Coronavirus update - 12 March

Coronavirus update - France’s labour Minister Muriel Pénicaud has confirmed on French television this morning that "Yes, the current health crisis is also becoming an economic crisis, which is already having major effects." Adding that the "priority" of the French government was to protect "businesses, jobs and workers."

Towards a return to normal in China. In recent days, the number of new cases has been decreasing in China, which suggests that the epidemic peak has been exceeded in the country, as Beijing reported on Thursday, March 12th. As the epicenter of industrial production, China risks still facing economic difficulties - with global repercussions - despite the gradual resumption of local work.

Europeans banned from the United States. Donald Trump announced on Wednesday March 11th, in a speech to the nation, that he would prohibit nationals of European countries - except the United Kingdom and Ireland - from going to the United States for a duration of 30 days, from Friday evening. This restriction does not apply to United States nationals. After confusion by suggesting that "trade and freight" from Europe would also be banned, Donald Trump said moments later that "trade will in no way be affected".

Global pandemic. The secretary general of the UN, Antonio Guterres, called, Wednesday, March 11th, all countries to "redouble their efforts immediately" to fight against the pandemic of coronavirus Covid-19. "It is also an appeal to responsibility and to solidarity”.

For the first time, the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday called the Covid-19 epidemic, which has infected more than 125,000 people worldwide since late December, "a pandemic".

Fifteen new dead on French soil. France has registered fifteen new deaths due to the coronavirus, bringing the total toll to 48 deaths out of 2,281 confirmed cases since the end of January, announced Wednesday evening the Minister of Health, Olivier Véran. Nearly 500 new cases were registered compared to the previous assessment, he said. In total, Wednesday evening, 105 people were in intensive care.

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