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Coronavirus live news: cases in Africa pass 150,000; Germany lifts travel warning for Europe Coronavirus live news: cases in Africa pass 150,000; Germany lifts travel warning for Europe
(32 minutes later)
Wuhan doctor who worked with whistlebower dies; Abu Dhabi closes borders; Dr Fauci says he hasn’t spoken to Trump in two weeksWuhan doctor who worked with whistlebower dies; Abu Dhabi closes borders; Dr Fauci says he hasn’t spoken to Trump in two weeks
Sweden has recorded a further 775 confirmed cases of coronavirus, and 65 more deaths from Covid-19, according to the latest figures from its public health authority.
As of Tuesday, the total number of confirmed cases of cases in the country stood at 38,589, of whom 4,468 have died.
The latest figures came as the numbers of tests carried out reached a new high, but fell well short of the 100,000 a week promised by officials. Almost 36,500 coronavirus tests were analysed in Sweden last week, the public health agency said.
State media say Zimbabwe has confirmed its first coronavirus cases in prisons, with four inmates and two guards testing positive, US news agency the Associated Press reports.
The Herald newspaper says authorities declared the prisons in Plumtree, which borders Botswana, and in Beitbridge, which borders South Africa, as “no-go areas.” Authorities also have suspended movement out of prisons countrywide, resulting in some prisoners failing to attend court hearings.
Zimbabwe’s cases more than doubled in the past week to over 200, with most new infections at centres where people crossing the border are quarantined. Most are returning from Botswana and South Africa, which host millions of Zimbabweans who fled economic turmoil in recent years.
South Africa has more than 34,000 virus cases, the most in Africa. Zimbabwe’s health ministry says the returnees pose the biggest virus threat. Those arrested for illegal border crossings are put into the prisons in Plumtree and Beitbridge.
Zimbabwe earlier released more than 4,000 prisoners to ease overcrowding in facilities where health systems are weak. About 18,000 people are still behind bars.
Damien Gayle back at the controls now, with thanks to Simon for keeping things ticking over while I had my break. Remember, you can contact me with any comments, tips or suggestions for coverage, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.Damien Gayle back at the controls now, with thanks to Simon for keeping things ticking over while I had my break. Remember, you can contact me with any comments, tips or suggestions for coverage, either via email to damien.gayle@theguardian.com, or via Twitter direct message to @damiengayle.
The Covid-19 pandemic is exposing “endemic inequalities” that must be addressed, according to the United Nations’ human rights chief, who highlighted the protests triggered by George Floyd’s death.The Covid-19 pandemic is exposing “endemic inequalities” that must be addressed, according to the United Nations’ human rights chief, who highlighted the protests triggered by George Floyd’s death.
Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, referenced the situation in the United States and a series of other countries, saying data shows the coronavirus crisis has had a worse impact on racial and ethnic minorities.Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, referenced the situation in the United States and a series of other countries, saying data shows the coronavirus crisis has had a worse impact on racial and ethnic minorities.
“This virus is exposing endemic inequalities that have too long been ignored,” she said in a statement, according to AFP.“This virus is exposing endemic inequalities that have too long been ignored,” she said in a statement, according to AFP.
Similar inequalities were also fuelling the widespread protests in hundreds of US cities over the police killing in Minneapolis last week of Floyd, an unarmed black man, Bachelet said. “In the United States, protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd are highlighting not only police violence against people of colour, but also inequalities in health, education, employment and endemic racial discrimination,” she explained.Similar inequalities were also fuelling the widespread protests in hundreds of US cities over the police killing in Minneapolis last week of Floyd, an unarmed black man, Bachelet said. “In the United States, protests triggered by the killing of George Floyd are highlighting not only police violence against people of colour, but also inequalities in health, education, employment and endemic racial discrimination,” she explained.
She noted the virus death rate for African Americans is reportedly more than double that of other racial groups in the United States. Her statement also highlighted the situation in the UK, where an official study has found that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are up to 50% more likely to die after being infected with Covid-19.She noted the virus death rate for African Americans is reportedly more than double that of other racial groups in the United States. Her statement also highlighted the situation in the UK, where an official study has found that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are up to 50% more likely to die after being infected with Covid-19.
And she pointed to Brazil, where people of colour in Sao Paulo are 62% more likely to die from the virus than white people, and in France’s heavily minority-inhabited Seine Saint-Denis suburb of Paris, which has reported higher excess mortality than other areas.And she pointed to Brazil, where people of colour in Sao Paulo are 62% more likely to die from the virus than white people, and in France’s heavily minority-inhabited Seine Saint-Denis suburb of Paris, which has reported higher excess mortality than other areas.
“The appalling impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minorities is much discussed, but what is less clear is how much is being done to address it,” Bachelet said.“The appalling impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minorities is much discussed, but what is less clear is how much is being done to address it,” Bachelet said.
“People from racial and ethnic minorities are also found in higher numbers in some jobs that carry increased risk, including in the transport, health and cleaning sectors,” the statement said. She added:“People from racial and ethnic minorities are also found in higher numbers in some jobs that carry increased risk, including in the transport, health and cleaning sectors,” the statement said. She added:
“The fight against this pandemic cannot be won if governments refuse to acknowledge the blatant inequalities that the virus is bringing to the fore,” Bachelet warned.“The fight against this pandemic cannot be won if governments refuse to acknowledge the blatant inequalities that the virus is bringing to the fore,” Bachelet warned.
It is a country famed for its rich cuisine but during lockdown diners in France have been prevented from enjoying the country’s plethora of restaurants. It is a country famed for its cuisine but during lockdown diners in France have been prevented from enjoying the country’s plethora of restaurants.
But now the country has taken a step closer to returning to some sense of normality, as cafes and restaurants opened their doors today for the first time since the Covid-19 control measures were imposed.But now the country has taken a step closer to returning to some sense of normality, as cafes and restaurants opened their doors today for the first time since the Covid-19 control measures were imposed.
Although restrictions remain in the Paris region, where only outdoor seating and takeout is allowed at restaurants with dining rooms remaining closed, customers still flocked to seize the chance to bask on sunny terraces after 10 weeks of closures to fight the outbreak.Although restrictions remain in the Paris region, where only outdoor seating and takeout is allowed at restaurants with dining rooms remaining closed, customers still flocked to seize the chance to bask on sunny terraces after 10 weeks of closures to fight the outbreak.
“I’ve missed this so much... we’re social animals, after all,” Rachida, 70, told AFP while sipping an espresso as her grandson enjoyed a lemonade at her local cafe in Romainville, a Paris suburb.“I’ve missed this so much... we’re social animals, after all,” Rachida, 70, told AFP while sipping an espresso as her grandson enjoyed a lemonade at her local cafe in Romainville, a Paris suburb.
There were similar scenes elsewhere. “I’m almost overwhelmed,” Martine Depagniat, wearing a beige face mask and sunglasses, said at the Cafe de la Comedie in Paris, just across the street from the Louvre Museum where she works. “I think people really need a return to normal, even though there’s still a bit of nervousness,” she said.There were similar scenes elsewhere. “I’m almost overwhelmed,” Martine Depagniat, wearing a beige face mask and sunglasses, said at the Cafe de la Comedie in Paris, just across the street from the Louvre Museum where she works. “I think people really need a return to normal, even though there’s still a bit of nervousness,” she said.
But it’s not quite business as normal in the country – which has suffered more than 28,000 Covid-19 deaths – with many servers and customers wearing face masks and tables kept at least one metre apart new under government regulations.But it’s not quite business as normal in the country – which has suffered more than 28,000 Covid-19 deaths – with many servers and customers wearing face masks and tables kept at least one metre apart new under government regulations.
In the rest of the country, where cafes and restaurants are fully open, some even welcomed customers at the stroke of midnight to celebrate their newfound freedom under a further relaxation of lockdown rules. “We’re leaving our confinement, to rediscover the pleasures and good times spent together,” said Frederic de Boulois, president of a regional hotel association in Nantes, western France, speaking from the Prison du Bouffay, a restaurant that sits atop a former mediaeval dungeon.In the rest of the country, where cafes and restaurants are fully open, some even welcomed customers at the stroke of midnight to celebrate their newfound freedom under a further relaxation of lockdown rules. “We’re leaving our confinement, to rediscover the pleasures and good times spent together,” said Frederic de Boulois, president of a regional hotel association in Nantes, western France, speaking from the Prison du Bouffay, a restaurant that sits atop a former mediaeval dungeon.
At the Cafe de Flore, a Left Bank institution in the French capital, waiter Philippe Da Cruz wore a surgical mask over his black vest and impeccably knotted tie as he chatted with clients. “They’re incredibly happy to be back, doing everyday things,” he said. “The real deconfinement is now beginning.”At the Cafe de Flore, a Left Bank institution in the French capital, waiter Philippe Da Cruz wore a surgical mask over his black vest and impeccably knotted tie as he chatted with clients. “They’re incredibly happy to be back, doing everyday things,” he said. “The real deconfinement is now beginning.”
In England, an official study has found that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are up to 50% more likely to die after being infected with Covid-19.In England, an official study has found that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are up to 50% more likely to die after being infected with Covid-19.
The report, published today by Public Health England (PHE), reveals that people of Bangladeshi ethnicity had around twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity.The report, published today by Public Health England (PHE), reveals that people of Bangladeshi ethnicity had around twice the risk of death than people of white British ethnicity.
Meanwhile, people of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicity had between 10% and 50% higher risk of death.Meanwhile, people of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, other Asian, Caribbean and black ethnicity had between 10% and 50% higher risk of death.
The report examines disparities in how the disease affected people, showed there was a significant disproportionate effect on ethnic minorities, while confirming death tolls among the elderly were far higher.The report examines disparities in how the disease affected people, showed there was a significant disproportionate effect on ethnic minorities, while confirming death tolls among the elderly were far higher.
It comes as a United Nations human rights official highlighted the “devastating impact” of the disease on those communities in Britain and other countries.It comes as a United Nations human rights official highlighted the “devastating impact” of the disease on those communities in Britain and other countries.
“Death rates from COVID-19 were higher for Black and Asian ethnic groups when compared to White ethnic groups,” the PHE report said.“Death rates from COVID-19 were higher for Black and Asian ethnic groups when compared to White ethnic groups,” the PHE report said.
Here’s some more detail on the study from my colleague, Haroon Siddique.Here’s some more detail on the study from my colleague, Haroon Siddique.
It’s Simon Murphy here covering the global live blog while my colleague, Damien Gayle, takes a break.It’s Simon Murphy here covering the global live blog while my colleague, Damien Gayle, takes a break.
Nursery schools in Belgium began reopening on Tuesday, two and a half months after they were closed down as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.Nursery schools in Belgium began reopening on Tuesday, two and a half months after they were closed down as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
The reopening is the latest step in the gradual easing of lockdown measures in Belgium, which has recorded the worst per capita death rate from the coronavirus outbreak of any country in Europe.The reopening is the latest step in the gradual easing of lockdown measures in Belgium, which has recorded the worst per capita death rate from the coronavirus outbreak of any country in Europe.
Most nursery classes are due to reopen on Wednesday and Thursday, Chinese news agency Xinhua reports. From next week, primary schools are also due to reopen.Most nursery classes are due to reopen on Wednesday and Thursday, Chinese news agency Xinhua reports. From next week, primary schools are also due to reopen.
Belgium’s national security council will meet on Wednesday to decide on the third phase of lockdown easing, which will include the reopening of cafes and restaurants, and the resumption of domestic holidays and religious services, timetabled for 8 June.Belgium’s national security council will meet on Wednesday to decide on the third phase of lockdown easing, which will include the reopening of cafes and restaurants, and the resumption of domestic holidays and religious services, timetabled for 8 June.
A decision is also due to be taken on reopening the borders, which is expected on 15 June, in line with the schedules of Germany and France, Belgium’s biggest neighbours.A decision is also due to be taken on reopening the borders, which is expected on 15 June, in line with the schedules of Germany and France, Belgium’s biggest neighbours.
On Tuesday, the Sciensano public health institute reported 19 new deaths from Covid-19, bringing the total death toll in Belgium to 9,505. A further 98 people tested positive for coronavirus. So far, Belgium has recorded a total of 58,615 infections.On Tuesday, the Sciensano public health institute reported 19 new deaths from Covid-19, bringing the total death toll in Belgium to 9,505. A further 98 people tested positive for coronavirus. So far, Belgium has recorded a total of 58,615 infections.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Africa has passed 150,000, after 5,343 more cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control.The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Africa has passed 150,000, after 5,343 more cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Africa Centres for Disease Control.
The latest update from the African Union health agency showed that there had been 152,442 cases of the virus, which causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease, reported by its 54 member states. Of those, 63,661 people had recovered and 4,344 had died.The latest update from the African Union health agency showed that there had been 152,442 cases of the virus, which causes the Covid-19 respiratory disease, reported by its 54 member states. Of those, 63,661 people had recovered and 4,344 had died.
According to the Africa CDC’s coronavirus dashboard, the worst affected area, by both deaths and infections, was north Africa.According to the Africa CDC’s coronavirus dashboard, the worst affected area, by both deaths and infections, was north Africa.
Keeping at least 1-metre apart and wearing face masks and eye protection are the best ways to cut the risk of coronavirus infection, according to the largest review to date of studies on coronavirus disease transmission, Reuters reports.Keeping at least 1-metre apart and wearing face masks and eye protection are the best ways to cut the risk of coronavirus infection, according to the largest review to date of studies on coronavirus disease transmission, Reuters reports.
In a review that pooled evidence from 172 studies in 16 countries, researchers found frequent handwashing and good hygiene are also critical – though even all those measures combined can not give full protection.In a review that pooled evidence from 172 studies in 16 countries, researchers found frequent handwashing and good hygiene are also critical – though even all those measures combined can not give full protection.
The findings, published in the Lancet journal on Monday, will help guide governments and health agencies, some of whom have given conflicting advice on measures, largely because of limited information about Covid-19.The findings, published in the Lancet journal on Monday, will help guide governments and health agencies, some of whom have given conflicting advice on measures, largely because of limited information about Covid-19.
“Our findings are the first to synthesise all direct information on Covid-19, Sars, and Mers, and provide the currently best available evidence on the optimum use of these common and simple interventions to help ‘flatten the curve’”, said Holger Schünemann, from McMaster University in Canada, who co-led the research.“Our findings are the first to synthesise all direct information on Covid-19, Sars, and Mers, and provide the currently best available evidence on the optimum use of these common and simple interventions to help ‘flatten the curve’”, said Holger Schünemann, from McMaster University in Canada, who co-led the research.
Current evidence suggests the coronavirus is most commonly spread by droplets, especially when people cough, and infects by entering through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or via contaminated surfaces.Current evidence suggests the coronavirus is most commonly spread by droplets, especially when people cough, and infects by entering through the eyes, nose and mouth, either directly or via contaminated surfaces.
Derek Chu, an assistant professor at McMaster University, who co-led the work, said people should understand that “wearing a mask is not an alternative to physical distancing, eye protection or basic measures such as hand hygiene.”Derek Chu, an assistant professor at McMaster University, who co-led the work, said people should understand that “wearing a mask is not an alternative to physical distancing, eye protection or basic measures such as hand hygiene.”
Hundreds of far-right supporters led by opposition leaders Matteo Salvini and Giorgia Meloni are breaching social distancing restrictions as they protest in Rome against Italy’s government, writes Lorenzo Tondo, the Guardian’s southern Italy correspondent.
The demonstrators, who took to the streets to celebrate Italy’s Republic Day, have been chanting against prime minister Giuseppe Conte and the lockdown measures, which, according to the protesters, have “limited our freedom”. Many supporters are not wearing masks as the police struggle to restore order and physical distancing measures.
Even Salvini, who yesterday exhorted his followers to march on the streets of Rome, flaunted the regulations by removing his mask.
‘’Experts are saying the virus is dying’’, said Salvini when asked by journalists why he was not wearing the mask.
Thousands of people attacked Salvini on social media for his choice to protest publicly in such a delicate moment for the country. Many even pointed out that until recently Salvini detested Republic Day. As one of the most outspoken supporters of northern secessionism, on Republic Day in 2013 Salvini tweeted: “Good night, friends. There’s not a fucking thing to celebrate today.”
Germany’s travel warning for Europe will be lifted from tomorrow, the foreign minister, Heiko Maas, has just said. “We are preparing the cabinet to pass a decree tomorrow,” he said at a press briefing, writes Kate Connolly, the Guardian’s Berlin correspondent.
The worldwide travel warning still applies, but for the countries of the EU and associated states, the warning will be replaced by travel advice.
This will give travellers detailed information about the situation in each individual state, which should help them to decide where they can plan to go on holiday and which regions they would be advised to avoid, Maas said.
He said the government will make a decision on countries beyond Europe at a later date.
French flight crew have accused Ryanair of blackmailing them into taking pay cuts or losing their jobs, amid a slowdown in air travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, writes Kim Willsher, the Guardian’s Paris correspondent.
The Irish airline, which has warned it may cut up to 3,000 jobs in Europe, told staff in France it was imposing 20% salary cuts for flight crew and 10% for attendants. Those who are already on legal minimum wages will have their hours reduced.
Staff unions have accused the company of “redundancy blackmail” and acting like cowboys.
“France isn’t the wild west,” Damien Mourgues, a cabin crew union representative, told AFP.
According to confidential documents seen by French media, Ryanair wrote to staff proposing wage cuts take effect from 1 July 2020. The lower wages would be progressively increased over the five years so flight crew would be paid their full current salaries by July 2025. The loss of salary works out at an average 12% over five years for the pilots. Ryanair also proposed to pay new pilots and co-pilots the lower wages.
People in Berlin will today taste a little more freedom as fitness studios, casinos and dance schools are allowed to reopen their doors for the first time since Germany’s coronavirus lockdown began on 27 March, writes Kate Connolly, in the German capital.
Sport with a maximum of 12 participants is also allowed to take place indoors for the first time and bars will also be allowed to reopen.
The strict conditions which have to be adhered to include 3-metre physical distancing in fitness studios (the norm in Germany is 1.5 metres), and in bars people have to sit at tables, not at the counter.
In almost all scenarios, from gyms to pubs, customers will have to give their name and phone number to the proprietor so that they can be contacted in case of an infection outbreak.
Meanwhile the organisers of a rave protest in Berlin on Monday had to apologise after a larger than expected number of demonstrators turned up. Hundreds of ravers, taking advantage of bank holiday weekend sunshine, took rubber dinghies to the Landwehr canal in Berlin to bring attention to the plight of Berlin nightclubs that have been forced to close by coronavirus restrictions.
Organisers of the Rebellion of Dreamers (Rebellion der Träumer) protest were also chided for the decision to bring the protest to an ebullient close, with music, dancing and speeches, outside the Vivantes hospital, which sits on the Urban Ufer – a bank of the canal.
However, they said the protest was justified because it highlighted the many artists and cultural creators in Berlin whose existence is threatened by the coronavirus pandemic.
“We demonstrated for our legitimate interests and deliberately chose to do it in the form of a water demonstration in order to minimise the risk of infection,” the groups said in a statement.
The organisers had not expected 400 boats to turn up, they said. “We repeatedly made clear that people should keep the distancing rules and wear masks. But our communication didn’t reach all the participants”.
The International Rescue Committee has warned that Afghanistan faces a humanitarian disaster as coronavirus spreads undetected and confirmed cases rose 684% in May, Akhtar Mohammad Makoii reports from Herat.
IRC said in a statement that Afghan the health ministry has the capacity to test 2,000 suspected patients each day, but are receiving between five and 10 times as many samples.
“That means between 80 and 90% of potential cases are not being tested. Afghanistan has one of the highest test positivity rates (40%) of all the countries where the IRC works, suggesting a high level of undetected population infection” IRC said.
The organisation urgently called on the international community to work with Afghanistan to improve their testing capacity, and to increase direct support for frontline responders like the IRC.
“Four decades of war has devastated the health care system in Afghanistan and left more than five million Afghans, especially women and children, living in fear of abuse, neglect, conflict, exploitation and violence,” said Vicki Aken, Afghanistan Country Director at the IRC.
“The Covid-19 outbreak is making the already terrible situation much worse. Many health clinics do not have the proper protective gear to treat or refer Covid-19 patients and are turning away those showing signs and symptoms”. Aken added. “Our teams on the ground are seeing an increase in violence against women and children, and women are likely to face increased economic hardship”.
According to IRC the outbreak has left almost 11 million people facing severe food insecurity, unsure of where their next meal will come from.
The humanitarian organisation said it is “extremely concerned” not only for the severe health impacts the virus will have on Afghans, but also for the way this disease is already exacerbating the dire humanitarian situation in the country.
On Tuesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases passed 16,000 in the war-torn country, as the health ministry reported 759 new transmissions and five more deaths from Covid-19. The total number of infections in the country is now 16,509 and the death toll is 270. There have been 1,450 recoveries.
Most of the new infections were recorded in the capital, Kabul, and the western province of Herat, which have been the hotspots of the outbreak in Afghanistan. Kabul recorded 266 new cases and Herat 212. Kabul is the nation’s worst affected area with 6,478 confirmed cases. Three of the latest deaths recorded in the northern province of Balkh.
Problems with testing continue in Kandahar, with no suspected patient tested in the southern province in around three weeks.
A group of current and former world leaders on Tuesday called on the G20 to convene an urgent summit to provide a “strongly coordinated global response” to the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reports.
The collective of more than 230 former world leaders, and top global health experts and economists said the G20 must unite around a multi-trillion dollar plan to face what they said was an “unprecedented global crisis”.
Noting poorer countries are most at risk, they demanded the developed world release 76 nations from debt payments, double the World Bank’s emergency aid fund and honour billions of dollars committed to COVID-19 vaccine efforts.
“The time is right for G20 leaders to hold a second meeting to... agree to a more strongly coordinated global response to the health, economic and social emergencies we face,” they said in an open letter to world leaders.
“The consequences of not acting now would be felt for the rest of the decade,” added the signatories, including UK former prime minsters Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Helen Clark, of New Zealand, and the ex-UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon.
“Without action from the G20, the recession caused by the pandemic will only deepen, hurting all economies and the world’s most marginalised and poorest peoples and nations the most.”
Schools in Senegal are to remain closed after a last minute decision to postpone the resumption of classes for pupils in the last three years of secondary education.
They had been due to return on Tuesday morning, two and a half months after schools were closed down as part of measures to contain the spread of coronavirus.
But in the middle of the night, the education ministry announced the much-awaited move was being delayed “until a later date”, after a cluster of infections was detected among teachers in Casamance, a region in Senegal’s far south, AFP reports.
By Tuesday, Senegal had counted 3,836 cases of coronavirus, and 43 deaths.
As with other African countries, the pandemic has been relatively contained, but the weak state of Senegal’s health system has stirred many doubts about its ability to withstand major spread.
Iran has recorded its second highest number of new coronavirus cases since its outbreak began, with 3,117 people in the country testing positive for the virus in the past 24 hours, according to the latest health ministry report.
The number of new daily infections in Iran has now returned to levels previously seen at the peak of its outbreak in late March. Iran’s highest number of new cases in a single day was reached on 31 March, when 3,186 positive tests were reported.
Death tolls remain well below levels seen then, however. In his latest update, Kianoush Jahanpour, the health ministry spokesman, said 64 Iranians had died from Covid-19 in the past 24 hours.
So far, 157,562 people in Iran have tested positive for coronavirus, of whom 123,077 have recovered and 7,942 have died.
At least 20 journalists have died from Covid-19 in Peru as reporters, photographers and camera operators raced to cover the pandemic’s spread through the country, often without protective equipment, writes Dan Collyns in Lima.
The number throws into sharp relief the risks and precarious work conditions which face journalists covering the global pandemic in the Andean country, which, after Brazil is Latin America’s worst-hit with more than 164,000 Covid-19 cases and 4,500 deaths.
Peru is not the only country in the region to report the death of journalists from Covid-19. At least 12 journalists have reportedly died from the virus in Ecuador’s hard-hit city of Guayaquil, about eight in Brazil, and at least one in Nicaragua, among deaths in other countries.
Around the world, at least 117 journalists have died as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in 31 countries, according to one estimate by the Swiss NGO the Press Emblem Club.
“This pandemic has stripped bare the labour conditions for journalists in Peru,” said Zuliana Lainez, secretary general of Peru’s National Journalists Association, known as the ANP.
At least six journalists died in Peru’s hard-hit Amazon city of Iquitos, four in the capital Lima, and others on the country’s northern coast, a coronavirus hotspot, according to the ANP. Dozens more journalists are reportedly recovering from the virus.
About half of the victims were working when they became infected, Lainez reported, and most were freelancers while just four worked for national media outlets.
Over 5,000 more people across Africa have tested positive for coronavirus, according to the latest update from the World Health Organization’s regional office for the continent.
According to the UN health agency, there had been more than 150,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus reported between the 54 countries in Africa on Tuesday morning, of which 63,000 patients had recovered and 4,200 had died.
South Africa was the worst affected country by number of cases, while Egypt, on the other end of the continent, had recorded the most deaths.