Coronavirus Australia live updates: Tougher law enforcement to hold down case growth
Governments in Australia turn more to police-managed quarantine, fines and jail, while Spain has its worst day.
- Spain’s death toll up by 832 in one day
- Cruise ship Artania suspect cases now 46, WA says
- Premier puts NSW residents on notice
- Victoria announces major crackdown
- 75 coronavirus questions answered
The state and federal governments in Australia are turning to police-managed quarantine measures and the threat of fines and jail to battle coronavirus, with the death toll at 14.
All Australians returning home on cruise ships or international airports from midnight Sunday, and many before that, will live out their 14 days of quarantine in state-funded hotel rooms.
The doors will be guarded by state police, defence personnel or private security guards.
Two-thirds of Australia’s more than 3580 cases had been linked to overseas travel, deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly said on Saturday.
“We really need to get on top of the people that have returned ... from these other countries that had a much wider and worse epidemic of COVID-19 than we currently do here in Australia,” he told reporters, pointing to cruise ships, the US, UK and Italy as key sources.
Dr Kelly said most locally acquired cases have had clear contact with a known case of the novel coronavirus, making quarantine compulsory for returning travellers was very important and supported by the “very best” medical evidence.
NSW has hit 1617 cases, Queensland has notched its 625th case while Victoria recorded its highest daily rise of 111 to reach a total of 685.
The death toll is now 14 after a 91-year-old woman became the fourth resident of Sydney’s Dorothy Henderson Lodge nursing home to die of the virus. That nursing home cluster is now responsible for almost 20 cases.
Victoria on Saturday moved to enforce handing a $1600 ticket to travellers flouting quarantine orders and will now whack businesses breaching mass gatherings restrictions with a fine of up to $9900.
NSW has already hit at least one massage parlour with a $5000 fine and five people - including a recent arrival from Thailand - with $1000 fines for flouting virus orders.
Melbourne councils shut beaches on Saturday, as has happened in Sydney, as Liberal senator Sarah Henderson from Victoria lamented the number of beachgoers on the Bellarine Peninsula and raised the prospect of closing the Great Ocean Road.
“It’s a magnificent day but staying home saves lives,” she tweeted.
Tasmania says it will extend the federal quarantine enforcement to all non- essential travellers, including Tasmanians returning home, arriving in the Apple Isle.
Compulsory quarantine isn’t without a hitch.
Some of the 292 former Norwegian Jewel cruise ship passengers now holed up in Sydney’s Swissotel have complained they have no fresh air and cannot receive food deliveries.
“Prisoners get treated better than we do,” Melissa Ball said in a Facebook group of the quarantined guests.
Meanwhile, private and non-profit hospitals are calling for state and territory governments to help keep their staff employed and wards ready once elective surgeries stop on April 1.
“Hospitals cannot simply close down entire wards and ICUs, then turn them back on at the flick of a switch,” Catholic Health Australia chief executive Pat Garcia said on Saturday.
AAP
11.20pm: Stay away, returned Aussies’ families told
The friends and families of Australians flying into Sydney International Airport have been warned to stay away and told they will not see their loved ones.
NSW Police said all travellers from Sunday morning will be processed discreetly and then taken to their nominated hotels, where they can contact family.
“There are no areas in the Sydney International Airport in which family and friends will be able to see the returned travellers or make contact with them,” a police statement said on Saturday.
“We understand this is unprecedented, but it is a vital step in trying to stop the spread of COVID-19.”
From midnight Sunday, all people flying into international airports in Australia will be forced to spend 14 days in quarantine in state-funded hotel rooms.
AAP
11.10pm: Spain’s death toll up by 832 in one day
Spain is to deploy its armed forces to help transport the bodies of those killed by the coronavirus, the country’s health ministry said on Saturday, as the country recorded its highest single-day death toll.
The Spanish military would have to intervene due to an overwhelming number of dead and the lack of available funeral homes, according to a statement published in the country’s official gazette.
The move came as Spain recorded its highest single-day death toll during the coronavirus pandemic with 832 new fatalities reported in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said.
In total, the number of deaths has risen since Friday to just under 5700, meaning Spain has the second-highest death toll in the world after Italy. The number of cases rose to around 72,000 on Saturday.
The military deployment would last for the duration of the country’s current state of emergency, authorities said.
Last week the Spanish parliament approved extending the measures for a further two weeks until April 11.
Madrid remains the most severely affected region, accounting for almost half of all deaths in the country.
Earlier this week the Spanish capital was forced to convert its ice rink into a morgue due to the sheer number of deaths in the city.
AAP-DPA
10.50pm: Prevention turns violent in parts of Africa
Police fired tear gas at a crowd of Kenyan ferry commuters as the country’s first day of a coronavirus curfew on Friday slid into chaos.
Elsewhere, officers were captured in mobile phone footage whacking people with batons.
Virus prevention measures have taken a violent turn in parts of Africa as countries impose lockdowns and curfews or seal off major cities.
Health experts say the virus’ spread, though still at an early stage, resembles the arc seen in Europe, adding to widespread anxiety. Cases across Africa were set to climb above 4000 on Saturday.
Abuses of the new measures by authorities are an immediate concern. Minutes after South Africa’s three-week lockdown began on Friday, police screamed at homeless people in downtown Johannesburg and went after some with batons. Some citizens reported the police use of rubber bullets. Fifty-five people across the country were arrested
In an apparent show of force on Saturday, South Africa’s military raided a large workers’ hostel in the Alexandra township where some residents had defied the lockdown.
In Rwanda, the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to impose a lockdown, police have denied that two civilians shot dead Monday were killed for defying the new measures, saying the men attacked an officer after being stopped.
Zimbabwe, where police are widely criticised by human rights groups for deadly crackdowns, is set to enter a three-week lockdown on Monday. The country’s handful of virus cases already threatens to overwhelm one of the world’s most fragile health systems.
In Kenya, outrage over the the actions of police was swift.
“We were horrified by excessive use of police force” ahead of the curfew that began Friday night, Amnesty International Kenya and 19 other human rights groups said in a statement issued Saturday.
AP
10.40pm: ‘Fortress Tasmania’ locks down against virus
A Tasmanian hospital worker has been diagnosed with the coronavirus, as the island state moves to keep all non-essential travellers out. Three further cases of COVID-19 were confirmed in Tasmania on Saturday, bringing the state’s total to 62.
Among them is an emergency department worker from at Mersey Community Hospital, near Devonport.
An investigation has determined the worker spent no more than 30 minutes at work while infectious before a decision was made that the worker go home because of feeling unwell, Acting Director of Public Health Scott McKeown said.
“The investigation into how the healthcare worker contracted the infection is ongoing,” he said.
A small number of people on the same shift who made close contact with the worker are currently in quarantine.
“The healthcare worker did not have close contact with any patients while they were infectious,” Dr McKeown said.
Two other new cases, meanwhile, are related to recent overseas travel and one is linked to the Voyager of the Seas cruise ship that docked in Sydney Harbour earlier this month.
More than 700 spot checks have been conducted to make sure Tasmanians are complying with quarantine and self-isolation rules.
Of those, 18 people have been found flouting restrictions and Premier Peter Gutwein warned they could face charges.
“Anybody who was found to be blatantly, blatantly breaching those rules, they will be charged and summoned,” he told reporters.
From midnight on Saturday, all travellers arriving in Australia from overseas will be quarantined in hotels for two weeks but Tasmania is going a step further.
From midnight on Sunday, the state government will quarantine all non-essential travellers, including Tasmanians returning home, for 14 days.
People coming from interstate and or docking in ports will be placed in two facilities run by Communities Tasmania and managed by police with support from defence force personnel.
Meanwhile, two Devonport women, aged 30 and 34, have been charged with stealing six bottles of hand sanitiser from the Mersey Community Hospital earlier in the week.
The two will face Devonport Magistrates Court on July 28.
AAP
10.20pm: US Navy hospital ship for NYC
US President Donald Trump was to send off a naval hospital ship before it headed to New York City on Saturday local time, as he aims to highlight the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The USNS Comfort, a 1000-bed hospital ship, had been undergoing planned maintenance, but was rushed back into service to aid the city which is now the epicentre of the US outbreak.
It is scheduled to arrive on Monday at a Manhattan pier a week after its sister ship, the USNS Mercy arrived in Los Angeles to preform similar duty on the West Coast.
The President acknowledged that his making the 220km trip to Naval Station Norfolk wasn’t necessary, but said he was doing it to recognise the work of sailors and medical professionals who worked to get the ship out of maintenance more than a week ahead of schedule.
“I think it’s a good thing when I go over there and I say ‘thank you’,’’ Mr Trump told reporters on Friday.
He added he wanted to make the trip to show “spirit for the country”. Mr Trump, 73, is in a high-risk category because of his age, and federal guidance for weeks has advised those in that pool to refrain from non-essential travel of all sorts
The ship has 12 operating rooms as well as radiology suites and a CT scanner. It also has ICU beds, a lab and a pharmacy.
AP
9.50pm: Reported virus infections top 600,000 worldwide
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections worldwide topped 600,000 on Saturday as new cases stacked up quickly in Europe and the US and officials dug in for a long fight against the pandemic.
The latest landmark came only two days after the world passed half a million infections, according to a tally by John Hopkins University, showing that much work remains to be done to slow the spread of the virus. It showed more than 602,000 cases and a total of over 27,000 deaths.
While the US now leads the world in reported infections – with more than 104,000 cases – five countries exceed its roughly 1700 deaths: Italy, Spain, China, Iran and France.
“We cannot completely prevent infections at this stage, but we can and must in the immediate future achieve fewer new infections per day, a slower spread,” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in quarantine at home after her doctor tested positive for the virus, told her compatriots in an audio message.
“That will decide whether our health system can stand up to the virus.”
The virus already has put health systems in Italy, Spain and France under extreme strain. Lockdowns of varying severity have been introduced across Europe.
Ms Merkel’s chief of staff, Helge Braun, said that Germany – where authorities closed nonessential shops and banned gatherings of more than two in public – won’t relax its restrictions before April 20.
AP
Victoria Laurie 7.01pm: New WA case ages from 22 to 79
Western Australia has reported 23 new cases of COVID-19 overnight, bringing the state’s total as of Saturday to 278.
The new cases include 16 female and seven males, aged between 22 and 79.
Of the new cases, 16 are passengers from cruise ships including the Artania (nine), Voyager of the Seas (four) and Ruby Princess (three).
Five of the cases are from overseas travel other than cruise ships. Contact tracing is still under way on the remaining two cases.
There are currently 14 confirmed COVID-19 patients in Perth metropolitan hospitals, with six in an ICU.
There have been two deaths in WA, both cruise-ship related, and the number of recovered cases in WA is now 28.
6.46pm: Tom Hanks and wife back in US
Actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson have returned to the US, weeks after testing positive in Australia for coronavirus.
The two arrived in Los Angeles by private jet, TMZ and the New York Post reported on Friday local time.
The New York Post said Hanks, 63, was seen stretching down to touch the tarmac then doing a celebration dance.
Hanks and Wilson were hospitalised briefly on Australia’s Gold Coast after testing positive for COVID-19 in March.
They then spent time in self-isolation, but checked in with fans via Instagram.
The Oscar-winning actor was in Australia for director Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley biopic, to play the role of the star’s manager Colonel Tom Parker. Production ceased after Hanks confirmed the news of COVID-19.
Hollywood producer Wilson made her singing debut at the Sydney Opera House.
AAP-DPA
Victoria Laurie 6.32pm: Cruise ship Artania suspect cases now 46
One of three cruise ships that has docked in Fremantle, the Artania, has 46 passengers and crew with flu-like symptoms, and mass-evacuation arrangements for the ships are proceeding.
The Artania was earlier reported to have as many as 70 affected passengers, but West Australian Premier Mark McGowan says while the actual number is smaller, it is still an urgent situation.
The Artania docked at Fremantle port on Thursday with 870 passengers and 500 crew on board.
WA Health Minister Roger Cook said most of the 46 had mild flu-like symptoms.
He said nine passengers who had already tested positive were in Perth hospitals. Three passengers were medically evacuated from the ship for non-virus related conditions, the third overnight.
All three are in an ICU and in a critical condition, with two of them testing positive to COVID-19.
“Given what’s happening on that ship, I wouldn’t be surprised if that changed,” Premier McGowan said.
He said the federal government had agreed to assist in dealing with the 46 individuals, who were waiting for results of COVID-19 testing. The positive cases will be housed in the spare, secure wings of two Perth private hospitals at federal expense.
At least 800 of the 870 mainly German passengers on the Artania who are fit to fly home will be put on four charter flights in the next 24 to 36 hours. There are no Australians on board the ship.
Around 100 New Zealand passengers on a second ship, the Vasco da Gama, will be flown out of Perth on Saturday night. Plans are being made by UK authorities to fly 30 British nationals home.
The transfer of 200 Western Australians on the Vasco da Gama to the now-empty offshore holiday destination, Rottnest Island, will begin on Sunday, while the remaining Australians will be kept on board until they are transferred to hotels or to Rottnest to spend 14 days in quarantine.
A third ship, the Magnifica, is expected to leave Fremantle late on Saturday.
Premier McGowan thanked Prime Minister Scott Morrison for ensuring the federal government stepped up to resolving the cruise ship issue.
Mr McGowan said the WA and federal governments had achieved a negotiated outcome that averted putting strain on WA public hospitals in dealing with cruise-ship passengers.
Agencies 5.55pm: New fines to enforce SA quarantine rules
South Australians who breach self-isolation or quarantine orders will be slapped with a $1000 on-the-spot fine under new regulations rushed into force. Fines of $5000 can also be imposed on companies and businesses that trade against the current rules and come as SA’s total number of coronavirus cases rose by 30 on Saturday to 287.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said while the vast majority of people were doing the right thing, some were not complying.
“This will send a very strong message that people who don’t comply will face a stiff penalty,” he said.
“The principal objective here is to ensure that people who are required to self- quarantine, who we believe are at risk of spreading the infection, comply with those obligations.” Before the new rules, police could take action against those flouting the rules but were required to launch a formal prosecution and take the matter to court. New regulations in SA will also ban gatherings of more than 10 people as part of social distancing rules while the government has closed emergency departments at country hospitals where they are co-located with aged-care facilities.
Adeshola Ore 5pm: Hotel quarantine likened to criminal detention
Australian travellers from the stranded Norwegian Jewel cruise ship say they are being denied basic necessities during their two-week quarantine at a Sydney hotel, which they have described as a “detention”.
Sydneysider Neelo Awan, who travelled on the cruise with her husband, said all passengers were isolated in their rooms with locked windows.
“I, as a human being, have the right to breathe fresh air. Since being brought to our rooms, we are not even allowed to stand at our door,” she said.
“Out on the ship were real homes, but this is not quarantine, it’s detention. Even prisoners can get fresh air. What have we done wrong?”
Video footage filmed by a hotel guest shows police officers on one of the hotel’s floors.
“It is quite scary. Right now, I feel I am the biggest criminal here, but I don’t know what crime I committed. I’m scared to open the door.”
Emily Ritchie 4.35pm: Newcastle Jets player tests positive
The Newcastle Jets soccer club has confirmed a member of their A-League team has tested positive for coronavirus.
NSW Health has been notified and the club has said the correct procedures are being followed.
“The player and his family are in good health, and currently in quarantine in accordance with NSW Health protocols,” Newcastle Jets said in a statement on Saturday.
“The health and wellbeing of our players, officials, and the wider community remains our highest priority in this difficult time.”
The team played a game behind closed doors against Melbourne City at McDonald Jones Stadium on Monday night, winning 2-1. It was the last game of the A-League to be played before the season was indefinitely suspended due to the pandemic.
Members of the Newcastle Jets squad, their staff and coaches have been told to closely monitor their own health and advised to isolate themselves if they start to experience any symptoms.
“All players and staff beyond the player have been checked for their risks and will be overseen, and guided, by the team medical staff as they liaise directly with the public health unit,” the statement reads.
“Self-isolation has been commenced for those that require it.”
Remy Varga 4.26pm: Bunnings boon after beach ban
Barred from the beach, people are heading to Bunnings in droves with social media users posting photos of long queues outside the hardware store.
On Saturday, Twitter user Meg Rayner posted a picture of a long line outside a Bunnings in the suburb of Hopper’s Crossing in Melbourne’s far southwest.
“Massive queue to get into Bunnings right now. Guards at every entrance/exit.”
Massive queue to get into Bunnings right now. Guards at every entrance/exit. pic.twitter.com/XVBe3a7EaS
— Meg Rayner (@megrayner) March 28, 2020
Another Twitter user, Jack Toohey posted an image of soon-to-be shoppers standing 1.5 metres apart as they lined up in a Bunnings carpark in the suburb of Artarmon in Sydney’s lower north shore.
Can’t say I’m surprised, but there seems to be better social distancing measures at @Bunnings than at customs. #PhysicalDistancing #COVID19Aus pic.twitter.com/7H7jpaRikr
— Jack Toohey (@jack_toohey) March 28, 2020
Another image, supplied to The Weekend Australian, showed yellow tape marking 1.5m on the ground inside the hardware store
Bunnings Managing Director Mike Schneider said there had been an increase in demand for home maintenance products.
“We’re also hearing from customers that these projects provide a useful physical and mental distraction to the challenges of extended periods of time at home,” he said.
Mr Schneider said the hardware chain had implemented a number of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, which included taping floors to mark 1.5m, increasing in store cleaning and providing staff with gloves and hand sanitiser.
“In our busier stores, particularly across the weekend, we are putting in some further social distancing measures,” he said.
“This could be anything from less checkouts in operation, to limiting customer numbers in store, it will be different store to store depending on how busy they are.”
Sausage sizzles as well as in store events have been cancelled.
The Australian has previously reported that sales of seedlings and seeds have soared following the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, with widespread panic buying leading to shortages of basic consumer items.
READ MORE:
Imogen Reid 4pm: Health chief says hospitals are ready for influx
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly has assured concerned Australians the nation’s healthcare system is “very adaptable” and is “absolutely ready for this matter.”
“In terms of intensive care, we have doubled the capacity there and there are beds available right now with the ventilators to deal with people if they require it,” he said.
“We have doubled the bed capacity in Australight right now and we are ready, well and truly ready, and we will not be seeing a peak on April 10, as has been reported in some places.”
Mr Kelly addressed the matter of confirmed cases of coronavirus spread on Australian soil, saying the majority “have a very clear contact with a known case of COVID-19.”
“We are finding the cases we need to find, tracing their contacts, and dealing with those issues so that they are isolated from the community and to decrease the transmission from person to person of this very infectious disease.”
Eli Greenblat 3.40pm: More retail closures see retail job losses hit 100,000
South Africa’s Woolworths Holdings, which owns David Jones and Country Road Group has decided to close its stable of small-format fashion stores – Country Road, Mimco, Witchery, Trenery and Politix – that will see 5000 staff stood down, sending the total jobs lost in the retail, hospitality and entertainment sectors this month in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic to more than 100,000.
The Country Road portfolio of 280 stores will remain closed for four weeks.
However, the David Jones up-market, large-format department stores will remain open, for now, as all around it retailers shut and send tens of thousands of staff home with national retailer believing it can meet strict government guidelines over social interaction to maintain the safety of its staff and shoppers.
Imogen Reid 3.35pm: Cruise ship infections surge to 496
Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Office, Paul Kelly, has confirmed there are 496 cases of coronavirus from cruise ships in Australia, with almost 200 from the Ruby Princess and others from cruise ships including the Diamond Princess in Japan.
“This is the main reason why there will be enhanced measures at the airport that were announced by the Prime Minister yesterday,” Mr Kelly said.
“We really need to get on top of the people who have returned overseas from these other countries that had a much wider and worse epidemic of COVID-19 than we do currently here in Australia.”
Echoing what Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced last night, Mr Kelly said everyone returning from overseas will face “the force of the law” if they breach the enforced 14-day isolation period in assigned hotels.
“The force of law will be there to stop people leaving that hotel and there will be fines, even imprisonment, depending on the state and territory where that arrival takes place.
“This is very important and it will be compulsory.”
READ MORE: Cruise disaster looms off WA coast
Agencies 3.20pm: Fight breaks out at polling booth over virus
Two men have been filmed in a physical scuffle outside a polling booth in Ipswich.
A video was posted on Facebook by a woman named Paige May, who said it was taken at Redbank Plains.
The two men allegedly got into the altercation over coronavirus fears.
“Humans turning against each other from fear of the virus. Very upsetting,” Ms May wrote.
A spokesman from Queensland Police said no report had been made, but police were aware of the video.
Meanwhile the large number of postal votes may mean Queenslanders will wait longer than usual to find out who their council will be.
Remy Varga 2.52pm: Community transmission a problem in Victoria
More than 20 Victorians may have been infected through community transmission as the number of confirmed cases in the state surges to 685.
Victoria’s health department said the 685 cases of COVID-19, of which 111 are new, included 378 men and 300 women, with ages ranging from eight to 88-years.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton said the public needed to take the coronavirus threat seriously.
“Social distancing will save lives,” he said.
“Everyone needs to comply with restrictions in place to keep yourself, your loved ones and the whole community safe.
There are 21 people with the disease currently in hospital with three in intensive care.
There are 21 confirmed cases of the coronavirus that may have been contracted through community transmission although the bulk are linked to international travel.
Agencies 2.45pm: Fresh cruise disaster looms off WA
More than 70 passengers and crew on board the Artania cruise ship in Fremantle are now suspected of being infected with the coronavirus, causing a further headache for the West Australian government.
Plans for how to deal with the crisis are yet to be revealed, but Premier Mark McGowan has been pushing for the Commonwealth to take responsibility for the ship.
It is understood among the options being considered are for the ship to sail to a defence base such as HMAS Stirling at Garden Island or the detention centre at Christmas Island.
On Friday, nine people confirmed or suspected of being infected with COVID-19 disembarked from the Artania and were taken into quarantine at the WA police academy.
Two other ill people, who do not have coronavirus, remain in hospital after leaving the ship on Thursday.
Plans were under way for the hundreds of healthy European passengers and some crew to be flown to Germany on three planes over the weekend. It is not clear if that will still happen.
No Australians are on board the vessel.
The Vasco da Gama cruise ship docked in Fremantle on Friday evening and its New Zealand passengers are expected to fly home on Saturday night. About 200 passengers from WA will go into isolation on Rottnest Island for 14 days, while about 600 other Australians will go to either Rottnest or another hotel to quarantine for two weeks before heading home.
Cruise ship Magnifica, which is anchored off Fremantle but does not have any coronavirus cases, is still expected to leave after reprovisioning. WA has 255 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 13 people who are in hospital. The state has recorded two deaths.
READ MORE: Troy Bramston — Too little, too late leaves Australia vulnerable
Emily Ritchie 2.30pm: 171 cases now linked to Ruby Princess cruise
There are now 171 confirmed coronavirus cases in NSW of people who disembarked the controversial Ruby Princess cruise last week.
The cruise ship docked in Sydney last Thursday after setting sail from New Zealand and everyone was allowed to enter the NSW community despite there being dozens of undiagnosed coronavirus cases onboard.
Three Ruby Princess passengers have since died.
NSW Health on Saturday confirmed there were 147 COVID-19 cases being treated in
hospitals, including 22 cases in Intensive Care Units and, of those, 11 requiring ventilators.
A teacher, two toddlers and a childcare worker are among the 212 new NSW cases discovered in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday.
An infected school teacher employed at Ashcroft High School attended school for one day while infectious but did not teach classes, according to NSW Health.
“A small number of students and staff have been identified as close contacts and are being contacted by the Department of Education,” NSW Health said in a statement on Saturday.
There are also two confirmed cases at a Sydney childcare centre – a two-year-old child and a childcare worker – and a three-year-old child who is a household contact of an overseas case has also tested positive and is in self-isolation.
NSW Health said a fourth case has been confirmed at the Opal Bankstown residential aged care facility.
They are urging people in the community to adhere to health warnings and social distancing measures.
READ MORE: Adam Creighton — A leaner, generation ahead
Remy Varga 2pm: ACT records nine new cases
The ACT has recorded nine new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 71.
ACT Health said on Saturday that seven of the new cases were linked to overseas travel, which includes cruise ships, with one case a close contact of another confirmed case.
The remaining case is under investigation and ACT Health said there was no evidence of local transmission in the ACT.
The new cases six males and three females, aged between 48 and 73.
Currently six patients are hospitalised with COVID-19 while the rest are self isolating with support.
Remy Varga 1.40pm: Sneaky Sydney beach bums busted again
Beachgoers have been busted at a secluded spot in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, despite beaches being closed in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Young people and families with children were among dozens of people photographed at Kutti Beach in the suburb of Vaucluse on Saturday.
Woollahra Council has closed all beaches in the municipality, which covers Vaucluse.
On Friday, Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos said the municipality had the highest number of cases of coronavirus in NSW, with 105 being recorded as at 8pm on 25 March.
“I cannot stress to you enough that we need to be more vigilant than ever in following social distancing. It is now more important than ever,” she said.
“I am appealing to the community to take ownership of their health and respect the restrictions we have in place.”
READ MORE:
Craig Johnstone 1.15pm: Voters hit poll booths despite virus threat
Voting has become a lonely business in Queensland
Polling places that would be bustling and redolent with the smell of fried sausages and onions on any other election day were quiet and sombre on Saturday, when electors were due to exercise their choice of who should lead their local communities in the state’s 77 local government areas.
Amid much criticism about its decision to go ahead with the elections while the nation is battling the coronavirus crisis, the Queensland government has had to handle an unprecedented number of people wanting to vote before March 28.
About 1.8 million people have chosen to vote early and another 570,000 have applied for postal votes out of a total of 3.3 million Queenslanders eligible to vote.
That means more than half the state has already lodged their vote, including 150,000 alone on Friday.
Craig Johnstone 1pm: Queensland cases jump by 70 overnight
Queensland has recorded 70 new cases of people infected with the coronavirus, bringing the state’s total to 625.
Queensland Police have also said they will crack down on people who refuse to practice social distancing and other measures aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.
A statement from the Queensland Police Service said it would “step up enforcement measures for people disregarding directions and flouting isolation laws as communities work together to reduce the spread of COVID-19”.
“Community members can expect to see an increase in police ensuring compliance of public health directions and taking enforcement action against those ignoring the laws,” it said.
“Officers have the power to issue on the spot fines for anyone who does not comply with the directions”.
READ MORE: Greg Sheridan — Morrison is first among leaders
Emily Ritchie 12.40pm: Premier puts NSW on notice as transmissions surge
The number of community-to-community transmissions is up to 170 in NSW, with the Premier warning residents that measures may ramp up in the coming days.
“We are putting NSW on notice – if the measures we put in place last week haven’t made a difference – we will need to do more,” Gladys Berejiklian said.
Emily Ritchie 12.20pm: 212 new cases and another death in NSW
Another 212 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Friday, taking the state’s total to 1617 as another person dies from the virus.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she supports the new measures announced by the national cabinet on Friday, including isolating all returning travellers from overseas for 14 days.
“We will have potentially thousands of people in hotel rooms under self isolation and we do rely on them do the right thing,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“We do have hundreds of police officers out there who will be ready to enforce images coming in at midnight. We need people to do the right thing. I want to thank Commissioner Fuller who above NSW will be responsible for undertaking the task. This will not be perfect or foolproof.”
While police officers will ensure people are abiding by the self-isolation, Ms Berejiklian urged people to do the right thing.
“We have a big responsibility ahead of us to protect the health and safety of everyone living in Australia.”
Imogen Reid 12pm: NSW woman the latest to die from coronavirus
A resident at the Dorothy Henderson Lodge aged care facility in Sydney’s Macquarie Park has been confirmed as the latest person to die in NSW after testing positive to COVID-19.
The 91-year-old woman was hospitalised earlier in the week after testing across the facility confirmed four residents were positive to the virus.
She is the eighth person in NSW to die from the virus and the 14th nationally.
“Words fail to express the deep sense of sadness and grief we are all feeling at this time,” operator BaptistCare CEO Ross Low said.
“I have spoken with the family to express my condolences. My heart and thoughts are with them all, along with the friends and staff who loved and cared for our resident.”
The number of deaths across Australia is now 14.
Eli Greenblat 11.55am: Retailer kikki. K becomes latest to close
Collapsed upmarket stationery store kikki. K is the latest retailer to shut its doors in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, throwing a further 440 workers on to the Centrelink lines as the casualties keep mourning in the retail sector and tens of thousands of people are sent home without pay.
The receivers and administrators to the business kikki. K has stood down around 440 retail staff and closed 59 stores as a result of COVID-19.
Receiver Barry Wight of restructuring firm Cor Cordis said: “Whilst the stores have temporarily closed due to COVID-19, we are continuing with our efforts to sell the business as a going concern, having had strong interest in the kikki. K business to date.
“Our on-line channels remain open for business, and we encourage all the long term guests of kikki. K to continue to support us during this challenging period.”
Kikki. K collapsed into administration two weeks ago as the business, which once had global expansion dreams, had been struggling for some time as it became a victim of the downturn in retail conditions and soft consumer spending that proceeded the coronavirus pandemic.
When the stationery chain collapsed this month founder Kristina Karlsson released a statement saying the closure of the business caused “profound regret and sadness”.
“This business began with a young girl’s dream 20 years ago and became an international success story with customers in over 150 countries,” she said in a statement.
The decision to close all the kikki. K stores follows a raft of retail closures this week including Premier Investments which has shut stores and stood down 9000 staff, footwear group Accent which has closed and sent 5000 workers home, jeweller Michael Hill and women’s fashion chain owner Mosaic Brands which has shut its doors and stood down around 6800 workers.
Emily Ritchie 11.45am: McCormack announces $298m rural relief package
Deputy PM Michael McCormack has announced a $298 million relief package for regional airlines and the communities that rely on their services.
Mr McCormack announced the package while at the airport in Wagga Wagga, NSW, on Saturday.
“Today I’m announcing $198 million as part of an air network support measure to help subsidise the 138 or so regional communities that rely on aviation,” Mr McCormack said.
“The aviation industry is one of the hardest hit industries and hit especially hard in regional areas. Regional areas which need that connectivity, each and every day for people to get what they need to be. For such important things as pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to get those freighted to where they need to go.”
The said a further $100 million would go to regional aviation companies to assist them through the coronavirus crisis.
“These are airline companies that are flying in and out of centres such as Wagga Wagga … in regional aviation alone there are 26,000 people employed in the sector,” Mr McCormack said.
“It is worth billions of dollars to regional communities and it is a vital part of Australia.”
He said the package was on top of the $715 million that had already been announced to support the entire aviation industry.
Emily Ritchie 11.30am: Fortress Tasmania enacts toughest border controls
Tasmania has enacted the strongest border controls in the country to slow the spread of coronavirus, with the state’s premier urging people to “stay home and save lives” under the new “Fortress Tasmania”.
Premier Peter Gutwein announced that from midnight on Sunday, any non-essential traveller entering Tasmania, via airports or ferry ports, would be placed into a government-operated facility for two weeks of self-quarantine. He said there would be two of these facilities established in the north of the island and one in the south.
“They will be managed and overseen by Tasmanian Police with support from the ADF,” Mr Gutwein said.
“I can’t be clearer. We are an island state. We have an advantage. But we need people to work with us. Fortress Tasmania is what we want, and we will ensure that we manage this, that we take every necessary step, and importantly, those that break the rules, you will be summoned and you will be charged.”
He said the coronavirus outbreak was “not a game”.
There was another positive case of COVID-19 confirmed overnight in Tasmania, taking the state’s tally to 59.
One of the 11 cases confirmed on Friday was a health worker employed in the emergency department at the Mersey Community Hospital in Latrobe.
“Public health services has initiated an investigation into this case in conjunction with the Tasmanian health service to ascertain the person’s movements at work and also in the community to identify close contacts,” the state’s Health Minister Sarah Courtney said.
READ MORE: Aunty’s activists in a COVID-19 battle
Remy Varga 10.45am: Confirmed cases surpass 3,200 nationally
The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in the nation has hit 3,292 after Victoria recorded its biggest overnight increase.
NSW remains the state worst hit state with 1405 confirmed cases. State Premier Gladys Berejiklian is due to address the media about developments on Saturday.
Victoria is the second worst hit with 684 cases after recording an increase of 111 over Friday night, followed by Queensland with 555 cases.
NSW: 1405
VIC: 685
Queensland: 555
SA: 257
WA: 255
NT: 15
TAS: 58
ACT: 62
Emily Ritchie 10.35am: Liberal senator cleared after bout of coronavirus
Liberal senator Andrew Bragg has been cleared from home quarantine by NSW Health after testing positive to coronavirus two weeks ago.
The NSW senator tested positive for COVID-19 after he attended a friend’s wedding at Stanwell Tops, near Wollongong south of Sydney, on March 6.
At least six confirmed cases have emerged from that same event, potentially linked to travel from the US.
After his diagnosis, Senator Bragg told Sky News it felt like a “nasty flu”.
“It’s a bit like a nasty flu actually, I don’t feel too bad, I’m just conscious that there are other people in the community (for which) it’s a much more serious illness if they were to attract it.”
In a tweet on Saturday morning, he thanked all frontline staff for their work.
“I have been cleared from coronavirus home isolation by NSW Health,” Senator Bragg said.
“I received outstanding care from my doctor, St Vincent’s Hospital & NSW Health. I thank all the amazing front line staff helping us through this pandemic.”
I have been cleared from Coronavirus home isolation by NSW Health. I received outstanding care from my doctor, St Vincent’s Hospital & NSW Health. I thank all the amazing front line staff helping us through this pandemic.
— Senator Andrew Bragg (@ajamesbragg) March 27, 2020
Remy Varga 10.15am: 5000 Victorian hotel rooms ready for quarantine
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said 5,000 rooms were ready to accept travellers returning to Australia from overseas after the Prime Minister unveiled a compulsory 14-day detention quarantine period.
“The vast majority of cases across Victoria are either those who have travelled overseas or are the close contacts of those who have travelled overseas,” he said.
“This is proportionate, it’s never been done before but it’s the right thing to do, it’s the smart thing to do and it will ensure we have 100 per cent compliance.”
Travellers returning to Australia will be quarantined in hotel rooms for 14-days in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19, which will be in effect from midnight Saturday.
Mr Andrews said the Victorian government had pre-checked into 2800 hotels rooms in preparation for returning travellers.
“We need we will need about 1000 to 1500,” he said.
“That will be the number of people that will arrive back in Melbourne on flights after midnight tonight.”
Mr Andrews also unveiled on Saturday that $52 million in payroll tax has been refunded to small businesses.
In addition, $10,000 grants would be available from Monday to employers who didn’t pay payroll tax as part of the Victorian government’s $500 million Business Support Fund grants.
READ MORE: Army to enforce travel quarantine
Remy Varga 10.07am: Victorian cases surge 111 in a single day to 685
Victoria has experienced its biggest overnight increase in confirmed cases of the coronavirus, with Premier Daniel Andrews warning that more people will die if the disease continues to spread.
It comes as Victoria Police launched a crackdown on beachgoers across the state, with officers hitting the coastline to ensure measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were followed.
Unveiling new on-the-spot fines for people caught flouting social distancing, Mr Andrews said the number of confirmed cases had hit 685, which is an overnight increase of 111.
“This is no ordinary autumn day and it’s going to be the case for weeks to come,” he said on Saturday.
“If you can stay home you must stay home [and] if you don’t, you’ll do nothing but spread the virus and that will kill people.”
Victoria Police and other authorised officers will now issue on-the-spot fines to individuals of $1652 and $9913 for businesses found to be in violation of social distancing measures.
It comes after St Kilda was flooded by beachgoers on Friday, prompting the mayor of Port Phillip to close the foreshore for the foreseeable future.
Victoria Police Minister Lisa Neville said officers would patrol Victoria’s beaches on Saturday with the state government prepared to close more beaches if necessary,
“Victoria Police has one of its largest operations today across our coastal communities,” she said.
“They’ll be at our beaches in Melbourne but they’ll be at Phillip Island, they’ll be at Gippsland, they’ll be at the Bellarine, they’ll be down the Surf Coast.
“They’ll be watching on the beaches but also where people are congregating on boat ramps, piers and jetties.”
Three people have died from the coronavirus in Victoria.
READ MORE: Life’s a beach and then you die
Imogen Reid 9.57am: Libs MP accused of belittling asthmatic over refusal to vote
Liberal MP Andrew Laming found himself in hot water this morning after being accused of “belittling” an asthmatic refusing to vote at Queensland’s local council election.
“There’s a cohort of people who just hate voting,” Mr Laming told the ABC.
“He can phone up and ask for an exception on the grounds of his health. Primarily people who hate voting and are jumping on the bandwagon to derail this. You can’t comment unless you know about public safety.”
Mr Laming later called rent assistance “the missing link” in the government’s stimulus packages, referring to the “real uncertainty for renters and commercial areas” emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Fundamentally anyone can stop paying and blame COVID-19,” he said.
“There’s a smaller number of people more brutally affected … I’m asking everyone to use common sense, but if we can’t then it has to be legislation to make it clear and certain that businesses can start up again.”
Labor MP Jason Clare added: “More and more Australian’s are told to stay at home, but you can’t stay at home if you get evicted. We need to do what the Poms have done, and what New Zealand have done, and Tasmania. A freeze of evictions. But we may need more help from the government in terms of land tax relief, to make sure we are all pulling together.”
READ MORE: Which suburbs are most at risk from coronavirus
Agencies 9.45am: Queensland holds first BYO election
It could easily be dubbed Australia’s first BYO election. The checklist for Queensland’s council elections and two by-elections on Saturday includes a pen, a mask, sunscreen, a hat and a voting ID card. Patience may also be required in large doses as Queenslanders head to the polls amid the coronavirus crisis.
Limits on the number people allowed to gather indoors means fewer people within a polling station at any one time and potentially long queues. Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young urged everyone to “get in and “get out”.
“If you’re sick, stay home but when you’re out and about maintain a 1.5-metre distance,” Ms Young said.
“And then when you go to vote … take your own pen, make sure you have the card you need for your name to be ticked off the electoral roll.
She said there would be “no harm” if people adhered to a 1.5m space in an open environment.
READ MORE: Queensland may postpone state election
Agencies 9.30am: Myer closure shows government must urgently step in
Myer’s temporary closure shows how urgently the federal government needs to step in and deliver a rescue package for businesses struggling to cope with the coronavirus pandemic, a retail union says.
Myer announced on Friday it would temporarily close all stores for at least four weeks from Sunday, and stand down 10,000 staff without pay.
The SDA, the union for retail, fast food and warehouse workers, said the government had failed to step up.
Some 30,000 retail workers had already been stood down in the past week, the union said.
“Myer’s decision makes the situation even more serious and urgent – this is a brand that has not only been a major employer, but a symbol of Australian retail success, for more than a century,” SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said.
“How many more major and minor brands – retailers big and small – (will) take unilateral action because the government has left them no choice and the Prime Minister fails to extend to them what the community expects.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Friday that details of the plan to effectively cocoon businesses will be announced in the next few days as part of a third stimulus package, which will also include commercial and residential rental assistance.
READ MORE: Janet Albrechsten — Is the cure worse than the disease?
The Wall Street Journal 9.05am US Congress passes stimulus bill worth $3.2 trillion
US President Donald Trump signed a roughly a $2 trillion ($AU3.2tn) stimulus package into law, hours after House lawmakers hustled back to the Capitol to pass the aggressive response to the coronavirus pandemic that has staggered the US economy.
The bill is the largest relief package in U.S. history and extends aid to many struggling Americans through direct payments and expanded unemployment insurance. The package provides loans and grants to businesses, augments drained state coffers and sends additional resources to sapped health-care providers.
“I want to thank Democrats and Republicans for coming together and putting America first,” President Trump said in remarks Friday in the Oval Office. He added, in a nod to the size of the package: “I never signed anything with a T on it.”
We are marshalling the full power of government and society to achieve victory over the virus. Together, we will endure, we will prevail, and we will WIN! #CARESAct pic.twitter.com/zb2PJTldGQ
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 27, 2020
The measure passed the Senate 96-0 earlier in the week and had overwhelming support in the House as well. But it needed to clear one last hurdle on Friday after Rep. Thomas Massie (R., Ky.) tried to force a recorded vote, arguing it would be irresponsible to use a voice vote on such a large bill. This angered many fellow lawmakers, who said making them show up in person risked spreading coronavirus and would needlessly stall aid to Americans.
At a press conference a short time ago, Mr Trump also announced a new app that would be launched to help Americans diagnose themselves at home.
READ MORE: It’s masks on, gloves on for Trump and Xi
Staff writers 8.15am: COVID-19 cases by state — the latest figures
Agencies 7.30am: Wall Street’s winning week ends with fall
Wall Street stocks sank overnight, plunging after three positive sessions despite the House of Representatives approving a $US2 trillion package to address the coronavirus crisis.
At the closing bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average stood at 21,612.93, down 4.1 per cent or around 930 points.
The broad-based S & P 500 dropped 3.4 per cent to 2,541.45, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index tumbled 3.8 per cent to 7,502.38.
Despite Friday’s rout, all three indices finished the week with solid gains as the giant stimulus moved through Washington towards the desk of the president.
READ MORE: Alan Kohler — Accepted wisdom goes out the window
Agencies 7.20am: Are gun shops ‘essential services’ in virus crisis?
In some parts of the US, authorities say gun shops aren’t essential businesses and should close during stay-at-home orders meant to slow the coronavirus. In other places, officials are stopping background checks for concealed carry permits. Elsewhere, city leaders have invoked emergency powers allowing bans on gun sales.
As the nation grapples with a pandemic that has upended daily life, some gun rights advocates are concerned about an erosion of Second Amendment rights just as Americans are buying firearms in record numbers to try to ensure their safety.
Texas Attorney-General Ken Paxton has issued a legal opinion saying that emergency orders in his state can’t restrict gun sales. Any order that excludes gun stores from “essential” businesses that can stay open are in conflict with state law banning limits on gun sales, Paxton said.
“Under our laws, every Texan retains their right to purchase and possess firearms,” he said.
In recent weeks, firearm sales have skyrocketed. Background checks — the key barometer of gun sales — already were at record numbers in January and February, likely fuelled by a presidential election year.
Since the coronavirus outbreak, gun shops have reported long lines and runs on firearms and ammunition. Background checks were up 300% on March 16, compared with the same date a year ago, according to federal data shared with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, which represents gunmakers. Since February 23, each day has seen roughly double the volume over 2019.
Even some gun control advocates say it might not be wise to shut down federally licensed firearms dealers, whose sales require background checks. That could force buyers to use a website or seek a private sale that doesn’t require a check, making it more difficult to trace a firearm if it’s used in a crime. — AP
READ MORE: Roadblocks to keep out a killer
Agencies 7am: New Orleans builds makeshift hospital as cases spike
New Orleans rushed to build a makeshift hospital in its convention centre overnight (AEDT) as troubling new outbreaks bubbled in the United States.
While New York remained the worst hit in the US, Americans braced for worsening conditions elsewhere, with worrisome infection numbers being reported in cities including New Orleans, Chicago and Detroit.
“We are not through this. We’re not even halfway through this,” said Joseph Kanter of the Louisiana Department of Health, which has recorded more than 2,700 cases, more than five times what it had a week ago.
New Orleans’ sprawling Ernest N Morial Convention Center, along the Mississippi River, was being converted into a massive hospital as officials prepared for thousands more patients than they could accommodate.
The preparations immediately conjured images of another disaster, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when the convention centre became a squalid shelter of last resort in a city that has braved a string of storm hits, not to mention great fires and a yellow fever epidemic in centuries past.
As the new health crisis loomed, economic catastrophe had already arrived in the city, where many already live in poverty and the tourism industry has screeched to a halt.
“I’ve never been unemployed. But now, all of a sudden: Wop!” said John Moore, the musician best known as Deacon John, who has no gigs to perform with much of the city shut down. “It ain’t just me. It’s everybody.”
READ MORE: Ewin Hannan — The odd couple truce to save jobs
Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.45am: 75 common questions about coronavirus answered
Life in the time of coronavirus can be confusing — mixed messages from state and federal leaders and new discoveries about the nature of the coronavirus being made every day have left Australians confused as to what they should do.
How long does the coronavirus live on different surfaces? Do face mask actually help prevent the spread of coronavirus? We’ve answered 75 of the most common questions about COVID-19. Read them all here.
Agencies 6.30am: Four passengers dead on anchored cruise ship
Four passengers have died aboard a cruise ship now anchored off the coast of Panama and two people aboard the ship have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the cruise line said Friday.
Holland America Line said in a post on its Facebook page that more than 130 people aboard the Zaandam had reported flu-like symptoms.
“Holland America Line can confirm that four older guests have passed away on Zaandam,” the statement said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and we are doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time.”
The ship was receiving medical supplies and medical personnel from another Holland America ship, the Rotterdam and the company planned to begin transferring healthy passengers to that ship.
“Priority for the first guests to transfer will be given to those on Zaandam with inside staterooms and who are over 70,” the statement said. There are 1,243 guests and 586 crew on board the Zaandam.
The Zaandam departed Buenos Aires, Argentina, on March 7. The ship was trying to get to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, after being denied permission to dock at its original destination of Chile a week ago.
READ MORE: Paul Maley — Virus detectives on the case
Agencies 6.15am: Pope Francis prays for ‘fragile, disconnected’ world
Praying in a desolately empty St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis has likened the coronavirus pandemic to a storm laying bare illusions that people can be self-sufficient and instead leaves “all of us fragile and disoriented” and needing each other’s help and comfort.
Francis stood under a canopy erected on the steps of St Peter’s Basilica while leading a special prayer service as rain soaked the usually crowded cobblestone square.
“Open our hearts to hope,” he said in his opening prayer. “Lord, may you bless the world, give health to our bodies and comfort our hearts.”
At the end of the hour-long ceremony, he delivered a blessing that is traditionally reserved for the holy days of Christmas and Easter.
“From this colonnade that embraces Rome and the whole world, may God’s blessing come down upon you as a consoling embrace. Save us, O Lord, from illness, epidemics and fear of one’s brother.”
The Vatican has said that the faithful could receive what’s known as a plenary indulgence — a lifting of temporal punishment — from sin with the special blessing, providing they meet other conditions, like going to confession or receiving Communion as soon as they can.
The prayer service was one of several scheduled over the next few weeks that will see the 83-year-old pontiff virtually solo in the square or celebrating Masses for Holy Week and Easter Sunday in the shelter of St. Peter’s Basilica instead of outdoors in the company of tens of thousands of faithful. — AP
READ MORE: No touching — why it’s so hard to break the habit
Matthew Denholm 5.30am: Tasmanian coronavirus cases rise to 58
Tasmania has recorded a further 11 cases of coronavirus, including a health care worker, bringing its total to 58.
Deputy Public Health Director Scott McKeown said the health worker was based at the Mersey Community Hospital in the state’s northwest.
“Public Health Services has initiated an investigation into this case in conjunction with the Tasmanian Health Service to ascertain the person’s movements at work and in the community to identify any close contacts,” he said. “The person is fully cooperating with PHS staff.
“Should any close contacts be determined through this investigation these people will be contacted by PHS.
“An investigation is also continuing as to how the person caught coronavirus.”
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Daniel Sankey 5.15am: Boris Johnson infected, but vows to continue fight
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson insists he remains able to lead the UK’s response to the coronavirus outbreak despite confirming he has contracted the virus.
Mr Johnson, 55, is the first leader of a major nation to test positive for COVID-19. He and two of his top colleagues — Health Secretary Matt Hancock and Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty — are currently working from home in self-isolation as they battle the virus, not just for the nation but for themselves.
Mr Johnson was tested yesterday after showing “mild symptoms” — a slight fever and persistent cough.
“I’ve taken a test, that’s come out positive so I am working from home, I am self-isolating, and that’s entirely the right thing to do,” Mr Johnson said in a video message posted on his Twitter account.
“But be in no doubt that I can continue, thanks to the wizardry of modern technology, to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fightback against coronavirus.”
Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus.
— Boris Johnson #StayHomeSaveLives (@BorisJohnson) March 27, 2020
I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.
Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives pic.twitter.com/9Te6aFP0Ri
Read the full story here.
Geoff Chambers 5am: Soldiers to enforce overseas travellers’ self-isolation
Soldiers will be deployed to ensure overseas travellers comply with mandatory self-isolation rules as strict new COVID-19 quarantine measures come into effect, forcing all returning Australians into hotel rooms for two weeks.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australian Defence Force personnel would support state and territory police crackdowns on returned travellers to halt the spread of coronavirus across the country, as cases surged past 3000 on Friday.
With more than two-thirds of confirmed cases being traced to returned travellers, the national cabinet agreed that all new overseas arrivals would be moved into hotels and other accommodation facilities as part of stronger self-isolation measures.
Read the full story here.
Alvise Armellini 4.45am: Italy’s coronavirus death toll surges past China’s
Italy has added a record 969 people to its COVID-19 death toll as a top public health official said the country’s devastating coronavirus outbreak was nearing its peak.
Total infections, including deaths and recoveries, rose to 86,498, meaning that Italy’s tally surpassed China and was roughly level with the United States.
Recoveries were up by about 6 per cent to 10,950, while the number of intensive care patients — a closely watched figure given the shortage of hospital beds — has risen by 3.2 per cent, to 3732.
Italy’s latest figures included 4401 new contagions, a 6.6 per cent daily increase that is consistent with the trend recorded in recent days. Experts see this as evidence that the contagion is slowing down. Earlier this month, the increase in new contagions was on some days above 20 per cent.
“From March 19-20 (...) the curve seems — and I stress the word ‘seems’ — to be flattening,” National Health Institute President Silvio Brusaferro said.
“We have not reached the peak, we have not gone past it,” he added. — DPA
READ MORE: No one noticed Italy’s silent time bomb
Burke mulls cancelling visa of academic who called Oct 7 ‘a celebration’
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke is considering the visa status of a US-based academic who attended Monday’s Hizb ut-Tahrir-associated rally in Sydney, praising the Houthi rebels and saying Hamas's attacks were a day of 'growth' for Palestinians.
How retail umpire mediated a row while on Ukraine mercy mission
Food Code’s Chris Leptos spends his days arbitrating disputes between suppliers and supermarkets, but after hours he’s part of an international group helping to ease the plight of Ukrainians.