Coronavirus: Italy wakes to first day in lockdown

If you’re just tuning in to our coronavirus coverage, welcome. Here’s a quick glance at what you need to know:

• Some 60 million Italians woke up today to a complete lockdown of the country, with people told to stay at home. Italy has the highest number of cases outside China
• China on the other hand, has reported no new locally transmitted cases outside the virus epicentre of Hubei – where Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting today
• The number of deaths worldwide has passed 4,000 as the virus spreads to more than 100 countries
• Cyprus’ largest hospital has suspended most services after a doctor tested positive
• Canada has had its first Covid-19 death, an elderly man in Vancouver

Moldova has banned all
foreigners from entering by plane from any country affected by
the coronavirus.

The ban took effect on Tuesday, three days after the eastern
European state reported its first case.

Prime Minister Ion Chicu said
the country could not completely ban flights, but that only
Moldovans would be allowed to board planes departing
for Moldova from affected countries.

Following on from the pictures of Milan, here is Rome this morning – as the nationwide Italian lockdown begins.

The coronavirus outbreak could threaten the survival of Korean Air, it said in a memo to employees.

The national carrier has been hit hard by travel restrictions, and has cut more than 80% of its international capacity.

“But if the situation continues for a longer period, we may reach the threshold where we cannot guarantee the company’s survival,” said president Woo Kee-hong in a memo, which was seen by Reuters.

Zimbabwe has no confirmed cases of coronavirus, but a man who was due to be tested in a hospital “absconded before testing was done”, said authorities.

After the man fled the hospital “follow-up efforts to his home address were initiated and a police report was made”, said the country’s health ministry.

Latest figures indicate there are now 100 confirmed coronavirus cases across Africa. The breakdown are as follows:

• Egypt – 55
• Algeria – 20
• South Africa – 7
• Tunisia – 5
• Senegal – 4

• Morocco – 2
• Cameroon – 2

• Burkina Faso – 2
• Nigeria – 2
• Togo – 1

Five senior US Republicans, including Texas Senator Ted Cruz, have quarantined themselves after they came into contact with someone who later tested positive for the virus.

The members of Congress had shook hands with the individual at a conference in late February.

President Donald Trump was also at the event last month. But he insists he is in good health and has not taken a test. More on that event here.

People who show even “minor” signs of illness could be told to stay at home, UK authorities have announced.

The UK government’s chief medical adviser said the change in advice could happen within the next 10 to 14 days.

The UK is currently in the first phase – “containment” – of the government’s four-part plan.

One Twitter user posted a photo showing long queues outside a supermarket in Italy – despite government warnings to avoid crowds.

“[Prime Minister] Conte says one must avoid going out, the Italians go and queue at the supermarket. We deserve to be the joke of all Europe,” said a rough translation of the Twitter user’s tweet.

The government has assured Italians that supermarkets and shops will remain open.

“It’s not about where you’re going, it’s about who you’re flying with”, says one woman who alleges that her parents caught the virus from a fellow passenger onboard the plane.

If you’re in the UK and try searching for “coronavirus” on Google, Facebook and YouTube – chances are you’ll see information from the National Health Service or the World Health Organization.

It’s part of an attempt to combat misinformation about the outbreak.

Here’s a bit more on what authorities are doing to stop fake news around the virus.

Stephen McDonell

BBC News, Beijing

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday visited the Chinese virus epicentre of Wuhan – a move that will be interpreted in China as a sign that the coronavirus emergency in the country is now under control.

It is the first time Mr Xi has travelled to Hubei province since the outbreak began.

State media reports say he visited Wuhan’s newly built Fire God Mountain, or Huoshenshan, quarantine facility where he met medical staff.

According to official figures, China has only 19 new coronavirus cases today: 17 of them are in Wuhan city and two others from overseas arrivals, including one person travelling to Beijing from Britain.

Outside of Hubei, there have been no other new infections recorded in the last 24 hours across the country.

It takes an average of five days for coronavirus symptoms to show, scientists have confirmed.

Which is why researchers are advising people who could be infectious – whether they have symptoms or not – to self-isolate for 14 days.

Those who are symptom-free by day 12 are unlikely to get symptoms, but still may be infectious carriers. Find out more about what researchers found here.

A five second rinse under the tap doesn’t count. Here’s how you should be washing your hands:

Italy’s Patient No.1 – the country’s first known virus case – has moved out of intensive care for the first time since he tested positive for the virus on 21 February, reported the Associated Press.

But there’s no time for celebration for Italian doctors as the virus continues to spread across the country.

The death toll in the country stands at 463.

All flights between Malta and Italy have been suspended indefinitely, said Malta authorities as the country confirmed its fourth coronavirus case.

A daily ferry service between the Italian island of Sicily and Malta will also be stopped – it will only be used to carry medicine and cargo.

Malta is heavily reliant on imports, with much of its supplies coming from Italy.

Everyone arriving into Israel will be required to self-quarantine for 14 days to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said.

There are currently 42 confirmed virus cases in Israel.