There is a mix of hope and despair in the coronavirus wrap today. Europe’s first human trial of a potential vaccine is underway in the UK while the jobless rate continues to climb in the United States.
Globally, cases have passed 2.7 million, 190,000 people have died, 740,000 have recovered.
In this update:
0:22 Tasmania has recorded it’s nine death from coronavirus
0:27 National Cabinet is meeting today, with education a top priority for leaders. Updated modelling of the virus spread will also be released.
0:36 The Ruby Princess cruise ship is on its way to the Philippines. It has been linked to more than 700 cases in Australia and 21 deaths.
0:43 The first patients have been injected as part of a UK vaccine trial. Half will receive the potential COVID-19 treatment, and half a control vaccine which protects against meningitis.
0:55 The US unemployment rate is at levels not seen since the great depression. 26.5 million Americans have lost their jobs – 4.4 million this week.
1:05 EU leaders have agreed to an emergency funding plan to help Europe’s struggling economies. They’ve also backed a gradual lifting of virus restrictions.
In more detail:
1:17 From today, anyone with even mild respiratory symptoms can be tested for coronavirus as the New south wales government tries to clamp down on community transmission. Premier Gladys Berejiklian says increased testing is a critical step towards lifting physical distancing restrictions.
2:28 National cabinet is meeting today with leaders expected to consider the latest modelling on how coronaviirus is spreading in Australia. As they look at how and when some of the restrictions can be eased. Political reporter Jade Macmillan has more from Canberra.
5:53The US house of representatives has passed a new $760b coronavirus relief bill. The bill includes funding for small businesses and hospitals, and pushes the total spending in response to the crisis to nearly five trillion dollars. This comes as the US jobless rate climbed to levels not seen since the great depression, with more than 26 million people filing for unemployment benefits in the past five weeks.
6:48 The Chinese city of Harbin has reportedly been locked down over fears a student from the US has sparked several COVID-19 cases. Mainland China’s tally of confirmed cases stands at more than 83,000.
7:13 The German Chancellor, Angela Merkel has warned Europe must remain “clever and cautious” when dealing with the pandemic. The Chancellor made the comments during a video conference with other EU leaders, the fourth summit on the coronavirus outbreak. They are expected to sign off on $600,000b emergency fund to protect workers, businesses and countries worst affected by the outbreak
7:38 Human trials of a potential vaccine for COVID-19 developed at Oxford University in the UK will begin today. 500 people have signed up.
Nick Dole reports.
10:06 When India introduced a nationwide lockdown almost all industry stopped operations, and cars were forced off the road. It’s helped slow the spread of coronavirus and it’s also had another, unintended consequence with pollution falling to levels not seen in decades.
South Asia correspondent James Oaten reports.
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