Spain deaths rise; WHO warns against lifting curbs

• Posted on April 8, 2020April 8, 2020
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Spain said fatalities and new cases rose to the highest in four days, infections in Germany increased by the most in three days and Belgium had its deadliest day of the outbreak so far. U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s condition remains stable and he is not on a ventilator.

Hong Kong announced a fresh stimulus package valued at about $18 billion, while European Union finance ministers failed to agree on a $543 billion recovery plan for the bloc. Britain, U.S. and Italy may see deaths exceed 5,000 in the coming week, according to a forecast by Imperial College London.

Earlier, China relaxed its lockdown of Wuhan, the city where the pandemic began. Italy’s discussions to gradually lift restrictions are advancing, as Europe’s exit from stringent lockdown measures takes shape, but the World Health Organization cautioned countries against lowering their guards.

Key Developments:

• Global cases reach 1.43 million; deaths exceed 82,100: Johns Hopkins

• Biden says coronavirus damage could ‘eclipse’ Great Depression

• Trump team preps plans to reopen economy that depend on testing

• Wuhan sees mass exodus after China eases lockdown

• U.S. recession model at 100% confirms downturn is already here

Hong Kong Unveils Virus Relief Package (6:33 a.m. NY)

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced a fresh government stimulus package worth about HK$137.5 billion ($17.7 billion) to support the city’s deteriorating economy. The spending package will include an HK$80 billion job security program to subsidize 50% of wages for affected workers for six months.

VW Reviewing Dividend (6:13 a.m. NY)

Volkswagen AG is considering whether to pay out a record 3.3 billion-euro ($3.6 billion) dividend as planned, or use at least part of it to shore up its finances for what is shaping up to be the biggest economic crisis since World War II.

WHO Says Lifting Lockdowns May Be Premature (6 a.m. NY)

“To think we’re close to an endpoint would be dangerous,” Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization’s regional director for Europe, said at a briefing. Sweden is showing a fresh surge in cases, while the WHO is concerned about a dramatic increase in Turkey, he said. Countries should not lower their guard, he said.

“We have got to ensure that the public understands we’re moving to a new phase,” said Bruce Aylward, one of the WHO’s top officials who recently led a mission to Spain. Countries need to make sure they’re hunting the disease down, because the key to eradication is testing patients, isolating them and tracing their close contacts. Some restrictions may need to continue for some time while others are gradually loosened, he said. “It’s not lifting lockdowns and going back to normal. It’s a new normal.”

-washingtonpost