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Coronavirus live news: US hits record daily case rise as Australia's testing blitz of clusters continues Coronavirus live news: India passes 500,000 cases as Australian state of Victoria reports biggest surge in local outbreak
(32 minutes later)
Brazil records nearly 47,000 new cases; EU set to ban travellers from US; Covid cases with unknown source rise in Melbourne. Follow the latestBrazil records nearly 47,000 new cases; EU set to ban travellers from US; Covid cases with unknown source rise in Melbourne. Follow the latest
India reported more than 17,000 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, pushing the country’s total above 500,000, federal health ministry data showed on Saturday, with infections surging in major cities including the capital New Delhi, Reuters reported.
India has the world’s fourth-biggest outbreak of the virus that causes Covid-19, below only the United States, Brazil and Russia in confirmed infections, according to a Reuters tally.
Infections are expected to continue rising steadily in India. Experts advising the federal government say the authorities should now prioritise reducing mortality over containing the spread of the virus.
“Our focus should be on preventing deaths and not really getting bogged down because of the numbers. Numbers are going to increase,” said Dr Manoj Murhekar, a member of India’s main coronavirus taskforce and director of the National Institute of Epidemiology.
The COV-IND-19 study group, led by Bhramar Mukherjee, a biostatistics professor from the University of Michigan, forecasts that India could see between 770,000 and 925,000 cases by 15 July.
As infections mount swiftly and hospitals become stretched, some cities such as New Delhi are scrambling to build temporary facilities with thousands of beds to quarantine and treat Covid-19 patients.
The city of around 20 million people only has around 13,200 beds for Covid-19 patients and will add at least 20,000 in coming weeks, with some facilities manned by army and paramilitary doctors.
Staff shortages are likely to be a concern as hospitals are swamped and more temporary facilities open, experts warn, although health authorities in some Indian cities are pushing for improved risk-based categorisation of patients.
“We have to ensure those who really require treatment aren’t denied services,” said Dr Giridhar R Babu, an epidemiologist at the Public Health Foundation of India, who is advising the southern state of Karnataka.
On the question of testing returning travellers, van Diemen also said the evidence showed that the community cases had not “for want of a better word leaked” out of hotel quarantine through people who had declined tests.
“We have not seen them,” she said. “We need to put our effort where we’re seeing cases, and where we’re seeing cases is in the suburbs where we’re doing the blitz, the hotspot suburbs, that’s really where the cases are.”
Van Diemen is also asked whether Victoria is experiencing a “second wave” of coronavirus. She avoided the phrase.
Van Diemen says more than 100 returning travellers have tested positive for Covid-19.
She says she’s unable to provide details about how many defence force staff will be coming to Victoria to help with testing. It’s not her remit, she says.
Van Diemen won’t go into the reasons why travellers returning to Victoria are declining to be tested. It is worth noting the level of refused tests is 2% in New South Wales.
Van Diemen says the state is “very concerned” about the rising number of cases.
She is pressed on whether testing of returned travellers should be mandatory. The state is under pressure over its testing rate of returned travellers – 30% have declined tests.
Van Diemen says:
Van Diemen says the uptake of testing is now higher than 70% of returned travellers accepting tests, but she does not have the exact figure.
Van Diemen says that an emergency text message will be sent to residents in two Melbourne suburbs – Broadmeadows and Keilor Downs – where there are a high number of cases.Van Diemen says that an emergency text message will be sent to residents in two Melbourne suburbs – Broadmeadows and Keilor Downs – where there are a high number of cases.
The Victorian deputy chief health officer, Dr Annaliese van Diemen, is providing an update of the situation in the Australian state. The deputy chief health officer of Victoria, Dr Annaliese van Diemen, is providing an update of the situation in the Australian state.
Van Diemen says the state has recorded 41 new cases in the past 24 hours. That is an increase from the 30 recorded yesterday.Van Diemen says the state has recorded 41 new cases in the past 24 hours. That is an increase from the 30 recorded yesterday.
Nineteen of the 41 new cases are still under investigation.
Peru, which has the sixth largest number of Covid cases in the world, surpassed 270,000 infections on Friday.Peru, which has the sixth largest number of Covid cases in the world, surpassed 270,000 infections on Friday.
That bleak milestone came after it recorded 3,762 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the Spanish newswire Europa Press.That bleak milestone came after it recorded 3,762 new infections in the past 24 hours, according to the Spanish newswire Europa Press.
According to John Hopkins University, Peru has recorded 272,364 cases. About 9,000 people have died.According to John Hopkins University, Peru has recorded 272,364 cases. About 9,000 people have died.
Ecuador, meanwhile, recorded about 700 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total to 53,856.Ecuador, meanwhile, recorded about 700 new cases in the past 24 hours, taking its total to 53,856.
China recorded 21 newly diagnosed cases of coronavirus on Friday, authorities said.China recorded 21 newly diagnosed cases of coronavirus on Friday, authorities said.
There were four imported cases – two cases in Guangdong, one in Shanghai and one in Gansu – while all 17 local infections were in Beijing.There were four imported cases – two cases in Guangdong, one in Shanghai and one in Gansu – while all 17 local infections were in Beijing.
There were no deaths recorded, said China’s National Health Commission.There were no deaths recorded, said China’s National Health Commission.
The Australia state of Queensland is considering opening up the state faster than initially planned, but community transmission its premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said the spread coronavirus remained a concern. The Australia state of Queensland is considering opening up the state faster than initially planned, but its premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, said the spread of coronavirus in Victoria remained a concern.
Palaszczuk confirmed an announcement about the opening of the Queensland border would be made on Tuesday after consideration of advice from the state’s chief health officer.Palaszczuk confirmed an announcement about the opening of the Queensland border would be made on Tuesday after consideration of advice from the state’s chief health officer.
While consideration is being given to opening up Queensland faster, the spike in Covid-19 cases in Victoria is the “number one area of concern”, she told reporters on Saturday.While consideration is being given to opening up Queensland faster, the spike in Covid-19 cases in Victoria is the “number one area of concern”, she told reporters on Saturday.
“We don’t want a second wave and we don’t want that community transmission here,” Palaszczuk said.“We don’t want a second wave and we don’t want that community transmission here,” Palaszczuk said.
Her comments come amid criticism from the federal government, which wants the state to open its border as soon as possible.Her comments come amid criticism from the federal government, which wants the state to open its border as soon as possible.
The novel coronavirus, now spreading through the smaller towns of Brazil’s interior, risks returning to major cities in a so-called “boomerang effect”, as a lack of specialised medical treatment forces patients into larger urban centres.The novel coronavirus, now spreading through the smaller towns of Brazil’s interior, risks returning to major cities in a so-called “boomerang effect”, as a lack of specialised medical treatment forces patients into larger urban centres.
Reuters reports that the impact of a potential second wave of new cases in urban centres could complicate attempts to reopen businesses and get the economy going again, experts said.Reuters reports that the impact of a potential second wave of new cases in urban centres could complicate attempts to reopen businesses and get the economy going again, experts said.
“The boomerang of cases that will return to the (state) capitals will be a tsunami,” said Miguel Nicolelis, a leading medical neuroscientist at Duke University who is coordinating a coronavirus task force advising the state governments of Brazil’s north-east.“The boomerang of cases that will return to the (state) capitals will be a tsunami,” said Miguel Nicolelis, a leading medical neuroscientist at Duke University who is coordinating a coronavirus task force advising the state governments of Brazil’s north-east.
Brazil, home to the world’s second worst coronavirus outbreak behind the United States, has more than 1.2 million cases of the virus, which has killed nearly 55,000 people. On most days, it is spreading faster in Brazil than in the United States, the top country by cases.Brazil, home to the world’s second worst coronavirus outbreak behind the United States, has more than 1.2 million cases of the virus, which has killed nearly 55,000 people. On most days, it is spreading faster in Brazil than in the United States, the top country by cases.
The virus initially came to Brazil through airports and spread mostly in its largest cities, but since late May it has been spreading faster in the interior of the country.The virus initially came to Brazil through airports and spread mostly in its largest cities, but since late May it has been spreading faster in the interior of the country.
Last week, 60% of new cases were registered in smaller cities, according to health ministry data. Deaths are also rising outside of the major cities, and now account for about half of all daily deaths in Brazil.Last week, 60% of new cases were registered in smaller cities, according to health ministry data. Deaths are also rising outside of the major cities, and now account for about half of all daily deaths in Brazil.
Luke Henriques-Gomes here, taking over again from Graham Readfearn. We expect within the hour an update on the situation in Victoria, where there is a concerning increase in Covid-19 cases.Luke Henriques-Gomes here, taking over again from Graham Readfearn. We expect within the hour an update on the situation in Victoria, where there is a concerning increase in Covid-19 cases.
The Victorian state government in Australia is getting legal advice to see if it can force travellers returning from overseas to have a coronavirus test.The Victorian state government in Australia is getting legal advice to see if it can force travellers returning from overseas to have a coronavirus test.
The state’s capital, Melbourne, is currently dealing with an outbreak across several clusters and is on day two of a 10-day testing blitz across several suburbs.The state’s capital, Melbourne, is currently dealing with an outbreak across several clusters and is on day two of a 10-day testing blitz across several suburbs.
AAP reports the state government has confirmed it is seeking legal advice for those travellers returning from overseas and entering the state’s hotel quarantine scheme.AAP reports the state government has confirmed it is seeking legal advice for those travellers returning from overseas and entering the state’s hotel quarantine scheme.
Victoria’s hotel quarantine program tests travellers on arrival and the 11th day, the government said. On Friday the state’s deputy chief health officer, Annaliese van Diemen, revealed about 30% of travellers refuse to be tested during their 14-day quarantine.Victoria’s hotel quarantine program tests travellers on arrival and the 11th day, the government said. On Friday the state’s deputy chief health officer, Annaliese van Diemen, revealed about 30% of travellers refuse to be tested during their 14-day quarantine.
Over the border in New South Wales, returned international travellers who refuse to have the test on day 10 must stay an extra 10 days in quarantine.Over the border in New South Wales, returned international travellers who refuse to have the test on day 10 must stay an extra 10 days in quarantine.
A Victoria government spokesperson said:A Victoria government spokesperson said:
Australia’s chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, has said people in hotel quarantine need to be tested at the start and end of their stint, and states had powers to make it happen.Australia’s chief medical officer, Brendan Murphy, has said people in hotel quarantine need to be tested at the start and end of their stint, and states had powers to make it happen.
On Friday Victoria recorded 30 new cases of coronavirus with a 10th day of new cases in double digits – the highest levels of new cases in the country.On Friday Victoria recorded 30 new cases of coronavirus with a 10th day of new cases in double digits – the highest levels of new cases in the country.
Of the state’s 1,947 total cases, 183 are active including six people in hospital. More than 1,700 people have recovered from the virus in Victoria while 20 have died.Of the state’s 1,947 total cases, 183 are active including six people in hospital. More than 1,700 people have recovered from the virus in Victoria while 20 have died.
Australia’s treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, has told reporters the country’s banks have offered assurances they won’t abandon customers currently relying on government support.Australia’s treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, has told reporters the country’s banks have offered assurances they won’t abandon customers currently relying on government support.
AAP reports the prime minister, Scott Morrison, and Frydenberg met with the banks on Friday as concerns grow about the impact of the withdrawal of a suite of support mechanisms that are due to end in September.AAP reports the prime minister, Scott Morrison, and Frydenberg met with the banks on Friday as concerns grow about the impact of the withdrawal of a suite of support mechanisms that are due to end in September.
Wage subsidies, extra unemployment benefits and deferrals of mortgage repayments have been supporting people who have lost work due to the coronavirus.Wage subsidies, extra unemployment benefits and deferrals of mortgage repayments have been supporting people who have lost work due to the coronavirus.
Frydenberg said banks were working with regulators to make sure people who could not restart payments got extra support. Some 20% of bank customers had restarted loan payments. He said:Frydenberg said banks were working with regulators to make sure people who could not restart payments got extra support. Some 20% of bank customers had restarted loan payments. He said:
My colleague Graham Readfearn is going to take over for the next short while.My colleague Graham Readfearn is going to take over for the next short while.
The Argentine government said on Friday night it would reintroduce strict quarantine measures in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.The Argentine government said on Friday night it would reintroduce strict quarantine measures in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
The measures would last 17 days and begin 1 July, said the president, Alberto Fernández.The measures would last 17 days and begin 1 July, said the president, Alberto Fernández.
Fernández said the government would ask its citizens to isolate at home and only go out to buy essential items, Spanish-language media reported.Fernández said the government would ask its citizens to isolate at home and only go out to buy essential items, Spanish-language media reported.
Argentina reported a record a daily record of 2,886 infections and 34 deaths.Argentina reported a record a daily record of 2,886 infections and 34 deaths.