Madrid, Mar 26: More than three billion people around the world were living under lockdown on Wednesday as governments stepped up their efforts against the coronavirus pandemic which has left more than 20,000 people dead.
As the number of confirmed cases worldwide soared past 450,000, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned that only a concerted global effort could stop the spread of the virus.
In Spain, the number of fatalities surpassed those of China, where the novel coronavirus first emerged three months ago, making it the hardest-hit nation after Italy.
A total of more than 20,800 deaths have now been reported in 182 countries and territories, according to an AFP tally.
Stock markets rebounded after the US Congress moved closer to passing a $2.2 trillion relief package to prop up a teetering US economy.
In Washington, President Donald Trump said New York, the epicenter of the US outbreak with over 30,000 cases, likely has a few "tough weeks" ahead but he would decide soon whether unaffected parts of the country can get back to work.
"We want to get our country going again," Trump said. "I'm not going to do anything rash or hastily.
"By Easter we'll have a recommendation and maybe before Easter," said Trump, who had been touting a strong US economy as he faces an election in November.
UN chief Guterres said the world needs to ban together to stem the pandemic.
"COVID-19 is threatening the whole of humanity -- and the whole of humanity must fight back," Guterres said, launching an appeal for $2 billion to help the world's poor.
"Global action and solidarity are crucial," he said. "Individual country responses are not going to be enough."
India's stay-at-home order for its 1.3 billion people is now the biggest, taking the total number of individuals facing restrictions on their daily lives to more than three billion.
Anxious Indians raced for supplies after the world's second-biggest population was ordered not to leave their houses for three weeks.
Russia, which announced the death of two patients who tested positive for coronavirus on Wednesday, is expected to follow suit.
President Vladimir Putin declared next week a public holiday and postponed a public vote on controversial constitutional reforms, urging people to follow instructions given by authorities.
In Britain, heir to the throne Prince Charles became the latest high-profile figure to be infected, though he has suffered only mild symptoms.
The G20 major economies will hold an emergency videoconference on Thursday to discuss a global response to the crisis, as will the 27 leaders of the European Union, the outbreak's new epicenter.
China has begun to relax its own draconian restrictions on free movement in the province of Hubei -- where the outbreak began in December -- after the country reported no new cases.
Crowds jammed trains and buses in the province as people took their first opportunity to travel.
But Spain saw the number of deaths surge to more than 3,400 after 738 people died in the past 24 hours and the government announced a 432-million-euro ($467 million) deal to buy medical supplies from Beijing.
The death toll in Italy jumped in 24 hours by 683 to 7,503 -- by far the highest of any country.
The number of French deaths was up by 231 on Wednesday to more than 1,330, and metro and rail services in Paris were cut to a minimum.
Spain and Italy were joined by France and six more EU countries in urging Germany and the Netherlands to allow the issue of joint European bonds to cut borrowing costs and stabilise the eurozone economy.
The call is likely to fall on deaf ears when EU leaders talk on Thursday -- with northern members wary of pooling debt with big spenders -- but they will sign off on an "unprecedented" recovery plan.
At La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, nurse Guillen del Barrio sounded bereft as he related what happened overnight.
"It is really hard, we had feverish people for many hours in the waiting room," the 30-year-old told AFP.
"Many of my colleagues were crying because there were people who are dying alone, without seeing their family for the last time."
Coronavirus cases are also spreading in the Middle East, where Iran's death toll topped 2,000, and in Africa, where Mali declared its first case and several nations announced states of emergency.
In Japan, which has postponed this year's Olympic Games, Tokyo's governor urged residents to stay home this weekend, warning of a possible "explosion" of the coronavirus.
Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre, believed by Christians to house Christ's tomb, was shut as Israel tightened movement restrictions.
The impact of the pandemic is also hitting European football, with leagues and tournaments cancelled, while the fate of the Wimbledon tennis tournament could be decided next week.
The economic damage of the virus -- and the lockdowns -- could also be devastating, with fears of a worldwide recession worse than the financial meltdown more than a decade ago.
But financial markets rose after US leaders reached agreement on a stimulus package worth roughly 10 percent of the US economy, an injection Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said represented a "wartime level of investment."
Meanwhile, more than half of all Americans have been told to stay at home, including residents of the largest state, California.
The United States has at least 65,700 cases and 942 people have died.
Comments
True Muslim Even in the age of 80 fights like an tiger. But RSS fellow in the age of 20s needs a group to attack on elder muslims.
RSS needs bunch of coward sena to attack an old man or woman. It shows that they are not only coward but impotent too.
They are coward because they are the followers of Rama, one who used monkey sena to save his wife from ravana.
How they can respect?they have pros.childreans they are living in bhat house.bhat is there father.chaddis are animal.
better it is not to live than to live like a coward.
80 years old one man against a bunch of cowards proves it all.
this is an Inhuman act. The culprits should be punished.
Oh shivaji babu, I just pray that your parents should not face same problem.. Then who will you blame? Family members? YOurself or any other! every dog has a day my dear babu.
seriously inhuman act, beating elders not good.
these are not anti social these are terrorists and anti national islamophobes who are terrorising the common man.
Dear Shivaji,
From where you received that the aged couples are attacked by relatives? If it is true its inhuman. However, no relatives will attack the old couples such way where they cannot bear the pain. No media reported that the attack was by relatives, you have to clarify the source of your news.
This is not new in DK, RSS thugs and police attack aged Muslims people at thier home or outside. There are ample evidence, RSS thugs dressed in Police uniforms attacked homes in Ullala and other places in Mangalore recently. A MLC from BJP admitted that 60% RSS thugs are in Police force in Mangalore.
Kalladka is Communally sensitive since a long time, Police department sincerely work in this area to bring the peace.
SToP bending & bowing to the CHEDDIS. Dear authorities they are dragging you to HELL by portraying their FALSE history to U. Recognise the EVIL & GOOD and Support the GOOD ...
God has given you power of authority to protect the masses from such EVILS. One day U will need to answer for the injustice done to the innocent... PONDER & THINK before U encourage and support CHEDDis.
Muslims Should UNITE, its getting out of control.
The DEVILS dont recognise even elderly people & women. They attack like COWARDS...
To the HONEST hindus, dont put the AXE in your leg by supporting these devils..The one who gave SOUL (LIFE) will question when he takes back our LIFE ... JOIN hands with the secular people and stop supporting the LIARs who deceive YOU by putting FAKE FEAR to unrest the SOCIETY.
Bring Anupam Kher to Learn what is intolerance and how its spreading in India.
Anupam visit Coastal Karnataka Do some Justice To your AWARD as you JUST bagged in for doing Nothing for the Country.
simply blaming particular group, this act is done by his own family for property dispute.
really terrible, which religion is this which s not respecting elder one.
must punish the culprit. i request police to nab this goons very soon because of some bloody all society must bend their knee.
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