Coronavirus latest: 28 March at a glance
Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Number of cases globally passes 640,000
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus around the world has reached 640,589, with 29,848 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University. So far, 137,270 people are confirmed to have recovered. However, the true number of infections is likely to be much higher, as many of those with symptoms not have been tested for the virus.
Trump warns of US quarantine
The US president, Donald Trump, has warned that it may be necessary to enforce a short-term quarantine of about two weeks in states including New York. However, the state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, said that he not been told of any plans to introduce a quarantine, adding: “I haven’t had those conversations, I don’t even know what that means.” He also announced that he was postponing the state’s 28 April presidential primary to 23 June.
Italian death toll passes 10,000
In Italy, 10,023 people have now died from coronavirus, after the death toll rose by 889 since Friday. The number of confirmed cases in the country increased to 92,472 from 86,498.
UK death toll reaches 1,000
The number of people killed by coronavirus in the UK has reached 1,021, with 17,301 confirmed cases. The latest total is 34% higher than the equivalent figure yesterday, marking the biggest day-on-day percentage increase since 18 March, when the jump was 46%.
Spain’s coronavirus outbreak ‘may be peaking’
The coronavirus outbreak may be peaking in areas of Spain, the country’s health authorities said on Saturday. The statement came after it recorded 832 deaths in one day – the highest number yet. The number of cases increased from 64,059 on Friday to 72,248 on Saturday, and a total of 5,812 people have now died from Covid-19, according to John Hopkins University.
Russia to close borders
Russia will close its borders on Monday, a government order published on Saturday said. The measure will apply to all vehicle, rail and pedestrian checkpoints, as well as maritime borders. Russia has already stopped all international flights. Russian diplomats and drivers of freight trucks, among others, will be exempt. The country has so far reported 1,264 coronavirus cases.
EU grants €250m aid to Tunisia
The EU has granted Tunisia €250m in aid to help it cope with the economic and social effects of the coronavirus outbreak, EU ambassador Patrice Bergamini said in a tweet.
Tunisia has limited healthcare infrastructure, leading to concerns about the spread of coronavirus. Currently, the country has 227 confirmed cases and six deaths.
