April 6 coronavirus news

By Helen Regan, Jessie Yeung, Adam Renton, Amy Woodyatt and Meg Wagner, CNN

Updated 9:18 p.m. ET, April 6, 2020

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6:42 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Japan will declare state of emergency

From CNN’s Will Ripley and Yoko Wakatsuki in Tokyo

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attends a parliamentary session on April 2 in Tokyo. Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will declare a state of emergency on Tuesday, lasting for approximately one month, he announced Monday.

Abe will hold a press conference on Tuesday to further explain the declaration.

A different tactic: Abe says Japan’s state of emergency will differ from Western countries, adding that "basic economic activity" will continue, giving examples including public transportation and supermarkets.

The Prime Minister’s advisory committee recommended that a state of emergency be declared for seven Japanese prefectures, including the Japanese capital of Tokyo and its second largest city Osaka. The full list of prefectures affected is: Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Osaka, Hyogo and Fukuoka.

Economic relief: Abe also announced details of a massive JPY ¥108 trillion (USD $989 billion) economic stimulus package. The size of the economic relief package — 20-percent of Japan’s GDP — is unprecedented.

The stimulus includes JPY ¥6 trillion (USD $54 billion) in cash handouts for families who have lost significant income and small business owners. Also included, JPY ¥26 trillion (USD $238 billion) in extension of deadlines for tax and social welfare payments. Zero-interest loans will also be provided to private financial institutions, but Abe did not specify the amount.

This post has been corrected to better reflect the details of Japan’s stimulus package.

5:17 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Former British PM Tony Blair fears for economic damage from UK "lockdown"

From CNN's Simon Cullen and Jo Shelley

Former British Prime Minster Tony Blair speaks at an event in London in December 2019. Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair says the economic damage caused by the UK’s social distancing rules and government-mandated shutdown of some businesses is “enormous” and could eventually affect the county’s ability to run its health-care system.

“I am terrified by the economic damage we are doing every week this lockdown continues,” Blair told BBC radio on Monday.
“If it goes on for a long period of time, then that economic damage doesn’t just affect the economy per se, it also affects your ability to operate your health-care system effectively.”

Blair said the only real way to ease the restrictions is to dramatically increase the number of coronavirus tests being carried out.

“If I was handling this situation now I think I would put a senior minister in charge of testing and nothing else,” he said, adding that the minister would need to be supported with business and technology experts to advise on how to increase testing rates to an industrial scale.

“Unless you’re able to get mass testing -- at scale, with speed -- I don’t see how you get a way out of this lockdown.”

5:03 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

It's just past 2:30 p.m. in New Delhi and 10 a.m. in Dublin. Here's the latest

A man wearing a face mask sits in front of a closed shop during a government-imposed nationwide lockdown in New Delhi, India, on April 6. Jewel Samad/AFP/Getty Images

If you're just joining us now, here's what has happened since our last catch-up.

Boris Johnson in hospital: The British prime minister was admitted to hospital yesterday for tests, but continues to lead the government, authorities said today. Johnson tested positive for coronavirus on March 27, and is still experiencing symptoms 10 days later, so went to the hospital as a "precautionary step."

Scottish scandal: Scotland’s chief medical officer resigned after being caught leaving her home without a proper excuse. Police issued her with a formal warning on Sunday for breaking Scotland’s strict measures aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus.

Irish leader steps in: Ireland's Taoiseach (prime minister) Leo Varadkar, a former doctor, has rejoined the medical register and will work one shift a week to help out, according to national broadcaster RTE.

Spike in Japan: Japan's health ministry announced 378 new cases and three more deaths nationwide by the end of Sunday. A US military commander in Japan declared a public health emergency for military bases today, citing the rise in cases in nearby Tokyo.

Commuters wearing face masks pass through Shinagawa station in Tokyo, Japan, on April 6. Behrouz Mehri/AFP/Getty Images

Controversial drug: India has imposed a blanket export ban on a malaria drug touted by President Donald Trump as possible therapy for coronavirus. This ban comes just as Trump called on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to release more of the drug to the US.

And finally, some good news: The Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy are both essential workers, so they are exempt from movement restrictions, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told children today. But they may be busy with their own families during this pandemic -- so if children aren't visited by the Bunny this year, they could organize their own social distancing version of an Easter egg hunt, she suggested.

4:50 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Trump calls Queen Elizabeth a "wonderful woman" as the US struggles to control its outbreak

President Donald Trump speaks during a coronavirus task force briefing at the White House on April 5, in Washington. Patrick Semansky/AP

President Donald Trump called Britain's Queen Elizabeth II "a great and wonderful woman" on Twitter, after the Queen recorded a rare televised address to the nation broadcast on Sunday.

The Queen typically only speaks to the public during her annual Christmas message, or when there is a new parliament installed.

The Queen's message: She urged unity and offered reassurance for the nation during her speech.

"Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it," the Queen said. " I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge."

She thanked those who were staying at home and following social distancing rules, as well as frontline workers and medical staff.

Contrast in the US: Trump's praise of the Queen comes as the US struggles with its own outbreak, and as the President faces sharp criticism for his handling of the crisis.

He has sent mixed messages to the public over the past month, offering misleading information on testing, ventilator supply, and the pandemic's timeline.

Trump has also contradicted medical and scientific experts on his own White House task force, and urged the economy to resume operations by Easter -- which is this coming weekend.

"We have to open this country up," he said last week -- even as doctors warn the nation will see a massive spike in cases if Americans return to crowded workplaces or events.

4:42 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Colombian president calls for solidarity with Venezuelan migrants during coronavirus outbreak

From CNNE’s Daniel Silva Fernandez in Miami and Hira Humayun in Atlanta

Colombian President Ivan Duque Marquez speaks during the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference, in Washington on March 2. Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Colombian President Ivan Duque called for solidarity and support for more than a million Venezuelan migrants who have been hit hard by the impacts of coronavirus, during a Facebook Live session on Sunday.

About 600 Venezuelan citizens crossed the Colombian border into Venezuela on Saturday, according to Migracion Colombia, Colombia’s Immigration Authority. They were received by officials from the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration and Immigration of Venezuela.

Colombia’s quarantine measures during the outbreak have left many Venezuelan citizens in the country without a source of income.

Duque said Colombia will help the migrants despite the difficulties caused by the outbreak, "especially those with the most vulnerable conditions, being able to receive food and some protection at this time."

He said the government would continue making progress in food aid and protection programs to help the nearly 1.7 million displaced Venezuelans.

9:22 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Coronavirus cases in Switzerland continue to rise

From CNN's Stephanie Halasz

Swiss personnel help move a coronavirus patient at the Pourtales Hospital in Neuchatel, Switzerland, on March 25. Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images

Switzerland reported 822 more cases of coronavirus on Sunday, bringing the national total to 21,100, according to the Swiss Federal Office for Health.

At least 559 people have died from the virus.

The Swiss authority said that there are 246 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

“Switzerland now has one of the highest incidences (246/100,000) in Europe,” said a statement on the health authority's website.

4:26 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Top Indian doctor says community participation is vital in stopping slum coronavirus outbreaks

People rest by their homes in Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums, in Mumbai, India, on April 3. Rajanish Kakade/AP

Dr. Randeep Guleria, director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi says that the most important way to stop a coronavirus outbreak in India's slums will be to get community participation.

"In my mind the control of the disease is going to be through the community rather than through the hospitals," Guleria said, speaking to CNN on Monday.

Efforts to stop the coronavirus from spreading in Mumbai's densely populated Dharavi slum are being ramped up after several cases and one death were confirmed there last week.

Quarantining not possible in a slum: Guleria said it is impossible for people there to isolate themselves at home.

"If you have a number of people living in one room, its not possible for them to have home quarantine or self-quarantine. So a facility that can put them up for two weeks so they don't spread the virus in their community is something that needs to be looked at," Guleria said.

Lockdown showing signs of helping: India is entering its second week of a 21-day nationwide lockdown, and Guleria recommended that more aggressive restrictions may be needed in hotspot areas.

"We could look at a graded lockdown in some areas -- where the infections are lower based on the data, the lockdown may be partially lifted. But in the hotspots where we have a large number of cases being picked up, I think we will need to look at a more aggressive lockdown so that community spread can be stopped in these areas," he said.

Can India cope? On whether the country has enough hospital resources to cope with a large outbreak, Guleria said that while resources "are going to be strained," India has had a few weeks to prepare.

"What advantage we have had is that we’ve had time over the past few weeks to start preparing. And a lot of work has gone in to prepare a lot of Covid hospitals facilities, whether it be PPEs, ventilators, or whether it be trying to train our doctors, to manage this.
"We need to see how we can flatten the curve because if we have these huge surge of cases that are happening in the US, it’s going to be a big problem as far as India is concerned," he said.

4:16 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Boris Johnson continues to lead British government from hospital

From CNN's Lauren Kent in London

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson remains in charge of the British government from hospital, housing minister Robert Jenrick said on Monday.

Johnson was admitted to the hospital on Sunday night in what Downing Street said was a "precautionary step" after continuing to experience coronavirus symptoms 10 days after testing positive on March 27.

"I know for him personally it will be very frustrating that he's had to go to the hospital to have these tests, and he'll want to be back in Number 10 leading from the front, which is his way," said Jenrick on the BBC's Today program. "But he remains in charge of the government and he will be updated regularly in the hospital, as he has been while he was self-isolating."

UK foreign minister Dominic Raab will chair the regular morning meetings for the government, Jenrick said.

He added that it "wasn't an emergency admission."

"It was a planned admission, in order to have some routine tests. Those tests are underway and he'll stay in hospital as long as he needs to do that. But I've heard that he's doing well, and I very much look forward to him being back in Number 10 as soon as possible," Jenrick said.

4:05 a.m. ET, April 6, 2020

Scotland's chief medical officer resigns after she was caught leaving home without a proper excuse

From CNN’s Simon Cullen

Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Catherine Calderwood speaks at a coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh on March 29. Jeff J Mitchell/AFP/Getty Images

Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Catherine Calderwood has resigned after being caught leaving her home without a proper excuse during the coronavirus pandemic.

Calderwood initially said in a news conference apologizing for her actions that she intended to stay in the role. But by late Sunday night, she had resigned “with a heavy heart."

“The justifiable focus on my behaviour risks becoming a distraction from the hugely important job that government and the medical profession has to do in getting the country through this coronavirus pandemic,” she said in a statement.
“Having worked so hard on the government's response, that is the last thing I want.”

Calderwood was photographed by a Scottish newspaper near her second home, in a different part of the country from her Edinburgh address.

Police issued her with a formal warning on Sunday for breaking Scotland’s strict measures aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said Monday that she had hoped that Calderwood would be able to stay in the position, "because at this point in dealing with the pandemic, continuity of advice from somebody who’s been immersed in this from the very outset was very important."

“By last night, it became very clear to me that whatever the risk of that was … it was outweighed by the risk of our message being crowded out and undermined," Sturgeon said.