COVID-19: Worldwide >420,000 cases, 2020 Olympics Postponed

Source: People's Daily, Xinhua, CGTN, China Daily, Global Times, CBS, iFeng, Baidu, Global  News Agencies, Majdi




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Tokyo Olympics rescheduled no later than summer 2021


The International Olympic Committee and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe concluded the Tokyo 2020 Olympics must be postponed and held no later than the summer of 2021.


After a call with IOC president Thomas Bach, Abe said the July 24-August 9 event would be rescheduled for the summer of 2021 at the latest, as proof of victory over the coronavirus.


"In the present circumstances and based on the information provided by the WHO today, the IOC President and the prime minister of Japan have concluded that the Games ... in Tokyo must be rescheduled to a date beyond 2020 but not later than summer 2021," the IOC said in a statement after Abe had confirmed the postponement.


The move is "to safeguard the health of the athletes, everybody involved in the Olympic Games and the international community".


The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games had been scheduled to take place from August 25 until September 6. Now, the Paralympic Games will also be delayed. 


Pedestrians wearing face masks outside the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building, which carries the logo of the 2020 Olympic Games. Photograph: Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP via Getty Images


US sees deadliest day with 160 deaths


Angela Weiss/AFP/Getty Images


US cases surged tenfold in a week from 5,000 to over than 50,000. 


There are at least 53,566 cases of the novel coronavirus in the United States and 701 people have died. There have already been 160 deaths reported Tuesday, making this the deadliest day in the US since the coronavirus pandemic began.


The total includes cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other U.S. territories, as well as all repatriated cases.


A Rush of Local News


A total of 47 new COVID-19 cases, all of them imported from abroad, and four more deaths were confirmed on the Chinese mainland as of Tuesday midnight, according to China's National Health Commission.


Wuhan reports ZERO new COVID-19 infections. 


Beijing Arrivals to Undergo Mandatory Testing


All individuals arriving in China's capital from overseas must take a COVID-19 test in addition to being quarantined starting Wednesday, the Beijing municipal government announced. In a notice published online, Beijing authorities said those who have entered the city within the last 14 days also will undergo mandatory testing. 


Wuhan to lift restrictions on outbound travelers


The health commission of central China's Hubei Province announced on Tuesday that residents of Wuhan will be allowed to travel outside the city starting April 8People in Wuhan will be allowed to travel outside the city and the province if they hold a green health code - meaning no contact with any infected or suspected COVID-19 cases, the commission said, adding that other cities in the province will lift travel curbs on March 25.


Meanwhile, colleges and universities, primary and secondary vocational schools, technical colleges and kindergartens in the province will remain closed.


Shanghai to Halt intl. Flights at Hongqiao Airport


Starting from Wednesday midnight, Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport will halt all international, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan inbound and outbound flights, according to the Shanghai municipal authority.


Flights scheduled prior to the deadline will be moved to Pudong airport, but Hongqiao airport will remain operational for backup landings.


A Rush of News


US State half medical personnel under quarantine: More half of New Orleans' medical emergency services personnel is under quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, the citys mayor told CNNs Erin Burnett on Tuesday. 


Australia banned overseas travel and extended social restrictions in order to tackle the spread of the novel coronavirus, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday.


The Dow Jones Industrial Average rebounded to post its best one-day point gain ever and its biggest percentage gain since 1933, closing up 2,112.98 points or 11.37 percent to 20,704.91.


Ryanair said it does not expect to operate flights in April or May and has offered its aircraft to European governments for rescue or the essential movement of medicines and personal protective equipment.


Egypt declared a curfew from 7pm to 6am for two weeks from Wednesday to prevent the spread of coronavirus, and those who violate the measure will be penalised under emergency laws.


Indonesia has announced 107 new coronavirus cases, its biggest daily increase to date, bringing the total number of infections to 686, Health Ministry official Achmad Yurianto. 


Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has announced a state of emergency from Thursday to curb the spread of the coronavirus.


Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio declared a 12-month state of public health emergency starting Tuesday.


Harvard President Lawrence S. Bacow said he and his wife have tested positive for coronavirus.


Japanese investment group Softbank announced on Tuesday that it is donating 1.4 million N95 respirator masks to New York state.


Countries Confirming First Case/death


Saudi Arabia reported its first death from the coronavirus, a 51-year-old Afghan resident. 


Laos: confirmed the country's first two cases of COVID-19 during a press conference on Tuesday. 


France Deaths Toll Jumps 240 to 1,100


The coronavirus has killed another 240 people in France, the top French health official said, bringing the death toll in the country from the pandemic to 1,100.


Jerome Salomon told reporters that 22,300 people had tested positive for the virus in France, with a total of 10,176 hospitalised of whom 2,516 people are in intensive care.


Officials believe that the published number of those infected largely underestimates the real figure, as only those showing severe symptoms are usually tested. 



Italians could be fined more than $3,000 if they don't comply with coronavirus restrictions


The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has grown by 743 to 6,820, reversing a two-day decline.


On Monday, 602 people died. That followed 650 deaths on Sunday and 793 on Saturday - the highest daily figure since the contagion came to light on February 21.


The total number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 69,176 from a previous 63,927, an increase of 8.2 percent, in line with Monday's growth rate.


The Italian government has hiked fines for people who defy a lockdown order, Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, adding that he hoped he could start lifting the restrictions shortly.


Anyone caught leaving their home without good reason will now face fines of between 400 euros to 3,000 euros ($430 to $3,227) against a previous 206 euros, Conte said in a television address.


A view shows a deserted street in Vertova near Bergamo, Lombardy, on March 24, 2020, a village of some 5,000 inhabitants where 36 people have died of coronavirus in 23 days. Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images


New Zealand cases jump 30%



New Zealand has recorded a 30% jump in coronavirus cases as the country heads into lockdown by the end of day Wednesday, according to Ashley Bloomfield, the country's Director of Health.


There are 47 new confirmed cases and three new probable cases, bringing the Pacific nation's count up to 205, Bloomfield said at a news conference on Wednesday.




French Local Authority Bans Sale of Alcohol During Coronavirus Emergency Measures


Aisne, a region in northern France, has banned the sale of alcohol while emergency measures due to coronavirus are in place.


The ban has been put in place over an increasing risk of domestic violence due to restriction of movement, local police said on Tuesday.


As intra-family violence is often associated with excessive alcohol consumption, a regulation measure to take-away sales of alcoholic beverages until March 31st had been decided, police said a statement.


This announcement came after Minister of Interior Christophe Castaner stressed police effort to crack down on domestic violence cases


More than 13% of Spanish coronavirus cases are health care workers


Medical workers in Spain account for 13.6% of its total coronavirus cases, according to Fernando Simn, director of the Spanish Coordinating Centre for Health Alerts and Emergencies at Spains Ministry of Health.


Health care workers account for 5,400 of the countrys 39,673 total cases, he said on Tuesday.


India orders 3-week nationwide lockdown



Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has ordered a 21-day nationwide lockdown starting at midnight Wednesday. 


All of India's 36 states and territories will be under a complete lockdown in a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus.


 Here's how Modi explained it on a televised address:


"You have seen the worldwide situations arising from the coronavirus pandemic in the news. You have also seen how the most powerful nations have become helpless in the face of this pandemic. Its not that these nations arent making efforts or face a lack of resources. But the coronavirus is spreading so rapidly that despite all these efforts, the challenge is increasing. The result of a two-month study of these countries and what the experts are saying is that social distancing is the only option to combat coronavirus. That is to remain apart from each other and stay confined to within your homes. There is no other way to remain safe from coronavirus. If we have to stop the spread, we have to break the cycle of infection."


"I request you to remain wherever you are in this country. In view of the current situation, the lockdown shall be enforced for 21 days, which means the next 21 days are crucial for us, Modi continued.


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