Coronavirus global summary: deaths, cases, news - 21 April
Coronavirus live: latest Covid-19 news - Tuesday 21 April
Global summary
Total worldwide confirmed cases: 2.4 million
Total worldwide confirmed deaths: 175,000 +
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Coronavirus UK: ONS data shows death toll 41% higher than figures suggest
Figures released by the Office for National Statistics today revealed the true extent of the coronavirus death toll in England and Wales.
Coronavirus: Trump estimates US death toll between 50-60,000
Experts at the White House believe that the United States coronavirus death toll will exceed 50,000 by the end of the Covid-19 pandemic.
UK to start human trials of Covid-19 vaccine
According to Bloomberg, human trials on a novel coronavirus vaccine will begin in the UK this week.
“In the long run, the best way to defeat coronavirus is through a vaccine,” Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the government’s daily news conference. “The U.K. is at the front of the global effort. We have put more money than any other country into a global search for a vaccine and, for all the efforts around the world, two of the leading vaccine developments are taking place here at home.”
The Spanish government have made a u-turn on kids leaving the house on May 26. They initially said kids could only go to the bank, supermarkets and pharmacy with their parents but have bowed to pressure and now say kids under 14 can go out for a walk.
As 8pm came around again in Spain, residents across the nation stood on their balconies to applaud the brave healthcare workers on the frontline of the crisis.
Dutch season cancelled?
Huge news in the sporting world. This could set a precedent for other leagues.
Italy registers first significant fall in infections
Italy reported 534 new deaths from coronavirus, bringing the total to 24,648. While the death toll was 80 more than Monday's figure, the number of people currently infected with the virus fell by 528 to 107,709, which is the first significant fall since the beginning of the outbreak.
Worldwide cases surpass 2.5 million
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus worldwide has surpassed 2.5 million. The grim landmark was reached following warnings from the WHO president, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, that "the worst is yet ahead of us".
"This virus is dangerous. It exploits cracks between us when we have differences," he said. "Trust us. The worst is yet ahead of us,"
“Let’s prevent this tragedy. It’s a virus that many people still don’t understand. Easing restrictions is not the end of the epidemic in any country".
UK coronavirus deaths in hospitals rise by 828 to 17,337
A total of 17,337 people who tested positive for coronavirus have died in hospitals in Britain, an increase of 828 on the figure published 24 hours earlier, health ministry data showed on Tuesday.
The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus has risen to 129,044. The figure for deaths is as of 5 p.m. (1600 GMT) on April 20, while the figure for confirmed cases is as of 9 a.m. (0800 GMT) on April 21. (Reporting by Reuters)
FC Barcelona to sell stadium naming rights
LaLiga giants Barcelona have announced they will sell the naming rights to the Camp Nou stadium for one year in a bid to raise funds for the fight against Coronavirus.
This will be the first time that naming rights to the Camp Nou will be sold since the stadium opened in 1957.
The stadium will keep the “Camp Nou” name, but will also include the sponsor's name, the club said in a statement.
Leading Dem Hakeem Jeffries blasts US government response
Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, Hakeem Jeffries, has once again higlighted the percieved failings of president Donald Trump and his administration's response to the coronavirus crisis...
WHO and WhatsApp launch new chat stickers
It's safe to say most of us are on WhatsApp more than usual these days during lockdown, with coronavirus naturally dominating chats between families, friends and colleagues.
And that is why the WHO and WhatsApp have teamed up to launch a series of chat stickers to help people communicate about aspects of the coronavirus pandemic.
Spain daily death toll rises slightly to 430
Spain has reported a further 430 coronavirus deaths, 31 one more than Monday, bringing its total figure to 21,282. After reaching a peak of 950 fatalities on April 2, the overall trend has seen the numbers drop significantly. The 399 figure recored yesterday was the lowest since March 22.
Following the release of the latest figures, the Spanish government has announced a slight easing of what have been some of the toughest restrictions in Europe, and will now allow children up to 14 years old out on the street for a limited amount of time per day.
This year's San Fermines 'running of the bulls' festival cancelled in Spain
Spain's San Fermin Fiesta, an eight-day festival in July in which fighting bulls run through the streets of Pamplona each morning, has been suspended for the first time in four decades due to the coronavirus crisis, the city hall confirmed this afternoon.
The famed annual party in the northern Spanish city was last called off when political unrest broke out in 1978, though it also lost one day in 1997 after ETA Basque separatists killed a local politician.
"As expected as it was, it still leaves us deeply sad," acting mayor Ana Elizalde said of the suspension. The festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of participants from other parts of Spain and across the globe, first gained international fame from Ernest Hemingway's 1926 novel The Sun Also Rises.
Elizalde did not know if San Fermines, which was also suspended in 1937 and 1938 during the Spanish Civil War, could be revived later this year given the unpredictable nature of the outbreak. "It seems complicated that San Fermin can be held this year, but we will wait to see how events evolve", she said.
The city is also likely to take a substantial economic hit from the suspension.
Air pollution levels in New Delhi before and after images
Striking images taken five months apart comparing pollution levels in New Delhi, India. The top image was taken on 8 November 2019 and the image below, five months later on 8 April 2020. According to data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, levels of nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide, ozone and Pm10 particles have all seen significant drops during April while India is under a 21-day lockdown because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Covid-19 at a glance figures - 13:30 CEST
UK: total confirmed cases 125,856 / total deaths: 16,550
Canada: total confirmed cases 37,933 / total deaths: 1,753
Australia: total confirmed cases 6,547 / total deaths: 67
Spain: total confirmed cases 204,178 / total deaths 21,282
Turkey's growth in reported cases continues, with over 90,000 confirmed taking them to the seventh most affected country in the world, above Iran and China.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has so far not called for a total lockdown, despite some steps being taken in cities, stating that 'the wheels of the economy must keep turning'.
Source: Johns Hopkins University
Reports emerge over health of Kim Jon-un
The leader of North Korea was reported to be gravely ill after undergoing a cardiovascular procedure, sparking questions over who is in line to succeed him.
UN says global hunger could double due to coronavirus
The number of people facing acute food insecurity could nearly double this year to 265 million due to the economic fallout of COVID-19, the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) said on Tuesday, via Reuters.
The impact of lost tourism revenues, falling remittances and travel and other restrictions linked to the coronavirus pandemic are expected to leave some 130 million people acutely hungry this year, adding to around 135 million already in that category.
'Covid-19 is potentially catastrophic for millions who are already hanging by a thread,' said Arif Husain, chief economist and director of research, assessment and monitoring at the World Food Programme (WFP). 'We all need to come together to deal with this because if we don't the cost will be too high - the global cost will be too high: many lost lives and many, many more lost livelihoods,' he told reporters at a virtual briefing in Geneva.
Madrid Zoo sees animals deal with lack of visitors
Sad orangutan
Madrid Zoo: the animals are surprised to see familiar faces in masks, and some are feeling a little lonely without the usual guests (Spanish news)
French flight ban - correction
The previously reported story about France suspending flights appears to have been a misinterpretation of the minister’s comments.
Rather than it being a new policy, the transport and environment minister Elisabeth Borne was explaining the situation that already exists.
A letter to Priti Patel
The Scottish shadow Home Secretary has written a letter to the UK's Secretary of State, Priti Patel highlighting concerns over checks for arrivals.
Donald Trump “Spain is destroyed, it is incredible”
Trump says 'look over there'
Spain's 'destroyed' situation formed part of POTUS' Monday briefing as he continues his self-praising of the US actions.
Protesters leave body bags outside Trump hotel in New York
Trump 'body bag' protest
A group of protesters have left imitation body bags outside Trump International in New York City to represent those who have died from Covid-19.
Call to cancel nurse debt
We are more used to pointing to Sid for his opinions on football, but this one deserves a nod.
France bans flights
All incoming flights to France from outside the Schengan zone have been suspended as they continue their fight against the spread of Covid-19. This, therefore, includes one of their nearest neighbours, the UK.
Venice welcomes back jellyfish
Around the world we've seen how the removal of people from towns and cities has changed the environment for animals.
No Oktoberfest 2020
Germany's Oktoberfest, the world's largest folk festival, where revellers from all over the world gather to swig large quantities of beer, has been cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, the southern state of Bavaria said on Tuesday, via Reuters.
Around six million partygoers gather every year in Munich for the two-week long festivities, held in packed tents with long wooden tables and oompah bands, which makes more than 1 billion euros ($1.08 billion) for Munich. This year's Oktoberfest had been scheduled to take place from 19 Sept to 4 Oct.
Crude awakening
U.S. crude oil bounced back into positive territory on Tuesday, but a historic plunge below zero rattled investors and triggered the steepest drop in Asian stock markets in a month, Reuters reported.
Traders could not give away West Texas Intermediate overnight after a storage squeeze turned holders of the contracts expiring later on Tuesday to forced sellers.
Touching moment
This is a beautiful representation of how carers around the world are making people's lives better.
Covid-19 (at a glance figures)
UK: total confirmed cases 125,856 / total deaths: 16,550
Canada: total confirmed cases 37,933 / total deaths: 1,753
Australia: total confirmed cases 6,547 / total deaths: 67
Spain: total confirmed cases 200,210 / total deaths 20,852
Source: Johns Hopkins University
Covid-19 live blog
Hello and welcome to our live daily coverage of the news that surrounds the coronavirus pandemic.
Throughout the day we will aim to keep you up to date with all the latest developments from around the world related to the Covid-19 crisis that has devastated many countries.