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Coronavirus live news: Beijing back into partial lockdown as new cluster emerges Coronavirus live news: Beijing back into partial lockdown as new cluster emerges
(32 minutes later)
Dr Anthony Fauci says gatherings are a ‘danger’; Australia’s chief medical officers warns against Black Lives Matter ralliesDr Anthony Fauci says gatherings are a ‘danger’; Australia’s chief medical officers warns against Black Lives Matter rallies
In Greece the countdown to the tourist season has begun with the country’s leader promising that no concessions will be made when it comes to health and safety.
Ahead of international flights resuming on Monday, prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has flown to Santorini, the iconic Cycladic isle and one of Europe’s most popular destinations, to deliver a message that Greece is open for business again.
“We want visitors to come and feel safe,” he said after visiting the island’s general hospital. “Our intention is to welcome [them] without making any concessions on safety and security.”
The tourist-dependent nation is hoping to capitalise on the success it has had in handling the pandemic after enforcing stringent lockdown measures early on. With infection rates far lower than other European states, the death toll to date remains below 200.
With tourism accounting for 20 percent of GDP reopening the sector is key for an economy that had only started to recover from a gruelling decade-long debt crisis when the epidemic hit.
But the centre-right government is also aware that admitting tourists is a calculated risk and one that could backfire.
On Friday it announced an array of draconian measures to boost health systems on islands – many small and remote with only rudimentary services.
The measures included a network of doctors and support staff being deployed to the outposts, medics roaming the seas in floating ambulances, increased Covid-19 testing facilities and futuristic “transit capsules” to transport patients to intensive care units.
“Each island will be attached to a fully equipped mainland hospital,” said health minister Vasillis Kikillas as he presented the policies.
Still, not everyone is happy. Syriza the leftist main opposition party has accused the government of being lax, insisting that health services need to be further reinforced especially on Covid-free islands now bracing for tourists.
Greek epidemiologists advising the government say it is inevitable that as the country opens up the virus will be imported with visitors, making for what the opposition Syntaktwn newspaper described as a “an explosive mix in the coming months.”
Russia has more than doubled its official coronavirus death toll for April to 2,712 after changing how it classifies fatalities.
Officials warned that May’s death toll was likely to be even worse in Russia, which has the world’s third largest number of cases with 520,129.
The country has today reported 8,706 new cases after its number of new infections peaked in mid-May. The capital Moscow - the nation’s worst affected city - lifted tight lockdown measures last week.
We reported earlier (see 9.01am) that Russia had reported 8,706 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of people who have been infected by the virus to 520,129.
Authorities said 114 people had died of the virus in the last 24 hours, raising the official national death toll to 6,829. It comes after 8,987 new cases were announced on Friday.
Russia’s death toll has been much lower than in other countries with large outbreaks, raising questions over possible underreporting of deaths.
The April figures from Rosstat, the official statistics agency, include 1,270 deaths where the virus was the main cause. But they now also include deaths where the victim tested positive for the virus but it was not the main cause of death, AFP reported.
In April there were 435 deaths where the virus had a “significant influence” and 617 where it was present but did not play a major role, the agency said. The statistics also include 390 cases where the person initially tested negative to coronavirus, but it was later ruled to be the main cause of death.
The previously announced toll for April was 1,152.
A further 80 people have died from coronavirus in the UK, according to official figures showing deaths recorded in the last 24 hours.
The UK Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will publish its overall toll later. It usually differs from the cumulative nations’totals due to variations in data collection.
DHSC said on Friday that 41,481 people had died in hospitals, care homes and the wider community after testing positive for coronavirus in the UK as of 5pm on Thursday, up by 202 from 41,279 the day before.
The government figures do not include all deaths involving Covid-19 across the UK, which is thought to have passed 52,000.
Right-wing protesters in London, UK, have clashed with police throughout the day, after an anti-racist protest was cancelled by organisers due to fears of violence.Right-wing protesters in London, UK, have clashed with police throughout the day, after an anti-racist protest was cancelled by organisers due to fears of violence.
Around 200 demonstrators near the Cenotaph – a key war memorial outside the prime minister’s residence – are currently facing off with police with some trying to push through the barriers following a day of disorder. Several hundreds anti-racism demonstrators have also gathered in Trafalgar Square.Around 200 demonstrators near the Cenotaph – a key war memorial outside the prime minister’s residence – are currently facing off with police with some trying to push through the barriers following a day of disorder. Several hundreds anti-racism demonstrators have also gathered in Trafalgar Square.
All protesters must disperse by 5pm, though many are now being contained by police lines. It comes after the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged people to stay away from central London and defended the decision to board up the statue of Winston Churchill and other monuments.All protesters must disperse by 5pm, though many are now being contained by police lines. It comes after the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged people to stay away from central London and defended the decision to board up the statue of Winston Churchill and other monuments.
Elsewhere in the UK, in a number of other cities including other parts of London, there were peaceful anti-racism protests.Elsewhere in the UK, in a number of other cities including other parts of London, there were peaceful anti-racism protests.
Moving back to the anti-racism protests, about 2,000 people have demonstrated in Paris to denounce police brutality and entrenched racism which many believe France’s national doctrine of colour blindness has failed to eradicate.Moving back to the anti-racism protests, about 2,000 people have demonstrated in Paris to denounce police brutality and entrenched racism which many believe France’s national doctrine of colour blindness has failed to eradicate.
Myriam Boicoulin, 31, who was born in the French Caribbean island of Martinique, said she was demonstrating because she wanted to be heard.Myriam Boicoulin, 31, who was born in the French Caribbean island of Martinique, said she was demonstrating because she wanted to be heard.
“The fact of being visible is enormous,” she said. “As a black woman living in mainland France, I’m constantly obliged to adapt, to make compromises, not make waves to be almost white, in fact. It’s the first time people see us. Let us breathe.”“The fact of being visible is enormous,” she said. “As a black woman living in mainland France, I’m constantly obliged to adapt, to make compromises, not make waves to be almost white, in fact. It’s the first time people see us. Let us breathe.”
The march in Paris was led by supporters of Adama Traoré, a French black man who died in police custody in 2016 in circumstances that remain unclear despite four years of autopsies. His death marked one of France’s most high-profile cases of alleged police brutality.The march in Paris was led by supporters of Adama Traoré, a French black man who died in police custody in 2016 in circumstances that remain unclear despite four years of autopsies. His death marked one of France’s most high-profile cases of alleged police brutality.
“We are all demanding the same thing – fair justice for everyone,” Traore’s sister Assa told the crowd. There were no charges made following his death.“We are all demanding the same thing – fair justice for everyone,” Traore’s sister Assa told the crowd. There were no charges made following his death.
Associated Press reported that angry shouts rose from the peaceful and racially diverse crowd as a small group of white extreme-right activists climbed a building overlooking the protest and unfurled a huge banner denouncing anti-white racism.Associated Press reported that angry shouts rose from the peaceful and racially diverse crowd as a small group of white extreme-right activists climbed a building overlooking the protest and unfurled a huge banner denouncing anti-white racism.
Police did not arrest the counter-demonstrators, but residents in the building tore part of the banner down, one raising his fist in victory. Officers prevented people attending the main rally from approaching the far-right activists.Police did not arrest the counter-demonstrators, but residents in the building tore part of the banner down, one raising his fist in victory. Officers prevented people attending the main rally from approaching the far-right activists.
Officers surrounded the intended march route, bracing for potential violence after scattered clashes at some previous demonstrations around France also inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd’s death in the US.Officers surrounded the intended march route, bracing for potential violence after scattered clashes at some previous demonstrations around France also inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement and George Floyd’s death in the US.
Paris police had ordered the closure of restaurants and shops, which had recently reopened after the coronavirus lockdown because they were along the route of the march (see 11.46am).Paris police had ordered the closure of restaurants and shops, which had recently reopened after the coronavirus lockdown because they were along the route of the march (see 11.46am).
Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands have signed a contract with AstraZeneca to supply European citizens with a coronavirus vaccine, Italy’s health minister said on Saturday.Italy, Germany, France and the Netherlands have signed a contract with AstraZeneca to supply European citizens with a coronavirus vaccine, Italy’s health minister said on Saturday.
The contract with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company is for 400m doses of the vaccine, which was developed with the University of Oxford. The trial phase is already advanced and expected to end in the autumn, Roberto Speranza wrote on Facebook.The contract with the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company is for 400m doses of the vaccine, which was developed with the University of Oxford. The trial phase is already advanced and expected to end in the autumn, Roberto Speranza wrote on Facebook.
He added that a first batch of doses would be made available by the end of this year. However, AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, could not guarantee the vaccine would work in an interview last month and said several would be required, though he expressed confidence.He added that a first batch of doses would be made available by the end of this year. However, AstraZeneca’s CEO, Pascal Soriot, could not guarantee the vaccine would work in an interview last month and said several would be required, though he expressed confidence.
The European commission received a mandate from EU governments on Friday to negotiate advance purchases of promising coronavirus vaccines, the EU’s top health official said, but it was unclear whether there would be enough money available.The European commission received a mandate from EU governments on Friday to negotiate advance purchases of promising coronavirus vaccines, the EU’s top health official said, but it was unclear whether there would be enough money available.
It comes after AstraZeneca secured a deal with two US government agencies and Vanderbilt University to create antibodies to be used to treat and prevent Covid-19, Bloomberg reported.It comes after AstraZeneca secured a deal with two US government agencies and Vanderbilt University to create antibodies to be used to treat and prevent Covid-19, Bloomberg reported.
AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford announced in April their agreement for the global development and distribution of the university’s potential vaccine aimed at preventing Covid-19 infection.AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford announced in April their agreement for the global development and distribution of the university’s potential vaccine aimed at preventing Covid-19 infection.
“We’re trailblazing here because we are not following the standard process, we are partnering with regulators both in the UK and the US, we’re working hand in hand with the [Food and Drug Administration], we are sharing data on a day to day basis and they have committed themselves to help look at our data as they come so by the time we finish the first [trial] program in August they can rapidly approve the vaccine,” Soriot told CNN in May.“We’re trailblazing here because we are not following the standard process, we are partnering with regulators both in the UK and the US, we’re working hand in hand with the [Food and Drug Administration], we are sharing data on a day to day basis and they have committed themselves to help look at our data as they come so by the time we finish the first [trial] program in August they can rapidly approve the vaccine,” Soriot told CNN in May.
He claimed that drug companies are competing against the virus, not against each other, and that AstraZeneca – among other manufacturers – was doing this for no profit. It has received $1bn from the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the development, production and delivery of the vaccine.He claimed that drug companies are competing against the virus, not against each other, and that AstraZeneca – among other manufacturers – was doing this for no profit. It has received $1bn from the US Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) for the development, production and delivery of the vaccine.
The prime minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, called today for a “courageous plan” when he launched virtual talks with EU and IMF leaders to rescue Italy’s economy and society from the “unprecedented shock” triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reports.The prime minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, called today for a “courageous plan” when he launched virtual talks with EU and IMF leaders to rescue Italy’s economy and society from the “unprecedented shock” triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, AFP reports.
European Union leaders “must show that they have understood that it is about defending mutual interests,” Conte said in an opening speech transmitted to leading executives in Brussels.European Union leaders “must show that they have understood that it is about defending mutual interests,” Conte said in an opening speech transmitted to leading executives in Brussels.
The EU’s third largest economy is expected to contract by at least 8.3% in 2020, under the most optimistic estimate from Italy’s national statistics agency.The EU’s third largest economy is expected to contract by at least 8.3% in 2020, under the most optimistic estimate from Italy’s national statistics agency.
To stimulate activity in EU countries most affected by the Covid-19 crisis, the European Commission has proposed a €750bn recovery plan – €500bn in grants and the rest in loans. Italy is expected to receive around €172bn of this sum.To stimulate activity in EU countries most affected by the Covid-19 crisis, the European Commission has proposed a €750bn recovery plan – €500bn in grants and the rest in loans. Italy is expected to receive around €172bn of this sum.
“We must also take advantage of (the moment) to transform the crisis into an opportunity to eliminate all the obstacles that slowed (the country) down for the last 20 years,” Conte said.“We must also take advantage of (the moment) to transform the crisis into an opportunity to eliminate all the obstacles that slowed (the country) down for the last 20 years,” Conte said.
He said he shared European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s view that “we cannot allow ourselves to return to the pre-crisis status quo”.He said he shared European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s view that “we cannot allow ourselves to return to the pre-crisis status quo”.
Conte’s approval ratings rose during the coronavirus emergency. He has suggested a task force headed by former Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao to come up with recommendations on how to get Italy’s economy back on track.Conte’s approval ratings rose during the coronavirus emergency. He has suggested a task force headed by former Vodafone chief executive Vittorio Colao to come up with recommendations on how to get Italy’s economy back on track.
Proposals include digitising Italy’s onerous public administration, modernising infrastructure and restructuring the national university system.Proposals include digitising Italy’s onerous public administration, modernising infrastructure and restructuring the national university system.
New clothes? New rules. In the UK, which had the second highest death toll from Covid-19 until Brazil overtook it late yesterday, England is planning to relax government restriction on retail on Monday.New clothes? New rules. In the UK, which had the second highest death toll from Covid-19 until Brazil overtook it late yesterday, England is planning to relax government restriction on retail on Monday.
For one of the country’s biggest department store chains, John Lewis, that means new shopping diktats – including not trying on clothes, and a gap of eight steps between people on escalators.For one of the country’s biggest department store chains, John Lewis, that means new shopping diktats – including not trying on clothes, and a gap of eight steps between people on escalators.
Department stores, bookshops, electrical outlets and toy retailers will be among the businesses opening when non-essential shops welcome back customers after an enforced three-month shutdown.Department stores, bookshops, electrical outlets and toy retailers will be among the businesses opening when non-essential shops welcome back customers after an enforced three-month shutdown.
The first domestically transmitted cases of Covid-19 in Beijing for 55 days have seen a city recently returned to normal life do an about-face, as China fears a second wave.The first domestically transmitted cases of Covid-19 in Beijing for 55 days have seen a city recently returned to normal life do an about-face, as China fears a second wave.
Partial lockdown has been instituted in some residential areas of the capital, and thousands of people will be tested after dozens of cases were confirmed at the city’s largest wholesale meat market.Partial lockdown has been instituted in some residential areas of the capital, and thousands of people will be tested after dozens of cases were confirmed at the city’s largest wholesale meat market.
Lily Kuo in Beijing and Emma Graham-Harrison are following the story:Lily Kuo in Beijing and Emma Graham-Harrison are following the story:
Researchers in Thailand began collecting samples from horseshoe bats to test them for coronavirus amid concerns they may pose a threat to local residents, the government has announced.Researchers in Thailand began collecting samples from horseshoe bats to test them for coronavirus amid concerns they may pose a threat to local residents, the government has announced.
They plan to collect 300 bats over three days from a cave in the Chanthaburi province in the south-east of the country. The bats will be released following the tests. Thailand has 23 species of the horseshoe bat but there has not been an investigation before.They plan to collect 300 bats over three days from a cave in the Chanthaburi province in the south-east of the country. The bats will be released following the tests. Thailand has 23 species of the horseshoe bat but there has not been an investigation before.
The source of the virus remains a matter of debate after it emerged in China late last year. The World Health Organization (WHO) in April said all available evidence suggests it originated in bats in China but it was not clear how the virus had jumped the species barrier to humans.The source of the virus remains a matter of debate after it emerged in China late last year. The World Health Organization (WHO) in April said all available evidence suggests it originated in bats in China but it was not clear how the virus had jumped the species barrier to humans.
The research team in Thailand includes Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, who identified the country’s first case of Covid-19 in January as it became the first country outside China to record a case of the virus. It has so far reported 3,134 cases and 58 deathsThe research team in Thailand includes Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, who identified the country’s first case of Covid-19 in January as it became the first country outside China to record a case of the virus. It has so far reported 3,134 cases and 58 deaths
“The reason we need to investigate the horseshoe bat is because there are reports from China that the Covid-19 virus is similar to the virus found in the horseshoe bat,” Supaporn said.“The reason we need to investigate the horseshoe bat is because there are reports from China that the Covid-19 virus is similar to the virus found in the horseshoe bat,” Supaporn said.
Researchers from the National Parks department, Chulalongkorn hospital and Kasetsart University entered the cave on Thursday evening and re-emerged in the early hours of Friday with samples of bat blood, saliva and faeces.Researchers from the National Parks department, Chulalongkorn hospital and Kasetsart University entered the cave on Thursday evening and re-emerged in the early hours of Friday with samples of bat blood, saliva and faeces.
Hello everyone,
I’ll be taking over the reins here for a bit. Do feel free to email me at chris.michael@theguardian.com or find me on Twitter
The latest developments:
Covid-19 has killed at least 426,029 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP.
China reported 11 new coronavirus cases on Saturday. This included six domestic cases in the capital, which raised concerns about a resurgence as hundreds of troops were deployed to the site of a new cluster at a wholesale food market (see 10.35am).
A spike in deaths in refugee camps in Darfur, western Sudan, has sparked fears about the invisible spread of the coronavirus as elderly people fall sick and die at extremely concerning rates, officials said (see 8.58am).
India has reported its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus cases, adding 11,458 confirmed infections and taking its total count to more than 300,000, according to official data, amid reports of people being turned away from hospitals.
The number of confirmed coronavirus infections has passed 24,000 in Afghanistan as a key testing laboratory paused work due to lack of kits as violence rages across the country (see 9.53am).
Spain’s daily coronavirus death toll figures have been on hold for almost a week, causing uncertainty about the state of the epidemic, which has claimed more than 27,000 lives in the country (see 10.19am).
Multiple Black Lives Matter and refugee rights rallies occurred around Australia, many breaking strict public health orders as the country tries to maintain its low infection rate.
The Dalai Lama has said his thoughts are with those suffering in the coronavirus pandemic as he implored humankind to develop “a sense of oneness” (see 11.23am). He believed this could be one of the positive things to come out of the coronavirus crisis. He added that developing peace of mind was imperative and people across the world should place a greater focus on doing so.
Authorities in Botswana have declared a strict lockdown in the capital Gaborone after the discovery of 12 new cases of coronavirus.
Under the measures, no one will be allowed to leave the region around the capital, said Kereng Masupu, the head of the Covid-19 task force. No movement will be permitted without a permit and only essential services allowed to stay open.
Half of the cases were in the capital of the landlocked southern African country of 2.2 million people. This brought the total number of infections in the country to 60, with one death.
The World Health Organization warned on Thursday the pandemic is accelerating in Africa.
Moving back to coronavirus news for now, the Italian prime minister, Giuseppe Conte, has said he is “totally calm” after giving prosecutors a full account of how he handled the coronavirus pandemic that devastated Italy.
He said he did not fear a judicial probe would be opened after the three hour session about his handling of the emergency on Friday.
“I explained everything to prosecutors. I am totally calm,” Conte told La Stampa newspaper.
“I detailed all the stages in these terrible days during which we fought an invisible enemy. I have nothing to fear.”
He said he believes he “acted based on science and conscience”, adding: “I have the serenity of one who always carried out each step with the scientific technical committee” offering advice.
“I am not expecting to receive a notice of an opening of a judicial investigation. I have never feared one,” he added.
The epidemic has killed more than 34,000 people in Italy, one of the hardest-hit countries in the world, mostly in the northern regions.
Chief prosecutor Maria Cristina Rota and her team are investigating why a lockdown was not enforced earlier in the health emergency around the towns of Nembro and Alzano in the northern province of Bergamo. Experts have said many lives would have been saved has a quarantine been swiftly imposed.
Prosecutors have already met with senior officials in Lombardy, who say it was up to Rome to decide whether certain areas should be shut.
Conte has said regions had full discretion to close certain areas where the virus had begun to flare in late February and early March before he introduced a nationwide quarantine on 10 March.
In Taiwan, hundreds of anti-racism protesters gathered in central Taipei on Saturday, with a group of indigenous Taiwanese drawing attention to discrimination against the island’s original inhabitants.
The rally, attended by more than 500 people, mostly foreigners, was peaceful with only a very light police presence, Reuters reported. Savungaz Valincinan, an ethnic Bunun from central Taiwan, detailed the difficult past of indigenous Taiwanese, who make up less than 3% of the island’s population, and called for broad opposition to any form of discrimination.
Although indigenous Taiwanese “might not face as direct threats to our lives or fear like black Americans face in the US”, many in Taiwanese society discriminate against them. For example, by refusing to rent accommodation to indigenous people, said Savungaz, from the Indigenous Youth Front group.
Paris police have ordered the closure of restaurants and shops, which had recently reopened after the coronavirus lockdown in France because they are along the route of a march against police brutality and racism.
The march between the Place de la République in eastern Paris and the capital’s main opera house is expected to be the biggest of several demonstrations around France this weekend inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement in the US.
The Paris police chief ordered sidewalks along the march route to be cleared of anything that could be used against officers. Any gatherings of more than 10 people remain banned in France because of virus containment measures.
The Paris march was organisd by supporters of Adama Traoré– a French black man who died in police custody in 2016 in circumstances that remain unclear – with crowds expected to demand justice for him and all victims of police brutality.
Protests are also expected Saturday in Marseille, Lyon and other French cities, with the government under growing pressure to address long-running accusations of excessive violence by police, particularly against minorities.
Researchers have documented racial profiling by French police, and investigations were opened recently into racist comments in private Facebook and WhatsApp groups for police officers.
The interior minister promised this week to stamp out racism and announced a ban on police chokeholds during arrests, however police are now to start experimenting with expanding the use of stun guns.
The Dalai Lama has said his thoughts are with those suffering in the coronavirus pandemic as he implored humankind to develop “a sense of oneness”.
The leader of Tibetan Buddhism, 84, told the BBC that despite widespread fears over coronavirus, climate change, and other social and environmental issues, there has been much to inspire and celebrate.
The spiritual leader of Tibet said it was pointless for people to consider themselves too old and that while young people had fresh minds which could contribute to a better world – along with greater physical ability – they are “too much excited”.
He said that this sense of oneness could be one of the positive things to come out of the coronavirus crisis, which the world reacted to relatively quickly – as opposed to the climate crisis.
The Dalai Lama added that developing peace of mind was imperative and people across the world should place a greater focus on doing so, speaking ahead of the release of his first album Inner World, next month – a selection of teachings and mantras set to music.
Malaysia has reported 43 new coronavirus cases, raising the total to 8,445 infections.
The health ministry also reported one new death, taking total fatalities from the outbreak in the country to 120.
Elsewhere in Asia, Indonesia has reported 1,014 new cases and 43 new deaths.
Dozens of people have tested positive for coronavirus in Beijing as parts of the city are locked down and a district in the city put itself on a “wartime” footing after the emergence of a new cluster linked to a wholesale food market.
People were ordered to stay at home at 11 residential estates in south Beijing’s Fengtai district and the nearby Xinfadi market was closed as authorities raced to contain the outbreak (see 5.13am) that has raised fears of a resurgence in local transmission as hundreds of troops were deployed to the area.
A number of the new symptomatic cases were linked to the meat and vegetable market, China’s National Health Commission said, with another 45 asymptomatic cases detected after mass testing of at least 500 people at the market on Friday, according to officials who said those carrying the virus have been placed under medical observation.
Another worker tested positive at a farmers’ market in the city’s north-western district of Haidian. They were a close contact of one of the confirmed cases linked to Xinfadi, AFP reported.
Beijing’s first Covid-19 case in two months, announced on Thursday, had visited Xinfadi market last week and had no recent travel history outside the city.
China’s domestic outbreak had been brought largely under control through strict lockdowns. These measures had mostly been lifted as the infection rate dropped, and the majority of cases reported in recent months were citizens living abroad who were tested as they returned home during the pandemic.
The chairman of the Xinfadi market told state-run Beijing News that the virus was detected on chopping boards used to handle imported salmon, with city officials ordering safety inspections focusing on fresh and frozen meat, poultry and fish in supermarkets, warehouses and catering services.
Major supermarket chains including Wumart and Carrefour reportedly removed all stocks of salmon overnight in the capital, while some Beijing restaurants were not serving any salmon on Saturday.
Spain’s daily coronavirus death toll figures have been on hold for almost a week, causing uncertainty about the state of the epidemic that has claimed more than 27,000 lives in the country.
The health ministry’s emergencies coordinator Fernando Simon, who for months has given a daily briefing on the pandemic’s evolution, has acknowledged the “astonishment” and “confusion” generated by the figures.
On 25 May, the ministry changed its method of collecting data on confirmed cases and fatalities, initially giving a daily death toll of between 50 and 100, AFP reports.
But the figure then fell to fewer than five per day and on some days there were no deaths at all.
The prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, told parliament there had been “no deaths” for several days, prompting a backlash from rightwing opposition figures who have since accused him of hiding the real number of fatalities.
Experts have said the overall number of deaths had remained static as a result of discrepancies arising from alleged delays in submissions of regional data.
Since 7 June, the number of dead has remained at 27,136 while the regional authorities “review the information on deaths ... [until] they can give a precise death date which will give a clearer sequence,” according to Simon.
But some regions have insisted they have submitted all the required data. Andalusia’s health minister, Jesus Aguirre, recently criticised the central government’s “total lack of respect for the dead” in publishing lower figures than those said to have been submitted by the southern region.