Workers. We must follow the evidence. There are short cuts and a warning from the World Health Organization over the use of untested medicines to treat the virus. Welcome to the program a sad page in the history of the words of italys president as the death toll from the virus continues to mount on friday its really reported the highest number of virus related deaths of any country after 919 people died in just 24 hours the number of confirmed cases has also increased there are now more than 86000 infections that well the Spanish Government has called on the European Union to provide urgent Financial Assistance more than 750. 00 people died there in the last 24 hours meanwhile in the United StatesPresident Trumper signed into law a 2. 00 trillion dollar stimulus package it will speed up government payments to americans and increase jobless benefits for millions runnels begins our coverage. The u. S. Navy hospital ship mercy sailed into Los Angeles Harbor equipped with 1000 hospital beds and 800 medical staffers they will treat patients who do not have coded 19 freeing up space at l. A. Hospitals for an expected surge of coronavirus cases the u. S. Now has more than 100000. 00 confirmed cases at its capacity today will add a 3rd more available beds and it full capacity 2 thirds more beds to the fight here in Los Angeles California governor gavin newsom thanks President Donald Trump for facilitating the ships deployment he says the numbers of corona virus cases and deaths will rise steeply over the next 3 weeks theyre seeing surge numbers that put them on track within a week to be aligned with where new york city currently is if they see the kind of increases they experienced yesterday new york city is the countrys hardest hit location doctors there say they dont have proper equipment to care for sick patients every time that i. V. Finished it im just very frustrated because we are doing everything that we can to help. Everyone to treat everyone but we have limited resources and not as much support new York Governor Andrew Cuomo says the peak number of cases is still weeks away now were looking at about 21 days for a possible apacs so we want to do everything we can to be ready for that increased capacity. That could hit us in 21 days so i say my friends that we go out there today. And we cant coronavirus a thats what i say the motion is adopted. In Washington Congress passed a 2 trillion dollar emergency aid and relief bill this bill is the most consequential piece of legislation that many of us will ever boat on the American People need help and they need it now the bill gives bailouts to major corporations affected by the pandemic extends Unemployment Benefits and provides Cash Payments to families President Trump quickly signed it into law this is going to Save Companies that are incredible companies but that are going to need some help because of what happened a month ago they were outstanding they were having the best year they ever had and then we got hit and so well help them out its thousands and millions of jobs trump repeatedly praised his Coronavirus Response the federal government sent a hell of a job in spite of trumps boasts new hot spots are emerging in chicago detroit dallas and philadelphia a disturbing sign of things to come robert oulds aljazeera well lets talk to mark especially hes chief medical officer of the sensation of state and Territorial Health officials he joins us via skype from charlotte in North Carolina marcus at the u. S. Has now has more confirmed cases of the us than any other country over 100000 and sections of these numbers telling us that the u. S. Is currently failing in its testing on containment strategy and if so why. Well weve had some challenges with testing in taman strategy up to now but i think what were saying is what we what we expected is an International Outbreak of not whole infection and its spreading across the world and its here in the United States now and we made attempts to contain it but we move now to a point which we Call Community mitigation which really try to control the spread it means cross the United States and thats thats the situation were in now because weve seen growing tensions though between state governors on the one hand in the federal government on the other is that attention getting in the way of what medical professionals like you are trying to do on the ground well United States has a Public Health system that is based on the activity jurisdiction of state governments and so thats what youre seeing fall into place now and i think that system has worked well in the past and i think that as we watch state governments are stepping up they they have the capacity have the expertise to do whats necessary to intervene with this situation you know at the same time theyre working closely with the federal governments and thats whats going to need to happen Going Forward and frankly that has been happening so far and thats a good thing well. Many state governors would perhaps disagree with you marcus but many Health Professionals are saying the lack of medical supplies in the u. S. And in their words is a National Shame and President Trump has not invoked the defense procurement act which forces Companies Like g. M. To make ventilators for the federal government but is this too little too late do you think. Well i agree that d the issue that were having with tech equipment for Health Professionals is a major problem and if we have to overcome that. You know were doing everything we can in the United States to increase manufacturing of this quick meant we do have a Strategic National stockpile we have a supply of various medical equipment thats kept him reserve person choice in life but at best stockpiles now been opened up and its being disseminated out to the places that are in most need so there is there is the potential for some increase equipment in those areas but were really counting on more supplies to come in from manufacturers and other sources some of this is this this is. Greatest thing pacing us marcus just a final point to you were now hearing that the u. S. State department is looking to hire medical stuff from a brood but let me ask you is this likely to help will hinder the u. S. Medical response on the ground you think no i think this is a huge help i mean we have of im concerned valens of foreign trained physicians who presently for me and i would space and event task and i think that the new state department. Openings really are intended to look for opportunities for other other well tracking physicians across the were all who are welcome to come and work in the United States to. Have the opportunity to be able to do that because im going to squeeze in one more question because weve got time can you just give us an update on whats happening in u. S. Hospitals generally at the moment. Well the hospitals that were most concerned about are the hospitals in new york city thats where we have the greatest number of people who are being infected by the corona virus and you know were seeing those possums very very busy for st Harrison City better reaching capacity. And to were all very very concerned about that i mean the hope is that some of the social distancing interventions that may in new york city that are very aggressive will start to take effect we also you know we have an excellent work force in new york city we have excellent hospitals there we have excellent Public Health system we have a Community People who are to all and so were hoping to those things will help to tell her what we see is the potential for a huge increase in cases and for many hospitals to come very crowded and very taxed at this point or to mock especially have to leave it there thank you very much indeed for sharing your thoughts without 0 thank you thank you. Well as reported theres been a steep rise in the number of virus related deaths and italy its overtaken china on both the number of deaths and the confirmed infections Francesco Jan but dony is a journalist based in milan he says the true number of infections is believed to be far higher than the number being reported. Its really hard to say when the peak is going to come here and need to lee expected every day but then we must delude ourselves today. Since the beginning of the break its 919. 00 people died in the last 24 hours the Civil Protection said it is a massive increase after last week when the losses attested around between 60790 day the death toll now reached 9134 the confirmed cases are around 6000 today bringing the total number of positive people over 86000. The situation is still extremely serious more than a 3rd of todays deaths come again from. Here in the Northern Region in this area there could be as many as 10 times more people actually infected the head of the Civil Protection said on tuesday but the Health Service is on the strain and only those in cervical and severe conditions are tested thats why d the virus here seems by the numbers to kill the 14 people out of 100 confirmed cases but actually the cases could be many more. To the u. K. Now where Prime Minister baraks johnson has tested positive for the virus but hes not the only member of the Government Team fighting the outbreak whos been infected journal reports now from london. Just hours after Boris Johnson 1st displayed symptoms and was tested he received a positive result britains Prime Minister becomes one of the worlds highest profile carriers of the code 19 coronavirus so i am working from home im self isolating and thats entirely the right thing to do but be in no doubt that i can continue thanks to the with modern technology to communicate with all my top team to lead the national fight back against coronavirus and it wasnt long afterwards that the Health Secretary announced he too had tested positive matt hancock said he had mild symptoms that would not prevent him from continuing the vital work of bolstering britains Health Service medical advice i was tested and that test has been positive sabi self isolating here until next thursday Boris Johnson was last seen in person on the steps of downing street on thursday evening as he joined the housebound up and down the country in applauding the efforts of Frontline Health workers standing alongside him plough at a distance it was the chancellor and johnsons neighbor in downing street. Boris johnson received his positive test at midnight but was well enough on friday morning to chair the daily emergency Cabinet Meeting held via video link of course if Boris Johnsons condition was to worsen significantly such that he could no longer carry out his duties well then its agreed that the foreign secretary dominic robb would step into his shoes but barring that the normal functioning of government ought to continue or be it with a different like the majority of britains workers now the Prime Minister is also working from home. It is a grim moment for britons to be told theyll be seeing a little less of their leader the latest death toll from coronavirus has shot up 31 percent in 24 hours to 759 in 7 days time when the Prime Minister emerges from isolation things may well look even worse jonah hole aljazeera london time for a short break here now to 0 when we come back defying a curfew South African authorities struggle to keep people indoors they try to contain the spread of coronavirus plus. Give yourself something to accomplish or take action who better to give top tips on living in self isolation and an astronaut. There was a study quite a moment in the u. S. Has been some wintry weather around the ground in the west and this frontal system though diffuse is still there not become more active certain is it runs towards the eastern seaboard and the circulation setting up in the Central Plains north of kansas city or notice in the blue is really heading out through the midwest and across the great lakes the snow on its northern flank do you think it would tuck in some cold air behind it it will to some degree but of course it also induces worlds ahead of it with these 2 come to me as we get the active weather what time you get to sunday that suggests a temperature 26 in d. C. But 14 in new york guess where the front is between the 2 of them in fact in d. C. We go diving 26 to 13 by cheese day its spring changeable weather after all thats right the caribbean the breeze is still blowing theres 2 showers and they seem to be concentrating really from haiti eastwards to the smaller islands beyond that of course a pick up of certain amount of rain on the this side the eastern coast of nicaragua and costa rica which is seasonal as are the showers started disappearing for much of brazil and argentina but theres a concentration around bolivia and the powers in particular could see a couple of days of fairly heavy rain and they wont be alone. In the midst of a coronavirus of them in china is in lockdown. What i want to report from inside the quarantine Capital Place you want to just 0. Al jazeera. Welcome back a quick amount of our top stories here this hour u. S. President donald trump a signed a 2. 00 trillion dollars stimulus package into nor speeding up government payments to families struggling to cope with the corona Virus Outbreak is also invoked the defense production act to force General Motors to start producing much needed ventilators. Italy has reported a steep rise in the number of virus related deaths 919 people died in a single day and in spain number of deaths risen to nearly 5000. And u. K. Prime minister post johnson says he steps of positive for covert 19 and will self isolate in downing street the u. K. Health minister also has the virus as does the governments top medical advisor. Now china has reported another increase in what it calls imported infections 54 cases involving people who caught the illness overseas were recorded on friday increasing number of imported cases come as new restrictions on entry of foreigners comes into effect lets talk to sarah clarke she joins us live from Hong Kong Sarah lets talk 1st about china then theres now a ban on foreigners which starts today we understand and also were seeing some new cases are. Well 54 new cases were reported on saturday down and thats down from 55 the previous day but as you mentioned these are all imported cases as people went back to the mine and went back to china before the heavy quarantine scenarios came into play so as a result on saturday the banned all foreigners even if they have a visa or some type of permanent resident status foreigners will not be allowed to enter china as of this weekend theyve also put a restriction on the airlines the chinese and the Foreign Airlines flying into china only one flight per week will be allowed and those flights will only be allowed to be 75 percent capacity simply trying to reduce the numbers of people on board now there is some good news thats more domestic flights have resumed flying into by province not to hand this is obviously the province thats been under lockdown with about 60000000 people in isolation until now but flights are starting to resume the will hand airport it will open on i polite and the who by province on saturday reported no new cases of the crime of virus infections but 3 new deaths on saturday so the total death toll for the who by province is around 3177 meanwhile hong kong where you are so reza limiting the number of gatherings as it tries to curb the spike of infections. Its on friday hong kong reported the highest number of the daily rate in the city was 65. 00 new cases and again most of those cases were imported but we have had a cluster of cases around 19 infections in an area known as length its quite a busy bar and restaurant area and as a result i carried am on friday and thats a number of strictly measures the toughest so far to try and limit social distancing limit assemblies in Public Places so from this weekend of people more than 4 people wont be allowed together in public theyve also said restaurants can only operate at 50 percent capacity the tables will have to be a major and a half away from each other and also key areas like Amusement Centers sorters spas gymnasiums cinemas they will also be close as of saturday at 6 pm and this is all as a result of Carolan Hong Kong chief executive trying to stop the spread of the local transmissions she described recently said on friday that this is where a 3 fold increase of the last fortnight as a result of the importation of the virus into hong kong and the local transmissions now and shes described it as a public emergency situation so talk there in Hong Kong Sara thank you well the World Health Organization and its latest briefing has warned about the use of untested medications to treat the virus. We call on all individual countries to refrain from using that have not been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of one to the history of medicine is through with examples of drugs that were. Already in a test tube but didnt work in humans or were actually harmful. During the most recent ebola up epidemic for example some medicines that were thought to be effective were found not to be as effective as ours are medicines when they were compared during a Clinical Trial we must follow the evidence there are no shortcuts we also need to ensure that using unproven drugs does not create a shortage of those medicines to treat diseases for which they have proven effective mean or france as extended nationwide lockdown measures until mid april when minister warned of difficult days ahead with a wave of new infections are expected in paris and Northern Regions natasha battle has more now from. In a paris suburb volunteers transform a gymnasium into a clinic for coronavirus patients. This center will ease the burden on Emergency Rooms and g. P. s little Group Patients in one place where we can follow procedure and isolate them say they dont infect others most people in the french capital are obeying president emanuel call to stay indoors streets a quiet and roads nearly empty nevertheless the region is bracing for a wave of new coronavirus patients the french Prime Minister says its a similar picture across the country. Increase we are in a crisis that will last and the Health Situation there will not improve quickly we will have to hold on will have to remain extremely mobilized the wave of cases that is sweeping across france the 1st which hit the east and which is currently arriving in the paris region the north and other french regions is an extremely high wave and is putting the entire Health Care System and entire Hospital System under tremendous strain the majority of people who have died of the corona virus have been elderly or had underlying medical conditions but doctors in paris say a 16 Year Old Girl is the latest victim proof that anyone can be at risk east and france has had more cases than other regions each day Health Workers have battle to treat an influx of critically ill people who produce it in the hardest thing is not knowing whats going to happen tomorrow not knowing how many patients will be put on life support not knowing how many beds will be available and despite all the anticipation we always feel real one or 2 steps behind the reality on the ground there its clear that the situation in france is hospitals could deteriorate as coronavirus cases rise the Prime Minister has extended frances confinement period until april 15th to try and stop the spread and hes warned people that the worst is yet to come Natasha Butler al jazeera frauds. Security forces in western iran such in fire on 70 prisoners who escaped during a riot and happen in kurdistan province i would assess a prisoner stole cars at knifepoint to drive away some of the s k p s have since surrendered to police its the 3rd prison break in iran in just a week same as avis and tehran he says the virus pandemic is causing panic in irans prison system this follows on from 24 hours earlier when there was a riot in another prison in azerbaijan province in the city of top breeds and that was started just yesterday that was just yesterday and earlier this month weve seen 2 other incidents where these 23 prisoners escaped during a breakout in in lauriston products now this is related to the coronavirus in a way and let me explain exactly how that works we saw earlier this month when to take the pressure off of the prison system to avoid the prison population succumbing to an outbreak of the current a virus what are generally speaking very population overcrowded prisons in iraq the government decided to temporarily release 85000 prisoners on furlough now they were either nonviolent criminals that served 2 thirds of their sentences or sentences were shorter than 5 years these were the parameters but under our rules of the person you are the Supreme Leader decided to pardon 10000 of those prisoners so what were seeing from the little reporting that were seeing is that prisoners left behind presumably violent criminals drug dealers people whove been convicted of rape or assault or Armed Robbery is their sentences be they 5 years 10 years 20 years the concerns are that with the outbreak with the pandemic a real threat for these prison populations those sentences could be turning into death sentences for people that feel they are being afforded the same leniency the 10s of thousands of other prisoners have been. A south africa report says 1st coronavirus raid to death police have struggled to enforce the 21. 00 day nationwide lockdown which came into force of the midnight on friday under south africas new restrictions people are only allowed out of their homes to buy groceries or for Health Emergencies but large crowds of continue to form in poor townships where social distancing is difficult because of the cramped living conditions. The number of confirmed corona virus cases in latin america is rising rapidly its now above 10000 but the real extent of the disease is believed to be far greater in a region where some countries are still hesitating to take stronger measures this in human reports. Interest senior at brazils largest favela volunteers distribute donations of soap and disinfected to people in ri brazil has the highest number of cases and deaths attributed to cold 95 people live in finland the disallows has house and shes worried. The majority is simi is who work and get paid by the day so we hope we can get help. In the absence of stronger government measures in some slums local armed gangs are reportedly imposing lockdowns to slow the spread of the pandy mia. In group weeks for people who die of corona virus have been banned and bodies must be cremated within 24 hours without fear there was a hotline for Emergency Services cant cope with inquiries and requests prompting the president to threaten sanctions against those who call for unjustified reasons yes don we used to get 3000 calls a day now with 80000 we can only process hauffe that number in neighboring chile which has the 2nd highest number of confirmed cases in the region the government is rushing to prepare 4500 beds to critical cases the peak of this pandemic here in chile is estimated to be about a month away which means that there. No time to lose to prepare for the worse but as the experience of wealthier countries have demonstrated it takes much more than additional beds to lowered the curve of contagion which is vital to prevent the collapse of the Public Health system although its increasing mass testing is still not widespread in most countries which is why epidemiology just believe the real number of infected people in latin america could be at least 10 times the confirmed number for the president of mexico and brazil the regions most populous countries are still refusing to impose even partial quarantines back in chile authorities or in quarantine in neighborhoods or cities on a strictly need to basis not nationwide but this is according to the w. Ite shari remaining healthy also includes being able to would consider your family obviously the longer you are locked up the more that impacts your health thats what it would immunologist are also of value items. Its a calculation but one that many in countries that havent ordered the lockdowns fear could end up costing unnecessary lives you see in human aljazeera santiago. Now if theres anyone who knows a thing or 2 about self isolation its an astronauts former International Space station commander Chris Hadfield has been sharing some of the top tips. Dont just be passive dont dont just you know go one more scans your social media or dont dont let this turn you into some sort of lesser g. But even though for a little while it may be sort of consoling give yourself something to accomplish every day take action actually do one of the things that sets on your list of stuff to get done dont let this be chewed out you know on board a ship were busy from 6 in the morning so 11 at night and at the end of day youre exhausted but you look practical wow that was a great day i mean i got a whole bunch of stuff done you know i recorded it tonight at all this fun and and tomorrows come and simplest its they can get ready for tomorrow dig into whats happening dont let this thing direct your life direct your own life. Time for a quick check of the headlines here on aljazeera u. S. President donald trump assigned a 2. 2 trillion dollar stimulus package into nor was speeding up government payments to families struggling to cope with the Virus Outbreak is also and that the defense production not to force General Motors to stop producing much needed ventilators runnels explains who the package will help it will be a lot of corporations for example airlines that seen their operations run into a hole that also provides monies to states and cities replenishes stockpiles of needed medical equipment and will provide good Unemployment Benefits to many of the millions of americans who have lost their jobs as well as putting extra money into the pockets of families in the form of direct Cash Payments italy has reported a steep rise in the number of coronavirus from 8 to deaths 919 people died in a single day and in spain the number of deaths has risen to many 5000. U. K. Prime minister Boris Johnson says hes tested positive for cope with 19 and also finds a late in downing street the u. K. Health minister also has the virus as does the governments top medical advisor. China has reported another increase in what it calls imported infections 54 cases involving people who caught the illness overseas were recorded on friday new restrictions on the entry of foreigners has also come into effect. Turkeys president has announced the suspension of all International Flights to help stem the spread of the virus. Also encourage citizens to abide by new voluntary quarantine measures or face stricter rules infection rate in turkey has been growing so quickly with more than 2000 new cases reported in the last 24 hours as south africa reports its 1st coronavirus related death police have struggled to enforce the 21. 00 day nationwide lockdown which came into force after midnight on friday understaffed because new restrictions people are only allowed out of their homes to buy groceries or Health Emergencies but large crowds have continued to form in poorer townships where social distancing is difficult because of the cramped living conditions. So those are the headlines the news continues here on aljazeera after one of many states went down so much that. We understand the differences and similarities of cultures across the wound. That no matter. How to bring you the news and Current Affairs that matter to you. Out a zinger. In the midst of a crown of virus pandemic china is in the town. Beijing capital of the worlds most populous nation stands deserted. Millions of residents are forced to stay behind closed doors in moves now being replicated in countries across the line. Will miss it but so do 1018 we report from inside the quarantine capital of beijing. Its been months since theres been a real reason