Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Confirmed global death toll exceeds 250,000
According to research by both the Reuters news agency and Johns Hopkins University, at least a quarter of a million people are now known to have died as a result of the pandemic. The total number of cases stands at 3,582,469. Experts worry the available data is underplaying the true impact of the pandemic. The Johns Hopkins researchers put the known death toll at 251,510.
Five Eyes network, WHO and Anthony Fauci contradict Covid-19 lab leak theory
There is no current evidence to suggest that coronavirus leaked from a Chinese research laboratory, intelligence sources told the Guardian, contradicting recent White House claims that there is growing proof that this is how the pandemic began. The World Health Organization said on Monday that Washington had provided no evidence to support what it called the “speculative” claims. Dr Anthony Fauci, the leading US expert on infections diseases, and a key member of Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force, said in an interview with National Geographic that there was no scientific basis for the theory. Chinese state media, meanwhile, denounced Mike Pompeo as “insane”, after he claimed on Sunday that there was “enormous evidence” it came from a Chinese lab.
Hong Kong economy suffers deepest contraction
Hong Kong’s economy, already damaged by months of protest before the coronavirus outbreak, has recorded its worst decline on record. The region’s GDP shrank 8.9% year-on-year in the first quarter, the deepest contraction since records began in 1974, and the fourth consecutive quarter to drop. Chief executive Carrie Lam noted it was worse than that experienced during the Asian financial crisis in 1998.
New Zealand records no new cases for second day in a row
New Zealand has had a second straight day of no new cases of Covid-19 cases recorded on Tuesday, as the government considers whether to further relax the country’s lockdown restrictions. Monday was the first time since before New Zealand’s national shutdown began on 25 March that there were no new cases of the virus diagnosed. The PM, Jacinda Ardern, joined Australia’s national cabinet today. The two countries have mooted a travel “bubble” between them.
Germany looks to ease restrictions
Germany’s state premiers will agree on further measures to ease restrictions during a telephone call with the chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday, Reuters reports, citing two people familiar with the preparations. The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 685 to 163,860, data from the Robert Koch Institute for infectious diseases showed on Tuesday. The reported death toll rose by 139 to 6,831, the tally showed. Germany’s cases might be more than ten times higher those confirmed, researchers say.
One million Australians out of work
Over the period mid-March to mid-April, one million Australians lost their jobs, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Nearly a third of Australians (31%) reported that their household finances had worsened due to Covid-19. More than one in four Australians aged 18 years and over (28%) reported receiving the first one-off $750 economic support payment from the government. Compared with the 2017-18 National Health Survey almost twice as many adults reported experiencing feelings associated with anxiety, such as nervousness or restlessness, at least some of the time.
