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Coronavirus live news: more new cases in China as parts of Europe ease restrictions Coronavirus live news: more new cases in China as parts of Europe ease restrictions
(32 minutes later)
Boris Johnson’s plans for UK labelled vague and divisive; China records new cases in Wuhan and Shulan; New Zealand to move to level 2 restrictionsBoris Johnson’s plans for UK labelled vague and divisive; China records new cases in Wuhan and Shulan; New Zealand to move to level 2 restrictions
Cape Town and the surrounding Western Cape province have become South Africa’s coronavirus hotspot, accounting for more than half of the nation’s confirmed cases, which have climbed above 10,600, Associated Press reports.
Western Cape province has had 5,621 cases, according to figures released Monday, and of the country’s 206 deaths registered from Covid-19, 116 have occurred in the province.
Cape Town, with its poor, densely populated townships, is the centre of the cases in the province.
South Africa has the continent’s highest number of confirmed cases and has eased its restrictions to allow an estimated 1.6 million people to return to work in selected mines, factories and businesses.
However, the concentration of cases in Cape Town may lead to the city returning to a stricter lockdown, according to the health minister, Zweli Mkizhe.
Vladimir Putin announced an easing of Russia’s nationwide lockdown on Monday, even as Russia recorded a record number of new coronavirus infections.
Putin said people in some sectors would now return to work, though restrictions on public gatherings would remain in place. “We have a long and difficult process ahead of us with no room for mistakes,” he said in a televised address to the nation.
He noted the size of Russia and said the epidemiological situation in different regions varied greatly, thus local governments would retain the right to keep lockdown measures in place. In Moscow, the centre of Russia’s coronavirus epidemic, the lockdown is due to remain in force until the end of May at least.
Russia on Monday announced 11,656 new cases over the past 24 hours, a record number. The country has had a total of 221,344 confirmed cases of the virus and 2,009 deaths. It has the second highest rate of new infections after the US.
“This should be remembered. Putin has ended national self-isolation measures aimed at fighting the epidemic on the very day when we have registered a record for new infections. W for Wisdom,” wrote the opposition politician Alexei Navalny on Twitter.
In a long address, Putin also surveyed the economic situation in the country, noting that the number of registered unemployed had doubled since early April, and he announced a new package of economic measures.
Hi. This is Caroline Davies taking over the blog while Damien goes for a break. Please do drop me a line via email caroline.davies@theguardian.com with any tips or suggestions for things we should be coveringHi. This is Caroline Davies taking over the blog while Damien goes for a break. Please do drop me a line via email caroline.davies@theguardian.com with any tips or suggestions for things we should be covering
Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has just given the briefest of briefings following relaxation of the lockdown rules over the weekend, writes Kate Connolly, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent.Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has just given the briefest of briefings following relaxation of the lockdown rules over the weekend, writes Kate Connolly, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent.
Appearing in the sky lobby of her chancellery in Berlin, she said:Appearing in the sky lobby of her chancellery in Berlin, she said:
That was it. Then she disappeared. Her statement, delivered in an unusually breathless voice and lacking her usual calm, was widely interpreted as a reaction to the news at the weekend that thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities around the country protesting against the infringement of their civil liberties, and reports that many people were failing to abide by the distancing or face covering rules.That was it. Then she disappeared. Her statement, delivered in an unusually breathless voice and lacking her usual calm, was widely interpreted as a reaction to the news at the weekend that thousands of demonstrators gathered in cities around the country protesting against the infringement of their civil liberties, and reports that many people were failing to abide by the distancing or face covering rules.
The number of infections in Germany as of Monday afternoon was 172,658, and 7,681 people had died from the virus.The number of infections in Germany as of Monday afternoon was 172,658, and 7,681 people had died from the virus.
Half a million more people could die from Aids-related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa if efforts are not made to overcome interruptions to health services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization has warned.Half a million more people could die from Aids-related illnesses in sub-Saharan Africa if efforts are not made to overcome interruptions to health services as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, the World Health Organization has warned.
According to the modelling carried out on behalf of the WHO and UNAids, the disruption to health services could take Aids-related deaths in the next year in the region back to 2008 levels, when it claimed 950,000 lives.According to the modelling carried out on behalf of the WHO and UNAids, the disruption to health services could take Aids-related deaths in the next year in the region back to 2008 levels, when it claimed 950,000 lives.
“And people would continue to die from the disruption in large numbers for at least another five years, with an annual average excess in deaths of 40% over the next half a decade,” the agencies said. “In addition, HIV service disruptions could also have some impact on HIV incidence in the next year.”“And people would continue to die from the disruption in large numbers for at least another five years, with an annual average excess in deaths of 40% over the next half a decade,” the agencies said. “In addition, HIV service disruptions could also have some impact on HIV incidence in the next year.”
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, was quoted as saying:Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director general of the WHO, was quoted as saying:
In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 25.7 million people were living with HIV and 16.4 million (64%) were taking antiretroviral therapy in 2018.In sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 25.7 million people were living with HIV and 16.4 million (64%) were taking antiretroviral therapy in 2018.
The Netherlands reported 16 more Covid-19 deaths on Monday, the fewest in nearly two months, bringing the total death toll from its outbreak to 5,456.The Netherlands reported 16 more Covid-19 deaths on Monday, the fewest in nearly two months, bringing the total death toll from its outbreak to 5,456.
In its daily report, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) also said 161 more people had tested positive for the virus, the lowest daily figure in almost as long.In its daily report, the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) also said 161 more people had tested positive for the virus, the lowest daily figure in almost as long.
The Netherlands has registered 42,788 cases of coronavirus, although RIVM says the actual numbers of infections are higher since not all patients are tested.The Netherlands has registered 42,788 cases of coronavirus, although RIVM says the actual numbers of infections are higher since not all patients are tested.
Kenya has reported 28 new confirmed cases of coronavirus.Kenya has reported 28 new confirmed cases of coronavirus.
The UK government and its national broadcaster, the BBC, is joining forces with the World Health Organization to implement a global information campaign around the coronavirus pandemicThe UK government and its national broadcaster, the BBC, is joining forces with the World Health Organization to implement a global information campaign around the coronavirus pandemic
The “Stop the Spread” campaign, intended to counteract “incorrect and false information” about the virus, will appear across BBC World television channels, websites and apps from this month and throughout next month.The “Stop the Spread” campaign, intended to counteract “incorrect and false information” about the virus, will appear across BBC World television channels, websites and apps from this month and throughout next month.
According to a WHO statement:According to a WHO statement:
The UK government is funding the campaign and will track engagement, and will also provide a campaign toolkit to partner governments to translate and use in their own countries, to create a worldwide unified message around the coronavirus outbreak.The UK government is funding the campaign and will track engagement, and will also provide a campaign toolkit to partner governments to translate and use in their own countries, to create a worldwide unified message around the coronavirus outbreak.
The WHO added:The WHO added:
Men’s blood has higher levels than women’s of a key enzyme used by the new coronavirus to infect cells, the results of a European study showed on Monday, Reuters reports.Men’s blood has higher levels than women’s of a key enzyme used by the new coronavirus to infect cells, the results of a European study showed on Monday, Reuters reports.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is found in the heart, kidneys and other organs. In Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the Sars-CoV-2 virus, it is thought to play a role in how the infection progresses into the lungs.Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is found in the heart, kidneys and other organs. In Covid-19, the respiratory disease caused by the Sars-CoV-2 virus, it is thought to play a role in how the infection progresses into the lungs.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, also found that widely prescribed drugs called ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) did not lead to higher ACE2 concentrations and should therefore not increase the Covid-19 risk for people taking them.The study, published in the European Heart Journal, also found that widely prescribed drugs called ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) did not lead to higher ACE2 concentrations and should therefore not increase the Covid-19 risk for people taking them.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs are widely prescribed to patients with congestive heart failure, diabetes or kidney disease. The drugs account for billions of dollars in prescription sales worldwide.ACE inhibitors and ARBs are widely prescribed to patients with congestive heart failure, diabetes or kidney disease. The drugs account for billions of dollars in prescription sales worldwide.
“Our findings do not support the discontinuation of these drugs in Covid-19 patients,” said Adriaan Voors, a professor of cardiology at the University Medical Centre (UMC) Groningen in the Netherlands, who co-led the study.“Our findings do not support the discontinuation of these drugs in Covid-19 patients,” said Adriaan Voors, a professor of cardiology at the University Medical Centre (UMC) Groningen in the Netherlands, who co-led the study.
The Covid-19 pandemic has infected more than 4 million people worldwide and killed almost 277,000, according to a Reuters tally. Death and infection tolls point to men being more likely than women to contract the disease and to have severe or critical complications if they do.The Covid-19 pandemic has infected more than 4 million people worldwide and killed almost 277,000, according to a Reuters tally. Death and infection tolls point to men being more likely than women to contract the disease and to have severe or critical complications if they do.
Kosovo’s caretaker prime minister has said he is in self-isolation after an official in his government “had close contact” with someone who tested positive for coronavirus, according to AFP.Kosovo’s caretaker prime minister has said he is in self-isolation after an official in his government “had close contact” with someone who tested positive for coronavirus, according to AFP.
Albin Kurti made the announcement on his Facebook page, saying he would stay in his apartment until test results were available for the official from the ministry of European integration who had contact with the infected person.Albin Kurti made the announcement on his Facebook page, saying he would stay in his apartment until test results were available for the official from the ministry of European integration who had contact with the infected person.
“Today is the first day when I will not go to work at the prime minister’s office,” the 44-year-old wrote.“Today is the first day when I will not go to work at the prime minister’s office,” the 44-year-old wrote.
With tight restrictions on movement and early moves to shut down public activities, Kosovo has so far prevented a widespread outbreak of Covid-19 among its population of 1.8 million.With tight restrictions on movement and early moves to shut down public activities, Kosovo has so far prevented a widespread outbreak of Covid-19 among its population of 1.8 million.
According to government figures, 884 infections have been detected and 28 people have died from the disease.According to government figures, 884 infections have been detected and 28 people have died from the disease.
South Korea has pushed back its reopening of schools by a week as health authorities try to isolate virus carriers and trace their contacts after finding dozens of coronavirus infections linked to clubgoers, the Associated Press reports.South Korea has pushed back its reopening of schools by a week as health authorities try to isolate virus carriers and trace their contacts after finding dozens of coronavirus infections linked to clubgoers, the Associated Press reports.
Before discovering the new transmissions, the country had relaxed social distancing guidelines amid what had been a slowing caseload and scheduled the reopening of schools, starting with high-school seniors on Wednesday.Before discovering the new transmissions, the country had relaxed social distancing guidelines amid what had been a slowing caseload and scheduled the reopening of schools, starting with high-school seniors on Wednesday.
But the vice-minister for education, Park Baeg-beom, said in a briefing on Monday that the school openings for high-school seniors would be pushed back to next Wednesday.But the vice-minister for education, Park Baeg-beom, said in a briefing on Monday that the school openings for high-school seniors would be pushed back to next Wednesday.
Local education authorities including Cho Hee-yeon, the superintendent of Seoul’s education office, had earlier called for the government to postpone the reopening of schools, raising concerns that children could be exposed to larger infection risks.Local education authorities including Cho Hee-yeon, the superintendent of Seoul’s education office, had earlier called for the government to postpone the reopening of schools, raising concerns that children could be exposed to larger infection risks.
The country’s elementary, middle and high schools have been providing remote learning since April.The country’s elementary, middle and high schools have been providing remote learning since April.
Sunday’s presidential election in Poland had a record low turnout of 0%, Shaun Walker, the Guardian’s central and eastern Europe correspondent, reports.
The vote was not officially cancelled but polling stations stayed closed, leading to a strange ghost election after weeks of legal wrangling over whether or not it should go ahead.
The ruling Law and Justice (PiS) party, which has been accused of rolling back democratic norms in recent years, tried to hold the election despite the challenges of voting in times of Covid-19.
The PiS-allied incumbent, Andrzej Duda, was the firm favourite to win, and the opposition accused the government of trying to push through the vote now to make it easier for him to win in the first round. Up until Wednesday evening, the government insisted a postal vote would go ahead.
In a televised address on Sunday night, Ghana’s president, Nana Akufo-Addo, extended a ban on public gatherings until at least the end of the month, writes Emmanuel Akinwotu, the Guardian’s West Africa correspondent.
Addo’s address primarily set out to defend the government’s easing of the lockdown three weeks ago, amid fierce criticism.
Since Ghana’s measures were eased, cases of Covid-19 in the country have accelerated, doubling in the last week to 4,263. Twenty-two people have died and 378 have recovered from the virus.
On Saturday there were almost a thousand new cases announced by the government. The rate of infections has fuelled worries that the relaxed measures have caused the virus to spread further. In what is still technically an election year, criticism of the government has grown more intense.
The former president John Mahama, a candidate against Akufo-Addo’s re-election, tweeted on Saturday: “From 3,091 to 4,012 #COVID19 cases within 24 hours. Government is certainly failing the people of Ghana.”
In the president’s address the following day, he indirectly responded: “I know some political actors would want you to believe that the new numbers represent a failure on our part, do not begrudge them.”
The government insists that its fairly robust testing and tracing measures allow it to track the spread with precision and focus restrictions on specific locations rather than entire cities. So far 160,000 tests have been administered in Ghana, one of the highest totals in Africa.
Addo said a sharp rise in cases was partly due to a backlog of tests, which had now been cleared. Many recently confirmed cases were not new infections. Clusters of cases were being tightly traced, such as 533 infections at a fish processing factory which he said were all linked to one individual.
Health officials in Ghana feel the larger case numbers, among the highest in Africa, are largely a result of its more comprehensive and widespread testing campaign relative to other countries. Yet each new rise in cases casts the lockdown in a more critical light.
Sweden has reported 348 new cases of coronavirus, as the country begins to see a downward trend in new infections despite having eschewed the kinds of strict lockdowns seen elsewhere in Europe.
The latest figures from Sweden’s public health authority pushed the total number of cases in the country to 26,670. So far 3,256 people have died after testing positive for Covid-19, with 31 new deaths reported on Monday.
Earlier on Monday the head of Sweden’s civil contingencies agency admitted authorities could have acted “a little faster” to contain the spread of coronavirus among vulnerable people.
In a radio interview, Dan Eliasson said that “when major crises occur, you will always look at it afterward. So comes the question, did we react fast enough?”
Last month the health minister, Lena Hallengren, told Swedish television that “we failed to protect our elderly. That’s really serious and a failure for society as a whole. We have to learn from this.”
In recent weeks Swedish media have reported cases of large death tolls at retirement homes where staff were continuing to work despite a lack of protective gear or despite exhibiting symptoms.
Some retirement homes have faced shortages of staff because employees have refused to work or have been encouraged to stay home with mild symptoms.
More from Africa: Zambia reports no new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours!
The World Health Organization’s regional office for Africa says that more than 63,000 cases of coronavirus were confirmed across the continent as of Monday morning.
So far African countries have reported 2,283 deaths associated with Covid-19, it adds. Fears of a widespread outbreak in Africa have so far failed to materialise, although there are suggestions that numbers of infections and deaths linked to the virus could be underestimates due to relatively limited testing.
The latest coronavirus figures from Iran appear to show a trend towards increased transmission is continuing in the country, with 1,683 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, the highest daily figure since 11 April, writes Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s diplomatic editor.
At the same time the number of deaths reported by the Iranian health ministry was 45, the lowest number since the early days of the outbreak two months ago. A total of 6,685 Iranians have died.
Deaths tend to lag behind infections which should suggest the death toll will rise again in the coming days although it is possible that improved testing means those lightly infected are showing up in the official figures. The recent incline in the number of infections has lasted about a fortnight.
It came as the Iranian government continued to lift restrictions with the move justified by pointing to the number of provinces that are now coming out of the crisis. Religious places, restaurants and hairdressers are all due to open gradually after Ramadan subject to health protocols. Many mosques opened at on Friday
But two provinces Tehran and Khuzestan a province bordering Iraq are suffering badly. The province is being put in effective quarantine for a week with the authorities blaming locals for failing to follow guidelines.
The total numbers infected in Iran since the outbreak began is 109,286, and the Iran government is unofficially projecting fewer than 10,000 will die.
Iranian opposition groups dispute the official figures and say the number of deaths is already close to 40,000.
The supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confidently tweeting at the weekend that the outbreak had shown the failure of the west. He tweeted “Western civilisation’s failure in their global trial of combating coronavirus is obvious and quite visible. The West and westernised people do not want this failure to be seen. However it is necessary to study and speak about the various dimensions ands reasons for failure.”
Such remarks – turning treatment of the disease into a test of rival ideologies – are hardly likely to encourage the Iranian medical authorities to challenge the official figures.
Our US-focused coronavirus liveblog has just got going in the past half an hour. If you are interested in more coverage from the country then take a look.
The authority that sets the rules of the French language has decreed that Covid-19 is a feminine noun, according to an AFP report.
In French, every noun has a gender, with, for example, bread – “pain” – referred to with the masculine article “le” and beer – “bière” – referred to with the feminine “la”.
Now l’Academie Francaise has proclaimed “Covid-19” is a feminine noun and urged an end to what has become the widespread practice in France of referring to it as masculine.
“The use of the feminine would be preferable,” the Academie Francaise said in a directive published on its website under the category “faulty use”.
“It is perhaps not too late to give this acronym back the gender it should have.”
The “Office quebecois de la langue francaise” also recommends its feminine use, and the Royal Spanish Academy has issued similar guidance, citing the same grammar rationale.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Pakistan passed 30,000 on Monday, after 1,476 new infections were detected in the past 24 hours, according to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
The latest increase brings the total number of people found infected with the virus to 30,941, of whom 667 have died and 8,212 have recovered. The country’s has so far conducted 277,698 tests.
The most affected province is Punjab, with 11,568 cases, followed by Sindh, which has 11,480.
The Cannes film festival appears to have halted any plans for a physical edition for 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but is aiming to sponsor screenings at other festivals and cinemas of the films that would have been selected for the festival, Andrew Pulver, the Guardian’s film editor, reports.
In an interview with Screen, the Cannes artistic director, Thierry Frémaux, said he “could never have imagined” something like the cancellation of the festival, which was originally due to start tomorrow and was “overcome with a great sense of melancholy and nostalgia”.
He added:
The festival announced in April that it had been forced to call off its event in its traditional mid-May slot, after restrictions by French government effectively banned mass gatherings until mid-July at the earliest. However, tentative suggestions that a postponed version could be mounted later in the year appear to have been abandoned. Cannes has also appeared to resist calls to go down the digital route and construct a “virtual” festival online.
Frémaux said that, at the beginning of June, Cannes would announce a list of films that would have screened in the 2020 festival. Then, Frémaux said, “the aim is to start organising events in cinemas” – what he termed “Cannes hors les murs”, or “Cannes outside the walls”.