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Coronavirus live news: pubs reopen in England as Catalonia announces new lockdown Coronavirus live news: pubs reopen in England as Catalonia announces new lockdown
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Fourth of July holiday weekend set to start with continued rise in infections; Brazil cases pass 1.5m; Boris Johnson defends decision to reopen pubs on Saturday. Follow all the developments liveFourth of July holiday weekend set to start with continued rise in infections; Brazil cases pass 1.5m; Boris Johnson defends decision to reopen pubs on Saturday. Follow all the developments live
The Chinese agriculture ministry has pushed back on a study into the ‘G4’ strain of swine flu, claiming it is not new and does not infect or sicken humans easily.
Earlier this week a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), warned that the G4 strain could become a potential “pandemic virus”.
However, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said in a statement that the study has been interpreted by the media “in an exaggerated and nonfactual way.”
An analysis by the ministry concluded that sampling of the published study is too small to be representative, while the article lacks adequate evidence to show the G4 virus has become the dominant strain among pigs.
The ministry said it drew its conclusions after holding a seminar on the G4 virus’s impact on the hog industry and public health. Participants included Chinese veterinarians and anti-virus experts, as well as the leading authors of the PNAS study.
Afghanistan has announced the first death of a high profile official from Covid-19, as the government reported it had reached the peak of the virus outbreak.
Yosuf Ghazanfar, President Ashraf Ghani’s Special Envoy for Economic Development and Poverty Reduction, died from the virus on Friday night. A main player in president Ghani’s 2019 presidential campaign, a state commission headed by the president’s chief of staff is to be tasked with conducting his funeral and burial process.The health ministry said on Saturday that the country had reached the peak of coronavirus with 32,672 confirmed cases,including 348 new infections, with the number of deaths has risen by 7 to 826.
“According to our statistics, we are now at the peak of the pandemic as the daily infections have been around the same numbers in the last two weeks and suspected patients decreased so we hope daily numbers will drop soon,” said Abdulqadeer Qadeeri, deputy health minister.Testing capacity remains low in Afghanistan and experts warn that the actual number of infections is much higher. Afghanistan has tested 75,155 suspected patients since the outbreak began. Akmal Samsour, spokesman for the Health ministry said: “only patients with severe symptoms go to medical centres, so the actual number may be something between 150,000 and 1.5 million.”The capital, Kabul, which has been the country’s worst affected area with 13,334 confirmed cases and 225 deaths, recorded most new cases (164) as one patient died from the virus in Kabul overnight.
In Helmand province, all six tests carried out in the last 24 hours came back positive. The western province of Herat recorded 28 new cases from 51 tests in the last 24 hours. Herat has so far recorded 4,958 confirmed cases and 130 deaths.Herat borders Iran– which has been badly hit by the pandemic – and the first case of the virus was reported in the province after thousands of Afghan migrants returned from the neighbouring country in February and March, fanning out across the country without being tested or quarantined.Meanwhile, the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission asked the Taliban on Friday to allow human rights workers to probe a recent mortar attack in Helmand. “We call on the Taliban to pave the way for an investigation by the workers of the human rights commission, because the area is under Taliban control,” said Zabiullah Farhang, head of the media department of the human rights commission.At least 28 civilians were killed and 34 more wounded after four mortars hit a cattle market on Monday in Helmand.The UN mission in Afghanistan has said that according to its “initial” and “impartial” findings, the Afghan army mortars inflicted heavy civilian casualties Monday at a market in Sangin and that “multiple credible sources assert that the army fired lethal mortars in response to Taliban fire, missing intended target.”
Three thousand people living in nine public housing towers in Melbourne have been placed under the harshest lockdown rules of the coronavirus pandemic in Australia so far and banned from leaving their homes for at least five days.Three thousand people living in nine public housing towers in Melbourne have been placed under the harshest lockdown rules of the coronavirus pandemic in Australia so far and banned from leaving their homes for at least five days.
Five hundred police officers have been dispatched to monitor the nine towers in Flemington and North Melbourne to ensure residents do not leave their small and often overcrowded units.Five hundred police officers have been dispatched to monitor the nine towers in Flemington and North Melbourne to ensure residents do not leave their small and often overcrowded units.
Calla Wahlquist and Margaret Simons report:Calla Wahlquist and Margaret Simons report:
Catalonian officials have confined more than 200,000 people in the north-eastern Spanish region after more than 350 cases of coronavirus were detected in the area.Catalonian officials have confined more than 200,000 people in the north-eastern Spanish region after more than 350 cases of coronavirus were detected in the area.
“We have decided to confine the perimeter of Segrià because of the notable rise in covid cases,” the region’s leader, Quim Torra, said on Saturday, describing it as a difficult decision.“We have decided to confine the perimeter of Segrià because of the notable rise in covid cases,” the region’s leader, Quim Torra, said on Saturday, describing it as a difficult decision.
The restriction is the first to be reintroduced in Spain since the country lifted many of its emergency measures on 21 June.The restriction is the first to be reintroduced in Spain since the country lifted many of its emergency measures on 21 June.
Movement in and out of the area, which is about a two-hour car journey west of Barcelona, will be restricted to most from midday Saturday. Officials have also recommended that residents limit their movements and social activities. Gatherings of more than 10 people have been prohibited.Movement in and out of the area, which is about a two-hour car journey west of Barcelona, will be restricted to most from midday Saturday. Officials have also recommended that residents limit their movements and social activities. Gatherings of more than 10 people have been prohibited.
The largest city in the area, Lleida, has been struggling with a surge in coronavirus cases in recent days. Health officials ordered a field hospital to be set up on Friday, after the number of infections nearly doubled from 167 to 325 in a week. They said they were monitoring nine active outbreaks, including at one a care home and several at fruit farms.The largest city in the area, Lleida, has been struggling with a surge in coronavirus cases in recent days. Health officials ordered a field hospital to be set up on Friday, after the number of infections nearly doubled from 167 to 325 in a week. They said they were monitoring nine active outbreaks, including at one a care home and several at fruit farms.
The restrictions come after Spain registered 17 deaths on Friday, the country’s highest 24-hour death toll in two weeks.The restrictions come after Spain registered 17 deaths on Friday, the country’s highest 24-hour death toll in two weeks.
The virus has claimed more than 28,000 lives in the country, according to the health ministry, but the number of excess deaths hints at a toll among the highest in Europe.The virus has claimed more than 28,000 lives in the country, according to the health ministry, but the number of excess deaths hints at a toll among the highest in Europe.
Spain began gradually opening its borders last month, and on Saturday began allowing travellers from 12 countries outside the EU to enter, including Australia, Canada and Japan. Ashifa KassamSpain began gradually opening its borders last month, and on Saturday began allowing travellers from 12 countries outside the EU to enter, including Australia, Canada and Japan. Ashifa Kassam
“I’m taking each day as it comes, trying to stay healthy until I can get home.”“I’m taking each day as it comes, trying to stay healthy until I can get home.”
Hundreds of Venezuelan refugees who fled their country’s economic crisis in the hope of establishing a new life in Colombia have had their prospects shattered by Covid-19.Hundreds of Venezuelan refugees who fled their country’s economic crisis in the hope of establishing a new life in Colombia have had their prospects shattered by Covid-19.
Joe Parkin Daniels reports from Bogotá on the people forced to turn their lives around in the most challenging of circumstances.Joe Parkin Daniels reports from Bogotá on the people forced to turn their lives around in the most challenging of circumstances.
Hallo, this is Paul MacInnes, I’m taking over the blog for the next few hours.Hallo, this is Paul MacInnes, I’m taking over the blog for the next few hours.
Any questions or tips please email me.Any questions or tips please email me.
Jair Bolsonaro sanctioned a law on Friday to make face masks obligatory in public in Brazil, but watered it down by vetoing their use in shops, churches and schools, the BBC reports.Jair Bolsonaro sanctioned a law on Friday to make face masks obligatory in public in Brazil, but watered it down by vetoing their use in shops, churches and schools, the BBC reports.
The Brazilian president said people could have been fined for not wearing a mask at home.The Brazilian president said people could have been fined for not wearing a mask at home.
Brazil has the world’s second-highest numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths. Almost 1.5 million people have been infected and 61,884 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.Brazil has the world’s second-highest numbers of Covid-19 cases and deaths. Almost 1.5 million people have been infected and 61,884 have died, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Indonesia reported 1,447 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, the health ministry said, taking the nation’s tally to 62,142. It also announced 53 more deaths, taking the country’s toll to 3,089.Indonesia reported 1,447 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, the health ministry said, taking the nation’s tally to 62,142. It also announced 53 more deaths, taking the country’s toll to 3,089.
People in England are finally allowed to drink in a pub, have a meal in a restaurant or get a haircut for the first time in more than three months as as the country takes its biggest steps yet towards resumption of normal life.People in England are finally allowed to drink in a pub, have a meal in a restaurant or get a haircut for the first time in more than three months as as the country takes its biggest steps yet towards resumption of normal life.
Pubs were permitted to start serving from 6am, sparking worries about over-indulgence on what the media has called “super Saturday”.Pubs were permitted to start serving from 6am, sparking worries about over-indulgence on what the media has called “super Saturday”.
Some hairdressers opened at the stroke of midnight.Some hairdressers opened at the stroke of midnight.
In another relaxation of lockdown rules that were first imposed in late March two households can now meet indoors as long as social distancing is maintained, and overnight stays are allowed.In another relaxation of lockdown rules that were first imposed in late March two households can now meet indoors as long as social distancing is maintained, and overnight stays are allowed.
The Sun newspaper predicted that 15m pints (8.5m litres) of beer would be sunk in England on Saturday, though some pub-goers may be deterred by a forecast of unsettled weather.The Sun newspaper predicted that 15m pints (8.5m litres) of beer would be sunk in England on Saturday, though some pub-goers may be deterred by a forecast of unsettled weather.
Police said they were “absolutely prepared”, and hospitals have been told to prepare for a New Year’s Eve-style weekend.Police said they were “absolutely prepared”, and hospitals have been told to prepare for a New Year’s Eve-style weekend.
The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, called on people to behave responsibly and respect social-distancing regulations, but he also stressed the importance of supporting businesses.The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson, called on people to behave responsibly and respect social-distancing regulations, but he also stressed the importance of supporting businesses.
He said at a news conference on Friday: “We must not let them down.”He said at a news conference on Friday: “We must not let them down.”
Saturday’s rule changes apply only to England. The UK’s devolved nations - Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - have been setting their own timetables for easing lockdown restrictions.Saturday’s rule changes apply only to England. The UK’s devolved nations - Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - have been setting their own timetables for easing lockdown restrictions.
Pub-goers will find the atmosphere rather different from the usual Saturday-night scrum.Pub-goers will find the atmosphere rather different from the usual Saturday-night scrum.
Numbers will be limited, no one will be allowed to stand at the bar and there will be no live music. Patrons will also have to give their details to allow tracers to identify them if anyone later tests positive.Numbers will be limited, no one will be allowed to stand at the bar and there will be no live music. Patrons will also have to give their details to allow tracers to identify them if anyone later tests positive.
JD Wetherspoon, one of the biggest chains, said it had invested £11m ($13.7m) in safety measures. Most of its pubs in England opened at the usual time of 8am. It is not taking bookings, but said numbers would be controlled by staff at busy times.JD Wetherspoon, one of the biggest chains, said it had invested £11m ($13.7m) in safety measures. Most of its pubs in England opened at the usual time of 8am. It is not taking bookings, but said numbers would be controlled by staff at busy times.
I just spoke to Hana, a woman who lives in one of the nine public housing tower blocks placed into lockdown in Melbourne.I just spoke to Hana, a woman who lives in one of the nine public housing tower blocks placed into lockdown in Melbourne.
She learned of the lockdown when she returned home from the supermarket, just after 4pm, when she was greeted by dozens of police officers. The police presence was intimidating, she said.She learned of the lockdown when she returned home from the supermarket, just after 4pm, when she was greeted by dozens of police officers. The police presence was intimidating, she said.
She said it was hard not to feel that public housing blocks had been targeted when the towers are surrounded by other apartment buildings whose residents are free to go to the shops or for a daily walk.She said it was hard not to feel that public housing blocks had been targeted when the towers are surrounded by other apartment buildings whose residents are free to go to the shops or for a daily walk.
Dozens of police officers are scattered around the entrances and throughout the grounds of a public housing estate on the corner of Sutton, Melrose and Alfred streets in North Melbourne.Dozens of police officers are scattered around the entrances and throughout the grounds of a public housing estate on the corner of Sutton, Melrose and Alfred streets in North Melbourne.
Cars that entered the estate had their details checked and police were speaking to residents who were walking through the property.Cars that entered the estate had their details checked and police were speaking to residents who were walking through the property.
The high rises will be in lockdown from midnight, meaning residents will not be allowed to leave for any reason. The government says they will be provided food, healthcare and other services.The high rises will be in lockdown from midnight, meaning residents will not be allowed to leave for any reason. The government says they will be provided food, healthcare and other services.
One estate resident wearing a large mask and who was waiting in his car with a friend, sounded dismayed about the lockdown.One estate resident wearing a large mask and who was waiting in his car with a friend, sounded dismayed about the lockdown.
“We’re not happy about it,” he said before driving off.“We’re not happy about it,” he said before driving off.
Once residents enter one of the 20-storey buildings tonight, they won’t be allowed out for five days.Once residents enter one of the 20-storey buildings tonight, they won’t be allowed out for five days.
Four residents at Newmarch House, an aged care home in Sydney, Australia, where 17 people died in Australia’s deadliest on-soil outbreak of the virus, have been tested for Covid-19.
The outbreak is subject to a major coronial investigation and a class action.
In a statement, NSW Health said the four residents at the aged care home were tested on Saturday after “displaying symptoms of respiratory illness”. One of the tests returned a negative result, the other three are pending.
The decision to lock down nine public housing towers in Melbourne has been heavily criticised by activists, lawyers and public health advocates.
Paul Kidd, an HIV+ activist, described the decision to lock down the towers as “a powder keg, a disaster”.
Kidd says many living in the tower are recovering drug addicts on the methadone program, and need to attend a health service every day to receive their injection.
The decision to put police in charge of the lockdown has been widely criticised.
Meanwhile photos from journalist Margaret Simons show armed police officers, wearing gloves and facemasks, guarding the door to one of the largest towers at 120 Racecourse Road, Flemington.
Russia has reported 6,632 new cases of the coronavirus, raising the nationwide tally of infections to 674,515.
The authorities said that 168 people had died in the last 24 hours, bringing the official death toll to 10,027.
Good morning from London. I’m Lucy Campbell, joining the blog for the next hour. As I’m sure you’ve heard, pubs are reopening here in England today after three months of lockdown and we’re all on edge in anticipation of how busy they may or may not be throughout the day.
Even with “Covid-secure” measures in place, there is some trepidation about how safe it is to head to your local pub when people might get carried away, but there’s also a desire to support businesses that have faced long periods of closure. We will be bringing you more on this throughout the morning.
This is from our Rob Davies who was at the Moon Under Water pub from 7:45am. It’s now 8:20am and he appears to still be the only one there.
Journalist Margaret Simons lives in Flemington in Melbourne, and says she is concerned about her neighbours living in public housing towers.
The police have already arrived.
Tokyo confirmed about 130 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, a third consecutive day with more than 100 new cases, public broadcaster NHK reported.
From Reuters:
Cases in Tokyo have risen to a two-month high, driven by the spread of the virus in the capital’s night spots.
Tokyo on Friday reported 124 new cases, up from 107 the day before, partly due to increased testing among night life workers in the Shinjuku and Ikebukuro districts.
Kelly says he has called an emergency meeting of the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee for 6pm.
Still in Australia, the acting chief medical officer, Professor Paul Kelly, is giving the national update.
Australia has now had 8,362 cases and has conducted more than 2.6m coronavirus tests, including more than 50,000 in the past 24 hours.
That’s 113 new cases in the past 24 hours. That’s 108 in Victoria and five in NSW.
Kelly says they also added 189 historic cases added to the NSW total. They are mostly Ruby Princess cruise ship crew members, who never actually set foot on Australian soil but were ill in Australian waters.
They have been added to the Australian total in order to ensure an accurate report to the World Health Organisation.
Guardian Australia’s data editor, Nick Evershed, noted that the daily total number of cases for Victoria on 28 March was revised down from 111 to 106 due to duplicate tests.
It is not uncommon for a daily total to be revised down due to duplicates. That could happen to today’s figure of 108. But it means that today is possibly the highest daily coronavirus total in Victoria since the start of the pandemic.