Coronavirus live news: WHO and Five Eyes reject Chinese lab theory as global deaths pass 250,000

French hospital discovers Covid-19 case from December; Italy ’s death toll higher than reported; leaders pledge $8bn to fight virus. Follow the latest updatesFive Eyes network contradicts theory Covid-19 leaked from labGerman cases ‘may be 10 times higher than official figures’Australia coronavirus updates - liveSee all our coronavirus coverage2.00amBSTAustralia ’s emergency coronavirus cabinet is due to meet later Tuesday with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also attending. New Zealand has reported 1,137 coronavirus cases and 20 fatalities.The trans-Tasman neighbours are considering reopening their borders to allow air travel between the two countries, in a bid stimulate economic activity.Australia has so far unveiled support measures worth about A$320 billion ($205.6 billion) or about 16% of GDP, as restrictions on public movement push the country toward its first recession in nearly 30 years.The decline in cases and a Covid-19 mortality rate of just 1%, however, have led Australia to relax some curbs on non-essential movements.1.56amBSTAustralia will take a 10% hit to gross domestic product and the unemployment rate will likely double in the June quarter due to measures to limit the spread of the new coronavirus, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg will say in a speech on Tuesday.The world ’s 12th-biggest economy will lose about AU$4bn (US$2.6bn) every week due to restrictions on movement and economic activity.Related:Australia's coronavirus lockdown to cost $4bn...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Coronavirus outbreak World news UK news Australia news US news Science Infectious diseases Americas Asia Pacific Africa Middle East and North Africa Microbiology Medical research China Source Type: news