Health and Healthcare Systems

Nearly 3 billion people around the globe under COVID-19 lockdowns - Today's coronavirus updates

People returning from Hubei province, the epicentre of China's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, arrive at an assembly point as workers of their communities wait to pick them up, in Beijing, China March 25, 2020. Picture taken March 25, 2020. cnsphoto via REUTERS. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. - RC2GRF9LCDGI

People returning from Hubei province, the epicentre of China's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, arrive at an assembly point as workers of their communities wait to pick them up, in Beijing, China March 25, 2020 Image: cnsphoto via REUTERS

Linda Lacina

As coronavirus continues to spread across the globe, here are some of the latest headlines and resources to help you arm yourself with the best information.

COVID-19’s impact around the globe

This map illustrates the global coronavirus lockdown
With India ordering its 1.3 billion residents to stay at home, there are now roughly 3 billion people in some form of lockdown around the world. This map by the Daily Mail shows where full and partial lockdowns have been enacted. Read more here.

Image: Daily Mail

G20 leaders to meet by video conference to discuss COVID-19
Leaders from the Group of 20 major economies will meet by video conference on Thursday to discuss the coronavirus pandemic. Summit leaders will discuss developing a response to the outbreak's economic impact. Read more here.

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What is the World Economic Forum doing about the coronavirus outbreak?

COVID-19 is "Public Enemy #1": These 6 steps can help fight it

Lockdowns have created a second window of opportunity to fight coronavirus, said World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. But as reported cases climbed above 450,000 this week, that window is closing.

To that end, the Director-General outlined six steps that any country can take, regardless of its size or situation, to fight the virus.

1. Expand, train and deploy your public health force.

2. Implement a system to find every suspected case.

3. Ramp up testing capacity and availability.

4. Identify and adapt key facilities you will use to treat and isolate patients.

5. Develop a clear plan to quarantine contacts.

6. Refocus the whole of government on suppression and containing COVID-19.

"We have overcome many pandemics and crises before," said the Director-General. "We will overcome this one, too. The question is how large a price we will pay."

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Despite preventive efforts, Italy sees sharp rise in COVID-19 fatalities
Italy's death toll rose by 743 on Tuesday, the second highest daily number since the outbreak emerged in the country's northern regions last month. These deaths come during a week when the government closed all non-essential businesses and after Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte raised fines for those people violating stay-at-home orders to up to €3,000, from a previous maximum of €206. Read more here.

Half a million in UK heed call for volunteers
More than 500,000 people signed up to help Britain’s National Health Service tackle the coronavirus outbreak, with 170,000 signing up just hours after the request. These volunteers will help to deliver food and medicines, as well as provide transport for patients. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said those volunteers would serve an "absolutely crucial" role. Read more here.

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson speaks during his first remote news conference on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in London, Britain March 25, 2020. Andrew Parsons/Pool via REUTERS - RC26RF96XSH8
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said at his press conference Wednesday that the half million volunteers will serve a Image: Andrew Parsons/Pool via REUTERS
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