The name, the Ruby Princess cruise ship has come up yet again contributing to the incidence of coronavirus in Australia.
It comes as some states and territories announce further easing of restrictions.
In this update:
0:16 There’s been another coronavirus death in Tasmania. While a report into the coronavirus outbreak in the state’s north west has found it most likely originated from the Ruby Princess cruise ship.
0:29 In the Northern Territory, restrictions limiting attendees at outdoor weddings and funerals will be lifted from tomorrow. There’ll be no limits on numbers, so long as people maintain social distancing. Playgrounds, parks and reserves will also reopen.
0:46 Blood purportedly harvested from recovered coronavirus patients is being offered on the dark web as a vaccine. ANU researchers also found medical equipment including ventilators being sold ‘offline’.
1:00 The US economy has shrunk by almost five percent in the first quarter – the most severe contraction in more than a decade. Analysts are warning by June, that figure could be twenty percent or more.
1:13 The UK death toll has passed 26,000. Britain has the third worst death toll behind the US and Italy
In more detail:
1:22 Erin Cooper reporting – An internal investigation into a coronavirus cluster in north-west Tasmania has found some staff who were infectious worked in local hospitals for several days while experiencing symptoms. Tasmania’s director of public health says the outbreak at the north west regional and north west private hospitals most likely began when a Ruby Princess passenger with COVID-19 transmitted the infection to staff who then passed it to other workers and patients at two hospitals.
3:59 Victorian authorities are investigating a new coronavirus cluster linked to an aged care facility in Melbourne’s east. There are seven new cases in the state, bringing the total to 1,361. Three residents and one staff member at Hawthorn Grange aged care facility have tested positive to covid-19. The Victorian minister for ageing and carers Luke Donnellan says a thorough investigation into the cluster is underway.
5:46 Lara Hyams reporting – Several coronavirus restrictions will be eased for parts of the country in the coming days. In new south wales, from tomorrow two adults will be able visit someone else in their home.
8:20 The world health organization has confirmed it’s investigating a rare inflammatory condition found in children which is possibly linked to the new coronavirus. It is thought to be similar to Kawasaki’s disease or toxic shock syndrome and has been identified in the UK. The WHO says the syndrome appears to be very rare.
9:33 US President Donald Trump says the federal government will not be extending coronavirus social distancing guidelines once they expire this week. There are more than one million confirmed coronavirus cases in the US with 61,000 deaths. The president says he predicts a “great” economic rebound in coming months, and claims the country will soon be performing 5 million tests for covid-19 a day.
12:33 The chief of the World Health Organization has defended the agency’s record and its response to coronavirus.The Geneva based UN body has faced mounting criticism in recent weeks, mainly from the United States, which has cut off funding. The agency’s chief says the WHO acted efficiently.
13:06 Scuffles have broken out between police and Peruvians attempting to return home after being stranded when the coronavirus lockdown went into effect last month. Dozens of people have blocked streets, demanding transportation home. Some residents, including elderly and children, have spent two weeks camping on the streets in precarious conditions as they await permission to travel.
13:27 Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has sparked anger after answering “so what?” when asked about the country’s coronavirus death toll. Brazil has more than 73,000 cases with at least 5,000 people dead. Mr Bolsonaro says he regrets the number of deaths but says he can’t perform miracles.
14:07 Back in Australia, long after the coronavirus pandemic subsides, the economic pain of the shutdowns will continue to be felt. For many regional areas recovering from drought and bushfires it’s a lot to overcome. The Mayor of Dubbo in New South Wales, Ben Shields, says businesses are doing it tough at the moment.
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