This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2020/jun/06/coronavirus-live-news-china-warns-of-covid-linked-racial-violence-overseas
The article has changed 46 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Next version
Version 26 | Version 27 |
---|---|
Coronavirus live updates: India overtakes Italy as sixth worst-hit country | Coronavirus live updates: India overtakes Italy as sixth worst-hit country |
(32 minutes later) | |
Brazil threatens to quit WHO; Indonesia reports biggest daily rise in infections; China warns citizens of Covid-linked ‘racial violence’ overseas | Brazil threatens to quit WHO; Indonesia reports biggest daily rise in infections; China warns citizens of Covid-linked ‘racial violence’ overseas |
In Turkey, people are enjoying their first weekend without Covid-19 lockdown in nearly two months after the country’s president, Tayyip Erdogan, suddenly scrapped a stay-at-home order. | |
Cafes, restaurants and other facilities reopened on Monday as infection rates slowed and restrictions on intercity travel had been lifted. But Erdogan had intended to maintain the weekend lockdown, applied to big cities since April 11, until a public backlash. | |
Today people have flooded beaches and shores in Istanbul, and hundreds queued to get into parks, Reuters reports. In the capital, Ankara, day-trippers caused traffic jams. | |
“The last time I was here was 70 days ago,” Gulay Cevik, a housewife in Istanbul fishing in the Eminonu district told Reuters. | |
Cevdet Akaydan, a 23-year-old public servant, was out swimming with his friends along the shore in western Istanbul. “It’s really nice, very clean and cool right now, it relaxes you,” he said. “Everyone should come, and go in ... You can’t explain it, you have to experience it.” | |
But Erdogan has expressed concern that infections could rebound. On Friday, 930 new coronavirus cases were reported, after a drop to 786 earlier in the week. So far, 4,648 people have died from the virus in Turkey, with 168,340 infections. | |
“You really get giddy like a child. It’s lockdown, lockdown, lockdown,” said Cem Pehlivan, a textile worker fishing in Istanbul. “Now I feel really good, I’m comfortable and the weather’s fine.” | |
Madrid residents wearing face masks queued two metres apart to be among the first visitors back in the Spanish city’s famed galleries today as the country eases out of Covid-19 lockdown measures. | |
The Prado, Reina Sofia and Thyssen-Bornemisza museums reopened after nearly three months of restrictions. | |
“I was really looking forward to coming back. To see how it has come back to life makes me very emotional,” masters student Alejandro Elizalde told Reuters, wiping away tears while viewing Diego de Velazquez’s “Las Meninas”, one of the Prado’s most famous paintings. | |
State-run museums were shut on 12 March as part of measures imposed to curb the spread of the disease, which has now seen the death toll top 27,000 with more than 240,000 confirmed cases. Restrictions have been lifted gradually, with Madrid one of the slowest places to ease curbs as it was among the worst hit. | |
The Prado and Reina Sofia are not yet fully open, but many masterpieces, including works by Velazquez and Goya in the Prado and Picasso’s “Guernica” in the Reina Sofia, are on display. | |
Health measures are in force, including physical distancing, reduced capacity and timed tickets for visits. Staff took visitors’ temperatures as they entered the Prado. | |
“It’s a really weird feeling and at the same time it’s really good because I’ve never been in the Reina Sofia with so few people,” business developer Elena Vázquez said. | |
Spain will further ease the lockdown in Madrid and Barcelona from Monday, when bar and restaurant patrons will be allowed to sit inside rather than just on outdoor terraces. | |
And in over half the country, nightclubs will be allowed to reopen, but dancing will not be permitted. The government is instead suggesting dance floor space be used for tables. | |
Here’s a comprehensive video explainer from my Guardian US colleague, reporter Kenya Evelyn, detailing why the unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd could be a defining moment for racial politics in America, and how the Covid-19 pandemic set the backdrop for the protests. | Here’s a comprehensive video explainer from my Guardian US colleague, reporter Kenya Evelyn, detailing why the unrest sparked by the police killing of George Floyd could be a defining moment for racial politics in America, and how the Covid-19 pandemic set the backdrop for the protests. |
And here’s an additional piece which Evelyn has written on how Floyd’s struggles resonate with many black Americans. She writes: | And here’s an additional piece which Evelyn has written on how Floyd’s struggles resonate with many black Americans. She writes: |
Confirmed Covid-19 infections in Afghanistan have passed 19,000, amid a warning that the actual number of cases of the disease in the country may be much higher than official figures show. | Confirmed Covid-19 infections in Afghanistan have passed 19,000, amid a warning that the actual number of cases of the disease in the country may be much higher than official figures show. |
The health ministry has detected 582 new cases from 761 tests, according to the latest update, bringing the total number of infections to 19,551. Eighteen patients also died overnight, meaning the country’s Covid-19 death toll stands at 327. There have been 1,830 recoveries. | The health ministry has detected 582 new cases from 761 tests, according to the latest update, bringing the total number of infections to 19,551. Eighteen patients also died overnight, meaning the country’s Covid-19 death toll stands at 327. There have been 1,830 recoveries. |
It comes as the health ministry has announced new measures imposed from today to help contain the spread of the virus, including that masks must be worn in public places, two-metre physical distancing must be maintained and gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided. Elderly people should not leave their homes and workplaces must be disinfected. | It comes as the health ministry has announced new measures imposed from today to help contain the spread of the virus, including that masks must be worn in public places, two-metre physical distancing must be maintained and gatherings of more than 10 people should be avoided. Elderly people should not leave their homes and workplaces must be disinfected. |
At a press conference on Saturday, deputy health minister Wahid Majroh pledged that 14 new testing labs would be launched in Afghanistan. Last week, the International Rescue Committee warned about the low capacity of testing and said the Afghan health ministry had the capacity to test 2,000 suspected patients each day, but were receiving between 10,000 and 20,000 samples each day. | At a press conference on Saturday, deputy health minister Wahid Majroh pledged that 14 new testing labs would be launched in Afghanistan. Last week, the International Rescue Committee warned about the low capacity of testing and said the Afghan health ministry had the capacity to test 2,000 suspected patients each day, but were receiving between 10,000 and 20,000 samples each day. |
Speaking at the same conference, Kabul’s governor, Mohammad Yaghoub Heidari, said: | Speaking at the same conference, Kabul’s governor, Mohammad Yaghoub Heidari, said: |
Most of the new cases were reported in the western province of Herat, where 193 out of 200 tests returned positive results. Herat borders Iran – which has been badly hit by the pandemic – and the first case of the virus was reported in the province after thousands of Afghan migrants returned from the neighbouring country in February and March, fanning out across the country without being tested or quarantined. The total number of infections in Herat is 3,621 with 64 deaths. | Most of the new cases were reported in the western province of Herat, where 193 out of 200 tests returned positive results. Herat borders Iran – which has been badly hit by the pandemic – and the first case of the virus was reported in the province after thousands of Afghan migrants returned from the neighbouring country in February and March, fanning out across the country without being tested or quarantined. The total number of infections in Herat is 3,621 with 64 deaths. |
In the capital, Kabul, 161 new cases have been recorded. In the remote province of Kunar, five patients tested all returned positive results, as seven patients died of Covid-19 overnight. In Helmand, two patients tested in the last 24 hours both were positive and the province recorded its first death. | In the capital, Kabul, 161 new cases have been recorded. In the remote province of Kunar, five patients tested all returned positive results, as seven patients died of Covid-19 overnight. In Helmand, two patients tested in the last 24 hours both were positive and the province recorded its first death. |
Meanwhile, amid continuing conflict, at least 20 Afghan security forces personnel were killed in two incidents in the last 24 hours. Ten Afghan security forces were killed on Friday in an attack by the Taliban on the Zabul-Kandahar highway near the city of Qalat, in Zabul province, local officials said. Eleven members of the Afghan local police, including their commander, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Badakhshan province on Friday night, the provincial police spokesman said. | Meanwhile, amid continuing conflict, at least 20 Afghan security forces personnel were killed in two incidents in the last 24 hours. Ten Afghan security forces were killed on Friday in an attack by the Taliban on the Zabul-Kandahar highway near the city of Qalat, in Zabul province, local officials said. Eleven members of the Afghan local police, including their commander, were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Badakhshan province on Friday night, the provincial police spokesman said. |
It’s Simon Murphy here taking back the reins of the global live blog, with thanks to my colleague, Jedidajah Otte, for covering while I was on a break. | It’s Simon Murphy here taking back the reins of the global live blog, with thanks to my colleague, Jedidajah Otte, for covering while I was on a break. |
The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has threatened to pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO) over “ideological bias”, weeks after US president Donald Trump announced the severance of all US ties with the WHO at the end of May. | The Brazilian president, Jair Bolsonaro, has threatened to pull out of the World Health Organization (WHO) over “ideological bias”, weeks after US president Donald Trump announced the severance of all US ties with the WHO at the end of May. |
Brazil now has the world’s third-highest number of Covid-19 deaths. | Brazil now has the world’s third-highest number of Covid-19 deaths. |
Fuelling the debate raging around the pandemic, its origins and the best way to respond, Bolsonaro criticised the World Health Organization for suspending clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19 - a decision it reversed this week - and threatened to follow in Trump’s footsteps by quitting. | Fuelling the debate raging around the pandemic, its origins and the best way to respond, Bolsonaro criticised the World Health Organization for suspending clinical trials of the drug hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19 - a decision it reversed this week - and threatened to follow in Trump’s footsteps by quitting. |
“I’m telling you right now, the United States left the WHO, and we’re studying that, in the future. Either the WHO works without ideological bias, or we leave, too,” the far-right leader told journalists. | “I’m telling you right now, the United States left the WHO, and we’re studying that, in the future. Either the WHO works without ideological bias, or we leave, too,” the far-right leader told journalists. |
Dubbed the “Tropical Trump”, Bolsonaro has followed the US president in his handling of the pandemic, downplaying its severity, attacking stay-at-home measures and touting the purported effects of hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19. | Dubbed the “Tropical Trump”, Bolsonaro has followed the US president in his handling of the pandemic, downplaying its severity, attacking stay-at-home measures and touting the purported effects of hydroxychloroquine against Covid-19. |
Dutch mink farms have begun a government-ordered mass cull amid concern that animals infected with coronavirus could transmit the illness to humans. | Dutch mink farms have begun a government-ordered mass cull amid concern that animals infected with coronavirus could transmit the illness to humans. |
Infected mink have been found on 10 Dutch farms where the ferret-like animals are bred for their fur, according to the country’s Food & Wares Authority, Reuters reports. | Infected mink have been found on 10 Dutch farms where the ferret-like animals are bred for their fur, according to the country’s Food & Wares Authority, Reuters reports. |
The government ordered the cull of 10,000 mink on Wednesday after determining that affected farms could act as a long-term reservoir of disease. | The government ordered the cull of 10,000 mink on Wednesday after determining that affected farms could act as a long-term reservoir of disease. |
Dutch mink were first infected with coronavirus by their handlers in April. | Dutch mink were first infected with coronavirus by their handlers in April. |
In May, the government identified two cases in which humans had been infected by sick animals - the only animal-to-human transmissions known since the global outbreak began in China. | In May, the government identified two cases in which humans had been infected by sick animals - the only animal-to-human transmissions known since the global outbreak began in China. |
Infected mink don’t necessarily develop signs of disease, making them potential silent sources of the pandemic virus, said Arjan Stegeman, a veterinary epidemiologist at Utrecht University who is investigating the outbreak, according to Bloomberg. | Infected mink don’t necessarily develop signs of disease, making them potential silent sources of the pandemic virus, said Arjan Stegeman, a veterinary epidemiologist at Utrecht University who is investigating the outbreak, according to Bloomberg. |
Groups opposed to the fur trade say the outbreak is another reason to close all farms. | Groups opposed to the fur trade say the outbreak is another reason to close all farms. |
Ireland has revised its schedule for the gradual re-opening of the economy over the coming months and is set to speed up the easing of coronavirus restrictions, Reuters reports. | Ireland has revised its schedule for the gradual re-opening of the economy over the coming months and is set to speed up the easing of coronavirus restrictions, Reuters reports. |
From 8 June, the country will enter phase two, which will allow for people to travel within their own county, or up to 20km from their homes, and gatherings of a maximum of six people indoors. | From 8 June, the country will enter phase two, which will allow for people to travel within their own county, or up to 20km from their homes, and gatherings of a maximum of six people indoors. |
All retail outlets can reopen, while shopping centres can reopen on 15 June. Public libraries and outdoor facilities and amenities for children can also open. | All retail outlets can reopen, while shopping centres can reopen on 15 June. Public libraries and outdoor facilities and amenities for children can also open. |
Phase three is set to begin on 29 June, when all domestic travel restrictions will be lifted, and cafes and restaurants can open with physical distancing and strict cleaning in operation. Bars can operate as restaurants where possible, and places of worship, museums and galleries can reopen, as well as hotels, hostels and caravan parks. | Phase three is set to begin on 29 June, when all domestic travel restrictions will be lifted, and cafes and restaurants can open with physical distancing and strict cleaning in operation. Bars can operate as restaurants where possible, and places of worship, museums and galleries can reopen, as well as hotels, hostels and caravan parks. |
From 20 July, Ireland will move to phase four, which will see theatres, cinemas, nightclubs reopening where social distancing measures can function. Some sports team leagues can resume with limitations on numbers of spectators, Hairdressers and barbers, crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of non-essential workers can open their doors again. The government is due to review a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from abroad on 18 June. The prime minister, Leo Varadkar, said he hopes non-essential international travel can resume some time later in the summer. | From 20 July, Ireland will move to phase four, which will see theatres, cinemas, nightclubs reopening where social distancing measures can function. Some sports team leagues can resume with limitations on numbers of spectators, Hairdressers and barbers, crèches, childminders and pre-schools for children of non-essential workers can open their doors again. The government is due to review a 14-day quarantine for arrivals from abroad on 18 June. The prime minister, Leo Varadkar, said he hopes non-essential international travel can resume some time later in the summer. |
The measures planned in each of the remaining phases of the plan will be reviewed if there is a sharp rise in the number of infections, hospital admissions or deaths. | The measures planned in each of the remaining phases of the plan will be reviewed if there is a sharp rise in the number of infections, hospital admissions or deaths. |
Tomoya Saito, the director of the department of health crisis management at Japan’s National Institute of Public Health, explains how Japan got coronavirus under control by painstakingly tracking infections in the population. | Tomoya Saito, the director of the department of health crisis management at Japan’s National Institute of Public Health, explains how Japan got coronavirus under control by painstakingly tracking infections in the population. |
The British home secretary, Priti Patel, has urged protesters in the UK not to gather for Black Lives Matter and George Floyd demonstrations during the pandemic. | The British home secretary, Priti Patel, has urged protesters in the UK not to gather for Black Lives Matter and George Floyd demonstrations during the pandemic. |
“We are in a health pandemic across the United Kingdom, and coronavirus is a deadly virus, and of course I’d say to those that want to protest: ‘Please don’t.’ | “We are in a health pandemic across the United Kingdom, and coronavirus is a deadly virus, and of course I’d say to those that want to protest: ‘Please don’t.’ |
“We must put public health first at this particular time,” she said in an interview with Sky.. | “We must put public health first at this particular time,” she said in an interview with Sky.. |
Hello, I’m briefly taking over from my colleague Simon Murphy while he has a break. | Hello, I’m briefly taking over from my colleague Simon Murphy while he has a break. |
If you have any updates to flag you can contact me either on Twitter @JedySays or you can email me. | If you have any updates to flag you can contact me either on Twitter @JedySays or you can email me. |
India has overtaken Italy as the sixth worst-hit country in the coronavirus pandemic after another biggest single-day rise in confirmed infections. India’s health ministry reported 9,887 new cases on Saturday, bringing the official total to 236,657. It means it now has fewer confirmed cases than only the US, Brazil, Russia, UK and Spain. | India has overtaken Italy as the sixth worst-hit country in the coronavirus pandemic after another biggest single-day rise in confirmed infections. India’s health ministry reported 9,887 new cases on Saturday, bringing the official total to 236,657. It means it now has fewer confirmed cases than only the US, Brazil, Russia, UK and Spain. |
As Black Lives Matter protests continue across the world, thousands took to the streets in Sydney. Aerial footage shows demonstrators snaking through the Australian city on a Stop All Black Deaths in Custody rally. It was declared an authorised public assembly minutes before its scheduled start time of 3pm, after a court ruling was overturned. | As Black Lives Matter protests continue across the world, thousands took to the streets in Sydney. Aerial footage shows demonstrators snaking through the Australian city on a Stop All Black Deaths in Custody rally. It was declared an authorised public assembly minutes before its scheduled start time of 3pm, after a court ruling was overturned. |
In Russia, 197 more people have died with coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the country’s official death toll to 5,725. There were 8,855 new cases, according to officials, pushing the total number of infections to 458,689. | In Russia, 197 more people have died with coronavirus in the last 24 hours, bringing the country’s official death toll to 5,725. There were 8,855 new cases, according to officials, pushing the total number of infections to 458,689. |
Italy hopes other EU countries will reopen their borders to its citizens on 15 June, the country’s foreign minister has said, as travel restrictions across Europe are gradually eased. | Italy hopes other EU countries will reopen their borders to its citizens on 15 June, the country’s foreign minister has said, as travel restrictions across Europe are gradually eased. |
In South Africa, as cases rise in the Western Cape province – the centre of the country’s outbreak – doctors are voicing concern about other diseases being neglected while medical attention is focused on the pandemic. | In South Africa, as cases rise in the Western Cape province – the centre of the country’s outbreak – doctors are voicing concern about other diseases being neglected while medical attention is focused on the pandemic. |
Indonesia has reported its biggest daily rise in infections, with 993 new cases, taking its total official number to 30,514. | Indonesia has reported its biggest daily rise in infections, with 993 new cases, taking its total official number to 30,514. |
In Nepal, climbers who earn a living supporting international expeditions to the summit of Everest have been left destitute by the cancellation of this year’s climbing season. | In Nepal, climbers who earn a living supporting international expeditions to the summit of Everest have been left destitute by the cancellation of this year’s climbing season. |
Scientists expect to be able to declare next week that New Zealand is coronavirus-free. | Scientists expect to be able to declare next week that New Zealand is coronavirus-free. |
Italy hopes other EU countries will reopen their borders to its citizens on 15 June, the country’s foreign minister has said, as Covid-19 travel restrictions across Europe are gradually eased. | Italy hopes other EU countries will reopen their borders to its citizens on 15 June, the country’s foreign minister has said, as Covid-19 travel restrictions across Europe are gradually eased. |
Italy, which has the world’s fourth-highest coronavirus death toll, opened its doors to other EU citizens on 3 June, but most European countries are still largely off-limits for Italian nationals. | Italy, which has the world’s fourth-highest coronavirus death toll, opened its doors to other EU citizens on 3 June, but most European countries are still largely off-limits for Italian nationals. |
“15 June is an important date for many of our citizens,” Luigi Di Maio told a news conference during a visit to neighbouring Slovenia. | “15 June is an important date for many of our citizens,” Luigi Di Maio told a news conference during a visit to neighbouring Slovenia. |
Germany and Switzerland have indicated that they could open their borders to Italians from that date, Di Maio said. Reuters reports that he said he hoped border openings would apply to people from all parts of Italy, including those areas worst-affected by the outbreak. | Germany and Switzerland have indicated that they could open their borders to Italians from that date, Di Maio said. Reuters reports that he said he hoped border openings would apply to people from all parts of Italy, including those areas worst-affected by the outbreak. |
Speaking at the same press conference, the Slovenian foreign minister, Anze Logar said: “Health conditions in Italy are improving fast ... I’m looking optimistically towards 15 June.” | Speaking at the same press conference, the Slovenian foreign minister, Anze Logar said: “Health conditions in Italy are improving fast ... I’m looking optimistically towards 15 June.” |
Italy has reported about 234,500 confirmed coronavirus cases and 33,770 deaths. Slovenia, which declared an end to its coronavirus epidemic last month, has reported 1,479 coronavirus cases and 109 deaths. It has allowed the entry of people from neighbouring Croatia, Hungary and Austria in recent weeks. | Italy has reported about 234,500 confirmed coronavirus cases and 33,770 deaths. Slovenia, which declared an end to its coronavirus epidemic last month, has reported 1,479 coronavirus cases and 109 deaths. It has allowed the entry of people from neighbouring Croatia, Hungary and Austria in recent weeks. |
French Polynesia, which comprises more than 100 islands in the South Pacific, will open to international travel next month in a bid to salvage its vital tourism industry. | French Polynesia, which comprises more than 100 islands in the South Pacific, will open to international travel next month in a bid to salvage its vital tourism industry. |
The French overseas territory, which has reported just 60 cases of Covid-19 and no deaths, stopped international flights in March amid the pandemic. But, with no tourists able to visit for three months and hotels shut, AFP reports that there have been calls to ease restrictions to help restart the ailing economy. | The French overseas territory, which has reported just 60 cases of Covid-19 and no deaths, stopped international flights in March amid the pandemic. But, with no tourists able to visit for three months and hotels shut, AFP reports that there have been calls to ease restrictions to help restart the ailing economy. |
“We are going to open up our country even more to save jobs,” said President Edouard Fritch, adding that nearly 19,000 Polynesians have jobs in or related to the tourism sector. On 3 July citizens will be allowed to return and quarantine restrictions on arrivals will also be eased. | “We are going to open up our country even more to save jobs,” said President Edouard Fritch, adding that nearly 19,000 Polynesians have jobs in or related to the tourism sector. On 3 July citizens will be allowed to return and quarantine restrictions on arrivals will also be eased. |
From 15 July, it will once again accept international tourism from its main markets in Europe and the US. “We are no longer in a health emergency, but we are facing an economic and social emergency,” said tourism and employment minister Nicole Bouteau. | From 15 July, it will once again accept international tourism from its main markets in Europe and the US. “We are no longer in a health emergency, but we are facing an economic and social emergency,” said tourism and employment minister Nicole Bouteau. |
In South Africa, as Covid-19 cases rise in the Western Cape province – the centre of the country’s outbreak – doctors are voicing concern about other diseases being neglected while medical attention is focused on the pandemic. | In South Africa, as Covid-19 cases rise in the Western Cape province – the centre of the country’s outbreak – doctors are voicing concern about other diseases being neglected while medical attention is focused on the pandemic. |
The Western Cape province, a popular tourist destination home to the coastal city of Cape Town, accounts for 66% of South Africa’s 43,434 coronavirus cases and 77% of the 908 deaths. Meanwhile, provincial authorities predict infections will almost quadruple to 100,000 in coming weeks. | The Western Cape province, a popular tourist destination home to the coastal city of Cape Town, accounts for 66% of South Africa’s 43,434 coronavirus cases and 77% of the 908 deaths. Meanwhile, provincial authorities predict infections will almost quadruple to 100,000 in coming weeks. |
AFP reports that many medical practitioners have been moved from specialised wards such as oncology and anaesthesiology to help treat Covid-19 patients – meaning a large number of other patients could be left in the lurch as a result. | AFP reports that many medical practitioners have been moved from specialised wards such as oncology and anaesthesiology to help treat Covid-19 patients – meaning a large number of other patients could be left in the lurch as a result. |
Around half the staff at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur hospital have been earmarked for redeployment as the pandemic moves towards an expected peak between the end of June and the beginning of July. Experts fear this could affect planned surgeries and other services, according to AFP. | Around half the staff at Cape Town’s Groote Schuur hospital have been earmarked for redeployment as the pandemic moves towards an expected peak between the end of June and the beginning of July. Experts fear this could affect planned surgeries and other services, according to AFP. |
“The intense focus on Covid has created a backlog of patients with non-Covid diseases who are not able to access care,” a group of doctors from Groote Schuur wrote in the South African Medical Journal last month. | “The intense focus on Covid has created a backlog of patients with non-Covid diseases who are not able to access care,” a group of doctors from Groote Schuur wrote in the South African Medical Journal last month. |
“Many cancer diagnoses and hence treatments have been delayed, as have joint replacements and cataract surgery,” the doctors said, warning that patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma had “missed appointments”. “Many are unable to access medications,” they added. | “Many cancer diagnoses and hence treatments have been delayed, as have joint replacements and cataract surgery,” the doctors said, warning that patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and asthma had “missed appointments”. “Many are unable to access medications,” they added. |
Meanwhile, several hospitals in Cape Town told AFP that they had stopped elective imaging, procedures and surgery, while outpatient clinics had been scaled down. Many patients have also avoided hospital visits for fear of contracting the virus. University of Cape Town oncologist Jeanette Parkes said all routine check-ups had been cancelled. | Meanwhile, several hospitals in Cape Town told AFP that they had stopped elective imaging, procedures and surgery, while outpatient clinics had been scaled down. Many patients have also avoided hospital visits for fear of contracting the virus. University of Cape Town oncologist Jeanette Parkes said all routine check-ups had been cancelled. |
It is estimated that the virus will create a backlog of about 150,000 procedures in South Africa, according to the Cape Town-based professors Bruce Biccard and Lydia Cairncross in a recent article published in the country’s online Daily Maverick. | It is estimated that the virus will create a backlog of about 150,000 procedures in South Africa, according to the Cape Town-based professors Bruce Biccard and Lydia Cairncross in a recent article published in the country’s online Daily Maverick. |
Poland is planning to extend a ban on international flights until 16 June, according to reports. | Poland is planning to extend a ban on international flights until 16 June, according to reports. |
Citing a government decree, state-run news agency PAP reported the news last night. | Citing a government decree, state-run news agency PAP reported the news last night. |
It comes after state-controlled Polish airlines LOT restarted flights between the country’s biggest cities, including Warsaw, Gdansk, Krakow, and Wroclaw, from 1 June. | It comes after state-controlled Polish airlines LOT restarted flights between the country’s biggest cities, including Warsaw, Gdansk, Krakow, and Wroclaw, from 1 June. |
As of Friday, Poland has reported 25,410 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 1,137 deaths. | As of Friday, Poland has reported 25,410 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 1,137 deaths. |