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/13/coronavirus-live-news-fauci-warns-against-trump-rallies-health-fears-in-australia-over-blm-protests

The article has changed 45 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 37 Version 38
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)
Anthony Fauci calls Trump rallies a danger to health; Australia’s chief medical officers warns against BLM ralliesAnthony Fauci calls Trump rallies a danger to health; Australia’s chief medical officers warns against BLM rallies
Travellers from some countries are to be allowed to enter Denmark again from Monday, as the country gradually lifts its coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
Travellers from Germany, Iceland and Norway are to be permitted to enter Denmark as long as they have booked accommodation for at least six nights, DPA reports.
The Danish police are expecting large numbers, with Germans alone expected to head for some 14,000 holiday homes they have booked in advance.
Denmark’s police advised travellers to expect delays and to follow traffic updates, and to avoid travelling at the busiest times of day, where possible.
The police said they would provide ongoing updates about the traffic situation in Danish, English and German, through Twitter and other channels.
Denmark reopened its border crossing to Germany near the southern town of Padborg on Saturday.
Denmark had closed all but three of its 13 border crossings on 14 March. 597 people are confirmed to have died in the country from Covid-19 so far.
As my colleague Helena Smith reported earlier, Greek’s holiday resorts are readying themselves for the beginning of the country’s tourist season.
Vasilis Theodorou, the owner of Pelican, a new restaurant on the Greek island of Mykonos, expects a slow slummer but says he’s in a hurry to get back to business, the Associated Press reports.
And so is the rest of the country. Heavily reliant on tourism, the country is officially reopening to foreigners on Monday after closing its borders to most during the coronavirus pandemic.
Its hopes are pinned on popular tourist destinations such as Mykonos and the islands of Rhodes, Corfu, Crete and Santorini, where regular ferry service already resumed and direct international flights are set to restart on 1 July.
Mykonos would normally be packed in early June, but it’s beaches were empty.
“Tourism might be down by as much as 80 per cent this year, so we’re waiting for the 20 per cent, and we’re happy,” Theodorou said.
“No matter how much we wish for it and want it, it won’t be more than that,” he said. “We expect that tourists from central Europe will come first, and hopefully Americans at a later stage. They are our best customers.”
Prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis acknowledged Saturday that Greece is prepared for a huge drop from the 33 million tourists who came to visit last year.
France reported 24 new coronavirus deaths over the 24 hours to Saturday, taking the total to 29,398 and marking the fourth day with under 30 fatalities.France reported 24 new coronavirus deaths over the 24 hours to Saturday, taking the total to 29,398 and marking the fourth day with under 30 fatalities.
The government also reported the number of people in hospital fell by 215 to 10,909 and those in intensive care units fell by eight to 871, with both tallies continuing weeks-long downtrends, according to Reuters.The government also reported the number of people in hospital fell by 215 to 10,909 and those in intensive care units fell by eight to 871, with both tallies continuing weeks-long downtrends, according to Reuters.
Egypt confirmed 1,677 new coronavirus cases and 62 deaths on Saturday, the health ministry said, the highest daily increase for both counts.Egypt confirmed 1,677 new coronavirus cases and 62 deaths on Saturday, the health ministry said, the highest daily increase for both counts.
In total, the Arab world’s most populous country has registered 42,980 cases including 1,484 deaths, the ministry said in a statement.In total, the Arab world’s most populous country has registered 42,980 cases including 1,484 deaths, the ministry said in a statement.
Covid-19 has killed at least 427,495 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Saturday.Covid-19 has killed at least 427,495 people since the outbreak emerged in China last December, according to a tally from official sources compiled by AFP on Saturday.
At least 7,711,490 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 3,458,300 are now considered recovered with 4,523 deaths and 136,525 cases logged over the past 24 hours.At least 7,711,490 cases of coronavirus have been registered in 196 countries and territories. Of these, at least 3,458,300 are now considered recovered with 4,523 deaths and 136,525 cases logged over the past 24 hours.
The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections.The tallies, using data collected by AFP from national authorities and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), probably reflect only a fraction of the actual number of infections.
In the absence of help from Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro, cartels in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro have gone from pushing drugs to distributing medical supplies.In the absence of help from Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro, cartels in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro have gone from pushing drugs to distributing medical supplies.
Gangs now also enforce curfews, social distancing and organise food handouts for the neediest, CNN reports.Gangs now also enforce curfews, social distancing and organise food handouts for the neediest, CNN reports.
Lebanese protesters took to the streets in Beirut and other cities on Saturday in mostly peaceful protests against the government, calling for its resignation as the small country sinks deeper into economic distress.Lebanese protesters took to the streets in Beirut and other cities on Saturday in mostly peaceful protests against the government, calling for its resignation as the small country sinks deeper into economic distress.
The protests come after two days of rallies spurred by a dramatic collapse of the local currency against the dollar. Those rallies degenerated into violence, including attacks on private banks and shops, the Associated Press reports.The protests come after two days of rallies spurred by a dramatic collapse of the local currency against the dollar. Those rallies degenerated into violence, including attacks on private banks and shops, the Associated Press reports.
The local currency, pegged to the dollar for nearly 30 years, has been on a downward trajectory for weeks, losing over 60 per cent of its value. But the dramatic collapse this week deepened public despair over the already troubled economy, a crisis that was further compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.The local currency, pegged to the dollar for nearly 30 years, has been on a downward trajectory for weeks, losing over 60 per cent of its value. But the dramatic collapse this week deepened public despair over the already troubled economy, a crisis that was further compounded by the coronavirus pandemic.
The government was faced with handling the coronavirus pandemic soon after prime minister Hassan Diab took office earlier this year, and implemented a lockdown lasting months.The government was faced with handling the coronavirus pandemic soon after prime minister Hassan Diab took office earlier this year, and implemented a lockdown lasting months.
Diab’s government is supported by the powerful militant group Hezbollah and its allies, but has already been weakened by the economic crisis.Diab’s government is supported by the powerful militant group Hezbollah and its allies, but has already been weakened by the economic crisis.
In a speech Saturday, Diab urged the public to be patient, saying there were a great many political hurdles, including from rivals he said sought to undermine his government.In a speech Saturday, Diab urged the public to be patient, saying there were a great many political hurdles, including from rivals he said sought to undermine his government.
Diab offered no solutions to the crisis, nor did he name his opponents, but said his government was working to fight corruption and uphold the power of the state.Diab offered no solutions to the crisis, nor did he name his opponents, but said his government was working to fight corruption and uphold the power of the state.
Confirmed coronavirus cases in the US have increased by 22,317 to 2,038,344 since Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday.Confirmed coronavirus cases in the US have increased by 22,317 to 2,038,344 since Friday, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Saturday.
The CDC said that the number of deaths had risen by 711 to 114,625.The CDC said that the number of deaths had risen by 711 to 114,625.
Israel has noted a spike in coronavirus cases as schools, businesses, restaurants, bars, tourist attractions and other establishments reopen, the Haaretz newspaper reports.Israel has noted a spike in coronavirus cases as schools, businesses, restaurants, bars, tourist attractions and other establishments reopen, the Haaretz newspaper reports.
177 schools and educational institutions throughout the country have closed after 493 students and teachers tested positive, and 25,821 people within the Israeli education system are currently in preventative quarantine.177 schools and educational institutions throughout the country have closed after 493 students and teachers tested positive, and 25,821 people within the Israeli education system are currently in preventative quarantine.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tested negative for coronavirus after three of his security personnel tested positive, and an employee at president Reuven Rivlin’s residence also tested positive on Saturday.Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tested negative for coronavirus after three of his security personnel tested positive, and an employee at president Reuven Rivlin’s residence also tested positive on Saturday.
18,972 infections have so far been recorded in the country, rising by 177 since Friday. 300 people have died.18,972 infections have so far been recorded in the country, rising by 177 since Friday. 300 people have died.
In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, 597 people tested positive and two people have died. In the Gaza Strip, 72 people were diagnosed and one person has died.In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, 597 people tested positive and two people have died. In the Gaza Strip, 72 people were diagnosed and one person has died.
The number of new coronavirus cases in Turkey rose to 1,459 in the last 24 hours from 1,195 a day earlier, health ministry data showed on Saturday.The number of new coronavirus cases in Turkey rose to 1,459 in the last 24 hours from 1,195 a day earlier, health ministry data showed on Saturday.
Infections have been increasing since travel restrictions were lifted and facilities reopened at the beginning of the month, according to Reuters.Infections have been increasing since travel restrictions were lifted and facilities reopened at the beginning of the month, according to Reuters.
In the last 24 hours, 14 people died, bringing total fatalities to 4,792.In the last 24 hours, 14 people died, bringing total fatalities to 4,792.
The overall tally of detected Covid-19 cases in Turkey now stands at 176,677.The overall tally of detected Covid-19 cases in Turkey now stands at 176,677.
Thousands of demonstrators marched in cities and towns across Switzerland on Saturday to denounce racism and police brutality in the wake of the death of George Floyd in the United States.
Despite rules banning gatherings of more than 300 people to prevent the spread of Covid-19, several cities saw huge crowds come out to join a growing global movement denouncing racism and disproportionate police violence against black and brown people, AFP reports.
In the biggest demonstration, more than 10,000 people, most of them dressed in black, protested in Switzerland’s largest city Zurich, according to police.
Police said the Zurich demonstration was largely peaceful, but that it had been marred in the late afternoon by a few hundred people headed by known members of the radical leftwing autonomous scene who threw rocks, bottles and other objects at police.
One officer was injured and a number of people arrested, Zurich police said.
Three activists of Algeria’s Hirak protest movement were ordered to be held in pre-trial detention for offences including “endangering the lives of others during the [coronavirus] confinement period”, a prisoners’ defence group said on Saturday.
The Hirak movement led peaceful protests in 2019 after Abdelaziz Bouteflika announced his candidacy for a fifth presidential term, calling for Bouteflika’s immediate resignation.
The National Committee for the Release of Detainees (CNLD) said that Merzoug Touati, Yanis Adjila and Amar Beri appeared in court in the northeastern town of Bejaia.
The three formed part of a group of around 20 people arrested on Friday for trying to hold a protest in support of the release of other Hirak activists. The rest were detained only briefly and released, Agence France-Presse reports.
They are to go on trial 17 June for incitement, “publication that could damage the national interest” and b“endangering the lives of others during the confinement period”, CNLD spokesman Kaci Tansaout said.
He said Beri also faced charges of “damaging the person of the president of the republic”, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
Weekly anti-government protests rocked Algeria for more than a year and only came to a halt in March because of the coronavirus outbreak, with the authorities banning marches.
According to the CNLD, some 60 people are currently detained on charges linked to the protest movement, most of them over posts on Facebook.
Airlines are slowly trying to return to business after the pandemic grounded entire fleets of planes around the globe for months and put their very existence in doubt.
My colleague Gwyn Topham reports.
Chile’s president Sebastian Piñera has replaced the country’s health minister Jaime Manalich, the La Tercera newspaper reports.
After just one year in office, his departure comes amid criticism of the health ministry’ reaction to the pandemic, mainly in two areas: the delay in taking preventive measures, such as quarantines, and a controversy over the number of total deaths due to Covid-19.
Piñera thanked Manalich for his “noble service”, and replaced him with Oscar Enrique Paris, a former president of the national medical college and reportedly a supporter of abortions.
Chile has so far 167,355 confirmed coronavirus infections, the highest number of confirmed cases per million people in Latin America, and 3,101 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center.
In late May, Piñera had warned that the country’s healthcare system was “very close” to collapsing, following a rapid rise in infections over a short period of time that brought the country’s total infections close to 70,000. At the time, Chile had recorded 718 deaths from Covid-19.
Coronavirus studies carried out in haste can lead to errors among researchers that can have fatal consequences, a leading scientist has said.
Jonathan Kimmelman, the director at the Biomedical Ethics Unit at McGill University in Montreal, told the Die Zeit newspaper that faulty or incomplete studies on effective treatments for Covid-19 led to patients being given medication “that is ineffective at best and dangerous at worst”, as in the case of the malaria drug hydroxychloroquine.
“We know that the drug can have dangerous side effects, but that it actually helps patients has not been proven. A few rushed publications claimed that giving it was helpful, while others claimed that it increased the risk of death, neither of which has yet been confirmed,” Kimmelman said.
“There have always been medical studies with significant weaknesses. The force with which the corona crisis hit us, of course, creates the need for rapid growth in knowledge of Sars-CoV-2. The corresponding studies are therefore usually published in a great hurry. It is no wonder that they often have deficits in design, implementation and evaluation because time, money, employees and the number of subjects are limited. Researchers should work particularly carefully right now.”
The president of Iran, Hassan Rouhani, reproached citizens on Saturday for their reduced adherence to health measures designed to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“The respect of measures by our dear people has been great” and 80% or people had played by the rules between 20 April and 20 May, Agence France-Presse reported him as saying in a televised speech.
He said it was disturbing, however, to see that the proportion “has greatly diminished... with only 18 to 20 percent of people respecting” the rules since.
The health ministry on Saturday announced 71 new deaths from the disease over the last 24 hours and 2,410 new infections.
Rouhani also expressed concerns about measures at the holy shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, the capital of Khorasan Razavi province and a main pilgrimage site in the country.
“Officials must make greater efforts - reports on mask wearing, social distancing and collective prayer are not satisfactory,” Rouhani said.
Since announcing its first cases in the Shia holy city of Qom in February, Iran has struggled to contain what quickly became the Middle East’s deadliest outbreak of Covid-19.
Official figures show that 8,730 people in the country have of the disease and 184,955 have been confirmed as infected.
There has been scepticism at home and abroad about Iran’s official figures, with concern the real toll could be much higher.
Italy’s official coronavirus death toll rose by 78 to 34,301 on Saturday, according to officials.
The total number of confirmed infections in the country climbed by 346 to 236,651.
Operators of nightspots in Japan will have to keep a record of their customers’ names and contact information and ensure physical distancing rules as part of measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus, according to government guidelines released on Saturday, the Kyodo News agency reports.
Twenty-four new cases of Covid-19 were reported in Tokyo on Saturday, with four cases from nightspots in the Shinjuku entertainment district bringing the total for the capital to 5,497.
Other measures in the guidelines included maintaining a distance of at least one metre and the use of face masks or shields.
High-fives with the audience are to be avoided in live music venues, and nightclubs are urged to adjust the volume of music to lower levels to prevent customers from talking loudly and emitting droplets during face-to-face socialising.
The mayors of two neighbouring cities in Poland and Germany hugged and celebrated with champagne on Saturday as Poland opened its border for the first time in three months.
René Wilke, the mayor of Frankfurt on the Oder river, and Mariusz Olejniczak, the mayor of Słubice, shook hands and embraced as a border fence was opened.
When the border was closed in mid-March, commuters were initially unable to go to work, but some later qualified for a special permit to cross the border.
Poland’s border with Lithuania was opened on Friday, Euronews reports.
The European commission has recommended all of the bloc’s internal borders should reopen by Monday.
Hello, I’m taking over from my colleague Mattha Busby. If you have any relevant updates to flag, please feel free to either email me or message me on Twitter @JedySays.