World Briefs

INDONESIA The deadly coronavirus may infect as many as 95,000 people in Indonesia by next month before easing, a minister said, as authorities ordered people to wear face masks to contain the pandemic. The dire forecast, which came as the country reported its biggest daily spike in confirmed cases, is based on a projection by the nation’s intelligence agency, University of Indonesia and Bandung Institute of Technology. The estimate was discussed at a cabinet meeting held by President Joko Widodo yesterday.

COVID-19 The US and Britain braced for what could be one of their bleakest weeks in memory as the human and financial toll of the coronavirus outbreak mounted. But new deaths and infections appeared to be slowing in Italy, Spain and France, suggesting that lockdowns and social distancing are working. More on p6-7

SPAIN has the highest number of confirmed cases in Europe, but the data suggests the deadly outbreak could finally be slowing. The infection rate is also dropping consistently – showing the lockdown measures could be working. There is however still a long way to go, and the government has suggested people may have to wear masks in public after the quarantine measures are lifted.

ITALY The death toll in Italy is the highest in the world, standing at over 15,800. Infections and daily deaths are dipping, and the number of people in intensive care in Lombardy – the worst affected region in Italy – is decreasing. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte however has said he is not sure when the lockdown restrictions will be lifted.

PORTUGAL has recorded its lowest daily rise in the coronavirus infection rate since the outbreak started. The total of 11,730 official cases reported yesterday was up just 4% from the previous day. Health authorities said the total coronavirus related deaths rose just over 5% from Sunday to 311.

IRAN Mahdi Noori, a young Afghan refugee in Iran, was left jobless when the factory where he’d worked cutting stone was shut down because of the coronavirus outbreak. He had no money, was afraid of contracting the virus and had no options. So he headed home.

GERMANY The German government has launched another rescue package to try to ease the flow of financial aid to small and medium-size companies squeezed by the coronavirus crisis. Vice-Chancellor Olaf Scholz (pictured, right) said companies that were in good health last year can apply for loans totaling as much as three months of revenue with a 800,000 euros cap. Liability for the loans will ultimately lie with the government.

SPAIN The mother of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has died after contracting the coronavirus. The Premier League club says Dolors Sala Carrió died near Barcelona in the city of Manresa. She was 82. City says “everyone associated with the club sends their most heartfelt sympathy at this most distressing time to Pep, his family and all their friends.”