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Coronavirus live news: Brazil cases surge past 600,000 as country's death toll passes Italy Coronavirus live news: Brazil cases surge past 600,000 as country's death toll passes Italy
(32 minutes later)
South Africa sees record jump in cases; New York urges protesters to get tested; Turkey announces weekend lockdown in 15 cities; US jobless claims pass 42m. Follow the latest updatesSouth Africa sees record jump in cases; New York urges protesters to get tested; Turkey announces weekend lockdown in 15 cities; US jobless claims pass 42m. Follow the latest updates
The number of known coronavirus infections has passed 6.6 million, with 6,601,349 currently confirmed, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
Deaths are approaching 390,000, with the current toll at 389,645.
The figures, which are based on official and media reports, are likely to significantly underestimate the scale of the pandemic due to differing testing and recording regimes, as well as suspected under-reporting.
A Tokyo 2020 executive board member said on Friday that organisers will need to monitor the coronavirus situation until next spring to decide whether to hold the Summer Olympics next year, Kyodo News reported.The comment by lawmaker Toshiaki Endo, one of six vice presidents on the board and a former Olympics minister, marks the first time an executive from the organising committee has commented on the timing for a decision on going through with the Games, the news agency said.The Games were postponed from this year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia’s most populous state has lodged a legal application to stop a Black Lives Matter protest occurring in Sydney, state Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Friday, over coronavirus restrictions.
NSW police commissioner Mick Fuller says he lodged an injunction because the numbers of those attending the protest kept growing online. Protests in groups of 10 are allowed under the health order, but that if the supreme court outlaws the protest, a gathering of hundreds would be illegal:
Thousands of people have pledged to attend a protest organised in Sydney on Saturday in the wake of death of black American George Floyd in US police custody.The protest had secured permission as it originally planned to have fewer than 500 people present.
But Berejiklian said when it became clear that thousands planned to attend, the legal application was made to the state’s Supreme Court.
Fuller said:
Berejiklian spoke directly to those intending to attend:
A bubbly tale from Australia now:A bubbly tale from Australia now:
A group of schoolchildren in the state of Queensland have sent fan mail to a lonely aquarium fish in Cairns to help him overcome his coronavirus lockdown-induced despondence, AAP reports. But since the aquarium was closed due to the pandemic, one Queensland grouper began retreating to dark corners of his tank, and even stopped eating for a few weeks.Students from Torbanlea State School empathised with Chang’s plight, and made it their mission to cheer him up.“Out of nowhere we received this package in the mail, and it was addressed to Chang the Lonely Grouper,” aquarium boss Daniel Leipnik told AAP.A group of schoolchildren in the state of Queensland have sent fan mail to a lonely aquarium fish in Cairns to help him overcome his coronavirus lockdown-induced despondence, AAP reports. But since the aquarium was closed due to the pandemic, one Queensland grouper began retreating to dark corners of his tank, and even stopped eating for a few weeks.Students from Torbanlea State School empathised with Chang’s plight, and made it their mission to cheer him up.“Out of nowhere we received this package in the mail, and it was addressed to Chang the Lonely Grouper,” aquarium boss Daniel Leipnik told AAP.
Inside were scores of self portraits drawn by the year one class, and a letter addressed to Chang. “When we couldn’t come to school, some of us were feeling gloomy too,” the letter read.Inside were scores of self portraits drawn by the year one class, and a letter addressed to Chang. “When we couldn’t come to school, some of us were feeling gloomy too,” the letter read.
The aquarium was under strict instructions to attach the pictures to the other side of the acrylic.The aquarium was under strict instructions to attach the pictures to the other side of the acrylic.
“I thought, ‘oh maybe they might put the letter up in the staff room or something’. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that they would actually do it,” teacher Di McRae told AAP. But the aquarium did as they were told, and “it did the trick”.“He was in a cave the whole day, but then when we put the pictures up against the acrylic, he actually came out, and was watching it,” Mr Leipnik said.“People can relate to what an individual may feel like in an isolation type setting,” he said.“I think people see themselves in this giant fish.”“I thought, ‘oh maybe they might put the letter up in the staff room or something’. I never imagined in my wildest dreams that they would actually do it,” teacher Di McRae told AAP. But the aquarium did as they were told, and “it did the trick”.“He was in a cave the whole day, but then when we put the pictures up against the acrylic, he actually came out, and was watching it,” Mr Leipnik said.“People can relate to what an individual may feel like in an isolation type setting,” he said.“I think people see themselves in this giant fish.”
Japan’s household spending slumped again in April, falling 11.1% from a year earlier, government data showed Friday, as the world’s third-largest economy struggled with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reports.Japan’s household spending slumped again in April, falling 11.1% from a year earlier, government data showed Friday, as the world’s third-largest economy struggled with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reports.
The figure released by the internal affairs ministry was largely in line with market expectations of a 12.75% drop. It was the seventh straight month of declines since October, when the government hiked a sales tax.The figure released by the internal affairs ministry was largely in line with market expectations of a 12.75% drop. It was the seventh straight month of declines since October, when the government hiked a sales tax.
The April drop was partly attributed to declines in spending on transport and telecommunications, and well as on leisure activities.The April drop was partly attributed to declines in spending on transport and telecommunications, and well as on leisure activities.
The latest figures come after official data last month confirmed Japan dived into its first recession since 2015, shrinking by 0.9% in the first quarter as it wrestles with the fallout from the coronavirus.The latest figures come after official data last month confirmed Japan dived into its first recession since 2015, shrinking by 0.9% in the first quarter as it wrestles with the fallout from the coronavirus.
The drop in gross domestic product followed a 1.9% decline in the fourth quarter of 2019 as the tax hike and typhoons hit Japan hard - even before the pandemic shut down much of the economy.The drop in gross domestic product followed a 1.9% decline in the fourth quarter of 2019 as the tax hike and typhoons hit Japan hard - even before the pandemic shut down much of the economy.
Fears about the economic impact of the virus have shaken global and Japanese financial markets and the Bank of Japan last month expanded its emergency monetary easing and cut growth forecasts for the country.Fears about the economic impact of the virus have shaken global and Japanese financial markets and the Bank of Japan last month expanded its emergency monetary easing and cut growth forecasts for the country.
The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 394 to 183,271, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.The reported death toll rose by 26 to 8,613, the tally showed.The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 394 to 183,271, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Friday.The reported death toll rose by 26 to 8,613, the tally showed.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador urged the country to remain calm Thursday as Mexico registered the second straight day of escalating coronavirus death numbers that rivaled those coming out of Brazil or the United States, AP reports. The Health Department announced 816 more confirmed Covid-19 deaths, one day after officials reported a toll of 1,092 deaths, which was more than double the highest previous toll reported in a single day. Officials said an additional 1,033 suspected Covid-19 deaths were awaiting confirmation, suggesting daily tolls would remain high. Newly confirmed coronavirus cases also continued to rise by record amounts, with 4,442 reported Thursday.Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell sought to allay fears over the new numbers, saying that daily deaths had peaked 17 May. He said many of the Covid-19 deaths reported this week actually occurred in May but were not tallied until now because of backlogs in reporting or testing.President Andrés Manuel López Obrador urged the country to remain calm Thursday as Mexico registered the second straight day of escalating coronavirus death numbers that rivaled those coming out of Brazil or the United States, AP reports. The Health Department announced 816 more confirmed Covid-19 deaths, one day after officials reported a toll of 1,092 deaths, which was more than double the highest previous toll reported in a single day. Officials said an additional 1,033 suspected Covid-19 deaths were awaiting confirmation, suggesting daily tolls would remain high. Newly confirmed coronavirus cases also continued to rise by record amounts, with 4,442 reported Thursday.Assistant Health Secretary Hugo López-Gatell sought to allay fears over the new numbers, saying that daily deaths had peaked 17 May. He said many of the Covid-19 deaths reported this week actually occurred in May but were not tallied until now because of backlogs in reporting or testing.
But with total deaths standing at 12,545, he acknowledged the pandemic could wind up costing as many as 35,000 lives in Mexico, local media reported. Experts said the reason for this week’s sudden jump in deaths was attributable to a number of factors, including confirmation and inclusion of deaths stretching back as far as 25 days. But the country is also passing through the pandemics most critical moment with a dramatically increasing number of confirmed and suspected infections.But with total deaths standing at 12,545, he acknowledged the pandemic could wind up costing as many as 35,000 lives in Mexico, local media reported. Experts said the reason for this week’s sudden jump in deaths was attributable to a number of factors, including confirmation and inclusion of deaths stretching back as far as 25 days. But the country is also passing through the pandemics most critical moment with a dramatically increasing number of confirmed and suspected infections.
South Africa has dehorned dozens of rhinos in three popular game parks, aiming to prevent armed poachers taking advantage of empty parks to kill them for their horns.The exercise in Pilanesburg National Park and the Mafikeng and Botsalano game reserves – all northwest of Johannesburg – leaves the rhinos with horn rumps too small for poachers to bother with, Nico Jacobs, helicopter pilot and founding member of non-profit Rhino 911 told Reuters.As Jacobs flew a helicopter over Pilanesburg last month with Reuters journalists, they spotted a lioness eating the carcass of a rhino that had been poached days earlier. Experts fear the absence of tourists may already have spurred a poaching spike.South Africa has dehorned dozens of rhinos in three popular game parks, aiming to prevent armed poachers taking advantage of empty parks to kill them for their horns.The exercise in Pilanesburg National Park and the Mafikeng and Botsalano game reserves – all northwest of Johannesburg – leaves the rhinos with horn rumps too small for poachers to bother with, Nico Jacobs, helicopter pilot and founding member of non-profit Rhino 911 told Reuters.As Jacobs flew a helicopter over Pilanesburg last month with Reuters journalists, they spotted a lioness eating the carcass of a rhino that had been poached days earlier. Experts fear the absence of tourists may already have spurred a poaching spike.
On Monday, scientists published a study showing that humans are causing mass extinction on a scale unseen since a meteor wiped out the land dinosaurs 65 million years ago, the sixth large-scale extinction in Earth’s history.Decades of hunting and habitat loss have reduced Rhino numbers to about 27,000 today, according to the International Rhino Foundation. A poaching surge has wiped out thousands in the past three years. Rhino horn sells for $60,000 a kilogram, more than cocaine or gold. In East Asia, it is used in medicinal potions, despite containing the same key component as human fingernails.Dehorning is controversial, especially as it makes male rhinos vulnerable in fights. But they are not essential for survival, and, like fingernails, they grow back.On Monday, scientists published a study showing that humans are causing mass extinction on a scale unseen since a meteor wiped out the land dinosaurs 65 million years ago, the sixth large-scale extinction in Earth’s history.Decades of hunting and habitat loss have reduced Rhino numbers to about 27,000 today, according to the International Rhino Foundation. A poaching surge has wiped out thousands in the past three years. Rhino horn sells for $60,000 a kilogram, more than cocaine or gold. In East Asia, it is used in medicinal potions, despite containing the same key component as human fingernails.Dehorning is controversial, especially as it makes male rhinos vulnerable in fights. But they are not essential for survival, and, like fingernails, they grow back.
As Brazil’s toll passed Italy’s, President Jair Bolsonaro cracked jokes in a 45 minute Facebook broadcast with foreign policy adviser Filipe Martins.As Brazil’s toll passed Italy’s, President Jair Bolsonaro cracked jokes in a 45 minute Facebook broadcast with foreign policy adviser Filipe Martins.
During the broadcast, Bolsonaro barely mentioned victims of the virus, choosing instead to attack his political enemies, as well as the protestors who have been mobilising against him. He called demonstrators “addicts” and “criminals” and “fools”.During the broadcast, Bolsonaro barely mentioned victims of the virus, choosing instead to attack his political enemies, as well as the protestors who have been mobilising against him. He called demonstrators “addicts” and “criminals” and “fools”.
Despite the worsening situation in Brazil, many parts of the region are moving towards reopening, against the advice of most medical experts.Despite the worsening situation in Brazil, many parts of the region are moving towards reopening, against the advice of most medical experts.
Miguel Lago, the director of Brazil’s Institute for Health Policy Studies, said reopening was a mistake that was likely to cause an explosion of infections and pile further pressure on hospitals that were already struggling to cope with the pandemic.Miguel Lago, the director of Brazil’s Institute for Health Policy Studies, said reopening was a mistake that was likely to cause an explosion of infections and pile further pressure on hospitals that were already struggling to cope with the pandemic.
“I am very worried … We are going to witness hospitals collapsing in almost every state,” Lago warned. “I think the worst is still to come.”“I am very worried … We are going to witness hospitals collapsing in almost every state,” Lago warned. “I think the worst is still to come.”
Coronavirus cases have now been detected in more than 70% of Brazilian cities, with the south-eastern states of Rio and São Paulo particularly badly hit.Coronavirus cases have now been detected in more than 70% of Brazilian cities, with the south-eastern states of Rio and São Paulo particularly badly hit.
Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.Get in touch on Twitter @helenrsullivan.
In Brazil, in an online broadcast shortly before the numbers were released, Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro made almost no mention of the victims but continued to publicly attack efforts to slow the advance of coronavirus with quarantine measures and social distancing.In Brazil, in an online broadcast shortly before the numbers were released, Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro made almost no mention of the victims but continued to publicly attack efforts to slow the advance of coronavirus with quarantine measures and social distancing.
“We can’t go on like this. Nobody can take it anymore,” Bolsonaro said of the shutdown efforts being implemented by state governors and mayors across Brazil. “The collateral impact will be far greater than those people who unfortunately lost their lives because of these last three months here,” Bolsonaro said.“We can’t go on like this. Nobody can take it anymore,” Bolsonaro said of the shutdown efforts being implemented by state governors and mayors across Brazil. “The collateral impact will be far greater than those people who unfortunately lost their lives because of these last three months here,” Bolsonaro said.
The numbers – which came after Mexico reported a record daily tally of more than 1,000 deaths on Wednesday – reinforced fears that Latin America’s two biggest economies, and other countries in the region, were facing a bleak few months.The numbers – which came after Mexico reported a record daily tally of more than 1,000 deaths on Wednesday – reinforced fears that Latin America’s two biggest economies, and other countries in the region, were facing a bleak few months.
Brazil’s total COVID-19 death toll blew past that of Italy on Thursday, as the Health Ministry reported 1,437 deaths in the last 24 hours and 30,925 additional coronavirus cases.The Latin American nation has now reported 34,021 deaths from the coronavirus, trailing only the United States and the United Kingdom.Brazil’s total COVID-19 death toll blew past that of Italy on Thursday, as the Health Ministry reported 1,437 deaths in the last 24 hours and 30,925 additional coronavirus cases.The Latin American nation has now reported 34,021 deaths from the coronavirus, trailing only the United States and the United Kingdom.
Patients with high blood pressure admitted to hospital with coronavirus infections are twice as likely to die as those without the condition, researchers said on Friday.Patients with high blood pressure admitted to hospital with coronavirus infections are twice as likely to die as those without the condition, researchers said on Friday.
For in-patients with the virus who had stopped taking medication for high blood pressure, the risk of dying doubled again, they reported in the European Heart Journal.For in-patients with the virus who had stopped taking medication for high blood pressure, the risk of dying doubled again, they reported in the European Heart Journal.
“It is important that patients with high blood pressure realise that they are at increased risk of dying from Covid-19,” said senior author Fei Li, a cardiologist at Xijing Hospital in Xian, China.“It is important that patients with high blood pressure realise that they are at increased risk of dying from Covid-19,” said senior author Fei Li, a cardiologist at Xijing Hospital in Xian, China.
For the study, researchers in China and Ireland retroactively examined cases admitted to Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan between 5 February and 15 March.For the study, researchers in China and Ireland retroactively examined cases admitted to Huoshenshan Hospital in Wuhan between 5 February and 15 March.
Nearly 30% - 850 patients - had a history of hypertension, another term for high blood pressure. 4% of those patients died, compared with just over one percent of the 2,027 patients without hypertension.Nearly 30% - 850 patients - had a history of hypertension, another term for high blood pressure. 4% of those patients died, compared with just over one percent of the 2,027 patients without hypertension.
After adjusting for age, sex and other medical conditions, the researchers calculated that having high blood pressure increased the risk of dying two-fold.After adjusting for age, sex and other medical conditions, the researchers calculated that having high blood pressure increased the risk of dying two-fold.