March 15 coronavirus news

While countries around the globe continue implementing unprecedented measures and ban large public gatherings to halt the spread of coronavirus, the government of Nicaragua has done just the opposite as part of its response to the pandemic.  

In order to support those affected by the virus, Nicaragua’s government has organized massive public rallies across the country under the slogan "Love Walk in the Time of Covid-19," resembling the title of the novel by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, “Love in the Time of Cholera.” 

Hundreds of people took part in the rally in the capital Managua on Saturday and in rallies held simultaneously in other cities across the nation. 

As of Saturday, Nicaragua’s Ministry of Health has not reported any positive cases. The ministry said “epidemiological surveillance” has been implemented at airports and borders, and 19 hospitals have been equipped specifically to treat patients experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. 

Contrary to other countries in the region, Nicaragua has not yet established mandatory quarantine for people coming from countries affected by the pandemic, or restrictions on the movement of people entering the country. 

Supporters of President Daniel Ortega's government and state workers marched with red and black flags of the ruling FSLN party and carried posters with health tips for proper hand washing. 

Nicaragua’s First Lady Rosario Murillo said:

In a joint statement, opposition groups Alianza Civica and Unidad Nacional Azúl y Blanco expressed their strong rejection to this kind of mobilization, because of the health risks for participants. 

The opposition statement said:

The Mexican government is urging citizens to avoid non-essential international travel and is reminding Mexicans abroad and those planning to travel in the near future to keep in mind each country’s restrictive coronavirus measures.  

Mexico will keep its consulates and embassies abroad open to provide assistance to nationals who need it, according to a joint statement by the Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs issued on Saturday. 

Mexican authorities also warned that any traveler who experiences symptoms should contact the health teams that carry out control work at all points of entry to Mexico. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has agreed to hold a “National Distance Healing Holiday” from March 23 to April 19 to promote basic prevention measures, such as temporarily suspending non-essential public activities, rescheduling of mass gatherings and increasing protection and care for the elderly.

Taiwan reported six new coronavirus cases today, raising the island's total to 59.

The new cases are:

One person has died in Taiwan from the virus and 20 patients there have been discharged from hospital.

The United Arab Emirates has suspended travel visas and cultural activities, and will launch a a $27 billion economic stimulus plan, authorities announced Saturday.

Flights from four countries will be suspended starting Tuesday: Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.

Tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, such as theme parks, public beaches, and cultural spots, will be closed until the end of March.

Dubai had more than 13 million tourists in 2019, according to government statistics.

Stimulus package: The UAE’s central bank said that $27 billion (100 billion UAE Dirhams) will be rolled out to help curb the coronavirus effects, half of which will be in zero-cost loans to banks.

The UAE currently has 85 coronavirus cases, according to the World Health Organization.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's criminal trial, which was scheduled to start on Tuesday, has been delayed until the end of May due to coronavirus emergency measures.

In response to the outbreak, with has infected 100 people in Israel, the Justice Minister has declared a state of emergency in Israel's court system.

Netanyahu's trial is now set to begin on May 24, said the Justice Ministry today.

Netanyahu has been indicted on charges of bribery, as well as fraud and breach of trust, making him the first sitting prime minister in Israel's history to be indicted.

The state of emergency in the court system restricts activity to only the most essential functions, the Justice Minister said in a statement, such as urgent petitions to the High Court.

The number of global coronavirus cases has passed 152,000, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

There are now 152,428 cases worldwide and 5,393 deaths. Cases have been reported in 141 countries and territories.

China remains the hardest-hit country, with 81,048 cases -- but the number of new infections there is falling to just a dozen or so every day.

Italy is the next hardest hit. It now has 21,157 cases -- after seeing a huge spike of 3,000 new cases in the past 24 hours.

Iran is third, with more than 12,700 cases -- it has recorded about 1,000 new cases since yesterday.

Here are the latest developments on the coronavirus pandemic since our last catch-up:

The public will not be able to attend the Vatican's Easter masses and public Holy Week events due to coronavirus concerns, said the Vatican in a statement today.

Holy Week events include Thursday’s traditional washing of the feet, Friday’s “Way of the Cross” at the Colosseum, and Easter Sunday masses on April 12.

The cancellations also affect Palm Sunday events on April 5.

Pope Francis has extended his live-streamed Wednesday audiences and Sunday Angelus until April 12. 

Closures in the Vatican: Earlier this week, the Vatican also closed Saint Peter Square and Saint Peter Basilica to tourists, and announced that museums would be closed until early April.

The Vatican has one confirmed case of the coronavirus.

The pandemic has infected more than 100,000 people around the globe -- but it's not just humans impacted.

Many animals in Wuhan, the Chinese city where the virus is believed to have originated, have died or are at risk of dying after residents evacuated their homes in the wake of the lockdown, animal advocates have said.

Wendy Higgins, director of international media at Humane Society International, told CNN that dogs and cats have been left behind in apartments -- not just in Wuhan, but in cities such as Beijing, too.

"Estimates are impossible, but we do know that in Wuhan, for example, animal activists have assisted with animals in upwards of 1,000 apartments. So, the numbers nationwide will be significant," she said.

The pets are at risk of starvation. Residents who were forced to leave their pets behind typically left enough food and water to last them for a few days, thinking they would be able to return soon, some animal advocates told CNN.

But nearly a month after they evacuated, many residents have not returned home.

There may be tens of thousands of dogs and cats left behind in Hubei Province, said Vshine Animal Protection Association, a China-based animal welfare and environmental organization which partners with Humane Society International.

Vshine has received at least 400 calls from residents in the city of Dalian alone, asking for employees to check in on their pets.

Read the full story here.