Carrying on from March
with my day by day list of going on throughout these strange times. This time
though there isn’t much more than numbers of cases from Australia as nobody
seems to be keeping a record of an actual timeline that can be referred to.
Perhaps they are all as confused as I am by what feels like a disjointed
approach (which we are assured is cohesive) which is domineered by state politicians
wanting to take the limelight in a “my state is better than yours” race.
1 April 2020 – The number of deaths from COVID-19 globally
has more than doubled in the past week.
79
passengers from the Ovation of the Seas tested positive by today. The
number of cases in Victoria exceeds 1000 including 100 healthcare workers. 303
new cases are reported nationwide and 2 deaths.
Panic
buying has created a food shortage on the Chatham Islands. 47 new cases were
reported.
2 April 2020 — Cases of COVID-19 surpass 1 million. Cases of
COVID-19 are growing exponentially in the African region. Sixteen days from the
first confirmed case in the region numbers had increased to 100. Ten days
later; 1000, five more days and there were 3000 cases.
35 passengers
and 5 crew members from the Voyager of the Seas had tested positive and
11 cases from the Celebrity Solstice, just in New South Wales. The total
number of new cases in the past 24 hours is 273 and 2 deaths. The Queensland
government announced that persons must not leave their principal place of
residence except for essential needs including work, food, medical and
exercise, outdoor gatherings could only consist of up to two persons or with
members of household, up to 2 visitors at a residence were permitted and no
gatherings at non residences.
New
Zealand sees its biggest increase in cases in one day, so far, 89 new cases.
This figure includes probable cases as well as the 76 confirmed cases.
3 April 2020 — The global economic impact of the COVID-19
pandemic is now estimated to be between $2 trillion and $4 trillion, based on a 3 to 6-month scenario in which the
pandemic is contained. The United States has the highest number of cases in the
world, more than double the number of Italy.
It was
reported that there were 10 clusters in different areas, the biggest at Marist
College in Auckland. 49 confirmed cases were reported.
225 new
cases are reported and 4 more deaths.
4 April 2020 – 52
new confirmed cases.
190 new cases reported in
Australia and 2 further deaths.
5 April 2020 – South Sudan reports its first case of COVID-19. The
African Union estimates that 20 million jobs could be lost on the continent as
a result of the pandemic.
New South
Wales Police launch a criminal investigation into whether the operator of Ruby
Princess, Carnival Australia broke the Biosecurity Act 2015 (Commonwealth) NSW
State laws by deliberately concealing COVID-19 cases onboard. 135 new cases
across Australia and 7 deaths. Western Australia closed state borders
strengthening earlier border rules. All Arrivals were quarantined in city
hotels for 14 days.
The number
of people now hospitalised has increased to 15, including 3 in intensive care;
2 of whom are listed as critical. 48 new cases were reported. Two additional
clusters are identified, one in Auckland and the other in Christchurch.
Ethnicity statistics show 74% Pakeha, 8.3% Asian, 7.6% Maori and 3.3% Pasifika.
6 April 2020 – According to WHO almost 90% of students globally
(1.5 billion children and young people) are affected by school closures. U.K.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is moved to intensive care after his COVID-19
symptoms worsen. The death toll in Europe from COVID-19 surpasses 50,000.
The
Department of Health revealed that more than one third of the cases reported,
2432, have recovered from the infection. 108 new cases and 4 deaths. Queensland
waters closed to cruise ships.
39 new
cases increase the number of confirmed cases is now 911. Foreign Minister
Winston Peters announced that the Government had organised a mercy flight to
rescue New Zealanders stranded in Peru. According to MFAT there are 22,000 New
Zealander stranded overseas who have registered with MFAT’s SafeTravel.
7 April 2020 – The Wellcome Trust launches an initiative that aims
to raise at least $8 billion through the private sector by the end of the month
to cover the global funding shortfall for vaccines, treatments, and testing for
COVID-19.
65 people are reported to have recovered bringing
the total of recovered cases to 241. This is the first day where the number of
daily recoveries exceeds the number of new cases (32).
113 new cases reported and 7 deaths.
8 April 2020 – China lifts its lockdown on Wuhan, the city where the COVID-19
outbreak began.
WHO responds to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to withhold funds from WHO because the agency “missed the call” on the pandemic response, urging governments
not to politicize their response. WHO also launches the U.N. COVID-19 Supply
Chain Task Force to meet needs and scale up the supply of lifesaving medical
supplies, such as personal protective equipment and diagnostic tests.
26 new cases reported. New
Zealand Police reported 367 breaches of the lockdown requirements including 45
prosecutions, 309 warnings and 13 youth referrals. They also reported that they
were dealing with 37,000 breaches, mainly by businesses. Government announced
they were introducing an $87.7million distance learning package including two
education television channels one in English and one in Te Reo, improved
internet access and devices, educational materials including online resources
for parents, handheld devices and hard copy packs for different years. Also announced
was a $4 million package to help tackle health, economic and social impacts and
$1 million to assist the Tongan Ministry of Health to continue to fight the
virus.
105 new cases reported
across Australia and 2 more deaths. Queensland closed Surfers Paradise,
Coolangatta and The Spit beaches in response to people ignoring the
social distancing and public gathering restrictions. Non-essential travel was
not permitted, people were encouraged to stay home during the holiday weekend
and not venture outside their suburb.
9 April 2020 – One hundred days have passed since WHO was
initially notified of COVID-19 in China. A two week ceasefire begins in Yemen
following calls from United Nations to halt fighting amid the global pandemic. Warring
parties had agreed to a ceasefire the previous weekend to allow for a COVID-19
scale-up, but violated it two days later. “We cannot control a global pandemic
amongst bombs and airstrikes.”
23 new cases reported. Compulsory quarantine for New
Zealanders returning home was announced to commence by midnight on this day as
the country looks to ways to manage the spread once restrictions begin to be
removed.
90 cases reported and another death. In Queensland
National Parks including Fraser Island and all off shore islands in Moreton Bay
(Not including Bribie Island) were closed. The Queensland government announced
that non-essential business, activity or undertaking must not be operated, the
only exemption if it was not able to be carried out online. This covered the
closure of cinemas, casinos, concerts, indoor sports, gyms, playgrounds,
campgrounds and libraries. Restrictions also apply to restaurants (takeaway or
delivery only) hairdressers and churches.
10 April 2020 – The number of COVID-19 deaths
around the world surpasses 100,000. Cases are spreading to rural areas in
Africa, according to WHO with clusters of cases and community spread in more
than 16 countries. The newly established United Nations Supply Chain Task
Force, may need to cover more than 30% of the world’s needs in the acute phase
of the pandemic and, every month, would need to ship at least 100 million
medical masks and gloves; up to 25 million N95 masks, gowns, and face shields;
up to 2.5 million diagnostic tests; and other equipment. It may need about $280
million for the cost of storing and moving supplies. Hubs will be located in
Belgium, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malaysia, Panama, South Africa, and the United
Arab Emirates.
Yemen reports its first case of COVID-19.
23 new cases overnight. A
second death is reported, an elderly woman in the Christchurch rest home
cluster. Other cases, residents and staff, at the rest home are moved to
hospital care. The Uruguay government announced that it would be repatriating
16 New Zealanders and 96 Australians who had been stranded on the cruise ship Greg
Mortimer near Montevideo since 27 March. They would be flown from
Montevideo to Melbourne.
A further 100 cases
reported and 3 deaths.
11 April 2020 – The United States records over
2000 deaths in one day, the highest death rate recorded by any country during
the pandemic.
20 new cases. Two more
deaths recorded, another from the Christchurch rest home cluster and the other
in Wellington.
An aged care facility in
Sydney reported an outbreak. 89 new cases reported and 2 more deaths.
Queensland strengthened border control to Level 4, the most restrictive level,
every person crossing the border requires a permit to enter the state and if
travelling from a known hotspot e.g. Sydney within the previous 14 days must
self-quarantine for 14 days.
12 April 2020 – The International Rescue Committee
launches an initiative aimed to help the 165,000 refugees and immigrants in the
US who are medical and health professionals trained abroad to become
credentialled there to assist in the nation’s fight against COVID-19. The UK
government pledges £200 million to slow the spread of the virus in vulnerable
countries. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is discharged from hospital, in
his thanks to the NHS for their care, singling out a New Zealand nurse and a
Portuguese nurse. At least 28 UK healthcare workers have died from COVID-19.
14 new cases making the total
confirmed cases now 1049 with 471 recorded as recovered. The mercy flight from
Uruguay arrived ion Melbourne and 13 of the New Zealanders were transferred to
a New Zealand Government chartered flight to Auckland where they were required
to enter quarantine for 14 days.
Just 21 cases reported
across the country and 3 deaths. Victorian government extend the state of
emergency by for weeks to 11 May.
13 April 2020 – The International Monetary Fund
approves immediate debt service relief to 25 countries. The Asian Development
Bank expands its response package from $6.5 billion to $20 billion. CNN reports
that China has imposed restrictions on the publication of research focussing on
the origins of COVID-19. WHO urge countries to only ease control efforts such
as “stay at home” if the right public health support is in place and to do it
slowly.
15 new cases reported. Another
death brings the total to 5, this latest case was also a part of the
Christchurch rest home cluster. Two more clusters are identified, one in Auckland
and a separate one in Christchurch. A Government chartered LATAM airlines flight
carrying New Zealanders stranded in Peru landed in Auckland, other
passengers who had been scattered in Brazil and Chile were able to board at
Santiago when the flight transited there. All passengers were required to enter
quarantine in Auckland under new quarantine requirements. Fiji Airways
announced that they would fly stranded New Zealanders to Auckland on 17 April
and return the same day carrying Fijians returning to Nadi.
Tasmanian Government
closed two hospitals and put the entire staff (more than 1000) and their
families into quarantine. 46 new cases confirmed, 11 of them part of the spike
in Tasmania, and 2 deaths.
14 April 2020 – US President Trump announces he is
cutting off the nations funding to WHO in response to their perceived
mismanagement of the response to the pandemic. It is unclear whether he holds
this authority. The UN warns that more than 117 million children in 37 countries
could miss out on measles vaccine because of the pandemic. Immunisation
campaigns have already been delayed in 24 countries. The number of cases on the
African continent surpasses 15,000.
Just 8 new cases
confirmed, but sadly 4 more deaths; three linked to the Christchurch rest home
cluster and the fourth later confirmed as part of the Bluff wedding cluster.
Government announced a $130 million support package for tertiary students.
The outbreak at a Sydney
aged care facility was linked to a staff member who had attended work for 6
shifts while having minor symptoms. 10 residents and 5 other staff had tested
positive. 41 new cases across the country and 1 death.
15 April 2020 – The number of cases globally
surpasses 2,000,000. French President Emmanuel Macron says that putting a hold
on debt payments of African governments is an indispensable step in the fight
against the virus. WHO says that the agency is assessing how the US withdrawal
of financial support will affect its programs and that it will fill any gaps
with other partners. WHO adds that a full performance review will be undertaken
following the pandemic as is normal business practice. Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation announces it will increase funding by $150 million
6 new cases, the pattern
is showing early indications that the measures taken by the Government are
flattening the curve. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that all
government ministers and public sector chief executives would take a 20% pay
cut.
A Western Australian man
became the first person to be jailed for violating a self-isolation directive.
47 new cases confirmed in Australia and 1 death.
16 April 2020 – There has been a rapid increase in
case numbers in countries on the African continent. WHO says the impact of US
President Trumps threat to withdraw funding will not only effect the COVID-19
response, but also other existing programmes such as the eradication of polio
from the African continent.
6 confirmed new cases and
another 42 recoveries reported, this brings the total number of cases to 1078
with 770 of those recorded as recovered. Prime Minister Ardern outlined rules
and guidelines for the return to Alert Level 3. No date has been confirmed for
this, but it will include easing work restrictions, reopening schools up to Year
10 on a voluntary basis reopening early childcare centres, introducing strict
guidelines for gathering such as funerals and tangi and allowing food eateries
to provide takeaway services. More will be announced after the weekend.
21 new cases confirmed.
17 April 2020 – WHO emphasize that as yet there is
no evidence to prove whether someone who has had COVID-19 and recovered is
immune to reinfection. WHO also state that if “wet markets” are permitted to
reopen that they must conform to stringent food safety and hygiene standards.
They went on to say governments must rigorously enforce bans on the sale and
trade of wildlife for food. They estimate that 70% of new viruses come from
animals. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank doubles its contribution; now
up to $10 billion. The prevention and control taskforce In Wuhan, China revises
the death toll in the city by 50% from 2,579 to 3,869. Globally there are more
than 2,000,000 cases and the US has recorded more than 30,000 deaths.
2 more deaths in New Zealand,
both linked to known clusters. 2 new cases are confirmed. A clinical trial into
the efficacy of 16 drugs on patients with COVID-19 is being led by NZ
researchers.
55 new cases nationwide
and 2 more deaths.
18 April 2020 – Singapore sees record spike of 942
new cases. The World Medical Association call on WHO to allow Taiwan into the
organisation, noting that failure to listen to early warning from Taiwan about
COVID-19 coupled with its decision to ignore Taiwan during much of the SARS
crisis were errors which led to the world paying a high price. In the past
Taiwan has been granted observer status but in recent years has been locked out
by the One China policy. WHO release data by age and sex; the sex ratio (male
to female) among confirmed cases is 1.03:1 and the median age is 51.
8 new cases reported, the
number of deaths increased to 12 after the results of a post mortem confirmed
evidence of COVID-19. It was also confirmed that three children under a year
old had tested positive.
42 new cases in Australia
and a further 4 deaths. The MS Artania departed Fremantle following a
stand off with State and Federal governments over responsibility for the care
of passengers and crew.
19 April 2020 – The death toll in Europe surpasses
100,000 and data compiled by John Hopkins University suggests the death rate in
Europe is 9%. There have been more than 30,000 deaths in the US. UN appeals to
the donor community for $350million to rapidly scale up their global logistics
system to respond to the pandemic. The President threatens China with
consequences in what he believes is a cover up.
Queensland recorded 5 new
cases, Australia a total of 41 new cases, and 2 new deaths bring the total
deaths to 70.
4 new cases confirmed in
New Zealand, however another death was recorded bringing the total to 12.
20 April 2020 – People gather together in some US
states ignoring social distancing rules to protest being asked to lockdown and
demand the conditions to be lifted to allow them to return to work. Their
protests are supported by President Trump. The numbers of deaths fall in Italy
and Spain; China reports no new deaths and 12 new cases. The US hostility
toward WHO scuppered publication of a communique from the G20 heath ministers
which committed to strengthening the WHO mandate in coordinating a response to
the pandemic. Thousands of people gathered in Tel Aviv AND attempted to
practice social distancing while protesting against Benjamin Netanyahu. A WHO
worker was killed in Myanmar while transporting COVID-19 test samples.
School returned for Term 2
for children of essential workers in Queensland, the remainder of students will
be schooled at home with support of teachers, schools, television channels and
the Education Department for 5 weeks when the situation will be reviewed.
Server problems caused outages and headaches for staff, parents and students on
day one. Just 13 new cases reported.
New Zealand announce that
they will remain in lockdown at Alert level 4 until midnight Monday 27 April
and then return to Level 3. This will be monitored with the view to moving to
Level 2 after a further two weeks. 7 new cases
were reported.
21 April 2020 – The number of cases worldwide
surpasses 2.5million and the number in the US passes 800,000. Health worker
cases in the Philippines are at 13% compared to 2-3% in the general population,
but the reasons for this are unclear. Cases in Japan reach more than 11,000
though there is not yet a large scale community outbreak. The cause of the
virus remains unknown amid speculations that it came from the Wuhan Institute
of Virology and not the Huanan seafood market. A rapid spike in the number of
infections in Singapore provides lessons for countries to learn as they begin
to remove some restrictions and to pay attention to vulnerable groups of their
populations.
1 more death was reported;
a resident of a rest home in Auckland where 5 new cases (2 confirmed) were
identified today. Additionally a New Zealander died in Peru after missing a
repatriation flight but this death is not included in the Ministry of Health’s
figures.
Just 26 new cases; 0 in
Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory. 431,000
tests have been conducted across Australia. The Federal Government announces an
easing of restrictions for elective surgeries from 28 April in a staged and
controlled manner which will balance patient needs and the ongoing need for
capacity to treat COVID-19 patients. The National Cabinet received up to date
data on the stock of PPE in the National Medical Stockpile and PPE held by
states and territories. PPE stocks and other equipment such as ventilators are
now largely sufficient to meet expected demand for Australia’s COVID-19
response through to December 2020 with current social distancing and travel
restrictions in place. To date the National Medical Stockpile has dispatched 22
million masks primarily to states and territories, GPs, Community Pharmacy,
ACHHOS and aged care with a further 11.5million being dispatched this week. The
National Medical Stockpile does not replace state, territory or private
processes to source and deliver PPE to meet their needs
22 April 2020 – Outbreaks in Western Europe appear
to be stable or declining. Most countries are still in the early stages of
their epidemics in Africa, Central and South America and Eastern Europe. Some
countries which were affected early in the pandemic are beginning to see a
resurgence in cases. Of the countries that have reported data to WHO only 66%
have a clinical referral system in place, 48% have a community action plan and
48% have an infection prevention and control program and standards for water,
sanitation and hygiene in health facilities. When asked if WHO should have
declared a pandemic earlier they replied that the highest level of alert that
WHO can declare is a public health emergence and that at the time they did this
on January 30th, there were just 82 cases outside of China and no
deaths.
6 new cases and 1 death.
Only 4 new cases reported
and 3 more deaths.
23 April 2020 – on the African continent there are
more than 25,000 cases and over 1200 deaths. South Africa is the most affected
country with 3300 cases but the nation is beginning to flatten the curve. There
are concerning increases in the number of cases in some West African countries
and Tanzania where social distancing recommendations were not initially
implemented. There are also concerns that any reduction in the distribution of
insecticide treated bed nets will lead to an increase in the number of malaria
cases as was seen during the Ebola outbreak. The first patients are injected
with the first human COVID-19 vaccine trial in Europe.
2 new cases and a further
2 deaths reported. Broadcasting Minster Kris Faafoi announced Government
investment of $50 million into a media relief package to support the New
Zealand media.
12 new cases throughout
Australia and 2 deaths.
24 April 2020 – WHO launches the Access to
COVID-19 Tools Accelerator, a global initiative to speed up the development and
production of vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics to respond to COVID-19.
Niger report a new outbreak of polio, but WHO says that a vaccination campaign
will not be possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 new cases reported
bringing the total to 1,114, with 1095 people recovered. Another death today,
the 10th from the Christchurch aged care facility, bringing the
total to 17. There have ben 108,238 tested completed in total with a positivity
rate of 1.03%.
Over 482,000 tests have
been conducted across Australia. 14 new cases reported and 3 more deaths.
25 April 2020 – The global death toll passes
200,000.
3 new cases and another
death; the second linked to the Auckland rest home.
20 new cases across
Australia and 2 deaths.
New Zealand and Australia
celebrate ANZAC Day at home. There are no parades or public gatherings for the
first time since 1919 when the Spanish Flu pandemic halted the first post war
commemorations. In 2020 a social media and mainstream media campaign encouraged
people to stand at their gate or on their balcony at 6am and be a part of the
Dawn Service together, at home.
26 April 2020 – UN launch a knowledge hub for
COVID-19 in Africa. Bill Gates tells the Financial Times that his foundation
will give it “total attention” to COVID-19.
4 new cases reported , most
are linked to existing clusters or to known confirmed cases.
16 new cases across
Australia and a further 2 deaths. The Australian Government launch a voluntary
tracking app which will use a Bluetooth signal to determine if a person has
been in contact with a person with COVID-19 allowing authorities to alert them
that they may have been exposed to the virus. It is based on Singapore’s
TraceTogether app. Uncertainty surrounds return to school plans across the
country with each state implementing its own plan contra to advice from Federal
Government. Victoria’s Premier stating that schools there would not reopen
during term 2. Some restrictions will be removed in Queensland at the weekend,
enabling non essential shops to reopen if they can maintain social distancing,
allowing some relaxing to rules around visiting family and revising the numbers
of people attending funerals and allowing people to venture up to 50km from
their homes.
27 April 2020 – Globally the number of cases
surpasses 3,000,000. The US House Foreign Affairs Committee launches an inquiry
into the White House’s decision to halve funding to WHO.
The country’s death toll
reaches 19, and another 1 confirmed case reported. The UN report that New
Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says that there is currently no
widespread community transmission of COVID-19 in the country, allowing some
restrictions to be lifted while being mindful to remain vigilant to prevent any
resurgence. Businesses working to
prepare to reopen some physically but many online. The country entered alert
level 3 at 11.59.59pm. Cafes and fast food chains will be able to open from
midnight tonight as long as they offer only takeaway while ensuring the correct
levels of social distancing.
9 new cases across
Australia.
28 April 2020 – The number of cases in the US
surpasses 1,000,000 now accounting for one third of the cases globally. The
death toll too has soared past 58,000 which is higher than the number of
American troops killed during the Vietnam War. The International Rescue
Committee estimate that COVID-19 infections could reach 500 million-1 billion
in 34 conflict affected and fragile countries. This could lead to between
1.7-3.2million deaths. A group of scientists warn against using a tuberculosis
vaccine to protect against COVID-19 as it has not been proven effective. They
fear that it could also lead to a global shortage which may limit access to
those using it to prevent TB.
Ridiculous queues form
across the country for fast food chains in New Zealand as the country moves
into Alert Level 3. They will remain at Level 3 until 11 May when the next step
will be announced. There were 2 new cases and no deaths. As more people return
to work, they were reminded of the need to be mindful that the virus is still
“there” and to not undo all the good that has been done.
11 new cases across
Australia and 5 deaths. 4 residents of a nursing home in Sydney died in the
past 24 hours bringing the total number of deaths at that facility to 11 since
11 April.
29 April 2020 – Despite an announced ceasefire in
Yemen airstrikes ae up 30% complicating the humanitarian response to the pandemic.
United Nations Children’s Fund and World Food Programme estimate that 370
million children are missing out on school meals globally because of school
closures.
Some fast food chains and
takeaway outlets were called out by police, local media and the Prime Minister
for encouraging poor social distancing. Many people seemed to flaunt the
distancing requirements instead of using common sense for the sake of a fast
food fix. Just 1 new case was reported.
15 new cases reported
across Australia and 2 deaths.
30 April 2020 – Several laboratories in different
countries are reporting good progress with their search for a vaccine. Some
have progressed to testing on humans, and others hope to be at that stage by
June or July.
The Ministry of Health
report that 84% of those diagnosed with COVID-19 have recovered. 3 new cases
were reported. Schools up to Year 10 have reopened for the children of
essential workers the government reported that just 4% had returned to early
childhood centres and 1% of school age children had attended on the first day
(29 April). There were 742 complaints of businesses not complying with the rules on the first day of alert
level 3, mostly for the lack of social distancing.
6 new cases reported
nationwide and 1 death. ACT became the first Australian jurisdiction to be free
of all known cases of COVID-19.
Total cases globally as of April
30, 2020: 3, 090, 445 and 217. 769 deaths, 1,000,000+ recovered
Total cases in Australia: 6746,
deaths 90, 5685 recovered
Total cases in New Zealand: 1129,
deaths 19, 915 recovered
(figures from WHO)
Sources:
