16 March 2020

Coronavirus latest: Tube set for Saturday timetable as Londoners cut back on travel

Get live updates about the impacts of coronavirus and how various countries are planning to tackle the problem around the world.

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France braces for more restrictions

Head of the French health service, Jérôme Salomon has warned that the situation is “deteriorating very rapidly."

“We can all carry the virus without knowing it,” he told France Inter radio.

"Test, test, test" urges WHO

The World Health Organisation has urged countries to continue with vigilant and repetitive testing to fight the pandemic.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu said: "We have a simple message for all countries: test test test. Test every suspected Covid-19 case. 

"If they test positive, isolate them and find out who they have been in close contact with up to two days before they developed symptoms and test those people too. 

"You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. And we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected."

Global number of reported coronavirus cases overtakes China

Coronavirus infections outside China have passed 87,000; numbers in China currently stand at 80,860.

Women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series postponed

The latest sporting event to be postponed is the Women's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

Series was due to take place in Stellenbosch on March 28-29.

Wales report first COVID-19 death

The first death from COVID-19 has been reported in Wales bringing the UK total death toll to 36.

The Patient, 68, was being treated at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital and had underlying health conditions.

It was confirmed by the chief medical officer for Wales.

Dr Frank Atherton said: "It is with regret that today I am confirming a patient in Wales has sadly died after contracting Covid-19."

PM prepares for first daily update

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is getting ready for the first of his daily coronavirus updates.

Will give an outline of the latest Cobra meeting regarding protecting vulnerable people.

US Supreme Court shuts

The US Supreme Court has closed its doors for the first time since 1918 due to coronavirus.

The court, which had already been closed to the public because of the spread of COVID-19, will not hear legal cases for the rest of March.

BUCS suspend all activity

The British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) have suspended all activity until April 1.

Information about two British deaths from COVID-19 released

Two British people who died from coronavirus have been named as a man from Salisbury in his 50s and a man from Crewe in his 60s.

The respective hospitals confirmed that both men had underlying health conditions.

Recap

There are now 87,000 people infected with COVID-19 outside of China, while 80,000 positive tests have been confirmed in China.

Italy is in lockdown. Some US cities including New York and Los Angeles have closed public spaces including pubs, restaurants, gyms and cinemas.

The UK will receive an address later today from Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the first of what will become a daily update.

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