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Donald Trump warned that China would have to face consequences if it were “consciously responsible” for the coronavirus pandemic, as deaths in Europe from Covid-19 approached 100,000.
“It could have stopped in China before it started and it didn’t, and everyone is suffering from it,” Trump said in his daily briefing at the White House, as US cases exceeded 730,000 and deaths in the country approached 39,000.
“If it was a mistake, a mistake is a mistake. But if they were consciously responsible, yes, I mean, then surely there should be consequences, “Trump said. He did not elaborate on what form it might take.
He said the Chinese were “ashamed” and the question now was whether what happened to the coronavirus was “a mistake that got out of control or was done deliberately.”
“There is a big difference between those two,” he said.
China reported only 16 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Sunday, its lowest number since March 17 and fewer than 27 the day before. No new deaths were reported.
During the White House briefing, Trump interrupted his coronavirus response coordinator, Deborah Birx, who was showing a comparison of deaths per 100,000 people in a variety of countries, to say that he did not believe the reported deaths of China and Iran.
“Does anyone really believe these figures?” I ask.
Birx, who has steered clear of the political aspects of Trump’s controversial reports, also questioned China’s data, including that the country’s death rate per 100,000 people was well below that of major European countries and the United States. He called China’s numbers “unrealistic” and said he had a “moral obligation” to provide credible information.
Birx praised European countries, which she said alerted the US. USA From the severity of the virus, including its significant impact on people with underlying health symptoms.
Deaths in Europe were expected to exceed 100,000 on Sunday, more than 62% of global deaths from the virus.
In Spain, which has more than 194.00 cases, deaths exceeded 20,000 (the third highest after the US and Italy), and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced on Saturday that the national blockade of the coronavirus was would last for two weeks for May 9.
“We have done the most difficult part through responsibility and social discipline … we are leaving behind the most extreme moments,” Sánchez said.
However, the current restrictions would be loosened a bit to allow the children to pass on April 27, Sánchez said. Some companies were able to reopen this week.
But with more than 194,000 reported cases of the virus, Sánchez warned the country that ending one of Europe’s toughest confinements would be “prudent and progressive.”
And he warned: “If necessary, we will reinforce the protection measures again.”
In Italy, which has the highest death toll in Europe with more than 23,000 and infections with 175,000, a church in the northern city of Bergamo that served as a morgue “is finally empty,” the mayor said Saturday. Last week, the government extended the country’s blockade until May 3, while allowing the opening of some companies.
French President Emmanuel Macron told the nation last week that the country would begin to return to normal life on May 11, if citizens were “civic, responsible and respectful of the rules,” and if the number of Coronavirus cases will continue to decline. Schools are expected to reopen on that date, but the government has not yet explained when they can restart businesses like cafes and movie theaters and to what extent people will be allowed to move.
France has registered almost 153,000 infections and just under 20,000 deaths from the virus. Elsewhere, signs that the outbreak may be slowing prompted Denmark and Finland to start reopening stores and schools this week.
Germany has declared the virus to be “under control” after 3,400 deaths, and is beginning the delicate task of lifting some restrictions without triggering a secondary outbreak: some stores may reopen on Monday and some children return to school in a matter of weeks.
Elsewhere, coronavirus developments include:
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The NATO general who is leading the group’s response to the coronavirus in Europe has acknowledged that all the key figures were caught “off guard” by the outbreak. “I think this crisis took everyone a little off guard,” Lt. Gen. Rittiman told Sky News UK.
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Hundreds of Bulgarian Christians flocked to Orthodox temples for outdoor services on a surreal Saturday night, with the state of the Balkans as one of the few countries where churches remained open over the Easter holidays amid the pandemic. of coronavirus.
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South Korea reported new daily single-digit coronavirus cases on Sunday for the first time in two months, with eight new cases.
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Mexican deputy health minister Hugo López-Gatell said Saturday that Mexico has registered 7,497 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 650 deaths. That’s more than 6,875 cases and 546 deaths on Friday.
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Canada and the United States have agreed to extend the border restrictions for another 30 days to help control the spread of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.
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Coronavirus cases in Brazil increased by 2,917 to 36,599, the health ministry said on Saturday. Brazil has more cases than any other country in Latin America. The deaths increased by 206 to 2,347, the ministry said.
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Morocco will extend its national blockade to contain the spread of the coronavirus until May 20, the government said on Saturday. The decision was made by the governing council as the number of confirmed cases increased to 2,685, including 137 deaths and 314 recoveries.
