The numbers: The novel coronavirus has infected more than 182,400 people and killed over 7,100 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of deaths outside China has now surpassed those inside.
Worldwide restrictions: Millions are under lock down in Europe as some Asian countries close schools and non-essential businesses, and curb travel.
In the US, the White House has advised people not to gather in groups of more than 10, as US cases passed 4,400, with at least 87 fatalities, according to state and local health agencies and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
Seventy cases are repatriated citizens, such as those evacuated from China or the Diamond Princess Cruise ship in Japan while 4,407 cases were detected, tested, and confirmed in the US.
Washington and New York are the hardest hit states, both with more than 900 cases each. California follows with 450 cases.
Only one state has yet to report a coronavirus case — West Virginia.
In GERMANY, foreign minister Heiko Maas urged German citizens to stay home today, after a dramatic leap in the country’s coronavirus cases.
The German government is doing everything possible to repatriate thousands of Germans who are currently abroad, he said, and pleaded for citizens to not travel.
“”Please stay at home,” he said.”
This comes after the country reported 1,174 new infections within 24 hours between Sunday and Monday — its largest single-day rise in cases.
Germany has over 7,200 coronavirus cases, including 17 deaths, according to an estimate from Johns Hopkins University, which is tracking cases reported by the World Health Organisation and additional sources.
The government also issued drastic new restrictions yesterday, closing bars, clubs, theaters, concert halls, museums, and other public spaces.
“These are measures that have never existed in our country before, but they are necessary,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel yesterday. “We need drastic measures to slow down the infection process.”
London mayor announces new measures, urges everyone to stop “non-essential social contact”
In London, its mayor, Sadiq Khan announced new measures, urging everyone to stop “non-essential social contact”
He said in a video posted to twitter that London is weeks ahead of the rest of the UK in the coronavirus pandemic, and must now move into the next phase of its response.
“The Prime Minister (Boris Johnson) has said that London is now a few weeks ahead of the rest of the country because of our global connectivity and size,” said Khan, urging residents to follow the official advice.
All Londoners should now stop all non-essential social contact. This means working from home wherever possible and stopping all visits to pubs, clubs, theaters or other venues with immediate effect.”
If residents had family members showing symptoms, the entire household should self-quarantine and not go outside for 14 days, he said.
Vulnerable residents like the elderly or those with preexisting health conditions should limit their contact with others.
London is the biggest city in Western Europe, with close to 9 million inhabitants.
There have been 1,547 coronavirus cases and 55 deaths in the UK, according to the World Health Organization.
The new measures are being implemented because the country is “now approaching the fast growth part of the upward curve” in cases and “without drastic action cases could double every five to six days,” Johnson has warned.
CNN
