The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases across the globe will pass through 2 million in the next 24 hours and the number of deaths 120,000.
Covid-19 has swept through parts of Europe and the US with staggering death tolls. In Australia 61 people have died. The control measures have limited the spread here but there are concerning outbreaks in places like North West Tasmania
In this update:
0:33 Australia is expected to have a double-digit unemployment rate for the first time in 26 years as a result of the crisis.
Treasury figures suggest the jobless rate will rise from 5.1 to 10% in the June quarter – that means about 1.4 million people will be out of work.
0:48 Two hospitals in North-West Tasmania that were closed yesterday will undergo a deep clean. Members of the Defence Force have been called into the help deal with the outbreak.
1:00 In the United States – more than 23,000 Americans have died – but authorities say the number of new infections continues to flatten. In New York State – the number of deaths has risen above 10,000.
1:12 France has extended its lockdown measures for another month. anyone who goes outside is required to carry a document stating their reason for leaving home.
Meanwhile Spain has begun easing its lockdown measures allowing building sites and factories to reopen.
1:25 The World Health Organisation is warning countries that the lifting of any restrictions should be done slowly and on the basis of protecting people’s health.
1.9 million people around the world are now infected with covid-19.
1:45 Political reporter Nour Haydar reports from Parliament House in Canberra with more details on those Treasury estimates.
3:03 Scott Morrison grab about unemployment figures/job seeker and job keeper programs
4:30 Wuhan wet market – Scott Morrison describes the WHO’s decision to re-open these markets as “unfathomable”.
6:12 Jesse Dorsett reports from Sydney on the Ruby Princess latest plus a new covid-19 outbreak at an aged care facility.
9:55 Laura Beavis reports from Hobart with the latest on the medical assistance teams and defence personnel sent to North West Tasmania to assist in the decontamination and re-opening of the hospital at the centre of a coronavirus outbreak.
14:18 Health Minister Greg Hunt on News Breakfast – says it’s important that Australians do not get complacent, that spikes in case numbers could happen at any time.
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