france24--2020-04-15--New York City death toll exceeds 10,000 as untested Covid-19 victims added to official count

Paramedics bring a patient into the emergency center at Maimonides Medical Center during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease ( COVID19 ) in the Brooklyn borough of New York , U.S. , April 14 , 2020 .
New York City , the hardest hit U.S. city in the coronavirus pandemic , revised its official COVID-19 death toll sharply higher to more than 10,000 on Tuesday to include victims presumed to have perished from the disease but never tested .
The new cumulative figure for `` confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths '' released by the New York City Health Department marked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formally attributed to the highly contagious illness since March 11 .
The 60 percent spike in reported deaths underscored the enormous losses endured in the nation 's most populous city , where the sounds of wailing sirens have echoed almost non-stop through largely empty streets for weeks .
The city 's revised count , 10,367 in all , raised the number of coronavirus deaths nationwide to more than 28,300 - New York accounting for the biggest share of deaths .
With only a tiny fraction of the U.S. population tested for coronavirus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 600,000 as of Tuesday , according to a running Reuters tally .
U.S. public health authorities have generally only attributed deaths to COVID-19 , the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus , when patients tested positive for the virus .
New York City 's Health Department said it will now also count any fatality deemed a `` probable '' coronavirus death , defined as a victim whose `` death certificate lists as a cause of death 'COVID-19 ' or an equivalent . ''
March 11 was used as the starting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the first confirmed coronavirus death , the city said .
`` Behind every death is a friend , a family member , a loved one , '' said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot .
`` We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of COVID-19 gets counted . ''
The new approach in New York City could pave the way for similar policies across the country , possibly leading to a surge in the US number of reported coronavirus deaths .
Even before Tuesday 's revision in New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deaths on Tuesday had reached at least 2,228 , the highest toll yet in a single 24-hour period .
Louisiana , another coronavirus hot spot , and California also reported record daily spikes in deaths on Tuesday , despite tentative signs across the country in recent days the outbreak was beginning to ebb .
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , whose state 's healthcare network was strained to breaking point by a wave of COVID-19 hospitalisations , had said on Monday it appeared `` the worst is over . ''
Health officials have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ indicator of the outbreak , coming after the most severely ill patients fall sick , and do not mean stay-at-home restrictions are failing to curb transmissions .
New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalisations and numbers of patients on ventilators , although front-line healthcare workers and resources remained under extraordinary stress .
`` The plateau is not a very comfortable place to live , '' David Reich , president of New York 's Mount Sinai Hospital , said in a telephone interview .
`` So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ celebrating prematurely . ''
That cautious note was also sounded by President Donald Trump 's top infectious diseases adviser , Dr. Anthony Fauci , who said Trump 's May 1 target for restarting the economy was `` overly optimistic '' .
Fauci , echoing many governors , said in an Associated Press interview that health officials must first be able to test for the virus quickly , isolate new cases and track down new infections .
At his daily White House briefing later in the day , Trump said he was close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus shutdown , which has thrown millions out of work , and may forge ahead with restarting the battered U.S. economy in some parts of the country even before May 1 .
The president took renewed aim at the World Health Organization at the briefing , saying he has instructed his administration to halt U.S. funding to the Geneva-based institution over its handling of the pandemic .
Trump , a Republican who before the outbreak touted a vibrant economy as a pillar of his Nov. 3 re-election bid , earlier lashed out at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would refuse any presidential order to reopen the economy too soon .
`` Tell the Democrat Governors that 'Mutiny On The Bounty ' was one of my all time favorite movies , '' Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday , referring to a classic film about an 18th-century rebellion against the commanding officer of a British naval vessel .
But Trump toned down his remarks at the White House briefing saying he would `` authorize '' governors - despite doubts from some experts that the presidency has such powers - to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
Cuomo , a Democrat , and governors of six other northeastern states have announced they are coordinating on a regional plan to gradually lift restrictions .
The governors of California , Oregon and Washington formed a similar West Coast regional pact .
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Oregon Governor Kate Brown , both Democrats , on Tuesday offered frameworks for eventually restarting public life and business in their states .
Some Republicans , including the governors of Ohio , Maryland and New Hampshire , also said states have the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @

New York City, the hardest hit U.S. city in the coronavirus pandemic, revised its official COVID-19 death toll sharply higher to more than 10,000 on Tuesday to include victims presumed to have perished from the disease but never tested.
Paramedics bring a patient into the emergency center at Maimonides Medical Center during the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID19) in the Brooklyn borough of New York, U.S., April 14, 2020.
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The new cumulative figure for "confirmed and probable COVID-19 deaths" released by the New York City Health Department marked a staggering increase of over 3,700 deaths formally attributed to the highly contagious illness since March 11.
The 60 percent spike in reported deaths underscored the enormous losses endured in the nation's most populous city, where the sounds of wailing sirens have echoed almost non-stop through largely empty streets for weeks.
The city's revised count, 10,367 in all, raised the number of coronavirus deaths nationwide to more than 28,300 - New York accounting for the biggest share of deaths.
With only a tiny fraction of the U.S. population tested for coronavirus, the number of known infections climbed to more than 600,000 as of Tuesday, according to a running Reuters tally.
U.S. public health authorities have generally only attributed deaths to COVID-19, the respiratory disease caused by the novel coronavirus, when patients tested positive for the virus.
New York City's Health Department said it will now also count any fatality deemed a "probable" coronavirus death, defined as a victim whose "death certificate lists as a cause of death 'COVID-19' or an equivalent."
March 11 was used as the starting point because that was the date of the first confirmed coronavirus death, the city said.
"Behind every death is a friend, a family member, a loved one," said Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot. "We are focused on ensuring that every New Yorker who died because of COVID-19 gets counted."
The new approach in New York City could pave the way for similar policies across the country, possibly leading to a surge in the US number of reported coronavirus deaths.
Even before Tuesday's revision in New York City, the number of new U.S. deaths on Tuesday had reached at least 2,228, the highest toll yet in a single 24-hour period.
'Not a comfortable place'
Louisiana, another coronavirus hot spot, and California also reported record daily spikes in deaths on Tuesday, despite tentative signs across the country in recent days the outbreak was beginning to ebb.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, whose state's healthcare network was strained to breaking point by a wave of COVID-19 hospitalisations, had said on Monday it appeared "the worst is over."
Health officials have cautioned that death figures are a lagging indicator of the outbreak, coming after the most severely ill patients fall sick, and do not mean stay-at-home restrictions are failing to curb transmissions.
New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalisations and numbers of patients on ventilators, although front-line healthcare workers and resources remained under extraordinary stress.
"The plateau is not a very comfortable place to live," David Reich, president of New York's Mount Sinai Hospital, said in a telephone interview. "So I don't think people should be celebrating prematurely."
That cautious note was also sounded by President Donald Trump's top infectious diseases adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who said Trump's May 1 target for restarting the economy was "overly optimistic".
Fauci, echoing many governors, said in an Associated Press interview that health officials must first be able to test for the virus quickly, isolate new cases and track down new infections.
At his daily White House briefing later in the day, Trump said he was close to completing a plan for ending America's coronavirus shutdown, which has thrown millions out of work, and may forge ahead with restarting the battered U.S. economy in some parts of the country even before May 1.
The president took renewed aim at the World Health Organization at the briefing, saying he has instructed his administration to halt U.S. funding to the Geneva-based institution over its handling of the pandemic.
Mutiny on the bounty
Trump, a Republican who before the outbreak touted a vibrant economy as a pillar of his Nov. 3 re-election bid, earlier lashed out at Democratic state governors, after Cuomo said he would refuse any presidential order to reopen the economy too soon.
"Tell the Democrat Governors that 'Mutiny On The Bounty' was one of my all time favorite movies," Trump wrote on Twitter on Tuesday, referring to a classic film about an 18th-century rebellion against the commanding officer of a British naval vessel.
But Trump toned down his remarks at the White House briefing saying he would "authorize" governors - despite doubts from some experts that the presidency has such powers - to implement plans in their states at the appropriate time.
Cuomo, a Democrat, and governors of six other northeastern states have announced they are coordinating on a regional plan to gradually lift restrictions. The governors of California, Oregon and Washington formed a similar West Coast regional pact.
California Governor Gavin Newsom and Oregon Governor Kate Brown, both Democrats, on Tuesday offered frameworks for eventually restarting public life and business in their states.
Some Republicans, including the governors of Ohio, Maryland and New Hampshire, also said states have the right to decide when and how to reopen.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-14--Covid-19: France reports 762 new deaths in 24 hours, total toll rises to 15,729

A French rescue team wearing protective suits carry a patient on a stretcher from Mulhouse hospital before a helicopter transport as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease ( Covid-19 ) , March 23 , 2020 .
Picture taken March 23 , 2020 .
REUTERS/Christian Hartmann France on Tuesday reported 762 more COVID-19 deaths in hospitals and nursing homes , bringing its total toll from the epidemic to 15,729 .
The number of confirmed cases in France now exceeds 100,000 , health official Jerome Salomon told reporters , adding however that the total number of patients in intensive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a row , by 91 to 6,730 .
Despite the heavy new death toll , Salomon said that the latest data confirmed that France ’ s month-long lockdown was beginning to have an effect .
“ We have observed a plateau over the last days ...
Thanks to your efforts and the lockdown we have managed to limit the spread of the virus , ” he said .
The new toll was released after President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said that the epidemic “ was beginning to steady ” in France and added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from May 11 .
The details of how the lockdown will be eased have yet to be made clear and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner emphasised that the date was not set in stone and depended on positive trends continuing .
“ May 11 is an objective , ” he told France Inter radio .
“ It is a date that we must achieve by respecting the lockdown , ” he said .
The most controversial announcement by Macron was that schools would open gradually from May 11 , even though cafes and cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have found contradictions in this speech , ” Francette Popineau , General Secretary of Snuipp-FSU teachers ’ union told AFP .
“ We understood that there was to be an end to the confinement as of 11 May , but what we did not understand was why restaurants would be closed and why canteens would be open , why cinemas would be closed and why schools would be open , ” she added .
Macron in his speech also indicated that a COVID-19 vaccine would be the only long-term solution , adding there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ among people in France with only a minority of people infected .
Salomon said the estimates based on modelling indicated that around 5-10 percent of the French population had been infected , but it varied according to region .
The official number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in France is now 103,573 but officials believe this is vastly understated due to a lack of testing .

France on Tuesday reported 762 more COVID-19 deaths in hospitals and nursing homes, bringing its total toll from the epidemic to 15,729.
A French rescue team wearing protective suits carry a patient on a stretcher from Mulhouse hospital before a helicopter transport as France faces an aggressive progression of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), March 23, 2020. Picture taken March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann
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The number of confirmed cases in France now exceeds 100,000, health official Jerome Salomon told reporters, adding however that the total number of patients in intensive care fell for the sixth day in a row, by 91 to 6,730.
Despite the heavy new death toll, Salomon said that the latest data confirmed that France’s month-long lockdown was beginning to have an effect.
“We have observed a plateau over the last days... Thanks to your efforts and the lockdown we have managed to limit the spread of the virus,” he said.
The new toll was released after President Emmanuel Macron on Monday said that the epidemic “was beginning to steady” in France and added the lockdown could begin to be eased from May 11.
The details of how the lockdown will be eased have yet to be made clear and Interior Minister Christophe Castaner emphasised that the date was not set in stone and depended on positive trends continuing.
“May 11 is an objective,” he told France Inter radio. “It is a date that we must achieve by respecting the lockdown,” he said.
The most controversial announcement by Macron was that schools would open gradually from May 11, even though cafes and cultural venues would stay shut.
“We have found contradictions in this speech,” Francette Popineau, General Secretary of Snuipp-FSU teachers’ union told AFP.
“We understood that there was to be an end to the confinement as of 11 May, but what we did not understand was why restaurants would be closed and why canteens would be open, why cinemas would be closed and why schools would be open,” she added.
Macron in his speech also indicated that a COVID-19 vaccine would be the only long-term solution, adding there was no evidence of so-called herd immunity among people in France with only a minority of people infected.
Salomon said the estimates based on modelling indicated that around 5-10 percent of the French population had been infected, but it varied according to region.
The official number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in France is now 103,573 but officials believe this is vastly understated due to a lack of testing.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-16--‘Grave concerns’ about Covid-19 immunity passports

Medical employees wear protection gear at a newly opened drive-in corona special test center for Dresden public service employees such as police officers , nurses and firefighters , amid the spread of the coronavirus ( Covid-19 ) in Dresden , eastern Germany , April 15 , 2020 .
Trapped between the competing urgencies of saving lives from Covid-19 and avoiding economic calamity , some government officials have mooted “ immunity passports ” as a way through the impasse .
But experts told FRANCE 24 that the necessary antibody testing is not reliable enough – and even if the scheme were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incentive for some to acquire the virus in order to qualify for the passport .
The global tally of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 2 million on Wednesday – a day after researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health warned that the US may need to keep some social distancing measures until 2022 , while the IMF predicted that , thanks to “ the Great Lockdown ” , the world will suffer the worst recession since the Great Depression .
Anxious about both the unfolding economic disaster and the risk of Covid-19 resurging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officials in hard-hit countries have suggested that a system of immunity passports could be a route out of the coronavirus crisis – for some at least .
The idea is that people who have already had the disease and thereby gained immunity could be given permits to live their lives mostly like they did before the pandemic .
Shortly after emerging from self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19 , the UK ’ s Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in early April that the British government was considering an “ immunity certificate ” system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get back as much as possible to normal life ” .
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has also given the idea her backing – putting it in a list of proposals for returning to business as usual in the City of Lights that she sent to the French government .
On the other side of the Atlantic , Anthony Fauci , the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , told CNN that immunity passports are “ being discussed ” in the Trump administration .
“ It might actually have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he added .
Immunity passports would require tests for antibodies specific to Covid-19 , which would be different from those used to discern whether or not people currently have the virus .
The problem is that , as things stand , these tests “ are not sufficiently accurate for individual immunity passports ” , which means that “ we are still a long way off it being useful to test individuals with these methods ” , said Claire Standley , an assistant professor at Georgetown University ’ s Center for Global Health Science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such tests look likely to be ineffective , Standley explained , is that they do not seem specific enough to avoid mistaking a similar virus for Covid-19 : “ There may be cross-reactivity between the antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 [ Covid-19 ] and other circulating coronaviruses – including those that cause common colds – meaning a positive result might not indicate past exposure to SARS-CoV-2 but maybe another coronavirus instead.
” As well as flagging up people who have recovered from ailments that merely seem similar to Covid-19 , Standley said these tests also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some people who have experienced a minor form of the virus : “ High false negative rates ( lack of sensitivity ) of the test mean that those currently available are not recommended for patient-level clinical diagnosis ; unless the sensitivity improves , these tests may also not be effective in identifying people who have recovered from mild cases of Covid-19 , and thus may have lower levels of antibodies in their blood.
” Immunity for less than one year ?
Issues with the accuracy of testing equipment may be solved through rapid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists focus their energy and resources on tackling the coronavirus pandemic .
However , one potentially intractable problem with immunity passports is that immunity might not last terribly long .
“ At this point , the virus has been widely circulating in Europe and North America only for a couple of months , and so that is all the information we have – we will know in a year if immunity lasts a year ; we will know in two years if immunity lasts two years , ” noted Abram Wagner , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Michigan .
“ From past research into other coronaviruses , immunity was not long lasting , and I would not be surprised if , for most people , immunity lasted less than one year.
” In addition to these scientific hindrances standing in the way of immunity passports , there are worries about the social implications : “ I suspect many people will be resentful if others were able to return to work and make money because they had an immunity passport , ” Wagner put it .
“ I have grave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could be implemented equitably and fairly , even assuming a reliable antibody test were available , and more known about the length of immunity and how protective it is , ” Standley added .
In particular , she said , immunity passports threaten to accentuate inequality between the haves and have-nots , which lockdowns have already intensified : “ If the tests need to be purchased , this could further exacerbate disparities between those who can afford the tests ( and who may already have been able to work from home/maintain an income @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not , and thus would be further barred from re-entering the workforce.
” Another unsettling point Standley raised is that immunity passports could create a perverse incentive to contract the coronavirus : “ In an effort to return to work , or allow their children back to school , will the promise of an immunity passport make people behave less responsibly , and risk infection , in order to end up with a positive antibody test ?
” In this way , an idea touted as a way of giving people their lives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most virtuously , Standley warned : “ The scheme would potentially punish those citizens who have behaved responsibly and tried their best to reduce their own risk of exposure and that of transmission within their communities .
”

Trapped between the competing urgencies of saving lives from Covid-19 and avoiding economic calamity, some government officials have mooted “immunity passports” as a way through the impasse. But experts told FRANCE 24 that the necessary antibody testing is not reliable enough – and even if the scheme were feasible, it could create a dangerous incentive for some to acquire the virus in order to qualify for the passport.
Medical employees wear protection gear at a newly opened drive-in corona special test center for Dresden public service employees such as police officers, nurses and firefighters, amid the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19) in Dresden, eastern Germany, April 15, 2020.
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The global tally of confirmed coronavirus cases surpassed 2 million on Wednesday – a day after researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health warned that the US may need to keep some social distancing measures until 2022, while the IMF predicted that, thanks to “the Great Lockdown”, the world will suffer the worst recession since the Great Depression.
Anxious about both the unfolding economic disaster and the risk of Covid-19 resurging if lockdowns are reversed prematurely, some officials in hard-hit countries have suggested that a system of immunity passports could be a route out of the coronavirus crisis – for some at least. The idea is that people who have already had the disease and thereby gained immunity could be given permits to live their lives mostly like they did before the pandemic.
Shortly after emerging from self-isolation after testing positive for Covid-19, the UK’s Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced in early April that the British government was considering an “immunity certificate” system to allow those who qualify to “get back as much as possible to normal life”.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has also given the idea her backing – putting it in a list of proposals for returning to business as usual in the City of Lights that she sent to the French government. On the other side of the Atlantic, Anthony Fauci, the director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN that immunity passports are “being discussed” in the Trump administration. “It might actually have some merit under some circumstances,” he added.
Antibody tests ‘not sufficiently accurate’
Immunity passports would require tests for antibodies specific to Covid-19, which would be different from those used to discern whether or not people currently have the virus. The problem is that, as things stand, these tests “are not sufficiently accurate for individual immunity passports”, which means that “we are still a long way off it being useful to test individuals with these methods”, said Claire Standley, an assistant professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Science and Security.
A major reason why such tests look likely to be ineffective, Standley explained, is that they do not seem specific enough to avoid mistaking a similar virus for Covid-19: “There may be cross-reactivity between the antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 [Covid-19] and other circulating coronaviruses – including those that cause common colds – meaning a positive result might not indicate past exposure to SARS-CoV-2 but maybe another coronavirus instead.”
As well as flagging up people who have recovered from ailments that merely seem similar to Covid-19, Standley said these tests also have a problem in failing to detect some people who have experienced a minor form of the virus: “High false negative rates (lack of sensitivity) of the test mean that those currently available are not recommended for patient-level clinical diagnosis; unless the sensitivity improves, these tests may also not be effective in identifying people who have recovered from mild cases of Covid-19, and thus may have lower levels of antibodies in their blood.”
Immunity for less than one year?
Issues with the accuracy of testing equipment may be solved through rapid technological advances as the world’s scientists focus their energy and resources on tackling the coronavirus pandemic. However, one potentially intractable problem with immunity passports is that immunity might not last terribly long.
“At this point, the virus has been widely circulating in Europe and North America only for a couple of months, and so that is all the information we have – we will know in a year if immunity lasts a year; we will know in two years if immunity lasts two years,” noted Abram Wagner, an assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan. “From past research into other coronaviruses, immunity was not long lasting, and I would not be surprised if, for most people, immunity lasted less than one year.”
In addition to these scientific hindrances standing in the way of immunity passports, there are worries about the social implications: “I suspect many people will be resentful if others were able to return to work and make money because they had an immunity passport,” Wagner put it.
“I have grave concerns about how these types of schemes could be implemented equitably and fairly, even assuming a reliable antibody test were available, and more known about the length of immunity and how protective it is,” Standley added.
In particular, she said, immunity passports threaten to accentuate inequality between the haves and have-nots, which lockdowns have already intensified: “If the tests need to be purchased, this could further exacerbate disparities between those who can afford the tests (and who may already have been able to work from home/maintain an income during lockdown) versus those who cannot, and thus would be further barred from re-entering the workforce.”
Another unsettling point Standley raised is that immunity passports could create a perverse incentive to contract the coronavirus: “In an effort to return to work, or allow their children back to school, will the promise of an immunity passport make people behave less responsibly, and risk infection, in order to end up with a positive antibody test?”
In this way, an idea touted as a way of giving people their lives back could disadvantage those who have acted most virtuously, Standley warned: “The scheme would potentially punish those citizens who have behaved responsibly and tried their best to reduce their own risk of exposure and that of transmission within their communities.”
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france24--2020-04-16--Special programme: Covid-19 exposes glaring inequality in US

This week we 're bringing you a special edition of Inside the Americas from the United States to show how the country is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak .
We go to Baltimore to see why African Americans are disproportionately affected by Covid-19 .
We then head to the epicentre of the US outbreak , New York City .
Finally , in Los Angeles , we ’ ll show you what money can buy during a pandemic .
The US now has the world 's highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths .
And early data show that one demographic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : African Americans .
Louisiana ’ s numbers are the most staggering , with black people making up more than 70 percent of deaths despite representing just a third of the population .
The explanation lies in decades of racial inequality leaving black Americans more exposed , more at risk and less informed to face the virus , as we found out in Baltimore .
Fanny Allard , Matthieu Mabin and Kéthévane Gorjestani report .
Businesses across the country have been forced to shut down , resulting in millions of American workers being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their job in March , and millions more are expected to follow .
Despite help provided through the recent stimulus packages , many Americans are now turning to food banks and charity to survive .
That 's especially true in New York City , the epicentre of the US outbreak , where Jessica Le Masurier and Celine Bruneau met New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet .
`` Everyone is subject to this virus .
I do n't care how smart , how rich or how powerful you think you are . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Andrew Cuomo last month .
But far from being the `` equaliser '' some expected , the coronavirus has exposed the devastating inequalities of American society .
From getting a test to staying at home , our team in Los Angeles found that facing a pandemic is a very different experience for those with money .
Valérie Defert , Alyssa Caverley and Pierrick Leurent report .

This week we're bringing you a special edition of Inside the Americas from the United States to show how the country is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. We go to Baltimore to see why African Americans are disproportionately affected by Covid-19. We then head to the epicentre of the US outbreak, New York City. Finally, in Los Angeles, we’ll show you what money can buy during a pandemic.
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The US now has the world's highest number of coronavirus cases and deaths. And early data show that one demographic group is being hit harder than others: African Americans. Louisiana’s numbers are the most staggering, with black people making up more than 70 percent of deaths despite representing just a third of the population. The explanation lies in decades of racial inequality leaving black Americans more exposed, more at risk and less informed to face the virus, as we found out in Baltimore. Fanny Allard, Matthieu Mabin and Kéthévane Gorjestani report.
Businesses across the country have been forced to shut down, resulting in millions of American workers being laid off. Nearly 17 million lost their job in March, and millions more are expected to follow. Despite help provided through the recent stimulus packages, many Americans are now turning to food banks and charity to survive. That's especially true in New York City, the epicentre of the US outbreak, where Jessica Le Masurier and Celine Bruneau met New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet.
"Everyone is subject to this virus. I don't care how smart, how rich or how powerful you think you are." Those were the words of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo last month. But far from being the "equaliser" some expected, the coronavirus has exposed the devastating inequalities of American society. From getting a test to staying at home, our team in Los Angeles found that facing a pandemic is a very different experience for those with money. Valérie Defert, Alyssa Caverley and Pierrick Leurent report.
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france24--2020-04-16--Chilean author Luis Sepulveda dies from Covid-19 in northern Spain

The acclaimed Chilean writer Luis Sepulveda has died at a hospital in northern Spain some six weeks after testing positive for coronavirus , his publishing house said on Thursday .
He was 70 .
`` The writer Luis Sepúlveda has died in Oviedo , '' said a statement by Barcelona-based Tusquets , adding it `` deeply regretted his loss '' .
The best-selling Chilean author and activist , who spent much of his life in exile in Europe , was taken to hospital on February 25 after first showing Covid-19 symptoms upon returning from a book festival in Portugal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was in critical condition , but since then , no further details had been made public at the family 's request .
`` Health workers gave everything to save his life but he never got over the illness .
My condolences to his wife and family , '' tweeted Adrian Barbon , president of the Asturias region , where the author had lived for the past 20 years .
Born on October 1949 in Ovalle , north of the Chilean capital Santiago , Sepulveda became a political activist when he was young @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and then with the Socialists .
He was jailed and tortured by the Pinochet regime after a US-backed military coup overthrew Chile 's democracy in 1973 , but was freed two-and-half years later after Amnesty International intervened .
Sepulveda was exiled in 1977 and travelled extensively before settling in Europe , where he became fluent in French , Italian and English .
He rose to international prominence in the late 1980s with his first novel `` The Old Man Who Read Love Stories '' , and went on to write some 20 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's books .
Known for their grace , simple humour and depictions of ordinary life in Latin America , his works have been translated into multiple languages .

The acclaimed Chilean writer Luis Sepulveda has died at a hospital in northern Spain some six weeks after testing positive for coronavirus, his publishing house said on Thursday. He was 70.
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"The writer Luis Sepúlveda has died in Oviedo," said a statement by Barcelona-based Tusquets, adding it "deeply regretted his loss".
The best-selling Chilean author and activist, who spent much of his life in exile in Europe, was taken to hospital on February 25 after first showing Covid-19 symptoms upon returning from a book festival in Portugal.
By March 10, local newspapers reported he was in critical condition, but since then, no further details had been made public at the family's request.
"Health workers gave everything to save his life but he never got over the illness. My condolences to his wife and family," tweeted Adrian Barbon, president of the Asturias region, where the author had lived for the past 20 years.
The Chilean author Luis Sepúlveda has died, aged 70, of coronavirus.
He was emprisoned by Pinochet and ended up in exile in Hamburg then went to live in Asturias.
Patagonia Express is a master class in memoir and Name Of A Bullfighter great on exile and belonging.
Really sad. https://t.co/e3vhAIqP9Q — Rachel McCormack (@R_McCormack) April 16, 2020
Born on October 1949 in Ovalle, north of the Chilean capital Santiago, Sepulveda became a political activist when he was young, first with Chile's Communist Youth, and then with the Socialists.
He was jailed and tortured by the Pinochet regime after a US-backed military coup overthrew Chile's democracy in 1973, but was freed two-and-half years later after Amnesty International intervened.
Sepulveda was exiled in 1977 and travelled extensively before settling in Europe, where he became fluent in French, Italian and English.
He rose to international prominence in the late 1980s with his first novel "The Old Man Who Read Love Stories", and went on to write some 20 novels, chronicles, stories and children's books.
Known for their grace, simple humour and depictions of ordinary life in Latin America, his works have been translated into multiple languages.
Sad to learn about the death of Chilean writer, journalist and movie maker Luis Sepúlveda. A champion of the underprivileged. A man of the left. RIP. pic.twitter.com/cbnwbdxlTi — PES 🌹🇪🇺 (@PES_PSE) April 16, 2020
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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france24--2020-04-15--Covid-19: Trump says US 'passed the peak', plans to lift some restrictions

Members of the Gutierrez family mourn graveside , during a non customary military burial service amid an outbreak of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) , for Robert Gutierrez , who was given a Purple Heart award for serving in the Vietnam War and passed away of a non-coronavirus related death , at the Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin , California , U.S. , April 3 , 2020 .
The family was given limited social distance to the casket , only ten members allowed to attend the funeral and a ceremonial U.S. flag wasn ’ t given due to precautions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said the United States was past the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and he would announce guidelines for reopening the country on Thursday .
US coronavirus deaths increased by a record number for the second day in a row , rising by 2,569 on Wednesday , based on data from Johns Hopkins University .
The United States recorded its first coronavirus fatality on Feb. 29 .
It took 38 days to reach 10,000 deaths and just nine more days to go from 10,000 fatalities to 30,000 .
The previous highest single-day death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ topped 635,000 in the US and 2 million globally .
Despite the spike in fatalities , there were tentative signs in some parts of the country that the outbreak was beginning to ebb .
Governors of about 20 states with fewer coronavirus cases believe they may be ready to start the process of reopening their economies by President Donald Trump 's May 1 target date , a top U.S. health official said on Wednesday .
Governors in harder-hit states - New York , California , Louisiana , New Jersey , Massachusetts and Michigan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more widespread testing before starting to end the coronavirus shutdown , which has thrown millions out of work and closed restaurants , businesses and schools .
Health officials have noted that death figures are a lagging indicator of the outbreak , coming after the most severely ill patients fall sick , and do not mean stay-at-home restrictions are failing to curb transmissions .
New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalisations and numbers of patients on ventilators , although frontline healthcare workers and resources remained under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that figures for coronavirus-related deaths are likely inaccurate due to people dying at home or in nursing homes who were never tested for the virus .
Trump said Wednesday the United States is past the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and that he will announce guidelines for reopening the economy on Thursday .
`` It is clear that our aggressive strategy is working , '' he told a news conference .
`` The battle continues but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases . ''
Trump added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country . ''
He said he would discuss this in a news conference on Thursday , `` announcing guidelines . ''
Facing a tough re-election in November , the Republican president has been bullish on reopening the world 's largest economy as soon as possible .
On Monday , he threatened to invoke his `` total '' power to force state governors to follow his directives on reopening , prompting an outcry .
He backpedaled on the comment the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to put `` any pressure '' on governors to reopen .
`` We 'll be opening up states , some states much sooner than others , '' Trump said during his Wednesday briefing .
`` We think some of the states can open up before the deadline of May 1 . ''
`` We 'll be the comeback kids , all of us . ''
Anthony Fauci , the veteran US pandemic expert , said in a televised interview Sunday that parts of the country could begin easing restrictions in May , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like a `` light switch . ''

President Donald Trump said the United States was past the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and he would announce guidelines for reopening the country on Thursday.
Members of the Gutierrez family mourn graveside, during a non customary military burial service amid an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), for Robert Gutierrez, who was given a Purple Heart award for serving in the Vietnam War and passed away of a non-coronavirus related death, at the Bakersfield National Cemetery in Arvin, California, U.S., April 3, 2020. The family was given limited social distance to the casket, only ten members allowed to attend the funeral and a ceremonial U.S. flag wasn’t given due to precautions from the coronavirus.
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US coronavirus deaths increased by a record number for the second day in a row, rising by 2,569 on Wednesday, based on data from Johns Hopkins University.
The United States recorded its first coronavirus fatality on Feb. 29. It took 38 days to reach 10,000 deaths and just nine more days to go from 10,000 fatalities to 30,000. The previous highest single-day death toll was 2,364 on Tuesday.
Confirmed cases topped 635,000 in the US and 2 million globally.
Despite the spike in fatalities, there were tentative signs in some parts of the country that the outbreak was beginning to ebb.
Governors of about 20 states with fewer coronavirus cases believe they may be ready to start the process of reopening their economies by President Donald Trump's May 1 target date, a top U.S. health official said on Wednesday.
Governors in harder-hit states - New York, California, Louisiana, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Michigan - said there was a need for more widespread testing before starting to end the coronavirus shutdown, which has thrown millions out of work and closed restaurants, businesses and schools.
Health officials have noted that death figures are a lagging indicator of the outbreak, coming after the most severely ill patients fall sick, and do not mean stay-at-home restrictions are failing to curb transmissions.
New York state and some other hard-hit areas continue to report sharp decreases in hospitalisations and numbers of patients on ventilators, although frontline healthcare workers and resources remained under extraordinary stress.
Officials have also cautioned that figures for coronavirus-related deaths are likely inaccurate due to people dying at home or in nursing homes who were never tested for the virus.
'Passed the Peak'
Trump said Wednesday the United States is past the worst of the coronavirus pandemic and that he will announce guidelines for reopening the economy on Thursday.
"It is clear that our aggressive strategy is working," he told a news conference. "The battle continues but the data suggests that nationwide we have passed the peak on new cases."
Trump added that "these encouraging developments have put us in a very strong position to finalize guidelines for states on reopening the country."
He said he would discuss this in a news conference on Thursday, "announcing guidelines."
Facing a tough re-election in November, the Republican president has been bullish on reopening the world's largest economy as soon as possible.
On Monday, he threatened to invoke his "total" power to force state governors to follow his directives on reopening, prompting an outcry.
He backpedaled on the comment the following day, saying he was not going to put "any pressure" on governors to reopen.
"We'll be opening up states, some states much sooner than others," Trump said during his Wednesday briefing. "We think some of the states can open up before the deadline of May 1."
"We'll be the comeback kids, all of us."
Anthony Fauci, the veteran US pandemic expert, said in a televised interview Sunday that parts of the country could begin easing restrictions in May, but cautioned that reopening would not work like a "light switch."
(FRANCE 24 with AFP and REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-16--UN chief calls for global cooperation to speed up Covid-19 vaccine

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned about an 'epidemic of misinformation ' surrounding the coronavirus outbreak A Covid-19 vaccine may be the only thing that can bring back `` normalcy , '' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday , hoping for just that before the end of the year .
`` A safe and effective vaccine may be the only tool that can return the world to a sense of 'normalcy , ' saving millions of lives and countless trillions of dollars , '' he added during a video conference with the 50 or so African countries that are members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for its accelerated development and accessibility to all , adding it must have a `` universal global benefit '' and `` allow us to control the pandemic . ''
`` We need an ambitious effort to ensure that international stakeholders operate through a harmonized , integrated and leveraged approach to maximize the speed and scale needed for the universal deployment of such a vaccine by the end of 2020 , '' he insisted .
Guterres said his appeal on March 25 for $ 2 billion in donations for a comprehensive UN humanitarian response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 20 percent of that amount .
Through the World Health Organization , the United Nations has been able to equip 47 African countries with Covid-19 tests , he said .
The UN chief also praised the efforts of several African governments to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic .
He cited Uganda , which has given businesses more time to file their tax returns ; Namibia , which provides emergency income for workers who have lost their jobs ; Cape Verde , which provides food aid ; and Egypt , which has @ @ @ @ @

A Covid-19 vaccine may be the only thing that can bring back "normalcy," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Wednesday, hoping for just that before the end of the year.
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"A safe and effective vaccine may be the only tool that can return the world to a sense of 'normalcy,' saving millions of lives and countless trillions of dollars," he added during a video conference with the 50 or so African countries that are members of the United Nations.
He called for its accelerated development and accessibility to all, adding it must have a "universal global benefit" and "allow us to control the pandemic."
"We need an ambitious effort to ensure that international stakeholders operate through a harmonized, integrated and leveraged approach to maximize the speed and scale needed for the universal deployment of such a vaccine by the end of 2020," he insisted.
05:00
Guterres said his appeal on March 25 for $2 billion in donations for a comprehensive UN humanitarian response to the pandemic had so far raised about 20 percent of that amount.
Through the World Health Organization, the United Nations has been able to equip 47 African countries with Covid-19 tests, he said.
The UN chief also praised the efforts of several African governments to mitigate the consequences of the pandemic.
He cited Uganda, which has given businesses more time to file their tax returns; Namibia, which provides emergency income for workers who have lost their jobs; Cape Verde, which provides food aid; and Egypt, which has reduced taxation on industries.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-15--Crisis within a crisis: Covid-19 exacerbates food insecurity in Africa

The coronavirus pandemic risks disrupting food supplies to hundreds of millions of people across Africa .
Efforts to contain the @ @ @ @ @ food insecurity that was already gripping parts of the continent before the health emergency .
@ @ @ @ @ 's Director of Emergencies , Dominique Burgeon .
We also take a closer look at @ @ @ @ @ Meanwhile , the UN warns that Saudi Arabia 's mass deportations of Ethiopians could lead @ @ @ @ @ as hundreds of people are crammed into quarantine centres .
It 's thought thousands have @ @ @ @ @ alone .
And the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on religious gatherings across @ @ @ @ @ , many of the faithful are still taking the risk of coming together to worship @ @ @ @ @ report .

The coronavirus pandemic risks disrupting food supplies to hundreds of millions of people across Africa. Efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19 may exacerbate food insecurity that was already gripping parts of the continent before the health emergency. We speak to the FAO's Director of Emergencies, Dominique Burgeon. We also take a closer look at the situation in Kenya.
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Meanwhile, the UN warns that Saudi Arabia's mass deportations of Ethiopians could lead to the spread of infection as hundreds of people are crammed into quarantine centres. It's thought thousands have been sent back this month alone.
And the coronavirus pandemic has had a huge impact on religious gatherings across the continent. In Mali, many of the faithful are still taking the risk of coming together to worship at mosques. Our correspondents report.
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france24--2020-04-16--Emerging from virus lockdown, Wuhan's 'wet markets' face uncertain future

At a large food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan , signs forbid the selling of wild animals and live fowl , while announcements calling for `` victory '' over COVID-19 play on a loop from speakers .
China 's `` wet markets '' have been slammed internationally as the coronavirus roils the world , with the disease having seemingly emerged from stalls selling live game in Wuhan late last year .
The government has since banned the sale of wildlife for food , but the reopening of markets has drawn criticism from around the world as the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Shut down during the lengthy quarantine that sealed off Wuhan until April 8 , the city 's markets are now fighting for survival as customers have not been rushing back .
`` There 's no question , we 're doomed this year , '' spice seller Yang , who runs a stall at the massive Baishazhou wholesale market , told AFP .
`` There have never been so few people at our market . ''
Yang , whose sales have fallen by a third from before the lockdown , dismissed criticism of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ panic '' .
One market remains closed : The Huanan Seafood Market that sold a range of exotic wildlife and is suspected to be the cradle of the virus that jumped from animals to humans .
Wet markets are popular venues to buy fresh meat , vegetables and fish across Asia -- most selling common , everyday produce to locals at affordable prices .
Most do n't sell live animals , although some do .
During visits to three Wuhan markets this week , AFP saw live turtles , frogs , fish and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or mammals blamed for past diseases .
Workers at Baishazhou said they were now required to disinfect their stalls several times a day .
Yang keeps multiple bottles of disinfectant in her small office , alongside a box of masks .
Nevertheless , Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this week the decision to reopen wet markets was `` unfathomable '' .
`` We need to protect the world against potential sources of outbreaks of these types of viruses , '' he told Australian TV .
The top medical specialist for the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ News earlier this month that wet markets should be shut down `` right away . ''
The nationalistic state-run Global Times launched a strident defence of China 's wet markets on Tuesday , attacking `` preconceived ideas '' and `` ridiculous requests '' to close them .
While the World Health Organization has said governments must ban the sale of exotic wildlife and enforce food safety regulations , it has not called for any wet markets to be closed .
Vendors at Wuhan 's markets say unaffordable rents and the lingering effects of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than the threat of contagion .
`` Business is very bad , '' said Zhang Zhizhen , a duck meat seller at Lanling market .
`` It 's because of the epidemic — there are still very few people on the streets . ''
Most Wuhan market sellers who spoke to AFP said they never sold wild animals .
But at the city 's Tiansheng market , two freshwater produce sellers who declined to give their names said they had to stop selling certain types of frogs and turtles because of the new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ income , but we have to overcome this .
It ca n't be helped , '' one seller said .
Low foot traffic at the market , which has locked all but one entrance and only allows customers in after a temperature check , remains their main concern .
`` We do n't know if we can survive , '' the other seller said .
`` Do you see anyone here ? ''
Shoppers on the streets of Wuhan appeared unperturbed by criticisms of the city 's wet markets as dirty and dangerous @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for choosing supermarkets instead .
One 40-year-old supermarket shopper surnamed Chen told AFP that she thinks the food at wet markets is `` good and cheap . ''
She rejected criticism that China 's markets are unhygienic , saying it `` just is n't true . ''
`` Their stuff is always fresh , '' she said .
People in China traditionally prefer buying fresh food — as opposed to frozen or packaged food — although supermarkets have been vying to steal away consumers in recent years .
In 2019 , the majority @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shop at supermarkets compared to other types of food shops , according to Chinese research firm iiMedia .
`` There are just more things at supermarkets , '' Jiang Yonghui , a 20-year-old Wuhan resident , told AFP .
`` I do n't think there 's any hygiene difference . ''

At a large food market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, signs forbid the selling of wild animals and live fowl, while announcements calling for "victory" over COVID-19 play on a loop from speakers.
Advertising Read more
China's "wet markets" have been slammed internationally as the coronavirus roils the world, with the disease having seemingly emerged from stalls selling live game in Wuhan late last year.
The government has since banned the sale of wildlife for food, but the reopening of markets has drawn criticism from around the world as the death toll from the pandemic continues to mount.
Shut down during the lengthy quarantine that sealed off Wuhan until April 8, the city's markets are now fighting for survival as customers have not been rushing back.
"There's no question, we're doomed this year," spice seller Yang, who runs a stall at the massive Baishazhou wholesale market, told AFP. "There have never been so few people at our market."
Yang, whose sales have fallen by a third from before the lockdown, dismissed criticism of markets as virus hotbeds as "unnecessary panic".
A resident pays for groceries by standing on a tree stump to peer over barriers set up to ring-fence a wet market on a street in Wuhan on April 1, 2020. © Aly Song, REUTERS
One market remains closed: The Huanan Seafood Market that sold a range of exotic wildlife and is suspected to be the cradle of the virus that jumped from animals to humans.
Wet markets are popular venues to buy fresh meat, vegetables and fish across Asia -- most selling common, everyday produce to locals at affordable prices.
Most don't sell live animals, although some do.
During visits to three Wuhan markets this week, AFP saw live turtles, frogs, fish and crustaceans for sale, but no fowl or mammals blamed for past diseases.
Workers at Baishazhou said they were now required to disinfect their stalls several times a day. Yang keeps multiple bottles of disinfectant in her small office, alongside a box of masks.
Nevertheless, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said this week the decision to reopen wet markets was "unfathomable".
"We need to protect the world against potential sources of outbreaks of these types of viruses," he told Australian TV.
The top medical specialist for the US government, Anthony Fauci, told Fox News earlier this month that wet markets should be shut down "right away."
'Doomed'
The nationalistic state-run Global Times launched a strident defence of China's wet markets on Tuesday, attacking "preconceived ideas" and "ridiculous requests" to close them.
While the World Health Organization has said governments must ban the sale of exotic wildlife and enforce food safety regulations, it has not called for any wet markets to be closed.
Vendors at Wuhan's markets say unaffordable rents and the lingering effects of the citywide shutdown are more immediate concerns than the threat of contagion.
"Business is very bad," said Zhang Zhizhen, a duck meat seller at Lanling market. "It's because of the epidemic — there are still very few people on the streets."
Most Wuhan market sellers who spoke to AFP said they never sold wild animals.
But at the city's Tiansheng market, two freshwater produce sellers who declined to give their names said they had to stop selling certain types of frogs and turtles because of the new rules.
"This definitely affects our income, but we have to overcome this. It can't be helped," one seller said.
Low foot traffic at the market, which has locked all but one entrance and only allows customers in after a temperature check, remains their main concern.
"We don't know if we can survive," the other seller said. "Do you see anyone here?"
Supermarket competition
Shoppers on the streets of Wuhan appeared unperturbed by criticisms of the city's wet markets as dirty and dangerous, instead citing convenience as the reason for choosing supermarkets instead.
One 40-year-old supermarket shopper surnamed Chen told AFP that she thinks the food at wet markets is "good and cheap."
She rejected criticism that China's markets are unhygienic, saying it "just isn't true."
"Their stuff is always fresh," she said.
People in China traditionally prefer buying fresh food — as opposed to frozen or packaged food — although supermarkets have been vying to steal away consumers in recent years.
In 2019, the majority of Chinese people said they preferred to shop at supermarkets compared to other types of food shops, according to Chinese research firm iiMedia.
"There are just more things at supermarkets," Jiang Yonghui, a 20-year-old Wuhan resident, told AFP. "I don't think there's any hygiene difference."
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-16--Twenty French sailors in hospital after aircraft carrier's Covid-19 outbreak

Around 20 French sailors remain in hospital following a large outbreak of the coronavirus in the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle 's naval group , a spokesman for the French navy said on Thursday .
`` There are about 20 at the moment in hospital .
Out of the 20 , one is in intensive care and in a stable condition , '' spokesman Eric Lavault told RMC radio .
On Wednesday , the French armed forces ministry said 1,767 marines — nearly all from the Charles de Gaulle carrier itself — had been evaluated and at least 668 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Charles de Gaulle set sail for the eastern Mediterranean on Jan. 21 to support French military operations against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria , before deploying to the Atlantic and then the Baltic .
There it participated in exercises with northern European navies in the Baltic Sea before returning to Toulon two weeks earlier than planned after crew members showed signs of Covid-19 symptoms .
The carrier which had helicopters and fighter jets on board , was accompanied by two frigates — one for aerial defence and the other an anti-submarine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the frigates and the pilots who returned the aircraft to their respective bases , have all been placed in isolation for 14 days , the ministry said .
There had been no virus outbreak on the other frigate .

Around 20 French sailors remain in hospital following a large outbreak of the coronavirus in the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle's naval group, a spokesman for the French navy said on Thursday.
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"There are about 20 at the moment in hospital. Out of the 20, one is in intensive care and in a stable condition," spokesman Eric Lavault told RMC radio.
On Wednesday, the French armed forces ministry said 1,767 marines — nearly all from the Charles de Gaulle carrier itself — had been evaluated and at least 668 had tested positive for the virus.
The Charles de Gaulle set sail for the eastern Mediterranean on Jan. 21 to support French military operations against Islamist militants in Iraq and Syria, before deploying to the Atlantic and then the Baltic.
There it participated in exercises with northern European navies in the Baltic Sea before returning to Toulon two weeks earlier than planned after crew members showed signs of Covid-19 symptoms.
The carrier which had helicopters and fighter jets on board, was accompanied by two frigates — one for aerial defence and the other an anti-submarine vessel.
Sailors from the Charles-de-Gaulle, one of the frigates and the pilots who returned the aircraft to their respective bases, have all been placed in isolation for 14 days, the ministry said.
There had been no virus outbreak on the other frigate.
(FRANCE 24 with REUTERS, AFP)
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france24--2020-04-16--Israel talks to drag on as Netanyahu and Gantz miss coalition deadline

Israel rivals Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz shake hands as they attend a memorial ceremony for the late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin on November 10 , 2019 .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz missed a midnight deadline to reach a unity government deal but agreed early on Thursday to continue talks .
Even the medical and economic crises brought on by the coronavirus outbreak have so far failed to end an unprecedented political deadlock that has pushed Israel into three inconclusive elections in the last year , and perhaps now a fourth .
Gantz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal that would keep the right-wing premier in office for another 18 months , Israeli media reported .
Under the arrangement , centrist former general Gantz would take over after that .
Gantz , a relative newcomer to politics , was given the first chance to put together a government after the most recent election , in March .
President Reuven Rivlin , who is overseeing the talks , said on Monday that progress justified his decision to grant Gantz a two-day extension to hash out a deal with Netanyahu .
But Gantz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a last-minute attempt by the two leaders ' envoys to clinch a deal .
That complicates plans for economic recovery once the coronavirus outbreak is brought under control , and the country 's stringent lockdown is eased .
Without a deal , it will be up to parliament to pick a candidate who would then have 14 days to form a government .
Failure to do so would automatically dissolve parliament and trigger a snap election .
Netanyahu and Gantz released a joint statement early on Thursday saying they would continue negotiations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can continue until parliament is formally dissolved .
Gantz had previously said he would not serve in a government led by Netanyahu , who is facing indictment on corruption charges but denies any wrongdoing .
The trial is due to begin next month .
But the enormity of the coronavirus crisis prompted Gantz to break his campaign promise and to consider a deal , a move that angered many of his anti-Netanyahu supporters .
The outcome appeared to weaken Gantz while strengthening Netanyahu , whose caretaker government is overseeing the country 's response @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poll from Israel 's Channel 12 news said that if an election were held now , Netanyahu 's Likud party would see a four-seat boost to 40 in the 120-member Knesset , while Gantz 's weakened Blue and White party would win only 19 .
The poll also found that some 64 % of citizens were satisfied with Netanyahu 's handling of the pandemic .
Israel has reported over 12,500 COVID-19 cases and at least 130 deaths .
Restrictions have confined most Israelis to their homes , forcing businesses to close and sending @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his main rival Benny Gantz missed a midnight deadline to reach a unity government deal but agreed early on Thursday to continue talks.
Israel rivals Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz shake hands as they attend a memorial ceremony for the late prime minister Yitzhak Rabin on November 10, 2019.
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Even the medical and economic crises brought on by the coronavirus outbreak have so far failed to end an unprecedented political deadlock that has pushed Israel into three inconclusive elections in the last year, and perhaps now a fourth.
Gantz and Netanyahu have been negotiating a power-sharing deal that would keep the right-wing premier in office for another 18 months, Israeli media reported.
Under the arrangement, centrist former general Gantz would take over after that.
Gantz, a relative newcomer to politics, was given the first chance to put together a government after the most recent election, in March.
President Reuven Rivlin, who is overseeing the talks, said on Monday that progress justified his decision to grant Gantz a two-day extension to hash out a deal with Netanyahu.
But Gantz's mandate expired at midnight on Wednesday after a last-minute attempt by the two leaders' envoys to clinch a deal. That complicates plans for economic recovery once the coronavirus outbreak is brought under control, and the country's stringent lockdown is eased.
Without a deal, it will be up to parliament to pick a candidate who would then have 14 days to form a government. Failure to do so would automatically dissolve parliament and trigger a snap election.
Netanyahu and Gantz released a joint statement early on Thursday saying they would continue negotiations later in the day. Talks technically can continue until parliament is formally dissolved.
Gantz had previously said he would not serve in a government led by Netanyahu, who is facing indictment on corruption charges but denies any wrongdoing. The trial is due to begin next month.
But the enormity of the coronavirus crisis prompted Gantz to break his campaign promise and to consider a deal, a move that angered many of his anti-Netanyahu supporters.
The outcome appeared to weaken Gantz while strengthening Netanyahu, whose caretaker government is overseeing the country's response to the coronavirus crisis.
A Monday poll from Israel's Channel 12 news said that if an election were held now, Netanyahu's Likud party would see a four-seat boost to 40 in the 120-member Knesset, while Gantz's weakened Blue and White party would win only 19.
The poll also found that some 64% of citizens were satisfied with Netanyahu's handling of the pandemic.
Israel has reported over 12,500 COVID-19 cases and at least 130 deaths. Restrictions have confined most Israelis to their homes, forcing businesses to close and sending unemployment to more than 25%.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-16--Germany set to be European pioneer in partially lifting Covid-19 restrictions

German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a news conference after discussing with German state premiers on whether to prolong or phase-out the lockdown to combat COVID-19 at the Chancellery in Berlin , Germany , April 15 , 2020 , as the spread of the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) continues in Munich .
Germany has drawn up a list of steps , including mandatory mask-wearing in public , limits on gatherings and the rapid tracing of infection chains , to help enable a phased return to normal life after its coronavirus lockdown is set to end on April 19 .
Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic , becoming the first major European nation to take on the delicate task of reopening without triggering a new wave of infections .
As US President Donald Trump came under increasing fire for ordering a freeze on American funding for the World Health Organization , the Group of 20 ( G20 ) announced a one-year debt moratorium for the world 's poorest nations .
The number of COVID-19 cases around the globe soared past two million , meanwhile , according to an AFP tally , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the largest of several European countries announcing tentative steps on Wednesday to reopen their economies and societies .
Denmark began reopening schools for younger children after a month-long closure and Finland lifted a two-week rail and road blockade on the Helsinki region .
Lithuania said it would allow smaller shops to reopen from Thursday .
Other countries are also tweaking confinement rules , with Iran set to let some small businesses reopen and India allowing millions of rural people to return to work .
In South Korea , people went to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show of support for President Moon Jae-in , commending his handling of the epidemic .
Once home to the world 's second-largest outbreak , South Korea has largely brought the virus under control through widespread testing , contact-tracing and social distancing .
Yet a full-scale return to normality still appears a long way off in most other countries .
Harvard scientists have warned that repeated periods of social distancing could be needed as far ahead as 2022 to avoid overwhelming hospitals .
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez , who has allowed work to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , warned that `` nothing will be the same until a vaccine is found . ''
Belgium extended its stay-at-home order until at least May 3 and banned mass gatherings until the end of August .
In Germany , Chancellor Angela Merkel announced first steps in undoing coronavirus restrictions that have plunged the economy into a recession .
Most shops will be allowed to open once they have `` plans to maintain hygiene '' although schools must stay closed until May 4 and a ban on large public events will remain in place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to proceed with extreme caution , '' Merkel told reporters in Berlin .
Schools will gradually be reopened with priority given to pupils about to take leaving examinations .
And the government urged people to wear face masks when out shopping or on public transport , but stopped short of making it a requirement like in neighbouring Austria .
Offering a lifeline for the world 's poorest countries , the G20 -- a group of the world 's leading economies -- said it would temporarily suspend debt repayments from the most impoverished nations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than $ 20 billion for those countries to focus on the pandemic and will last at least a year , according to Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan .
But the global economic outlook remains gloomy , with Germany already in recession and US industrial output declining by 6.3 percent -- its biggest fall in seven decades .
More than a third of French workers are on temporary unemployment , the government said .
The virus death toll topped 17,000 in France but in a hopeful sign hospitalizations went down for the first time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic downturn in a century , which the IMF has said could see $ 9 trillion wiped from the global economy .
As the world tries to chart a way out of the crisis , Trump came in for criticism for his freeze on payments to the WHO , the UN 's health agency .
`` No doubt , areas for improvement will be identified and there will be lessons for all of us to learn , '' WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said .
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned Trump 's move @ @ @ @ @ @ @ WHO contributor , tweeted that cutting funding was `` as dangerous as it sounds . ''
European allies were similarly disapproving and Washington 's rivals also took aim -- Russia condemning the `` selfish approach '' of the US , and China and Iran blasting the decision .
Trump accused the WHO on Tuesday of `` severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus '' and said it could have been contained if the organisation had accurately assessed the situation in China late last year .
As European nations made tentative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more densely populated countries , governments are still struggling to enforce restrictions on movement that are piling misery on the needy .
Fears over hunger and possible social unrest are especially acute in parts of Africa and Latin America .
In Cape Town , clashes erupted Tuesday as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at residents protesting access to food aid .
A similar crisis is taking hold in Ecuador , where hunger trumps fear of the virus for residents in rundown areas of the badly affected city of Guayaquil .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to send people running , but how do you say to a poor person 'Stay home ' if you do n't have enough to eat ? ''
said Carlos Valencia , a 35-year-old teacher .

Germany has drawn up a list of steps, including mandatory mask-wearing in public, limits on gatherings and the rapid tracing of infection chains, to help enable a phased return to normal life after its coronavirus lockdown is set to end on April 19.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel holds a news conference after discussing with German state premiers on whether to prolong or phase-out the lockdown to combat COVID-19 at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2020, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues in Munich.
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Germany on Wednesday unveiled plans to lift some restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus pandemic, becoming the first major European nation to take on the delicate task of reopening without triggering a new wave of infections.
As US President Donald Trump came under increasing fire for ordering a freeze on American funding for the World Health Organization, the Group of 20 (G20) announced a one-year debt moratorium for the world's poorest nations.
The number of COVID-19 cases around the globe soared past two million, meanwhile, according to an AFP tally, and the death toll topped 131,000.
Germany was the largest of several European countries announcing tentative steps on Wednesday to reopen their economies and societies.
Denmark began reopening schools for younger children after a month-long closure and Finland lifted a two-week rail and road blockade on the Helsinki region.
Lithuania said it would allow smaller shops to reopen from Thursday.
Other countries are also tweaking confinement rules, with Iran set to let some small businesses reopen and India allowing millions of rural people to return to work.
In South Korea, people went to the polls on Wednesday and delivered a strong show of support for President Moon Jae-in, commending his handling of the epidemic.
Once home to the world's second-largest outbreak, South Korea has largely brought the virus under control through widespread testing, contact-tracing and social distancing.
Yet a full-scale return to normality still appears a long way off in most other countries.
Harvard scientists have warned that repeated periods of social distancing could be needed as far ahead as 2022 to avoid overwhelming hospitals.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who has allowed work to restart in some factories and building sites, warned that "nothing will be the same until a vaccine is found."
Belgium extended its stay-at-home order until at least May 3 and banned mass gatherings until the end of August.
'Extreme caution'
In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel announced first steps in undoing coronavirus restrictions that have plunged the economy into a recession.
Most shops will be allowed to open once they have "plans to maintain hygiene" although schools must stay closed until May 4 and a ban on large public events will remain in place until August 31.
"We have to proceed with extreme caution," Merkel told reporters in Berlin.
Schools will gradually be reopened with priority given to pupils about to take leaving examinations.
And the government urged people to wear face masks when out shopping or on public transport, but stopped short of making it a requirement like in neighbouring Austria.
Offering a lifeline for the world's poorest countries, the G20 -- a group of the world's leading economies -- said it would temporarily suspend debt repayments from the most impoverished nations.
The reprieve will free up more than $20 billion for those countries to focus on the pandemic and will last at least a year, according to Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan.
But the global economic outlook remains gloomy, with Germany already in recession and US industrial output declining by 6.3 percent -- its biggest fall in seven decades.
More than a third of French workers are on temporary unemployment, the government said.
The virus death toll topped 17,000 in France but in a hopeful sign hospitalizations went down for the first time.
On the horizon looms the worst economic downturn in a century, which the IMF has said could see $9 trillion wiped from the global economy.
'Lessons'
As the world tries to chart a way out of the crisis, Trump came in for criticism for his freeze on payments to the WHO, the UN's health agency.
"No doubt, areas for improvement will be identified and there will be lessons for all of us to learn," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned Trump's move while billionaire Bill Gates, a major WHO contributor, tweeted that cutting funding was "as dangerous as it sounds."
European allies were similarly disapproving and Washington's rivals also took aim -- Russia condemning the "selfish approach" of the US, and China and Iran blasting the decision.
Trump accused the WHO on Tuesday of "severely mismanaging and covering up the spread of the coronavirus" and said it could have been contained if the organisation had accurately assessed the situation in China late last year.
As European nations made tentative moves to open up, in poorer and more densely populated countries, governments are still struggling to enforce restrictions on movement that are piling misery on the needy.
Fears over hunger and possible social unrest are especially acute in parts of Africa and Latin America.
In Cape Town, clashes erupted Tuesday as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas at residents protesting access to food aid.
A similar crisis is taking hold in Ecuador, where hunger trumps fear of the virus for residents in rundown areas of the badly affected city of Guayaquil.
"The police come with a whip to send people running, but how do you say to a poor person 'Stay home' if you don't have enough to eat?" said Carlos Valencia, a 35-year-old teacher.
(AFP)
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france24--2020-04-15--S. Korean ruling party wins landslide election on strength of virus response

National Election Commission officials count ballots for the parliamentary elections , amid the coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) outbreak , in Seoul , South Korea , April 15 , 2020 .
South Korean President Moon Jae-in 's ruling party won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections , results on Thursday showed , a landslide victory propelled by successes in the country 's efforts to contain the new coronavirus .
The election was watched around the world as one of the first nationwide votes since the pandemic began .
Authorities took stringent safety measures , disinfecting all 14,000 polling stations and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their temperatures checked , use hand sanitizer and plastic gloves and maintain a safe distance from others .
Driven by record high participation in early voting over the weekend , turnout was 66.2 % , higher than any parliamentary elections held since 1992 , according to the National Election Commission .
About 2,800 coronavirus patients were allowed to vote by mail or in person , using special booths , while more than 13,000 in self-quarantine cast their ballots after polls closed .
Approval ratings for Moon and his Democratic Party took a serious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outbreak outside of China hit South Korea , which was already reeling from a stagnant economy and a series of domestic political scandals .
But since then , the administration 's largely successful campaign against the virus provided a boon in popularity for Moon and his progressive party .
The ruling camp secured 180 seats in the 300-member , single-chamber parliament , up from the current 120 .
The main conservative opposition coalition won 103 seats , according to the National Election Commission .
`` The people empowered our desperate efforts to overcome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Moon said in a statement , thanking citizens for complying with safety guidance and the high voter turnout .
Former prime minister Lee Nak-yon , who ran the ruling party 's campaign , said in a televised speech the victory was a `` strict command '' from the voters to tackle the virus and minimise its economic impact .
A ruling party majority in parliament will help Moon to press ahead with his agenda in his final two years in office , including looser fiscal policies aimed at creating jobs , a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Korea .
The Democratic Party got a boost from the greater Seoul metropolitan area , where it seized more than 80 % of seats up for grabs .
One setback was in the swanky Gangnam district , where a former North Korean diplomat defector standing for the main opposition conservative party beat out a four-term ruling party lawmaker by nearly a 20 % margin .
The United Future Party also swept the region of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province , which was hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak .
The area is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sentiment against the government may have been further fuelled by the initial struggle with the surge in cases there , including controversy over whether a lockdown was necessary .
South Korea has largely managed to bring its epidemic under control without major disruption thanks to an extensive testing campaign and intensive contact tracing , earning praise from the World Health Organization and other nations .
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 22 new coronavirus cases on Thursday , bringing the total number to 10,613 .
The daily tally of new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ past week , mostly people arriving from abroad .
`` Though the situation is still tough , I think the government 's response to the coronavirus , including its preparations for the vote , could have helped in the election , '' said Han Ga-hae , a 28-year-old voter .

South Korean President Moon Jae-in's ruling party won an absolute majority in parliamentary elections, results on Thursday showed, a landslide victory propelled by successes in the country's efforts to contain the new coronavirus.
National Election Commission officials count ballots for the parliamentary elections, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Seoul, South Korea, April 15, 2020.
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The election was watched around the world as one of the first nationwide votes since the pandemic began.
Authorities took stringent safety measures, disinfecting all 14,000 polling stations and requiring voters to wear masks, have their temperatures checked, use hand sanitizer and plastic gloves and maintain a safe distance from others.
Driven by record high participation in early voting over the weekend, turnout was 66.2%, higher than any parliamentary elections held since 1992, according to the National Election Commission.
About 2,800 coronavirus patients were allowed to vote by mail or in person, using special booths, while more than 13,000 in self-quarantine cast their ballots after polls closed.
00:26
Approval ratings for Moon and his Democratic Party took a serious blow in February when the first major outbreak outside of China hit South Korea, which was already reeling from a stagnant economy and a series of domestic political scandals.
But since then, the administration's largely successful campaign against the virus provided a boon in popularity for Moon and his progressive party.
The ruling camp secured 180 seats in the 300-member, single-chamber parliament, up from the current 120. The main conservative opposition coalition won 103 seats, according to the National Election Commission.
"The people empowered our desperate efforts to overcome the national crisis through the election," Moon said in a statement, thanking citizens for complying with safety guidance and the high voter turnout.
Former prime minister Lee Nak-yon, who ran the ruling party's campaign, said in a televised speech the victory was a "strict command" from the voters to tackle the virus and minimise its economic impact.
A ruling party majority in parliament will help Moon to press ahead with his agenda in his final two years in office, including looser fiscal policies aimed at creating jobs, a higher minimum wage and engagement with North Korea.
Defeat in Daegu
The Democratic Party got a boost from the greater Seoul metropolitan area, where it seized more than 80% of seats up for grabs.
One setback was in the swanky Gangnam district, where a former North Korean diplomat defector standing for the main opposition conservative party beat out a four-term ruling party lawmaker by nearly a 20% margin.
The United Future Party also swept the region of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, which was hardest hit by the coronavirus outbreak.
The area is a longtime conservative stronghold and experts say voter sentiment against the government may have been further fuelled by the initial struggle with the surge in cases there, including controversy over whether a lockdown was necessary.
South Korea has largely managed to bring its epidemic under control without major disruption thanks to an extensive testing campaign and intensive contact tracing, earning praise from the World Health Organization and other nations.
The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 22 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, bringing the total number to 10,613.
The daily tally of new cases has hovered around 30 in the past week, mostly people arriving from abroad.
"Though the situation is still tough, I think the government's response to the coronavirus, including its preparations for the vote, could have helped in the election," said Han Ga-hae, a 28-year-old voter.
(REUTERS)
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france24--2020-04-15--Covid-19: France reports 1,438 deaths in 24 hours, sharp increase due to unreported deaths from East

Covid-19: France reports 1,438 deaths in 24 hours, sharp increase due to unreported deaths from Easter

Medical staff , wearing protective suits and face masks , treat a patient suffering from coronavirus disease ( COVID-19 ) in an intensive care unit at the Franco-Britannique hospital in Levallois-Perret near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in France , April 15 , 2020 .
The number of people who died from coronavirus infection in France jumped by 1,438 or 9.1 % to 17,167 in the biggest single-day increase as a number of nursinghomes reported cumulative tolls following the three-day Easter weekend , the health ministry said on Wednesday .
The number of people who died @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % to 10,643 , less than the 541 reported on Tuesday , but the cumulative death toll in nursing homes rose by 924 or 17 % to 6,524 , compared with 221 on Tuesday .
`` This increase is not the mortality rate over 24 hours but is due to a catch-up in reporting of data following the three-day weekend , '' Health Ministry Director Jerome Salomon said .
He said the COVID-19 pandemic is still highly active and called on French people to strictly respect confinement measures .
But he also reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the epidemic , the number of people in hospital for COVID-19 had fallen by 513 or 1.6 % to 31,779 in a sign that the infection rate is slowing and that confinement is working .
`` This is the first fall .
We must welcome it but we must remain careful and await the evolution in the next few days , '' Salomon said .
The number of people in intensive care units ( ICU ) also fell for the seventh day in a row , by 273 or 4.1 % @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the peak of 7,148 seen on April 8 .
In Italy , the number of people in ICU fell for the 12th day in a row on Wednesday and is now at 3,079 , nearly 1,000 below the peak of 4,068 seen early April .
In another sign that the infection rate is slowing , the number of reported coronavirus cases in France rose by 3,217 or just 2.5 % to a total of 133,470 .
The number of confirmed cases rose 2.5 % to 106,206 and the number of probable cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 27,264 .

The number of people who died from coronavirus infection in France jumped by 1,438 or 9.1% to 17,167 in the biggest single-day increase as a number of nursinghomes reported cumulative tolls following the three-day Easter weekend, the health ministry said on Wednesday.
Medical staff, wearing protective suits and face masks, treat a patient suffering from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in an intensive care unit at the Franco-Britannique hospital in Levallois-Perret near Paris as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues in France, April 15, 2020.
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The number of people who died in hospitals rose by 514 or 5% to 10,643, less than the 541 reported on Tuesday, but the cumulative death toll in nursing homes rose by 924 or 17% to 6,524, compared with 221 on Tuesday.
"This increase is not the mortality rate over 24 hours but is due to a catch-up in reporting of data following the three-day weekend," Health Ministry Director Jerome Salomon said.
He said the COVID-19 pandemic is still highly active and called on French people to strictly respect confinement measures.
But he also reported that for the first time since the start of the epidemic, the number of people in hospital for COVID-19 had fallen by 513 or 1.6% to 31,779 in a sign that the infection rate is slowing and that confinement is working.
"This is the first fall. We must welcome it but we must remain careful and await the evolution in the next few days," Salomon said.
The number of people in intensive care units (ICU) also fell for the seventh day in a row, by 273 or 4.1% to 6,457 and now stands well below the peak of 7,148 seen on April 8.
In Italy, the number of people in ICU fell for the 12th day in a row on Wednesday and is now at 3,079, nearly 1,000 below the peak of 4,068 seen early April.
In another sign that the infection rate is slowing, the number of reported coronavirus cases in France rose by 3,217 or just 2.5% to a total of 133,470. The number of confirmed cases rose 2.5% to 106,206 and the number of probable cases in nursing
homes was up 2.2% to 27,264.
(REUTERS)
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