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Week in pictures: 9-15 May 2020

15 May 2020

A selection of powerful news photographs taken around the world this week, as people react to the spread of the coronavirus.

Italian violinist Fiamma Flavia Paolucci performs at Tor Vergata Hospital in Rome, as part of International Nurses' Day on 12 May.

Tiziana Fabi / AFP Hospital staff watch violinist Fiamma Flavia Paolucci perform — Italian violinist Fiamma Flavia Paolucci performs at Tor Vergata Hospital in Rome, as part of International Nurses' Day on 12 May.

On the same day, in the region where the virus was first discovered, Chinese nurses stood in the shape of a heart to recite an oath during a ceremony at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province.

EPA A crowd of nurses stand in the shape of a heart as they recite an oath — On the same day, in the region where the virus was first discovered, Chinese nurses stood in the shape of a heart to recite an oath during a ceremony at Tongji Hospital in Wuhan, Hubei province.

People practise social distancing inside a lift at the World Trade Center in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Dinuka Liyanawatte / REUTERS People face away from each other as they practise social distancing inside a lift — People practise social distancing inside a lift at the World Trade Center in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Formula 3 racer Sophia Floersch rides in a simulator during a home training session, amid the Covid-19 outbreak in Grünwald near Munich.

Andreas Gebert / REUTERS Formula 3 racer Sophia Floersch uses a virtual-reality simulator at home — Formula 3 racer Sophia Floersch rides in a simulator during a home training session, amid the Covid-19 outbreak in Grünwald near Munich.

Passengers wear face masks on an underground train in London, after the UK government announced plans to bring the country out of lockdown. Transport for London said it expected to lose £4bn this year due to the impact of coronavirus.

Victoria Jones / PA Media Passengers wearing face masks on an underground train — Passengers wear face masks on an underground train in London, after the UK government announced plans to bring the country out of lockdown. Transport for London said it expected to lose £4bn this year due to the impact of coronavirus.

Olympic and world champion long-distance runner Mo Farah exercises in Richmond Park, London.

Dylan Martinez / REUTERS Mo Farah exercises outdoors near a group of deer — Olympic and world champion long-distance runner Mo Farah exercises in Richmond Park, London.

A man disinfects Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. Churches in Italy are set to reopen for worshippers to attend Mass, in limited numbers and under strict guidelines, on 18 May.

Remo Casilli / REUTERS A man disinfects Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere — A man disinfects Rome's Basilica di Santa Maria in Trastevere. Churches in Italy are set to reopen for worshippers to attend Mass, in limited numbers and under strict guidelines, on 18 May.

Residents brave rain and strong winds as they walk past uprooted trees in Can-avid, Eastern Samar province, central Philippines. Typhoon Vongfong made landfall on 14 May, forcing a complicated evacuation for thousands of people, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Alren Beronio / AFP Two people walk along a road past uprooted trees — Residents brave rain and strong winds as they walk past uprooted trees in Can-avid, Eastern Samar province, central Philippines. Typhoon Vongfong made landfall on 14 May, forcing a complicated evacuation for thousands of people, amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Assembly-line workers wear face shields at a mobile-phone manufacturing plant, after some lockdown restrictions were lifted in Noida, India.

Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS Workers wearing face shields work at an assembly line — Assembly-line workers wear face shields at a mobile-phone manufacturing plant, after some lockdown restrictions were lifted in Noida, India.

A titan arum, the biggest flower structure on Earth, is a feature of the national botanic garden in Meise, Belgium. Famous for its bad smell, the titan arum can grow up to 3m tall. It can take several years for a single flower to blossom.

Lauria Dieffembacq / Belga / AFP A Titan Arum flower — A titan arum, the biggest flower structure on Earth, is a feature of the national botanic garden in Meise, Belgium. Famous for its bad smell, the titan arum can grow up to 3m tall. It can take several years for a single flower to blossom.

All photographs belong to the copyright holders as marked.