April 29 coronavirus news

By Helen Regan, Adam Renton and Emma Reynolds, CNN

Updated 9:09 p.m. ET, April 29, 2020

14 Posts

Sort by

10:45 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

A pug called Winston may be the first dog in US to test positive for coronavirus

From CNN's David Williams

Sydney McClean holds her pug, Winston, while a researcher swabs the dog's mouth for a coronavirus test. Courtesy Heather McClean

A North Carolina family's pug may be the first dog in the United States to test positive for coronavirus, according to researchers.

Three members of the McClean family contracted Covid-19 last month. Sydney McClean, the couple's daughter, was the only family member to never show any symptoms.

The family found out their dog, Winston, tested positive for the virus too after they participated in a Duke University study about Covid-19 aimed at trying to find potential treatments and vaccines.

"His (Winston's) amount of virus that we detected was very low, suggesting that he would not be a likely mechanism or vector of transmission of virus to either other animals or to, to humans in these households," said Chris Woods, the principal investigator of the study.

Experts have stressed that there is no evidence that pets play a part in transmitting coronavirus.

Other animals that have tested positive include:

Two cats in New York
Eight lions and tigers tested at the Bronx Zoo
Two dogs under quarantine in Hong Kong

Read the full story:

A pug in North Carolina may be the first dog in US to test positive for coronavirus

10:32 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

Japan reports 273 new coronavirus cases

From CNN's Yoko Wakatsuki in Tokyo

Japan reported 273 new coronavirus cases and 13 deaths nationwide on Tuesday, the country's health ministry said.

That brings the total number of infections to 14,564, including 402 deaths. The total includes 712 cases and 13 deaths linked to the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

The number of confirmed cases of the virus in Japan has spiked in the past month -- dashing hopes that the government's initial virus response had succeeded in controlling its spread.

On Monday, Japan reported 191 new coronavirus cases and 199 the day before.

On March 1, the country had reported 243 cases.

10:16 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

How does India, a country of 1.3 billion people, have around 1,000 coronavirus deaths?

From CNN's Julia Hollingsworth

Less than a month ago, India's future looked dire.

Experts predicted that the country could expect millions of coronavirus cases. Doctors warned that India needed to prepare for an onslaught of cases that could cripple the country's ill-equipped health system.

Onlookers worried that the virus could spread like wildfire through India's slums.

But so far, the world's second-most populous country appears to have avoided the worst.

As of Tuesday, India had reported 31,360 coronavirus cases and 1,008 deaths, or about 0.76 deaths per million. Compare that to the United States, where the number of deaths per million is more than 175.

Some experts say that India's relatively positive numbers suggest the country's nationwide lockdown to halt the spread of Covid-19 could be working -- for now.

But the reality behind India's numbers is more complicated -- and experts caution that it is too early for India to congratulate itself.

Read the full story:

How does India, a country of 1.3 billion people, have around 1,000 coronavirus deaths?

10:05 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

Las Vegas casino union leader calls for every worker to be tested before reopening

D. Taylor, president of UNITE HERE, during a town hall meeting with Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders at the Culinary Workers Union Local 226 on December 10, 2019, in Las Vegas. Krystal Ramirez/Las Vegas Sun via AP

The head of the union representing tens of thousands of casino workers in Las Vegas says all of those employees should be tested before the casinos are allowed to reopen.

"Nobody should have to choose between your life and your job. That's what we're being asked to do here,” said D. Taylor, President of UNITE HERE, the labor organization that includes the Vegas branch of the Culinary Workers Union.

“We're not rats in a lab to be tested," he said.

Earlier Tuesday, the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas put out a set of rules it's committed to follow when it restarts operations.

It includes temperature screenings of all employees and guests, social distancing and face masks to be provided to guests who choose to wear one.

But Taylor said the union wants the government to set consistent guidelines that all casinos must follow.

"We're not going to rely on companies to do the right thing,” said Taylor. We've already seen what meatpacking companies have done throughout the United States.”

Thousands of workers at meat processing plants have become infected with coronavirus.

9:54 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

2 major US airlines will provide masks for passengers beginning in early May

From CNN's Pete Muntean and Brian Rokus

A pilot walks by United Airlines planes as they sit parked at gates at San Francisco International Airport on April 12 in San Francisco. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

United Airlines and American Airlines will begin to provide masks to passengers beginning in early May.

United said masks will be available for passengers on domestic and international flights but it won't be compulsory to wear them.

"We are not mandating that passengers wear a mask however we strongly encourage travelers follow CDC guidance to wear a face covering when social distancing is difficult," United Airlines spokesperson, Nicole Carriere said. "By providing the masks, we’re making it that much easier for them to do so."

American Airlines said it would provide masks "as supplies allow."

"In May, we will begin to distribute sanitizing wipes or gel and face masks to passengers, as supplies allow. Our flight attendants will be required to wear face masks on all flights, beginning May 1," the airline said in a statement.

On Monday, Jet Blue announced it will require all passengers to wear a face covering during travel starting on May 4.

9:57 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

Dozens of coronavirus cases connected to US primary election voting

From CNN's Chris Boyette

Elections Chief Inspector Mary Magdalen Moser runs a polling location in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in full hazmat gear as the Wisconsin primary kicks off despite the coronavirus pandemic on April 7. Derek R. Henkle/AFP/Getty Images

At least 52 people in Wisconsin who said they voted in-person or worked the polls for the US state's April 7 primary election have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

Several of those people reported other possible exposures as well, Jennifer Miller, a department spokeswoman said.

The state's decision to hold in-person elections in the middle of a pandemic was roundly criticized by candidates and health experts, and turned into a bitter partisan battle.

9:29 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

It's just past 9:30 p.m. in New York and 7 a.m. in New Delhi. Here's the latest on the pandemic

A utility worker watches the US Navy's Blue Angels and the US Air Force's Thunderbirds conduct "a collaborative salute" to honor those battling the coronavirus pandemic with a flyover of New York and New Jersey, on Tuesday, April 28. Charles Sykes/AP

The novel coronavirus has now infected more than 3.1 million people and killed nearly 217,000 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University.

If you're just joining us, here are the latest developments:

US cases surpass 1 million: With at least 1,012,399 known Covid-19 infections, the United States accounts for nearly a third of cases officially recorded worldwide, as some states take their first steps toward reopening.

US meat plants must stay open: President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that mandates meat processing plants must stay open, an official said. Some of the largest processing plants in the country have been forced to stop operations after thousands of employees tested positive for the virus.

Russia braces for tough phase: The country will "face a new and grueling phase of the pandemic," President Vladimir Putin said in a televised statement. He also acknowledged shortfalls in personal protective equipment for Russian medical workers. Russia has surpassed both Iran and China in its number of confirmed cases.

Countries easing lockdowns: New Zealand, Australia and several European countries including Portugal, France, and Greece have loosened, or put forward plans, to ease some of their toughest coronavirus restrictions.

Mike Pence mask controversy: The US vice president has come under fire for not wearing a face mask while touring the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Pence said he didn't wear one because he's tested for coronavirus regularly.

Unrest in Lebanon: Tensions continue to flare in Lebanon as violent protests against economic hardship erupted again in Tripoli and other cities in defiance of a coronavirus lockdown.

Airline layoffs: British Airways has announced a restructuring and redundancy plan that could lead to layoffs for up to 12,000 staff.

9:14 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

Hungry protesters are back on the streets in Lebanon

From CNN’s Ghazi Balkiz in Beirut and Tamara Qiblawi

Anti-government protesters set fires to block roads during a protest against the deepening financial crisis, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, April 28. Hussein Malla/AP

Tensions continue to flare in Lebanon as violent protests against economic hardship erupted again in Tripoli and other Lebanese cities on Tuesday, according to local and state media.

In defiance of a coronavirus lockdown, protesters in Tripoli threw Molotov cocktails at the central bank, set dumpsters on fire and hurled rocks and firecrackers at security forces. In turn, security forces responded with rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the protesters, who numbered in the hundreds.

At least seven people were taken to nearby hospitals and 15 others were treated at the scene, the Lebanese Red Cross said on its Twitter account.

Covid-19 restrictions worsen financial crisis: Lebanon's economy, like many others around the world, was brought to a screeching halt by a government-imposed lockdown designed to stop the spread of coronavirus. But the restrictions have further exacerbated the country's deep and long-running financial crisis.

Since a popular uprising gripped the country late in 2019, its currency has dropped and it defaulted on its debt for the first time. Now, after nearly two months of lockdown, food prices are soaring and the Lebanese lira is in free fall.

Prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, the World Bank projected that 45% of people in Lebanon would be below the poverty line in 2020. Now, the government believes that up to 75% of people are in need of aid, Social Affairs Minister Ramzi Musharrafieh told CNN.

Read the full story:

75% of Lebanon needs aid after coronavirus, and hungry protesters are back on the streets

8:47 p.m. ET, April 28, 2020

China reports 22 new cases of coronavirus

From CNN's Alexandra Lin in Hong Kong

China reported 22 new cases of novel coronavirus and no new deaths on Tuesday, according to the National Health Commission.

The new infections include 21 imported cases and one local case from Guangdong province, which borders Hong Kong and Macau in southeast China.

In addition to the new cases, 26 asymptomatic cases were also reported. Some 993 asymptomatic patients remain under medical observation around the country. China previously did not include those patients not showing symptoms in some of its tallies.

The total number of confirmed cases to date is 82,858, the NHC said.

Of those confirmed cases, 77,578 patients have recovered and been discharged.

The country's official death toll stands at 4,633.