Daily US Times: The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy overtook the total number of deaths so far registered in China. In the last 24 hours, Italy confirmed 427 deaths, leading the death toll to 3,405 as the global coronavirus death toll crossed 10,000.
The number of infections also rose in Italy to 41,000, while cases in Spain, Germany, and Iran rose to more than 15 thousand each.
The US has also confirmed more than 14,000 as 205 people have died in the country from the virus. The country’s most populous state California announced a state-wide lockdown.
Governor Gavin Newsom told Californians they all should stay at home and only leave their homes when necessary.
He estimated earlier that half of the population of the state, nearly 20 million people would contract Covid-19 in just the next two months.
According to data from Johns Hopkins University in the US, global coronavirus cases increased to more than 250,000, of which 85,000 have recovered from COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
Indian PM calls on citizens to give “full contribution”
The Prime Minister of India, one of the most populous countries in the wolds, has urged all the citizens to work together to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In his televised address to the nation Thursday, Narendra Modi said, “We need to put in all our capacity and capability in protecting ourselves from the coronavirus,” Modi said. “Everyone is contributing in their own way in the fight against this global pandemic. You too must give your full contribution.”
He made nine requests to the 1.3 billion Indian citizens. Here they are:
- Don’t leave your home unless necessary.
- Those older than 60 years old stay indoors.
- Abide by a trial curfew that will be enacted from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
- Show appreciation for medical professionals and essential workers who must continue doing their jobs during the pandemic by clapping for five minutes at 5 p.m. Sunday.
- Avoid going to hospitals for routine check-ups and delay non-essential surgeries to avoid overwhelming the country’s healthcare system.
- The finance minister should take all necessary action to protect Indian businesses and the economy
- Don’t dock salaries of workers
- Don’t panic buy or hoard important goods
- Don’t believe rumors or unverified news.
Saudi Arabia to suspend all domestic flights and public transport for 14 days
Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA said on Friday that the country is going to shut down all domestic flights and public transportation — including trains, buses, and taxis — for 14 days as a precautionary measure to control the spread of coronavirus.
The order will go into effect on Saturday. The country had already suspended all international flights for two weeks beginning March 15.
Saudi has confirmed 274 cases so far with no deaths have been reported.
Australia steps up social distancing regulations
Australia has also tightened regulations on travel to and from remote indigenous communities in a bid to spare them the outbreak.
Australia has ratcheted up its social distancing regulations to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. The country demanded indoor venues provide at least four square meters (43 square feet) of space per person.
The step announced on Friday, following a ban on Wednesday of non-essential indoor gatherings of more than 100 people, including weddings and restaurants.
US governors ask Pentagon for clarification on National Guard authorization
Some governors of the US asked the Department of Defense Secretary Mark Esper to clarify the federal government’s plan for the possible activation of the National Guard as part of the containment action against the coronavirus disease.
In a letter to Esper, the governors expressed their concerns that in times of emergency, such as the coronavirus pandemic, the state powers over the National Guard could be taken away from them.
