Coronavirus crisis
Ke Hao / Xinhua / The Associated PressIn this March 18, 2020 photo released by China’s Xinhua News Agency, people applaud as departing medical workers enter Wuhan Tianhe International Airport in Wuhan in central China’s Hubei Province. Last month, Wuhan was overwhelmed with thousands of new cases of coronavirus each day. But in a dramatic development that underscores just how much the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the United States, Chinese authorities said Thursday that the city and its surrounding province had no new cases to report. The virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people, but severe illness is more likely in the elderly and people with existing health problems. (Ke Hao/Xinhua via AP)
No new cases: China announced there were no new homegrown cases in Wuhan, the city where the virus emerged late last year. Thirty-four cases were reported in Wuhan over the past day, but the Chinese government said all were imported from elsewhere. Meanwhile, Italy — with nearly 3,000 dead — appears set to surpass China’s toll. The Associated Press reports. READ MORE
Closing off Canada: Some details have yet to be announced as work begins in earnest today to shut down the world’s longest undefended border, The Canadian Press reports. READ MORE
Cruise ship docks: The Costa Luminosa cruise ship, which has at least 77 Canadians onboard, has docked in Marseille, France. It’s not known whether the 1,400 people on the ship will be allowed off. READ MORE
Another update: The Manitoba government will give its daily update on the province’s COVID-19 cases later today. The number of confirmed cases increased from 15 to 17 on Wednesday. Carol Sanders and Larry Kusch report. READ MORE
Weather
Your forecast: Cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of flurries this morning, a low of -12 C and high of -8 C this afternoon, wind from the north at 20 km/h increasing to 40 km/h and gusting to 60 this afternoon, and wind chill as low as -22.
More on the virus
SHANNON VANRAES / WINNIPEG FREE PRESSTables and chairs at CF Polo Park’s food court are wrapped in caution tape amid concerns of COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Malls open but empty: Shopping malls seem like ghost towns after many retailers closed their stores. “This is eerie,” one woman said of the nearly deserted second floor at Polo Park. Jason Bell reports. READ MORE
Cleared of COVID-19: A Free Press reporter who wrote about his experience getting tested for COVID-19 last week doesn’t have the virus, and the rest of his family also tested negative. READ MORE
Still cycling: A local gym is delivering stationary bikes to members who want to keep on pedalling. Other gyms are doing similar things, Taylor Allen reports. READ MORE
Stop the music: The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra has laid off all its musicians and 30 administrative staff, effective March 29. “It’s heartbreaking,” WSO executive director Trudy Schroeder said. Jen Zoratti reports. READ MORE
Death and social distancing: Mourners are using technology to limit personal contact at funerals, Brenda Superman reports. READ MORE
In other news
Manitoba Finance Minister Scott Fielding tried to table the budget last week. (John Woods / The Canadian Press files)
Provincial budget: The Tory government is expected to introduce its budget in the Manitoba legislature this afternoon. After days of delay tactics by the Opposition, NDP Leader Wab Kinew said his party will not stand in the government’s way. Larry Kusch reports. READ MORE
Committee set to vote: The executive policy committee will meet today to vote on any changes members want to make to the city’s first multi-year budget. Joyanne Pursaga reports on Wednesday’s meeting, where city residents gave the EPC feedback on the budget amid social distancing measures. READ MORE
Goalie did great: Connor Hellebuyck was having a heck of a season for the Jets before the NHL suspended play. Mike McIntyre says Hellebuyck has a strong case to be named the league’s top goalie and MVP — if the awards are presented. READ MORE
Today’s front page
Get the full story: Read today’s e-edition of the Winnipeg Free Press READ MORE
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