WHO defends coronavirus handling; UK toll rises: Live updates

Worldwide confirmed COVID-19 cases approach 1.5 million as global death toll exceeds 85,000

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has defended its handling of the coronavirus pandemic after US President Donald Trump accused the agency of being “China-centric” and threatened to cut funding.

Meanwhile, the United Kingdom on Wednesday recorded its highest daily death toll, at 938, bringing the number of total coronavirus-linked fatalities to 7,097. While Spain reported another 757 deaths over the past 24 hours, Wuhan began allowing people to leave for the first time since the central Chinese city was sealed off 76 days ago to contain the coronavirus that first emerged there late last year. Wednesday, April 8

20:45 GMT - Google gifts 2-months access to Stadia Pro as gamers stay at home

Alphabet Inc’s Google said it would give two months of free access to the paid version of its cloud-based game streaming platform Stadia as people are confined to their homes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Users can access Stadia by downloading the app on their iOS or Android phones or by signing up on its website.

The company said its offer was open to users in 14 countries, starting on Wednesday, and would be rolled out over the next 48 hours.

The paid version, Stadia Pro, otherwise costs $9.99 a month and offers access to games such as “GRID” and “Destiny 2: The Collection” in 4K resolution.

20:35 GMT - Is it too early to lift the lockdown on Wuhan?

Much of the world is now imposing strict lockdowns to stop the spread of coronavirus. However, the Chinese city, where the pandemic is reported to have begun, is easing restrictions after a sharp fall in new cases. Eleven million people in Wuhan are now allowed to leave the city for the first time since late January.

So, what are the lessons for the rest of the world?

Somalia has registered its first death from coronavirus, Health Minister Fawziya Abikar Nur said.

“We have confirmed one person who died of Corona (virus). May Allah show him mercy,” the minister wrote on Twitter. He added that four new cases of the virus had been detected, bringing the number of people infected in Somalia to 12. A statement tweeted by the health ministry later said the four newly infected people were all Somalis and that they included two health workers.

The dead patient was a 58-year-old man, the statement said. It gave no additional details about him.