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Coronavirus: Bolsonaro hides Brazil death figures, minister criticises Australian BLM protests – live updates Coronavirus live updates: Bolsonaro hides Brazil death figures; minister criticises Australian BLM protests
(32 minutes later)
Brazil cumulative cases and deaths taken offline; Black Lives Matter demonstrators ‘reckless’; UK to partially reopen churches Taiwan will further ease coronavirus restrictions; lockdown in Greece migrant camps extended; Panama reimposes curbs after rise in cases
The exodus of migrant workers from big cities is plunging India’s factories into a crisis, Agence France-Presse reports.
An acute shortage of workers has turned the roar of machines to a soft hum at a footwear factory near New Delhi, just one of thousands in India struggling to restart after migrant workers decided to leave town during the virus lockdown.
India is slowly emerging from strict containment measures that were imposed in late March as leaders look to revive the battered economy, but manufacturers don’t have enough workers to man the machinery.
The big cities, once an attractive destination for workers from poor, rural regions, have been hit by reverse migration as millions of labourers flee back to their home villages, some uncertain if they will ever return.
Sanjeev Kharbanda, a senior executive with Aqualite Industries, which owns the footwear factory in the northern state of Haryana, said: “Sixty percent of our labourers have gone back. How can we run a production unit with just one-third of our workforce?”
Kharbanda said the company’s sports shoe unit had been sitting idle as there were no skilled workers to operate the high-tech machines.
“We are running just one shift now. The cost of production has gone up and our profits are going down,” he said, a conveyor belt carrying semi-finished flip-flops running slowly in the background.
In Gujarat state’s Surat city - where 90 percent of the world’s diamonds are cut and polished - many factories have been unable to open after more than two-thirds of workers fled, Surat diamond association president Babu Kathiriya told AFP.
Meanwhile, the state’s salt refineries have started doubling salaries to lure staff back. But experts say the workers may not return anytime soon.
There are an estimated 100 million migrant workers - nearly a fifth of the labour force and contributing to an estimated 10 percent of GDP - across the nation of 1.3 billion people.
Many are employed as cheap labour across a vast range of sectors including textiles, construction, mines and small businesses.
Russia has reported 8,984 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours to Sunday, pushing the total number of infections to 467,673.
Officials said 134 people had died during the same period, bringing the official nationwide death toll to 5,859.
The coronavirus lockdown in Greece’s overcrowded migrant camps has been extended for another two weeks, while the rest of the country gears up to revive its tourism-dependent economy, Agence France-Presse reports.
“For residents of the reception and identification centres across the country, measures against the propagation of the Covid-19 virus are extended until 21 June,” the official Government Gazette said.
Greece has fared better than most of its European partners in the pandemic, with 180 deaths and 2,980 cases.
The country was quick to introduce strict confinement measures on migrant camps on 21 March and imposed a more general lockdown on 23 March.
More than 33,000 asylum seekers live in the five camps on the Aegean islands, with a total capacity of 5,400 people, and some 70,000 in other facilities on the mainland.
While no Covid-19 deaths have been recorded in the camps so far and only a few dozen infections, the measures have since been extended a number of times.
Rights groups have expressed concern that migrants’ rights could be eroded by the anti-virus restrictions.
Massive virus screening in the camps only started in early May.
Millions of people across the globe have relied on daily or even hourly updates from various media outlets during the pandemic, which saw new laws introduced, borders closed and restrictions amended, often overnight.
CNN reports on how people without internet access have been affected.
Taiwan will further ease its coronavirus restrictions, the government said on Sunday, as the island has kept the pandemic well in hand with only six active cases and no local transmission for 56 days.Taiwan will further ease its coronavirus restrictions, the government said on Sunday, as the island has kept the pandemic well in hand with only six active cases and no local transmission for 56 days.
Taiwan has never gone into total lockdown and life has continued largely as normal due to its early and effective prevention work and a first rate public health system, but has promoted social distancing and ensured broad public access to face masks, Reuters reports.Taiwan has never gone into total lockdown and life has continued largely as normal due to its early and effective prevention work and a first rate public health system, but has promoted social distancing and ensured broad public access to face masks, Reuters reports.
Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre said that it would lift restrictions limiting the number of people who could participate in “daily life and leisure events”, though people should continue to wear face masks if they were unable to socially distance.Taiwan’s Central Epidemic Command Centre said that it would lift restrictions limiting the number of people who could participate in “daily life and leisure events”, though people should continue to wear face masks if they were unable to socially distance.
However, border entry restrictions remain, with authorities wary of a second wave of infections coming in from countries where the pandemic is still raging, such as the United States and Britain.However, border entry restrictions remain, with authorities wary of a second wave of infections coming in from countries where the pandemic is still raging, such as the United States and Britain.
Taiwan has reported 443 cases, the majority of which were in people who got infected overseas, and just seven deaths.Taiwan has reported 443 cases, the majority of which were in people who got infected overseas, and just seven deaths.
Hello everyone, I’m taking over from Rebecca Ratcliffe for the next few hours. If you have any updates to flag, please feel free to message me, either via email, or you can get me on Twitter @JedySays.Hello everyone, I’m taking over from Rebecca Ratcliffe for the next few hours. If you have any updates to flag, please feel free to message me, either via email, or you can get me on Twitter @JedySays.
I can’t always respond to every email but I read them all and appreciate every tip.I can’t always respond to every email but I read them all and appreciate every tip.
That’s all from me - I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Jedidajah Otte, who will keep you updated with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.That’s all from me - I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Jedidajah Otte, who will keep you updated with the latest coronavirus developments from around the world.
China has released a lengthy report on the country’s response to Covid-19, while officials have rejected allegations that information about the virus was withheld, the country’s state television channel CGTN reports.China has released a lengthy report on the country’s response to Covid-19, while officials have rejected allegations that information about the virus was withheld, the country’s state television channel CGTN reports.
The report praises officials’ response to the pandemic as a thorough and comprehensive effort.The report praises officials’ response to the pandemic as a thorough and comprehensive effort.
China’s relations with other countries have been strengthened rather than undermined by the pandemic, Ma Zhaoxu, the country’s vice minister of foreign affairs, said, according to CGTN.China’s relations with other countries have been strengthened rather than undermined by the pandemic, Ma Zhaoxu, the country’s vice minister of foreign affairs, said, according to CGTN.
Australia’s deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly has said authorities could be forced to ask Australians who attended Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend to self isolate if clusters emerge among attendees, reports Elias Visontay in Canberra.Australia’s deputy chief medical officer Paul Kelly has said authorities could be forced to ask Australians who attended Black Lives Matter protests over the weekend to self isolate if clusters emerge among attendees, reports Elias Visontay in Canberra.
Kelly said he was encouraged by the sight of masks at Saturday’s protests and said he understood the right to protest, but reiterated the different state governments and the Australian Health Protection and Principal Committee had strongly suggested people not attend any of the mass gatherings.Kelly said he was encouraged by the sight of masks at Saturday’s protests and said he understood the right to protest, but reiterated the different state governments and the Australian Health Protection and Principal Committee had strongly suggested people not attend any of the mass gatherings.
He said that while people who attended the protests do not have to isolate or get tested if they don’t have symptoms, “if we were to start seeing cases crop up in the next week for example, then we might need to change that message”.He said that while people who attended the protests do not have to isolate or get tested if they don’t have symptoms, “if we were to start seeing cases crop up in the next week for example, then we might need to change that message”.
He also said the CovidSafe contact tracing app could help locate possible cases if there are reports of clusters among attendees.He also said the CovidSafe contact tracing app could help locate possible cases if there are reports of clusters among attendees.
Kelly made the announcement during a national Covid-19 update. As of Sunday afternoon, there have been six new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking Australia’s total to 7260. However the number of active cases is now below 460, with less than 20 people in hospital and three people in intensive care units. The death rate remains at 102.Kelly made the announcement during a national Covid-19 update. As of Sunday afternoon, there have been six new cases of Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, taking Australia’s total to 7260. However the number of active cases is now below 460, with less than 20 people in hospital and three people in intensive care units. The death rate remains at 102.
Care home residents are on course to make up more than half the deaths caused directly or indirectly by the coronavirus crisis in England, according to a new analysis.Care home residents are on course to make up more than half the deaths caused directly or indirectly by the coronavirus crisis in England, according to a new analysis.
The study warns that the death toll by the end of June from Covid-19 infections and other excess deaths is “likely to approach 59,000 across the entire English population, of which about 34,000 (57%) will have been care home residents”.The study warns that the death toll by the end of June from Covid-19 infections and other excess deaths is “likely to approach 59,000 across the entire English population, of which about 34,000 (57%) will have been care home residents”.
The estimate, produced by the major healthcare business consultancy LaingBuisson, includes people who list a care home as their primary residence, wherever they died – including those who died in hospital.The estimate, produced by the major healthcare business consultancy LaingBuisson, includes people who list a care home as their primary residence, wherever they died – including those who died in hospital.
It is based on data from the Office for National Statistics, as well as the analyst’s own modelling of the number of care home resident deaths likely to have occurred in the absence of the pandemic.It is based on data from the Office for National Statistics, as well as the analyst’s own modelling of the number of care home resident deaths likely to have occurred in the absence of the pandemic.
The new study coincides with mounting concerns over the failure to protect care homes earlier in the pandemic. Senior care industry figures point to the decision to move some hospital patients back to care homes in mid-March. There have also been complaints that non-Covid-related healthcare became less accessible to homes during the height of the pandemic, leading to extra deaths.The new study coincides with mounting concerns over the failure to protect care homes earlier in the pandemic. Senior care industry figures point to the decision to move some hospital patients back to care homes in mid-March. There have also been complaints that non-Covid-related healthcare became less accessible to homes during the height of the pandemic, leading to extra deaths.
Fujifilm Holdings Corp’s research on Avigan as a potential treatment for COVID-19 may drag on until July, a further setback in the Japanese firm’s race to find a vaccine, reports Reuters.“There is a possibility that clinical trials will continue in July,” a Fujifilm spokesman said, responding to a Nikkei report that any approval will be delayed until July or later, due to a lack of patients for trials.After the government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave up on getting approval for the drug by the end of May, the aim was to complete clinical trials this month. But researchers have only been able to get around 70% of the patients needed for the trials, and because it takes 28 days to get results, the process will continue until at least July, the Nikkei business daily said, citing an unnamed source.The spokesman said Fujifilm does not make public details of the progress of clinical trials but it has expanded the number of medical institutions that are cooperate in the trials. “We aim to complete clinical trials as soon as possible.”
A further Black Lives Matter protest is planned for Western Australia’s capital, Perth, next weekend after yet another Indigenous death in custody on Friday. Australian Associated Press has this report:
The death toll from the coronavirus worldwide is approaching 400,000, according to Johns Hopkins University. In total, 6,891,213 cases have been confirmed worldwide. Roughly a third of those cases, almost 2 million infections, are in the US.
The health ministry in Brazil, which has the world’s second-largest coronavirus outbreak, has removed data from a website that had documented the epidemic. The total number of cases, which have passed 672,000, and the death toll, almost 36,000, are now hidden from view.
Australia’s finance minister Mathias Cormann has condemned Saturday’s mass protests to demand an end to Indigenous deaths in custody as reckless, selfish and self-indulgent. The deputy leader of the opposition, Richard Marles, said Cormann’s rebuke was “tone deaf”.
Scientists working on a potential coronavirus vaccine have almost reached a breakthrough on an antibody treatment which could saves the lives of the elderly and vulnerable. An injection of cloned antibodies that counteract Covid-19 could prove significant for those in the early stages of infection, according to the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.
Panama’s government on Saturday said it would reintroduce restrictions on the movement of people in two provinces following increases in new cases.
Mexico’s health ministry on Saturday reported 3,593 new confirmed cases of coronavirus and 341 additional fatalities, bringing the total in the country to 113,619 cases and 13,511 deaths.
In the UK, places of worship will open for individual prayer from 15 June.
The Covid-19 response in part of Northeast China’s Jilin Province has been downgraded to a low level, meaning the country no longer considers any of its regions to be at high risk of the virus.
Australian Associated Press has more on the concerns Victorian health authorities have about cases potentially spreading as a result of a Black Lives Matter protest yesterday in Melbourne, parts of which have had several recent cases of community transmission.The deputy chief health officer Annaliese van Diemen said on Sunday the Black Lives Matter protest in Melbourne had increased the risk for cases.“In terms of potential outbreaks related to the protest, it really will be at least a week and probably closer to two weeks before we have an idea of whether there’s been any transmissions or outbreaks related to that,” van Diemen said. The impact will take its time to show due to incubation periods, people developing symptoms, getting tested and waiting for results, she said.More than 10,000 protesters flooded Melbourne’s CBD on Saturday in a show of solidarity for the US Black Lives Matter movement and to call for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody.Victoria police will fine the Melbourne organisers $1,652 each for breaching the directions of the chief health officer amid the pandemic.Organisers Warriors of the Aboriginal Resistance posted online they were touched by supporters’ offers to pay their fines, but preferred the money be directed to families directly affected by deaths in custody.
Dr van Diemen urged people not to attend gatherings of more than 20 people as per the health directions. She didn’t attend the rally and refused to comment on the cause. “I am not going to make comment on the cause,” she said. Van Diemen previously issued a controversial tweet where she likened the impact of Covid-19 to Captain Cook’s arrival in Australia.
Here is Press Association’s full report on the antibody treatment that is being developed by the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Scientists say an injection of cloned antibodies could help treat people already infected.
Thailand has reported eight new coronavirus cases, taking its total to 3,112 infections. The new cases are all among returnees who remain in quarantine.
Since the start of the outbreak, 58 fatalities have been recorded. No new deaths were reported on Sunday.
Manufacturing output across the UK increased last month from its record low as firms started to emerge from the coronavirus lockdown, Press Association reports.Business advisers BDO LLP said its resesarch suggested manufacturers regained some of the losses sustained between March and April as they benefited from the easing of lockdown measures.Despite the news, output remained at historically low levels, with businesses expecting a “long and difficult” path to recovery, said the report.Firms are grappling with social distancing restrictions while attention begins to re-focus on Brexit negotiations and international trade relationships, said the report.Kaley Crossthwaite, of BDO LLP, said: “While the jump in manufacturing output offers a glimmer of hope, early signs point to this being a long road to recovery. The UK is experiencing the deepest economic contraction in living memory, and possibly in its history.“Output remains drastically below where it would be in ordinary times, but the latest readings suggest we have passed the rock bottom of this crisis.”
China’s exports and imports fell in May as the economic slowdown abroad started to take its toll, and after a surprise jump driven by increased demand for anti-epidemic supplies, Agence France-Presse reports.
The country has worked to restart its economy after bringing activity to a standstill to curb the coronavirus spread, but consumer demand has remained muted and China’s key overseas markets are suffering downturns.
Exports from the manufacturing powerhouse fell 3.3 percent on-year last month, better than the 6.5 percent slide expected by a Bloomberg poll of analysts.
But the return to negative territory came after a surprise 3.5 percent jump in April, which was partly due to medical exports. Analysts have warned of signs that a larger downturn awaits.
Press Association has the following update on efforts to find a coronavirus treatment.
Western Australia has recorded no new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours. The state’s total remains at 599, of which 31 are considered active cases. Of the active cases, 10 are Western Australians, one is from interstate and 20 are crew members from the Al Kuwait live export ship. The state Department of Health says there have been 115,507 COVID-19 tests performed in WA to date. Of those tested, 20,193 were from regional areas.