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Monday 6 April 2020 08:47
Boris Johnson has remained in hospital overnight after being tested for persistent coronavirus symptoms, having started to exhibit signs of a Covid-19 infection 11 days ago.
It comes as Donald Trump tells Americans he is beginning to see the “light at the end of the tunnel” of the pandemic on what is likely to be a particularly deadly week for the country, despite America’s Surgeon General Jerome Adams appearing on television to compare the gravity of the situation to Pearl Harbour and 9/11.
Meanwhile in Japan officials are mulling over a six month state of emergency after cases in the capital of Tokyo surged – making up more than 1,000 of its 3,500 strong infection rate.
Russia’s coronavirus case tally has risen to 6,343 in the past 24 hours, a record daily increase of 954, the country’s crisis response centre has said.
Cases have been recorded widely, but Moscow remains the epicentre of the outbreak with 591 new cases.
Forty-seven people have died across the country, it said.
When it comes to the news, last night was – and I’m using the technical journalistic term here – a bit of a busy one.
Between Johnson being hospitalised, the Queen promising “we will meet again” and the Scottish health chief who had to quit after visiting her second home, you may have missed a few things – like the tiger that has tested positive for the virus in the US.
Chiara Giordano has wrapped up a frantic few hours to help us all catch up.
Kike Mateu covers Valencia – and Keen followers of Spanish football may recognise him as one of the contributors to El Chiringuito de Jugones, a lively late night debate show which discusses La Liga’s latest gossip and talking points.
But over the last couple of months, Mateu has become known for another reason.
“Yes it’s true,” he says. “In Valencia, I’m the so-called ‘patient zero’.”
More below:
In case you missed it on Sunday evening – Scotland‘s chief medical officer has resigned from the government after breaking coronavirus lockdown rules by visiting her second home.
Dr Catherine Calderwood agreed to step down just hours after “unreservedly” apologising for the trip to Fife and withdrawing from giving public briefings.
More below:
Boris Johnson is “still very much in charge of the Government” despite spending a night in hospital with the coronavirus, Housing and Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has said.
He told BBC Breakfast: “He spent the night in hospital and of course we all wish him well and we hope that as a result of these tests he will be able to come back to Downing Street as soon as possible.
He added that lockdown measures could be gradually eased “in the weeks to come”, while urging the nation is currently heading into the most difficult weeks of the outbreak.
New Zealand sees promising signs – but restrictions will remain
New Zealand will maintain its stringent level four coronavirus restrictions despite some early signs the spread of the illness has been stabilising.
The country’s 67 new infections were the lowest in five days, taking its tally to just over 1,100. New Zealand has reported one death.
Level-four curbs allow people to take walks or go to supermarkets for essentials, but they are required to stay 2 metres apart.
“Our actions for the remainder of the period in level four will be about doubling down to ensure the gains made in the first half are not squandered in the second,” PM Jacinda Ardern told reporters in Wellington.
US officials have continued to urge optimism in the fight against coronavirus despite grave warnings from experts including the nation’s surgeon general.
“We’re starting to see light at the end of the tunnel,” Donald Trump told reporters at a Sunday evening White House briefing. Mike Pence added, “We are beginning to see glimmers of progress.”
“This is going to be our Pearl Harbour moment, our 9/11 moment, only it’s not going to be localised. It’s going to be happening all over the country. And I want America to understand that.”
Japan likely to declare state of emergency tomorrow
Japan will declare a state of emergency as early as tomorrow in a bid to stop the virus – according to national media – with the government preparing a stimulus package to soften the blow on an economy already struggling to avoid a recession.
More than 3,500 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Japan and 85 have died, with numbers rising with particularly in Tokyo, which has more than 1,000 cases.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was likely to announce his plan for the emergency later on Monday, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, while Kyodo news agency said new measures would likely come into force on Wednesday.
The measure, which is expected to impact Tokyo and its neighbouring prefectures, will likely full short of a total lock down as seen elsewhere int he world.
Boris Johnson spends night in hospital
Boris Johnson remained in hospital overnight after suffering persistent coronavirus symptoms – although Downing Street said he remained in charge of the government.
“The PM is still at hospital,” a government source told Reuters. “He spent the night in hospital.”
Mr Johnson, who had been isolating in Downing Street after testing positive for the virus last month, was taken to hospital on last night because he still had a high temperature and his doctors felt he needed additional tests.
“On the advice of his doctor, the prime minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests,” his Downing Street office said in a statement on Sunday.
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