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Coronavirus live news: Singapore extends lockdown after cases rise; Sweden reports highest daily death toll Coronavirus live news: global confirmed cases pass 2.5m, as Sweden reports its highest daily death toll
(32 minutes later)
Donald Trump signals immigration ban; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapses into negative prices; global cases near 2.5 million Singapore extends lockdown after cases rise; Donald Trump signals immigration ban; Oktoberfest cancelled; US oil market collapses
Singapore has reported 1,111 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, the second day in a row that it has reported more than a thousand new cases.
Although the latest rise is several hundred short of Monday’s - which at 1,426 was the biggest yet for the south east Asian city state - it will compound fears that the country’s strict controls to curb the spread of the virus are increasingly ineffective.
Nearly all - 1,050 - of the cases were among the dormitory-housed migrant workers that Singapore relies on to provide the city’s essential basic services, the ministry of health said in its daily statistical release, adding that the large increase in cases was only now being picked up because of extensive testing.
In total, Singapore has recorded 9,125 cases of coronavirus, and 11 deaths.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus around the world has now passed 2.5m, according to the tally kept by Johns Hopkins University.
The US remains top of the national rankings kept by the Maryland, US-based research university, with 788,920 cases, followed by Spain with 204,178, then Italy with 181,228, followed by France, Germany and the UK.
However, with testing regimes differing widely between countries, it is difficult to say with certainty whether the league table is accurate.
The Department for Health and Social Care has published the latest UK hospital death figures. There are 823 new deaths, taking the total to 17,337.
Follow our UK liveblog for the latest.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo announced 481 New Yorkers died of coronavirus yesterday, as the daily death toll remained flat from Sunday.
“We have paid a tremendous price to control this beast,” Cuomo said of New York’s death toll, which is higher than that of any other US state.
In some promising news, the number of new coronavirus hospitalizations yesterday fell to 1,300, although the overall number of hospitalizations remained unchanged.
The number of intubations has also been on a consistent decline in recent days.
Follow the latest updates from the US, including all the details from Cuomo’s daily briefing, on our US coronavirus live blog.
Bangladesh has reported 434 new confirmed cases of coronavirus, and nine more deaths, as the lockdown in the country risks throwing tens of thousands of workers into poverty.
On Tuesday, the country’s Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research said the total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus so far had risen to 3,382, of whom 110 had died.
The numbers of confirmed cases reported in recent days suggests that the south Asian country of 161m people is at the beginning of its outbreak curve.
On Tuesday, the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of the Reuters news agency, reported that the government could sue owners of garment factories who fail to pay their staff during the lockdown
Last week, thousands of factory workers protested on the streets of Dhaka and other cities after their workplaces - hit by a downturn in the garment sector - closed without paying their March wages.
The government has said at least 350 factory owners have not yet paid, with more than 150,000 workers affected, though labour leaders say the true figure is much higher, according to the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Labour ministry official Shibnath Roy told the agency that businesses that did not pay staff would not receive any money from a $588 million rescue package that Bangladesh announced last month for its crucial export sector.
“We have taken these steps to create pressure on factory owners. If they still don’t pay, we will file cases against them in the labour court,” he said.
How Brazil’s favelas are staging their own Covid-19 fightbackHow Brazil’s favelas are staging their own Covid-19 fightback
Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has described coronavirus as a “little flu” and resisted lockdown measures even as the death toll rises. But in Rio’s poorest favelas, where people live in overcrowded conditions and lack proper sanitation, they are bracing for the worst.Brazil’s president, Jair Bolsonaro, has described coronavirus as a “little flu” and resisted lockdown measures even as the death toll rises. But in Rio’s poorest favelas, where people live in overcrowded conditions and lack proper sanitation, they are bracing for the worst.
Buba Aguiar is an activist in Acari who is taking matters into her own hands, soliciting online donations to buy food parcels and basic coronavirus kit - soap, masks - for her neighbours who cannot afford to stop working and stay at home.Buba Aguiar is an activist in Acari who is taking matters into her own hands, soliciting online donations to buy food parcels and basic coronavirus kit - soap, masks - for her neighbours who cannot afford to stop working and stay at home.
As Acari records its first coronavirus death, the Guardian followed Buba through a typical day fighting to help her community in the face of government inaction.As Acari records its first coronavirus death, the Guardian followed Buba through a typical day fighting to help her community in the face of government inaction.
Covid-19 has created an unexpected outburst of cross-community co-operation across the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland, reports Henry McDonald in Belfast.Covid-19 has created an unexpected outburst of cross-community co-operation across the sectarian divide in Northern Ireland, reports Henry McDonald in Belfast.
The Protestant Orange Order has announced it has bought a substantial quantity of PPE which it will distribute to health staff on both sides of the Irish border.The Protestant Orange Order has announced it has bought a substantial quantity of PPE which it will distribute to health staff on both sides of the Irish border.
The Grand Lodge of Ireland - the Order’s ruling body on the island - has said it has purchased tens of thousands of masks, protective gowns and hand sanitiser.The Grand Lodge of Ireland - the Order’s ruling body on the island - has said it has purchased tens of thousands of masks, protective gowns and hand sanitiser.
Orange lodges in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have been tasked to distribute the PPE.Orange lodges in both Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic have been tasked to distribute the PPE.
Edward Stevenson, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, said everyone owned “a huge debt of gratitude to all key workers who are working so hard to tackle this dreadful disease.”Edward Stevenson, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, said everyone owned “a huge debt of gratitude to all key workers who are working so hard to tackle this dreadful disease.”
The Orange Order has already taken the unusual step of cancelling all its parades and marches including the annual commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne on 12 July in response to the pandemic.The Orange Order has already taken the unusual step of cancelling all its parades and marches including the annual commemoration of the Battle of the Boyne on 12 July in response to the pandemic.
Orangemen however are still making use of the drums they use in the marching season. Some are taking them out to batter during the mass applause and public displays of support for NHS and other key workers every Thursday since the lockdown began.Orangemen however are still making use of the drums they use in the marching season. Some are taking them out to batter during the mass applause and public displays of support for NHS and other key workers every Thursday since the lockdown began.
The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Africa has passed 23,000, the Africa Centres for Disease Control reported earlier today.The total number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Africa has passed 23,000, the Africa Centres for Disease Control reported earlier today.
The coronavirus outbreak in Turkey is starting to reach a plateau and the country aims to return to normal life after Ramadan, which ends in late May, president Tayyip Erdoğan was quoted as saying by state-owned Anadolu news agency on Tuesday.The coronavirus outbreak in Turkey is starting to reach a plateau and the country aims to return to normal life after Ramadan, which ends in late May, president Tayyip Erdoğan was quoted as saying by state-owned Anadolu news agency on Tuesday.
“We aim to achieve maximum observance of measures during the month of Ramadan and, God willing, a transition to normal life for our country after the holiday,” Erdoğan said, according to Reuters.“We aim to achieve maximum observance of measures during the month of Ramadan and, God willing, a transition to normal life for our country after the holiday,” Erdoğan said, according to Reuters.
The announcement comes as Turkey’s Covid-19 outbreak hit 90,981 cases, overtaking China to become the seventh most affected country in the world (as reported earlier by my colleague, Bethan McKernan, in Istanbul).The announcement comes as Turkey’s Covid-19 outbreak hit 90,981 cases, overtaking China to become the seventh most affected country in the world (as reported earlier by my colleague, Bethan McKernan, in Istanbul).
Reported fatalities remain much lower than other badly hit countries, at 2,140. However, analysis by the New York Times of death records in Istanbul shows the city has seen a jump of 2,100 more deaths than expected in a recent four-week period, suggesting the coronavirus outbreak may be much worse than official tallies.Reported fatalities remain much lower than other badly hit countries, at 2,140. However, analysis by the New York Times of death records in Istanbul shows the city has seen a jump of 2,100 more deaths than expected in a recent four-week period, suggesting the coronavirus outbreak may be much worse than official tallies.
Austria will allow restaurants and cafes to reopen and religious services to resume from 15 May, Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor, said on Tuesday.Austria will allow restaurants and cafes to reopen and religious services to resume from 15 May, Sebastian Kurz, the chancellor, said on Tuesday.
“We are going faster here than other countries towards something like a new normality,” Kurz told a news conference, according to Reuters. He said that “gastronomy businesses”, a term that often includes bars, will be allowed to reopen from 15 May and stay open until 11pm.“We are going faster here than other countries towards something like a new normality,” Kurz told a news conference, according to Reuters. He said that “gastronomy businesses”, a term that often includes bars, will be allowed to reopen from 15 May and stay open until 11pm.
Religious services can resume from the same day.Religious services can resume from the same day.
Austria acted early, closing restaurants, bars, theatres, non-essential shops and other potential gathering places more than a month ago. People were told to stay at home and work from there if possible.Austria acted early, closing restaurants, bars, theatres, non-essential shops and other potential gathering places more than a month ago. People were told to stay at home and work from there if possible.
Now it is among among the first to loosen its lockdown, allowing DIY stores, garden centres and shops of less than 400 sq metres – roughly twice the area of a singles tennis court – to reopen a week ago.Now it is among among the first to loosen its lockdown, allowing DIY stores, garden centres and shops of less than 400 sq metres – roughly twice the area of a singles tennis court – to reopen a week ago.
Shopping centres, larger shops and hairdressers are due to follow from 1 May.Shopping centres, larger shops and hairdressers are due to follow from 1 May.
Saudi Arabia plans to change curfew hours it imposed on several cities during the month of Ramadan to allow people more time to shop for essentials, state news agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.Saudi Arabia plans to change curfew hours it imposed on several cities during the month of Ramadan to allow people more time to shop for essentials, state news agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
Currently, people living in areas under 24 hours curfew can go out for healthcare and to supermarkets from 6am to 3pm. During Ramadan these hours will start from 9am until 5 pm, SPA said.Currently, people living in areas under 24 hours curfew can go out for healthcare and to supermarkets from 6am to 3pm. During Ramadan these hours will start from 9am until 5 pm, SPA said.
The announcement comes as the Saudi ministry of health reported 1,147 new confirmed cases of coronavirus – the biggest increase yet in the kingdom – and six more deaths. It is the fourth day in a row that the country has reported more than 1,000 new infections.The announcement comes as the Saudi ministry of health reported 1,147 new confirmed cases of coronavirus – the biggest increase yet in the kingdom – and six more deaths. It is the fourth day in a row that the country has reported more than 1,000 new infections.
Sweden has reported its highest daily death toll since the start of its coronavirus outbreak, with 185 added to its total since yesterday.
The total number of Covid-19 deaths in the worst-affected Nordic country is 1,765, with 15,322 total confirmed cases to date – up 545 on the day before.
Mexico has entered its most serious stage in the spread of the coronavirus, the country’s deputy health minister Hugo Lopez-Gatell said on Tuesday.
During a daily morning news conference held by president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Lopez-Gatell said the country had entered “phase three” of its outbreak, with the spread of the virus intensifying, Reuters reported.
He said it was vital Mexicans followed government instructions to help the country’s health system, adding that public meetings would not be able to held during this phase and it was vital for people to maintain social distancing.
Mexico has already extended measures to contain the coronavirus until 30 May.
Mexico has so far registered 712 coronavirus deaths and 8,772 infections, with 511 new cases reported on Monday.
WhatsApp and the World Health Organization have collaborated to launched a series of chat stickers to help people communicate about aspects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Facebook-owned messaging service has worked with the World Health Organization to produce the stickers, which can be posted into chats.
WhatsApp said the “together at home” pack – which includes colourful reminders to wash hands, maintain social distancing and check in on loved ones – was to help users more accurately communicate the thoughts and feelings of lockdown.
The social-messaging service said in a blogpost:
Russia recorded 5,642 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, bringing its nationwide tally to 52,763, the Russian coronavirus crisis response centre said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
Fifty-one people with the virus died in the last 24 hours, a one-day record for the country, pushing the death toll to 456, it said.
The number of coronavirus cases in Russia began rising sharply this month, although it had reported far fewer infections than many western European countries in the outbreak’s early stages. Today’s increase is the second highest reported yet, after Sunday when authorities reported a rise of 6,060.
As the Netherlands announces plans to emerge from lockdown, its public health institute reported 729 new confirmed cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, its lowest number of daily new cases since 23 March.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) said there had been 165 more deaths, taking the country’s total to 3,916.
Overall, 34,134 people in the Netherlands have tested positive for the coronavirus, of whom 9,897 were admitted to hospital.
Earlier, Daniel Boffey, the Guardian’s Brussels bureau chief, reported that the Dutch government was set to announce the reopening of some schools at the beginning of May.
The easing of the country’s lockdown comes after advice from the official scientific advisors, obtained by the Guardian, said the effective reproduction rate of the epidemic has been less than 1 in the Netherlands since 15 March. This means that one person with the disease infects fewer than one other person in the community.
Iran has reported 88 more deaths from coronavirus in the past 24 hours, down from 91 the previous day.
In a press conference broadcast on state TV, Kianoosh Jahanpoor, the health ministry’s spokesman, also said that testing had confirmed 1,297 new confirmed coronavirus cases, taking the total in Iran since the outbreak began to 84,802, Tasnim news agency reports.
The total death toll from Covid-19 in the country, the worst-affected in the Middle East, now stands at 5,297, Jahanpour said. So far 60,965 patients have recovered, but 3,357 remain in hospital in a critical condition.
The Pamplona bull run, where hundreds of daredevils play a risky game of catch-me-if-you-can with half-tonne fighting bulls, is the latest world-famous cultural event to be cancelled as a result of coronavirus, AFP reports.
Pamplona’s municipal council decided to call off the event, Spain’s best-known bull running festival, held each year between 6-14 July, because “the fight against Covid-19 has become a global priority and there is no other possible option for such massive festivities,” a statement said.
Sixteen people have been killed in the bull runs since officials began keeping track in 1910. The last death was in 2009 when a 27-year-old Spaniard was gored in the neck, heart and lungs.
The coronavirus has killed almost 21,300 people so far in Spain, the third-highest official toll after the US and Italy.
Daniel Boffey, our Brussels bureau chief, has sent in the latest on plans in the Netherlands to ease the lockdown there.
The Dutch prime minister, Mark Rutte, is expected to announce that primary schools, child care settings and schools specialising in teaching children with special education needs will reopen in the first week of May. Rutte is due to hold a press conference at 7pm CET this evening.
According to advice provided by scientists from the country’s centre for infectious disease control, the risk from an increase in infection from the reopening of some schools is deemed “manageable”.
As of Monday, 33,405 patients in the Netherlands had tested positive with Covid-19, of which 9,779 persons were hospitalised and 3,751 died.
The leaked scientific advice, obtained by the Guardian, says the effective reproduction rate of the epidemic has been less than 1 in the Netherlands since 15 March. This means that one person with the disease infects fewer than one other person in the community.
Of all reported Covid-19 patients, the scientists advise that “barely 1% are under 20 years of age, while this age group accounts for approximately 22% of the entire population”.
The scientists advise: “By opening childcare, primary schools and special education, more transmission is expected among children and their parents. However, it is expected that this will not result in much additional care and hospital admissions.”
The scientific advisers are not as one on whether primary schools should open completely or whether they should start with half-full classes. They suggest that the government takes into account the data over the next few weeks from Scandinavian countries where schools have already reopened.
Secondary schools in the Netherlands could reopen a month later “if no outbreaks have occurred in [primary] schools in the intervening period”.
They further advise that children up to 12 years of age should be allowed to recommence sports outside and without a requirement to keep 1.5-metre distance from each other. Older children will be required to maintain the social distancing rule.
Top class athletes may train outside but running clubs should not resume as they advise that clouds of sweat can be detected 20m behind a running athlete.
“On theoretical grounds, a risk would then arise for those in the slipstream, just behind the athlete,” the scientists report.
This is Damien Gayle taking over the live blog now, keeping you up to date with the latest coronavirus news from around the world.
If you want to get in touch with tips, suggestions or news from your part of the world, please send me an email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or you can reach me via direct message to my Twitter profile, @damiengayle.
The coronavirus pandemic may be prompting some anti-vaxxers to question their views, experts say, but others are doubling down – and vaccine hesitancy, amplified by some celebrities, could seriously undermine a future inoculation programme.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 70 candidate coronavirus vaccines are being developed, with three already in clinical evaluation. The world’s small but vocal anti-vaccination community seems divided on how to respond.
“The extremists, the belief-driven groups who reject vaccination on principle, whose aim is to disrupt and polarise, they’re not changing, in fact they’re capitalising,” said Heidi Larson, director of the London-based Vaccine Confidence Project (VCP).
You can read the full story here –