A woman wearing a mask walks pasts the Eiffel Tower closed after the French government banned all gatherings of over 100 people to limit the spread of virus COVID-19. - Copyright Christophe Ena/Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Elderly people in the UK will be told to self-isolate "within the coming weeks" the UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock told British channel Sky News on Sunday.
Hancock was speaking as he addressed growing concerns over the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.
He said the government had set out the future restrictions, which include asking the vulnerable and those over 70 to self-isolate for up to four months, in its action plan to tackle the virus.
Hancock also called on manufacturers to help build more ventilators which he said were "critical" in the battle to help those who are ill.
"We start with around 5,000 ventilators. We think we need many times more than that," Hancock said. "So anybody who can should turn their production and their engineering minds over to the production of ventilators."
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.
For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
COVID-19 likely to affect more than half of French population
Frances Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer said in an interview with radio station Franceinfo that the coronavirus epidemic will "probably" affect more than half of the French population.
The minister answered a question on the drastic containment measures announced the day before.
"As you know, from the beginning, the strategy has not been to prevent the virus from getting through - we know that it will probably pass through more than half of us - but it is to make sure that it passes and spreads over a longer period of time, " Blanquer noted.
He added, "we consider [...] that 50% to 70% of the population ends up being infected by the virus. This is what will put an end to the virus, since it creates a form of hive immunity, leading the virus to disappear on its own. "
With his statement, Blanquer joins UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who had confirmed that the UK is trying to not just contain, but also delay the spread of the disease to limit the pressure on the healthcare system.
Earlier this week, German chancellor Angela Merkel had also said that up to 70% of Germany could become infected, meaning about 58 million people could contract COVID-19.
Australia introduces strict measures
Australias prime minister says all travellers arriving in the country will have to self-isolate for 14 days to try and stem the spread of the new coronavirus.
The measures will begin from midnight Monday Australian east coast time.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement Sunday after a phone hookup with the leaders of Australian states and territories leaders under a new national cabinet meeting.
Morrison told reporters in Sydney that the measures are indefinite and will be reviewed periodically.
Morrison also banned all cruise ships from docking in Australian ports for at least 30 days.
The measures are similar to what New Zealand announced on Saturday.
Trump tests negative for COVID-19
After days of resisting screening for the coronavirus, President Donald Trump tested negative for the virus, officials said Saturday night. Meanwhile, the White House began checking the temperature of anyone coming into close contact with the president and other officials.
Prior to his testing, Trump said his personal physician told him he didnt show symptoms and didnt need to take the test. But Trump decided to do it anyway after repeated questions from reporters about why he was hesitating to undergo screening when he had been exposed to at least three people who have tested positive for the virus.
"One week after having dinner with the Brazilian delegation in Mar-a-Lago, the President remains symptom-free," Sean Conley, the presidents physician, said in a memo.
The president, according to two people close to the White House, had been reluctant to take the test for fear it would project weakness or worry. Trump wanted to appear in full control during the crisis and had expressed concerns that taking personal steps could undermine that appearance.
Trump, 73, is considered to be at higher risk of complications from the disease because of his age. He has long tried to minimize the threat posed by the virus and continued to engage in behaviours that health officials are warning the public against.
At a glance: key coronavirus developments
- Austrias Tyrol province orders lockdown for a week
- Criminal trial for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu postponed for two months because of coronavirus restrictions
- Bosnia forces incoming residents to stay in tents for 14 days
- Italy on Saturday said its death toll rose by 175 in 24 hours to 1,441 victims.
- Spain declared state of emergency and announced a partial lockdown after a sharp rise in cases.
- France closes all its bar, restaurants and other non-essential outlets. But municipal elections will go ahead on Sunday.
- UK coronavirus deaths from the virus hit 21, nearly doubling since Friday.
- Half of Africa has COVID-19 cases, as four new countries confirm infections
- Washington to extend European travel ban to the UK and Ireland.
- Denmark announces first death from the virus.
- Romania announces a state of emergency starting on Monday.
- Wuhan football team leaving Spain to escape coronavirus.
- Turkey halts all flights from nine European countries starting today until April 17.
- WHO declares Europe the new epicentre of the pandemic on Friday
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