- In Iran, the total number of confirmed cases now stands at 20,610, as the death toll reaches 1,556, a health ministry spokesman said on Saturday, Reuters reported.
- Australia’s Bondi Beach has been closed after people ignored the government’s social distancing rules and flocked to its world-famous shores.
- Spain’s death toll jumps by over 30% from Friday to Saturday, as the number of people who have died hits 1,326.
- Singapore reported its first two confirmed deaths related to the COVID-19 outbreak — a 75-year-old woman, and a 64-year-old man.
- A member of U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s office tested positive for the new coronavirus COVID-19, according to Katie Miller, the vice president’s press secretary.
The coverage on this live blog has ended — but for up-to-the-minute coverage on the coronavirus, visit the live blog from CNBC’s U.S. team.
Global cases: At least 234,073, according to the latest figures from the World Health Organization
Global deaths: At least 9,840, according to the latest figures from the WHO
All times below are in Beijing time.
8.45 pm: Europe approves France’s $323 billion aid package
The European Commission has approved France’s 300 million euros ($323 billion) aid plan as it attempts to stem the economic impact of the fast-spreading coronavirus. The money is designed to help businesses with liquidity issues across the country.
“We are working around the clock with Member States to enable them to take swift, effective and targeted action to support the European economy at this difficult time, while preserving the Single Market,” Commission Executive Vice President Margrethe Vestager said in a statement Saturday. “Because we need the Single Market to weather this crisis and bounce back strongly afterwards.”
France has over 12,600 confirmed cases, according to Johns Hopkins University, and 450 people have died from the virus. It is the seventh-worst affected country in the world.
7.43 pm: Confirmed cases in Spain nears 25,000 as number of deaths jumps 30%
The Spanish health ministry said Saturday that 1,326 people had now died from the coronavirus in the country, a rise of 324 — or more than 30% — on the day before.
The total number of confirmed cases now stands at 24,926, up from 19,980.
It comes after Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the president of the region of Madrid, said Friday that the majority of people in Spain’s capital city will get the coronavirus. Speaking to state radio Thursday, she said eight out of 10 people in the city would contract COVID-19.
Spain is second only to Italy for coronavirus-related cases and deaths in Europe, which has become the epicenter of the outbreak. The WHO has advised all countries to adopt a mix of interventions based on an analysis of the local situation and context, with containment as a major pillar. — Bishop and Meredith
7.05 pm: Australia closes Bondi Beach after ‘unacceptable’ number of people ignore the rules
Australia’s Bondi Beach has been closed after people ignored the government’s social distancing rules and flocked to its world-famous shores.
Greg Hunt, the country’s health minister, said the number of people on the beach was “unacceptable,” as the New South Wales police closed the beach to the public. Hunt said, “where something like this is happening, the local council must step in.”
“We are all in this together ... If you are breaking those rules, you are putting not just yourselves, but other Australians at risk. The message is: be our best selves,” Hunt told reporters Saturday.
Australians have been advised to avoid large gatherings, although its social distancing measures are more lax than in many other countries, and schools remain open.
The number of people who have coronavirus in the country now stands at 1,081, according to Hunt, and seven people have died. — Bishop
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/21/coro...new-cases.html