news--2020-03-29--Coronavirus: Tony Blair says 'virtually everybody' in UK may have to be tested

Tony Blair has suggested there will be a point where a `` very large '' proportion of the whole UK population will need to be tested for coronavirus to track the disease .
It comes as Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said 10,000 people a day are now being tested and the government aims to increase that figure to 25,000 a day .
Mr Gove has refused to give a timeline for when all NHS and social care workers will be tested , despite increasing demands .
Instead , he said it is hoped to `` be able to test @ @ @ @ @ @ @ possible stage '' .
Raising the possibility of mass testing in the UK , former prime minister Mr Blair told Sky News ' Sophy Ridge on Sunday there was a risk of the disease resurging when the country 's restrictions begin to be eased , so health authorities would need to be able to deal with this .
He said : `` Your risk , obviously , is as you start to ease the lockdown , how do you then deal with any resurgence of the disease ?
This , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in China and South Korea , and elsewhere .
`` Unless you have that testing capability that you can apply at scale , and by the way when I say mass testing I mean I actually think you will need to get to the point where you 've got the capability , and I assume we 're preparing for this now , of testing literally a very large proportion of the entire population .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or three different times because you need all the time to be able to track what 's happening with the disease , to learn where , for example , there may be a surge or a hotspot of it , and take immediate action . ''
When asked what percentage of the population may have to be tested , Mr Blair replied : `` I think you 're talking about virtually everybody . ''
Health Secretary Matt Hancock , who is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 , tweeted the government had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schedule , and were `` on track to 25,000 '' .
GP Richard van Mellaerts said more widespread testing was needed .
He said : `` I think that we need to have far wider testing than we have at the moment .
When we look at those counties around the world like South Korea that have been doing vast amounts of testing .
`` They 've got a much better grasp of what 's going on .
If we can start crunching the data - find out where the hotspots are , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who can go back out into the workforce and who ca n't , then we 'll have a far better hold over this .
`` And it 's so crucial with healthcare workers that we know who 's infected , who 's not , who 's immune , who 's not .
So that we can get as many people back out into the workforce as quickly as possible . ''
Meanwhile , the chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing has said about 20 % of frontline workers have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having shown symptoms of coronavirus .
Dame Donna Kinnair told Sophy Ridge that nurses would like to be tested so that they are able to get on with their jobs .
Asked about the proportion of nurses or NHS workers who have had to take time off , Dame Kinnair said : `` Last week it was about 20 % of nurses , or frontline workers , who were doing it .
`` I do n't know the exact proportion of nurses in that , 20 % to 25 % , so there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to be tested to get on with their job if they are not positive for COVID-19 . ''
The search for a vaccine is continuing and there are at least eight `` in the pipeline '' , according to former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport .
He told Sophy Ridge : `` There is enormous international scientific co-working on this .
CEPI ( the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations ) , which the UK has just committed £210m to , has been working across the world on vaccine development .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the moment , one of which is one that UK Research and Innovation and others have been funding in Oxford .
And so there is an enormous amount going on and ... science and technology and innovation is critical to both providing the advice and the management .
`` The reality is that we need to be sure that a vaccine is effective and does n't have side effects and so it will take probably a year to 18 months . ''
He added : `` The scale-up of that particular Oxford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance than any of the others , who knows .
We 'll be able to manufacture up to a million doses fairly quickly but of course that 's a long way from protecting the whole population . ''

Tony Blair has suggested there will be a point where a "very large" proportion of the whole UK population will need to be tested for coronavirus to track the disease.
It comes as Cabinet Office minister Michael Gove said 10,000 people a day are now being tested and the government aims to increase that figure to 25,000 a day.
Mr Gove has refused to give a timeline for when all NHS and social care workers will be tested, despite increasing demands.
Instead, he said it is hoped to "be able to test as many frontline workers at the earliest possible stage".
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 15:21 Gove: 'Length of lockdown is not fixed'
Raising the possibility of mass testing in the UK, former prime minister Mr Blair told Sky News' Sophy Ridge on Sunday there was a risk of the disease resurging when the country's restrictions begin to be eased, so health authorities would need to be able to deal with this.
He said: "Your risk, obviously, is as you start to ease the lockdown, how do you then deal with any resurgence of the disease? This, of course, is what they're now dealing with in China and South Korea, and elsewhere.
"Unless you have that testing capability that you can apply at scale, and by the way when I say mass testing I mean I actually think you will need to get to the point where you've got the capability, and I assume we're preparing for this now, of testing literally a very large proportion of the entire population.
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"You may have to do those tests two or three different times because you need all the time to be able to track what's happening with the disease, to learn where, for example, there may be a surge or a hotspot of it, and take immediate action."
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When asked what percentage of the population may have to be tested, Mr Blair replied: "I think you're talking about virtually everybody."
Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, tweeted the government had reached 10,000 tests a day ahead of schedule, and were "on track to 25,000".
GP Richard van Mellaerts said more widespread testing was needed.
He said: "I think that we need to have far wider testing than we have at the moment. When we look at those counties around the world like South Korea that have been doing vast amounts of testing.
"They've got a much better grasp of what's going on. If we can start crunching the data - find out where the hotspots are, who's at risk who's not, who can go back out into the workforce and who can't, then we'll have a far better hold over this.
"And it's so crucial with healthcare workers that we know who's infected, who's not, who's immune, who's not. So that we can get as many people back out into the workforce as quickly as possible."
Meanwhile, the chief executive of the Royal College of Nursing has said about 20% of frontline workers have had to take time off work to self-isolate having shown symptoms of coronavirus.
Dame Donna Kinnair told Sophy Ridge that nurses would like to be tested so that they are able to get on with their jobs.
Asked about the proportion of nurses or NHS workers who have had to take time off, Dame Kinnair said: "Last week it was about 20% of nurses, or frontline workers, who were doing it.
"I don't know the exact proportion of nurses in that, 20% to 25%, so there are a number of nurses who would like to be tested to get on with their job if they are not positive for COVID-19."
The search for a vaccine is continuing and there are at least eight "in the pipeline", according to former chief scientific adviser Sir Mark Walport.
He told Sophy Ridge: "There is enormous international scientific co-working on this. CEPI (the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), which the UK has just committed £210m to, has been working across the world on vaccine development.
"They have eight in their active pipeline at the moment, one of which is one that UK Research and Innovation and others have been funding in Oxford. And so there is an enormous amount going on and... science and technology and innovation is critical to both providing the advice and the management.
"The reality is that we need to be sure that a vaccine is effective and doesn't have side effects and so it will take probably a year to 18 months."
He added: "The scale-up of that particular Oxford vaccine - whether it stands a better chance than any of the others, who knows. We'll be able to manufacture up to a million doses fairly quickly but of course that's a long way from protecting the whole population."


news--2020-03-29--Coronavirus outbreak: Premier League referee Anthony Taylor volunteers with NHS

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has become an NHS volunteer as he supports his family through the coronavirus pandemic .
A few days ago , the government launched an appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS fight the outbreak .
The target was reached within 24 hours and Taylor was among those who came forward .
The former prison officer said he was inspired by the work of his sister Kate , who is a doctor in the National Health Service .
He told Sky Sports News : `` These are unique circumstances .
`` With my sister being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's the very least that I could do , understanding what she 's having to deal with and how she 's also feeling when she comes away from work .
`` The more of us that can offer a small amount of time to help alleviate any of that pressure only has to be a good thing .
`` When the call went out , I registered and it 's just a waiting game now for checks to be processed .
`` It 's mainly focusing around transporting medication and equipment from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There will be plenty of people that need help .
The more people we can get involved , the better . ''
Taylor said he talks to his sister every day and hears about the challenges she and her colleagues face .
`` Everybody should be really grateful and it 's so important that people take the advice , stay at home and reduce social contact , '' he said .
`` Anybody who works in the NHS is a special person , not only their skillset but the type of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help people .
It 's obviously a really challenging time at the moment .
Hopefully , in the coming weeks , things will improve , and we will come through the other side . ''
Taylor also said he hopes football can help society recover from the pandemic , adding that the cancellation of various games and tournaments had been a `` reality check '' for the sport .
He is one of two referees in England under consideration for the European Championship , which has been postponed until June 2021 .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ popular sport across the world .
Football needs to be used as a vehicle to try and help people as much as we can .
`` It 's really important that everybody pulls together and hopefully seeing as many people recover as possible .
It 's really positive to see what people can do to help those less fortunate .
It 's always nice to see how individuals , or organisations as a whole , really step up when needed to . ''

Premier League referee Anthony Taylor has become an NHS volunteer as he supports his family through the coronavirus pandemic.
A few days ago, the government launched an appeal for 250,000 volunteers to help the NHS fight the outbreak.
The target was reached within 24 hours and Taylor was among those who came forward.
The former prison officer said he was inspired by the work of his sister Kate, who is a doctor in the National Health Service.
He told Sky Sports News: "These are unique circumstances.
"With my sister being so involved on the front line, it's the very least that I could do, understanding what she's having to deal with and how she's also feeling when she comes away from work.
"The more of us that can offer a small amount of time to help alleviate any of that pressure only has to be a good thing.
"When the call went out, I registered and it's just a waiting game now for checks to be processed.
"It's mainly focusing around transporting medication and equipment from hospitals or delivering shopping to vulnerable people. There will be plenty of people that need help. The more people we can get involved, the better."
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Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:09 Our science correspondent asks if the lockdown can really save lives
Taylor said he talks to his sister every day and hears about the challenges she and her colleagues face.
"Everybody should be really grateful and it's so important that people take the advice, stay at home and reduce social contact," he said.
"Anybody who works in the NHS is a special person, not only their skillset but the type of human beings they are, constantly wanting to help people. It's obviously a really challenging time at the moment. Hopefully, in the coming weeks, things will improve, and we will come through the other side."
Taylor also said he hopes football can help society recover from the pandemic, adding that the cancellation of various games and tournaments had been a "reality check" for the sport.
He is one of two referees in England under consideration for the European Championship, which has been postponed until June 2021.
He added: "Football is a hugely popular sport across the world. Football needs to be used as a vehicle to try and help people as much as we can.
"It's really important that everybody pulls together and hopefully seeing as many people recover as possible. It's really positive to see what people can do to help those less fortunate. It's always nice to see how individuals, or organisations as a whole, really step up when needed to."


news--2020-03-23--Coronavirus: Germany 'flattens the curve' as Italy deaths rise to more than 6,000

Germany 's coronavirus infection curve could have now flattened , according to the country 's public health chief , as cases across elsewhere in Europe and the US continue to surge .
Italy , the country with the world 's worst outbreak , reported 602 more deaths in the last 24 hours , with the overall number to 6,077 .
The number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 63,928 from 59,138 on Sunday , an increase of 8 % , according to the Civil Protection Department .
However , it was the lowest rise in percentage terms since the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on 21 February .
Germany said the upward trend it was seeing in the number of COVID-19 cases seems to be levelling off , in part thanks to social distancing measures to deal with the outbreak .
Lothar Wieler , head of the country 's health institute , said : `` We are seeing signs that the exponential growth curve is flattening off slightly .
`` But I will only be able to confirm this trend definitively on Wednesday . ''
Mr Wieler added that he was optimistic , given the strict measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on public gatherings and washing of hands .
In Spain however , cases have continued to surge , with 4,517 more people diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last day - a rise of 15 % on the previous day .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker The total number of confirmed cases in the country stands at 33,089 - the second highest number in Europe .
2,182 people have now died in Spain , after testing positive for COVID-19 .
More people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Italy than anywhere else in the world - despite the stringent lock down measures in place .
Elsewhere , the number of dead in Iran continues to rise , with 1,812 people losing their life after testing positive , out of 23,049 confirmed cases .
Elsewhere around the world : • The 2020 Olympic Games is in doubt as countries begin to pull out • German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in self-isolation after her doctor tested positive for COVID-19 • Australia 's pubs , bars , casinos , gyms and cinemas have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the government • Polish police have carried out inspections of 80,000 people supposedly in quarantine , and found more than 300 of them breaking the rules • In Japan , two more former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise liner have died , making the total number of dead from the ship 10 Iran is facing widespread criticism for not enacting stricter social distancing and quarantine measures earlier on in its outbreak , like other countries nearby .
The epicentre of the global outbreak in Wuhan in China , has gone a fifth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infections , according to the country 's health ministry .
China implemented very strict quarantine measures , which are now being slowly relaxed , that have led to a slow down in the country 's infection rate .
Chinese officials have also said the US is trying to `` scapegoat '' the country and called on it to `` stop politicising the epidemic '' .
Those calls to the US come as President Donald Trump continues to call the virus the `` Chinese virus '' .
The US is also seeing a dramatic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases so far and 473 deaths linked to COVID-19 .
Several states have ordered residents to stay indoors with official orders , including New York , California and Illinois .

Germany's coronavirus infection curve could have now flattened, according to the country's public health chief, as cases across elsewhere in Europe and the US continue to surge.
Italy, the country with the world's worst outbreak, reported 602 more deaths in the last 24 hours, with the overall number to 6,077.
The number of confirmed cases in Italy rose to 63,928 from 59,138 on Sunday, an increase of 8%, according to the Civil Protection Department.
However, it was the lowest rise in percentage terms since the contagion in the country came to light on 21 February.
Germany said the upward trend it was seeing in the number of COVID-19 cases seems to be levelling off, in part thanks to social distancing measures to deal with the outbreak.
Lothar Wieler, head of the country's health institute, said: "We are seeing signs that the exponential growth curve is flattening off slightly.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:25 Spain moves to prevent coronavirus disaster
"But I will only be able to confirm this trend definitively on Wednesday."
Mr Wieler added that he was optimistic, given the strict measures in place in Germany, including those on public gatherings and washing of hands.
In Spain however, cases have continued to surge, with 4,517 more people diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last day - a rise of 15% on the previous day.
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The total number of confirmed cases in the country stands at 33,089 - the second highest number in Europe. 2,182 people have now died in Spain, after testing positive for COVID-19.
More people have died after testing positive from coronavirus in Italy than anywhere else in the world - despite the stringent lock down measures in place.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 4:52 Italian mayor's warning to Britain over COVID-19
Elsewhere, the number of dead in Iran continues to rise, with 1,812 people losing their life after testing positive, out of 23,049 confirmed cases.
Elsewhere around the world:
The 2020 Olympic Games is in doubt as countries begin to pull out
as countries begin to pull out German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in self-isolation after her doctor tested positive for COVID-19
after her doctor tested positive for COVID-19 Australia's pubs, bars, casinos, gyms and cinemas have all been ordered to close down by the government
Polish police have carried out inspections of 80,000 people supposedly in quarantine, and found more than 300 of them breaking the rules
In Japan, two more former passengers of the Diamond Princess cruise liner have died, making the total number of dead from the ship 10
Iran is facing widespread criticism for not enacting stricter social distancing and quarantine measures earlier on in its outbreak, like other countries nearby.
The epicentre of the global outbreak in Wuhan in China, has gone a fifth day in a row without any new infections, according to the country's health ministry.
China implemented very strict quarantine measures, which are now being slowly relaxed, that have led to a slow down in the country's infection rate.
Chinese officials have also said the US is trying to "scapegoat" the country and called on it to "stop politicising the epidemic".
Those calls to the US come as President Donald Trump continues to call the virus the "Chinese virus". The US is also seeing a dramatic rise in cases - with 35,241 confirmed cases so far and 473 deaths linked to COVID-19.
Several states have ordered residents to stay indoors with official orders, including New York, California and Illinois.


news--2020-03-29--Coronavirus: Lockdown triggers desperate scramble as Indians walk hundreds of miles

Thousands of migrant workers in India descended on state borders and bus stations as they tried to get back to their rural eastern villages during the country 's three-week coronavirus lockdown .
Some walked for hundreds of miles in prosperous western areas including Gujarat , Punjab , Haryana and Delhi as there was no public transport available to them .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has apologised for imposing the national COVID-19 lockdown , admitting it was harsh , especially for poorer people , but was needed to beat the pandemic .
The restrictions , brought in on Wednesday , are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overwhelming India 's already strained healthcare system .
But migrant workers have been forced to leave where they live as they are unable to pay their rent , and state borders have been sealed as the nation faces one of the gravest challenges of the outbreak .
Britons who have spent the winter in Goa say all the supermarkets are closed , and they are struggling to get information from the Indian and British authorities about when they may be able to leave .
Driving from Delhi towards its eastern border of Ghazipur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with backpacks , sacks and bags walking in the heat .
There were also women and children but it was overwhelmingly young men .
These were migrant workers , daily wage earners , and contract workers who have been left outside due to the lockdown .
This informal sector forms almost 80 % of India 's workforce .
Though the central and state governments have announced relief packages , free food and shelter for the migrants , they were in no mood to listen to anyone .
At the border they were made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's eastern neighbour , the state of Uttar Pradesh , had sealed its borders .
One man told me : `` We want to go home , we have no work for 21 days , no money , nothing to eat or drink .
We want to see our children back home .
There is nothing for us here now .
They are not letting us pass . ''
Others joined in , calling on the government to open the borders , adding : `` We do n't want anything else , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed to factor in the surge while locking down the country for 21 days - giving only four hours ' notice .
Almost in tears , 21-year-old Zaibi said : `` I want to go home , our landlords are asking us to leave .
I have walked for 50km and I will have to walk another 200 to reach home .
But they are not allowing us to cross . ''
There was not much evidence of social distancing which the prime minister and health experts have emphasised so often .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands congregating in one place such measures are not always possible .
Missing too were the protective masks - most had handkerchiefs tied around their faces .
The sea of people and critical coverage in the media has forced the government to put on thousands of buses to take migrants back to their homes .
Social media images showed the vehicles filled with migrants as well as some finding space on the roof .
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered all migrants to be verified and quarantined in camps .
An order @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 150,000 workers .
The police have used a combination of punishments - beating , legal and jail threats , reprimanding , cajoling and even seizing vehicles of those who violate restrictions .
India has been criticised for having one of the lowest testing rates for the virus in the world .
The exponential increase in cases in Italy , the US , Spain and France , which have similarly low rates of testing , should ring alarm bells for the Indian government .
Health experts believe the country is in the third stage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , though the government has denied it .
At the moment there are 1,027 positive cases and 27 deaths due to COVID-19 and this is expected to rise as lockdown and protective measures have been flouted .

Thousands of migrant workers in India descended on state borders and bus stations as they tried to get back to their rural eastern villages during the country's three-week coronavirus lockdown.
Some walked for hundreds of miles in prosperous western areas including Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi as there was no public transport available to them.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has apologised for imposing the national COVID-19 lockdown, admitting it was harsh, especially for poorer people, but was needed to beat the pandemic.
The restrictions, brought in on Wednesday, are meant to prevent the virus spreading and overwhelming India's already strained healthcare system.
But migrant workers have been forced to leave where they live as they are unable to pay their rent, and state borders have been sealed as the nation faces one of the gravest challenges of the outbreak.
Britons who have spent the winter in Goa say all the supermarkets are closed, and they are struggling to get information from the Indian and British authorities about when they may be able to leave.
Driving from Delhi towards its eastern border of Ghazipur, I came across hundreds of men with backpacks, sacks and bags walking in the heat. There were also women and children but it was overwhelmingly young men.
Image: The workers have been forced to leave where they live as they are unable to pay their rent
These were migrant workers, daily wage earners, and contract workers who have been left outside due to the lockdown. This informal sector forms almost 80% of India's workforce.
Though the central and state governments have announced relief packages, free food and shelter for the migrants, they were in no mood to listen to anyone.
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At the border they were made to sit beside the road as Delhi's eastern neighbour, the state of Uttar Pradesh, had sealed its borders.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:09 Will the lockdown really save more lives?
One man told me: "We want to go home, we have no work for 21 days, no money, nothing to eat or drink. We want to see our children back home. There is nothing for us here now. They are not letting us pass."
Others joined in, calling on the government to open the borders, adding: "We don't want anything else, we will walk home."
The government failed to factor in the surge while locking down the country for 21 days - giving only four hours' notice.
Image: Buses were put on to take the workers to their rural villages
Almost in tears, 21-year-old Zaibi said: "I want to go home, our landlords are asking us to leave. I have walked for 50km and I will have to walk another 200 to reach home. But they are not allowing us to cross."
There was not much evidence of social distancing which the prime minister and health experts have emphasised so often.
But when you are dealing with almost tens of thousands congregating in one place such measures are not always possible.
Missing too were the protective masks - most had handkerchiefs tied around their faces.
The sea of people and critical coverage in the media has forced the government to put on thousands of buses to take migrants back to their homes. Social media images showed the vehicles filled with migrants as well as some finding space on the roof.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:13 Indian villagers self-isolate in trees
The Uttar Pradesh government has ordered all migrants to be verified and quarantined in camps. An order has directed all magistrates to trace the 150,000 workers.
The police have used a combination of punishments - beating, legal and jail threats, reprimanding, cajoling and even seizing vehicles of those who violate restrictions.
India has been criticised for having one of the lowest testing rates for the virus in the world.
The exponential increase in cases in Italy, the US, Spain and France, which have similarly low rates of testing, should ring alarm bells for the Indian government.
Health experts believe the country is in the third stage of the virus spread - community transmission, though the government has denied it.
At the moment there are 1,027 positive cases and 27 deaths due to COVID-19 and this is expected to rise as lockdown and protective measures have been flouted.


news--2020-03-28--Coronavirus: William and Kate urge public to look after mental health during outbreak

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are backing extra support for mental health during the coronavirus outbreak , saying that `` by pulling together and taking simple steps each day , we can all be better prepared for the times ahead '' .
The government and Public Health England ( PHE ) are publishing new online guidance and allocating £5m for mental health charities to expand support services .
It comes in recognition of the unprecedented challenges that the coronavirus and long periods of isolation pose for the nation 's mental health .
William and Kate , who see mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , said : `` The last few weeks have been anxious and unsettling for everyone .
We have to take time to support each other and find ways to look after our mental health .
`` It is great to see the mental health sector working together with the NHS to help people keep on top of their mental wellbeing .
By pulling together and taking simple steps each day , we can all be better prepared for the times ahead . ''
Last year the couple helped to launch PHE 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Now the website has been updated with advice on maintaining mental wellbeing during the outbreak .
People can also complete a 'mind plan ' , a free tool that has already been completed more than 1.8 million times .
There will be tips on how to keep yourself mentally healthy , such as keeping contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls , or social media , keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern ; and focusing on a hobby or learning something new .
The site will also include advice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support children and young people during this stressful time , as well steps that those living with serious mental health problems can take to get support from local mental health teams .
Minister for mental health , Nadine Dorries , who contracted the virus , said : `` When I discovered I had coronavirus , I felt anxious and scared .
For those who already suffer with anxiety or other mental health issues this may present new and difficult challenges .
`` It 's imperative that we stay home if we are to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know how important it is that people have support to look after their mental health and this guidance will be of huge value . ''
The £5m grant will be administered by the charity Mind and used to fund additional services for people struggling with their mental wellbeing during this time .
This could include telephone and online support services for the most isolated and vulnerable .
Photos of the duke and duchess speaking to mental health charities on the phone at Kensington Palace on 18 and 19 March have been released .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mental health sector since the start of the coronavirus crisis to hear about the issues it is facing .
Last week it was confirmed that Prince Charles had tested positive for coronavirus , but his symptoms were said to be mild .

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are backing extra support for mental health during the coronavirus outbreak, saying that "by pulling together and taking simple steps each day, we can all be better prepared for the times ahead".
The government and Public Health England (PHE) are publishing new online guidance and allocating £5m for mental health charities to expand support services.
It comes in recognition of the unprecedented challenges that the coronavirus and long periods of isolation pose for the nation's mental health.
William and Kate, who see mental health as a cornerstone of their official work, said: "The last few weeks have been anxious and unsettling for everyone. We have to take time to support each other and find ways to look after our mental health.
Image: William and Kate want to boost the nation's mental health during the coronavirus pandemic
"It is great to see the mental health sector working together with the NHS to help people keep on top of their mental wellbeing. By pulling together and taking simple steps each day, we can all be better prepared for the times ahead."
Last year the couple helped to launch PHE's mental health platform Every Mind Matters. Now the website has been updated with advice on maintaining mental wellbeing during the outbreak.
People can also complete a 'mind plan', a free tool that has already been completed more than 1.8 million times.
There will be tips on how to keep yourself mentally healthy, such as keeping contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls, or social media, keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern; and focusing on a hobby or learning something new.
The site will also include advice for parents and carers on how to support children and young people during this stressful time, as well steps that those living with serious mental health problems can take to get support from local mental health teams.
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Minister for mental health, Nadine Dorries, who contracted the virus, said: "When I discovered I had coronavirus, I felt anxious and scared. For those who already suffer with anxiety or other mental health issues this may present new and difficult challenges.
Image: The duke and duchess have been engaged with the mental health sector since the outbreak began
"It's imperative that we stay home if we are to beat coronavirus and save lives. I know how important it is that people have support to look after their mental health and this guidance will be of huge value."
The £5m grant will be administered by the charity Mind and used to fund additional services for people struggling with their mental wellbeing during this time. This could include telephone and online support services for the most isolated and vulnerable.
Photos of the duke and duchess speaking to mental health charities on the phone at Kensington Palace on 18 and 19 March have been released.
The couple have been engaged with the mental health sector since the start of the coronavirus crisis to hear about the issues it is facing.
Last week it was confirmed that Prince Charles had tested positive for coronavirus, but his symptoms were said to be mild.


news--2020-03-29--Coronavirus: Police break up 'massive' karaoke party during UK lockdown

The British public have been under an unprecedented lockdown for nearly a week , with people told to stay inside and avoid gatherings to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus .
But the government measures were n't enough to stop 25 adults and children gathering for a `` massive '' karaoke party on Saturday night .
Derbyshire Police said they were in `` absolute shock '' when they visited the address , before dispersing those in attendance and speaking with the organisers .
The force said on Twitter : `` Officers have just attended an address in absolute shock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a massive party with speakers and karaoke .
`` Everyone dispersed and hosts dealt with .
`` It is clear people are still having complete disregard for the government advice and rules . ''
The party came on the first weekend of the nationwide lockdown in response to the outbreak of COVID-19 , where the British people have been told to stay at home for at least three weeks except for `` very limited purposes '' .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the measures to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules : The only reasons you should leave the house • Shopping for basic necessities , for example food and medicine , which must be as infrequent as possible • One form of exercise a day , for example a run , walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household • Any medical need , or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person • Travelling to and from work , but only where this absolutely can not be done from home Police across the UK have been given @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including issuing fines and dispersing gatherings .
Some forces even urged people to snitch on their neighbours if they were spotted breaching the rules .
Humberside , West Midlands , Greater Manchester , and Avon and Somerset Police provided hotlines and online portals for people to submit tip-offs .
Those who attended the karaoke party were not the only ones to flout the rules in the UK 's first few days of lockdown .
Crawley Police said they had `` attended a number of reports of parties in houses and neighbour gatherings '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter that they had been `` hearing of local pubs sending information about paid lock-ins , also ignoring any lockdown rule currently in place '' .
Crawley Police added : `` Our licensing officers will be checking EVERY pub in the area to ensure all establishments are keeping to the guidelines . ''
A walker from Bristol was reportedly stopped by police as they tried to climb the Pen y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons in Wales .
Dyfed-Powys Police told Wales Online that they ordered the person to go home @ @ @ @ @ @ @ London appeared to be relatively busy on Sunday morning despite the public being told to only leave the home for essential reasons .
Signs were in place at the market telling shoppers to keep at least two metres apart in queues .
The Department of Health tweeted a video on Saturday repeating the message for the public to `` stay home and save lives '' over the weekend .
The chief medical officer Chris Whitty added that people should practice social distancing when they do have to leave the house .
Twitter user @ @ @ @ @ @ @ neighbours enjoying a socially distanced `` cuppa and a chat '' in the street to help someone who was `` struggling with loneliness '' .
Mr Doody , who lives in Hebden Bridge , West Yorkshire , wrote : `` Our street now has a WhatsApp group & this morning one neighbour was struggling with loneliness , so earlier we all had a socially distanced cuppa and chat together .
The daughter of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock dropped a birthday cake and a lamb curry on her father 's doorstep in keeping @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rachel Kinnock wrote on Twitter : `` Thank you so very much for all the lovely messages to our dad , it means such a lot .
`` We were able to safely deliver a cake , a crumble and a lamb curry ! ''
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker A police officer was seen asking people to leave Brighton beach over the weekend , after dozens of people were pictured taking a stroll or sitting on the pebbles .
Rollerbladers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sea air along the town 's promenade .
A police officer in London was seen stopping cyclists from entering Richmond Park in London on Saturday .
Bike-riding has been banned there due to the outbreak of coronavirus .
Police also set up a checkpoint at Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire to ensure motorists were complying with the lockdown measures .
Sky News assistant editor Lucy Margolis shared an image on Twitter of an `` eerie '' stretch of the M1 motorway as it was almost completely empty of cars .
Police in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers to make sure their journeys were in keeping with the lockdown rules .
They added that they would `` direct , fine and arrest if necessary '' those who ignore the guidance .
Officers in Wolverhampton stopped drivers to ensure their journeys were essential in light of the government measures .
PC Joe Iles tweeted that he had never seen Park Street in Bristol so empty on Friday .
Avon and Somerset Police later shared the tweet and encouraged people to stay home .
The force also said on Sunday that arrests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on , coughed at and physically attacked .
Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said any assault on officers of this nature were particularly abhorrent in light of the public health crisis .
Police in Northern Ireland are to target tourist sites and visitor locations to ensure compliance with social-distancing rules , the chief constable has said .
People who repeatedly fail to comply with officer requests to disperse could face fines up to £960 under new emergency regulations agreed by the Stormont Executive .
The measures , which came into force at 11pm on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to £5,000 for businesses not adhering to the new rules around closures and implementation of social-distancing practices .
Northern Ireland was the last part of the UK to develop regulations flowing from new powers secured through legislation passed at Westminster earlier in the week .

The British public have been under an unprecedented lockdown for nearly a week, with people told to stay inside and avoid gatherings to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
But the government measures weren't enough to stop 25 adults and children gathering for a "massive" karaoke party on Saturday night.
Derbyshire Police said they were in "absolute shock" when they visited the address, before dispersing those in attendance and speaking with the organisers.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
The force said on Twitter: "Officers have just attended an address in absolute shock to find 25 adults and children having a massive party with speakers and karaoke.
"Everyone dispersed and hosts dealt with.
"It is clear people are still having complete disregard for the government advice and rules."
The party came on the first weekend of the nationwide lockdown in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, where the British people have been told to stay at home for at least three weeks except for "very limited purposes".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the measures to try to prevent the spread of coronavirus by limiting day-to-day contact between people.
Lockdown rules: The only reasons you should leave the house
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Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible
One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household
Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home
Police across the UK have been given powers to enforce the lockdown measures, including issuing fines and dispersing gatherings.
Some forces even urged people to snitch on their neighbours if they were spotted breaching the rules.
Humberside, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, and Avon and Somerset Police provided hotlines and online portals for people to submit tip-offs.
Those who attended the karaoke party were not the only ones to flout the rules in the UK's first few days of lockdown.
Crawley Police said they had "attended a number of reports of parties in houses and neighbour gatherings" on Saturday.
The force also wrote on Twitter that they had been "hearing of local pubs sending information about paid lock-ins, also ignoring any lockdown rule currently in place".
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
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Crawley Police added: "Our licensing officers will be checking EVERY pub in the area to ensure all establishments are keeping to the guidelines."
A walker from Bristol was reportedly stopped by police as they tried to climb the Pen y Fan mountain in the Brecon Beacons in Wales.
Dyfed-Powys Police told Wales Online that they ordered the person to go home immediately.
Twitter Twitter , which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Twitter cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the This content is provided by, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enablecookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Twitter cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Twitter cookies for this session only. Enable Cookies Allow Cookies Once
Marylebone Farmers' Market in London appeared to be relatively busy on Sunday morning despite the public being told to only leave the home for essential reasons.
Signs were in place at the market telling shoppers to keep at least two metres apart in queues.
The Department of Health tweeted a video on Saturday repeating the message for the public to "stay home and save lives" over the weekend.
The chief medical officer Chris Whitty added that people should practice social distancing when they do have to leave the house.
Image: Marylebone Farmers' Market appeared to be busy on Sunday morning
Image: Shoppers at the market have been encouraged to keep two metres apart
Image: Shoppers were seen at the market despite advice to stay at home
Twitter user Nick Doody shared an image of his neighbours enjoying a socially distanced "cuppa and a chat" in the street to help someone who was "struggling with loneliness".
Mr Doody, who lives in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, wrote: "Our street now has a WhatsApp group & this morning one neighbour was struggling with loneliness, so earlier we all had a socially distanced cuppa and chat together.
"This stuff makes a difference."
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The daughter of former Labour leader Neil Kinnock dropped a birthday cake and a lamb curry on her father's doorstep in keeping with social distancing measures on Saturday.
Rachel Kinnock wrote on Twitter: "Thank you so very much for all the lovely messages to our dad, it means such a lot.
"We were able to safely deliver a cake, a crumble and a lamb curry!"
:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
A police officer was seen asking people to leave Brighton beach over the weekend, after dozens of people were pictured taking a stroll or sitting on the pebbles.
Rollerbladers and dog walkers were seen taking in the sea air along the town's promenade.
A police officer in London was seen stopping cyclists from entering Richmond Park in London on Saturday. Bike-riding has been banned there due to the outbreak of coronavirus.
Image: An officer tells people to leave Brighton beach as the public has been urged to stay at home
Image: Brighton seafront appeared to be busy on Saturday despite the lockdown measures
Image: Some people walked their dogs during the first weekend of the government's measures
Police also set up a checkpoint at Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire to ensure motorists were complying with the lockdown measures.
Sky News assistant editor Lucy Margolis shared an image on Twitter of an "eerie" stretch of the M1 motorway as it was almost completely empty of cars.
Police in Herefordshire warned they would be randomly checking drivers to make sure their journeys were in keeping with the lockdown rules.
They added that they would "direct, fine and arrest if necessary" those who ignore the guidance.
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Officers in Wolverhampton stopped drivers to ensure their journeys were essential in light of the government measures.
PC Joe Iles tweeted that he had never seen Park Street in Bristol so empty on Friday.
Avon and Somerset Police later shared the tweet and encouraged people to stay home.
Image: Cyclists have been turned away from Richmond Park during the coronavirus outbreak
Image: A police officer has been stopping cyclists in Richmond Park
The force also said on Sunday that arrests were made overnight after officers were spat on, coughed at and physically attacked.
Chief Superintendent Carolyn Belafonte said any assault on officers of this nature were particularly abhorrent in light of the public health crisis.
Police in Northern Ireland are to target tourist sites and visitor locations to ensure compliance with social-distancing rules, the chief constable has said.
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People who repeatedly fail to comply with officer requests to disperse could face fines up to £960 under new emergency regulations agreed by the Stormont Executive.
The measures, which came into force at 11pm on Saturday, also provide for fines up to £5,000 for businesses not adhering to the new rules around closures and implementation of social-distancing practices.
Northern Ireland was the last part of the UK to develop regulations flowing from new powers secured through legislation passed at Westminster earlier in the week.


news--2020-03-29--Coronavirus: Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt calls for mass testing to end lockdown faster

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for mass testing to end the coronavirus lockdown faster .
He said the UK should be following the example of countries such as South Korea , Singapore and Germany who have used mass testing to successfully curb the spread of COVID-19 .
`` The restaurants are open in South Korea , '' he wrote in The Sunday Telegraph .
`` You can go shopping in Taiwan .
Offices are open in Singapore .
`` These countries learned the hard way how to deal with a pandemic after the deadly SARS virus .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from lockdown . ''
South Korea was the second hardest-hit country after China but with widespread testing managed to dramatically slow its infection rate , recording just 105 new cases on Sunday and fewer than ten deaths every day .
Mr Hunt also used Germany as an example as it has carried out four times as many tests as the UK and recorded only 342 deaths from the virus - fewer than half that of the UK .
As of this weekend , testing for frontline NHS staff is being rolled out but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further with `` weekly tests for all NHS and care home staff to remove that worry '' of them infecting patients as the disease incubates .
He admitted there is a worldwide shortage in testing supply chains , but said British scientists and manufacturers could create the infrastructure needed to test and process samples .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker '' Mass social distancing should protect the NHS through the peak over the next few weeks , but it 's a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` For the next wave we must use the precision scalpel of mass testing . ''
Britain 's longest serving health secretary said mass testing provides greater clarity to identify and contain potential outbreaks .
`` Where you find it , you can isolate and contain it , '' he wrote .
`` And where you do n't , vital services continue to function .
`` With mass testing , accompanied by rigorous tracing of every person a COVID-19 patient has been in touch with , you can break the chain of transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he admitted it is resource intensive but suggested local government officials in planning departments and civil servants could carry it out .
He used Singapore , which has had two deaths , as an example as everyone there has been asked to use a tracing app which swaps anonymous ID data so if you contract the virus everyone you have been near can be contacted .
Addressing the civil liberties implications of that , he said all data is encrypted and destroyed after 21 days and said Singaporeans `` have had their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have had to go into full lockdown '' .

Former health secretary Jeremy Hunt has called for mass testing to end the coronavirus lockdown faster.
He said the UK should be following the example of countries such as South Korea, Singapore and Germany who have used mass testing to successfully curb the spread of COVID-19.
"The restaurants are open in South Korea," he wrote in The Sunday Telegraph.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:56 Theme park becomes drive-thru testing centre
"You can go shopping in Taiwan. Offices are open in Singapore.
"These countries learned the hard way how to deal with a pandemic after the deadly SARS virus. They now show us how we can emerge from lockdown."
South Korea was the second hardest-hit country after China but with widespread testing managed to dramatically slow its infection rate, recording just 105 new cases on Sunday and fewer than ten deaths every day.
Mr Hunt also used Germany as an example as it has carried out four times as many tests as the UK and recorded only 342 deaths from the virus - fewer than half that of the UK.
As of this weekend, testing for frontline NHS staff is being rolled out but Mr Hunt called for this to go further with "weekly tests for all NHS and care home staff to remove that worry" of them infecting patients as the disease incubates.
He admitted there is a worldwide shortage in testing supply chains, but said British scientists and manufacturers could create the infrastructure needed to test and process samples.
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:: Listen to the Daily podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
"Mass social distancing should protect the NHS through the peak over the next few weeks, but it's a blunt instrument with massive economic impact.
"For the next wave we must use the precision scalpel of mass testing."
Britain's longest serving health secretary said mass testing provides greater clarity to identify and contain potential outbreaks.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 0:18 Angela Merkel's handshake rejected
"Where you find it, you can isolate and contain it," he wrote.
"And where you don't, vital services continue to function.
"With mass testing, accompanied by rigorous tracing of every person a COVID-19 patient has been in touch with, you can break the chain of transmission."
In calling for contact tracing, he admitted it is resource intensive but suggested local government officials in planning departments and civil servants could carry it out.
Image: South Korea has carried out mass testing after cases soared very quickly
He used Singapore, which has had two deaths, as an example as everyone there has been asked to use a tracing app which swaps anonymous ID data so if you contract the virus everyone you have been near can be contacted.
Addressing the civil liberties implications of that, he said all data is encrypted and destroyed after 21 days and said Singaporeans "have had their liberties curtailed far less than countries which have had to go into full lockdown".


news--2020-03-29--Coronavirus: Belarus president refuses to cancel anything - and says vodka and saunas will ward off

Coronavirus: Belarus president refuses to cancel anything - and says vodka and saunas will ward off COVID-19

Few measures have been enforced to curb coronavirus in Belarus - instead , people are being urged to drink vodka and go to saunas .
The country - specifically its president - has shrugged off concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak , starkly illustrated on Sunday with the nation 's football matches continuing as normal .
As most countries enforce strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus , fans continued to shuffle into football grounds as they would any other weekend .
Few social distancing measures appear to be in force , but spectators at some grounds did have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A small number of fans opted to wear face masks while huddled together in packed stands , but they were few and far between .
Belarusian football organisers have said they have no intention of postponing matches or cancelling the season - and the country 's leader has also shown that he is keen for sporting fixtures to continue .
: : Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts , Google podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker President Alexander Lukashenko took part in an ice hockey match on Saturday - controversially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anti-virus remedy '' .
At the event , he told a reporter : `` It 's better to die standing on your feet than to live on your knees . ''
When asked if there was anything that would stop him playing ice hockey , Mr Lukashenko replied : `` It is possible , but why ?
I do n't understand .
There are no viruses here .
`` Did you see any of them flying around ?
I do n't see them too .
This is a fridge . ''
So far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Belarus , a former Soviet nation that is home to 9.5 million people .
Mr Lukashenko , an avid ice hockey player who has been in power since 1994 , has downplayed the need for social distancing - and Belarus is one of the only countries that has taken few measures to curb COVID-19 's spread .
In recent weeks , the president has suggested that Belarusians should drink 50ml of vodka a day to ward off the virus , but not at work - advice that is completely at odds with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He has also stated that regular trips to the sauna , working in the fields and having breakfast on time are the best ways to stay healthy - dismissing stricter measures imposed in neighbouring Russia and elsewhere as `` frenzy and psychosis '' .
Mr Lukashenko has also vowed that Belarus will still celebrate Victory Day on 9 May - a day when elderly veterans from World War Two parade through the streets .
This is despite data that shows older people are more susceptible to contracting coronavirus in public spaces .
According @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president said : `` We are not cancelling anything .
We will host all the events we have planned … Let God protect us from the coronavirus . ''
In separate remarks on Friday , Mr Lukashenko said he `` really liked '' Donald Trump 's statements calling for US businesses to reopen and Americans to get back to work .
`` There were many people urging me to close borders , enterprises and begin a nationwide quarantine .
Back then I made a principled decision : we will implement a quarantine only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .

Few measures have been enforced to curb coronavirus in Belarus - instead, people are being urged to drink vodka and go to saunas.
The country - specifically its president - has shrugged off concerns about the COVID-19 outbreak, starkly illustrated on Sunday with the nation's football matches continuing as normal.
As most countries enforce strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, fans continued to shuffle into football grounds as they would any other weekend.
Image: Few face masks were visible as FC Minsk fans watched their team play in Belarus
Image: Belarus has no plans to postpone matches or cancel the football season
Few social distancing measures appear to be in force, but spectators at some grounds did have their temperatures checked before being granted entry.
A small number of fans opted to wear face masks while huddled together in packed stands, but they were few and far between.
Belarusian football organisers have said they have no intention of postponing matches or cancelling the season - and the country's leader has also shown that he is keen for sporting fixtures to continue.
:: Listen to Sophy Ridge on Sunday on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
President Alexander Lukashenko took part in an ice hockey match on Saturday - controversially declaring that sport "is the best anti-virus remedy".
At the event, he told a reporter: "It's better to die standing on your feet than to live on your knees."
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Image: Alexander Lukashenko (pictured here with Vladimir Putin) is against imposing strict coronavirus measures
When asked if there was anything that would stop him playing ice hockey, Mr Lukashenko replied: "It is possible, but why? I don't understand. There are no viruses here.
"Did you see any of them flying around? I don't see them too. This is a fridge."
So far, 94 coronavirus cases have been reported in Belarus, a former Soviet nation that is home to 9.5 million people.
Mr Lukashenko, an avid ice hockey player who has been in power since 1994, has downplayed the need for social distancing - and Belarus is one of the only countries that has taken few measures to curb COVID-19's spread.
Image: Temperature checks were in force at some football matches - social distancing was not
In recent weeks, the president has suggested that Belarusians should drink 50ml of vodka a day to ward off the virus, but not at work - advice that is completely at odds with recommendations from the World Health Organisation.
He has also stated that regular trips to the sauna, working in the fields and having breakfast on time are the best ways to stay healthy - dismissing stricter measures imposed in neighbouring Russia and elsewhere as "frenzy and psychosis".
Mr Lukashenko has also vowed that Belarus will still celebrate Victory Day on 9 May - a day when elderly veterans from World War Two parade through the streets. This is despite data that shows older people are more susceptible to contracting coronavirus in public spaces.
Image: Professional football has ground to a halt around the world - not in Belarus
According to the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, the president said: "We are not cancelling anything. We will host all the events we have planned … Let God protect us from the coronavirus."
In separate remarks on Friday, Mr Lukashenko said he "really liked" Donald Trump's statements calling for US businesses to reopen and Americans to get back to work.
"There were many people urging me to close borders, enterprises and begin a nationwide quarantine. Back then I made a principled decision: we will implement a quarantine only when it is really needed," he added.


news--2020-06-17--$50bn tie-up between PSA and Fiat Chrysler faces in-depth EU probe

EU regulators have launched an in-depth four-month investigation into a planned $ 50bn merger between carmaker Fiat Chrysler and PSA , the owner of Vauxhall .
The European Commission said it was concerned that the tie-up - agreed last December - could reduce competition in the market for vans .
A merger between the Italian-American and French companies would create the world 's fourth biggest carmaker .
It would bring Fiat Chrysler brands including Fiat , Jeep , Dodge and Maserati together with PSA 's Peugeot , Opel , DS and Vauxhall .
The EC said it was concerned about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in commercial light vehicles in 14 EU countries as well as the UK .
It said a preliminary investigation showed the two companies `` have historically competed head-to-head for vans in a number of EU Member States and price positioned their vans similarly '' .
`` The merger would thus remove an important competitive constraint for both of them , '' it said .
Vauxhall 's operations in the UK include its van plant at Luton and a factory at Ellesmere Port which makes the Astra car - with the latter yet to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two sites together employ about 2,000 people while PSA overall employs around 5,000 in the UK .
Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said commercial vans were `` increasingly important in a digital economy where private consumers rely more than ever on delivery services '' .
`` We will carefully assess whether the proposed transaction would negatively affect competition in these markets and ensure that a healthy competitive landscape remains for all the individuals and businesses relying on commercial vans for their activities . ''
The commission set a deadline of 22 October for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fiat Chrysler reiterated their aim of completing the merger by the end of the first quarter of 2021 .
The companies said in a joint statement that they would be setting out to regulators `` the substantial benefits of the proposed merger to our customers , the European industry and each company '' .
They had previously declined to offer concessions to allay potential EU concerns over the deal .
It has already received the green light in the US , China , Japan and Russia .

EU regulators have launched an in-depth four-month investigation into a planned $50bn merger between carmaker Fiat Chrysler and PSA, the owner of Vauxhall.
The European Commission said it was concerned that the tie-up - agreed last December - could reduce competition in the market for vans.
A merger between the Italian-American and French companies would create the world's fourth biggest carmaker.
It would bring Fiat Chrysler brands including Fiat, Jeep, Dodge and Maserati together with PSA's Peugeot, Opel, DS and Vauxhall.
The EC said it was concerned about the deal's impact on the market in commercial light vehicles in 14 EU countries as well as the UK.
It said a preliminary investigation showed the two companies "have historically competed head-to-head for vans in a number of EU Member States and price positioned their vans similarly".
"The merger would thus remove an important competitive constraint for both of them," it said.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:33 Vauxhall boss: 'Showrooms must open'
Vauxhall's operations in the UK include its van plant at Luton and a factory at Ellesmere Port which makes the Astra car - with the latter yet to reopen following the coronavirus shutdown.
The two sites together employ about 2,000 people while PSA overall employs around 5,000 in the UK.
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Competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager said commercial vans were "increasingly important in a digital economy where private consumers rely more than ever on delivery services".
"We will carefully assess whether the proposed transaction would negatively affect competition in these markets and ensure that a healthy competitive landscape remains for all the individuals and businesses relying on commercial vans for their activities."
The commission set a deadline of 22 October for a decision on the deal.
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PSA and Fiat Chrysler reiterated their aim of completing the merger by the end of the first quarter of 2021.
The companies said in a joint statement that they would be setting out to regulators "the substantial benefits of the proposed merger to our customers, the European industry and each company".
They had previously declined to offer concessions to allay potential EU concerns over the deal.
It has already received the green light in the US, China, Japan and Russia.


news--2020-02-20--Airlines reveal the cost of coronavirus outbreak

Two airline groups have revealed they expect to lose tens of millions of pounds due to the coronavirus and its effect on travel .
Qantas and Air France-KLM reported financial results in the early hours of Wednesday and both companies pointed to the outbreak as a major factor .
COVID-19 , the name for the acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus , has infected more than 75,000 people , most of them in China , according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering .
Many Chinese residents are prevented from travelling as the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and many airlines have suspended flights through the country .
Australia-based Qantas reported underlying pre-tax profit was down 0.5 % to A $ 771m ( £397m ) in the six months ending 31 December .
But it estimated that the coronavirus would deliver a A $ 100m ( £51m ) to A $ 150m ( £77m ) hit to underlying earnings before interest and tax by the end of the financial year .
The hit will come from Qantas reducing its capacity on Asia flights by 15 % until at least the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China , Hong Kong and Singapore , an announcement it made alongside its results .
The fall in international visitors will also affect domestic flights in Australia and those between Australia and New Zealand , as around 8 % of Qantas domestic flights are attached to an international ticket .
Reductions of around 5 % will be made to Qantas and subsidiary Jetstar 's flights between Australia and New Zealand , while Australian domestic flights are expected to be cut by 2 % .
Other parts of the network , such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affected .
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said : `` The capacity we 're taking out is the equivalent of grounding 18 aircraft across Qantas and Jetstar until the end of May , which in turn impacts about 700 full-time roles .
`` To avoid job losses we 'll be using leave balances across our workforce of 30,000 and freezing recruitment to help ride this out .
We 'll also take advantage of having some aircraft on the ground by bringing forward planned maintenance . ''
But Qantas expects to derive at least @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have dropped from the lower demand for air travel due to the virus .
Meanwhile , Air France-KLM said it expected the coronavirus outbreak to wipe between €150m ( £125m ) to €200m ( £167m ) from its earnings by April , assuming China flights remained suspended until then .
The Franco-Dutch airline group cancelled its mainland China flights through March and based its April assessment on this but chief financial officer Frederic Gagey added : `` Obviously if it lasts longer , the impact will be heavier . ''
Mainland China flights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's network traffic last year and , despite January showing `` significantly positive '' revenue growth , it all `` changed quite brutally '' once the extent of the virus outbreak became clear , Mr Gagey said .
But , like Qantas , Air France-KLM expects to benefit slightly from lower fuel costs , with the airline group saying its fuel bill is likely to fall by around €300m this year .
Air France-KLM 's revenue was up 1.9 % in the fourth quarter and 3.7 % in 2019 to €27.1bn ( £22.6bn @ @

Two airline groups have revealed they expect to lose tens of millions of pounds due to the coronavirus and its effect on travel.
Qantas and Air France-KLM reported financial results in the early hours of Wednesday and both companies pointed to the outbreak as a major factor.
COVID-19, the name for the acute respiratory disease caused by the coronavirus, has infected more than 75,000 people, most of them in China, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering.
Image: Qantas is heavily reducing flights as a result of the outbreak
Many Chinese residents are prevented from travelling as the government tries to limit the virus's spread and many airlines have suspended flights through the country.
Australia-based Qantas reported underlying pre-tax profit was down 0.5% to A$771m (£397m) in the six months ending 31 December.
But it estimated that the coronavirus would deliver a A$100m (£51m) to A$150m (£77m) hit to underlying earnings before interest and tax by the end of the financial year.
The hit will come from Qantas reducing its capacity on Asia flights by 15% until at least the end of May, affecting flights to and from China, Hong Kong and Singapore, an announcement it made alongside its results.
The fall in international visitors will also affect domestic flights in Australia and those between Australia and New Zealand, as around 8% of Qantas domestic flights are attached to an international ticket.
Reductions of around 5% will be made to Qantas and subsidiary Jetstar's flights between Australia and New Zealand, while Australian domestic flights are expected to be cut by 2%. Other parts of the network, such as the US and UK, are not affected.
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Image: Many airlines are having to do things differently due to the virus
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce said: "The capacity we're taking out is the equivalent of grounding 18 aircraft across Qantas and Jetstar until the end of May, which in turn impacts about 700 full-time roles.
"To avoid job losses we'll be using leave balances across our workforce of 30,000 and freezing recruitment to help ride this out. We'll also take advantage of having some aircraft on the ground by bringing forward planned maintenance."
But Qantas expects to derive at least some benefit from the fuel costs which have dropped from the lower demand for air travel due to the virus.
Image: Air France-KLM reported healthy revenue but it expects a big hit from coronavirus
Meanwhile, Air France-KLM said it expected the coronavirus outbreak to wipe between €150m (£125m) to €200m (£167m) from its earnings by April, assuming China flights remained suspended until then.
The Franco-Dutch airline group cancelled its mainland China flights through March and based its April assessment on this but chief financial officer Frederic Gagey added: "Obviously if it lasts longer, the impact will be heavier."
Mainland China flights made up 5.5% of the group's network traffic last year and, despite January showing "significantly positive" revenue growth, it all "changed quite brutally" once the extent of the virus outbreak became clear, Mr Gagey said.
But, like Qantas, Air France-KLM expects to benefit slightly from lower fuel costs, with the airline group saying its fuel bill is likely to fall by around €300m this year.
Air France-KLM's revenue was up 1.9% in the fourth quarter and 3.7% in 2019 to €27.1bn (£22.6bn).


news--2020-02-20--Retail figures offer some relief after a gloomy December

Retail sales were up 0.9 % in January , compared to December , a sign that British shoppers have started spending again .
The monthly rise was the biggest since March last year and , if fuel sales are excluded , the resulting increase of 1.6 % was the biggest since May 2018 .
It follows a 0.5 % fall in December , according to the Office for National Statistics .
Compared to January 2019 , sales were up 0.8 % but in the three months to January they fell by 0.8 % .
Excluding fuel , sales did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ August to December , the weakest such run since comparable records began in 1996 .
Sales at petrol stations fell by 5.7 % in January , the largest since April 2012 , which the ONS linked to higher fuel prices , while clothing sales grew by the most since May 2018 .
Demand had been sluggish in the later months of last year amid political deadlock over Brexit and then an election in December .
But , following a clear victory for Boris Johnson 's Conservatives and some certainty surrounding Brexit , sentiment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , head of market analysis at Monex Europe , said the figures suggested consumers were `` joining in the burst of optimism experienced by businesses in the new year '' .
He added : `` In isolation , you 'd be tempted to apply the usual caveats and disregard retail sales as one data point in a volatile series .
`` But other incoming UK data also suggests a strong pickup for the economy : business sentiment has improved sharply and house price growth has accelerated .
`` Whatever the coronavirus shock and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UK economy has at least begun the year on a firm note . ''
Ian Geddes , head of retail at Deloitte , said : `` While this is positive news for retailers , following a difficult Christmas for some that was punctuated by deep discounting , some lingering caution remains .
`` Consumers may still be in 'careful shopping mode ' , but for how long is yet to be seen . ''

Retail sales were up 0.9% in January, compared to December, a sign that British shoppers have started spending again.
The monthly rise was the biggest since March last year and, if fuel sales are excluded, the resulting increase of 1.6% was the biggest since May 2018.
It follows a 0.5% fall in December, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Compared to January 2019, sales were up 0.8% but in the three months to January they fell by 0.8%.
Excluding fuel, sales did not grow at all over the period from August to December, the weakest such run since comparable records began in 1996.
Sales at petrol stations fell by 5.7% in January, the largest since April 2012, which the ONS linked to higher fuel prices, while clothing sales grew by the most since May 2018.
Demand had been sluggish in the later months of last year amid political deadlock over Brexit and then an election in December.
But, following a clear victory for Boris Johnson's Conservatives and some certainty surrounding Brexit, sentiment has started to improve.
Ranko Berich, head of market analysis at Monex Europe, said the figures suggested consumers were "joining in the burst of optimism experienced by businesses in the new year".
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He added: "In isolation, you'd be tempted to apply the usual caveats and disregard retail sales as one data point in a volatile series.
"But other incoming UK data also suggests a strong pickup for the economy: business sentiment has improved sharply and house price growth has accelerated.
"Whatever the coronavirus shock and EU trade negotiations hold for the future, the UK economy has at least begun the year on a firm note."
Ian Geddes, head of retail at Deloitte, said: "While this is positive news for retailers, following a difficult Christmas for some that was punctuated by deep discounting, some lingering caution remains.
"Consumers may still be in 'careful shopping mode', but for how long is yet to be seen."


news--2020-02-20--Coronavirus: Briton who caught COVID-19 calls ship's quarantine 'a joke'

A British newlywed who contracted COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan has described quarantine protocols on the ship as `` a joke '' .
Alan Steele , 58 , from Shropshire , was the first British passenger revealed to have COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , while onboard the ship that was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama .
On his honeymoon at the time , the lorry driver was taken to hospital in Tokyo and placed in isolation while his new wife , Wendy , had to stay alone in their cabin .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost two weeks in hospital , he said he got a call a few days after he had a coronavirus swab test telling him he had tested positive and medics were coming to collect him .
He is one of four British passengers on the ship to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 , with more than 600 others also testing positive - the highest concentration outside mainland China .
On Thursday , officials confirmed two Japanese patients in their 80s who caught the virus onboard died .
Both are said to have had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has defended the way it has managed the quarantine , saying `` thorough action '' to prevent the spread has been taken including using masks , disinfectant and keeping people apart .
`` The quarantine process was a joke , an utter joke .
`` I think there was a terrific rise in numbers because they had people just wandering all around the ship going cabin to cabin to cabin .
`` So , if they caught it in one cabin then they 're just spreading it to everyone else are n't they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were n't given masks or nothing , it was only later they gave anybody masks to go to the door . ''
This week , passengers have finally started disembarking , with the British Foreign Office confirming a plane will arrive on Friday to bring the Britons home .
Once in the UK , they will have to spend another 14 days in quarantine on the Wirral - a prospect Mr Steele is dreading after his recent experience .
Other countries , including the US , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from the ship .
While grateful to Princess Cruises for all of their support , Mr Steele believes the UK government has treated them `` pretty badly '' and has been too slow to offer help .
He said : `` I know poor Boris has got his hands full , he 's got Brexit , reshuffling his cabinet , the floods , so I suppose 78 Brits , what the hell do they matter ?
`` To be honest , the embassy wanted me to keep in touch with them and they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see how I was doing but anyone can do that , that 's not a big deal . ''
Mr Steele said his stay in hospital was very lonely but he was more concerned for his wife being all alone on the ship .
`` I was n't scared because obviously I knew I was in safe hands .
It 's not like it 's a third-world country or anything , '' he said .
`` The anxiety is not knowing anything and the language barrier as well .
`` My biggest worry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be honest , she 's been doing better than I thought she would .
A lot better .
Yes , she struggled , but who would n't ? ''
Mr Steele first confirmed he had tested positive for the virus in a Facebook post on 7 February and was then taken to hospital and placed in isolation .
Despite the potentially stressful situation he laughed as he remembered the chaotic journey to the clinic .
`` The first ambulance bringing me to the hospital got lost , '' he said .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the hospital they 'd all got these flourescent jackets with little lights on .
`` It felt like there were 100 people standing outside the hospital , all in these gowns .
I felt like an alien . ''
Once in hospital , he had to stay in quarantine until he tested negative for the virus on two separate occasions .
Throughout his treatment he said he had no symptoms .
`` I got everything I needed to a point , but it was also just so sterile .
It 's like solitary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got no-one to talk to .
You 've got nurses coming in , you 've got doctors coming in but I ca n't talk to them .
`` I ca n't have a conversation with them because they do n't understand what I 'm saying . ''

A British newlywed who contracted COVID-19 on the Diamond Princess cruise liner in Japan has described quarantine protocols on the ship as "a joke".
Alan Steele, 58, from Shropshire, was the first British passenger revealed to have COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, while onboard the ship that was quarantined for two weeks in Yokohama.
On his honeymoon at the time, the lorry driver was taken to hospital in Tokyo and placed in isolation while his new wife, Wendy, had to stay alone in their cabin.
Image: Mr Steele told Sky's Siobhan Robbins he was most concerned about leaving his new wife alone
Speaking exclusively to Sky News after spending almost two weeks in hospital, he said he got a call a few days after he had a coronavirus swab test telling him he had tested positive and medics were coming to collect him.
He is one of four British passengers on the ship to have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with more than 600 others also testing positive - the highest concentration outside mainland China.
On Thursday, officials confirmed two Japanese patients in their 80s who caught the virus onboard died. Both are said to have had underlying health issues.
The Japanese government has defended the way it has managed the quarantine, saying "thorough action" to prevent the spread has been taken including using masks, disinfectant and keeping people apart.
But Mr Steele disagrees.
"The quarantine process was a joke, an utter joke.
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Image: Passengers can be seen disembarking the Diamond Princess
"I think there was a terrific rise in numbers because they had people just wandering all around the ship going cabin to cabin to cabin.
"So, if they caught it in one cabin then they're just spreading it to everyone else aren't they.
"Because at this point we weren't given masks or nothing, it was only later they gave anybody masks to go to the door."
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:28 British passenger Alan Sandford's guide to quarantine
This week, passengers have finally started disembarking, with the British Foreign Office confirming a plane will arrive on Friday to bring the Britons home.
Once in the UK, they will have to spend another 14 days in quarantine on the Wirral - a prospect Mr Steele is dreading after his recent experience.
Other countries, including the US, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong and South Korea are also evacuating their nationals from the ship.
Image: Quarantine officials on the Diamond Princess Pic: David Abel
While grateful to Princess Cruises for all of their support, Mr Steele believes the UK government has treated them "pretty badly" and has been too slow to offer help.
He said: "I know poor Boris has got his hands full, he's got Brexit, reshuffling his cabinet, the floods, so I suppose 78 Brits, what the hell do they matter?
"To be honest, the embassy wanted me to keep in touch with them and they did phone the hospital every day to see how I was doing but anyone can do that, that's not a big deal."
Mr Steele said his stay in hospital was very lonely but he was more concerned for his wife being all alone on the ship.
"I wasn't scared because obviously I knew I was in safe hands. It's not like it's a third-world country or anything," he said.
"The anxiety is not knowing anything and the language barrier as well.
"My biggest worry was having to leave Wendy. To be honest, she's been doing better than I thought she would. A lot better. Yes, she struggled, but who wouldn't?"
Image: A passenger leaves the Diamond Princess after spending two weeks in quarantine
Mr Steele first confirmed he had tested positive for the virus in a Facebook post on 7 February and was then taken to hospital and placed in isolation.
Despite the potentially stressful situation he laughed as he remembered the chaotic journey to the clinic.
"The first ambulance bringing me to the hospital got lost," he said.
"We turned around and when we came to the hospital they'd all got these flourescent jackets with little lights on.
"It felt like there were 100 people standing outside the hospital, all in these gowns. I felt like an alien."
Once in hospital, he had to stay in quarantine until he tested negative for the virus on two separate occasions.
Throughout his treatment he said he had no symptoms.
"I got everything I needed to a point, but it was also just so sterile. It's like solitary confinement in prison.
"You've got no-one to talk to. You've got nurses coming in, you've got doctors coming in but I can't talk to them.
"I can't have a conversation with them because they don't understand what I'm saying."


news--2020-02-20--Coronavirus: Two passengers on quarantined cruise have died from COVID-19

Two passengers who were on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship have died from COVID-19 .
The victims - a Japanese man and woman in their 80s - are the first people from the Diamond Princess to lose their lives from the illness .
Both had underlying health problems and had been in hospital after being taken off the ship .
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said an evacuation flight for British passengers will leave Tokyo on Friday .
It is understood that only those without symptoms will be able to fly back to the UK .
There are 78 British nationals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been confirmed to have COVID-19 .
Once passengers have returned to the UK , they will be kept in isolation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral .
: : Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts , Google Podcasts , Spotify , Spreaker It is the same facility where 94 people who were flown back to the UK from Wuhan - the Chinese city at the epicentre of the outbreak - were quarantined .
British passengers on board the Diamond Princess have repeatedly begged authorities to bring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ desperate '' .
More than 620 people have tested positive for COVID-19 , the disease caused by the coronavirus , on the cruise liner .
The Diamond Princess has been controversially quarantined in Yokohama , off the coast of Japan , since 3 February .
On Wednesday , passengers started to disembark the ship after the two-week isolation came to an end - and another 500 are expected to leave today .
Crew members and those who had shared a room with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 are still required to remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed how many people remain on board , or when everyone will be allowed to leave the cruise liner .
Some passengers from the US , Hong Kong and Australia have already returned home .
In mainland China , the number of new cases of COVID-19 has dropped .
China 's central Hubei province , the epicentre of the outbreak , reported 349 new confirmed cases on Thursday , down from 1,693 the previous day .
The death toll has now reached over 2,128 globally , with all but eight deaths in mainland @ @

Two passengers who were on a coronavirus-hit cruise ship have died from COVID-19.
The victims - a Japanese man and woman in their 80s - are the first people from the Diamond Princess to lose their lives from the illness.
Both had underlying health problems and had been in hospital after being taken off the ship.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said an evacuation flight for British passengers will leave Tokyo on Friday.
It is understood that only those without symptoms will be able to fly back to the UK.
There are 78 British nationals on the ship, four of whom have been confirmed to have COVID-19.
Once passengers have returned to the UK, they will be kept in isolation at Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral.
:: Listen to the Daily podcast with Dermot Murnaghan on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker
It is the same facility where 94 people who were flown back to the UK from Wuhan - the Chinese city at the epicentre of the outbreak - were quarantined.
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British passengers on board the Diamond Princess have repeatedly begged authorities to bring them home, saying they feel "desperate".
Image: The process of evacuating passengers from the Diamond Princess is expected to take several days
More than 620 people have tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, on the cruise liner.
The Diamond Princess has been controversially quarantined in Yokohama, off the coast of Japan, since 3 February.
On Wednesday, passengers started to disembark the ship after the two-week isolation came to an end - and another 500 are expected to leave today.
Image: Some passengers were seen getting into taxis after being allowed to disembark the ship on Wednesday
Crew members and those who had shared a room with anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 are still required to remain in quarantine.
Image: More than 620 people have fallen ill while in quarantine aboard the Diamond Princess
Japanese officials have not confirmed how many people remain on board, or when everyone will be allowed to leave the cruise liner.
Image: Some passengers and crew are still not being allowed to leave. File pic
Some passengers from the US, Hong Kong and Australia have already returned home.
In mainland China, the number of new cases of COVID-19 has dropped.
China's central Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak, reported 349 new confirmed cases on Thursday, down from 1,693 the previous day.
The death toll has now reached over 2,128 globally, with all but eight deaths in mainland China.