The World Health Organization has dismissed as “false allegations” a media report that it withheld information about the new coronavirus following pressure from China.
Follow our live coronavirus updates.
Live updates
By Daniel Colasimone
Comparing coronavirus to Spanish Flu
Hey Daniel, can you please link me to the ABC piece comparing the Spanish Flu to COVID19? I tried to find it but couldn’t. Thanks!
-Sarah
Here you go.
By Daniel Colasimone
When is Daniel Andrews updating us on Victorian restrictions?
Do you know what time Daniel Andrews is speaking today? Eager to hear what he has to say!
-K
Short answer: We don’t know yet. But I’ll let you know as soon as we do.
By Daniel Colasimone
Just wanted to pass on a massive thank you to the entire ABC Coronavirus Live Blog. It has been such an amazing, up-to-date, accurate resource and I know myself and my family and colleagues are thankful for the service it provides! All the best and stay safe!
-Thankful
Glad you’re finding it helpful!
By Daniel Colasimone
British people seem confused by the latest set of rules
By Daniel Colasimone
What percentage alcohol makes for the most effective hand sanitiser?
While trying to find some winter clothes for my 3 year old, I ventured to Best and Less on Friday, only to be presented with pump packs of hand sanitiser for sale. Curious, I inspected the bottle ingredients only to find the ‘main’ ingredient was water!! I’m sure it was 70% alcohol that was needed for Coronavirus? Has this changed, and why are Australian labeling laws allowing these to be sold at this time if not effective against Coronavirus. Especially as we start easing/opening up?
-Trina
Hi Trina,
You’re right…
- Experts say hand sanitisers with 60-80 per cent alcohol content are the most effective
- Alcohol-free or low-alcohol sanitisers are particularly ineffective for protection against viruses
- Experts say thorough handwashing is better than hand sanitiser
By Daniel Colasimone
Here’s what’s happening around the world
- Germany, which managed to push new infections below 1,000 daily before deciding to loosen restrictions, has seen regional spikes in cases linked to slaughterhouses and nursing homes.German officials expressed concerns about the growing number of large demonstrations.
- France, which has a similar number of infections as Germany but a far higher death toll at over 26,300, is letting some younger students go back to school Monday after almost two months out.
- Italian hotel owners, tour guides, beach resorts and others who depend heavily on tourism are pressing to know when citizens can travel across the country. Premier Giuseppe Conte promised that the restriction on inter-regional movement would be lifted, but only after authorities better determine how the virus outbreak evolves.
- Residents in some Spanish regions will be able to enjoy limited seating at bars, restaurants and other public places Monday, but Madrid and Barcelona, the country’s largest cities, will remain shut down. Spain reported 143 new deaths from the virus, the lowest daily increase since March 19.
- Russia, in contrast, is still reporting rising infections. Figures on Sunday recorded 11,012 new cases, the highest one-day tally yet, for a total of nearly 210,000 cases and 1,915 reported deaths. Russian officials attribute the sharp rise in part to increased testing, but health experts say Russia’s coronavirus data has been significantly under-reported.
- China reported 14 new cases Sunday, its first double-digit rise in 10 days. Eleven of 1