COVID-19

New York has been hit hard by coronavirus, with more than 3,500 deaths and the number of recorded cases exceeding 113,000.

In collaboration with the Knicks, Nets and Huang, the NBA is moving to help New York's workers.

"The @NBA is contributing 1 million desperately needed surgical masks for New York's essential workers in collaboration with @nyknicks, @BrooklynNets and China's Consul General Huang Ping," governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo, wrote on Twitter on Saturday.

"New York thanks you. We are beyond grateful for this gift of critically needed PPE."

Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama says the first new case is the wife of the man from Labasa. She was taken into isolation two days before being diagnosed positive this morning.

The second new case is the sister of Fiji’s very first case, the flight attendant from Lautoka. 

Bainimarama says this was a case they have long been expecting.

More than 500 people including police officers, church ministers and representative rugby players have been arrested for breaching the quarantine, lockdown and curfew restrictions.

Twenty-four people were also detained for holding gatherings of more than 20.

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama warned anyone caught breaking the law would be dealt with severely.

"This level of lawlessness is irresponsible, un-Fijian and just plain stupid," he said.

The Bronx Zoo, in New York City, says the test result was confirmed by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Iowa.

Nadia, her sister Azul, as well as two Amur tigers and three African lions, had developed a dry cough and all are expected to fully recover, it says.

The cats are believed to have been infected by a zoo keeper.

"We tested the cat [Nadia] out of an abundance of caution and will ensure any knowledge we gain about Covid-19 will contribute to the world's continuing understanding of this novel coronavirus," the zoo said in a statement on Sunday.

He "continues to have persistent symptoms of coronavirus", a spokeswoman said - including a high temperature.

It was described as a "precautionary step" taken on the advice of his doctor.

The prime minister remains in charge of the government and urged people to follow its social distancing advice.

"On the advice of his doctor, the prime minister has tonight been admitted to hospital for tests," the spokeswoman said.

The tally also shows that the number of carriers in hospital is unchanged at one.

All cases are concentrated on Tahiti and Moorea.

Travel restrictions between islands are in force and there is a nightly curfew until at least 15 April.

A ban on the sale of alcohol has been extended to last until restrictions on movement are lifted.

In her address, which was broadcast on TV, radio and social media, she thanked everyone on the NHS frontline.

"I am sure the nation will join me in assuring you that what you do is appreciated and every hour of your hard work brings us closer to a return to more normal times," she said.

There are thanks from the Queen too for "those of you who are staying at home" and by doing so, "helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones".

A notice issued by the government said pursuant to sections 36 and 37 of the Emergency Management Act 2007, I hereby renew the National Lockdown Notice dated 26 March 2020 to be applied over all the land and seas of Tonga to continue commencing from 1:00am on Sunday 5 April 2020 to 1:00am Sunday 12 April 2020, unless further renewed.

(1) The terms and conditions of the National Lockdown Notice dated 26 March 2020 shall continue to apply.

(2) The following services shall be added to Appendix A of the National Lockdown Notice dated 26 March 2020–

An initial assessment of the overall impact of COVID-19 on the economy estimated loss to its gross domestic product at over $60 million pa’anga for the FY 2020.

According to the Government, t is projected at least GDP loss of over $200 million if the pandemic continues without a stop to the first two quarters of FY2021.

Domestic Revenue as a result is expected to be reduced by $35 million therefore projected for a fiscal deficit in FY2020, and $40m loss of revenue stream for FY2021 with a projected fiscal deficit of $54m.

Lautoka and Suva are now lockdown with the latter entering its first day following the announcement of two confirmed cases of the coronavirus there yesterday.

Fiji's Police Commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho said the two officers arrested would be charged and will face internal disciplinary action.

Mr Qiliho warned police officers caught breaking the law would be expelled from the force, including those responsible for social gatherings at the police barracks.