that appeared to be short-range ballistic missiles into the sea off the east coast of the Korean peninsula, South Korea’s military reported.

The launch on Saturday follows two earlier this month, when North Korea fired short-range missiles and multiple projectiles, according to South Korea’s military, drawing US and Chinese appeals for Pyongyang to return to talks on ending its nuclear and missile programmes.

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Dolphins and fish: nature moves into spaces left empty by Italian coronavirus quarantine – video

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Video shared on social media shows clear and calm water in Venice as animals take advantage of the lockdown in Italy to move into usually crowded spaces. Dolphins and wild boar have been spotted as ports and roads have been quiet as the country remains under strict quarantine at least until 3 April

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‘My Covid-19 vlog’: junior doctor shares insight amid coronavirus outbreak – video

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NHS junior doctor Ed Hope has updated his YouTube channel by vlogging about his experience on the front line of the coronavirus emergency as Covid-19 cases grow in the UK, covering panic buying to specialist mask fitting.

Dr Hope's Sick Notes is a YouTube channel that usually has a 'light-hearted look at hospitals', however the doctor has got serious by looking at the NHS approach from the inside

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Spanish couple hold wedding from their window to beat coronavirus lockdown

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Pair lighten a grim week by getting married with the street as witness in Spain’s answer to Italy’s balcony singing

Nearly a year of planning had gone into the day: fresh flowers filled the venue, name cards sat at each of the 190 place settings and the final nips and tucks had been sewn into the bridal gown.

Related: Coronavirus: the week the world shut down

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‘You’re a terrible reporter’: Trump throws tantrum over question about coronavirus fears – video

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Donald Trump has hit out at NBC's Peter Alexander after the reporter asked the president if he was being too positive about drugs and therapies that have not been clinically trialled to help with Covid-19. Trump defended his approach and said the journalist asked a 'nasty question', calling him a 'terrible reporter'. He also attacked NBC and Comcast

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Coronavirus travel ban, stock market dive and Qantas cuts: Australia’s week in review – video

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In one week, Australia intensified its approach to tackling the coronavirus. The government announced travel bans and restrictions on social gatherings, while the reserve bank and government introduced new financial policy in the face of major economic disruptions

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UK restaurants, pubs and gyms to close because of coronavirus, says Johnson – video

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The prime minister has announced that all bars, restaurants, pubs, gyms and leisure centres will have to close on 20 March as the Covid-19 pandemic continues. Johnson urged people not to go out on Friday night before every venue has had a chance to close.

Rishi Sunak, the chancellor, has announced that the government will offer a job subsidy scheme that will provide employers with 80% of a worker’s wage up to a limit of £2,500 a month.


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How do I know if I have coronavirus and what happens next? – video explainer

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What are the symptoms of the Covid-19 virus, what treatments are available and how do I protect myself and the people around me from infection? The Guardian's health editor, Sarah Boseley, answers some key questions as coronavirus spreads across the globe

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US-Mexico border is closed to non-essential travel as coronavirus outbreak continues – video

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Mike Pompeo, the secretary of state, has announced the closure of the border as Donald Trump warned against 'mass, uncontrolled cross-border movement'.

The announcement comes two days after officials said the US-Canada border would similarly ban all non-essential travel as the pandemic continues. Pompeo also urged all Americans to stay in the country or immediately return home if they are abroad.


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US coronavirus news: Mexican border closed to non-essential travel as New York ordered to stay at home – live

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Here’s where the day stands so far:

Well, that was an eventful daily coronavirus briefing. Here are some of the highlights:

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Government to pay 80% of wages for those not working in coronavirus crisis

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Rishi Sunak announces ‘unprecedented’ scheme offering up to £2,500 a month

The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has announced the government will pay the wages of British workers to keep them in jobs as the coronavirus outbreak escalates.

In an unprecedented step, Sunak said the state would pay grants covering up to 80% of the salary of workers kept on by companies, up to a total of £2,500 per month, just above the median income.

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