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Coronavirus live blog: As it happened on April 7-8
Coronavirus crisis - as it happened on April 7-8, 2020
Summary
World Health Organisation chief warns against politicising coronavirus pandemic.
UK, US cybersecurity bodies warn about increase in COVID-19-related phishing scams.
Spain records another rise in deaths and cases after days of falling numbers
EU science chief quits, slamming pandemic response
Boris Johnson spends a second night in intensive care but is "responding to treatment"
Spread of COVID-19 under control in Czech Republic, health ministry says
More than one billion workers worldwide are at risk of a pay cut or losing their jobs.
EU vows to raise €15 billion
Domestic abuse spikes amid lockdown
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Live ended
Health experts warn that the coronavirus pandemic has yet to reach its peak in Europe.
US Senator Bernie Sanders dropped out of the US 2020 presidential race on Wednesday.
Joe Biden is now the only Democratic candidate left.
'Too early' to lift social distancing measures as 'continuous spread' of coronavirus can be expected in Europe
Andrea Ammon, the director of the European Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC), said on Wednesday that it is too early to "suddenly lift all community and physical distancing measures" in EU countries and in the UK.
“In the current situation, continuous spread of the virus can be expected," Ammon said.
He also stressed the importance of a coordinated strategy between EU member states when it will be time to lift the current measures, saying: "Solidarity and coordination between Member States will remain essential when considering the lifting of any measures."
Italy records 542 new deaths as its number of COVID-19 patients in intensive care continues to drop
The total number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Italy reached 17,669 on Wednesday, with an increase of 542 in one day, Italy's Civil protection has said. It was slightly lower than Tuesday's daily toll of 604.
There are 95,262 confirmed cases of coronavirus patients in Italy, with an increase of 1,195 in the last 24 hours.
For the fifth consecutive day, the number of patients in intensive care units has been falling. it is now of 3,693 patients in the wards, 99 fewer than Tuesday.
The EU is struggling to find an agreement on the Eurozone rescue plan to counter the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Madrid's coronavirus death toll in nursing homes could be five times higher than previously thought, authorities say
The number of deaths from coronavirus in Madrid's nursing homes could be much high than previously thought, the city's authorities said on Wednesday.
The official figure of 741 deaths due to COVID-19 in old people's homes does not include the 3,500 other deaths that occured in such facilities in the last month, Madrid authorities have said.
Between 8 March and 8 April, out of the Madrid region's 50,000 nursing home residents, 4,750 people died. Of them, 741 were confirmed cases of coronavirus, the authorities said.
The remaining 3,479 others presented COVID-19 symptoms but had not been tested.
"This figure is much high than other months", the Spanish government's spokesperson said, as doubts over the real death toll due to coronavirus are growing in the country.
Spain has the second highest death toll due to the virus in the world, with 14,555 recorded deaths. The real toll could be much higher, as only confirmed cases of coronavirus are recorded in this figure.
France to extend its lockdown beyond 15 April
France will extend its lockdown beyond 15 April, the AFP reported on Wednesday, citing Elysée Palace sources.
French president Emmanuel Macron has postponed his TV address, originally planned for Thursday at 20:00 EST, to Monday 13 April at the same time. He will discuss the lockdown extension.
France records 541 deaths overnight in hospitals, more than 7,000 people in intensive care units
France recorded 541 deaths in 24 hours in hospitals and has more than 7,000 people in intensive care units.
Jérôme Salomon, the country's director general of health, said hospitalisations were at an "unprecedented level" with intensive care units filling "at a level absolutely unmatched in French medical history".
A total of 10,869 people have died since the beginning of the epidemic in France and there are more than 82,000 confirmed cases of the virus.
"Staying at home is to act against the virus," Salomon added, asking people to respect the movement restrictions put in place by the French government.
"You are our most efficient weapons against the spread of this virus."
Jérôme Salomon, the country's director general of health, said hospitalisations were at an "unprecedented level" with intensive care units filling "at a level absolutely unmatched in French medical history".
A total of 10,869 people have died since the beginning of the epidemic in France and there are more than 82,000 confirmed cases of the virus.
"Staying at home is to act against the virus," Salomon added, asking people to respect the movement restrictions put in place by the French government.
"You are our most efficient weapons against the spread of this virus."
Airbus reduces production rate by a third
Airbus reduced its production rate by a third to meet customer demand during the coronavirus crisis, according to a press release published Wednesday.
"Our customers, the airlines, are heavily affected by the Covid-19. We are adapting our production to this new situation and are working on operational and financial measures to face this reality", said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury in a statement, according to AFP.
US: New York state death toll jumps 779 in a day
There have been 779 new deaths due to COVID-19 in 24 hours in New York state in the United States.
This is a new grim record for the state, where New York City in particular has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.
Don’t politicise this virus, it will just create more deaths: World Health Organization chief to US President Donald Trump
“Please don’t politicise this virus. It exploits the differences you have at the national level. If you want to be exploited and if you want to have many more body bags, then you do it. If you don't want many more body bags, then you refrain from politicising it,” said World Health Organization (WHO) director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in response to comments made by US President Donald Trump.
The US president had said he was thinking about potentially cutting funding from the organisation and accused it of being very “China centric”
“We have been doing everything we can. We will continue to do everything day and night like we have been doing… we want to learn from our mistakes and learn forward. But for now, the focus should be on fighting this virus,” said Dr Tedros at the organisation’s press conference.
He asked the United States and China to work together and asked for people to “quarantine” politicising the virus.
“We shouldn’t waste time pointing fingers. We need time to unite,” Dr Tedros said.
“Why would I care about being attacked when people are dying,” Dr Tedros added when talking about critics overall.
The WHO director general spent the beginning of the press conference listing several areas in which the organisation has worked to combat the virus including building country capacity to prepare and respond, publishing guidance, engaging global doctors, and informing the public about the virus.
“We know much more is needed. This is not enough,” Dr Tedros said, saying that they are working on ramping up the production of medical supplies.
The US president had said he was thinking about potentially cutting funding from the organisation and accused it of being very “China centric”
“We have been doing everything we can. We will continue to do everything day and night like we have been doing… we want to learn from our mistakes and learn forward. But for now, the focus should be on fighting this virus,” said Dr Tedros at the organisation’s press conference.
He asked the United States and China to work together and asked for people to “quarantine” politicising the virus.
“We shouldn’t waste time pointing fingers. We need time to unite,” Dr Tedros said.
“Why would I care about being attacked when people are dying,” Dr Tedros added when talking about critics overall.
The WHO director general spent the beginning of the press conference listing several areas in which the organisation has worked to combat the virus including building country capacity to prepare and respond, publishing guidance, engaging global doctors, and informing the public about the virus.
“We know much more is needed. This is not enough,” Dr Tedros said, saying that they are working on ramping up the production of medical supplies.
UK reports 938 coronavirus deaths in one day - a record
The UK reached a grim milestone on Wednesday as it recorded an increase of 938 deaths due to COVID-19 in one day.
The total death toll in the UK has reached 7,097 and there are 60,733 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.
The total death toll in the UK has reached 7,097 and there are 60,733 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.
French aircraft carrier will return from Atlantic due to suspect COVID-19 cases
French aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle" will return to shore due to 40 suspect cases of COVID-19 on board, France's defence ministry said on Wednesday.
The naval officers are currently deployed in the Atlantic Ocean. There is an intensive care unit on the carrier.
A screening team with testing kits boarded the aircraft carrier on Wednesday, the defence ministry added.
The carrier was originally scheduled to return to Toulon, France on April 23.
The naval officers are currently deployed in the Atlantic Ocean. There is an intensive care unit on the carrier.
A screening team with testing kits boarded the aircraft carrier on Wednesday, the defence ministry added.
The carrier was originally scheduled to return to Toulon, France on April 23.
Covid-19 increasingly being exploited for scams, UK and US cybersecurity bodies warn
Criminals are increasingly using COVID-19 to send malware and phishing ploys, says a joint advisory from the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
There have been more "UK-government branded scams" related to COVID-19 than any other topic, the NCSC said although they have not detected a higher level of cyber crime.
They also warn that hackers have taken advantage of new home working structures such as private networks and video conferencing tools.
"Malicious cyber actors are continually adjusting their tactics to take advantage of new situations, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception," the advisory says.
They ask that people remain alert to the threat and be wary of potential phishing emails.
There have been more "UK-government branded scams" related to COVID-19 than any other topic, the NCSC said although they have not detected a higher level of cyber crime.
They also warn that hackers have taken advantage of new home working structures such as private networks and video conferencing tools.
"Malicious cyber actors are continually adjusting their tactics to take advantage of new situations, and the COVID-19 pandemic is no exception," the advisory says.
They ask that people remain alert to the threat and be wary of potential phishing emails.
EU parliament building to house homeless people
The president of the European parliament David Sassoli has said the parliament will make parts of its building "available to homeless people and the most vulnerable in society, during this serious health emergency."
Speaking in a televised speech, Sassoli added that 1,000 meals will be distributed to those in need, as well as to health workers at the forefront of the pandemic.
"We want to be close to those who suffer," he said, " Europe's strength is in its ability to act in solidarity."
Global trade expected to fall between 13% and 32% in 2020, says World Trade Organization
Global trade is expected to slow by 13% to 32% in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the World Trade Organization (WTO) said on Wednesday.
This would be a bigger shock than the 2008 financial crisis.
Brexit and trade tensions between China and the US were already concerns of the WTO for the year 2020.
Trade should fall "by the double-digits" in "almost all regions of the world", the WTO said, adding that exports from Asia and North America would be particularly impacted.
COVID-19 spread under control in Czech Republic, health minister says
"We have managed to stop the uncontrolled spread of coronavirus and can prepare for a gradual and controlled return to normal life," Adam Vojtěch, the Czech Republic's health minister tweeted.
He said the current trend in the country was positive, with the average number of people infected by a confirmed case at just 1.06, a sign that fewer people are being infected.
Just over 5,000 people are confirmed to have coronavirus, the health ministry says, but they have carried out more than 98,500 tests.
At least 91 people have died of the virus in the country.
Just over 5,000 people are confirmed to have coronavirus, the health ministry says, but they have carried out more than 98,500 tests.
At least 91 people have died of the virus in the country.
Nearly 4,000 deaths in Iran due to COVID-19
Iranian authorities announced 121 new deaths due to COVID-19 in the country, bringing the total toll to 3,993 in the country, AFP reports.
Iran has identified 1,997 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 64,586, said Kianouche Jahanpour, the Ministry of Health's spokesman during his daily televised press briefing.
Another 3,956 patients are said to be in critical condition. Some experts have said that the official Iranian figures are likely underestimated.
Talk of cases levelling off does not mean the end of social distancing, emergency room doctor says
In some areas including Europe and New York, there appears to be a levelling off or plateauing of cases and death tolls where the daily counts stop increasing and hopefully, begin to decrease.
This does not mean, however, a return to normal life, says Dr Craig Spencer, the Director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine at the Columbia University Medical Centre in New York.
This does not mean, however, a return to normal life, says Dr Craig Spencer, the Director of Global Health in Emergency Medicine at the Columbia University Medical Centre in New York.
"I'm worried that people will think this means we can [go] back to 'normal life' soon. BUT all it really means is that we must actually double-down now," he tweeted.
"If we let up, the virus WILL come raging back," he added.
"If we let up, the virus WILL come raging back," he added.
This sentiment was echoed by Hans Kluge, the World Health Organisation's Europe director who earlier today warned against relaxing lockdown measures.
Lockdown should not end until burden on hospital intensive care units eased, say French government advisers
A scientific council advising France said in a report that lockdown measures cannot be lifted until intensive care units are no longer saturated.
Ideally, before lifting social distancing measures, there will be a reduction in COVID-19 cases so that any new cases in France can be detected, the report which was released last week and made public on Tuesday said.
They advise that the post-lockdown strategy will have to be "operational" with sufficient stocks of masks, a plan for surveillance and diagnosis of cases, border control, and protection of vulnerable populations in place.
The team of advisers, which includes doctors, virologists, epidemiologists, sociologists and others, said "herd immunity" could not be taken into account for controlling the epidemic as they expect under 15% of the population in France to have immunity to the virus even in the areas worst hit by the epidemic.
Ideally, before lifting social distancing measures, there will be a reduction in COVID-19 cases so that any new cases in France can be detected, the report which was released last week and made public on Tuesday said.
They advise that the post-lockdown strategy will have to be "operational" with sufficient stocks of masks, a plan for surveillance and diagnosis of cases, border control, and protection of vulnerable populations in place.
The team of advisers, which includes doctors, virologists, epidemiologists, sociologists and others, said "herd immunity" could not be taken into account for controlling the epidemic as they expect under 15% of the population in France to have immunity to the virus even in the areas worst hit by the epidemic.
Now is not the time to relax social distancing measures, WHO's Europe director says
Dr Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization's regional director for Europe, warned that despite some hopeful signs of death tolls levelling off in certain countries, now was not the time to lift social distancing measures.
"We still have a long way to go in the marathon and the progress we have made so far in fighting the virus is extremely fragile,” Dr Kluge said.
“To think we are coming close to an endpoint would be a dangerous thing to do. The virus leaves no room for error or complacency.”
"We still have a long way to go in the marathon and the progress we have made so far in fighting the virus is extremely fragile,” Dr Kluge said.
“To think we are coming close to an endpoint would be a dangerous thing to do. The virus leaves no room for error or complacency.”
Spain's daily death toll and new cases rise
Spain's daily death toll and new cases count rose for the second day in a row after decreasing for several days.
Spain's health ministry announced on Wednesday that 757 people had died in 24 hours and 6,180 new cases were confirmed. Another 4,813 people recovered from the illness.
The four consecutive days prior all saw decreases in the daily death toll, sparking hope that the death toll and cases are levelling off in the epidemic.
Spain has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases of any other country in Europe with 146,690 cases since the beginning of the epidemic.
Spain's health ministry announced on Wednesday that 757 people had died in 24 hours and 6,180 new cases were confirmed. Another 4,813 people recovered from the illness.
The four consecutive days prior all saw decreases in the daily death toll, sparking hope that the death toll and cases are levelling off in the epidemic.
Spain has the most confirmed COVID-19 cases of any other country in Europe with 146,690 cases since the beginning of the epidemic.
Europe accounts for more than half the global cases of COVID-19 and is still 'very much' the epicentre of the pandemic
The World Health Organisation has said it is "not the time to relax measures" in Europe, which it says accounts for more than half the cases of coronavirus in the world.
Hans Kluge, the organisation's Europe director, made the comments during a press conference on Wednesday, and said the continent remained "very much at the centre of the pandemic".
Hans Kluge, the organisation's Europe director, made the comments during a press conference on Wednesday, and said the continent remained "very much at the centre of the pandemic".
Speaking specifically about Spain, he said the growth in new cases appeared to have "slowed", while rate of deaths was also "showing signs of decline".
The growth of cases in Italy, also, is "slowing considerably," he said, adding that Germany had a similar effect, too.
In Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland, Kluge said there were signs of "good progress", but said the organisation was "alarmed" by the increase in the cases in the past week in Turkey.
He added: "Cases in Israel, Ukraine, Belgium and Norway are on the rise. There is a fresh surge in Sweden."
Country and folk singer-songwriter John Prine dies at 73
John Prine, the US musician known for his Angel from Montgomery fame, has died after contracting coronavirus, his family have said. He was 73 years old.
The Sam Stone singer was admitted to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, on March 26 and later tested positive for the disease.
His wife, Fiona, had recently recovered herself from COVID-19.
Prine, who won a lifetime achievement Grammy earlier this year, leaves behind his wife, two sons Jack and Tommy, his stepson Jody and three grandchildren.
#WithoutCovidIWouldBe...
A hashtag spreading far on Twitter this morning is prompting users to share where they would be in the world right now if COVID-19 did not exist.
Many have shared personal stories of packing up for holidays in Europe, graduations, or being with family members to see them through difficult times.
EU Research Council boss resigns as Europe's coronavirus crisis heads toward its peak
Mauro Ferrari, who took over as president of the EU's top scientific organisation in January, has resigned from his post after growing "extremely disappointed" at the bloc's response to the pandemic.
It comes after Ferrari released a statement to the Financial Times, which said he had "been extremely disappointed by the European response" and had "lost faith in the system itself".
In a statement, EU Commission spokesman Johannes Bahrke confirmed Ferarri had resigned and added that the Commission hoped it would "be able to share more information very soon".
Update on figures around the world
More than 1.4 million people have contracted COVID-19 around the world, while over 82,000 people have lost their lives, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
How do these figures break down in Europe?
Data taken from top 20 countries in Europe with highest cases and deaths
Cases in Europe
- Spain - 141,942
- Italy - 135,586
- France - 110,070
- Germany - 107,663
- United Kingdom - 55,949
- Turkey - 34,109
- Switzerland - 22,253
- Belgium - 22,194
- Netherlands - 19,709
- Austria - 12,639
- Portugal - 12,442
- Sweden - 7,693
- Russia - 7,497
- Norway - 6,086
- Ireland - 5,709
- Denmark - 5,266
- Czechia - 5,017
- Poland - 4,848
- Romania - 4,417
- Luxembourg - 2,070
Deaths in Europe
- Italy - 17,127
- Spain - 14,045
- France - 10,328
- United Kingdom - 6,159
- Netherlands - 2,101
- Belgium - 2,035
- Germany - 2,016
- Switzerland - 821
- Turkey - 725
- Sweden - 591
- Portugal - 345
- Austria - 243
- Ireland - 210
- Denmark - 203
- Romania - 203
- Poland - 129
- Norway - 89
- Czechia - 88
- Greece - 81
- Serbia - 61
Wuhan lifts its lockdown
The Chinese city at the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak that was also the first to go on lockdown has lifted its strict measures.
Wuhan has a population of around 11 million people and has been on lockdown for the last few months.
After these restrictions were lifted on Wednesday, tens of thousands of people were seen leaving the city, while a lightshow was also presented with pictures of healthcare workers beamed onto skyscrapers and bridges.
More than 82,000 cases of COVID-19 have been officially recorded in Wuhan, with more than 3,000 deaths.
The numbers of new cases have steadily declined in recent weeks; however, there has been speculation on whether the tallies are actually higher than officially recorded.
COVID-19 deaths in New York City surpass that of 9/11
The number of deaths in New York City to coronavirus has moved past 4,000, while the of deaths in the overall state has reached nearly 5,500.
This is higher than the number of people who lost their lives in 9/11 - the deadliest terror attack on US soil - where 2,753 people were killed in New York City alone.
Overall, 2,977 people were killed during the attacks on September 11, 2001.
In case you missed it:
Here are a few longer reads you may have missed on Euronews in the last few days:
- Sweden stands firm over its controversial COVID-19 approach
- Is Hungary dumping democracy amid coronavirus crisis?
- People are saying coronavirus is a cover up for 5G - here's why it's not
- What is Europe's coronavirus exit strategy?
- Greece begins digital odyssey as coronavirus crisis sparks innovation
- How will the UK government function in Boris Johnson's absence?
- What happens to a coronavirus patient in intensive care?
- Has the key to a coronavirus vaccine been staring us in the face for a century?
Donald Trump threatens to cut funding to the World Health Organisation over its approach to coronavirus
The US president said he would cut funds to the World Health Organisation on Tuesday night, before backtracking a few minutes later to say he would "strongly consider" doing so.
Speaking at the daily White House press conference, Trump said the WHO had "missed the call" on the pandemic, adding that he believed the organisation was "very China-centric".
His comment about China was made to suggest the WHO had been complicit in the country's efforts to initially play down the gravity of the disease.
"They should have known and they probably did know," he said in reference to organisation officials.
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey to donate 'more than a quarter' of his fortune to the coronavirus fight
Dorsey, who also founded payment app Square, said he will donate $1bn (€922 million) to the ongoing battle against COVID-19. This, he says, equates to around 28% of his wealth.
"Why now?" he asked, adding: "The needs are increasingly urgent, and I want to see the impact in my lifetime.
"Why now?" he asked, adding: "The needs are increasingly urgent, and I want to see the impact in my lifetime.
"I hope this inspires others to do something similar. Life is too short, so let’s do everything we can today to help people now."
Graphs of new cases show UK may have reached the peak
Data of new cases per country has been compiled into a series of graphs, which show the UK may have reached the peak of the curve.
This aligns with comments made on Tuesday by the UK's chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance, who said new COVID-19 hospital admissions appeared to be "flattening off".
However, it will take another "week or so" to find out if this really is the case, he warned.
According to this graph, Italy, Germany and Spain appear to have moved, on average, onto a downward trajectory with newly-confirmed cases.
Good morning, Europe. My name is Rachael and I will be leading the live coverage on coronavirus for the next few hours.
EU countries to welcome young migrants from Greek refugee camps
Germany announced on Tuesday that it is ready to welcome 50 young migrants who are currently in refugee camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios.
They could travel as soon as next week, the German Interior ministry said, and will be put in quarantine for two weeks upon arrival due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Luxembourg has said it will take in 12 young migrants.
France, Portugal, Finland, Lithuania, Croatia and Ireland have also announced they will welcome minors from Greece's refugee camps, without providing figures.
The city of Paris will ban exercise from Wednesday, in a measure designed to keep people indoors as much as possible. People will no longer be able to jog or cycle from 10am to 7pm.
Italy reports lowest infection increase since March 13
Italy reported on Tuesday its lowest infection increase since March 13, with 3,039 new confirmed cases of coronavirus. The country's death toll has increased by 604 in one day.
There are 135,586 confirmed cases of coronavirus in total and 17,127 have died of the disease in Italy.
French death toll passes 10,000
Over 10,000 have died in France since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, French authorities said on Tuesday.
France announced that 597 people have died in hospital in one day, bringing the total of deaths in hospital to 7,091, while 3,237 have died in nursing home, with 820 new deaths in the last 24 hours.
The country started reporting deaths in nursing homes at the beginning of April. The 820 new deaths that were announced on Tuesday are in part due to this delay, French doctor Jérôme Salomon explained during a daily briefing.
Donald Trump confirms 'really wonderful' call with Joe Biden over COVID-19
President Donald Trump described a call with Joe Biden as "warm" and "really wonderful" as the two men spoke on Tuesday about the coronavirus pandemic.
“He gave me his point of view, and I fully understood that, and we just had a very friendly conversation,” Trump told journalists at a daily press briefing.
Biden and Trump both agreed not to share details of their conversation, but did confirm that the former vice president - who is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in November - gave suggestions as to how the White House could deal with the crisis.
There is no love lost between Trump and his likely rival in this year's presidential election. Biden has been heavily critical of the president's handling of the COVID-19 outbreak, while it was not so long ago that Trump referred to Biden as 'Crazy Joe'.
Dominic Raab 'deputising' for virus-struck Boris Johnson
The UK's foreign secretary has led the UK government's daily coronavirus briefing, as he revealed he was deputising for PM Boris Johnson while he is being treated in intensive care.
Dominic Raab repeated information earlier announced by the Prime Minister's spokesman that Johnson was in "good spirits" and had not required mechanical respiration, just "standard oxygen treatment".
Watch the briefing in the video player at the top of this article.
The UK death toll from coronavirus has risen to 6,159.
Britain's Department of Health and Social Care announced that as of 9am on 7 April, 266,694 tests have been carried out. A total of 55,242 people have tested positive.
EU will raise more than €15 billion to fight coronavirus, says Ursula von der Leyen
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says that the European Union will secure more than €15 billion to help fight the deadly coronavirus.
"It is in our interest to ensure that the fight is successful worldwide," von der Leyen said on Twitter.
"By standing united and working together, we can defeat this virus."
More than 100 deaths in Sweden in last 24 hours
Sweden's health agency has reported 114 deaths from coronavirus over the last 24 hours.
The agency said the number comes partly from revised figures for the last few days.
Sweden has adopted a much less restrictive approach to containing the virus than the majority of its neighbours, and with 591 deaths from 7,693 cases it counts a higher mortality rate than its Nordic neighbours.
Boris Johnson "stable" and in "good spirits"
“The prime minister has been stable overnight and remains in good spirits. He is receiving standard oxygen treatment and is breathing without any other assistance," said Johnson's spokesman, James Slack.
He said Johnson was not receiving mechanical ventilation or “noninvasive respiratory support.” He would not give details of what form of oxygen treatment the prime minister was getting.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has taken over many of Johnson’s duties temporarily while he is being treated
More than 75,000 COVID-19 deaths worldwide
As of midday Tuesday, global COVID-19 deaths passed the 75,000 mark, with more than 1.3 million cases confirmed worldwide.
Nearly three quarters of those deaths have been in Europe, where Italy and Spain have the highest (16,523) and second highest (13,798) death tolls respectively.
The number of diagnosed cases reflects only a fraction of the actual number of infections, with many countries now testing only a fraction of the total number of cases.
EU response to coronavirus crisis "poor" - Irish PM Varadkar
Europe’s response to the Corona virus has been “poor” and uncoordinated, and now is the time for “solidarity”, says Irish Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar.
“This is a symmetric recession - it's affecting everyone, if ever there was a time for Europe to have a coordinated common response based on solidarity it is now,” he told Euronews.
Ireland, alongside several eurozone countries including Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, has called for the creation of Corona bonds - a form of joint risk and debt issuance among countries that use the Euro.
However, he admits debt mutualisation “is not something that all member states can accept” and says the eurozone’s bailout mechanism the ESM should be modernised and provide cheap money to member states.
More world leaders wish Johnson a speedy recovery
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has wished Boris Johnson a "speedy recovery".
Meanwhile Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Johnson, saying: “I would like to express my sincere support at this difficult moment for you. I am sure that your energy, optimism and sense of humor will help to defeat the disease. I sincerely wish you a speedy and complete recovery."
Paris tightens lockdown measures
Paris has announced a ban on all individual sports activities in the city between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm from Wednesday.
The capital is the first city in France to tighten containment measures after the government's call on Monday evening not to relax efforts to combat the coronavirus, which has caused nearly 9,000 deaths in the country.
Spain sees deaths and new cases rise again
On Monday Spain saw its fourth consecutive day of decreasing daily number of new cases, and the third day in a row of decreasing daily deaths, but today that trend has ended.
The Ministry of Health has just released the figures for Tuesday, and new cases and deaths are again on the rise. It reported 5,478 new cases in the last 24 hours, as opposed to 4,273 on Monday, and 743 dead, as opposed to 637. There have now been more than 140,000 confirmed cases in Spain, and 13,798 deaths - the world's second highest tally after Italy.
Queen Elizabeth dedicates World Health Day message to 'selfless' healthcare staff
The British monarch has thanked healthcare staff on the frontline against coronavirus for their "selfless commitment and diligence" in message for World Health Day.
She added: "In testing times, we often observe that the best of the human spirit comes to the fore; the dedication to service of countless nurses, midwives and other health workers, in these most challenging of circumstances, is an example to us all.
"My family and I send our enduring appreciation and good wishes."
Japan declares state of emergency
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency in seven of Japan's 47 prefectures, including Tokyo.
He said the emergency would last until May 6 and would cover Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka.
Germany's cases of coronavirus rise to 99,225 - an increase of 3,834 in 24 hours
The daily increase of 3,834 infections is 157 cases higher than yesterday's number of 3,677.
This comes despite several consecutive days of fewer newly-reported cases.
Emmanuel Macron leads the well wishes to Boris Johnson
Leaders from the EU, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, the US and Japan were among many to send best wishes to the UK prime minister, who is in intensive care with coronavirus.
The French president, in his message, wished Johnson a "speedy recovery" and sent his support.
Good morning, Europe. My name is Rachael and I will be covering the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic from this blog.
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