By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Spain has overtaken China with 3,434 coronavirus deaths; and India, with a population of 1.3 billion, is in a lockdown for the next 21 days to head off further spread of the pandemic that has up-ended life everywhere on earth.
Latest data from the Spanish Health Ministry shows that there have now been 3,434 deaths in Spain – an increase of 738 in just 24 hours, and the steepest daily increase in the death toll since the virus hit Spain.
The overall number of cases increased to 47,610 from 39,673 on March 24.
Spain is now second only to Italy in the number of coronavirus deaths.
At least 6,820 people have died in Italy and 3,285 in China, according to data collated by John Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States.
Coronavirus, which has no regard for social status, infected German Chancellor Angela Merkel on March 22, which led to her self-isolation; and on March 24, Prince Charles, heir to the English throne, tested positive, and is also in self-quarantine.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar tweeted on March 22 that his son had tested positive for coronavirus “and he has been moved to Gwagwalada Specialist Teaching Hospital in Abuja for treatment and management.
“I will appreciate it if you have him in your prayers. Stay safe, coronavirus is real.”
Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed on his twitter handle on March 25 that he is in self-isolation awaiting the result of a test he took on March 24.
Below is a summary gleaned from the BBC
- Global have cases exceed 400,000 with deaths approaching 20,000 and more than 100,000 recovered.
- India’s 1.3 billion people went into lockdown at midnight on March 24, with a “total ban” on leaving homes.
- A quarter of the world’s population is now living under some form of lockdown.
- US lawmakers agree about $2 trillion stimulus package for industry.
- The British Parliament goes into recess this evening, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson would have been grilled at Question Time over protection for the country’s 66.4 million population.
- About 170,000 people volunteer in the United Kingdom to help the National Health Service (NHS) cope with vulnerable people.
Latest in Asia in world’s largest lockdown
India is ill-prepared to deal with a huge outbreak of infections and is on day one of its lockdown, which prompted panic-buying.
The health ministry says India has 519 Covid-19 cases and nine deaths. Why so low in a country of 1.3 billion. Very low testing rates could be to blame, making it a possible pandemic hotspot.
China’s Hubei province is lifting all travel restrictions today – a significant milestone for 60 million people locked down since January.
Wuhan – where the global outbreak began – will ease restrictions on April 8.
South Korea said all arrivals from the US would need to self-isolate for two weeks, from March 27. South Korea’s imported cases jumped by 34 to 101 on March 24, its biggest single-day rise as it battles a second wave of infections.
European arrivals already face a two-week quarantine and virus tests.
Malaysia is extending its two-week lockdown. With just under 1,800 confirmed cases, the country is the worst-hit in South East Asia, recording 17 virus deaths.
Pakistan, which has 991 confirmed cases and seven deaths, said it had recorded its first coronavirus death due to local transmission. The victim, a Lahore resident, had no travel history.
In Central Asia, people in Uzbekistan face fines for not wearing masks in public and Kazakhstan’s main cities are under quarantine.
Turkmenistan says it has yet to record a single case – perhaps not surprising for one of the most secretive states in the world.
Around the Middle East
In Iran, President Hassan Rouhani has warned that his government is set to impose tough new measures against the coronavirus. He said they would include restrictions on movement and were likely to be “difficult” for the public.
Despite being by far the hardest-hit country in the region, Iran has so far resisted lockdowns. It has reported 2,077 deaths linked to Covid-19 and 27,017 cases, although the actual figures are thought to be far higher.
The Israel government has approved new restrictions that will take effect at 17:00 (15:00 GMT) on March 25. Israeli media reported that people were likely to be required to stay within 100m (330ft) of their homes.
Five people have died in Israel and another 2,030 have been infected.
Emirates Airline, based in Dubai, has become the largest international carrier to completely ground its fleet in response to the pandemic.
It came after the authorities in the United Arab Emirates, which has reported 248 confirmed cases and two deaths, closed all its airports.