Textron Aviation furloughs thousands of U.S workers

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Textron Aviation, a unit of Textron Inc announced furloughs for most of its U.S.-based workforce on Wednesday as concerns over depressed demand due to the spreading coronavirus ripples through global aviation.

The $13.6 billion company, which makes Cessna aircraft, Bell helicopters and flight simulators, said a four-week furlough at its Aviation unit would fall into a March 23-May 29 timeframe. The furlough affects some 7,000 or more workers, a person familiar with the matter said.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-textron/textron-aviation-furloughs-thousands-of-u-s-workers-idUSKBN2153GS?il=0

Italy reports 475 new coronavirus deaths, lifting total death toll to 2,978

ROME (Reuters) - The death toll from an outbreak of coronavirus in Italy has surged in the last 24 hours by 475 to 2,978, an increase of 19%, the biggest jump in numerical terms since the contagion came to light last month, officials said on Wednesday.

The total number of cases in Italy, the European country hardest hit by the virus, rose to 35,713 from a previous 31,506, up 13.35%, the Civil Protection Agency said. Of those originally infected, 4,025 had fully recovered compared to 2,941 the day before. Some 2,257 people were in intensive care against a previous 2,060.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-italy-tally/italy-reports-475-new-coronavirus-deaths-lifting-total-death-toll-to-2978-idUSKBN21534Z?il=0

Pakistan confirms first two deaths from coronavirus - minister

PESHAWAR/DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - Pakistan on Wednesday confirmed its first two deaths from coronavirus as the total number of infected patients in the country climbed to 260, the health minister said on Twitter. Both deaths were reported from northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where so far 19 cases of coronavirus have been confirmed.

“Sadly, a second patient in Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) Peshawar, a 36 year old from Hangu district has also passed away from coronavirus,” Taimur Khan Jhangra, provincial minister for health of north west province said in a tweet. The 36 year old patient was brought to the (LRH) on Tuesday night, tested positive for COVID-19 and passed away on Wednesday, Mohammad Asim, spokesman for the hospital told Reuters.

On Tuesday night, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, in an address to the nation, urged citizens to remain calm and not rush to get tested. His comments came amid a growing dispute in Pakistan between federal and provincial authorities, with the latter struggling to secure sufficient coronavirus testing kits and blaming the federal government for failing to properly test and quarantine hundreds of Pakistanis who recently returned home across a land border with Iran.

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-southasia/pakistan-confirms-first-two-deaths-from-coronavirus-minister-idUSKBN2153BC?il=0