Key developments in the global coronavirus outbreak today include:
Queue for food handouts stretches half a mile in one of world’s richest cities
In a sign of the devastating impact of the Covid-19 epidemic on Switzerland’s poorest, a line of people stretched more than half a mile outside of an ice rink where volunteers handed out around 1,500 parcels. Some of those queueing had been waiting since 5am.
Thousands of nightclubs and other venues shut in South Korea
South Korea’s capital, Seoul, has shut thousands of nightclubs, hostess bars and discos after a cluster of Covid-19 infections were linked to clubbers who went out last weekend after the country relaxed social distancing rules. More than 2,100 venues have been ordered to close in measures imposed today by Seoul’s mayor, Park Won-soon, according to the Associated Press.
UK death toll rises by 346 as coastguard warns people ignoring lockdown
The UK death toll has risen by 346 to 31,587 across all settings, while 215,260 have tested positive, an increase of 3,896 cases on Friday. Meanwhile the coastguard recorded the highest number of incidents in one day since the lockdown began as people “ignored” the government’s message to stay at home. The coastguard said there were 97 incidents on Friday, 54% more than the average of 63 recorded for the previous month.
Vladimir Putin gives speech on unity as Russia becomes fifth worst affected country
Vladimir Putin has told Russians they are invincible when they stand together, as he sought to send a message of unity after the country’s tally of Covid-19 cases became the fifth highest in the world.
Addressing the nation in a speech as he presided over Victory Day celebrations, a sombre Putin invoked the memory of the country’s veterans who fought in the second world war.
Drones and fire engines used to disinfect city in India
Indian authorities used drones and fire engines to disinfect the pandemic-hit city of Ahmedabad on Saturday as virus cases there surged. The western city of 5.5 million people in prime minister Narendra Modi’s home state has become a major concern for authorities as they battle an increase in coronavirus deaths and cases across India.