Coronavirus: the state of the world facing the pandemic Saturday April 4

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As we approach the 60,000 death mark worldwide, more than one million one hundred thousand cases of infections have been officially diagnosed in 190 countries and territories since the start of the epidemic. Among these cases, at least 211,600 are now considered cured.

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The WHO figures speak for themselves, the pandemic is spreading. Italy remains the country most affected in number of deaths with more than 14,000 deaths for 120,000 cases.

In number of cases, the United States is the most affected country. Soon 300,000 officially registered contaminations, and more than 7,000 deaths. According to official, but controversial, figures from Chinese authorities, the balance sheet (excluding the territories of Hong Kong and Macao) has stabilized at 81,639 cases (19 new between Friday and Saturday), including 3,326 deaths (4 new), and 76 755 healings.

No real vacation in France

A large-scale police system (of 160,000 police officers and gendarmes) has been put in place to prevent departures during the Easter school holidays and to force the French to respect confinement. The prefectures of Gironde and Pyrénées-Atlantiques have prohibited tourist accommodation from welcoming the public in all the municipalities on their coast.

As part of national solidarity with hospitals in tension, six patients from the Grand-Est region arrived this Saturday afternoon by helicopter and plane at the terminal in Nîmes-Garons, before being received in establishments hospital in the city.

A petition launched by the former Minister of Health Philippe Douste-Blazy asks to soften the possibilities of prescription of hydroxychloroquine, this treatment whose use causes a debate. It exceeded 80,000 signatures on Saturday early in the afternoon.

Containment continues in Spain

The head of the socialist government Pedro Sanchez decided to extend for two weeks (until April 25) the state of alert and the general confinement of the population. For that, he will have to obtain the approval of the Parliament next week.

Spain recorded a falling death toll for the second day in a row after the 950 record on Thursday.

The number of new officially confirmed cases also slowed (7,026, bringing the total to 124,736), as did the number of hospitalizations.

The Madrid region remains the most affected with 40% of deaths (4,723) followed by Catalonia (northeast) where 2,508 people died.

Spain is also still engaged in a race against the clock to procure the medical equipment which its overwhelmed hospitals lack, in particular respirators. A recurring problem in many hospitals around the world.

Italian robots at the bedside

The number of intensive care hospitalizations has decreased for the first time in Italy since the pandemic exploded there more than a month ago, announced civil defense on Saturday. The number of Covid-19 patients in intensive care in Italian hospitals has dropped below 4,000 (3,994 compared to 4,068 the day before).

But with nearly 15,000 dead (including 8,300 in Lombardy), Italy is the most bereaved country in the world by the Covid-19.

Hospitals are still overwhelmed. A hospital in Varese has put six robots into service. They are active with patients, verifying vital parameters or triggering procedures essential for keeping them alive. By controlling them remotely, doctors and nurses at this Varese hospital protect themselves and save on protective equipment. These little robots have another advantage: they make certain patients smile.

According to the Italian Higher Institute of Health, nearly 10% of the 120,000 officially infected people in the country belong to medical personnel.

Doctor Miss England returns from India

The United Kingdom has recorded an additional 708 patient deaths confirming the acceleration of the epidemic which has claimed more than 4,000 lives. A total of 41,903 positive cases have now been officially identified.

" Britain is unlikely to lift its containment rules until the end of May, " said a government adviser. This Saturday, the authorities fear that the spring climate will invite residents to go out more and renew their advice to stay at home.

The good news of the day is that Bhasha Mukherjee, Miss England 2019, who was confined to India, was able to return home. " I wanted to lead the fight with my colleagues from the hospital, " says the young woman, a model but also a doctor.

If Great Britain is now well plunged into the crisis, one of its territories, the Falkland Islands located in the South Atlantic, have announced their first case of coronavirus.

In Ireland, the government is today presenting its plan to contain the epidemic in the country's nursing homes. 38 establishments are now homes.

Masks: change of tone in the United States

While the war of masks is declared, we observe a change of course of the American government which now recommends to its population to cover their faces in the street to slow the spread of the virus.

It appears that people infected but without symptoms represent a quarter of all those infected, and are responsible for a large part of the contagions, without their knowledge.

Americans are preparing for the worst and setting up field hospitals in major urban centers (New York, Los Angeles, Miami).

The mayor of New York called for the general mobilization of medical personnel. He estimates that he needs the help of 45,000 additional professionals to deal with the virus.

For the time being, the general containment that many are demanding is not on the federal government's agenda. President Trump is not in favor of it and declares that, contrary to the recommendations of the CDC (Center for Disease Control), he chooses not to wear a mask.

The $ 2,000 billion mega-plan to support the US economy is starting to take effect. 4 billion dollars have already been requested by companies, in particular to pay the salaries of their employees.

The US economy suffered from the first effects of the crisis with an unemployment rate leaping to 4.4% and 701,000 jobs destroyed, according to the Labor Department.

Windfall effects: a hotel room at 5,000 euros per night

The pandemic has seriously slowed down economic activity. According to the Asian Development Bank, the pandemic could cost the global economy between $ 2,000 and $ 4,100 billion, or 2.3% to 4.8% of global GDP.

But some are doing well. This Swiss hotelier, for example, forced to close his establishment to travelers, now offers luxury confinement to his customers. Luxury room but also specific services such as doctor's visits, possibility to access tests, or benefit from the services of a courier. The room alone costs 500 euros per night but the options can increase the bill up to 5,000.

Day of mourning in China

China observed a day of national mourning in tribute to the dead of Covid-19. At 10:00 am local sirens sounded throughout the territory for three minutes. In Beijing, motorists stopped their vehicles to honk their horns and pedestrians remained stationary on the sidewalk.

Out of respect for the deceased, China prohibits all public leisure activities. Even some Chinese online video games have been made inaccessible.

The epidemic now seems to be halted in the country, but the authorities fear a second wave and have encouraged the population to hold commemorative ceremonies at home.

Strict provisions

If the situation seems to be improving in China, its Asian neighbors are taking drastic measures to fight the epidemic.

Thailand has now introduced a night curfew. Singapore has closed schools and businesses and is asking residents to stay at home.

In India, the second day of confinement in Dharavi, one of the largest slums in Asia, whose overcrowded alleys are known worldwide since the film Slumdog Millionaire . Concern is growing in the country as the coronavirus begins to enter the poorest neighborhoods.

In Egypt, a night curfew since March 25

The main cancer institute in Egypt has detected at least 17 cases of new coronavirus among its medical staff.

Egypt has officially registered 985 cases and 66 deaths from Covid-19. Faced with the pandemic, the authorities have taken strict measures, notably by imposing a night curfew since March 25. Violators face heavy fines and even prison terms.

The United Arab Emirates has officially requested a one-year postponement of the 2020 World Expo, which was due to start in October in Dubai.

Coronavirus and war, concern is mounting

There is mounting concern about the countries in conflict. The " worst is yet to come, " warns UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. " The Covid-19 storm is now coming to all theaters of conflict, " he said, citing Syria, Ukraine, Libya, Yemen, Burma and even Colombia.

Castle life for an athlete

Containment is not always synonymous with confinement. In France, the 29-year-old runner Yosi Goasdoué, 2015 French half-marathon champion, obtained a treadmill to be able to continue training. But impossible to bring the craft through the door of the apartment ... He asked the owner of a 16th century castle transformed into a hotel. The establishment is closed and Yosi Goasdoué has obtained authorization to occupy it, very happy to run in the park for 150 km per week.

Our selection on SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus

• Listen to Infos coronavirus , our daily chronicle on the pandemic

• Analysis - What strategies to deal with the Covid-19 epidemic?

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→ Quarantine, what are we talking about ?
→ How do you treat Covid-19 patients?
→ How the Institut Pasteur hopes to find a vaccine

• Doctors' answers to your questions about the Covid-19

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