April 13 coronavirus news

By Ben Westcott, Amy Woodyatt, Adam Renton, Meg Wagner and Veronica Rocha, CNN

Updated 9:11 p.m. ET, April 13, 2020
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6:50 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

Netherlands sees surge of Covid-19 cases among medical workers, as testing ramps up

From CNN’s Mick Krever in London

Medical workers are seen alongside a trauma helicopter as they transport a coronavirus patient on April 12 in Den Haag, Netherlands.
Medical workers are seen alongside a trauma helicopter as they transport a coronavirus patient on April 12 in Den Haag, Netherlands. Sebastiaan Nederhoed/BSR Agency/Getty Images

The Netherlands has seen a surge of confirmed Covid-19 cases among medical workers, as the government ramps up testing.

About 26% of the confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Netherlands are healthcare workers, according to a CNN calculation of data from the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. The country has recorded a total of 25,587 confirmed cases as of Sunday.

In announcing new cases involving healthcare workers this weekend, the Public Health Institute said that the surge was being revealed by an increase in testing. 

As of a few days, health care workers can also get tested outside the hospital if they have complaints. The first effects of this are visible in the reports,” the institute said.

The Public Health Institute added that the number of medical staff cases varied significantly by region, depending on the virus' spread “and local testing policy as of April 6.” As of Friday, 56% of the reported cases in Groningen Province were healthcare workers.

6:46 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

US records at least 557,590 coronavirus cases, and at least 22,109 deaths 

Healthcare workers mourn colleagues who have died during the coronavirus outbreak at a demonstration near Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on April 10.
Healthcare workers mourn colleagues who have died during the coronavirus outbreak at a demonstration near Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City on April 10. Johannes Eisele/AFP/Getty Images

There are at least 557,590 cases of coronavirus in the United State and at least 22,109 people have died in the US from coronavirus, according to Johns Hopkins University's tally of cases.

The totals includes cases from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and other US territories, as well as all repatriated cases. 

Wyoming is the only state that has not yet reported a death from coronavirus.

6:43 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

Spain records second-lowest daily rise in deaths for three weeks

From CNN's Max Ramsay in London, and Al Goodman and Ingrid Formanek in Spain

Another 517 coronavirus-related deaths have been reported in Spain in the past 24 hours --the second-lowest daily rise in deaths for three weeks -- according to Spanish Health Ministry data released Monday.

In the past three weeks, the daily number of deaths has only fallen below 600 on two occasions.

The country has now recorded a total of 17,489 deaths with 87,280 active cases.

The increase in infections -- 624 new cases were recorded on Monday -- is higher than Sunday’s rise, but in the middle of the range recorded over the past week.

The daily increase in those listed as having "recovered" from the virus was lower than those reported in the past two weeks, at 2,336.

A healthcare worker prepares medication for a coronavirus patient at a hospital in Badalona, Spain, on April 1.
A healthcare worker prepares medication for a coronavirus patient at a hospital in Badalona, Spain, on April 1. Felipe Dana/AP

One of the countries worst hit by the pandemic so far, Spain has recorded a total of 169,496 coronavirus cases.

Back to work for some: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will lift some restrictions on movement and service despite new cases of the coronavirus being reported daily.

Speaking at a news conference on Easter Sunday, Sánchez warned the Spanish people against complacency as the rate of infections and deaths from coronavirus slows.

I want to be clear, we are not even entering phase two ...The state of alarm continues, consequently the general confinement continues," he said.

Sánchez said that the lifting of restrictions, some of which will begin on Monday, would be progressive and measured.

6:18 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

Virus may dash Trump's plan for a "big bang" economic opening

Analysis from CNN's Stephen Collinson

President Donald Trump arrives for a daily briefing on the novel coronavirus at the White House on April 7.
President Donald Trump arrives for a daily briefing on the novel coronavirus at the White House on April 7. Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

President Donald Trump almost certainly won't get his "big bang" reopening of the frozen US economy.

His hopes for a sharp rebound in the summer of his reelection year are likely to be dashed by the science of a virus that is highly contagious, for which there is no vaccine and no proven therapies.

Furthermore, many state governors and big city mayors -- who so far retain more public trust over their management of the crisis than Trump -- are nervous about a premature end to stay-at-home orders. Trump can't simply force them to open up.

And the administration itself appears far short of the readiness required to reopen the country safely. Mass testing capabilities needed to underwrite a staged return to normal life before the pandemic is contained are nowhere near needed levels.

There is also no sign of a government plan for how vital functions like air and surface transport can safely resume without triggering a new wave of mass infections.

Read the full analysis here:

6:07 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

Iran fires back at US opposition to IMF coronavirus loan

From CNN’s Ramin Mostaghim in Tehran

Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei is pictured during a news conference in Tehran, Iran in July 2019.
Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei is pictured during a news conference in Tehran, Iran in July 2019. Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

The United States has no right to veto the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) measures, Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei said at a press conference on Monday, in response to US opposition to Iran accessing IMF funds to fight coronavirus.

“America, legally speaking, is not authorized to prevent the enactment of any operation of international bodies,” Rabiei said on state TV, adding, “America has no right to veto IMF's measures. We have paid for years our membership fees and our nation is entitled to receive the loan amid the pressure of US sanctions and the coronavirus pandemic.”

US set to veto: CNN reported last Thursday that the US would veto any vote at the IMF on a $5 billion emergency loan to Iran to help them combat the pandemic, two administration officials told CNN.

“The world's leading state sponsor of terrorism is seeking cash to fund its adventurism abroad, not to buy medicine for Iranians,” a State Department spokesperson told CNN. "The regime’s corrupt officials have a long history of diverting funds allocated for humanitarian goods into their own pockets and to their terrorist proxies."

Last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif called on the IMF to provide access to the $50 billion "Rapid Emergency Fund" to help fight coronavirus.

5:59 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

UK nurses can refuse to treat Covid-19 patients as "last resort" if they don't have adequate protective equipment, says union

From CNN’s Mick Krever in London

A person wearing a face mask holds up a banner reading: 'PPE' outside St Thomas' Hospital on April 07, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
A person wearing a face mask holds up a banner reading: 'PPE' outside St Thomas' Hospital on April 07, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

The Royal College of Nursing, a union in the United Kingdom, has advised its members that they can refuse to treat Covid-19 patients as a last resort if they are not provided with adequate personal protective equipment (PPE).

“Ultimately, if you have exhausted all other measures to reduce the risk and you have not been given appropriate PPE in line with the UK Infection Prevention and Control guidance, you are entitled to refuse to work,” the union said in a guidance document to its members.
“If the employer does not provide appropriate PPE and a safe working environment, as an employee you can refuse to care for a patient, but you must follow RCN guidance before making this decision.”

The union emphasizes that this should be a “last resort,” and that “you must be able to justify your decision as reasonable, so keep a written record of the safety concerns that led you to withdraw treatment.”

Lack of protective equipment: Donna Kinnair, the union’s chief executive, told the BBC on Saturday that British nurses do not have adequate protection.

“My inbox, on a daily basis, this is the number one priority that nurses are bringing to my attention – that they do not have adequate supplies of PPE,” she said.

Addressing reports of PPE shortages, the UK’s health secretary, Matt Hancock, said on Sunday that “there are now record amounts in the system.”

When asked at the daily government briefing about the Royal College of Nursing’s guidance, he said: “We’re working night and day to make sure that we get the right PPE.”

Hancock told the BBC on Saturday that 19 National Health Service staff members had died due to Covid-19.

6:39 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

Indian Railways transport camel milk for child with food allergies amid coronavirus lockdown

From CNN's Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap in New Delhi

Indian Railways transported 20 liters of camel milk to a needy family on Saturday after a Mumbai resident tweeted at Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help.

"Sir, I have a 3.5 yrs old child suffering from autism and severe food allergies. He survives on Camel Milk and limited qty of pulses. When lockdown started I didn’t have enough camel milk to last this long. Help me get Camel Milk or its powder from Sadri (Rajasthan)," tweeted Neha Kumari, a resident of Mumbai earlier last week.

Modi didn't respond but transportation companies across India sprang into action.

"I came across a tweet from a distressed mother and reached out to officials from the western Indian state of Rajasthan and Indian Railways for help," said Arun Bothra, chief managing director (CMD) of Odisha State Road Transport Corporation. 

The company offered its own camel milk powder for the child. However, sending it to Mumbai was an issue and so he got in touch with Tarun Jain, chief passenger transport manager, North-Western Indian Railways, for further assistance. 

The milk container reached the family on Saturday, Bothra said.

5:48 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

South Korea to ship virus test kits to US

From CNN’s Yoonjung Seo in Seoul

South Korea will send a shipment of Covid-19 testing kits to the United States on Tuesday afternoon, an official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told CNN on Monday.

The official did not disclose how many kits would be sent, but said the kits had been produced by two manufacturers.

South Korea’s ability to test large numbers of people in a short period of time has been a major contributing factor in its success in combating the virus.

A Seoul city official guides visitors at a walk-thru coronavirus testing station in Seoul on April 3.
A Seoul city official guides visitors at a walk-thru coronavirus testing station in Seoul on April 3. Jung Yeon-je/AFP/Getty Images

SolGent, the first South Korean coronavirus test kit manufacturer registered for stockpile procurement by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) told CNN on Monday that the company had shipped coronavirus test kits for 150,000 people to the US on April 7.

US President Donald Trump and his South Korean counterpart Moon Jae-in spoke on the phone last month about the pandemic; Trump had requested assistance procuring medical equipment from South Korea.

South Korea to track quarantine violators with bracelets: On Saturday, South Korea’s Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said the country would adopt an electronic bracelet system to monitor people in quarantine who have previously violated quarantine orders.

5:56 a.m. ET, April 13, 2020

India’s Prime Minister to address nation on last day of nationwide lockdown

From CNN’s Vedika Sud in New Delhi

 

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation at 10am, local time, on April 14, according to a tweet from the PM’s office.

April 14 marks the last day of the three week nationwide lockdown that was implemented on March 25.

A man watches Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on a mobile phone in Jabalpur, on March 19.
A man watches Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on a mobile phone in Jabalpur, on March 19. Uma Shankar Mishra/AFP/Getty Images

Lockdown extended in some areas: Several states have already extended the lockdown, as numbers of coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country.

Maharashtra, Punjab and Odisha were all originally scheduled to come out of lockdown along with the rest of the country on Tuesday.

So far, there has been no announcement from Modi as to whether the nationwide lockdown will be extended.

Cases continue to rise: India recorded 796 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours, bringing the nation's total to 9,152 confirmed cases as of Monday, according to the country's health ministry.