Philippines reports 11 more deaths, 414 new coronavirus infections

MANILA (REUTERS) – The Philippines’ Health Ministry on Monday (April 6) reported 11 additional deaths and 414 new infections from of the coronavirus outbreak.

In a bulletin, the ministry said total deaths in the Philippines had reached 163 and cases rose to 3,660, while 73 patients had recovered.

China exports ventilators and masks crucial in coronavirus fight

As hospitals across the world run out of protective gear against COVID-19, China ramps up medical supplies production.

The Chinese government is donating 1,000 ventilators to the hard-hit US state of New York, one of the many jurisdictions across the world competing for medical gear made in mainland China.

But the equipment is sometimes faulty and critics say the Chinese government’s donation drive is self-serving.

Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu reports from Beijing, China.

Johnson & Johnson Identifies Lead COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) announced the selection of a lead COVID-19 vaccine candidate from the constructs it has been working on since January. Under an accelerated timeline, the company is planning to begin a Phase 1 clinical study in September 2020, with clinical data on safety and efficacy expected to be available by the end of the current year. The company noted that this could allow vaccine availability for emergency use in early 2021.

BARDA, which is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Johnson & Johnson together have committed more than $1 billion of investment to co-fund vaccine research, development, and clinical testing.

Johnson & Johnson said the company is also expanding its global manufacturing capacity with the goal of providing global supply of more than one billion doses of a vaccine.

British retailer Debenhams files notice of intent to appoint administrator

LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) – British department store chain Debenhams said on Monday it had filed a notice of intent to appoint an administrator to protect it from the threat of legal action during the coronavirus emergency.

It said legal action could have had the effect of pushing the business into liquidation while its 142 UK stores remain closed during the national lockdown. (Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young)

Coronavirus: Stories from lockdown

Living in lockdown

Britain's BT commits to no job losses due to coronavirus crisis

LONDON, April 6 (Reuters) – Britain’s BT on Monday committed to no job losses related to the coronavirus crisis for the foreseeable future.

The firm said it would increase pay for “team member” workers and freeze pay for managers, while chief executive Philip Jansen said he would donate his salary for at least the next six months.

Spain's coronavirus death toll slows further on Monday

MADRID, April 6 (Reuters) – The pace of Spain’s coronavirus deaths slowed again on Monday as 637 patients died overnight, taking the total to 13,055, the government said.

Though Spain has the second-highest death toll in the world after Italy, the number of deaths each day has been falling since Thursday’s peak of 950, according to health ministry figures.

Monday’s data showed total cases up to 135,032 from 130,759 the previous day. (Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)

Camilla health update: Duchess of Cornwall out of self-isolation after 14 days

Camilla is out of isolation, 14 days after her husband Prince Charles tested positive for coronavirus. 

MORE TO FOLLOW

Meet the Castle Rock sisters on the front lines of the coronavirus battle

Romania will extend state of emergency by 30 days – president

BUCHAREST, April 6 (Reuters) – Romania’s government will extend its state of emergency by another 30 days after the current period ending next week, to help halt the spread of the new coronavirus, President Klaus Iohannis said on Monday.

“We need to do this again. It’s a necessity. People should understand that without this measure, the virus cannot be stopped,” Iohannis told a video briefing.

Romania has so far recorded 4,057 confirmed cases of infection and 157 deaths. (Reporting by Radu Marinas; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

COVID-19 puts Libya's health service in danger of collapse

The staff at Libya’s only medical equipment factory are working round the clock to make more protection gears for doctors and nurses.

Libya has so far avoided the worst of the coronavirus, with just 17 confirmed cases.

But with a war raging, the health service could be in danger of complete collapse if the virus spreads.

There is now a race to get more equipment into hospitals to help cope with any major outbreak.

Al Jazeera’s Mahmoud Abdelwahed reports from Tripoli.

Coronavirus: BBC newsreader Huw Edwards reveals he’s been in hospital with pneumonia

BBC News presenter Huw Edwards has thanked NHS staff in a tweet revealing he has been in hospital with pneumonia, and says he will return to work this week.

The 58-year-old was treated at King’s College Hospital in London.

In the social media post, Mr Edwards told everyone to keep safe and asked people to obey the coronavirus lockdown.