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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
Coronavirus infections in the US state of Arizona have risen by 2,695 on Saturday to a total of 94,553, as Covid-19 hospitalisations rose by 100 to a record high of 3,113 on Friday, the state health department said. As coronavirus cases spike, US public health officials are pleading with Americans to avoid large crowds and hold more muted Independence Day celebrations, the Associated Press reports.
90% of all adult intensive care (ICU) beds were in use as of Friday, which is one percentage point lower than the day before. But subdued is not president Donald Trump’s style, and he aimed to go big, promising a special evening in Washington that could bring tens of thousands to the National Mall.
Trump’s Salute for America celebration on Saturday evening was to include a speech from the White House South Lawn that he said would celebrate American heritage, as well as a military flyover over the city and an enormous fireworks display that could pack people downtown.
The president kicked off the holiday weekend by traveling to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota for a fireworks display Friday night near the mountain carvings of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
In his remarks, he accused protesters who have pushed for racial justice of engaging in a merciless campaign to wipe out our history.
In a presidential message Saturday on the 244th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, Trump acknowledged that over the past months, the American spirit has undoubtedly been tested by many challenges.
His Democratic rival, Joe Biden, said in a statement that the US never lived up to its founding principle that all men are created equal, but that today “we have a chance to rip the roots of systemic racism out of this country.’’
His participation in big gatherings comes as many communities have decided to scrap fireworks, parades and other holiday traditions in attempts to prevent further spread of coronavirus, with confirmed cases climbing in 40 states.
Thai boxing matches resumed on Saturday after more than three months as the nation eases its coronavirus lockdown, but fans of the popular sport will have to make do with watching on television for now.
Leaders of the sport hailed the return to the ring after the shutdown, which left hundreds of boxers and referees without work, and said they hoped spectators would be allowed to attend matches again soon.
“I’m very happy and excited to get back to the ring [...] But I feel a bit strange. I was used to the sounds of crowds cheering, but there’s no audience,” Khathawut Tumthong, a 21-year-old boxer, told Reuters.
Thailand’s government has eased most curbs to try to revive an economy badly hit by the pandemic, with sports competitions among the latest activities to resume. No local transmissions of the virus have been reported for 40 days.
However, authorities have yet to issue rules on when and how audiences will be allowed at sports venues.
In March, a spike in virus cases was linked to a boxing match in Bangkok.
“Today is a good start for the boxing industry,” said Viboon Jampa-nguern, head of Thailand’s boxing committee.
“Boxers are in jeopardy, they don’t have alternative jobs. The same goes for those who work as boxing referees, they don’t have second jobs to support them,” he said.
Thailand’s tourism-driven economy could contract a record 8.1% this year, with the number of foreign tourists expected to tumble 80%, the central bank has forecast.
The US state of Arizona reported 2,695 new coronavirus infections on Saturday, bringing its total to 94,553. The number of hospital admissions for Covid-19 by 100 to a record high of 3,113 on Friday, the state health department said.
Ninety per cent of all adult intensive care beds were in use as of Friday, which is one percentage point lower than the day before.
Tunisia’s tourism sector has experienced a sharp slump as a result of the pandemic, the country’s central bank said on Saturday, reporting that revenues had fallen by 47% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2019.Tunisia’s tourism sector has experienced a sharp slump as a result of the pandemic, the country’s central bank said on Saturday, reporting that revenues had fallen by 47% in the first half of the year compared to the same period in 2019.
Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in Tunisia, but the government imposed strict lockdown restrictions.Tourism is one of the most important economic sectors in Tunisia, but the government imposed strict lockdown restrictions.
It declared the pandemic defeated in mid-June, but few tourists have visited the country since, the DPA reports.It declared the pandemic defeated in mid-June, but few tourists have visited the country since, the DPA reports.
Tunisia has reported almost 1,200 cases and 50 deaths, significantly lower figures than for other north African countries. Recently there were officially fewer than 15 new infections every day.Tunisia has reported almost 1,200 cases and 50 deaths, significantly lower figures than for other north African countries. Recently there were officially fewer than 15 new infections every day.
Hello, I’m taking over for the next few hours. As always do feel free to flag anything relevant that we might have missed, you can message me on Twitter @JedySays or email me at jedidajah.otte.casual@theguardian.com.Hello, I’m taking over for the next few hours. As always do feel free to flag anything relevant that we might have missed, you can message me on Twitter @JedySays or email me at jedidajah.otte.casual@theguardian.com.
The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Florida increased by a record 11,458 on Saturday, the state’s health department said.The number of confirmed cases of coronavirus in Florida increased by a record 11,458 on Saturday, the state’s health department said.
This is the second time in three days that the figure has increased by more than 10,000.This is the second time in three days that the figure has increased by more than 10,000.
The US has the highest number of both confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in the world, at 2,795,437 and 129,476 respectively, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.The US has the highest number of both confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in the world, at 2,795,437 and 129,476 respectively, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker.
If you’re just joining us, here’s a summary of key developments in the coronavirus pandemic from around the world:If you’re just joining us, here’s a summary of key developments in the coronavirus pandemic from around the world:
Catalonia has put more than 200,000 people in the north-eastern Spanish region back into lockdown after more than 350 cases of coronavirus were detected in the area.Catalonia has put more than 200,000 people in the north-eastern Spanish region back into lockdown after more than 350 cases of coronavirus were detected in the area.
The death toll in Russia has passed 10,000.The death toll in Russia has passed 10,000.
Tokyo confirmed around 130 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, a third consecutive day with more than 100 new infections.Tokyo confirmed around 130 new cases of Covid-19 on Saturday, a third consecutive day with more than 100 new infections.
Pubs and hair salons have reopened in England, along with cultural landmarks and some cinemas and galleries. You can read more on our UK live blogPubs and hair salons have reopened in England, along with cultural landmarks and some cinemas and galleries. You can read more on our UK live blog
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 have been 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 have been banned from leaving their homes for at least five days.
Iran will enforce the wearing of masks in enclosed public spaces and deny public services to those who refuse. It comes after a week-long campaign by state television to encourage the use of masks, which told viewers that “coronavirus is not a joke”.Iran will enforce the wearing of masks in enclosed public spaces and deny public services to those who refuse. It comes after a week-long campaign by state television to encourage the use of masks, which told viewers that “coronavirus is not a joke”.
Fans have gathered to mark the closure of much-lovedScala cinema in Bangkok, Thailand.Fans have gathered to mark the closure of much-lovedScala cinema in Bangkok, Thailand.
The cinema in the heart of the Thai capital has struggled for years to stay profitable as costs and competition have grown. The coronavirus pandemic appears to have dealt the final blow.The cinema in the heart of the Thai capital has struggled for years to stay profitable as costs and competition have grown. The coronavirus pandemic appears to have dealt the final blow.
“I’m so sad I have no words. It is heartbreaking,” said Nanta Tansasha, whose family runs the venue, which was built by her father. “When we look toward the future, I don’t know if it will pick up ... so I decided to stop the business now.”“I’m so sad I have no words. It is heartbreaking,” said Nanta Tansasha, whose family runs the venue, which was built by her father. “When we look toward the future, I don’t know if it will pick up ... so I decided to stop the business now.”
The Scala is the last cinema of its kind in Bangkok, where most others are housed in large shopping centres.The Scala is the last cinema of its kind in Bangkok, where most others are housed in large shopping centres.
The final screenings include Italian films and Thai documentaries, and 3,000 tickets have been sold to fans who want to pay a last visit.The final screenings include Italian films and Thai documentaries, and 3,000 tickets have been sold to fans who want to pay a last visit.
In its heyday, the Scala rolled out the red carpet for celebrities including Jean-Claude Van Damme at the Bangkok film festival in 2013.In its heyday, the Scala rolled out the red carpet for celebrities including Jean-Claude Van Damme at the Bangkok film festival in 2013.
Mexico has increased its border checks for the 4 July holiday weekend in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.Mexico has increased its border checks for the 4 July holiday weekend in an attempt to curb the spread of coronavirus.
Officials will install health checkpoints at various entry points along its northern border, as US and Mexican officials fear there could be a surge in crossings and subsequent spread of the virus.Officials will install health checkpoints at various entry points along its northern border, as US and Mexican officials fear there could be a surge in crossings and subsequent spread of the virus.
Mexican consulates in the US urged people to refrain from crossing the border for recreation or tourism.Mexican consulates in the US urged people to refrain from crossing the border for recreation or tourism.
A ban on non-essential cross-border travel has been in place since March in an attempt by both governments to limit coronavirus infections, but traffic has still been busy.A ban on non-essential cross-border travel has been in place since March in an attempt by both governments to limit coronavirus infections, but traffic has still been busy.
Hi everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the blog for a little while.Hi everyone, I’m Molly Blackall, taking over the blog for a little while.
If you spot something we should be reporting, you can drop me a message on Twitter. I won’t always be able to reply, but I will do my best to read everything. Thank you in advance, it’s always much appreciated!If you spot something we should be reporting, you can drop me a message on Twitter. I won’t always be able to reply, but I will do my best to read everything. Thank you in advance, it’s always much appreciated!
Iran will enforce the wearing of masks in enclosed public spaces and deny public services to those who refuse, the government has announced among a serieds of new measures to counter Covid-19.Iran will enforce the wearing of masks in enclosed public spaces and deny public services to those who refuse, the government has announced among a serieds of new measures to counter Covid-19.
The country’s president, Hassan Rouhani, outlined the new measures in an address to the nation on Saturday. “Government employees should not serve people who do not wear masks and employees who do not wear them should be considered absentees and sent home,” he said.The country’s president, Hassan Rouhani, outlined the new measures in an address to the nation on Saturday. “Government employees should not serve people who do not wear masks and employees who do not wear them should be considered absentees and sent home,” he said.
Those infected have a “religious duty” to notify others, Rouhani said. “Keeping your infection a secret violates the rights of other people”.Those infected have a “religious duty” to notify others, Rouhani said. “Keeping your infection a secret violates the rights of other people”.
The government has been trying to convince a reluctant public to accept masks, and a week-long campaign by state television has been telling viewers that “Coronavirus is not a joke”.The government has been trying to convince a reluctant public to accept masks, and a week-long campaign by state television has been telling viewers that “Coronavirus is not a joke”.
On Saturday a government website published photos of Rouhani, who is rarely seen wearing a mask, with a face covering.On Saturday a government website published photos of Rouhani, who is rarely seen wearing a mask, with a face covering.
The total number of coronavirus cases in Iran hasreached 237,878 and the number of deaths 11,408, the health ministry said.The total number of coronavirus cases in Iran hasreached 237,878 and the number of deaths 11,408, the health ministry said.
China’s 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.China’s 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.
A study published earlier this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) said the G4 strain had the potential to become a pandemic virus.A study published earlier this week in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) said the G4 strain had the potential to become a pandemic virus.
China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, however, said in a statement that the study has been interpreted by the media “in an exaggerated and nonfactual way”.China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, however, said in a statement that the study has been interpreted by the media “in an exaggerated and nonfactual way”.
The ministry’s analysis concluded that the study’s sampling was too small to be representative, and that the article lacked adequate evidence to show the G4 virus has become the dominant strain among pigs.The ministry’s analysis concluded that the study’s sampling was too small to be representative, and that the article lacked 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 pig industry and public health. Participants included Chinese veterinarians and virologists and the leading authors of the PNAS study.The ministry said it drew its conclusions after holding a seminar on the G4 virus’s impact on the pig industry and public health. Participants included Chinese veterinarians and virologists and the leading authors of the PNAS study.