0:00 More than a quarter of a million people have now died from COVID-19. The human toll has been devastating particularly in the United States
Meanwhile, countries are starting to lift restrictions, keen to ease the pressure on people’s mental health and get economies moving again.
In this update:
0:27 New analysis shows our economy is losing 4-billion dollars a week during the shutdown. Treasury estimates the mass closure of businesses will see GDP plunge by 10% in the June quarter — the equivalent of 50-billion dollars being wiped from the economy.
0:45 National cabinet is meeting today, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern joining the hook up. Leaders will discuss resuming flights across the Tasman in the coming months.
0:56 The operator of a western Sydney nursing home has confirmed three more staff members have tested covid-19 positive, as part of the new daily testing regime. 15 residents have died at Newmarch house since the outbreak began last month.
1:11 Australia has pledged over 350-million dollars towards a global effort to fight covid-19. An alliance of world leaders is aiming to raise about 12-billion dollars for the vaccine research fund. The US and Russia did not taking part.
1:25 More than a quarter of a million people have now died from the virus. Worldometer says the global death toll has ticked past 251,000 with nearly 70,000 deaths in the US. Infections now exceed 3.6 million.
In more detail:
1:40 Political reporter Dan Conifer – New figures reveal that keeping coronavirus restrictions in place is costing the Australian economy 4-billion dollars each week. The analysis by the federal treasury will be outlined by the treasurer Josh Frydenberg in a major speech today.While the New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is talking to Australian leaders this morning at their national meeting.
4:49 Lara Hyams reports – A health company which provides care to elderly residents at a Sydney’s Newmarch house nursing home is facing allegations of breaches in medical care. Also, the Ruby Princess inquiry resumes today.
8:55 In Queensland 5 new cases have been reported this morning and authorities are saying effectively only two because three of those are Queenslanders who were in other states,
10.36 Europe correspondent Linton Besser reports – World leaders have raised 12.5 billion dollars to help fund the search for a coronavirus vaccine. The efforts have been spear-headed by the European Union. The EU Commission President has praised world leaders for their co-operation. The US was noticeably absent from the virtual conference but the French President had words of reassurance on that front.
12:52 The world health organization says it has received no evidence or data from the US government to back up claims that the coronavirus originated at a laboratory in China. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo say they have seen evidence suggesting that it could be from the Wuhan Institute of Virology lab. WHO emergencies Chief Dr Michael Ryan says the evidence and advice that the agency has received suggests the virus is of natural origin.
14:01 The number of coronavirus infections in Russia has risen to more than 145,000. It’s the second day running that the number of cases in the country has exceeded 10,000. Officials are urging the public to stay at home with lockdown measures extended through to May 11th. Russia’s second largest city, St Petersburg has turned off lights at around 500 sites as part of the cost saving measures to cope with the impact of COVID-19.
14:28 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announce the easing of some restrictions by mid-May. Turkey has had blanket curfews over the last few weekends across 31 cities. Shopping centres and business including hair salons will be allowed to open. People over 65 will now be allowed to go out within walking distance of home for a few hours a day. Similar rules will apply to children. President Erdogan has warned that much stricter measures would be put in place if the public does not abide by the rules. The death toll in the country has risen to 3,461.
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