Coronavirus death toll in Italy's Lombardy jumps by 546 in a day - Reuters

ROME (Reuters) - The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in the northern region of Lombardy, which has borne the brunt of Italy’s contagion, has risen by 546 in a day to 3,095, officials said on Saturday.

It is the highest daily increase since the outbreak emerged.

Lombardy’s head of welfare, Giulio Gallera, said the number of cases in the region, which includes Italy’s financial capital Milan, had increased by 3,251 to 25,515.

On Friday, Italy’s death toll stood at 4,032, the highest in the world.

Reporting by Giselda Vagnoni; editing by Jason Neely

Our Standards:The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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2020-03-21 19:36:14Z
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Coronavirus: Almost 800 more dead in Italy - BBC News - BBC News

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Coronavirus: Almost 800 more dead in Italy - BBC News  BBC NewsView Full Coverage on Google News
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2020-03-21 18:27:28Z
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Further 793 people die of coronavirus in Italy in the past 24 hours - Daily Mail

Almost 800 people die of coronavirus in Italy in the past 24 hours taking country's death toll to 4,825 - with 53,500 now diagnosed in crisis-hit country

• Italy's 4,825 fatalities account for 38.3 per cent of the world's total 12,700 deaths
• The number of coronavirus infections rose by 6,557 to 53,578, another record
• Fatalities in the northern Lombardy regions around Milan surpassed 3,000
• Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should you see a doctor?

By Jemma Carr For Mailonline

Published: 17:16 GMT, 21 March 2020 | Updated: 18:09 GMT, 21 March 2020

Italy's death toll has skyrocketed by 793 to 4,825 in just 24 hours in the worst daily rise the country has seen yet.

Italy's fatalities account for 38.3 per cent of the world's total.

The number of coronavirus infections rose by 6,557 to 53,578, another record.

The total number of fatalities in the northern Lombardy regions around Milan surpassed 3,000.

Italy's death toll has skyrocketed by 793 to 4,825 in just 24 hours in the worst daily rise the country has seen yet

It accounts for nearly two-thirds of Italy's fatalities.

Italy has reported 1,420 deaths since Friday, a grim figure that suggests the pandemic is breaking through the government's various containment and social distancing measures.

The Mediterranean nation of 60 million has been under an effective lockdown since March 12, when public gatherings were banned and most stores shuttered.

An employee of the municipal company disinfects Piazza del Duomo in Florence, on March, 21 2020, as part of the measures taken by Italian government to fight against the spread of coronavirus 

Officials check drivers in Catania, Italy, in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus in the country

Police were out in force across the streets of Rome on Saturday, checking documents and fining those outside without a valid reason, such as buying groceries.

Joggers were asked to run around the block of their houses, parks and beaches were closed, and the government in Rome prepared to extend school and other closures into the summer months.

But the outbreak keeps gathering pace in the new global epicentre of a virus that was first reported in December in China and has since transformed the world, straining health care systems, upending lives for millions and pummelling stock markets globally.

Italy's fatalities account for 38.3 per cent of the world's total. Pictured: Nurses in protective gear hug at the Cremona hospital, southeast of Milan, Lombardy

The figures released Saturday showed deaths still largely contained to Italy's richer north, whose world-class healthcare system is creaking but still not breaking.

But it is much better that what is available in the poorer south, whose regions have registered a few dozen deaths each - and which the government in Rome is watching closely.

The Lazio region that includes Rome has recorded a total of 50 deaths and 1,190 infections.

Italy has reported 1,420 deaths since Friday. Pictured: Nurses put on their work gear at the start of their shift on March 12, 2020 at the Cremona hospital, southeast of Milan

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2020-03-21 18:07:46Z
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Coronavirus updates: Millions of Americans are being told to stay home in fight against COVID-19 - CBS News

  17m ago

New Jersey governor issues stay-at-home order

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said Saturday he has signed an order directing residents to stay home. He said all gatherings are canceled.

"Further, all non-essential retail businesses must indefinitely close their physical stores to the public" starting at 9 p.m. Saturday, he said in a video posted on Twitter.

"Only businesses critical to our response may remain open," he said.

BREAKING: I just signed an Executive Order directing nearly all residents to STAY AT HOME.

ALL gatherings are canceled.

ALL non-essential retail businesses must indefinitely close their physical stores to the public effective 9:00 p.m. tonight.

More: https://t.co/JW1q8awGh7 pic.twitter.com/fmElyFwNtf

— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) March 21, 2020

  28m ago

Children's hospitals help patients deal with isolation

Young Americans are at risk of being infected with COVID-19, despite people over 80 appearing to be the most vulnerable. Patients at Cook Children's Medical Center in Texas are being treated by staff working around the clock to protect the children, while also helping them cope with the emotional impact isolation can have.

Jill Koss, the hospital's family support services director, said security was tight in response to the pandemic, and social distancing was mandated in the facility. Only two primary caregivers are allowed inside, to reduce chances of spreading the coronavirus. 

"We are having to separate families, which is really hard. We have a rule now that siblings can't come up to visit," she told CBS News' Mireya Villarreal. "So we're trying to be creative in how we keep families connected." 

Read more here. 

  37m ago

Whole Foods announces some purchase restrictions, and early closures

Whole Foods says it is "limiting the purchase quantities of high-demand items" and closing its stores up to two hours early "to give our team members more time to restock shelves, sanitize our stores and rest in preparation for the next day."

It announced a series of other measures, including closing its hot bars, soup bars and salad bars. It said it is no longer allowing customers to use their own containers at its coffee and smoothie bars.

  39m ago

Cuomo: Young people are still a not complying with social distancing orders

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that some "younger people" are still not complying with social distancing orders. Cuomo said non-compliance is at its worst in New York City and its parks. 

"We do have an issue with younger people who are not complying," Cuomo said at a press conference Saturday. "I mentioned this before, but it has not gotten better."

Cuomo said the false belief that young people cannot get sick from the virus is still prevalent. In reality, he said, 18-49 year-olds make up 54% of coronavirus cases in New York state. 

"You can have your own opinion, you cannot have your own facts," he said. 

"You can get this virus. And, you can transfer this virus, and can wind up hurting someone who you love, or hurting someone wholly inadvertently."

The governor emphasized the importance of following social distancing guidelines — especially in outdoor spaces.

"There's a significant amount of non-compliance, especially in New York City, especially in the parks," Cuomo said. "I'm going to go down there today, I want to see what the situation is myself."

"This is a public health issue, and you cannot endanger other people's health. You shouldn't be endangering your own, but you certainly have no right to endanger someone else's."

Younger people listen up: 55% of NYS #Coronavirus cases are ages 18-49.

Young people aren’t invincible. You can get this and you can give it to someone older you love.

You shouldn’t endanger your own health & you certainly shouldn't endanger other people's health.#StayAtHome

— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 21, 2020

  12:47 PM

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan tweets about the Maryland National Guard

The Maryland governor said in a tweet Saturday that Marylanders may notice in the coming days and weeks that the Maryland National Guard is at work in their communities. 

"Though this may be an unusual sight, Marylanders should feel confident that these brave soldiers and airmen are here to help keep residents safe and healthy," Larry Hogan tweeted.

In the coming days and weeks, Marylanders may notice the @MDNG at work in their communities. Though this may be an unusual sight, Marylanders should feel confident that these brave soldiers and airmen are here to help keep residents safe and healthy. #MarylandUnites https://t.co/N2F0ub1aho

— Governor Larry Hogan (@GovLarryHogan) March 21, 2020

  12:33 PM

New York looking outside hospitals to increase capacity

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said Saturday the state is scouting non-hospital locations to build new hospital beds in order to increase capacity, as the number of coronavirus cases is expected to rise in the coming weeks. 

"We're working on building new beds, we're going to go out and review a number of sites today," Cuomo said at a press conference Saturday. 

The goal is to increase hospital capacity from 50,000 beds to a minimum of 75,000, he said. 

Locations being considered include: Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, Stony Brook University, the State University of New York Westbury, and the Westchester Convention Center.

"That would give us a regional distribution and a real capacity if we can get them up quickly enough," he said.

The governor said he hopes to provide a list of available sites to the federal government and the Army Corps of Engineers by Saturday. 

In addition to building new beds, the governor has also instructed hospitals to cancel all elective surgeries. 

"We are now working with hospitals to reconfigure the space in the hospital to get more beds and to find more staff to manage those beds," he said. 

  12:01 PM

Australia closes Bondi Beach

Officials in Australia have temporarily closed Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach after crowds ignored the government's warnings about preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus. 

Last week, Australia banned outdoor gatherings of more than 500 people to help fight the spread of COVID-19, which has infected at least 1,071 Australians so far, according to a Johns Hopkins University tally of confirmed cases. 

On Saturday, New South Wales state police minister David Elliott announced Bondi Beach was closing, warning that closures would "become the new norm" if people continued to ignore government regulations, Reuters reported.

Read more here.

  10:55 AM

Google launches highly anticipated coronavirus website

hereGoogle announced Saturday morning the launch of an educational website on coronavirus in the United States. The site focuses on education, prevention and local resources surrounding the pandemic. 

In a blog post, Google said it worked with relevant agencies and authorities to aggregate state-based information, safety and prevention tips, search trends, information to donate to relief efforts and other resources for individuals, educators and businesses.

Read more here. 

  10:48 AM

Trump and Coronavirus Task Force members hold briefing

President Trump and members of the Coronavirus Task Force, charged with leading the U.S. response to the coronavirus pandemic, are holding a briefing Saturday afternoon.

You can watch it in the video player below:

CBSN

  9:53 AM

Starbucks moves to mostly drive-through only in U.S. and Canada

Starbucks announced Friday it will transition all of its United States and Canada stores to drive-through only for at least two weeks. Some stores located near hospitals and healthcare centers will remain open for walk-in service.

The company also said it will pay all employees for the next 30 days, "whether they choose to come to work or not."

President of Starbucks' U.S. company-operated business and Canada Rossann Williams said in a letter to employees that "managing through this situation is the single biggest challenge many of us have faced in our lifetime."

"I am continually moved by your compassion for each other, our customers and our communities during this exceptionally difficult time. With daily news from friends and family members getting laid off and businesses closing, we need one another more than ever. We need to be a different kind of company."

  9:41 AM

Egypt closing archaeological sites and suspending Friday prayers

Egypt has announced that all museums and archaeological sites, including the famed pyramids at Giza, will close starting Monday through the end of March. Mostafa Waziri, head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said authorities would sterilize all sites during the closure.

The most populous Arab nation, home to more than 100 million people, also announced the temporary suspension of Friday prayers and other congregations in all mosques. 

The Coptic Orthodox Church canceled all services and wedding parties, and said funeral processions will be limited to family members of the deceased.

Egypt has reported 285 cases and eight deaths, and there are increasing calls for a curfew.

-The Associated Press 

  8:04 AM

Jordan goes on virus lockdown

Air raid sirens echoed across Jordan's capital on Saturday to mark the start of a three-day curfew, the latest mass lockdown in the Middle East aimed at containing the coronavirus. Jordan has ordered all shops to close and all people to stay off the streets until at least Tuesday, when it plans to announce specific times for shopping. Anyone caught violating the curfew faces up to one year in prison.

Several countries in the Middle East have closed schools, universities and nonessential businesses. Many are threatening fines or jail time to those caught violating the decrees. 

Egypt announced that all museums and archaeological sites will close until the end of March, starting on Monday.

-The Associated Press

  8:14 AM

Three inmates test positive at Georgia prison

The Georgia Department of Corrections announced Friday night that three inmates that were housed at Lee State Prison have tested positive for coronavirus. 

One inmate was hospitalized on March 15, and the other two were hospitalized a day later, the department said in a press release. All had flu-like symptoms at the time, and they remain hospitalized.  

There are three other inmates at Lee State who are under observation for showing flu-like symptoms, the department added.

"Measures have been taken to screen and quarantine the entire inmate population at that facility," it said in the release, adding that all staff are being screened prior to entry. Currently, no staff members have shown signs of flu or COVID-19, according to the release. 

  8:18 AM

NYSE boss sold his own stock ahead of coronavirus market meltdown

The CEO of the Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, sold millions of dollars worth of the parent company's shares in late February just days before the first reported death from the novel coronavirus in the U.S. The transaction also came as financial markets were starting to tumble as the devastating economic impact of the outbreak was becoming clear.

Jeffrey Sprecher, who is the husband of Republican U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler of Georgia, on February 26 sold $3.5 million in shares of ICE, as the exchange is called, at an average price of $93.42 each, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Since then, ICE shares have plunged nearly 25% amid a broader downdraft in stocks.

Sprecher and Loeffler also sold $15.3 million worth of ICE shares on March 11, at an average price of around $87, SEC filings show.

Read more here.

  8:19 AM

Pelosi says McConnell's proposal for "phase 3" of relief bill a "non-starter"

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said in a letter Friday evening that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's proposal for "phase 3" of an emergency coronavirus relief bill is a "non-starter."

"As you know, Senator McConnell has released his proposal for a third coronavirus response package, which is not at all pro-worker and puts corporations ahead of working people," Pelosi wrote. "As written, it is a non-starter."

As it stands, the proposed bill includes rebates of $1,200 for most individuals who reported less than $75,000 on their 2018 tax returns, or $2,400 per couple who filed their taxes jointly and made less than $150,000. McConnell said Thursday that the package aims to hit "four pillars": relief for small businesses, cash assistance for taxpayers, loans to businesses in major industries and resources to combat the virus.

Pelosi said that to be acceptable, the bill must rebuild health care infrastructure and secure more resources for testing and treatment, as well as "increase Unemployment Insurance and Medicaid, help small businesses survive, expand paid sick and family leave and put money directly into the hands of those who need it most."

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2020-03-21 17:46:00Z
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Iran claims coronavirus restrictions will end in three weeks - New York Post

Iran predicted its coronavirus outbreak — one of the worst in the world — will end in a matter of weeks, allowing them to end social distancing and travel restrictions.

Iran was one of the countries hit hardest by the coronavirus outside of China, with more than 20,600 cases and 1,556 deaths.

Iran “has to do everything necessary to return economic production to normal,” Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Saturday on state television, according to Reuters.

Rouhani claimed “counter-revolutionaries” had plotted to shut down economic production.

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2020-03-21 15:12:55Z
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Coronavirus: Shoppers told to buy responsibly - BBC News - BBC News

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1. Coronavirus: Shoppers told to buy responsibly - BBC News  BBC News
2. Shame on you, Britain tells coronavirus panic-buyers  Reuters
3. Coronavirus: Don't buy more than you need, government urges  The Telegraph
4. Coronavirus: Shoppers told to buy responsibly  BBC News
5. Coronavirus: UK panic-buyers urged to think of frontline workers  The Guardian
6. View Full Coverage on Google News

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2020-03-21 15:07:04Z
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North Korea test fires 2 ballistic missiles into Sea of Japan - New York Post

North Korea fired what appeared to be two short-range ballistic missiles into the ocean Saturday in an odd show of military strength during a crippling global health crisis.

The projectiles were fired around 6:45 a.m. and 6:50 a.m. from western North Korea, both flying roughly 255 miles cross-country before landing in waters off the eastern coast in the Sea of Japan, according to South Korean military officials.

Japan reported the projectiles didn’t reach Japanese territory, the Associated Press reported.

South Korea and the U.S. were analyzing the launches. It wasn’t immediately clear what weapons North Korea tested, but flight data suggested the North could have tested a mobile, solid-fuel missile system that it first demonstrated last year.

The testing is the third round of short-range launches and other military exercises this month. Kim Jong Un started the year promising to boost the country’s nuclear deterrent after talks with the U.S. collapsed.

“Such military action by North Korea is highly inappropriate at a time when COVID-19 is causing difficulties worldwide,” Seoul’s military said, calling for an “immediate stop,” according to Reuters.

Japan’s Defense Minister Taro Kono suggested Pyongyang’s demonstrations also could be aimed at “bracing the regime together” as COVID-19 spreads worldwide.

North Korea has yet to report a single case, despite sharing a border with China, where the outbreak began. A top U.S. military official said last week he is “fairly certain” there are infections in North Korea.

The nation started building a hospital this week and has quarantined at least 10,000 people.

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2020-03-21 13:10:35Z
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