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VATICAN CITY (AFP) — The Vatican on Thursday took the unprecedented step of closing all Catholic churches across Rome to stem the spread of a coronavirus pandemic that has killed more than 1,000 people across Italy. The papal vicar for Rome said the churches would reopen when a broader Italian government crackdown on public gatherings expires on April 3. “The faithful are consequently exempt from their obligation to fulfill the festive precept,” a statement […]
LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP)– Britain on Thursday said up to 10,000 people in the UK could be infected with the novel coronavirus, as it announced new measures to slow the spread of the outbreak. Government chief scientific adviser Patrick Vallance said there were 590 confirmed cases but it was “much more likely we’ve got somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 people infected”. Britain was on a trajectory of cases “about four weeks” behind Italy and […]
DUBLIN, Ireland (AFP) — Ireland on Thursday announced the closure of all schools and colleges, and recommended the cancellation of mass gatherings as part of measures to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said “schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow (Friday)”, as would state-run cultural institutions. Indoor events of more than 100 people and those outdoor involving over 500 “should be cancelled”, Varadkar said in a statement […]
(Eagle News) — The Department of Health reported three more cases of the coronavirus disease in the country, bringing the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 52, as of Thursday, March 12. The DOH said that they are conducting extensive information gathering and contact tracing on the additional cases. They include a 69-year old Filipino female and a 26-year old Filipino male who are residents of Quezon City, and a 79-year old Filipino male with […]
(Eagle News) – Several national and local officials of the country underwent self-quarantine on Thursday, March 12, following the possibility of a previous interaction or exposure with a person who later turned to be positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). President Rodrigo Duterte himself has cancelled all his public events on Thursday, March 12, including the planned trip to Boracay to promote local tourism. He and Senator Christopher “Bong” Go were set to undergo […]
by David Albright with Issam Ahmed in Washington Agence France Presse SEATTLE, United States (AFP) — An American woman who has recovered from the novel coronavirus has a simple message for people who are worried: Don’t panic — but do think about high-risk individuals and stay home if you feel ill. Elizabeth Schneider lives in Seattle, the biggest city of Washington state, which has the most deaths in the United States from the disease […]
DOHA, Qatar (AFP) — The number of confirmed novel coronavirus cases in Qatar jumped by 238 to 262 on Wednesday, the health ministry said, warning that they were likely a result of community transmission. Qatar, which now has the most cases in the Gulf, has not reported any fatalities but has closed universities and schools, canceled many public events including the MotoGP and banned travelers from 14 countries entering the country. “The Ministry of Public […]
SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — High-profile fixtures of Shanghai’s skyline began to re-open Thursday on a limited basis in a sign of confidence that the coronavirus was being tamed in the Chinese financial center. The 632-meter (2,073-foot) Shanghai Tower — the world’s second-tallest building — and the futuristic Oriental Pearl Tower Radio and Television Tower were among skyscrapers to announce viewing platforms and other public areas had opened again, subject to various restrictions. The Shanghai Museum […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia on Thursday unveiled a massive US$11 billion spending plan designed to curb the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and avert the country’s first recession in 29 years. Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the nearly Aus$18 billion package — equivalent to just under one percent of GDP — which will primarily be targeted at businesses. “This plan is about keeping Australians in jobs. This plan is about keeping a business […]
MILAN, Italy (AFP) — Juventus and Italy defender Daniele Rugani told fans ‘don’t worry, I’m fine’ on Wednesday after becoming the first Serie A footballer to test positive for the new coronavirus. The 25-year-old “is currently asymptomatic,” the Italian champions said, but the Turin-based club are “currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him.” “I want to reassure all those who are worried about me, I’m […]
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) — Two more staff from the Haas Formula One team have been isolated while they are tested for the new coronavirus, taking the total to four, team officials said Thursday. McLaren also has a staff member in isolation at a hotel pending test results. Both teams are in Melbourne for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, whose first practice sessions are on Friday. “It’s four in total, one engineer and three mechanics,” team […]
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — South Korea reported fewer than 120 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, but authorities warned that a new cluster in Seoul could see the infection spread in the capital. Around 100 people linked to a call center in the city have tested positive for the virus in recent days. “This could lead to a ‘super spread’ in the metropolitan area, where half of the entire population are concentrated,” Prime Minister Chung […]
