Coronavirus latest: 28 March, at a glance

The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus globally has now passed 600,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. But with many countries the true extent of infections is likely to be much greater. One-sixth of those infections are in a single country, after the number of cases in the US passed 100,000, making it the worst-affected nation in the world, followed by Italy, then China.

Spain reached a grim milestone after reporting 832 Covid-19 related deaths in a day, a record for the country, which has now confirmed 72,248 coronavirus infections, the world’s fourth-highest national total. The ratings agency Fitch has cut Britain’s sovereign debt rating to AA, saying debt levels will jump as the government ramps up its spending to offset the near shutdown of the economy in the face of coronavirus.

Moody’s downgraded South Africa’s sovereign credit rating to “junk” status, heaping more pain on an economy already in recession and now facing a steep contraction because of Covid-19. A global shortage of condoms is looming. The world’s biggest producer or condoms warned of a global shortage after a coronavirus lockdown forced it to shut down production.

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Iranian doctors say “hundreds” have died after ingesting toxic methanol and thousands more have been sickened after a rumour spread across the Islamic republic that it could kill the new coronavirus. Passengers on a cruise ship stranded off the Panama coast have issued a desperate plea to be allowed to dock after four people died during a Covid-19 outbreak on board.

Lockdowns around the world have brought a rise in domestic violence as victims have been locked in with abusers. From Brazil to Germany, Italy to China, activists say they are already seeing an alarming rise in abuse.

Source: The Guardian