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Coronavirus live news: US reports 50,000 new cases as WHO warns on Middle East Coronavirus live news: Russia cases pass 660,000; US reports 50,000 new cases
(32 minutes later)
Worst-hit nation records another new daily record of infections; Middle East at ‘critical threshold’ says health body; NZ health minister David Clark resigns. Follow all the latest updatesWorst-hit nation records another new daily record of infections; Middle East at ‘critical threshold’ says health body; NZ health minister David Clark resigns. Follow all the latest updates
Until recently, the majority of coronavirus cases that Dr Quinn Snyder, an emergency doctor at one of Arizona’s largest emergency departments, saw were older people. But since mid-May, when the state’s stay-at-home order was lifted, and particularly after the Memorial Day holiday, the demographic has shifted.
Snyder says he has seen an “explosion” in cases among 20-44 year-olds.
Some of those, he said, are coming in severely ill – requiring oxygen, intubation and ventilators. “We even had people in that age group die, unfortunately. So it’s very troubling and it’s very difficult to watch young people die from this disease. It’s horrible.”
As cases continue to soar at record levels across the US, which now has over 2.6m cases, there is growing alarm about a surge in younger people getting the virus. On Friday, vice-president Mike Pence said half of new cases in the US in recent weeks were adults under 35.
Speaking ahead of the July 4 holiday weekend, health experts in hotspot states – which include Arizona, Texas and Florida – warned numbers will continue to rise and that if young people do not take better precautions, hospitals will reach capacity and states could be left with no choice but to completely shut down.
Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, has warned that the US risks a greater outbreak of coronavirus after it failed to lock down as effectively as countries in Europe.Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious disease expert, has warned that the US risks a greater outbreak of coronavirus after it failed to lock down as effectively as countries in Europe.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme:
The British government will abandon its air bridge plans and simply end the coronavirus quarantine rules for those arriving from 75 countries so that people can go on holiday, The Daily Telegraph reported.The British government will abandon its air bridge plans and simply end the coronavirus quarantine rules for those arriving from 75 countries so that people can go on holiday, The Daily Telegraph reported.
The newspaper said the UK would shortly lift a ban on non-essential travel to nearly all EU destinations, the British territories including Bermuda and Gibraltar, and Turkey, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.The newspaper said the UK would shortly lift a ban on non-essential travel to nearly all EU destinations, the British territories including Bermuda and Gibraltar, and Turkey, Thailand, Australia and New Zealand.
A spokesman for the transport ministry declined immediate comment.A spokesman for the transport ministry declined immediate comment.
Prime minister Boris Johnson’s government has been grappling with how to open up international travel after it imposed a 2-week quarantine for arrivals, which has has severely impacted tourism and travel industry.Prime minister Boris Johnson’s government has been grappling with how to open up international travel after it imposed a 2-week quarantine for arrivals, which has has severely impacted tourism and travel industry.
Russia on Thursday reported 6,760 new cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide tally to 661,165, Reuters reports.Russia on Thursday reported 6,760 new cases of the novel coronavirus, pushing its nationwide tally to 661,165, Reuters reports.
The authorities said 147 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 9,683.The authorities said 147 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 9,683.
The number of confirmed deaths from Covid-19 has exceeded 800 in Afghanistan after 33 new deaths reported on Thursday as the United Nations urged warring sides to redouble efforts to protect civilians amid escalating violence. The Health ministry has detected 186 new Covid-19 infections from 519 tests, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 32,022. There have been 16,041 recoveries. The war-torn country, which has admitted it lacks testing capacity, has tested 73,515 suspected patients since the outbreak began. The death toll stands at 807.Kabul, the country’s worst affected city, recorded 23 new deaths and 61 cases. The capital has so far recorded 13,131 confirmed cases and 218 deaths.Testing capacity remains low in Afghanistan and experts warn that the actual number of infections is much higher. Health ministry spokesman, Akmal Samsour, has said: “only patients with severe symptoms go to medical centres, so the actual number may be something between 150,000 and 1.5 million.”Meanwhile, Ahmad Jawad Osmani, the country’s acting health minister, asked the warring sides on Wednesday to not target medical centres after violence intensified in recent days.The number of confirmed deaths from Covid-19 has exceeded 800 in Afghanistan after 33 new deaths reported on Thursday as the United Nations urged warring sides to redouble efforts to protect civilians amid escalating violence. The Health ministry has detected 186 new Covid-19 infections from 519 tests, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 32,022. There have been 16,041 recoveries. The war-torn country, which has admitted it lacks testing capacity, has tested 73,515 suspected patients since the outbreak began. The death toll stands at 807.Kabul, the country’s worst affected city, recorded 23 new deaths and 61 cases. The capital has so far recorded 13,131 confirmed cases and 218 deaths.Testing capacity remains low in Afghanistan and experts warn that the actual number of infections is much higher. Health ministry spokesman, Akmal Samsour, has said: “only patients with severe symptoms go to medical centres, so the actual number may be something between 150,000 and 1.5 million.”Meanwhile, Ahmad Jawad Osmani, the country’s acting health minister, asked the warring sides on Wednesday to not target medical centres after violence intensified in recent days.
Osmani said:Osmani said:
According to the health ministry 1,400 health workers have so far been infected to Covid-19 and 15 lost their lives from the virus. Osmani said that after traveling to provinces he found out that Kandahar, Zabul and Helmand were facing serious challenges in their fight against Covid-19.According to the health ministry 1,400 health workers have so far been infected to Covid-19 and 15 lost their lives from the virus. Osmani said that after traveling to provinces he found out that Kandahar, Zabul and Helmand were facing serious challenges in their fight against Covid-19.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan urged parties to redouble efforts at protecting civilians from harm and de-escalating the conflict in order to save lives. The UN said it is particularly concerned by a recent spate of violent incidents in which members of Afghanistan’s civil society have been targeted.The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan urged parties to redouble efforts at protecting civilians from harm and de-escalating the conflict in order to save lives. The UN said it is particularly concerned by a recent spate of violent incidents in which members of Afghanistan’s civil society have been targeted.
According to the report which was published on Thursday, in the first six months of 2020, preliminary figures indicate more than 800 civilians were killed and injured in deliberate attacks against civilians. The UN “attributed responsibility for approximately half of these civilian casualties to the Taliban.”According to the report which was published on Thursday, in the first six months of 2020, preliminary figures indicate more than 800 civilians were killed and injured in deliberate attacks against civilians. The UN “attributed responsibility for approximately half of these civilian casualties to the Taliban.”
Kazakhstan will implement a second, softer lockdown for two weeks from July 5 to help combat a surge in coronavirus cases, the government said on Thursday.Kazakhstan will implement a second, softer lockdown for two weeks from July 5 to help combat a surge in coronavirus cases, the government said on Thursday.
Reuters reports authorities will close some non-essential businesses, limit travel between provinces, cut public transit services’ hours of operation and ban public gatherings. The measures may be tightened or extended later, the cabinet said in a statement.Reuters reports authorities will close some non-essential businesses, limit travel between provinces, cut public transit services’ hours of operation and ban public gatherings. The measures may be tightened or extended later, the cabinet said in a statement.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered new curbs after coronavirus cases in the Central Asian country rose more than sevenfold following the lifting of its first, more restrictive lockdown in mid-May.President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ordered new curbs after coronavirus cases in the Central Asian country rose more than sevenfold following the lifting of its first, more restrictive lockdown in mid-May.
This time, the country of 19 million people will maintain air and railroad links between its provinces and air links with a limited number of countries.This time, the country of 19 million people will maintain air and railroad links between its provinces and air links with a limited number of countries.
Hello, I’m Aamna Mohdin helming the liveblog for the next few hours. If you want to contact me, you can email me (aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com) or Tweet me (@aamnamohdin).Hello, I’m Aamna Mohdin helming the liveblog for the next few hours. If you want to contact me, you can email me (aamna.mohdin@theguardian.com) or Tweet me (@aamnamohdin).
Covid-19 cases have passed 10.6 million across the globe. There are now 10,694,288 cases of coronavirus worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins university tracker, with at least 516,210 deaths.Covid-19 cases have passed 10.6 million across the globe. There are now 10,694,288 cases of coronavirus worldwide, according to the Johns Hopkins university tracker, with at least 516,210 deaths.
Donald Trump has said he believes the coronavirus will “just disappear”, one day after the US recorded more than 44,000 new cases, a new all-time daily high.Donald Trump has said he believes the coronavirus will “just disappear”, one day after the US recorded more than 44,000 new cases, a new all-time daily high.
India has now recorded more than 600,000 coronavirus infections, and 17,834 deaths. The country has the fourth largest outbreak in the world, and the increase in infections presents a severe challenge for its overburdened health system.India has now recorded more than 600,000 coronavirus infections, and 17,834 deaths. The country has the fourth largest outbreak in the world, and the increase in infections presents a severe challenge for its overburdened health system.
Tokyo confirmed more than 100 new coronavirus infection cases on Thursday. The city had initially sought to keep new daily cases below 20, following the lifting of the state of emergency on May 25, but its tally has consistently exceeded 50.Tokyo confirmed more than 100 new coronavirus infection cases on Thursday. The city had initially sought to keep new daily cases below 20, following the lifting of the state of emergency on May 25, but its tally has consistently exceeded 50.
The World Health Organisation has warned the Middle East is at a “critical threshold” with more than a million cases recorded across 22 countries.The World Health Organisation has warned the Middle East is at a “critical threshold” with more than a million cases recorded across 22 countries.
West Bank has gone into lockdown as virus numbers soar. The Palestinian Authority has announced a five-day lockdown across the West Bank after the total confirmed coronavirus infections in the territory more than doubled following the easing of previous restrictions.West Bank has gone into lockdown as virus numbers soar. The Palestinian Authority has announced a five-day lockdown across the West Bank after the total confirmed coronavirus infections in the territory more than doubled following the easing of previous restrictions.
NZ’s health minister, David Clark, has resigned, after a series of political missteps, and repeated breaches of his own government’s lockdown rules.NZ’s health minister, David Clark, has resigned, after a series of political missteps, and repeated breaches of his own government’s lockdown rules.
Brazil death toll has passed 60,000. On Wednesday afternoon a coalition of Brazilian news outlets announced that the country’s total death toll had risen by 538 to 60,194, meaning it had doubled in the last month.Brazil death toll has passed 60,000. On Wednesday afternoon a coalition of Brazilian news outlets announced that the country’s total death toll had risen by 538 to 60,194, meaning it had doubled in the last month.
That’s all from me, I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Aamna Mohdin.That’s all from me, I’m now handing over to my colleague in London, Aamna Mohdin.
Globally, 10,694,288 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, and 516,210 deaths recorded according to Johns Hopkins University.Globally, 10,694,288 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, and 516,210 deaths recorded according to Johns Hopkins University.
The US has the biggest outbreak, with 2,686,480 confirmed cases, followed by Brazil (1,448,753), Russia (653,479), India (604,641) and the UK (314,992).The US has the biggest outbreak, with 2,686,480 confirmed cases, followed by Brazil (1,448,753), Russia (653,479), India (604,641) and the UK (314,992).
Justice Coate, one of Victoria’s most experienced judicial officers, will lead an inquiry into the state’s disastrous hotel quarantine program, Australian Associated Press reports.Justice Coate, one of Victoria’s most experienced judicial officers, will lead an inquiry into the state’s disastrous hotel quarantine program, Australian Associated Press reports.
The program is now on hold for a fortnight, following allegations of under-trained staff, inadequate personal protective equipment, billing rorts by private security contractors and even claims that some hotel guards slept with guests.The program is now on hold for a fortnight, following allegations of under-trained staff, inadequate personal protective equipment, billing rorts by private security contractors and even claims that some hotel guards slept with guests.
The probe follows the tracing of a big proportion of recent coronavirus cases in Victoria to breaches in hotels hosting returned travellers.The probe follows the tracing of a big proportion of recent coronavirus cases in Victoria to breaches in hotels hosting returned travellers.
“It is abundantly clear that what has gone on here is completely unacceptable and we need to know exactly what has happened,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.“It is abundantly clear that what has gone on here is completely unacceptable and we need to know exactly what has happened,” Premier Daniel Andrews said.
Justice Coate will look into allegations that infection control protocols were breached at the quarantine hotels.Justice Coate will look into allegations that infection control protocols were breached at the quarantine hotels.
Police in Melbourne have warned that little leniency will be shown to people found flouting lockdown rules in hot spot areas, Australian Associated Press reports.Police in Melbourne have warned that little leniency will be shown to people found flouting lockdown rules in hot spot areas, Australian Associated Press reports.
“You’d have to have been on Mars not to understand that the Chief Health Officer restrictions apply in these 36 suburbs, and that you’re expected to adhere to them,” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Thursday.“You’d have to have been on Mars not to understand that the Chief Health Officer restrictions apply in these 36 suburbs, and that you’re expected to adhere to them,” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said on Thursday.
More than 300,000 people entered a second lockdown in Melbourne’s inner north and west from Thursday after a spike in coronavirus cases. Police will target certain roads and backstreets in the areas, and public places with large volumes of foot traffic.More than 300,000 people entered a second lockdown in Melbourne’s inner north and west from Thursday after a spike in coronavirus cases. Police will target certain roads and backstreets in the areas, and public places with large volumes of foot traffic.
Booze buses and roadblocks will be set up and officers will pull people over to conduct questioning as to why they are out and about, Mr Patton said.Booze buses and roadblocks will be set up and officers will pull people over to conduct questioning as to why they are out and about, Mr Patton said.
They will also use automatic number plate recognition technology, which will help determine if a driver and their car are where they should be.They will also use automatic number plate recognition technology, which will help determine if a driver and their car are where they should be.