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Coronavirus live news: India sees record new cases as Texas warns of overwhelmed hospitals Coronavirus live news: India sees record new cases as Texas warns of overwhelmed hospitals
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Iran sees highest daily deaths; UK government injects £1.57bn into arts and heritage; Spain puts part of Galicia back into lockdown. Follow the latest updatesIran sees highest daily deaths; UK government injects £1.57bn into arts and heritage; Spain puts part of Galicia back into lockdown. Follow the latest updates
Lebanon on Sunday hosted its annual music festival in the ancient northeastern city of Baalbek without an audience for the first time ever, in a move organisers dubbed an act of cultural resilience to the global coronavirus pandemic as well as the country’s unprecedented economic meltdown, AFP reports. Held amid soaring Roman columns, the Baalbek International Festival was founded in 1956. This year, it’s being broadcast on local and regional TV stations and live-streamed on social media in an effort “to spread unity and hope.”
The concert with 150 musicians and choral singers opened with the national anthem followed by O Fortuna from the cantata Carmina Burana by Carl Orff. It included a mix of classical music, including Beethoven and Verdi, as well as tunes from Lebanon’s Rahbani brothers composers and beloved Lebanese singer Fairouz.
Lebanese watching the 55-minute show at home posted nostalgic sentiments on social media about bygone days that have been replaced by an economic crisis and growing poverty and hunger.
“It is as if we are saying farewell to the Lebanon we knew and dreamed of,” said economist and political activist Jad Chaaban on Twitter.
Lebanon is currently being shaken by a severe economic and financial crisis, made worse in recent months by the coronavirus and lockdown restrictions. The financial crisis is rooted in decades of systematic corruption and mismanagement by Lebanon’s ruling elite, who critics say refuse to reform despite a nationwide uprising that erupted last October and a rapidly deteriorating economy.
As many as 13 British universities could face financial disaster from the after-effects of the coronavirus outbreak, affecting one in 20 students in the UK and causing steep job cuts, according to research.
Estimates by the Institute for Fiscal Studies found that the UK higher education sector will endure losses ranging between £3bn to £19bn in 2020-21, with the exact size of the losses dependent on how many students decide not to enrol.
The IFS calculates that pension obligations and investment losses caused by the economic downturn will also have a major impact on university balance sheets over the next four years.
Universities will be unable to recoup their losses through cost-cutting unless they also make “significant” numbers of staff redundant, the research found.
In Australia, the ABC is reporting that the border between the states of New South Wales, home to Sydney, and Victoria, home to Melbourne and struggling to contain rising infections, is expected to be closed.
The Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone has also called for a “sensible and necessary pause” on the easing of restrictions nationwide in the wake of the crisis in Victoria, saying it could happen elsewhere in the country:
“That means we can’t be complacent, we need to be vigilant and we need to keep practising all those measures which have kept us in [good] stead during the first par to the wave,” he said.
US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn was asked on ABC’s This Week about a poll that found 27% of Americans would be unlikely to accept a free coronavirus vaccine if it was available.US Food and Drug Administration commissioner Stephen Hahn was asked on ABC’s This Week about a poll that found 27% of Americans would be unlikely to accept a free coronavirus vaccine if it was available.
“It is a sizeable number,” he said. “And it is concerning. And, of course, the issue of vaccines in this country has been around for a number of years.“One of the major reasons we issued this guidance was we wanted to give clarity about what we were going to look at, what we need to look at, and that the FDA has incredible scientific expertise and we will do our job to assess the safety and the efficacy of a vaccine candidate. I want to assure the American people of that and provide confidence that we’re on the job.”“It is a sizeable number,” he said. “And it is concerning. And, of course, the issue of vaccines in this country has been around for a number of years.“One of the major reasons we issued this guidance was we wanted to give clarity about what we were going to look at, what we need to look at, and that the FDA has incredible scientific expertise and we will do our job to assess the safety and the efficacy of a vaccine candidate. I want to assure the American people of that and provide confidence that we’re on the job.”
Earlier in the day Hahn appeared on CNN, where he was asked about US President Donald Trump’s claim that 99% of coronavirus cases in the US are “totally harmless”:Earlier in the day Hahn appeared on CNN, where he was asked about US President Donald Trump’s claim that 99% of coronavirus cases in the US are “totally harmless”:
In non coronavirus news, but other disease news:In non coronavirus news, but other disease news:
Authorities in a city in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia have issued a warning after a hospital reported a case of suspected bubonic plague.Authorities in a city in the Chinese region of Inner Mongolia have issued a warning after a hospital reported a case of suspected bubonic plague.
The health committee of the city of Bayan Nur issued the third-level alert, the second lowest in a four-level system, on Sunday.The health committee of the city of Bayan Nur issued the third-level alert, the second lowest in a four-level system, on Sunday.
The alert forbids the hunting and eating of animals that could carry plague and asks the public to report any suspected cases of plague or fever with no clear causes, and to report any sick or dead marmots.The alert forbids the hunting and eating of animals that could carry plague and asks the public to report any suspected cases of plague or fever with no clear causes, and to report any sick or dead marmots.
Sunday’s warning follows four reported cases of plague in people from Inner Mongolia last November, including two of pneumonic plague, a deadlier variant of plague.Sunday’s warning follows four reported cases of plague in people from Inner Mongolia last November, including two of pneumonic plague, a deadlier variant of plague.
The bubonic plague, known as the “Black Death” in the Middle Ages, is a highly infectious and often fatal disease that is spread mostly by rodents.The bubonic plague, known as the “Black Death” in the Middle Ages, is a highly infectious and often fatal disease that is spread mostly by rodents.
Plague cases are not uncommon in China, but outbreaks have become increasingly rare. From 2009 to 2018, China reported 26 cases and 11 deaths.Plague cases are not uncommon in China, but outbreaks have become increasingly rare. From 2009 to 2018, China reported 26 cases and 11 deaths.
Peru on Sunday jumped past 300,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the fifth-highest in the world, as the Andean nation of nearly 33 million people slowly reopens its battered economy.The South American copper producer, which locked down in March against the virus but struggled to enforce a nationwide quarantine in the face of rising economic hardship, trails only Brazil in the region in terms of case numbers.Peru’s death toll from the virus now stands at 10,589, the 10th-highest in the world.Peru on Sunday jumped past 300,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19, the fifth-highest in the world, as the Andean nation of nearly 33 million people slowly reopens its battered economy.The South American copper producer, which locked down in March against the virus but struggled to enforce a nationwide quarantine in the face of rising economic hardship, trails only Brazil in the region in terms of case numbers.Peru’s death toll from the virus now stands at 10,589, the 10th-highest in the world.
President Martín Vizcarra’s government has eased restrictions this month to allow economic growth to revive, including the key mining sector. Peru is the world’s second-largest producer of copper.Coronavirus cases rose by 3,638 on Sunday to 302,718, although new daily cases have slowed from peak levels in May and June. Health experts fear a potential flare-up, however, with more people on the streets as the lockdown eases.Shopping malls have opened their doors with a limited number of visitors and the government is preparing biosafety protocols to restart domestic air and land transport from mid-July.President Martín Vizcarra’s government has eased restrictions this month to allow economic growth to revive, including the key mining sector. Peru is the world’s second-largest producer of copper.Coronavirus cases rose by 3,638 on Sunday to 302,718, although new daily cases have slowed from peak levels in May and June. Health experts fear a potential flare-up, however, with more people on the streets as the lockdown eases.Shopping malls have opened their doors with a limited number of visitors and the government is preparing biosafety protocols to restart domestic air and land transport from mid-July.
Iran has introduced compulsory face masks in public spaces after the government admitted its efforts to introduce effective voluntary social distancing have failed.Iran has introduced compulsory face masks in public spaces after the government admitted its efforts to introduce effective voluntary social distancing have failed.
The latest figures published by the Iranian health ministry on Sunday showed a record 163 had died in the past 24 hours, higher than any daily figure in the country over the course of the pandemic so far.The latest figures published by the Iranian health ministry on Sunday showed a record 163 had died in the past 24 hours, higher than any daily figure in the country over the course of the pandemic so far.
India registered a record daily number of coronavirus cases and opened a sprawling treatment centre in the capital to fight the pandemic on Sunday. The health ministry reported just under 25,000 cases and 613 deaths in 24 hours – the biggest daily spike since the first case was detected in late January.India registered a record daily number of coronavirus cases and opened a sprawling treatment centre in the capital to fight the pandemic on Sunday. The health ministry reported just under 25,000 cases and 613 deaths in 24 hours – the biggest daily spike since the first case was detected in late January.
In the capital New Delhi, medical staff started treating patients at a spiritual centre converted into a sprawling isolation facility and hospital with 10,000 beds, many made of cardboard and chemically coated to make them waterproof.In the capital New Delhi, medical staff started treating patients at a spiritual centre converted into a sprawling isolation facility and hospital with 10,000 beds, many made of cardboard and chemically coated to make them waterproof.
About the size of 20 football fields, the facility on the outskirts of the city will treat mild symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.About the size of 20 football fields, the facility on the outskirts of the city will treat mild symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.
State government officials fear Delhi, home to 25 million people, could record more than half-a-million cases by the end of the month. The city has repurposed some hotels to provide hospital care. It is also converting wedding halls and has several hundred modified railway coaches standing by.State government officials fear Delhi, home to 25 million people, could record more than half-a-million cases by the end of the month. The city has repurposed some hotels to provide hospital care. It is also converting wedding halls and has several hundred modified railway coaches standing by.
A strict lockdown in place since late March has gradually been lifted, allowing most activities after the economy nose-dived during the shutdown.A strict lockdown in place since late March has gradually been lifted, allowing most activities after the economy nose-dived during the shutdown.
Schools, metro trains in cities, cinemas, gyms and swimming pools remain closed and international flights are still grounded.Schools, metro trains in cities, cinemas, gyms and swimming pools remain closed and international flights are still grounded.
Authorities have made wearing masks mandatory in public places, while large gatherings are banned and shops and other public establishments are required to implement social distancing.Authorities have made wearing masks mandatory in public places, while large gatherings are banned and shops and other public establishments are required to implement social distancing.
Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.Hello and welcome to today’s live coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.
My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be brining you the latest news from around the world for the next few hours.My name is Helen Sullivan and I’ll be brining you the latest news from around the world for the next few hours.
A reminder that during that time you can get in touch with me directly on Twitter or via email – I await your news, comments, suggestions, tips and other people’s good tweets with bated breath.A reminder that during that time you can get in touch with me directly on Twitter or via email – I await your news, comments, suggestions, tips and other people’s good tweets with bated breath.
Twitter: @helenrsullivanEmail: helen.sullivan@theguardian.comTwitter: @helenrsullivanEmail: helen.sullivan@theguardian.com
Now, on to today’s main story: India registered a record daily number of coronavirus cases and opened a sprawling treatment centre in the capital to fight the pandemic on Sunday. The health ministry reported just under 25,000 cases and 613 deaths in 24 hours – the biggest daily spike since the first case was detected in late January.Now, on to today’s main story: India registered a record daily number of coronavirus cases and opened a sprawling treatment centre in the capital to fight the pandemic on Sunday. The health ministry reported just under 25,000 cases and 613 deaths in 24 hours – the biggest daily spike since the first case was detected in late January.
The surge took India’s total tally to more than 673,000 cases and 19,268 deaths, pulling the country closer to surpassing badly-hit Russia, the world’s third-most infected nation.The surge took India’s total tally to more than 673,000 cases and 19,268 deaths, pulling the country closer to surpassing badly-hit Russia, the world’s third-most infected nation.
Other key developments include:Other key developments include:
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday reported 52,228 new coronavirus cases, and said the number of deaths had risen by 271 to 129,576.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Sunday reported 52,228 new coronavirus cases, and said the number of deaths had risen by 271 to 129,576.
British prime minister Boris Johnson will inject £1.57bn into Britain’s beleaguered arts and heritage sectors in a long-awaited coronavirus rescue package described by the government as the biggest one-off investment in UK culture.British prime minister Boris Johnson will inject £1.57bn into Britain’s beleaguered arts and heritage sectors in a long-awaited coronavirus rescue package described by the government as the biggest one-off investment in UK culture.
It is not clear whether it will be safe to hold the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville next month, a top health official from US president Donald Trump’s administration said, as Florida sees record numbers of coronavirus cases.It is not clear whether it will be safe to hold the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville next month, a top health official from US president Donald Trump’s administration said, as Florida sees record numbers of coronavirus cases.
Greece has announced it will prohibit Serbian tourists from entering the country as of 6 AM tomorrow. The ban, due to last until at least 15 July, follows a surge in incidents of coronavirus in the Balkan state.Greece has announced it will prohibit Serbian tourists from entering the country as of 6 AM tomorrow. The ban, due to last until at least 15 July, follows a surge in incidents of coronavirus in the Balkan state.
Kazakhstan on Sunday imposed a second round of nationwide restrictions that are to last at least two weeks, in a bid to counter a huge surge in coronavirus cases since the previous lockdown, which has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system.Kazakhstan on Sunday imposed a second round of nationwide restrictions that are to last at least two weeks, in a bid to counter a huge surge in coronavirus cases since the previous lockdown, which has overwhelmed the country’s healthcare system.
Brazil has recorded 26,051 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours as well as 602 deaths, pushing cumulative deaths to a total of 64,867.Brazil has recorded 26,051 new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours as well as 602 deaths, pushing cumulative deaths to a total of 64,867.
India has withdrawn a planned reopening of the Taj Mahal, citing the risk of new coronavirus infections spreading in the northern city of Agra from visitors, as the country’s infections are rising at the fastest pace in three months.India has withdrawn a planned reopening of the Taj Mahal, citing the risk of new coronavirus infections spreading in the northern city of Agra from visitors, as the country’s infections are rising at the fastest pace in three months.
Dozens of military medics were deployed on Sunday to help combat the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, the country’s third most affected region, amid a surge in infections.Dozens of military medics were deployed on Sunday to help combat the coronavirus pandemic in South Africa’s Eastern Cape province, the country’s third most affected region, amid a surge in infections.