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Summary of key developments:
WHO says if the US cut its funding it would impact the world's most vulnerable
WHO says hydroxychloroquine has not yet been found to be effective against COVID-19
Trump takes another swipe at China on Twitter, despite earlier praising country's response
UK says no new cases reported in London in the last 24 hours
Dutch govt says a person may have caught COVID-19 from a mink
France to increase the salaries of staff in hospitals and care homes
British army veteran who raised millions for healthcare workers to be knighted
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France to allow EU seasonal workers in: Ministry
France's Interior Ministry said that seasonal workers from other EU countries are allowed to enter the country provided they fill an attestation they must show the authorities.
The country partially closed its intra-EU and international borders in mid-March to stem the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brazil allows chloroquine for 'mild' infections: President
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro said on Wednesday that as per the latest guidelines from the ministry of health, the controversial anti-malaria drug chloroquine can be administered "in mild cases".
He said that although the drug has not been proved effective, "it is being monitored and used in Brazil and worldwide" and that "worse than being defeated is the shame of not having fought".
The WHO reiterated earlier today its advice that nations limit the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine to clinical trials because of potential dangerous side effects.
US death toll passes 90,000
A further 1,324 COVID-19 fatalities have been recorded in the US since yesterday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said, bringing the death toll to 90,340.
The number of confirmed infections has risen above 1.5 million following a 23,405 one-day increase.
China's contribution to fighting pandemic is 'paltry': Pompeo
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blasted the Chinese Communist Party on Wednesday.
He said the pandemic and the Chinese leadership response to it "have accelerated a more realistic understanding of communist China."
"The party chose to destroy live virus samples instead of sharing them," he said.
He added: "China's contribution to fighting the pandemic are paltry compared to the cost that they have imposed on the world. This plague has cost roughly 90,000 American lives, more than 36 million Americans have lost their jobs since March; globally 300,000 lives. Could be as much as $9tn, according to our estimates, cost imposition on the world by the Chinese Communist Party’s failures."
"The United States has responded with about $10 billion to benefit the international response, everything from vaccine research to funding for preparedness effort and humanitarian aid. That's compared to a promise of $2 billion from the Chinese. I look forward to seeing them fulfil that $2 billion commitment," he also said.
France revises care home death figures
France adjusted care home death figures on Wednesday due to "adjustments in the reporting of data from establishments".
The health directorate said there were 10,308 deaths in care homes, down more than 300 from the number previously reported, according to AFP.
There have been more than 143,000 cases of coronavirus in France and more than 28,000 deaths since the beginning of the epidemic.
The number of hospitalisations continues to drop with fewer than 2000 people in intensive care.
The health directorate said there were 10,308 deaths in care homes, down more than 300 from the number previously reported, according to AFP.
There have been more than 143,000 cases of coronavirus in France and more than 28,000 deaths since the beginning of the epidemic.
The number of hospitalisations continues to drop with fewer than 2000 people in intensive care.
NYC will offer free coronavirus testing in nursing homes
New York City will offer free coronavirus tests at the city’s 169 nursing homes, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday, according to the AP.
“To me this comes down to, the seniors in our lives, what they have given us, what they mean to us, and what we owe to them, what we owe to them in terms of making sure they are healthy, making sure they are safe, always being there for them,” de Blasio said.
Around 3,000 residents of nursing homes in New York City have died of COVID-19.
German government and Lufthansa close to deal, Merkel says
The German government is close to a deal with Europe's largest air carrier Lufthansa, Chancellor Angela Merkel said.
"The government is intensively holding discussions with the company and the European Commission, a decision is expected shortly but I cannot give details of the discussions under way," Merkel said at a press conference in Berlin, according to AFP.
"The government is intensively holding discussions with the company and the European Commission, a decision is expected shortly but I cannot give details of the discussions under way," Merkel said at a press conference in Berlin, according to AFP.
UK government 'keen' for Premier League to restart
Britain's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said on Wednesday that he is "really keen" for the country's professional football competitions to restart and that "if we can get the Premier League behind closed doors, we should do that".
He said that broadcasting rights should be respected but that there could be some flexibility for broadcasters to show matches on free-to-air TV.
Be cautious about commercial antibody tests: Expert
Professor Stephen Powis, national medical director at NHS England, said that Public Health England has been evaluating antibody tests and that the plan is to then roll them out through health and social care settings.
On tests that can currently be bought online, he said: "I would caution against using any test that might be made available without knowing quite how good those tests are".
He also stressed that the antibody tests show if someone had had the virus in the past but that what we don't know at the moment is whether having antibodies "means that you won't get the virus again".
London records 0 new COVID-19 cases
No new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were recorded over the previous 24 hours in the British capital, according to Public Health England.
Italy records 161 new fatalities
A further 161 people have lost their lives to the pandemic in Italy since yesterday, the Ministry of Health has announced.
The death toll is now at 32,330.
The number of confirmed infections has reached 227,364 after a daily increase of 665.
UK death toll increases by 363
Britain's Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said that the death toll from the pandemic in the country now stands at 35,704 after a one-day increase of 363.
Some vaccine candidates had a headstart: WHO
Dr Maria van Kerkhove, WHO COVID-19 Technical lead, said there are currently 120 vaccine candidates, some of which are in clinical evaluations and others in pre-clinical evaluations.
She added that some had a bit of a headstart, with research started "prior to the emergence of COVID-19 and they began with SARS, they began with MERS".
US funding cut would have 'major implications' for WHO Emergencies Programmes
Dr Michael Ryan said that much of the funding the US gives to the WHO goes to the Emergencies Programmes and thus funds humanitarian situations all over the world.
The funding cut would therefore have "major implications to delivering essential health services" to some of the world's most vulnerable people.
Dr Ryan added that he hoped that other donors would step in should the US pull its funding to "fill that gap".
WHO chief on Trump letter: 'We are looking into it'
Asked about the letter US President Donald Trump sent to the WHO on Tuesday in which he threatened to pull the country's funding unless the UN body commits to "substantive improvements" within 30 days, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus only said: "We have received the letter and we are looking into it."
Independent inquiries are in 'WHO DNA': WHO chief
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that the resolution passed yesterday for an independent review of the pandemic to be conducted at the earliest time is nothing new.
"It has been done after Ebola, it has been done after SARS," he said, adding "this is in WHO DNA".
"WHO calls for accountability more than anyone and it has to be done and when it's done it has to be a comprehensive one and it will involve all actors," he said.
Anti-malaria drugs yet to be found 'effective' against COVID-19: WHO
Dr Michael Ryan, executive director of WHO's Emergencies Programmes, said that anti-malaria drugs including chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have yet to be found to be "effective in the treatment of COVID-19".
He stressed that several countries have issued warnings and limited their use to clinical trials "because of a number of potential side effects that have occurred and could occur".
106,000 cases reported to WHO on Tuesday -- highest tally since outbreak began
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that 106,000 cases were reported to the organisation on Tuesday, "the most in a single day since the outbreak began".
"Almost two-thirds of these cases were reported in just four countries," he added.
Swiss religious services to resume May 28
Switzerland's Federal Council has announced that religious services will be allowed to restart on May 28 and called on each faith community to develop protective measures against the pandemic.
The reopening of places of worship means that services, weddings, and funerals can resume.
Slovenians to receive €200 to boost tourism sector
Slovenia's government announced on Wednesday that each adult in the country will receive a €200 voucher to spend on domestic tourist activities or in restaurants.
Families will receive an additional €50 for each child.
Slovenia was the first European nation to declare an end to the pandemic. The country has recorded only one COVID-19 death.
China 'incompetence' responsible for 'mass Worldwide killing': Trump
US President launched another attack on China on Wednesday, writing on Twitter:
"Some wacko in China just released a statement blaming everybody other than China for the Virus which has now killed hundreds of thousands of people. Please explain to this dope that it was the “incompetence of China”, and nothing else, that did this mass Worldwide killing!"
This is quite the reversal from January when the US leader praised China for "working very hard to contain the Coronavirus."
"The United States greatly appreciates their efforts and transparency. It will all work out well. In particular, on behalf of the American People, I want to thank President Xi!," he added then.
France to hike salaries for healthcare workers: Minister
Health Minister Olivier Véran announced on Wednesday that the government will unveil its plan to reform the healthcare system in mid-July following consultations with actors from the sector to start next week.
He already said however that it will include "a wage increase in hospitals and care homes" and that an easing of the country's 35-hour workweek for the sector.
Six Portuguese stadiums fail health inspections
Portugal's football federation has announced that six of the 15 stadiums seeking to host matches when the league resumes on June 4 have failed health inspections.
These stadiums will be allowed to make changes to their venues before another inspection is conducted.
EU gives €50 million more in humanitarian aid
The new funding will be channelled by NGOs and UN agencies and is targeted to help vulnerable people in Sahel and Lake Chad region, the Central African Republic, the Great Lakes region in Africa, Eastern Africa, Syria, Yemen, Palestine and Venezuela, as well as the Rohingya, the EU Commission said in a statement.
Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management, said that "the Coronavirus pandemic is creating a humanitarian crisis of an enormous scale in some of the most fragile countries in the world."
"The pandemic threatens food security in countries where public health systems were already weak before this new crisis," he added.
The €50 million adds to other humanitarian funding and actions already provided by the European Commission in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dutch fatalities rise to 5,748
The Netherlands' National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) said that 33 new deaths have been recorded in the country.
Confirmed cases rose by 198 to 44,447.
Swedish death toll rises by 88
Sweden's public health agency has announced that a further 88 people have succumbed to the novel coronavirus since yesterday, bringing the death toll to 3,831.
The number of confirmed infections rose by 724 to 31,523.
3,546 COVID-19 deaths in Scotland: Statistics agency
The National Records of Scotland (NRS) said that as of May 17 a total of 3,546 deaths had been registered in the country where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate.
This differs from the 2,134 figure released on Tuesday by the Scottish government because official numbers are "based on deaths of those who have tested positive for COVID-19."
"The NRS figures published here include all deaths where COVID-19 (included suspected cases) was mentioned on the death certificate," it explained.
NHS surcharge from migrant care workers is 'right way forward': Johnson
Starmer asked the PM if he thinks it right that care workers coming from abroad and "working on our frontline" should have to pay a surcharge fee of "hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds" to use the NHS themselves.
Johnson said the health care system "needs funding and those contributions actually help us to raise £900 million and it's very difficult in the current circumstances to find alternative sources".
"I do think that that is the right way forward," he added.
Pressed to reconsider by Starmer, Johnson said the government is investing massively in the NHS and that it "will want to see our fantastic care workers paid properly and that is the best way forward".
Starmer says March decision to abandon tracing left 'huge hole' in the UK's defences
The Labour leader then asked about the contact tracing strategy and cited the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Ministry of Defence who said on Tuesday evening that the UK could learn from South Korea and Germany which both had an aggressive tracing strategy from the get-go.
"There's been no effective tracing in place since March 12 when tracing was abandoned," he said, arguing "that's a huge hole in our defences".
Johnson accused Starmer of "feigned ignorance" and said that the government should have recruited 25,000 trackers by June 1.
Starmer retorted by asking the Prime Minister to whether "an effective" tracing system will be in place by June 1 as promised by the government.
Johnson said that there's "grozing confidence that we will have a test, track and trace operation that will be world-beating" by June 1.
Starmer questioning testing in UK care homes
The leader of the opposition once again quoted the chief executive of Care England testifying that when it comes to testing of residents and staff in care homes, "we've had the announcement but what we haven't had is the delivery and we are not really clear when that would arrive".
In a Command Paper from last week, the government said that every care homes in the UK will have been offered tests for residents and staff by June 6.
Starmer demanded to know "what's causing the continued delay in routine testing in our care homes?"
Johnson said Starmer is 2simply ignorant of the fact" and that more than 115,000 care home staff had already been tested. He also reiterated the government's goal of testing 200,000 people per day by the end of the month.
"This country is now testing more than virtually any other country in Europe," he also argued.
Johnson defends UK care home strategy
The leader of the main opposition Labour party, Keir Starmer, told parliament that although the government has previously said that it threw "a protective ring" around care homes from the start of the outbreak in the country, this was contradicted on Tuesday by the chief executive of Care England who was testifying to the Health Select Committee.
"He (Care England chief executive) said we should have been focusing on care homes from the start, despite that, this is his evidence, despite what is being said, there were cases of people who either didn't have a COVID status or were symptomatic who were discharged into our care homes," Starmer said.
Johnson refuted that, saying that "the number of patients discharged from hospitals into care homes was 40% down in March on January".
He also said that the number of deaths in care homes "has come down 31%" since he was last he in Commons.
More than 180 healthcare workers killed by COVID-19 in UK: Johnson
Britain's Prime Minister Brosi Johnson told parliament on Wednesday that "181 NHS and 131 social workers' deaths have sadly been reported involving COVID-19".
Polish song criticising the ruling party leader for his conduct during the pandemic disappears from the charts
A chart topping song that criticised the conduct of the leader of Poland's ruling Law and Justice party during the coronavirus outbreak has disappeared from the chart list.
The song, “Your Pain is Better than Mine," is believed to refer to Jarosław Kaczyński's visit to his mother's grave and twin brother's memorial at a cemetery that had been closed during the pandemic.
It was seen a controversial visit by many Poles who were infuriated by the move.
"You alone can soothe your pain, everyone else goes down the drain," say the lyrics of the folk-rock song, which was voted No.1 in the charts on Friday, and disappeared from the website the following day.
The song, “Your Pain is Better than Mine," is believed to refer to Jarosław Kaczyński's visit to his mother's grave and twin brother's memorial at a cemetery that had been closed during the pandemic.
It was seen a controversial visit by many Poles who were infuriated by the move.
"You alone can soothe your pain, everyone else goes down the drain," say the lyrics of the folk-rock song, which was voted No.1 in the charts on Friday, and disappeared from the website the following day.
The station manager later said the song was removed due to irregularities in voting, while a journalist claimed the station's higher management had ordered them to stop playing the song.
It has now re-entered the chart in fourth place.
It has now re-entered the chart in fourth place.
'The virus has not disappeared,' Spanish PM warns as he asks for extension to the state of emergency
Speaking on Wednesday to request a 15-day extension to Spain's state of emergency, Pedro Sanchez said: "The virus has not disappeared.
"Therefore, prudence should be the norm in decision making. We can only anticipate if we bet on safety in deescalation. Today, we ask for a new 15-day extension of the emergency state with the sole purpose of saving lives."
"Therefore, prudence should be the norm in decision making. We can only anticipate if we bet on safety in deescalation. Today, we ask for a new 15-day extension of the emergency state with the sole purpose of saving lives."
Italian PM says 'we were not entirely prepared' for the crisis as he announces new initiative
Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte told the WHO's World Health Assembly that the world was "not entirely prepared for such a huge global crisis" like the COVID-19 pandemic.
He said because of this: "We have to strengthen early warning mechanisms, exchange of information, identification of best practice to improve the international community pandemic preparedness."
Conte then announced the launch of the ACT-Accelerator, which aims to be a global platform speeding up the development of a vaccine, therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
It will also work to ensure universal access to treatment.
He said because of this: "We have to strengthen early warning mechanisms, exchange of information, identification of best practice to improve the international community pandemic preparedness."
Conte then announced the launch of the ACT-Accelerator, which aims to be a global platform speeding up the development of a vaccine, therapeutic and diagnostic tools.
It will also work to ensure universal access to treatment.
Back to school: Europe battles with the complexity of education during a pandemic
Six people test positive for COVID-19 as part of the English Premier League's mass testing
Six people, including one player and two staff members from Watford, have tested positive for coronavirus during the Premier League's first wave of mass testing.
The tests are being carried out ahead of England's top division of football planning to return to training.
Similar leagues in other European nations, including Belgium, France and the Netherlands continue to undergo restrictions; however, the English Premier League is still hoping to see a resuming of the season by June.
The tests are being carried out ahead of England's top division of football planning to return to training.
Similar leagues in other European nations, including Belgium, France and the Netherlands continue to undergo restrictions; however, the English Premier League is still hoping to see a resuming of the season by June.
Spanish PM reaffirms his support for the World Health Organisation
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his support for the World Health Organisation in a brief message marking the end of the World Health Assembly on Tuesday.
He stressed his support was to ensure the agency could "lead us and build on these lessons learned", particularly during the pandemic.
The message comes as the WHO agreed to be subject to an independent evaluation of its management of the coronavirus pandemic.
He stressed his support was to ensure the agency could "lead us and build on these lessons learned", particularly during the pandemic.
The message comes as the WHO agreed to be subject to an independent evaluation of its management of the coronavirus pandemic.
Brazil overtakes the UK to have the third highest number of coronavirus cases in the world
Brazil has recorded 271,885 cases of coronavirus, now making it the third worst-hit country in the world behind the US and Russia. It had a record number of daily deaths on Tuesday at 1,179.
Meanwhile, Russia has recorded nearly 300,000 cases of the disease, following far behind the US, which has 1.5 million.
Meanwhile, Russia has recorded nearly 300,000 cases of the disease, following far behind the US, which has 1.5 million.
Dutch farmer 'contracts COVID-19 from a mink'
The Dutch government has enacted extra restrictions on mink farms across the country after discovering a person had caught coronavirus from one of the animals.
An outbreak of COVID-19 in minks was first reported in April after farm workers noticed the animals having difficulties with breathing. The Dutch agriculture minister said on Wednesday that it was "likely" the virus had transmitted to a human.
Screenings are now due to carried out across all mink farms in the country. If an outbreak is detected, workers will be required to wear protective equipment and visitors will be banned.
Animals and manure from an infected farm must remain on-site.
Prior to the pandemic, the Netherlands was in the process of closing down mink farms following pressure from animals rights activists.
Since 2013, no new mink farms were allowed to open, while all existing farms are to be closed by 2024.
An outbreak of COVID-19 in minks was first reported in April after farm workers noticed the animals having difficulties with breathing. The Dutch agriculture minister said on Wednesday that it was "likely" the virus had transmitted to a human.
Screenings are now due to carried out across all mink farms in the country. If an outbreak is detected, workers will be required to wear protective equipment and visitors will be banned.
Animals and manure from an infected farm must remain on-site.
Prior to the pandemic, the Netherlands was in the process of closing down mink farms following pressure from animals rights activists.
Since 2013, no new mink farms were allowed to open, while all existing farms are to be closed by 2024.
Latvia planning to end national emergency from June 9
Latvian Prime Minister Arturs Krišjānis Kariņš has told a national news outlet that he plans to try and end the country's state of emergency by June 9.
He said changes would be made to law in the meantime to make sure the government could act quickly in the event of any "aggravations of the situation", and warned that a lifting of the emergency would not automatically end restrictions.
He said changes would be made to law in the meantime to make sure the government could act quickly in the event of any "aggravations of the situation", and warned that a lifting of the emergency would not automatically end restrictions.
Donald Trump defends use of anti-malarial drug
The US president has defended his use of hydroxychloroquine after his reveal about taking it to protect himself from coronavirus sparked debate and worry for his health.
He said a study that caused concern about the drug, which showed potentially dangerous side effects, was "false" and an "enemy statement" - although he gave no evidence to back this up.
Hydroxychloroquine is a vital treatment for people with lupus or arthritis, but studies on its effect on COVID-19 are slim, and have not been able to prove that it combats the disease.
It has, however, raised alarm about its potential side effects, which can be lethal.
The US government has warned the drug should not be taken for COVID-19 outside a hospital setting, but Trump appears to have defied this guideline.
He told reporters on Monday that his doctor had not recommended the drug to him, and that he had asked for it from the White House physician.
“This is an individual decision to make," Trump said later on Tuesday, adding: “It’s gotten a bad reputation only because I’m promoting it.”
You can read more on this story here.
He said a study that caused concern about the drug, which showed potentially dangerous side effects, was "false" and an "enemy statement" - although he gave no evidence to back this up.
Hydroxychloroquine is a vital treatment for people with lupus or arthritis, but studies on its effect on COVID-19 are slim, and have not been able to prove that it combats the disease.
It has, however, raised alarm about its potential side effects, which can be lethal.
The US government has warned the drug should not be taken for COVID-19 outside a hospital setting, but Trump appears to have defied this guideline.
He told reporters on Monday that his doctor had not recommended the drug to him, and that he had asked for it from the White House physician.
“This is an individual decision to make," Trump said later on Tuesday, adding: “It’s gotten a bad reputation only because I’m promoting it.”
You can read more on this story here.
South Korea students return to school
High school seniors have returned to school in South Korea to prepare for their college entrance exams for November.
It comes after scheduled school reopenings were delayed for another week due to the discovery of some new clusters of COVID-19.
Other classes are expected to return gradually next week.
It comes after scheduled school reopenings were delayed for another week due to the discovery of some new clusters of COVID-19.
Other classes are expected to return gradually next week.
Captain Tom Moore to receive a knighthood
A British army veteran is to be knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for raising £33m (€37m) for the UK's National Health Service (NHS) by walking laps of his garden.
Captain Tom Moore garnered legions of fans as he aimed to walk a hundred laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday last month.
Starting out with a modest goal of raising £1,000 (€1,120), he completed the challenge in plenty of time by which point he had broken records; raised millions and had become a household celebrity across Britain.
He was then given an honourary promotion to the rank of colonel.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who nominated the veteran for his knighthood, said: "Col. Tom’s fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus.
"On behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, I want to say a huge thank you."
Captain Tom Moore garnered legions of fans as he aimed to walk a hundred laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday last month.
Starting out with a modest goal of raising £1,000 (€1,120), he completed the challenge in plenty of time by which point he had broken records; raised millions and had become a household celebrity across Britain.
He was then given an honourary promotion to the rank of colonel.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who nominated the veteran for his knighthood, said: "Col. Tom’s fantastic fundraising broke records, inspired the whole country and provided us all with a beacon of light through the fog of coronavirus.
"On behalf of everyone who has been moved by his incredible story, I want to say a huge thank you."
Good morning, Europe! My name is Rachael and I will be giving you the latest updates on coronavirus news today.
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