Live Updates: Coronavirus Cases Top 255,300 Globally, Death Toll Surpasses 10,400

Lamentamos informar el fallecimiento de uno de nuestros pacientes a causa del Coronavirus #COVID19.
El mismo se encontraba internado en terapia intensiva desde hace varios días.
Nuestras más sentidas condolencias a la familia.
Seguimos en la lucha.

— Ministerio de Salud (@msaludpy) March 21, 2020

The death toll from coronavirus stands at 102, according to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

South Korea, like China, has seen a downward trend in the number of virus cases registered per day.

Some 104,000 out of 234,073 global confirmed cases have been registered in Europe.

At the same time, John Hopkins University says that the global number of COVID-19 cases stands at 271,629, with more than 11,000 fatalities.

200 casos Confirmados.
20/03/2020
Fuente @MINSAPma#covid19 #prevencion #salvarvidas #quedateencasa #coronavirus pic.twitter.com/WeoSxyJJTv

— VOST Panamá (@VOSTpanama) March 20, 2020

"The Ministry of Health and Community Protection announced the death of two cases of [the new coronavirus COVID-19], one of whom [was confirmed dead] from a heart attack that coincided with his coronavirus infection .. and the other...had several chronic diseases such as heart disease and kidney failure", the ministry said on Friday as quoted by the Emirates News Agency.

Four new fatalities were added on Friday.

As of today, Brazil has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in Latin America.

About 6,000 new cases were added as of 20 March, German n-tv reported citing the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) under the German Foreign Ministry, which tracks statistics of the coronavirus situation in the country.

North Rhine-Westphalia is the worst-hit state with a total of 6,257 people infected, according to the RKI. The number of infected people in Baden-Württemberg has reached 3,665, Bavaria 3,107, and Lower Saxony 1,262.

The death toll has reportedly reached 62, while 134 people have recovered.

According to the health ministry, eight people have contracted the virus, all of them had contacts with those previously infected. In turn, their recent contacts are being identified.

The patient is a 38-year-old man who has recently returned from the United Kingdom.

One new fatality has been reported, bringing the total number of deaths to 8.

Este es el detalle de los casos de COVID19 en Costa Rica. Datos actualizados al medio día de hoy. Esta es información oficial.#EstaEnTusManos pic.twitter.com/YAx8EcPbCT

— Ministerio de Salud (@msaludcr) March 20, 2020

"Today, we learned of 155 additional positive tests. That brings our statewide total to 890", Governor Phil Murphy said in a press briefing on Friday. "We have sadly learned of two additional deaths as well… that brings our total to 11".

New Jersey will almost certainly enforce stricter social distancing restrictions starting on Saturday night as the number of COVID-19 is expected to surge, Murphy said.

"As of today, 12,612 people have contracted coronavirus infection in France, the death toll stands at 450", Health Minister Jerome Salomon said during a daily briefing.

According to the minister, 5,226 coronavirus-infected people have been hospitalized, with 1,297 people staying in serious condition in intensive care.

"In Canada, as of this moment, there are 925 cases and 12 deaths", Chief Public Health Officer Dr Theresa Tam told reporters.

The chief medical officer said that approximately 66,000 individuals have been tested for the deadly virus, with 10,000 tests being performed since yesterday.

"In the Commonwealth of Virginia, our current count is 114 cases", Virginia's Health Commissioner Norman Oliver said. "Nineteen people were hospitalized. We have 2 deaths".

Oliver warned that the number of people infected with the virus may increase as Virginia’s state laboratories have another 35 tests to process during the day.

The Health Commissioner noted there is no vaccine for the COVID-19 at present and social distancing and proper hygiene remains the best way to prevent the spread of the virus.

 Health authorities in the United Kingdom have confirmed 40 more deaths due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the previous 24 hours, the largest day-on-day increase in the death toll since the outbreak began.

Chief Medical Officer for Wales Frank Atherton confirmed the third coronavirus-related death in Wales on Friday morning, raising the overall total to three since the start of the outbreak.

"I’m very sorry to report that a third patient in Wales who tested positive for COVID-19 has sadly died. I offer my sincere condolences to their family and friends and ask that their request for privacy is respected", Atherton stated.

No new deaths were reported in Scotland or Northern Ireland on Friday. The current death toll in Scotland stands at six after three deaths were confirmed on Thursday. Northern Ireland has so far confirmed one death from COVID-19.

As of 09:00 GMT on 19 March, the UK Department of Health and Social Care has registered 3,269 cases of COVID-19 in the country, after a rise of 676 in the preceding 24 hours.

"The total number of UN cases, not just in headquarters, but of UN cases, is 24", UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a press briefing

"We are introducing an epidemic emergency regime", Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at a briefing in Warsaw.

"Unfortunately, we have registered 627 [new] deaths. I want to stress that they have died having coronavirus, not because of it", the head of the country's Civil Protection Department, Angelo Borrelli said at a briefing.

He added that 689 more people recovered, bringing the total number to 5,129.

The number of COVID-19-infected people in Italy has increased by 4,670 over the past 24 hours, nearing 38,000.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, addressing the situation regarding supermarkets in the country, has stated that people should shop reasonably.

The patients are reportedly three women who have recently arrived in Madagascar from France, according to Actualite.mg citing president Andry Rajoelina.

BIENOS AIRES (Sputnik) - An Argentinian citizen, who escaped from quarantine after returning from Europe and boarded a ferry with 400 passengers, could face up to 15 years in prison, media reported on Friday.

The 22-year-old man escaped from quarantine in a hospital in Uruguay after returning from a trip to the Netherlands, Argentina's TN broadcaster reported, citing sources. He boarded the ferry to Argentina as part of a program to repatriate Argentine citizens due to the closure of borders between the countries in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. All 400 passengers of the ferry were placed under quarantine upon arrival to the country.

BELGRADE (Sputnik) - The Balkan states each registered increases in coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours, their respective health authorities reported Friday.

The civil defence headquarters of the Croatian Interior Ministry said that 11 more people were reported to be infected since late Thursday, bringing the nation's total to 113. The first patient died from the illness overnight.

Serbia’s Health Ministry meanwhile has so far reported a total of 118 cases, confirming 15 new cases in the past day. No related deaths have been reported in the country.

An almost total ban on international travel went into effect in both countries as of Friday, with only citizens and specialized medical professionals allowed entry.

Bosnia and Herzegovina reported 5 new cases, making the nation's total 69. All patients are in the central municipality of Konjic.

In Northern Macedonia, the Health Ministry said that 19 new cases of infection were detected since Thursday afternoon from about 71 tests conducted. One person had recovered during that time. According to the ministry, no patients have died since the virus reached the country.

Montenegro, the last European nation to confirm coronavirus within its borders, now has 13 cases, according to Director of the Institute of Public Health Boban Mugosa.

"As we did with Canada, we are also working with Mexico to implement new rules at our ports of entry to suspend non-essential travel. These new rules will not impede trade and commerce," Trump said.

BANGKOK (Sputnik) - Thailand will close border crossings to prevent the coronavirus infection from further spreading, media reported on Friday, citing an order by the country's permanent secretary for the interior.

The ISRA news agency, run by the Thai Association of Journalists, said that, according to the order, all temporary and permanent border crossings must be immediately closed, and only one permanent border crossing might be opened for each neighboring country if necessary.

At the same time, the measure will not restrict the movement of goods in both directions.

The order was sent to governors of all Thai border provinces, according to the media. Thailand has border crossings with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia.

So far, Thailand confirmed 322 COVID-19 cases and one fatality from virus-related complications.

TORONTO (Sputnik) - Canada and the United States reached a deal to return migrants found to be irregularly crossing the border to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a press briefing on Friday.

“Today, Canada and the United States are announcing a reciprocal arrangement where we will now be returning irregular migrants who attempt to cross anywhere at the Canada-US border,” Trudeau said.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that the temporary halt on non-essential travel between the neighbouring countries will come into effect at midnight on Friday (4:00 a.m. GMT).

The number of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in New York State reached 7,102, with 2,950 newly reported cases, while the death toll increased to 35, Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a press briefing on Friday.

Cuomo displayed a table during the briefing that showed a total of 4,408 COVID-19 cases registered in New York City, 1,091 in Westchester County, 754 in Nassau, 371 in Suffolk, 101 in Rockland, 84 in Orange, 61 in Albany, 36 in Duthcess, 32 in Monroe and 31 in Erie.

The number of deaths across New York State from COVID-19 complications has reached 35, according to Cuomo.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Department of Defense reported on Friday 128 coronavirus cases among its servicemen and civilians.

According to a COVID-19 Fact Sheet, distributed to the media, the Pentagon has so far no deaths of the disease. Among the military there are currently 67 cases and three recovered patients, the rest are civilians, dependents and contractors.

The Pentagon has ramped up assistance to civilian authorities in their efforts to curb coronavirus that has infected, according to the recent data of Johns Hopkins University, 14,250 and killed 205 in the US.

Navy medicine core staff are reporting to two 1,000-bed hospital ships Comfort and Mercy as they prepare for deployment in New York and the West Coast. Governors across the country mobilize National Guard units to assist with various COVID-19 missions, like testing, logistics and food delivery.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Farnborough International Airshow, initially scheduled to take place in July, has been cancelled due to the ongoing spread of COVID-19, organizers announced in a statement on Friday.

"It is with great regret that we announce the Farnborough International Airshow 2020, due to take place in July, is cancelled," the statement read.

Organizers cited the heightened risk to exhibitors, members of staff and the general public who attend the biennial event in the United Kingdom.

The next edition of the international air show will take place in 2022, organizers stated.

At the previous edition of the aviation trade fair in 2018, more than 1,400 commercial aircraft worth a total of $154 billion were ordered.

The announcement is the latest blow to the aviation industry, which has been one of the most severely affected amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Airlines across the world have been forced to cancel flights and there have been warnings of severe employee layoffs.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Austria is going to prolong business and school closures and social distancing until April 13 as part of a nationwide effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said on Friday.

"Many people ask what will happen next and whether what we are doing is working. Today I can give you a clear answer to this question: we are doing everything right," Kurz said at a press conference broadcast by Austrian media.

Acknowledging the effectiveness of social distancing in reducing the risk of infection, he further said "I ask you to hang on. We must continue adhering to the measures taken."

GENEVA (Sputnik) - Switzerland's government, the Federal Council, has introduced a ban on gatherings of over five people, to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, but the national quarantine is out of question yet.

"The Federal Council is toughening measures related to ensuring safe distance, which is necessary to prevent hospitals from being overcrowded with patients suffering from a severe form of the novel coronavirus. It was decided, at the meeting held on March 20, to ban gatherings of over five people," the Swiss government said in a statement on Friday.

Those violating this decision will be slapped with a fine, the amount of which has not been disclosed so far.

Alain Berset, the head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs, said at a press conference on Friday that the government was closely following measures implemented in neighbouring countries but did not think it was currently necessary to declare quarantine in the country.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The annual US tax filing deadline has been pushed forth by three months to give Americans additional relief amid the coronavirus crisis, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said on Friday.

"We are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15," Mnuchin said via Twitter, adding that the delay came at the direction of President Donald Trump. "All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties."

Aside from deferring the tax deadline, the Trump administration is also working on stimulus and other relief actions worth some $1.3 trillion to deal with the economic effects of the pandemic.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US state of Maryland has registered 149 cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the spokesman for the state’s governor, Mike Ricci, said in a statement on Friday.

"Today's Maryland COVID-19 count: 149," Ricci said via Twitter.

Three cases have been confirmed among children, but no one of them hospitalized at this time, he added.

According to data from Maryland’s Health Department, almost every third case was registered in Montgomery county. Another 31 cases were registered in Prince George country. Both counties located near the US capital of Washington, DC.

TORONTO (Sputnik) - A Canadian citizen who cruised on the Diamond Princes cruise ship died in Japan from complications related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a statement on Friday.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the death of a Canadian in Japan from complications related to COVID-19. Our deepest condolences to the family, to whom we are providing consular assistance during this difficult time,” Champagne said via Twitter.

According to Japan’s broadcaster NHK, 712 of the cruise ship’s 3,700 passengers became infected with the novel coronavirus, resulting in at least eight deaths, including the latest victim.

Last Friday, Canada’s  Transport Minister Marc Garnea announced that the country will suspend the cruise ship season until the end of June.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Office of the Russian Prosecutor General has requested, for the first time since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, that access to fake news on coronavirus, including those spread by the Echo of Moscow radio station, be restricted.

"The Office of the Prosecutor General is implementing measures to restrict access to unreliable information of public importance, related to the coronavirus infection in the Russian Federation. Eight requests for restricting access to such unreliable reports have been sent to Roskomnadzor [the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media]," the office said in a statement.

The Office of the Russian Prosecutor General cited as an example of an interview with political analyst Valery Solovey, released on the website of the Echo of Moscow on March 16.

"He said, citing anonymous sources, that since mid-January 2020, around 1,600 confirmed deaths from coronavirus were registered in the Russian Federation, and the number of those infected amounted to 130,000-180,000," the office said, stressing that fake news escalate panics.

LONDON (Sputnik) - The chief UK Brexit negotiator, David Frost, went into self-isolation with mild COVID-19 symptoms, one day after Michel Barnier, the European Union's chief Brexit negotiator, tested positive for the coronavirus, the UK Prime Minister's Office said on Friday.

Frost did not test positive for COVID-19 but had mild coronavirus symptoms, according to the prime minister’s office.

The latest meeting between the negotiators took place two weeks ago.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that the Kremlin had taken notice of the joint letter written by members of Russia's civil society regarding the fight against COVID-19 and promised it would "undoubtedly" be considered by the coronavirus crisis center.

Earlier in the day, Russian media reported that civil society had called for more drastic emergency measures to be introduced in response to the spread of the coronavirus disease.

"Yes, of course, we have taken note [of the letter]. We are also sure that the crisis center's management and members where the fight against the coronavirus is being organized and implement will take note of it, too," Peskov told journalists.

There is a multitude of opinions on this matter, the spokesman continued, and the letter would "undoubtedly be considered."

"There are specialists as well – virusologists, medics... they are the ones responsible for the measures that are being undertaken," Peskov added.

STOCKHOLM (Sputnik) - Swedish authorities have decided to withdraw its military instructors from Iraq amid the global spread of COVID-19, Swedish Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist said on Friday.

"Swedish military personnel are stationed at Camp Taji military base in a suburb of Baghdad. Their task is to train representatives of the security forces of Iraq. However, the worldwide spread of COVID-19 has affected the need for such training. Therefore, it was decided to return the personnel to Sweden," Hultqvist said.

According to the statement, the mission is not suspended and about 40 Swedish servicemen will return to Iraq in May.

STOCKHOLM (Sputnik) - Sweden's Volvo car manufacturer on Friday announced stopping production at its Belgian, US, and Swedish plants due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) starting March 26.

"The Belgium plant will remain closed until April 5. The Swedish and US plants will be closed between March 26 and April 14," the company said in a statement.

Senior Vice President Claes Eliasson told Sveriges Television that about 20,000 employees will be given vacation with a 7.5 percent decrease in salary and that the salaries for top management will be cut by 20 percent.

"Earlier this month Volvo Cars reopened its four manufacturing plants in China after an extended closure period. Today's showroom traffic is indicating a return to normal in China’s car market which is clearly demonstrating the advantages of being a globally balanced company," the company added.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - An employee working at the US State Department in Washington has been diagnosed with COVID-19, CNN reported, citing an email from Under Secretary for Management Brian Bulatao.

According to the broadcaster, the employee in question does not work in the main State Department building in Foggy Bottom, but in an annexe building in Washington.

The email, dated March 19, also states that a few State Department employees working abroad had tested positive for COVID-19 and that this most recent case was the first in the US capital.

A spokesman for the State Department told the TV channel that the employees working at the department annexe had been instructed to take the necessary precautions and that the area was being disinfected.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US-Led coalition is reducing its military presence in Iraq over the novel coronavirus pandemic and the progress made in the fights against the Islamic State terror group (banned one Russia), Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) said in a press release on Friday.

“The coalition is adjusting its positioning in Iraq for two reasons: long-planned adjustments to the force to reflect success in the campaign against Daesh [Islamic State]; and, short-term moves to protect the force during the coronavirus pandemic,” the release said. “Looking ahead, we anticipate the coalition supporting the Iraqi Security Forces from fewer bases with fewer people.”

The coalition added in the release that all of is military movements are carried out in coordination with the Iraqi government.

BEIRUT (Sputnik) - Jordan declares a nationwide curfew starting March 21 in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus, the minister of state for media affairs said on Friday, noting that the measure would remain in effect until further notice.

As of Thursday, the country has had a total of 69 COVID-19 cases. In mid-March, Jordan suspended all flights coming in and going out of the country.

"Given what our region and the world, on the whole, are experiencing at a time of the epidemiologic emergency, a decree [on a curfew] was passed," Amjad Adaileh said at a press conference.

According to the minister, people throughout the kingdom are now barred from leaving home starting 7:00 a.m. (5:00 GMT) on March 21 and until further notice.

Ukraine's first COVID-19 recovery has been recorded in the western Chernivtsi Region, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's office said on Friday.

The man was retested for the virus on Monday, and the results came back negative.

"While reporting on the counteraction to the spread of coronavirus in Ukraine as of the morning of March 20, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the happy news. There is the first patient who recovered from the coronavirus in Ukraine. The patient from Chernivtsi was retested for coronavirus. And [the lab test] showed a negative result for the second time," the office wrote on its Telegram channel.

“The negotiations are continuing. Michel Barnier does not have symptoms. He is at home. We have taken the usual isolation measures and this applies to his whole team. However, we are now working via video-conference,” von der Leyen stated.

When asked whether the COVID-19 outbreak would lead to an extension of the transition period that is currently scheduled to end on December 31, von der Leyen stated that the EU is open to the idea but that the decision would rest on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has previously categorically ruled out any possibility of an extension.

“We are open to negotiating, but the decision must be made by Boris Johnson’s government,” she said.

In the wake of the rapidly growing threat of coronavirus, trade leaders in different parts of Delhi have decided to close business establishments in the city for the next three days beginning tomorrow to prevent transmission of the virus.

The Turkish authorities have detained a total of 64 people for disseminating false information about COVID-19 epidemic via social media, the country's Interior Ministry said.

"[The authorities] identified 242 people who posted false and provocative information about coronavirus in social media. Of these, 64 people were detained. Work is underway to detain other persons who engaged in such activities," the ministry wrote on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said that the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Turkey increased by 88 percent to 359 within the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, four people died of the disease.

"It's not easy to take these decisions... We take these decisions according to the best of our knowledge and conscience. There will be a Bavaria after corona, but it will be a stronger one if we don't look away", Minister President Markus Soeder said.

"As of this moment, the WHO has received 40 requests to consider and approve diagnostics tests, 20 vaccines are being developed, and many medicines are in clinical trials. We are expecting first results in several weeks", Melita Vujnovic, WHO representative in Russia, said.

"We detected 1,237 new cases of coronavirus infection, bringing the total to 19,644; 6,745 patients recovered. With 149 [new] victims, the death toll increased to 1,433", Alireza Vahabzadeh, an adviser to the country's health minister, tweeted.

In the wake of ‘Janta Curfew’ to be observed this Sunday i.e, on 22nd March 2020, DMRC has decided to keep its services closed. The move is aimed at encouraging public to stay indoors and maintain social distancing, which is essential in the fight against Covid-19. #JantaCurfew

— Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (@OfficialDMRC) March 20, 2020

NASA has decided to close the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi and the Michoud Assembly Facility in Louisiana after one employee was infected with COVID-19, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said on Thursday.

"The change at Stennis was made due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the community around the center, the number of self-isolation cases within our workforce there, and one confirmed case among our Stennis team. While there are no confirmed cases at Michoud, the facility is moving to Stage 4 due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the local area, in accordance with local and federal guidelines", Bridenstine said, as quoted in NASA’s press release.

"As such, we have decided to temporarily suspend production at our factory in Fremont, from end of day March 23, which will allow an orderly shutdown. Basic operations will continue in order to support our vehicle and energy service operations and charging infrastructure, as directed by the local, state and federal authorities", the company said in a statement.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A group of six people has smashed Sainsbury shopfronts in southern London to steal alcohol as supermarkets are coming under huge pressure amid a possible shutdown of the UK capital due to the spread of COVID-19, the Daily Mail has reported.

According to the newspaper, the staff confronted the criminals and called the police. The surveillance camera recorded the robbery.

Four people were later arrested on suspicion of theft and criminal damage, the publication said. The incident took place overnight into Thursday.

Over the last several days, there have been four detentions related to similar incidents in the UK capital.

According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, following a thorough medical check-up, COVID-19 testing, and the demonstration of no symptoms of the disease, most foreign citizens were released.

The agency added that 1,500 and 1,090 people were released from quarantine in the provinces of South and North Pyongan, respectively, as well as 1,430 in Kangwon Province.

"We are preparing in close cooperation with the International Olympic Committee and the World Health Organisation to hold safe and calm competitions in July", Yoshiro Mori, the president of the organising committee and a former prime minister said in a welcoming speech at the Olympic flame arrival ceremony, broadcast by NHK TV channel.

Four more patients diagnosed with coronavirus in Russia, have gotten better, bringing the total number of people who've recovered from the disease in the country to 9.

"The number of confirmed cases of the new type of coronavirus has reached 164 in Mexico, the number of suspected cases from 448,921 samples gave a negative result", Alomia said during a press conference.

Despite global pandemic of COVID 19, we remain committed to supporting our Afghan brothers & sisters. I have given instructions to open the Chaman-Spinboldak border & let trucks crossover into Afghanistan. In time of crisis, we remain steadfast with Afghanistan.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) March 20, 2020

On late Thursday, Haitian President Jovenel Moise said that the patients were citizens of Belgium and France, who had arrived in the island nation, the newspaper Le Nouvelliste reported.